TotalBodyYoga

Health and Hope… an Upcoming Seva Class

By Laura Mills When I received my lupus diagnosis back in 2009, I already had a history of anemia and constantly-cold, color-changing hands; rashes after time in the sun; occasional redness on my nose and cheeks; general tiredness; and a little bit of stiffness, especially in my legs. But after the official diagnosis, I struggled to digest the fact that I now needed a regular medication regimen as well as to get blood drawn and visit a rheumatologist every few months. I could barely believe that coping with a chronic and unpredictable autoimmune condition would characterize the rest [...]

Health and Hope… an Upcoming Seva ClassTotalBodyYoga2018-10-10T15:11:32-05:00

Teacher Feature: Brooke Cline

Beloved Brooke Cline A Favorite Teacher's Transformational Inner Journey (Brooke in Urdhva Dhanurasana with her daughter Dylan) Interview by Julia JonsonWhat first brought you to the practice of yoga?I tried yoga for the first time in my mid 20s but I don’t think I was ready for the practice. I preferred more adrenaline based exercise outlets like spinning and running and ultimately I had a hard time slowing down my body …. and mind. It wasn’t until I was desperate to find pain relief for a herniated disc while pregnant with my daughter just over 11 years ago that I [...]

Teacher Feature: Brooke ClineTotalBodyYoga2018-10-10T15:11:32-05:00

Teacher Feature: Mara Campbell

Teacher SpotlightMara Campbell interviewed by Julia C. JonsonHow and when did you first practice yoga?It was around 2002 in Madison, Wisconsin, in my hometown where I began taking a Thursday evening gentle class at a local yoga cooperative. I was looking for stress relief from being an elementary school teacher and I found that I was a gentler teacher to my students each Friday and felt better physically than I had in years. I kept attending that yoga class each week and it took me over two years before braving an intermediate class. I will never forget how challenging downward facing [...]

Teacher Feature: Mara CampbellTotalBodyYoga2018-10-10T15:11:31-05:00

Choose Peace over Misery!

By Julia Jonson “If peace comes from seeing the whole, then misery stems from a loss of perspective.” This reflection by Mark Nepo, author of the New York Times bestseller The Book or Awakening, is a pointed reminder that even when most things in life are going reasonably well, misery is a moment of suffering that is allowed to become everything. This rousing observation reminds me of Richard Carlson's 90-10 trap. Carlson, who wrote, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens, encourages young readers to become aware of how easy it is to focus on the negative parts of life. [...]

Choose Peace over Misery!TotalBodyYoga2019-03-14T17:36:58-05:00

Kundalini Yoga: Myth & Reality

by Carol Crawford, TBY Teacher Kundalini yoga and subtle energy work can be dangerous. Myth. Each of us has life force energy within us, but often we don't access or fully leverage this energy. This energy is an innate part of us and no more dangerous than any other part of our body. Most yogis understand this energy in the context of the Chakra System. Kundalini yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan employs rhythmic breath, exercise, meditation and mantra (or chanting) as a technology to optimize the free flow of energy up the central spine from first chakra (rectum) through 7th [...]

Kundalini Yoga: Myth & RealityTotalBodyYoga2018-10-10T15:11:29-05:00

Heartbreak and Yoga

by Stephanie Rehor For me, Valentine's Day has not been the swoon worthy, chocolate devouring, love fest that was once promised. The disappointments began when I was in second grade. The day had finally come for the class Valentine's Day party and I was going to confess my love to the cutest boy in class. I mustered enough courage to walk up to him and gave him, what I thought to be, quite the romantic note. Trembling, I watched as he read it. I waited for a reaction but he just kept staring at the letter. Time seemingly stood still [...]

Heartbreak and YogaTotalBodyYoga2018-10-10T15:11:29-05:00

Leaving Yoga Class Early

A really good article if you're considering NOT going to class because you have to leave early .... If you handle it well, you can leave a bit early. Here's how: http://www.yogaworksblog.com/2016/01/28/a-class-act-leaving-yoga-early/

Leaving Yoga Class EarlyTotalBodyYoga2018-10-10T15:11:28-05:00

Opening Always – By Laura Mills

When I began my yoga practice back in 2007, I knew: 1-Yoga originated in India a long time ago. 2-Yoga is a method of putting one’s body into different positions, and it’s relaxing. 3-One of the positions is called Downward Dog. 4-One might encounter incense, chimes, chants, and tea in a yoga class. While I gratefully expanded my knowledge of yoga over the years, one of the things that struck me most is that yoga remains “a practice” no matter how long one’s been doing it, no matter how much one knows, no matter how adept one is [...]

Opening Always – By Laura MillsTotalBodyYoga2018-10-10T15:11:27-05:00

Being a Name

By Laura Mills “Mommy, where’s a person’s name?” I looked at my daughter, confused. “What do you mean?” “I mean…is it in my head? Is it in my body somewhere? Where can I find my name?” Finally understanding the question—and amazed at this rather profound thought of my four-year-old—I answered: “Well, your name isn’t a thing that’s inside you. Like if I looked in your mouth, I wouldn’t see anything with your name on it.” I considered. “I suppose your name is a thought in your mind, because when you see it [...]

Being a NameTotalBodyYoga2018-10-10T15:11:26-05:00

Yoga Lullaby

By Laura Mills “Time” just doesn’t mean what it used to in my house; every spare moment during which I can wipe the kitchen counter or (on the best days) sip some tea has dramatically increased in value. These days, I compose my classes and write my blogs during my daughter’s naptime—when she naps, that is—so of course I usually find myself trying to take advantage of every minute. One day shortly after Thanksgiving festivities had upset our usual routine, my daughter started crying as soon as I put her down and didn’t stop as usual. I waited a [...]

Yoga LullabyTotalBodyYoga2018-10-10T15:11:25-05:00

About TotalBodyYoga