Private Yoga

In our fast-paced world it is almost impossible to find a balance between “being” and “doing.” Yin Yoga allows you to connect to that space of “being” so you can restore and recharge the body, mind, and emotions. It shifts the nervous system from the sympathetic (fight or flight) to the parasympathetic (rest, heal, and digest) nervous system. The meditation, interwoven through the practice, allows you to steady the mind and hear your inner wisdom, reducing your stress and anxiety.  We are meant to be in the parasympathetic nervous system most of the time, which allows for optimal functioning of our digestive system, immune system, sexual health, and the glandular system.

Yin Yoga originates from a few different lineages.

1. Yoga because they use asanas (yogic postures or movements)
2. Chinese Medicine by working with the meridians (energetic pathways in the body via which energy flows)
3. Buddhism by bringing awareness into the practice

Yin Yoga practice consists of long-held floor asanas that focus on opening the bones, ligaments and fascia of the lower body. The practice balances the body, mind and emotions so that one can sit in meditation. One learns to reconnect to the Compassionate Witness and listen to the Wisdom in one’s body, thoughts and emotions so that deeper healing can occur.

Yogi Bhajan brought Kundalini Yoga to the West from India in 1968. He blended Hatha yoga postures with Tantric theories and Sikh mantras to create this style. This advanced practice was given to build physical vitality, and clear the seven chakras and three main meridians (Ida, Pingala and Sushumna). When these channels are clear then it allows the Kundalini energy, which sits coiled at the base of the spine, to rise and expand human consciousness. Kundalini yoga is so powerful because it incorporates mantra, pranayama, bandhas, mudras, asanas, and meditation into the practice.

This style is from the Tantric lineage brought by Swami Rama who studied in the Himalaya’s.  This 300-hour training taught me how to evaluate a person on not just asanas, but energetically, anatomically, ayurvedically, and psychologically to help the whole person.

iRest Yoga Nidra is made up of practices like body scanning, breath work, working with emotions, thoughts, joy, and Being that help you feel connected with yourself, others, and the world. iRest yoga nidra meditation  teaches you how to respond, not react, to your emotions and thoughts, no matter what is going on in your life. Responding means we take a moment to pause and proceed based on what we really believe to be the best course of action. Reacting is emotional and rash.

The “i” in iRest stands for integrative and “Rest” is for restoration. Integrative because it helps a person become whole.  Restoration because it helps us reconnect to our True Nature, which is joy, peace, and well being.