Photos by: Thomas Garza

When she reached out to Ellen Hoffman on Instagram, the woman was understandably nervous. Her class at Hoffman’s Movement Loft would be the first time she’d ever done yoga, and she had a lot of questions.

“I talked to her for about a week, and reassured her that she could definitely do this,” Hoffman says. “Then she came to class and joined the studio right after.”

That’s a pretty typical story for The Movement Loft: guests are nervous about yoga, dance, conditioning or any number of the classes available to them, then they immediately fall in love with Hoffman and her team. This unique studio offers the stress relief we need in 2021 — and the holistic wellness experience we’ve needed all along. I didn’t realize how tight my whole body was. I didn’t realize how much I could do. Hoffman, the loft’s founder, hears testimonials like that all the time, and they remind her why she created this distinctive, holistic wellness studio.

“Yes, you’re going to burn calories,” Hoffman says. “Yes, you’re going to get a great workout. But you’re also going to get so much more than that. The overall experience is designed to make you feel good.”

Hoffman, 31, launched the loft after a decade in corporate marketing. She’s been a dancer her whole life, and she longed for a way to show its benefits to as many people as possible. “The arts were always there when I needed,” she says. “My first job didn’t pay well, so I supplemented my income teaching dance to adults and kids. I made relationships with the community and got to know the families. Then I moved from Austin to Dallas, and I struggled to find a place where adults can dance in a contemporary, adult-friendly space.”

She discovered yoga, which she calls “the cousin of dance,” and over the course of several years, she put together a business plan for her very own movement and fitness studio. The Movement Loft opened in early March 2020 — just two weeks before the pandemic started.

Hoffman says she and her staff (an experienced mix of working artists and movement professionals) got as creative as possible with virtual classes throughout quarantine, all the while focusing on their clients. In August, they safely reopened their doors. Guests at The Movement Loft have access to a vast array of amenities, including immune-boosting herbal teas, organic clover honey with every class, chilled aromatherapy facial towels and much more. But the most important ingredient isn’t an amenity; it’s the devoted staff.

“A place for self-care is really important right now,” Hoffman says. “All we can do is continue to pour into everyone who walks through our doors. We’re building community, and I think people need community more than ever.”

Contact Information:

Ellen Hoffman is the owner at The Movement Loft is located at 824 Exposition Ave #9, Dallas, TX 75226

Find out more by going to their website: www.movementloftstudios.com

The post The Movement Loft Offers Holistic Stress Relief You Need appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

Yoga is an excellent physical activity that has a lot of health benefits. Moreover, it can improve your psychological condition and body shape. Regular yoga practice copes with stress, eases pain, and even boosts sex drive.

One of the main advantages of yoga is that you can practice it at any place and age without any special tools. It makes yoga available to everyone. In this article, we gathered eight obvious signs that you should try yoga.

Back pain is an extremely common problem. Many people maintain a sedentary lifestyle, sleep on uncomfortable mattresses, and avoid physical activity. These factors contribute to the development of back pain and discomfort. If you want to get rid of the pain, you should visit a pain management doctor and try yoga.

When you practice yoga, you scratch your back and strengthen back muscles. At the same time, yoga helps relax muscles. This relieves pain and makes your back stronger.

Flexibility is a great property that helps you move more freely. If you experience stiffness and limited range of motion, it can interfere with normal activities and worsen your well-being. In most cases, a lack of flexibility is caused by joint issues that require more attention.

Yoga helps increase your flexibility and makes you feel much better in your body. There are a lot of asanas (yoga poses) that are aimed on flexibility development.

Yoga practice can also increase your sex drive. Some people who practice yoga also claim that it can even improve fertility. However, there is not enough evidence that it can be considered a remedy.

Any kind of physical activity increases your strength and self-esteem. Moreover, it improves the blood flow to pelvic organs that also positively impacts your libido.

If you are stressed and experience constant tension, it’s high time to try yoga. Like any kind of physical activity, yoga boosts the production of serotonin and endorphin. These chemicals are considered “feel good” and can improve your mood. Moreover, they act as natural painkillers and improve your well-being.

Poor posture is an extremely common issue. People tend to sit and stand with a slouched back that can also cause pain and discomfort. When you practice yoga, a lot of attention is paid to poses. As a result, you will be able to improve your posture.

Maintaining proper posture can be a quite challenging task especially if you get used to the slouched back. However, if you will practice yoga regularly, you will strengthen your back muscles and improve your posture.

Problems with breathing are quite common since many people have poor posture. When you sit with the slouched back and neck, your lungs can’t open as they should. This may result in a lack of oxygen in your blood. However, you should understand that normal blood oxygen is essential for the proper work of your organs.

Despite the fact that yoga doesn’t provide any power training, it still can help you become stronger. When you practice yoga, you have to maintain asanas for a certain period of time. Such exercising makes your muscles stronger.

There are a lot of people with certain health issues that can’t exercise to lose weight. However, many of them can try yoga since it doesn’t require much effort. Moreover, it can be a good option for elder people that want to keep their bodies in shape.

If you want to lose weight with the help of yoga, you should practice regularly. Due to proper breathing and the alternation of bodily tension and relaxation, the blood is saturated with oxygen. Moreover, blood circulation is increased which leads to the active burning of calories.

Summary:

If you are experiencing one, many or even all of the above. Then it’s time to give yoga a try! There are plenty of online classes available all over the country and in many cities yoga studios are open and are social distancing.  Move forward into feeling better and being healthier.

The post 8 Obvious Signs You Should Try Yoga appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

Ana Netanel Interview

For the last year, I have been on a journey to learn about alternative healing.  I have struggled with glaucoma and rheumatoid arthritis for a number of years and felt I had reaped all the benefit that Western medicine had to offer.  I was still not whole, so I began exploration of other avenues.

I had my first taste of the healing powers of sound through AJ Crowell, the founder of Dallas Yoga Magazine.  As I experienced the event with her, I could actually feel the magic of the Singing Crystal Bowls seeping into my body.  I was extremely relaxed and truly felt purified at the end of the session.

I was recently introduced to Ana Netanel, international wellness practitioner and celebrity Sound Bath Healing instructor.  I wanted to explore this ancient sound healing technique…what better time than now, when we are facing a world pandemic, and are all trying to find ways to relax more deeply and heal mind, body, and soul.  Learning more about Ana afforded me the perfect opportunity to research.

Beyond my limited knowledge of the Singing Bowls through AJ, I didn’t really know what a sound healer was.  Apparently, this is a person who specializes in the restorative and healing power of sound frequency and vibration. Ana has more than 20 years of experience in the field, along with deep knowledge of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation.  And she’s made a leap that is so hard to make…from the esoteric “alternative” side to mainstream.  She was recently on MTV’s “The Hills: New Beginnings,” and she regularly holds sound healing sessions with her celebrity clients…stars such as Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag. Ana also appeared on an episode of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, where she conducted a Sound Healing session for characters Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) and Link (Chris Carmack) during a medical conference. The show was so impressed with her work that Ana was later invited to lead a personal Sound Bath session for the entire cast and crew at the studio.  Ana also works with other celebrities and enjoys touring the world with her workshops.

As Ana’s popularity has increased, she has searched for ways to broaden her reach to our homes so that we can all enjoy the benefits of sound healing easily.  I was very excited to learn of her upcoming offering the Mindful Meditation Kit, available to order through Ana’s Instagram. This kit will bring the magic of Ana and her healing sounds right to your living room via a simple QR code link where you can download Ana’s Sound Bath album.  The kit also includes custom Shakti candles, essential oil sprays, crystals, natural spa products and other goodies to promote holistic wellness.

I enjoyed asking Ana a few questions to get to know her better and to understand her amazing gift and how she uses it for healing. 

Mary:  Ana, tell me a bit about yourself…where did you grow up, what have you done in your adult life, and how did your experiences lead you to your current field of Sound Healing?

Ana:  I was born in Romanina, moved to Queens, NYC when I was 5, and grew up in South Florida. I moved to LA 10 years ago from Kauai, Hawaii’s garden Island. At an early age, my grandmother Elise, who I was very close to, was diagnosed with leukemia. That tragic event sparked my desire to learn more about health and healing. Also my mother started one of the first day spas in Florida, and I began helping her find healing modalities for her center.

Mary:  What are the benefits of sound meditation?

Ana:  Sound Healing is so effective because it influences our emotional bodies as well as our physical bodies. Different sound vibrations interact with our physical and energetic bodies in beneficial ways. These ways include activating higher states of consciousness, unlocking blocked emotions, relieving anxiety and stress, inducing complete relaxation, promoting deep meditation, heightening clarity, relieving insomnia, decreasing depression, normalizing blood pressure, relieving physical pain, and releasing emotional trauma.  Physical and emotional healing takes place during the process of sound healing. In the physical sense, it can normalize blood pressure, alleviate physical pain, and improve the ability to concentrate. On an emotional level sound healing helps to unblock the mind making it much less cluttered and thus freeing oneself from emotional baggage.

Mary:  How can a Sound Bath help us with all the stress we are under?

Ana:  A sound bath can help stress as it relaxes the mind and the body. It is a great way to relieve stress since you’re using the time to give your brain a break and connect with the world around you through sounds.

Mary:  You specialize in something called a Shakti Sound Bath.  What is this?

Ana:  The term Shakti means the female principle of divine energy. A Sound Bath is the meditative acoustic sound concert that “washes” away stress and brings you to a state of relaxation, activating your body’s own natural system of self-healing. A Shakti Sound Bath clears the subconscious, calms the mind, and activates your body’s natural healing systems.

Mary:  What tools/instruments are used in a sound bath?

Ana:  A variety of different tools and instruments are used in a sound bath. I typically use planetary tuned gongs, crystal singing bowls, Tibetan bowls and more!

Mary:  Where do you offer Sound Baths?

Ana:  I normally offer sound baths at my studio in Los Angeles; however, I also offer private Sound Bath sessions which bring the Shakti Sound Bath to your home, corporate office, or event.

Mary:  Do you offer teacher trainings to show others how to perform Sound Baths?

Ana:  I do teach others to perform Sound Baths. During these teacher training sessions, you learn practical application of sound healing, with a focus on how to integrate Sound Healing into your practice. This training also includes how to facilitate a Sound Bath.

Mary:  What kind of people do you work with? Is there any pattern to the people who enjoy and benefit from a sound bath?

Ana:  I work with a number of different people. In my opinion, there is no pattern to the people who enjoy and benefit from a sound bath. Anyone is able to do this if they are open to the process. I have worked with a few celebrities such as Karrueche Tran where I worked with her several months during quarantine to lead Instagram Live Sound Bath sessions every Sunday for both of our followers. I have also taught the likes of Tori Spelling, Dean McDermott, The Doors’ guitarist Robby Kreiger, actors Calum Best, Rob Heaps, Peter Gadiot, singer Maejor – music producer and long-time collaborator with Justin Bieber – as well as leading a Sound Bath for the cast and crew of the Spanish movie Yucatán Pelicula in Madrid before the premiere.

Mary:  Do you host retreats or any kind of “intensive” in sound baths?

Ana:  I was planning on hosting a Kauai Retreat which would have included Sound Healing, breath work, and Kundalini Yoga on the magical island of Kauai; however, due to COVID this has been pushed back, but I am very excited for when I get to host this retreat. I lived in Kauai for over 4 years so to me it was the perfect place to host a retreat.

Mary:  I noticed on your website that you practice Kundalini Yoga. How did you get into this?

Ana:  I am a very spiritual person, a trait that was passed down to me from my grandmother, and practicing Kundalini Yoga has deepened my spirituality and helped me become more centered in my life. It’s a very specific type of practice, and it also works very well in conjunction with Sound Baths. Both are very healing for the mind, body, and soul, and when blended together, you feel a very powerful and divine energy!

Mary:  What is Kundalini Yoga?

Ana:  Kundalini yoga activates energy that lies dormant at the base of the spine and then channels that energy upward through the chakras in the overall process of spiritual awakening and perfection. This kind of yoga uses sound, mantra, energy healing, exercises, and meditations to release trauma from the energetic body.

Mary:  What benefits have you seen from your Kundalini practice?

Ana:  Kundalini Yoga is a very disciplined practice. It builds confidence and helps with guidance and direction, and allows you to feel more present in life. You also will feel a boost in endorphins, and be in better control of your thoughts and emotions. It very much helps with centering someone and showing you a path toward self-acceptance and mindful living. It’s a great stress reducer as well.

Mary:  Are Sound Baths and Kundalini yoga connected in any way?

Ana:  Absolutely. The gongs in Sound Baths are inter-connected with Kundalini Yoga. The vibrations from the gongs bring you to a higher frequency and create a sense of calming and relaxation, which in turn will put you in the best mindset to practice Kundalini Yoga. Combined, this is a great holistic form of therapy and the medical benefits, as well as mental ones, have been amazing. Both practices, when working together, will spark a soulful energy unlike anything else.

Mary:  Other than purchasing your amazing Mindful Meditation Kit, can people create sound baths in their homes?

Ana:  It is so easy for people to create a sound bath in their own homes. The tongue steel bowl, which is often used in sound bath sessions, is what creates the amazing frequencies, and they are very affordable. Using one of these at home can help to create a sense of ease and calmness in order to help facilitate relaxation. There are also ways for people to create their own sound bath experience without having to go out and buy something. I recommend using an app called “Calm” which helps with guided meditations to emulate a sound bath. I have a sound healing album that I recommend. There are two tracks. One is a sound bath experience that you can fall asleep to. The other track is ho’opono pono, a Hawaiian forgiveness prayer.

Mary:  What words of wisdom would you like to leave with your readers, or is there anything you would like to express that we have not covered?

Ana:  I know we are living through challenging times but stay positive. Do what makes you happy and what promotes mental wellness. Take care of yourself and listen to your body. Be generous and kind to yourself. This is so important, which is why I wholeheartedly believe in the power of holistic energy, and the opportunity it gives us to center ourselves in something deeper. I look forward to hearing what you think!

Conclusion:

I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Ana and learning from her deep knowledge around this interesting world of Sound Healing.  I know Dallas Yoga Magazine Readers will want to learn more.  Here is how you can reach Ana for further information, to order your Mindful Meditation Kit, or follow her through Social Media.

https://www.instagram.com/ananetanel/

http://www.shaktisoundbath.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCk45EPpXwlmHPNjXpo5M2A

About the Author/Interviewer: Mary Von Ahnen is Co-Owner of Horizon Hot Yoga in Frisco and a Certified Yoga Instructor. The studio offers an array of classes and meditations including Kundalini for everyone. They currently have amazing specials. Find their schedule of classes at www.horizonhotyoga.com

The post The Magic of Sound Healing: An Interview with Celebrity Sound Healer Ana Netanel appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

We began offering Kundalini Yoga at Horizon Hot Yoga just a few short months ago, and I realized, as students began to talk about its benefits, how little I knew about this interesting practice. I have heard it described as truly transformative, so I decided I needed to dig deeper and learn more. I read multiple articles about Kundalini and also consulted with Megan Poakeart, who in addition to being a Meditation and Kundalini teacher at Horizon Hot Yoga, is a Meditation Coach and Reiki Master. Here is what I learned.

It is a combination of breath, movement, and sound. It derives from the Sanskrit word kundal, which translates to “coiled energy.” The idea is that you have energy gathered at the base of your spine and, through the practice of Kundalini, you bring that energy up your spine through the seven chakras, and out the crown of your head. “The process of growth through Kundalini Yoga is a natural unfolding of your own nature,” Yogi Bhajan (who brought Kundalini to the West) has said. “Like a snake, you will need to shed old skins to be more of who you are.” The ultimate goal of Kundalini is to increase your self-awareness by silencing your mind and unblocking your chakras so that your vital energy can flow freely. How has Kundalini evolved? Kundalini yoga is an ancient practice. People in India have known its benefits for centuries. There’s a reason why the practice has gained popularity only recently: The ancient teachings of Kundalini yoga were kept secret for a very long time, only taught to royalty and nobility for thousands of years until Yogi Bhajan brought it to the West in the late 1960s and began to teach it publicly. Bhajan was well known for having mastered Kundalini at the very young age of 16. He taught thousands of classes to Westerners interested in embracing Kundalini. As so often happens, the popularity of Kundalini was also helped when celebrities like Russell Brand and Gisele Bündchen embraced it.

A typical Kundalini yoga class consists of three parts: an opening chant (known as “tuning in”) followed by a brief warm-up for your spine, a kriya (which is a sequence of postures paired with breathing techniques), and a closing meditation or song. Each kriya, which is Sanskrit for “action”, pairs a physical pose with a breath or meditation. These poses can be anything you choose based on the part of your body that you want to focus on, like cobra pose for your spine or frog pose for your legs and glutes. Chanting and singing are also key components of Kundalini yoga. There are endless mantras and songs that you can recite during your practice, but most classes start with the Adi Mantra, which means “I bow to the subtle divine wisdom, the divine teacher within.” Another common chant you will hear in a Kundalini class is Sat Nam, which means “I am truth.” Kundalini classes end by chanting Sat Nam.

You can also expect a meditation-heavy class. Each set during Kundalini yoga has different poses involving movement, breathing techniques, mindfulness, and a mantra. Between postures, you will have a minute or two to relax and focus inward. After the entire set, there is a relaxation followed by a meditation, then a mantra before class closes. As for the dress in a Kundalini class, come in loose, comfortable clothing. You may have seen Kundalini teachers and practitioners wearing white. While head-to-toe white is not required, it is common in Kundalini. That is because the color white is thought to ward off negative energy and extend your own aura. Teachers will often also wear a white head covering, such as a hat, scarf, or turban, to contain the energy within the body.

Kundalini Yoga can have a profound effect on your physical and psychological well-being. Below are some of the most common health benefits of Kundalini. 1. Builds strength Because you hold each posture for an extended period of time (sometimes longer than five minutes!), Kundalini yoga is a great way to strengthen and tone your muscles. Some of the more intense breathing techniques, like “Breath of Fire”, in which you breath in and out very quickly, can build core strength, as you engage your abdominal muscles with each exhale. 2. Improves your mood That “high” you get after any yoga class is a real thing. Research has found that regularly practicing Kundalini yoga increases the production of serotonin (the happy hormone) in your brain.

3. Lowers your blood pressure and heart rate Studies have repeatedly shown that Kundalini yoga, specifically the deep breathing techniques used during a class, can decrease the risk of hypertension. Long, slow breaths calm your autonomic nervous system and reduces stress, thus lowering both your blood pressure and pulse rate.

4. Enhances your memory and focus According to research, Kundalini yoga can impact cognitive function, boosting both your concentration and memory. Even the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation recommends a Kundalini kriya for improving memory retention.

5. Boosts your metabolism and digestive system Through the combination of breath and postures, Kundalini yoga is focused on strengthening your core and diaphragm. This in turn improves your digestion and has been shown by researchers to speed up metabolism (meaning your body processes energy more efficiently).

Now that you have had a Kundalini primer, I’ve added Megan’s recent blog on Kundalini. I love the personal experience she shares…it enriched my understanding of Kundalini beyond just reading the basics.

“Kundalini Yoga is known as the ‘yoga of awareness’ and focuses largely on different facets of the energetic body: auric field (graduating layers of light that manage the energy outside of the body), chakras, etc. This style can be very physical, but compared to other yoga styles, the focus is less on perfecting the physical asanas (postures) and more about balancing energy within and expanding the mind and energetic field. This is a fast-acting practice, meaning I felt emotional, mental, and spiritual effects right away.

As a sober person, I appreciate that this practice brings balance to my state of mind quickly. It is the fastest way I know to calm any anxiety, resentment, fear, or ego without any outside substance and without any negative side-effects.

If you’ve ever seen any yoga pics from the ‘70s of people sticking their tongues out while in Cow Pose, with their eyes rolled up, they may have been practicing Kundalini. Among some, it has a “weird” reputation, but there is a good reason behind every posture, eye gaze, mantra, etc. Kundalini focuses on physical movements that stimulate different parts of the brain and glandular system to help us secrete helpful hormones. I have never shied away from weirdness, but if you do, I can attest to the fact it’s all for a good reason, and this really stuff works! Rarely is there anything too unusual in a Kundalini class, but in case there is, I always look at it as a great opportunity to tell my ego to take a break for an hour or so. The benefits are so worth it.

There is some different language in Kundalini yoga so I wanted to define the word ‘Kriya’ for you, as you will hear it often in this practice. The word Kriya refers to ‘action that leads to a complete manifestation’ (from The Aquarian Teacher textbook). It is a set of postures put together in order to achieve a certain outcome. On occasion, it can be just one posture or movement. There are Kriyas for everything: to relieve inner anger, to relax and release fear, to open the heart, to become intuitive… the list goes on. Two great online resources to find Kriyas are 3ho.org and spirit spiritvoyage.com

It is often recommended that you practice a meditation or Kriya for 40 days straight in order to make the practice a habit and to really reap the benefits of what that particular Kriya or meditation has to offer. I highly recommend picking one that resonates with you and trying it out for 40 days. You might consider journaling during the process to see what happens.

Megan Poakeart, Certified Kundalini Instructor

After taking Megan’s Meditation and Kundalini classes, and seeing some of her writing on Kundalini, I wanted to ask her a few questions to understand more about her journey with Kundalini.

Megan: “I got into Kundalini Yoga a couple of years ago when I was feeling a little bit spiritually stagnant and needed a change in my meditation routine. I had followed Tommy Rosen’s work with Recovery 2.0 work for a few years, which involves Kundalini yoga, but had not yet tried the techniques myself. One day I decided to try a morning meditation routine (known as ‘Sadhana’) and I felt an immediate connection. An intense drive came over me to learn as much as I could and I’ve been studying and teaching these techniques ever since.”

Megan: “Kundalini yoga is for everyone who likes transformation, growth and change.”

Mary: Besides the health benefits already described in the article, what are some benefits you have personally experienced?

Megan: “In my experience, the most profound benefit of the Kundalini practice is spiritual growth. I define spiritual growth for myself as an increased connection with God as I understand God, my soul and my intuition. I have become less reactive and some negative thought patterns and habits have dissolved. It has made me more resilient, discerning and trusting of myself.”

Mary: I have heard Kundalini builds intuition. How does this happen?

Megan: “I believe that any practice that requires you to sit in meditation is intuition-building because it forces you to get quiet and go within. In my own experience, when I am running around from thing to thing, there is no space for my intuition. When I take the time each day to dedicate to my spiritual practice, I’m fine-tuning my intuition skills. My definition of intuition is connection with that divine part of me that has the answers. So, there are lots of different modalities that can help you achieve this but Kundalini is my favorite because it also focuses on the chakras, the aura, as well as the pituitary and pineal glands inside the brain.”

It is tough to summarize what is obviously a complex and very deep practice. From what I’ve learned from my research and from Megan, this particular style of yoga is especially good for people who are looking for a spiritual practice as much as they’re looking for a physical workout. With the fast and profound transformations that people report, it’s clear why Kundalini Yoga has seen such a rise in popularity.

Contact Megan Poakeart: You can find her on Instagram @zenzeroyoga and at www.meganpoakeart.com. Megan also runs the Instagram page @northtexaskundalini

About the Author: Mary Von Ahnen is Co-Owner of Horizon Hot Yoga in Frisco. The studio offers an array of classes and meditations including Kundalini for everyone. They currently have amazing specials. Find their schedule of classes at www.horizonhotyoga.com

The post Kundalini Yoga: A Great Way to Deepen Your Spirituality appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By: Alice Carey

You may have a little fear in trying Yoga. But it is popular across the globe because of its amazing effects on your mind, body, and overall wellness. It combines physical postures, known as asanas, with breathing techniques, known as pranayama, and guided meditation to help you gain more strength and enhance a positive mindset. Yoga dates back to thousands of years ago in the Indus Valley to promote harmony between the mind, body, and surroundings. Today, it continues to be practiced by many, and different types have emerged along the way.

Seeing yogis do their sun salutations or even just videos on the Internet can make yoga seem daunting. You will often hear people afraid to try the practice for reasons like lack of flexibility or fitness. However, yoga is not about being perfect and getting each of the poses right on your first try. It is about the journey and transformation you experience as you immerse yourself in practice.

If you have been putting off your first session for a while, now is the time to embrace it! Put on your top and leggings, grab your whey protein isolate (WPI) and your yoga mat, and head off to your class. If you are still uncertain, here are some things you can remember to rid yourself of the common insecurities.

Yoga is not about attaining a certain “level” because in every class you attend, you will meet different people who have different challenges. Some may just be starting, while others may have been going to class for some time. Whatever the scenario, do not feel intimidated because it is not a competition. You will get better at your own pace. So, enjoy the experience as you go along. Go to your classes feeling energized and I personally like ending class enjoying some WPI to give you the protein you need.

One of the most common misconceptions about trying yoga is that you have to be flexible. Rather than thinking yoga requires flexibility, think this way: yoga increases flexibility. Thus, you need not enter your first class and be able to touch your toes, nor do you have to do a headstand immediately. As you go along your journey, you will slowly become more flexible and learn to love the practice regardless of your flexibility.

Yoga is not exclusive for anyone, so do not ever feel it is not for you. You need not have a specific personality, body type, or lifestyle to take part in the practice. When you go to your first class, you will likely meet all sorts of people–a testament to how everyone is welcome to do yoga. All it takes is a desire to do yoga.

A lot of yoga poses involve balance and concentration, so many people fear that they will fall when doing the practice. Falling down, however, is a natural part of the learning process, and it will help you get better over time. Do not feel humiliated in any way because nobody will reprimand or judge you if you ever lose your balance while trying to hold a pose. At the same time, falling will not hurt as much as you may think, especially since you have the support of your mat.

About the Author:

Alice Carey is a freelance writer and extremely fond of anything related to Digital Marketing and Business. She is writing Technologies as well as fiction, like good music, loves her cat and eats too much. More than anything, she loves to share the knowledge of Technology.

The post Fear? Not If You Use YOGA the Right Way! appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By: Tara Pierce, Healthy Success Reviews

Yoga is a practice that helps the body both inside and out. It allows you to take care of your body and your mind through the postures called asanas. For new practitioners, some of the positions can be difficult, and you may feel overwhelmed at first, but over time you will find that positions that were intimidating at first glance becomes much more realistic for you to achieve. Yoga is a widely used practice throughout the world and the benefits it offers to your life is something you don’t want to miss out on.

The great thing about yoga is you will see positive changes with the first class. It is also beneficial to keep up with yoga publications like Dallas Yoga Magazine that will keep you updated on effective yoga tips and changes as they are discovered. Within a week, a month, or years of practice, the body will change considerably which will result in overall feeling healthier and being more energetic.

Yoga is a practice for children, women, men and the elderly; everyone can benefit from it. An article based on multiple studies posted by the university of Harvard states that “Yoga provides many mental and physical benefits.”

The benefits vary depending on the person and the type of yoga; you also must focus on practicing the postures and forms correctly. This is important so you do not hurt yourself and achieve the desired results.

Yoga also teaches you the correct way to breathe. The postures, combined with proper breathing, will bring you many benefits. With proper breathing, you can balance your nervous system and deeply relax your muscles.

If you have practiced yoga for any length of time, you are aware of the changes happening in your body.

After trying your first yoga class, you may find it to be intimidating. You are trying something new and you have stepped out of your comfort zone so feeling intimidated is perfectly normal. You can have mixed feelings and feel uncomfortable not understanding how to do the postures.

You may feel inflexible and you can feel a little sore after a class. However, over time you will start feeling muscle groups such as your legs, arms and shoulders getting stronger and the flexibility will improve.

After only one week of practicing yoga, you will feel more motivated and will want to go to more classes. You will feel the change in your body and mind as both become more flexible, and you will internally feel harmony.

You will feel extraordinary changes at this point; your muscles will be stronger; you can handle stress, anxiety, and depression with more ease. Your breathing will change and certain emotions you repressed are able to be released and processed as your perception of life will become more positive.

No matter what type of yoga you choose, you will always see the results both in your body, mind, and breathing. At this point, your digestion will start changing and you will naturally start eating healthier.

You will have more balance and better form in your asanas; with consistent practice, you’ll achieve good alignment to maintain the postures in top form. At this point, it is necessary to have more concentration; as you have more experience, your body will have more balance and flexibility which will make you more capable of concentrating internally.

Performing yoga for a year becomes a lifestyle because it will change your eating habits, your way of breathing, and your mind. Your body posture will change, and you’ll feel in harmony and balance.

Your flexibility will be better, and you will be able to deal with any situation that occurs in your life without getting out of control. This is one of the most noticeable changes when you’ve been practicing yoga consistently for a year.

Eating healthy will be more important to you than ever. You will be able to maintain your weight and you should consume foods rich in minerals, magnesium and Omega 3.  At this point, many pains will disappear and bad habits will change.

Yoga will help you take care of your body and stay healthy and strong, with two years of practice, you’ll be an expert in asanas, meditation, and breathing techniques called pranayamas.

You will feel the harmony between your body, your mind. You will be breathing will have changed completely for the better. It will be your lifestyle and you’ll see how certain ailments and diseases are released and diminished because of the new healthy life you lead.

You’ll feel like 15 years younger, you will be more toned and stronger, and you will see how the most difficult postures become your everyday and easy to perform ones.

If you have several years under your belt of practicing yoga, you are most likely an expert and will look healthy along with being mentally and physically strong. Your nervous system will be balanced, you will feel relaxed, and you will be an expert in the breathing techniques. Your muscles and bones will be stronger.

Because of your consistent yoga practice, you will notice your body is more prone to prevent injuries rather than sustain them. It will reduce bone loss and your back will be strong and much more resistant to pain.

You will be more flexible, and your immune system will be stronger; also, your metabolism will increase and your blood pressure will be at normal levels. You can eat what you desire and your weight will be maintained. You will continue doing the routines daily because it will be a your lifestyle.

The post What Really Happens to Your Body with Consistent Yoga Practice appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By: Robin Shackelford, International Yoga Instructor, RYT 500

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Lao Tzu

Robin meditating in Costa Rica.

As an international yoga teacher, I’ve had the opportunity to teach students from all around the world and survey what they concluded to be the greatest benefits of attending a yoga retreat abroad.  In my own preparation to host a unique retreat in Costa Rica this coming March, I gathered the information and was able to design an awe-inspiring retreat approachable for everyone.  I learned, overall, the main benefits of and what most people search for in a yoga retreat are… how to de-stress and feel more self-empowered and to return home feeling renewed and more self-confident.  Here’s what people are saying:

Beneficial Elements of a Yoga Retreat

Would you believe that driving causes stress? Experience a week of bicycling and local transportation and never having to drive a car. What a relief! What about grocery shopping?  Experience a week of preplanned meals, freshly prepared for each guest and never a need to clean the kitchen! Is it necessary to mention how chasing the elusive formula for anti-aging has caused wrinkles instead of curing them?  Leave that judgmental part of your journey in the past and find new confidence in yourself no matter what your age or experience. Enjoy a week in shorts, yoga clothes and a bathing suit.  The stress of a wardrobe also disappears.

Are we facing transitions on our journey like divorce, children leaving home, retirement, downsizing, graduation, aging parents, or dating again later in life? Even a new relationship or marriage has stressors.  What we can do at the retreat is step away from these triggers and identify our stressors and learn how to better manage them and take control of our lives upon returning home. This benefits the loved ones we leave at home as well.

Teaching yoga in one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, I met women traveling alone from all over the world.  These students, ranging in age from 18- to 72-years-old, all agreed that their choice to travel alone was born from a desire to find courage and to seek adventure in order to build self-esteem and self-confidence.  Indeed, when traveling alone in a foreign country, dependent on only yourself and your retreat host for assistance, one quickly acquires a knack to problem-solve and act independently from all the people at home we naturally take for granted.  It is empowering to feel you can make the decision for all that happens during this week.  During the retreat, many women are able to recognize they are more adaptable to new environments and capable of much more than they had previously suspected. For many, it is their first time traveling alone and they are amazed at the freedom of choice it gives them when not caring for spouses or children-in-tow.   The majority of students felt they were able to express themselves more openly without fearing rejection from “the tribe”.  One mother of three told me, “Traveling alone I was able to disconnect from a ferris wheel of distractions at home.  I also like the freedom to be myself during the retreat away from family and friends at home.  I am responsible for only myself. It is a reward to intimately enjoy the culture and beauty of Costa Rica without being distracted by my kids or work for an entire week. I’ve learned taking care of me is not selfish nor negotiable. I have new skills to take home after this retreat.”

Class overlooking the rainforest in Costa Rica.

Having the ability to turn off your phone and step away from the addictive device we hold hands with many hours a day was one of the top reasons people enjoyed attending these yoga retreats so much.  During the retreat they guiltlessly were able to step away from checking their phones and being connected every minute of the day. It is a way to disconnect from our routine and naturally self-imposed responsibility for others.  A university in Texas sent a dozen of their San Antonio students to a resort, where I was teaching, to study self-sustainability and the environment in the rainforest.  These young adults were a part of our media driven culture and disconnecting from the internet, television, mass marketing and social media to spend three-weeks in the rainforest did not at first appeal to all of them.  Call it a “consumer and technological detox” we practice during some retreats. I can attest from my time with these university students alone, that their minds were able to focus on their inner journey when they set down the electronics and spent time meditating, hiking, swimming, journaling, reading, or exploring the outdoors.  All of the students gained insight into their own character simply by identifying the practice of gauging their own self-worth from most social media outlets they had previously been addicted to continuously visiting.

Separating reality from the illusion of our outside world is rarely simple; but, without the onslaught of advertising and social media directing our opinions for us, we are finally able to seek our own hearts and be confident in our own values.  Taking a week to unplug from the buzz and static of emails and the internet of our normal routines allows us to experience much needed quiet-time and discover what all we are missing when tied to our devices. Wifi is available at our retreat; but, it is limited to the common area and not in bedrooms.  There is cell phone service for most carriers throughout the resort grounds and gardens; but no televisions in the guest bungalows.  The retreat guests are always amazed at how much time they gain in the days for themselves while limiting their technological relationships and distracted attention span.

Spending a week at some yoga retreats can be the perfect time to eat a well-balanced diet and in a controlled environment. Weight-loss and losing body bloat is a definite benefit of attending a nice yoga retreat. Fruit and vegetables dominate the menus at yoga retreats. During our Spring Retreat in March, the guests are welcome to choose from a vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free menu for the week of three meals a day.

Exploring a clean diet and the practice of yoga and meditation daily for seven-days is a great way to kick-start your detox of physical and mental roadblocks every season.  Feel mentally and physically lighter and refreshed every day with a new way to interact with our bodies, our minds and our diets.

Allowing someone else to be responsible for all of your grocery shopping, meal planning and preparation, serving and cleaning the kitchen, is a fantastic way to spend a vacation of any kind.  All three-meals are specially prepared for our guests but, eating out is always optional during our time together in the diverse town of Puerto Viejo.

Tech-detox is a real thing and a real ‘good’ thing. Being more in control over what you allow to be absorbed by you via any type of electronics including television is a common way to reduce stress in our lives.

Inhale, exhale all the fresh Costa Rican air.

Connecting to nature in Costa Rica is effortless as there is beauty all around.  Situated close to the equator the rhythms of nature are abundant.  Sunrise and sunset split each day in half and the tides of the sea are captivating as is star gazing and capturing the moon in her cycle hovering over the water. Grounding ourselves to the earth by spending time in nature is the healthiest detox available to us.  Time spent in nature can help detoxify your respiratory system, your nervous system and your spiritual life as well.  Being able to explore secluded picturesque sandy white tropical beaches with crystal clear waters while on a hike through the rainforest spotting wildlife is what drew me to the Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo for our Spring Retreat. It remains a sleepy surfer’s town and the feeling is less anxious and much more laid back than a tourist town and it lays nestled deep on the edge of the rainforest.  The largest town nearby is a 45-minute drive to Limon.  Limon is the port city located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.  Panama is a quick day-trip for people that visit here.

Waking up at the retreat, Om at Cashew Hill, where we will be living in the rainforest in March, promises the calls of birds and monkeys of all kinds every morning.  The resort is located on the hill overlooking the center of town and the Caribbean shoreline, the beaches are within walking distance. Practicing meditation and yoga in an open air yoga studio surrounded by the rainforest and overlooking the Caribbean Sea definitely brings balance to our minds as well as our bodies here.  The breeze from the Caribbean is all we need for air-conditioning in these open air bungalows by the sea.

I spent three months living in this area during the summer and am delighted to offer such an incredible Spring Yoga Retreat and Adventure by the sea.  Meals are freshly prepared for us in the open air kitchen and dining room.  It is always delightful to have all your meals prepared for you. There will be optional morning and evening classes of yoga and meditation followed by breakfast and dinner leaving a day of free-time or participating in planned group activities and workshops with other guests and leaders. Optional activities included are beach yoga, hiking and bicycling through the jungle that borders the sandy white beaches. Our group will also visit the BriBri Indigenous tribe, enjoy hiking and swimming in waterfalls, and touring the nearby Jaguar Rescue Center where volunteers and staff rehabilitate rescued indigenous wildlife to return to the wild.

Just like the wildlife are often rescued and detoxed at the Jaguar Rescue Center, sometimes a yoga retreat can be the rescue we all could use to detox and renew our systems.

Costa Rica has beautiful secluded beaches.

Join me and my co-host DeAnna Shires, M. Ed., ACC, C-IAYT, E-500HR on this 8-day/7-night yoga retreat and week of unwinding and unplugging, letting go and reconnecting to nature in this hidden gem of a town on the Caribbean seashore March 21, 2020 – March 28, 2020. Solo-travelers, couples, family- and friends- groups are all welcome on our retreat. EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION $1299 per person. $500 non-refundable deposit reserves your spot. Email for more information and for future retreats: [email protected] 

www.MindandBodyAlliance.com

The post Jungle Vibes: Where the Caribbean Meets Natural Comfort appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By:  Mary Von Ahnen, Owner, Horizon Hot Yoga

I’m sure most people remember the iconic book that came out in 1990 All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.  I have my own take on this.  My yoga practice has taught me so much about how to live…how to treat myself and others.  I gathered up all the big lessons yoga has taught me and found my favorite cliche sayings to attach to them.

My yoga practice has helped me learn to live in the present moment.  It works like this for me when I’m in the room:  I’m sweating my tail feathers off.  I’m trying to remember that if I don’t breathe, I will not live through the class.  My muscles are on fire because the teacher has held us in triangle posture for at least 30 minutes.  (Well, it feels like that.)  It is impossible for me at this moment to think about anything else.  Even in Savasana, where it’s easy for my mind to wander, I make a very conscious effort to just feel my breathing.  And after an hour of being in the present, I feel so much joy.  If I take this to a life lesson, everything can become a yoga class.  The activity I am engaged in at the moment is the only thing that matters.  If I choose to live that moment fully, miracles happen.  If I am always somewhere else (in the future or the past), it is easy to blow by the small things that can become the big things.  Life becomes so much richer when I’m living in the present.

This has an interesting connotation given I take very hot yoga classes!  There are always minor annoyances that hit me in the yoga room.  (Someone got my favorite spot in the room… Disaster!  The teacher didn’t turn on the fans when it got really hot… I may not survive!  The line for the showers is long…How did everyone beat me to it when I have to get to the most important meeting of the week FAST?  Etc.)  But the fact of the matter is that the people with whom I practice yoga are my friends and the teachers are my friends.  It just doesn’t fit with my yoga practice to let small things get under my skin.  If I take this to a life lesson, and I strive to care about everyone with whom I come into contact with like I care about my fellow yogis, I can let anything go and know people are just doing the best they can.  I probably achieve this state of “wearing life like a loose garment”…a favorite expression of a dear friend…about 30% of the time.  But the more I make the effort, the better I feel, and the better I feel, the more I want to let things go.

We get pretty messy in a hot yoga session.  Sweat creates puddles.  Used towels are lying around.  Blocks get sticky and messy.  We all have to clean up after ourselves so that our yoga “home” stays nice for all of us who share it.  We can’t leave it to the teacher.  It feels good to do my part to respect the space.  If I take this to a life lesson, it’s not just about cleaning up after myself in common areas.  It also becomes about living my life in a way that is orderly so that no one has to clean up after me.  I do the things for which I am responsible, so that I can enjoy my life and keep the “space” in it that I share with others acceptable to them.

It’s called a “yoga practice” because you do it over and over again and see the results.  Your body changes, you become calmer in life, you enjoy things to the fullest.  You choose to practice on any given day, whether you feel like it or not, because you are committed, and you like the results you get.  If I take this to a life lesson, the need to practice to get better at something is true of pretty much everything we do.  I have a tendency in life to want to be expert at something before I have really put in the effort necessary to gain that experience.  This of course never works out for me.  Sooner or later, I realize I missed a step (multiple?) because I didn’t put in the effort to build the foundation on which the “expert” level must sit.  I always have to remember that if I really want the results, whether that’s a great yoga class, or a promotion at work, or a lasting marriage, I have to keep giving it effort.

I am astonished on a regular basis at the people who come to the studio who have never done a yoga class, and they dive in with no fear.  It has taken me a long time in the yoga room not to crane my neck around to see what my neighbor is doing and subsequently feel a bit of pride or a bit of shame.   As a beginning yogi, I could not be good at all the postures.  (In fact, I was bad to mediocre at most of them.)  Over time, with the help of a lot of patient instructors, I started to see that trying to impress others, or caring if they thought my posture were good or bad, was missing the point of yoga.  My time on the mat was to be about exploring my mind and body, doing my personal best, and enjoying the effort.  When I finally turned the corner, I felt freed.  And as I’ve gotten older and had health issues requiring a lot of modifications to my yoga, I’m so grateful that I do what I can do without worrying about what others are thinking.  If I take this to a life lesson, I realize that my whole life, I have burdened myself with needing to be good at something before I would feel comfortable participating.  This meant missing out on all kinds of activities I could have done just for the fun of it…not because I had demonstrated competence.  Yoga has helped me get comfortable with jumping into many things for pleasure, for the challenge of it, or because it could better my life.  I find myself wanting experiences that are outside of my comfort zone, or for which I have no natural talent, because they deepen my life, help me build confidence, and especially, shut down the judgmental voice that can dominate my thinking.

In the first few years of my yoga practice, I took a lot of classes and saw great improvement in my physical expression of the postures.  I got cocky.  “I’ve got this.”  Then I had to have several foot surgeries, and I got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.  All of a sudden, I was back to square one.  I was discouraged.  I couldn’t do even basic things that I had mastered in my first year of yoga.  But I kept at it, and the yoga healed me.  I realized over time that my yoga experience was not going to culminate in an “arrival”.  I was going to work on it for the rest of my life and enjoy the process.  I still can’t do the things I could in those early years, but now I am grateful that I get to be in a yoga room, and I take it as it comes.  If I take this to a life lesson, I am always on a journey.  I have always been goal-oriented, and while I don’t think it’s bad to have goals, I have held these goals up as the “arrival point” for my life at the time.  Unfortunately, there’s a whole lot of life that happens while in pursuit of goals.  If my eyes are only on the destination, I only see the journey as a necessary evil to be endured as I reach my goal.  I do not see it for its own wonders.

This summarizes all the lessons.  Yoga as a practice is rooted in this concept.  Every great teacher from whom I have ever had a class encourages me to do what I can do…strive for my own personal best, but no more.  Yoga teaches us to connect our minds and bodies.  We have to respect our limitations of the day but push ourselves to our edge.  It doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing.  And by the same token, it is my job to let others be true to themselves.  Judgment has no place in the yoga room.  If I take this to a life lesson, it works the same way for me.  I have role models I learn from.  I strive to do my best and live my values.  I try never to let others push me to do things that don’t feel right for me.  And it’s ok for me to let others do what they need to do, without my advice or interference.

I am so grateful that I have a yoga practice that is with me on and off the mat.  I continue to learn how to live a better life through the lessons I learn in the yoga rooms.

Bio and Contact Information:

Mary Von Ahnen was in corporate leadership positions for more than 25 years and recently retiring as the CIO at Fossil.  She has also held leadership roles on many non-profit Boards.  Mary and her husband Mike own Horizon Hot Yoga in Frisco, which offers Ashtanga, Rocket Yoga, Vinyasa, Hot 26, and other types of yoga.

www.horizonhotyoga.com

The post Everything I Need to Know in Life I Learned on My Mat appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

One of the ancient healing arts of traditional Thai medicine (along with herbal medicine and spiritual meditation), Thai massage is a full-body massage, performed on a floor mat, with both parties in loose, comfortable clothes.

It incorporates t’ai chi moves, rhythmic motion, palming and thumbing along sen lines (energy lines), gentle stretching and the conscious use of breath. The practitioner uses her hands, feet, arms and legs to guide the recipient through various yoga postures, while remaining focused on their own body-center. This combination of movements and focused awareness creates a slow, flowing “dance” around the recipient’s body.

Yoga massage is a proven healing art that’s quickly gaining popularity in the West because of its meditative approach and its application of yoga’s well-established benefits,” said Kam Thye Chow, founder of Lotus Palm, one of the first North American schools of Thai massage, located in Montreal, Canada.

Chow, originally from Malaysia, has taught classes worldwide and written books on the practice of t’ai chi and massage. He views Thai massage as having far-reaching applications and refers to the technique more accurately as Thai Yoga Bodywork because of its varied influences and appeal.

“Yoga practitioners are finding it adds a whole new dimension, complementary to their practice. Nurses, physiotherapists and massage therapists are adding to their training with this technique. Also, the gentle opening and stretching of the body provided by the massage has improved the performance of athletes, martial artists and dancers,” said Chow.

Thai massage has been described as assisted Hatha yoga. During a session, the practitioner pays careful attention to the recipient’s level of flexibility and breath as they gently move the individual into different poses.

Each pose is designed to open up the body and allow energy to flow freely along the sen lines (72,000 of which have been mapped out, although 10 major ones are focused on in Thai massage). This “opening” increases joint mobility and flexibility, improves circulation, tonifies organs, and relieves muscular and emotional tension.

Working the energy lines is the basis of Thai massage. Thai medicine is based on the belief there is an intrinsic life force or energy (prana) that circulates within the body. To create health and vitality, it is essential to allow this energy to circulate freely. When prana is blocked or restricted, sickness or disease results which can manifest physically, emotionally or even spiritually. The main purpose of yoga in Chiang Mai, is to clear such blockages and allow energy to flow along the sen. Although not based on the Chinese meridian system, the sen line system is very similar.

By working the body physically and energetically, Thai massage produces a highly therapeutic effect that helps relieve common conditions such as low back pain, arthritis, headaches, digestive difficulties, menstrual and menopausal problems and stress-related conditions, as well as provide an overall sense of relaxation which helps people to deal better with emotional issues.

Though very dynamic, Thai massage is deeply relaxing, enabling the body and mind to rebalance naturally. As with any yoga practice, blood and lymph circulation are increased and internal organs are stimulated, all helping to strengthen the immune system, rebalance the endocrine system and clear toxins from the body.

In addition, the variety of stretching and joint isolation exercises helps to increase joint mobility and flexibility. Since the technique respects each person’s body type and level of flexibility, Thai massage is ideal for many individuals.

The stretching and energy line work in Thai massage is important in helping to lengthen muscles and make them more flexible, supple and less prone to injury, while joints benefit from a greater range of motion. Stretching also increases capillary density, thereby helping to address ischemia and promoting the release of lactic acid.

This is particularly important in our culture that tends to emphasize more aggressive muscle movements resulting in the production of large quantities of lactic acid in the muscle fibers. In addition, studies have shown that stretching can raise the temperature of a tendon, which can have a protective effect via increased skeletal muscle tensile strength. The stretching in Thai bodywork also releases endorphins, further promoting a relaxation response.

About the Author Bruce Manchath:

Bruce has more than a decade-long experience in teaching Thai Massage, bodywork, Abdominal Chi Massage, and Yoga. Throughout the years, he has developed expertise in a style where body mechanisms, movement, and awareness plays a center role. At Yoga studio Chiang Mai, he works to improve the quality of life of the patients. When not teaching yoga, he loves to shoot beautiful wildlife creatures…with his camera!

The post Thai Yoga & Massage: Sounds Perfect! appeared first on Dallas Yoga Magazine.

By Debbi K. Levy, Owner Transformation Yoga & Yoga Instructor E-RYT

Nala just adopted & headed home with her new sisters.

June, 2014- Southwest Airlines flight 4318 had just pulled away from the gate at Dallas Love Field Airport, and began its taxi to the runway. I adjusted my bag under the seat in front of me, and placed my essential items within reach. With a deep inhalation, I closed my eyes to settle in, and upon my exhalation, I dropped my shoulders down just a bit. As the flight attendant’s announcements began over the intercom, I softly spoke my prayer to God. I asked for safety during my flight to California, and to be guided in the certification process I was embarking upon. I took some moments to craft some words to God, acknowledging my gratitude for being able to study a subject deeply meaningful to me. Crystal Alchemy Level One was being offered in Santa Monica.  My traveling companion smiled at me as if he was accustomed to escorting women to California, with their suitcases full of rocks and crystal identification textbooks. I asked God for a little nurturing for him, too. Barry Rothschild had no idea what he was in for, no matter how poised he appeared to be on the outside.

August, 2016- We parked our car at the shopping center in front of the new independent bookstore to browse. There appeared to be commotion just one store over, where a “Pet Adoption” was in full swing. I looked over at Barry with the question on my face. Mind you, this pleading expression had been overlooked several times prior. But as it sometimes happens when the planets are shifting around in a dance, he decided to walk in “just to take a glimpse,” he said, and I quietly followed, like NBD. Puppies galore! Adults asking to take them out of their crates for some cuddly play time. I bit my lip. My mind was screaming, “Yahoo!”

Because I am a Yoga teacher, I am trained to follow the gaze, or “drishti,” of my student’s eyeballs. I’m very professional like that, you understand. But this gaze I was following went to a cage on the very bottom of the other dog cages and contained a medium, somewhat nondescript dog, who clearly had seen the better part of a rough beginning. Too thin, electrical-taped collar to make it last until a new owner could be found, and a tough little dark spot that must have been painful, on his/her hip were all apparent to the observer. To my complete shock, Barry asked to take this poor guy/girl outside for a bit, just to get some exercise outside of the metal cage. While I appreciated Barry’s charitable act for this sweet pooch, I knew he/she wouldn’t be a candidate for us, and I was somewhat anxious to move on in search of a possible canine companion for us.  I knew Barry had confessed in prior conversations, that if we ever adopted a dog, his preference was a small breed. Things began to shift once more, and Nala flirted her ass off with this possible new owner. Tail wagging, hungry belly growling, and sad eyes revealing joyous possibilities, she won him over in minutes. Our daughters at home called to inquire as to our whereabouts on this sunny Sunday afternoon, and they, too, were now on their way to check out Nala as quickly as they could put their car in drive.  But I needed a minute, or two, or three. Five kids between us, with only the one first rocky year of marriage under our belts so far, sometimes the thing you wish for most won’t balance the scales after all.

I walked away momentarily. Closed my eyes. Arranged words from my heart in the form of a passionate question to God. Maybe it was really a plea. Are we tipping the scales too far in one direction, if we add a dog to this crazy mix that is the fabric of our lives? Careers, kids, friends, exercise, yoga, a brand new home, and one questionably potty-trained adopted dog? Mindful of my relationship with God, I felt that the quality of my breath following my spontaneous prayer was the answer.

September, 2018- I started a new journal. “Big deal?” you ask. Yes, it was. I had a Mindfulness Journal, a Yoga Journal, and a “Debbi’s Log,” where I recorded life’s daily simple statistics-what I ate, drank, how much I walked, or exercised, and how I felt physically. My journals are sacred to me, and I had all my bases covered with the ones in use. But I was searching for something, as yet unnamed. Big, but unnamed, blank and ready for words to fill the pages of this new journal.  I was searching for another way to have a reciprocal relationship with God.  To deepen my relationship. This journal would be about me finding my way differently. My prayer experiences.  Although I worship God at my congregation, Temple Emanu-El, and bring divine presence to Jewish rituals such as lighting my Sabbath candles, I had a gap that was hard to put into words. On my website, I quote the famous verse from Ecclesiastes; “There are no riches above a sound body.” Could this extra layer of my relationship with the Eternal be cultivated on my yoga mat? I was trying to make sense of another place to bring God’s presence into my life.

I bought my own paperback copy of the bible. I read it. Devoured it, really, the way you read a novel you can’t put down. I marked with sticky notes and questions about all the verses I wanted to return to after the first read. Through a perspective that was almost asking permission to pray, I was heartened in every action, and conversation in the bible, where Abraham said, “Here I am,” or King David wrote psalms, asking God for forgiveness. Jacob spoke to God from the field while he shepherded, Joseph petitioned from a pit in the wilderness that seemed he would never crawl out of, and Sarah laughed with God at her joy of conceiving late in her life. All of these matriarchs and patriarchs talked to God right where they were, in their geography. My geography is on my mat most every day. So why not me? Why not my mat?

I began to roll out my yoga mat differently, like it was a red carpet. My mat became a more sacred object than I had ever known it to be prior. Because I didn’t want to force anything less than authentic from my heart, I let the practice I knew best guide me. Yoga, as most practitioners know, means to yoke. One yokes, or weaves together, the breath, the mind, and the body. It stands to reason that once you are present in this way, listening to your body, and can hear your very own breath, your life force, you are in relationship with God. I created a portal for prayer on my yoga mat. I wasn’t praying for my safety before takeoff, or asking for an answer to a life-altering question, but, rather, encouraging all pertinent words to make themselves known freely and be expressed straight to God as I practiced.

What did my new journal record of these experiences, these prayers from the mat? Gratitude that pours out of my skin all the time. The physical and emotional warmth of the studio, and the gift of energy I feel there from my fellow practitioners. It records the way I am infused with thanksgiving whispered silently right into the ears of God. The only hand I’ve ever held in Savasana belongs to my husband, Barry. I never worry about the tear I sometimes shed, giving me away during these powerful minutes. My yoga mat, after all, is a rare place for me where I enthusiastically invite in my vulnerability. This body, infused with a spark of the Divine, heals as if by magic; a pulled muscle here or there, a cold virus that has run it’s course, or perhaps injurious words spoken to me that have lasting effect of hurt that I pray about on my mat. I feel holy. I enjoy God’s nearness. All the words I speak feel because the Listener is all-knowing. If you perceive that all prayers and conversation are positive and satisfying, please know I am flawed and seeking wholeness as we all are, and many days the conversation is about searching myself, and accepting what is before me.

October, 2019- I am learning Hebrew for the first time in my life. I feel that it is another layer in finding understanding, and a deeper connection with my Jewish learning. I am relating more and more to those matriarchs and patriarchs whose lessons and virtues are the building blocks of our ethics today. When I learned the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Aleph, I offered up a prayer of gratitude right then and there, with my new box of flashcards in my hands. A practice cultivated on my yoga mat that teaches me, that all I need to do to bring God into my present moment is to yoke, to braid together, the breath, the mind, the body, and the words will find their way to God.

They say that every teacher teaches the class they want to take. I believe this to be true. I welcome you on your mat, in my class, to spiritually investigate this theory, and others. I invite you to find out if your presence on your yoga mat can create a portal for prayer for you.  I invite you bring prayer to your yoga mat as simply as you bring your breath. If you’re a step behind me in a soft flow sequence, I am hopeful it is because you are somewhere more sacred than my yoga cues you are hearing, propelling you to a deeper posture.  If you bring a journal with you and spend a few more moments in stillness when the practice concludes, then we, too, will be in union. Namaste my friends.

Debbi K. Levy with husband Barry Rothchild

About Debbi K. Levy:

Debbi K. Levy teaches Yoga and Mindfulness Through a Jewish Lens at congregations in Dallas, and for Jewish agencies and groups throughout Texas. Each Friday afternoon, she teaches a Pre-Shabbat stretch that has been ongoing for four years. A Jewish lesson grounded in sacred text, and a mindfulness meditation and yoga practice following, her students are transported and ready to receive the rest and peacefulness that the weekly holiday of Shabbat offers. Debbi is most excited to be offering the class, “Weaving Judaism and Your Yoga Practice Together- A Guided Yoga and Meditation Practice Grounded in Sacred Text,” at The Jewish Community Center of Dallas in the months to come. Debbi is also the owner of Transformation Yoga where she takes classes to a variety of corporations and organizations in the DFW Metroplex.

Debbi welcomes your e mails at [email protected]

Website: http://www.transformationyogatexas.com

Social Media: Instagram debbiklevy & Facebook TransformationYogaTexas

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