Marcia's Musings: The Good Stuff
/What should we do when the bad stuff in our lives piles up? Is there are way to get out of the continuous loop of stress and rumination? One way is to recognize abundance in our lives.
Read MoreDare to Grow: How Positive Risks Shape Our Lives
/
Taking risks can be intimidating; if it weren't, it wouldn't be a risk. However, staying stagnant and not challenging ourselves prevents growth. As human beings, growth is essential. We learn, adapt, make changes, and evolve. By taking risks, we can achieve small successes, feel empowered, and experience the positive effects of moving in a direction we desire in our lives.
Read MoreMarcia's Musings: Global Entry
/
Travel changes you. When you travel, you grow. You learn to listen. You become a citizen of the world. Join Marcia as she recounts her travels, both personal and with Green Lotus, and extends an invitation to you to travel with us
Read MoreMarcia's Musings: The Five-Minute Fantasy
/
If you’re confronting grief, here is a first-aid love offering for you. When it hits you, remember that grief is normal, fully human, and manageable. When it surprises you, even after many years, remember the Buddha’s advice about all emotions and feelings that come calling: Open your door and invite them in for tea and visit with them with kindness.
Read MoreMeditating in Loving Kindness with Anxiety and Stress
/
We will never live in a stress-free world. So, how do we help our bodies and minds, when we encounter those stressful moments? Zen Buddhism teaches that as human beings, it is the nature of the human condition to suffer. However, there is a path to alleviate those conditions. Luckily for us, you don’t have to be a Buddhist nun or monk, or even commit to the religion itself, to practice helpful techniques deriving from these original teachings.
Read MoreYoga and Weights: Reclaim Your Bone Density
/
What do you do if you find out that your bone mineral density is low and you may be on the path to osteopenia or osteoporosis? Weight bearing exercises can rebuild BMD and slow or reverse the process. Luckily, yoga can play a crucial role in preventing and managing BMD loss. By combining strength, flexibility, balance, and mindfulness, yoga offers a holistic approach to bone health.
Read MoreMarcia's Musings: An Explosion of Color and Knowing
/
A palette of bright yellow and coral; riotous reds, oranges, and purples. Vibrant prints and tropical colors form one word in my mind: Spring! And Knowing spring stands just around the corner helps to ease some of our stress…
Read MoreTo Touch or Not to Touch – That Is the Question
/In our post-pandemic world, we have grown used to not being touched. Friends hug less, acquaintances and strangers are less likely to shake hands, and yoga teachers have significantly reduced their hands-on guidance for their students. Is it time to bring back the option of touch, with student consent, in a yoga class?
Read MoreA Racing Heart and Instant Relief
/
When we are scared, stressed, or startled, our heart starts to race and pound within our chest. It is an instant feeling, unlike the increased heart rate that comes gradually as we exercise. Luckily, yoga provides us with a heart-healthy, calming pose for just those moments…
Read MoreBalancing Gratitude and Grieving: What do you need to let go of this fall?
/
Gratitude and grief often seem like two separate things. They are not. Gratitude, when practiced wisely, is not about pretending everything in your life is perfect. Gratitude requires a fundamental recognition of What Is. Grieving plays an important part in that acknowledgement.
Read MoreThe Cardiovascular Benefits of Yoga: An Evidence-Based Exploration
/
Cardiovascular diseases contribute to 32% of deaths globally. Did you know that yoga has proven benefits for your heart health?
Read MoreThe Importance of the Core, On and Off the Mat
/
You’ve probably heard the terms core conditioning and training, but do you know which muscles make up the core? A strong core can help you move more efficiently and avoid injury. Use these yoga poses to strengthen your core in as little as 5-10 minutes a day!
Read MoreChair Yoga: Grounding Yourself in Eagle Pose (Garudasana)
/
Practicing Garudasana (Eagle pose) in a chair gives your mind and body many of benefits without the intensity of the standing pose…
Read More“Wheeling” and Dealing with Our Precious Energy
/Chakras help illuminate profound truths about whether we are more than just a physical body…
Read MoreSun Salutations: Illuminate Your True Self
/
If you are new to yoga, you might not know the term Sun Salutation. If you are a regular yogi, you’ve likely not only heard of it – but also have been guided through many in your yoga classes. Often, we come to yoga class and do whatever the teacher says, sometimes not even really knowing the “why”. In yoga, understanding the “why” behind things can be just as illuminating as the “how”. Understanding the logic can help facilitate deeper personal growth and thus, a more robust yoga experience.
Read MorePartner Yoga: A Heart-Felt Practice for Two
/
Partner yoga, at the very least, is simply fun - and can be so much more. Communication is the most important tool during a couple’s practice. Unlike a traditional yoga class where you quietly focus on your breath and turn inward, in partner yoga you focus on the other.
Read MoreWhy Private Yoga or Small Classes Might Be Best for You
/
For some, private yoga is a steppingstone to overcoming their discomfort of being a “newbie” in a group yoga class. For others, it's a convenient home workout that's customized to their needs and energy levels. And sometimes, a private yoga class is a safe place for students to move their bodies, ease their pain, and release the week's stress.
Read MoreGreen Lotus Teacher Training - More Than Poses
/
I knew right away when I walked in the door that Green Lotus would play an important role in my life. I actively was seeking a yoga teacher-training program that felt right and offered the skills needed to teach yoga in a professional, safe, and meaningful way. What I did not know was that I would not only graduate from the RYT-200 program, but also…
Read MoreEasing Into Downward Facing Dog
/Because of its funny name, the Downward Facing Dog pose is one of the most well-known yoga postures. Even people who have never done yoga recognize it. You can find Downward Facing Dog in most yoga styles, which means you’ll see it in most yoga classes.
One of the reasons it’s so common is that Downward Facing Dog is an excellent posture for transitioning from one pose to another. It’s used so frequently that it’s considered a foundational pose in our modern yoga practice. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. If you’ve struggled with Downward Facing Dog or find the posture uncomfortable, read on to learn more.
Read MoreThe Moon Salutation
/The Moon Salutation, known in Sanskrit as Chandra Namaskar, is a series of flowing asanas coordinated with your breath. In contrast to Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar), which build heat, Moon Salutations foster cooling.
Read More