conscious yoga + wellness newsletter: november 2019
current thoughts:
Hi there! It’s been a minute but I am so glad to be back writing again. I wanted to share a few things I have been pondering over the past few months in regards to finding the balance between stability and flexibility in our lives. Of course, we can immediately apply this concept to the body and how we physically engage in the environment around us. We could talk about the benefits of being flexible (i.e. touching our toes or doing a backbend) and how that improves the functions of our body. We could also talk about the benefits of being physically stable (like back squatting 135# or more with good technique) and how that develops strength in our body. Both of these topics would be really fun to discuss however I wanted to dive deeper to think about if there was a correlation between our physical tendencies, being more flexible vs being more stable/stiff, and the potential effect it has on how we energetically and mentally participate in our lives.
Since I tend to be more naturally flexible vs stable in my physical body, I started to ask myself these questions:
Does the flexibility in my body correlate to how flexible I am with my energy and time?
Does my ability to stretch my body to the end range and sometimes to extreme positions lead me to periods of time where I overextend or stretch past my own abilities or boundaries?
When I find stability in my physical body, through means of strength and stability training, do I feel an energetic shift in how I approach my day?
Taking my time to digest the questions and process my answers without the notion of them being ‘good’ or ‘bad’, I noticed a huge correlation between how I physically move the body and its direct relationship to how I energetically and mentally participate in my daily activities. When I experience a good balance between yoga, strength training and stability work I notice I am more able to manage my schedule, set healthy boundaries for how I use my energy and feel more stable/safe in my physical body. This revelation was very inspiring initially, however, I quickly realized this balance was much harder for me to maintain; it is way easier for me to slip back into my habits of flexibility and overextending myself. However, I continue to realize and remind myself of how important it is to find a balance between flexibility and stability in life. We are all striving to find good health in our bodies and that means not only how we physically feel but also energetically and mentally.
So I offer these questions to ask yourself:
What does the word balance mean to you?
Does the flexibility or stiffness in your body correlate to how flexible or stiff you are with your energy and time?
Do you experience more flexibility or stability in your life?
What would it feel like to find a balance between flexibility and stability in your life?
It’s important to take a few moments every week or month to take a step back and observe how our physical engagements or activities affect our energetic and mental health. You are all deserving of finding a balance in your life so allow yourself the space to find out what this means to you. Make the time to understand what this would look like in your life, at this moment, and take small steps along this path.
monthly restorative practice:
As we approach the cooler months it becomes important to create an element of movement to our restorative yoga practice. This month I invite you to add an aspect of gentle flexibility to your home restorative practice. This sequence will focus on spinal rotation to encourage lengthening and opening throughout the sides of the body. As we begin to focus on this region, we can begin to create more space for improved circulation to our vital organs, increasing our lung capacity and focus the energy of our breath to new places.
Here’s how to set up:
Gather your props: 1 yoga mat or soft space on the floor, 1-2 blankets, 1-2 bolsters or pillows, and 2 blocks.
Find a quiet space, close your eyes and find a connection to your breath. Inhale through your nose and exhale out the nose or mouth; repeat this for 10 rounds.
Place a 2-3 fold blanket at the top end of your mat, a bolster or pillow to the side of the mat and two blocks towards the bottom end of the mat.
Come to lie on your back with your head on a blanket. Bend your knees out to either side and support the lateral sides of the thighs/knees with blocks.
Place the bolster down the center of your body and allow your arms to wrap around it gently.
Stay in this position for 5-10 slow breaths and allow your breath to fill up the front of your body. bring the knees up towards the ceiling and
Next, bring your knees up towards the ceiling and slowly make your way to the right side of your body, allow the bolster to come down towards the ground.
Cross the left leg over to the right and place the inside of the knee gently on a block. Extend the right arm out to the side and place the left hand on the bolster.
Stay in this position for 5 slow breaths. Then begin to open up through the chest by taking the left arm back out to the left and stay here for an additional 5 slow breaths.
Option: take the left arm overhead and slightly tucking your chin towards your left axilla (armpit). Stay here for 5 slow breaths.
Slowly make your way back to the center and pause for a few breaths to observe any changes in your body.
Begin to make your way to the left side of your body and begin to move through the positions again.
Cross the right leg over to the left and place the inside of the knee gently on a block. Extend the left arm out to the side and place the right hand on the bolster (see picture below).
Hold this position for 5 slow breaths, then gently move the right arm back out to the right for 5 slow breaths.
Option: take the right arm overhead and slightly tucking your chin towards your right axilla (armpit). Stay here for 5 breaths.
Slowly make your way back to center with the legs extended and place the bolster down the center of your body. Pause for a few breaths to observe any changes in your body.
While in the postures above, allow your belly to soften and your breath to fill the space along the sides of the body from the axilla all the way down to the hip. Let the belly rise with the inhale and fall with the exhale. This sequence can last anywhere from 5-20 minutes depending on the length of the breaths. When exiting the posture, roll to one side and feel the earth along the side of your body. Take a few breaths here and then find a comfortable seated position. Notice any changes or sensations throughout your body. Return to your day with a new sense of openness throughout your body and a renewed connection to your breath.
follow this link for pictures of the restorative positions:
workshops and class schedule around the city:
Ashtanga Yoga Basics: Monday mornings from 6-7a at Centered Yoga + Movement in Worthington
Restorative Yoga Class: The second and fourth Tuesday in November from 7-8p at Centered Yoga + Movement in Worthington
Monthly Restorative: Sunday, November 10th from 12-2:30p at Step by Step Wellness
Ashtanga Mysore class: Monday, November 25th and Wednesday, November 27th from 5:30-8p at Ashtanga Yoga Columbus
services offered:
My online booking site is available for scheduling craniosacral, restore and resolve sessions, just follow this direct link to learn more about the treatment techniques offered through CY+W. If the available times or days do not work for you, please send me an email and we can a day/time that works best. I would love to be a part of your journey into holistic healing. Reach out and let’s connect!
wrapping up:
The past two months have been full of fun and exciting experiences that have continued to allow growth in ways I didn’t know were possible. Justin & I took our first trip to Canada and we made some incredible memories together. While we were there, I completed my level 2 Craniosacral (CS) Training! This last month I’ve been digesting and incorporating these new concepts & techniques into my current sessions and am truly grateful to be able to develop a deeper sense of connection. It brings me so much to be able to help people on their path of holistic healing.
Thank you all for allowing me to share my passion and for being part of my journey.
Xoxo,
Jesse
For more information or inquiries:
email: jesse@consciousyogaandwellness.com
website: www.consciousyogaandwellness.com
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