By: Heather Van Dalfsen, MEd, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, Certified Yoga Therapist, Yoga and Pilates Teacher “I didn’t realize how tense I had been in my shoulders and back but also in my mind. My thoughts have been racing since my breast cancer diagnosis. When I was in relaxation at the end of the yoga class, […]
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By Mary Hilliker, RDN, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, Certified Viniyoga Teacher & Yoga Therapist Good sleep is necessary to our overall health and well-being, but it can be fleeting. On average, adults need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep per 24 hours. Children need more, especially at key developmental stages, ranging from 8 to 13 hours […]
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By Bill Miller, MA, RYT-500, Certified Viniyoga Teacher I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, stage 4, in July of 2022. My wife and I were told by the oncologist that I had about two years to live. Prior to this diagnosis, I completed the 500 hour Viniyoga foundation requirements necessary for entry into the Viniyoga […]
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An interview with: Mary Hilliker, RDN, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, Viniyoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist at 5 Koshas. Written by: Bernice Thrill Combining yoga therapy with other sports and activities can be an efficient way to keep your body conditioned and help prevent injury, according to Mary Hilliker, RDN, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, Viniyoga Teacher and Yoga […]
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An interview with Andrew Beaumont, M.D., Ph.D., Yoga Therapist & 5 Koshas Yoga Partner By Bernice Thill, Writer and Yoga Practitioner Andrew Beaumont, M.D., Ph.D., was inspired to become a yoga instructor after seeing so many patients in his neurosurgery practice with back and neck pain and few options for self help. In addition to […]
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By Mary Hilliker, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT “Each cakra represents an essential chamber in the temple of the Self. Each one houses an aspect of the sacred and is necessary for wholeness. The more we clean and properly decorate the temple, the more we court the presence of the divine.” – Anodea Judith in Eastern Body, […]
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Autumn brings a distraction, more so this year as we navigate the change along with the pandemic and all its twists, turns and complexities. Have you noticed how your mind and thoughts run around like squirrels gathering and burying acorns? Squirrel! It is the season of the squirrel. Summer has said its last goodbye for […]
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“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”…. Buddhist proverb Pain is an important part of life. Pain is protective. It helps stimulate the healing response through release of chemicals and hormones in the body. We will all feel pain in our lives. However, pain can also become prohibitive. It can stop us doing the things we […]
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When we start to pay attention in an intentional and nonjudgmental way, as we do when we cultivate mindfulness, and thus bring ourselves back into the present moment, we are tapping into very deep natural resources of strength, creativity, balance and yes, wisdom – interior resources that me may never have realized we even possess. […]
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Summer has said it’s last goodbye for the year. The crispness and color of fall is upon us. With the season change comes the very real problem of fatigue for many who live in northern climes. It’s one of the more overwhelming symptoms of seasonal affective disorder and a troubling symptom for many as the […]
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The ancient tools of yoga can help you feel your best through cancer treatment and assist in helping you reclaim your life after cancer. Yoga can help with side effects from medically essential and life-giving treatments. Yoga can be adapted to provide relief for nausea, fatigue, constipation, sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, “chemo brain”, and neuropathy. Feeling […]
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“When sleep escapes you and drowsiness and fuzzy thinking are your daytime companions, it’s time to evaluate what action you can take to improve sleep. Mind-body practices, including yoga, can improve sleep and daytime energy.” The roots of sleeplessness may be related to age, stress, hormonal changes, pain, digestive distress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, other […]
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Tame the Anxiety & Worry Monkeys Mental and emotional ease are states of being that we can all appreciate. We put our best selves forward when we are peaceful, calm and focused. We need fast, easy and accessible tools to bring us back to order and calm when fear, anxiety, stress or worry monkeys knock […]
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Grief is a unique combination of sadness, memories, fog, strong emotions, bodily experiences and occasional moments of peace and clarity. This simple quote reveals so much about what we are just beginning to understand about the science of chronic stress and the effects of grief. Dr. van der Kolk, a researcher who studies the effect […]
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The deliciousness of a sweet heirloom tomato, the snap of fresh green beans, the tangy sweetness of a fresh strawberry, the heady scent of a blossoming peony…it’s within reach now that the sun graces the sky for long days. Gardening has approximately equal parts science, weather, faith and hard work. The hard work can lead […]
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We go through the middle years of life stressing our “backbone”. There are many responsibilities that require stamina in our metaphorical backbone– work, raising children, being active in the community, and taking care of aging parents to name a few. It’s also a time when we may be engaged in repetitive movements (computer work, sports, […]
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Yoga has many benefits for mom and baby. It’s a body-mind practice that promotes wellness in the 5 Koshas (layers of being): Body, Vital (Physiology), Mind, Character, and Heart. The Mayo Clinic has looked at research studies on yoga for pregnancy. They list some of the benefits of yoga for pregnancy as: Better sleep Reduced […]
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Life changes in an instant with a diagnosis of cancer. It’s like a big wave crashing through the house rearranging everything. How do you manage the big wave? The ancient science of yoga provides useful tools for coping with the diagnosis and treatments and supporting optimal health in recovery. How Yoga Helps Yoga therapy (the […]
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Did you grow up with grandparents or parents who made sauerkraut in the old-fashioned way where the cabbage was shredded, salted, pounded and stored in a huge crock to stink up the basement or garage for a few weeks? It turns out that your ancestors were culturing a healthy batch of bacteria, nutrients and flavor.
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Change in our life comes in many different ways. Sometimes we plan for the change. A retirement, career change, moving, or getting married are examples of things that we often consciously choose. Other changes blow in like a strong wind that destroys any sense of order and stability.
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