ABC Self-Regulation Technique
Something that’s short enough to practice throughout the day is a brief check-in and self-regulation technique, summarized by the acronym ABC (from Mark Walsh). Awareness – Take a moment to check in with yourself and notice how you are. Balance – Find physical balance, front to back and side to side. Core – Soften your […]
Abhyāsa Defined
How we are in a given moment is our state. How we are over time is our trait. A yoga class can change how we feel for a time. A breathing practice can settle us in a stressful moment. Those state changes are valuable, but developing greater capacity over time requires practice. Neuroscience supports what […]
Yoga Defined
In light of all my chill and restorative offerings of late, I thought I would share some thoughts on the word yoga. In the west it is often thought of as exercise, but in fact, it comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning “to yoke,” or “to unite”. Yoga is the practice of cultivating greater integration, bringing […]
Static Back Press
One way to practice stillness (and decompress the spine) is a tool from the Egoscue Method called the static back press. To practice, lie on the floor with your lower legs supported on a chair, ottoman, or sofa so your hips and knees are each at about 90 degrees. Shift so that your low back […]
Allowing the Breath Practice
Give receiving the breath a try with this short practice. Settling into a comfortable seat, soften your gaze or close your eyes. Notice the body breathing. Breath moving in and down, up and out. Notice where you feel it and how it feels. Then notice any bracing, holding, or tension. Can you soften any amount? […]
Puraka Defined
The Sanskrit word puraka literally translates to “filling.” It refers to the phase of breathing we call the inhale. The Yoga Sutras, an ancient text that outlines the practice of yoga, states that the breath should be long, smooth, and subtle. Many of my clients find the inhale challenging. They try to “do” the inhale […]
Supported Bridge
Find a cozy space on a firm surface. Place a bolster, folded blankets, or a pillow under your pelvis, and rest your head and shoulders on a blanket. Knees stay bent, feet on the floor, with the option to place a blanket over the knees as a gentle weight to hold the legs. Allow the […]
Salamba Defined
Salamba translates from Sanskrit as “supported” or “with support.” In yoga asana practice, it signals the use of props (like blocks or straps), the ground, or parts of the body for stability. For example, salamba setu bandhasana is a supported bridge pose. Practicing with support can make functional alignment more accessible while enhancing both safety […]
Śavasana
Śavasana, aka corpse pose, is how most of us spend the last few minutes of a movement practice. This state of dynamic stillness allows our systems to integrate all that we’ve experienced in the movement, the breathing, and the mindfulness of our practice. The first yogic text to say much about the body, the Hatha Yoga […]
Supported Reclining Posture
I invite you to explore a supported reclining posture. Get yourself a cozy spot set up with lots of blankets, pillows, cushions, or yoga props if you have them. Create a ramped support that you can lie back on, with the head and neck supported and the forehead slightly higher than the chin. The torso […]