Self Study: Music, my Great Equalizer

Music is something that's always been a huge inspiration to me.
I can pop in a record and feel better in any situation I find myself in.
Music inspires my Yoga Practice as well.

Whether it's silly to make me laugh,
an anthem to make me pound my fist in the air,
or a ballad to make me appreciate life,
music resides in my soul as the great equalizer
alongside my breath.

I teach my students that breath is the most
powerful tool you can learn to use in Yoga.
It is.
My second is music.
I can sing silently to myself anytime.
I can sing aloud as often as I please.

Chant and sound have vibrational qualities
that are healing, energizing and relaxing.
This is one of my favorite and most
beloved teachings.

Music, singing, chanting, playing music even
going to a live show
can be just as healing as your breath.

What music inspires you to get up and dance?
What song makes you tear up?
What piece of music can you listen to over and over again
and still never get enough?
Try listening when you practice asana.
Try singing to yourself when you meditate.

Music is a great healer.
Breath and music together where ever you go...
Rock Your Practice!
^o^

My Love song to my Guitar!

My Rockin Inspirational Feel Good Song of the moment!

Self Study- the Teacher in all of Us

My friend Yumiko stopped by for a couple days
on her way from Japan to her new diggs in the states.
We had a couple opportunities to practice yoga together &
some awesome time spent in each others company.

Miko is the reason Yoga Empowered Online exists.
She was curious and wanted to learn more but
we were countries apart.
I wanted to be able to share what I know about Yoga with her
so she could grow her Practice.

These past two days have taught me several important things.

One
She gave me the cahones
(aka balls, courage, audacity)
to find my voice as a teacher.
Living with Multiple Sclerosis alone,
challenges my own self image besides
all the expectations out there and projected on me
or by me to be "a Yoga Teacher".
Her desire to learn encouraged and eventually lifted me beyond
those things enabling me to speak up,
make videos and write these articles online
as I am and
because of who I am.

Two
Mindfulness appears in amazing ways.
Miko was enjoying a cupcake at my house while
we were talking with my boyfriend.
I commented after a while at how I was really loving and amazed
at how slowly she was eating it.
I would have wolfed it down,
yummmmyummmmyummmm- gone!
She hadn't enjoyed a cupcake in a long time.
She was savoring it.
When we walked around- we walked slowly.
When we talked- we talked slowly.
It was refreshing and eye-opening to be the one having to "slow down"
when I'm used to asking everyone else to slow down for me.
There was no rush- we were just being.
It made me enjoy every moment so much more.
I'm finding myself wanting to walk slower now.
Try it- you may be amazed at how "rushed" you've become
without even noticing.

Three
Balance.
Finding balance in your asana practice is something
we all seem to equate with our Yoga Practice.
Finding balance within is a constant practice.
By meeting ourselves where we are in each moment
(and yes, they are all Unique)
we learn to accept, love and BE with
grace, tenderness and joy.

I'm so glad for my dear friend and teacher.
I'm going to grab my bag and take a slow walk
to the vegetable stand. I plan to take my time there and
to watch my breath- encouraging it to be smooth and even.

There's a teacher in all of us.
Slow down and you may be surprised at all that appears.

Love to you Miko!
Rock Your Practice!
^o^

Practice Series- Neck Woes (Video)

Ack- waking up with a sore & strained neck blows.
Maybe you begin to feel tension creeping
into the neck and shoulder area
as your day goes along.
This is a simple practice you can do to help
relieve neck strain and tension.

Meet yourself where you are.
You can do this and add strain and tension
if you don't work within
a pain FREE range of motion
so honor your body and
meet yourself where you are.

You can add the arms or leave them out.
You can practice this standing or seated.
You can practice this lying down- if so,
snow angel your arms
(just like your lying in snow).

The idea here is to relieve strain not add to it.
You may have a large range of motion on one side
while the other side is very limited.
Honor that.

Any questions or concerns please let me know!
Rock Your Practice!
^o^