Anga bhanga: choosing the yoga practice that's best for you
Does your practice bring you balance? Anga bhanga sadhana means a practice that is useful in one way for our systems, or in one context, but harmful in another. It can also refer to a practice that seems beneficial in the short term, but increases imbalance in the long term.
A great tip I learned from Mental Health Aware teacher training and trauma sensitive training is to start where you are.
In other words, start with something that matches the current energy intensity in your system, and gradually move into more balancing practices. That’s why my short practices for busy people often start with some movement before leading to stillness.
Gentle Yoga to nurture your nervous system.
Nurture your nervous system with this 30 minute video. A gentle. calming wind-down practice blending polyvagal theory, pranayama breathing and restorative yoga practices to soothe the nervous system, this would be a great practice to wind down for the evening, or before bed for better sleep.
3 body-based practices for finding your calm
Three easy & effective body-based practices to feel more calm & relaxed in body & mind.
Find your calm: 3 breathing practices
Simple & effective breathing practices to soothe and support your nervous system and help you find your calm.
Tips for better sleep
The impacts of inadequate sleep can include poor memory, trouble concentrating, heart disease, increased blood pressure, metabolism dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, weakened immune system and increased inflammation, so anything that helps us sleep better is going to help us to stay healthy. Many of these tips have long been recommended by the wisdom of Ayurveda, and are now also backed up by research.
Peace of Mind: Some Benefits of Yoga Nidra (guided relaxation practice)
If I had to choose between a physical practice, a sitting meditation, or a Yoga nidra, I would choose Yoga nidra for all the benefits it has for the mind and body. The best thing about Yoga nidra is that anyone can easily do it and by doing it consistently, receive the benefits of it. Even just practising a 20 minute Yoga nidra a few times a week will be beneficial.
How to get over the guilt, and rest
Isn’t there something a bit dysfunctional about a world in which we don’t feel we can stop and rest for just 20 minutes? Does anything in nature run full speed endlessly without rest? Thinking ourselves to be above nature hasn’t worked out well for us so far.