Books
These are some of my favorite and most helpful books & more I've found along my journey so far. Feel free to add comments including your recommended reads and why you'd recommend them. Often times I've had a book on my shelf or one that's been recommended many times before it made its way into my heart.
Support your local library and see if they have the books first.
The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar This book was one of my yoga training books.
It quickly became a favorite of mine and is one I reference often. I love the chapters about facing challenges and illness plus other blocks along the way. What keeps you from practicing- what keeps you coming back... I adore this book!
Yoga for Wellness by Gary Kraftsow This book will take you through the physical part of establishing a personal yoga practice suited to you- the practitioner! I often reference this book as I sequence poses for myself & those I teach. A great addition (& must-have) for anyone who wants to begin a practice or invigorate an established practice.
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron This book was recommended numerous times and then one day- I bought it & it became a bible of sorts for me. It taught me how to be creative-
Support your local library and see if they have the books first.
The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar This book was one of my yoga training books.
It quickly became a favorite of mine and is one I reference often. I love the chapters about facing challenges and illness plus other blocks along the way. What keeps you from practicing- what keeps you coming back... I adore this book!
Yoga for Wellness by Gary Kraftsow This book will take you through the physical part of establishing a personal yoga practice suited to you- the practitioner! I often reference this book as I sequence poses for myself & those I teach. A great addition (& must-have) for anyone who wants to begin a practice or invigorate an established practice.
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron This book was recommended numerous times and then one day- I bought it & it became a bible of sorts for me. It taught me how to be creative-
not only in art but to own my creativity. How to look past conditioned beliefs and to fight for what I wanted in my life. Accepting me for me and believing I can be all I can be.
Full Catastrophe Living- Jon Kabat Zinn (or anything by Kabat-Zinn) I did a final report in my yoga training on Yoga for Pain Management. Most of my research was found in this book. Hospitals around the globe use these techniques in stress management groups. It's a mouth full of a book and
I found I had to ingest bits at a time because it was so potent. Mindfulness never felt so good!
The Chocolate Cake Sutra by Geri Larkin (or anything by Geri Larkin for that matter!) I have owned about fifteen copies of this book over the last decade. It is my favorite read for self study and establishing my personal practice. I purposely buy extra copies so I can give it away at a moment's notice. I re-read this book often and refer to it when I need a spiritual pick me up or reminder of why I'm here. Highly recommended!
Full Catastrophe Living- Jon Kabat Zinn (or anything by Kabat-Zinn) I did a final report in my yoga training on Yoga for Pain Management. Most of my research was found in this book. Hospitals around the globe use these techniques in stress management groups. It's a mouth full of a book and
I found I had to ingest bits at a time because it was so potent. Mindfulness never felt so good!
The Chocolate Cake Sutra by Geri Larkin (or anything by Geri Larkin for that matter!) I have owned about fifteen copies of this book over the last decade. It is my favorite read for self study and establishing my personal practice. I purposely buy extra copies so I can give it away at a moment's notice. I re-read this book often and refer to it when I need a spiritual pick me up or reminder of why I'm here. Highly recommended!
Coffee In My Cereal- Lorna Moorehead My aunt got me this book when I was diagnosed with MS. I'd been reading all kinds of newly diagnosed books and was up to my ears in information about MS (super meaty info) so the timing was perfect. This book made me laugh and cry repeat repeat repeat! I loved it! Her humor is priceless!
DVDs
Any of these 4 DVDs by Gary Kraftsow.
CDs
Yoga Nidra for MS by Inez Stein I am a huge fan of Yoga Nidra thanks to Inez Stein. I lie down daily to rest my body & mind. Often I don't feel refreshed or I can't focus & the whole "rest" ends up frustrating me rather than revitalizing me. Yoga Nidra is like an extended savasana. A 20 minute practice (basically a type of guided meditation) is equal to 2 hours of restful sleep. I've been practicing with this CD daily for almost 2 years now. It's complete with healing visualizations for MS. I miss it when I don't practice. One of my Must-Haves!
Any of these 4 DVDs by Gary Kraftsow.
CDs
Yoga Nidra for MS by Inez Stein I am a huge fan of Yoga Nidra thanks to Inez Stein. I lie down daily to rest my body & mind. Often I don't feel refreshed or I can't focus & the whole "rest" ends up frustrating me rather than revitalizing me. Yoga Nidra is like an extended savasana. A 20 minute practice (basically a type of guided meditation) is equal to 2 hours of restful sleep. I've been practicing with this CD daily for almost 2 years now. It's complete with healing visualizations for MS. I miss it when I don't practice. One of my Must-Haves!
Any CD by Richard Miller or Kelly Boys of iRest Yoga Nidra. I recently completed (Nov 2011) a Level 1 training in iRest.
Online Resources
The internet has opened up so many opportunities for connecting and learning. Here are a few of my favorite resources that I've come across.
Chronic Babe is a site I found and quickly fell in love with. Here you can find articles, resources and more for living with chronic illness. I love the attitude of the site- no why mes-
just Babeness! Recently a forum was added and it's a great place to find support, make connections and to learn more about your challenges whatever they may be from those living with them as well.
Chronic Babe is a site I found and quickly fell in love with. Here you can find articles, resources and more for living with chronic illness. I love the attitude of the site- no why mes-
just Babeness! Recently a forum was added and it's a great place to find support, make connections and to learn more about your challenges whatever they may be from those living with them as well.
Center for Mindfulness at UMass I've been studying Jon Kabat-Zinn's mindfulness - ness for years. I highly encourage you to take a look, see what courses are available in your area.
There are trainings (classes) all over the world- this site is a good place to start. I completed an 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction training in March of 2011 & highly recommend it! If classes aren't within your means- He's the author of Where ever You Go,
There You Are- start there even- with the book or on CD. He's authored many titles- choose the one that most resonates with you.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This site features lots of research and information regarding many illnesses. I've found it really hard to find trustworthy alternative medicine research and was so glad to finally find this site.
There are trainings (classes) all over the world- this site is a good place to start. I completed an 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction training in March of 2011 & highly recommend it! If classes aren't within your means- He's the author of Where ever You Go,
There You Are- start there even- with the book or on CD. He's authored many titles- choose the one that most resonates with you.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This site features lots of research and information regarding many illnesses. I've found it really hard to find trustworthy alternative medicine research and was so glad to finally find this site.
Quit Smoking with Become An Ex. org This site helps educate & support those who want to, need to, are thinking about or are going to quit smoking. A former smoker myself- My advice is to just keep quitting! After about 3 years I finally did!
Here's an Open Letter to those not living with Chronic Illness. When I first read this I cried with relief as it made me more able be understanding of others as they don't live in my skin
and it also allowed me to express myself a bit better. Though I never sent it out- it was enough for me to read and be able to express more openly to friends, family & even students some limitations I have.
Become active at Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease This site has tons of articles and resources for many things. If your big on advocacy or curious about what that means for you- check it out!
Here's an Open Letter to those not living with Chronic Illness. When I first read this I cried with relief as it made me more able be understanding of others as they don't live in my skin
and it also allowed me to express myself a bit better. Though I never sent it out- it was enough for me to read and be able to express more openly to friends, family & even students some limitations I have.
Become active at Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease This site has tons of articles and resources for many things. If your big on advocacy or curious about what that means for you- check it out!
For Cancer (or any chronic condition, mind you) check out Yoga Bear & Crazy Sexy Life. Yoga Bear is something everyone should know about. I'm so glad it's there and I refer students to it often.
Crazy Sexy Life just blew me outta the water! I love all the resources here from cancer to diet this site is worth an afternoon and I highly recommend it. Even without cancer & living with a chronic illness this site has tons to offer.
For Arthritis. There's an awesome yoga movement in Canada! If anyone knows of anything like this in the States - give a shout! I'd love to support!
http://www.powerofmovement.ca/
Crazy Sexy Life just blew me outta the water! I love all the resources here from cancer to diet this site is worth an afternoon and I highly recommend it. Even without cancer & living with a chronic illness this site has tons to offer.
For Arthritis. There's an awesome yoga movement in Canada! If anyone knows of anything like this in the States - give a shout! I'd love to support!
http://www.powerofmovement.ca/
For Multiple Sclerosis.
The National MS Society-The NMSS has a lot of great resources and are waiting for you to call to help. They have financial assistance & scholarships for yoga classes in your area, medical bills and more. They've helped me out with quite a few things over the years. Look up your local chapter. They've got a bunch of social groups & events. Plus a library that's never let me down.
*Please note: I am an approved & referred Yoga Instructor for MS by the NMSS Greater Northwest Chapter for the Yoga Empowered for Chronic Conditions classes I teach in Seattle, Wa.
MSFriends -I think this one is really cool! In 2005 MSFriends started the first 24/7 telephone helpline staffed with people who have MS. Seriously- it's just sweet & I'm glad to know it's out there!
The Rocky Mountain MS Center - I love their newsletter and they've got some great articles
and tons of resources & information.Check out their article about Yoga and MS.
Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre- They're in the UK. I've used their internet resources many times and find good articles on things I'm interested in.
The National MS Society-The NMSS has a lot of great resources and are waiting for you to call to help. They have financial assistance & scholarships for yoga classes in your area, medical bills and more. They've helped me out with quite a few things over the years. Look up your local chapter. They've got a bunch of social groups & events. Plus a library that's never let me down.
*Please note: I am an approved & referred Yoga Instructor for MS by the NMSS Greater Northwest Chapter for the Yoga Empowered for Chronic Conditions classes I teach in Seattle, Wa.
MSFriends -I think this one is really cool! In 2005 MSFriends started the first 24/7 telephone helpline staffed with people who have MS. Seriously- it's just sweet & I'm glad to know it's out there!
The Rocky Mountain MS Center - I love their newsletter and they've got some great articles
and tons of resources & information.Check out their article about Yoga and MS.
Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre- They're in the UK. I've used their internet resources many times and find good articles on things I'm interested in.
Other Awesome Resources
Allison Fine, MSW - She's my counselor. I think we were sisters in another life. No bullshit here. She's the real deal. She's never made me feel anything less than all I can be and more.
I'd recommend her to anyone. I started working with her when she was a case worker at the MSA in Seattle, Wa. She's since gone solo but still facilitates MS Newly Diagnosed Groups in Seattle & continues to counsel those of us with MS and more. She's right downtown in a sweet office overlooking the city- not a bad place to vent for an hour! :o)
Influences
Allison Fine, MSW - She's my counselor. I think we were sisters in another life. No bullshit here. She's the real deal. She's never made me feel anything less than all I can be and more.
I'd recommend her to anyone. I started working with her when she was a case worker at the MSA in Seattle, Wa. She's since gone solo but still facilitates MS Newly Diagnosed Groups in Seattle & continues to counsel those of us with MS and more. She's right downtown in a sweet office overlooking the city- not a bad place to vent for an hour! :o)
Influences
Whole Life Yoga Studio and Tracy Weber. I took all 500 hours of yoga teacher training from Tracy Weber at Whole Life Yoga Studio in Seattle, Wa. Tracy's encouragement, whole hearted acceptance and love were with me as I struggled at times and as I flourished. I appreciate all I've learned and continue to build on the teachings I received from this amazing woman, this welcoming studio and the priceless friendship that grow from it all.
TKV Desikachar. I continue to utilize teachings I received from Mr. Desikachar from his book, The Heart of Yoga (link above) and from a workshop I attended that he lead through the Healing Yoga Foundation in San Fransisco, Ca. in October 2009. I hold these teachings close to my heart as I practice in this world and teach.
Richard Miller of the Intregrative Restoration Institute. In November of 2011- I completed the Level 1 iRest Yoga Nidra training. This training and the practices I've added to my life from it have informed my teaching and lifestyle with so much wisdom, patience and compassion. My teaching incorporates iRest protocols and many other mindfulness practices. I continue to take classes from Level 3 iRest Teacher Jennifer Cabanero in Seattle, Wa. I look forward to continuing my iRest training over the next decade.
Jon Kabat-Zinn and Mindfulness Meditation. See above for recommended books. I have learned, studied and practiced mindfulness meditation techniques through JKZ's books and CDs over the last decade. Much of my teaching builds from mindfulness practice and philosophy.
Geri Larkin. Author and founder and former head teacher of Still Point Zen Buddhist Temple in Detroit, Michigan. One of my favorite authors and teachers through the written word. Geri's books over the years have lit paths for me, taught me presence and enriched my whole well-being in too many ways to count. Her humor and writing style is something I adore and keeps me coming back to learn over and over again. Find her amazing books here.
There are so many people who have influenced my practice and teaching over the last decade or so. Too many to list here. From those who shared time and lessons for a season, to those who taught me life-long lessons from one meeting- I send you gratitude and light for being a beacon in my world.
Namaste.
^o^
