Tell me a little bit about your yoga journey from the beginning. Within my first class, I knew I had found my safe haven. After a few short weeks of diligent practice, I was starting to heal injuries my body had suffered from being a dancer most my life. This safe haven developed into an overall state of health that I wanted to carry off of my mat and into the world. I quickly found my calling to become a certified yoga instructor! What's it like to be a part of the RYL community? All of the teachers are so unique, yet everyone is so supportive of one another! The community embraces different styles of yoga. No matter where you are in your body (physically, mentally, or spiritually) RYL has something to offer. I love being a part of a community that reaches such diverse needs! Did you ever see yourself teaching yoga when you started practicing? When did you know that you were called to teach? I knew I was called to teach within 3 weeks of starting yoga. I started out planning to double major with Dance as one of my degrees, but had to quit one year into college after suffering major injuries. Yoga brought back that aliveness I felt when I was a dancer. The path the Universe wanted me to take was very clear to me. What does yoga mean to you? Yoga means listening to the body and bringing about awareness in everyday life. Since I come from a background of injuries, listening to my body and not pushing it is very important. What is the most magical thing about yoga? The most magical thing about yoga is how it encompasses every aspect of life. As a culture we typically only practice asana. However, asana is only one of eight limbs of yoga. No matter which limb you may be practicing, an open heart allows the others to fall into place.Why do people especially need yoga in their lives? Presence, presence, presence; too often we're filled with anxiety and stress about the past or future. Being fully absorbed in the moment is where life happens. It can’t be found anywhere else. This month we are setting intentions and preparing for the year ahead. Do you think yoga can support an intention setting practice in anyone’s life? Yes! I have found the more aware I am, the more conscious I am in my decisions. You make a lot less excuses when you are present. What is your favorite music to practice to, and why? It totally depends on my mood-- from complete silence all the way to dubstep! What 3 words would describe your life outside of your yoga practice? Outdoors, foodie, playful. What is your greatest guilty pleasure? Snacking on yummy “hobbit” food all day while watching a Lord of the Rings marathon (extended versions of course)! Anything your students ought to know about you? When I’m not teaching , I’m in the kitchen experimenting! I keep up a website called Nourished Yogi that is full of plant based recipes, helping anyone who wants to go more plant based. When I’m not teaching yoga or in the kitchen, you can find me, my husband, and pups outdoors! |
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Do you dare? Halloween is a time for dressing up, living vicariously through costumes, enjoying the season, and handing out treats to willing goblins-- I mean, children-- that "trick or treat." We're feeling creepy, spooky, and a little quirky this Halloween, with upcoming classes to support your practice into the weekend! Inspired by the magic of the holiday, we double dog dare you to try some of the most twisted, odd, and a little bit weird asanas that will catapult you right into the Halloween spirit! Ear Pressure Pose (Karnapidasana) Looking for a truly odd looking pose to post on Instagram? Sink into this restorative, yet slightly creepy, posture and stretch the back before leaning over all night to hand out fun-size candy. We can all agree that you might look like a pile of gory limbs to everyone else. Embryo Pose (Pindasana) Similarly to Karnapidasana, this inversion utilizes the power of illusion. Bend into this pose and pretend you are a mummy - wrapped and bound two times around yourself. The kids will love it. Bound Lotus Pose (Baddha Padmasana) This is the posture that requires a scary mask to give the full effect. An armless, amputated witch? Priceless. Teach this powerful twist to your Halloween company and get your weird on. Sleeping Yogi Pose (Yoga Nidrasana)
Looking to maybe show off a little? Channel your inner freak show artist and wiggle into this posture to surely make everyone feel uncomfortable. Those who join you will ultimately become your best friends, because this posture is weird, twisted, AND odd! Autumn is a time of beautiful, color changing landscapes with breezy, changeable weather and the season of gearing up for dropping temperatures outside. Maintaining a healthy body temperature is the job of your organs and muscles, a state called homeostasis, so that we are balanced and comfortable. Sometimes, though, we need a little more help from our wardrobes and our diets. Escape the cold weather and chill winds with our favorite warming hacks this week on Wellness Wednesday:
Headstands Remind Us That We’re Vulnerable Every single yogi feels a small twinge of fear before landing into a headstand. Just like a comedian or musician has jittery nerves before a show, no one is ever completely at ease before turning upside down. This beautiful metaphor of vulnerability reminds us that we are human beings with complex feelings and sensations that can and should be honored. By diving into handstand, you are accepting the jitters and naming the nervousness. Instead of allowing it to make your decisions, wave “goodbye” to your reactions. Gently curve your legs towards the ceiling, overcoming the hesitancy and restriction that fear attempts to bring into your life! You have a solid, stable base; now trust it. Falling is Not Failure; It’s Progress Whether you’ve never done a handstand before or you tried once and fell, or you express this posture regularly, there will be times that you lose your balance or drop your legs. This is a reality of life and an expression of truth on the mat. Looking back on every slip up or fall you’ve taken in life, would you trade them for automatic success? We learn and become the victorious people we are today based on the experiences that we encounter. Taking the time to reflect on your own personal obstacles you’ve faced, mirror that to your experience of handstand. Remember your thoughts when you take a step towards inversions. Here are reflections to consider: When you accomplished something that took several tries, would you have regretted giving up at first? How do you typically approach a setback? What inspires you to ignite change? You are Responsible For Your Success Many yogis seek guidance from others to ensure that they land a handstand or inversion posture with ease, including workshops and online tutorials. It makes an enormous difference when you join with others looking to accomplish the same goal and can experience it as a group. The entire room is simultaneously rooting for you and pursuing their passions with incredible confidence. The beauty in this exchange is that you are obtaining knowledge and skill from those who have experienced your goal while the toolbox is only being used by you. No one else is stepping into handstand posture-- you are taking the leap and creating your success. You are responsible for your success with just your mind, body and spirit! The very first handstand posture at home, alone in your place of serenity and centeredness, is such a powerful moment to remember and cherish as you advance in your practice. Handstands remind us that we create our power. Heavy On The Hands, Light On The Feet: Handstand Workshop
Claim your power and experience the success you have within. Join us on August 1st for Reanna Knotts’s Beginner Handstand Workshop at 12PM! Take advantage of this one of a kind workshop to:
Reserve your space here! | Let us know you’re going on Facebook! Ready to show the world your handstand, fearless and courageous? Share your stories of inversions in your practice on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtags #rylwellnesswednesday and #roswellyogalife! Breathe in, and hold gently, then release your breath fully. Feeling better yet? If you’re one of the 80% of stressed out Americans, it may be worth it to pinpoint the source of your stress. The top two stressors in life are work and money, according to the American Psychological Association. Even children are beginning to report signs of stress, such as chronic headaches and insomnia! Taking a moment to relax, let go, and release the damaging tension associated with stress can prevent a world of hurt-- there are dozens of illnesses that thrive when you are experiencing moderate to high levels of stress. Banish heart disease, premature aging, and diabetes by cultivating your own place to go when stress is at it’s highest: Create Your Inner Sanctuary Remember the last fantastic book you read; what made it so great? When we fully immerse into a story, our minds will wander with us, creating beautiful and intricate visual scenes to captivate the words on each page. You can do the same with your own dreams and wishes! How to:
After you’ve read over each step, close your eyes and enjoy the full exercise in your stress-free sanctuary. Remember to savor a different sense each time you visit: what can you feel with your hands? What aromas are in the air? Can you taste anything? Really dive deep into this exercise to reap the full benefits of relaxation and visualization.
Relaxation is only one way to combat the effects of disease and illness from chronic stress. Check out our Wellness Wednesday on the benefits of music and combine your favorite tune with your sanctuary visits for maximum stress busting! Looking to support your lifestyle with a healthy diet? Explore our Health Makeover edition of Wellness Wednesday! Starting your sanctuary exploration today? Share your story with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtags #rylwellnesswednesday and #roswellyogalife! |
About the AuthorKayleighWriter, energy healer, astrologer, nerd, animal enthusiast, naturopath in training. Archives
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