Winding Down After a Hard Day

   Oftentimes, after a stressful day, you may have trouble quieting the body and the mind enough to fall asleep quickly. For others, it is easy to fall asleep, but you wake up in the middle of the night, raring to go. If you find this happening to you often, you may be feeling sleep deprived. This week we will focus on poses and mudras which can calm both the body and the mind including gentle inversions and supported forward bends.

   If you lay in bed for more than 15 minutes trying to sleep, try getting up and reading or doing some restorative yoga in a different room. The more you associate your bed with not being able to sleep, the harder it will be to get out of the pattern of insomnia.

   Tne pose to try is Viparita Karani or Legs up the Wall Pose. Lie on your back with your calves either on a chair or the heels resting on a wall. Give yourself 5-10 minutes of restful awareness in this pose, then try lying back down in bed.

Standing on Your Own Two Feet

As the new year dawns, let us return to our roots metaphorically and physically by enlivening our feet. Indulge in a self-administered foot massage at home using warmed sesame or olive oil scented with lavender essential oil, then soak feet in warm water for 15 minutes.

As you walk around, notice how the balls of your feet help to propell you forward and give you the foundation you need to stand tall. As you practice this week, notice how when ground through your feet, you can feel your connection to the earth more clearly which in turn allows you to ascend towards the sky.

Happy Holidays!

It is my sincere wish that everyone finds peace and joy this holiday season - and don't forget to rest your mind and body by practicing restorative yoga such as Reclining Bound Angle pose or Legs Up the Wall pose.

Happy Winter Solstice!

Our practice is dedicated to the Winter Solstice this week. In class, we will deconstruct Surya Namaskar in order to make the transitions more flowing. This time of year is special for many reasons, we celebrate the return of the sun after the longest night, we enjoy the company of our friends and family members. During the business of the season, remember to take time out for yourself so that you can maintain a healthy balance between your inner and outer world.

Cold & Allergy Relief

This week's sequence will help those who are suffering from the cold that has been going around. Remember to keep your head up (figuratively and physically) to promote sinus drainage and try gentle backbends to open the lungs and facilitate the breath. Also don't forget to use your Neti pot when the sinuses are aggrivated.  I put echinacea tincture in mine (it tastes awlful but helps with the bacterial infection).