Myyogajoy

1 week ago

Yoga Off the Mat: this was my foot about 6 weeks ago, having sutures removed after surgery. Throughout the healing process, I have worn various bandages/splints/boots and used scooters/crutches/etc—all physical signs that there was something that wasn’t quite whole, something that needed healing. For the most part, people could see my situation and they offered sympathy, concern and consideration. No one judged me as being weak, even though the reason I needed surgery stemmed from having a weak arch in my foot.…
If someone has high blood pressure and has tried to regulate it with diet and exercise but still needs medication to control it, do we consider them to be weak? 🤔 No, we acknowledge that they have something physical that isn’t quite right and requires medication so they can be well….
If someone struggles with mental illness—Depression, Anxiety, Disordered Eating, etc—are they considered weak or defective? Just because we can’t “see” the challenge or imbalance doesn’t make it less real and valid. Perhaps they’ve tried to regulate their mental health with exercise or supplements or meditation. Perhaps they benefit from talk therapy or medication to regulate their mood. Does that mean they are weak or should be ashamed or that their challenge is less real than an obvious physical illness? Am I ashamed that my foot needed surgery? Should anyone be ashamed that they need medication to regulate their blood pressure? We can talk about these things openly without much drama or judgment. So why don’t we talk about mental health??? We need to have more conversations. We need to break down stigma. We need to heighten awareness. We need to learn proactive/preventive habits for mental health and wellness. We need to have conversations NOW. Mental health is part of Whole Health, and we are suffering as a society. And we can change things….
We can have open and honest conversations—there’s a good chance that someone else needs to hear about your struggles in order to realize that they’re not alone. If you are struggling, ask for help. If someone you care about is struggling, lend them an ear and guide them to get help. If a stranger is struggling, be compassionate. It’s no different from having a broken bone or stitches or crutches or any other physical condition. We can make a positive difference NOW💜☮️ ... See MoreSee Less

Myyogajoy

2 weeks ago

Yoga Off the Mat: today’s offering is a simple intention/affirmation (you can repeat it out loud 😉): “I live and love in the present moment, trusting the flow of the Universe” {or insert “God”, “nature”, “my higher power” or any other word or phrase that is meaningful to you} 😌 ... See MoreSee Less

Myyogajoy

3 weeks ago

Yoga Off the Mat: so THIS happened yesterday—Berta’s got a new pair of shoes! What’s so exciting about that, you ask? Well, I haven’t worn a proper pair of shoes or gone on an actual “walk” in 6 1/2 weeks~since my foot procedure. For someone whose “mental health medicine” relies on moving outside in nature, it’s been a challenge. Now that I have a ”new” foot, I feel like a toddler—my muscles are regaining strength and my balance and coordination need to develop. And I woke up smiling out loud today!😁 Why? Because I can walk! Because I have two healthy feet, because I am alive and breathing—and so are you! Right now, no matter what else is going on, you’re still breathing, yes? How many basic things, without which we would have no or low quality of life, do we take for granted on a daily basis? I actually greeted my feet this morning! “Hello, Beautiful!” 🥰 How would it be if you looked at things through the eyes of a toddler? A newborn? Remember when a child or even a puppy sees crunchy leaves in the fall or snow in winter or splashes in a puddle or feels sand at the beach for the first time? What would it feel like if you experienced just one thing as if for the first time, again? 🤔 I’m willing to bet you’ll have greater joy, peace and well-being, just for starters. Give it a try. Let me know how it goes. And I’d love to hear from you in the comments🤗 ... See MoreSee Less

Myyogajoy

1 month ago

Yoga Off the Mat: I received the sweetest compliment today🥰 As you may know, I am a certified Yoga and Ayurveda instructor as well as a practicing Dentist. Bringing my particular blend of Elemental Wellness wherever I go, the lines between these roles are often blurry. As we were discussing the music I was playing in my dental office and sharing that I use the same relaxing music in some of my yoga classes, my patient said, “You are a Kaleidoscope—you’re not just one thing.” And that made me think—each of us can pursue multiple paths, whether in our professional lives, or with our hobbies, or in our relationships with others. With Kaleidoscopes, we can constantly change their patterns by changing the way the mirrors reflect images—basically changing perspective. The images are continuously evolving and never “finished,” and each view is uniquely beautiful. Imagine what could be possible if you allowed yourself to be more like a Kaleidoscope…..🙌😌 ... See MoreSee Less

Myyogajoy

1 month ago

Yoga Off the Mat: I had the honor and privilege to spend time growing and learning with a great group at the Exponential Success Summit this weekend 🤩 Being able to share a little piece of my passion for Wellness, my colleagues from various backgrounds were able to experience some of the benefits of alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Shodhana): enhanced and more balanced breathing, reduced heart rate, improved cognition and coordination—all just in a few minutes! Yoga (meaning “yoke” or “Union”) is everywhere that you are, on and off the Mat 😌 where have you experienced it lately?🤔💫 ... See MoreSee Less

Myyogajoy

2 months ago

Yoga Off the Mat: so this is my temporary privilege, what I like to refer to as “VIP Parking”. This has been, and continues to be, an interesting experiment. Going out in Public using my “peg leg” while my foot (and heel) heals (how’s that for homonym?), I’ve noticed things. I’ve noticed how some people stare. I’ve noticed how some people ask personal questions of a complete stranger (they are well intended, and no, I actually don’t mind, but I imagine other individuals might). I’ve noticed how some people completely avoid eye contact, in some effort, I imagine, to either not stare, or worse, that they are too oblivious to care. It makes me reflect on my own behavior and beliefs: do I feel that “handicapped” people are weak or strong? Do I judge them at all? Do I truly see them in their humanity? And at what point does a Disadvantage become an Advantage? (Spoiler alert: it’s the moment you change your mindset to believe that any challenge can be a growth and learning opportunity!!!) If nothing else, having a temporary handicap has been and continues to be a wonderful exercise in appreciating others who experience different conditions and situations…

I’d love to hear any thoughts, reflections or feedback you have in the comments below 😊 ... See MoreSee Less

Myyogajoy

2 months ago

Yoga Off the Mat: so this happened. Who knew a one liter Nalgene bottle full of water could break this way when it falls out of your backpack? Oh well, right? But this wasn’t just any water bottle—I’ve had it since 2016 when I brought it to my very first Yoga Teacher Training. That’s when I added the Om symbol, signifying Unity. I’ve refilled this three times a day ever since then, and received the Jai Bhagwan sticker (symbolizing victory and also a greeting) at my 500 Hour YTT Graduation. The Intuition sticker came along some time later. So I was really bummed when this happened😕. And yet it presented the opportunity to practice the Yogic Yama (restraint) Aparigraha, or unattachment. Perhaps I don’t need those sticker reminders any more, perhaps those concepts have become part of my being. Perhaps it was just time to invest in a new bottle for hygienic reasons! Whatever the case may be, it raises the question: what have you been holding onto for too long? What thing, relationship or idea has passed it’s time? Where can you let go?🤔😌☺️ ... See MoreSee Less