Category Archives: #ThoughtfulThursday
#ThrowBackThursday: Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone
Think yoga can only be done in a studio setting? Yoga can be done anywhere, including in the middle of a fashion mall concourse (pictured here).
I tend to be a very introverted person and at first was hesitant to practice where non-yoga practitioners could see me. This picture was taken not too very long after my ex and I first split, and I was both feeling lost and re-discovering my independence. It helped to be surrounded by supportive friends. Learning to push past my comfort zone helped me re-claim my strength.
I encourage you to look for places to practice that are outside the normal studio setting (like the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, where I just happen to teach on Mondays and Thursdays). It can give you a new perspective on your practice and yourself.
Peace and love,
Debra
#ThoughtfulThursday: A Yin Yoga Resource List
Clampett, Cheri, and Biff Mithoefer. The therapeutic yoga kit: sixteen postures for self-Healing through quiet yin awareness. Healing Arts Press, 2009.
I love Biff Mithoefer’s yoga kits. You get a book with discussion of the poses and more, a CD to use for practice or listen to cuing tips, and flashcards that are helpful to use when teaching. I admittedly haven’t used this kit as much as the one listed below, but this is a great resource for yin/restorative classes.
Clark, Bernie. The complete guide to yin yoga: the philosophy & practice of yin yoga. White Cloud Press, 2012.
This is by far the book I used the most. It has lots of detail about the poses and counterposes, the meridians, and a lot more. It’s fabulous.
Grilley, Paul. Yin yoga: outline of a quiet practice. White Cloud Press, 2002.
This is a great quick read from the person who helped make yin yoga what it is today. This is the book that made me want to dive deeper into yin.
Mithoefer, Biff. The yin yoga kit: the practice of quiet power. Healing Arts Press, 2006.
Like the kit referenced above, this is very user-friendly. I use the flashcards the most as quick reference points during classes. It’s also great to use the CD when I want to practice yin at home without keeping a constant eye on the clock.
Powers, Sarah. Insight yoga. Shambhala, 2009.
I use this resource the least but it’s good nonetheless. I did a great weekend intensive workshop with Sarah Powers several years ago and her perspective on yin has definitely influenced the way I teach. This is a great resource for those who want to mix more yang elements into their practice or teaching.
Feel free to share any resources you use or questions you have in the comments below.
Peace and love,
Debra
#ThoughtfulThursday: What’s Going On
In Monday’s post, I mentioned that I would share an update explaining why I’ve not been posting regularly for a while. Basically it’s because my life has been full of changes and, while I know that’s always true, these have been some fairly big ones.
- I’m trying to get the house I’ve lived in for 20 years ready to sell. My ex and I didn’t do a lot of updating and I’ve had to make some pretty major updates so that I won’t take a loss on it. It’s taking A LOT more time than I thought it would.
- I’ve got a new guy. He’s awesome and helping me with my house and providing me amazing emotional support.
- I’ve got a part time job. It took me my entire adult life to figure out that I wanted to teach yoga but it’s a hard way to make a living, so I’ve had to take an office job to pay the bills. One of my goals this year is to improve my hustle and/or find a part time job in the wellness industry that doesn’t suck my soul out.
- I’m taking more yoga teacher training. It’s like being in grad school all over again but I love it!
I think I’ve finally found my groove again and plan to post more regularly this year. Thank you for tuning in!
Peace,
Debra
