Therapeutic Yoga
Take Three Deep Calming Relaxing Breathes
One of the best ways that I have found to stay physical during an injury is therapeutic yoga. One summer, for pleasure I took an intensive graduate therapeutic yoga class, taught classes in afternoons, and became a certified therapeutic yoga instructor. People find it to be very calming and relaxing, to work in small groups outside or in a studio, listening to soft music whilst participating in the classes. When I had these classes, I would have my small group sit in a circle on large pillows or zafu pillows, working on deep breathing and being silent during a ten minute period of relaxation. Then, I would have everyone go to their station we had set up before starting class. In the stations were a yoga mat, yoga blocks holding up a yoga bolster at an angle, a second yoga bolster to support the legs, a chair to rest the legs, a yoga blanket, yoga belt, and cucumber water. It feels very nice to lay on a yoga bolster, with a second bolster under the knees, and legs resting on the chair elevating. So, my small group would enjoy resting in this position for several minutes, until we would begin gentle exercises. After finishing all of our gentle exercises, we would return to the pillows for more calming relaxing breathing. These classes were a rejuvenating, very powerful experience for everyone. I highly recommend having therapeutic yoga in a daily regimen. Many whom have been in classes that I have taken or instructed were injured, looking for something not too physically demanding, pregnant, overcoming health obstacles, or looking to be social. I have taught classes voluntarily here in NY for a small group of girls overcoming health obstacles, to achieve a calming relaxing very healing experience. In Alaska, I worked with a young group of women on therapeutic yoga and breathing relaxation for fun, because they were taking exercise classes in my office building and I had extra time. When I am speaking about running at a retreat or camp or convention center, I always like to have a therapeutic yoga time for the group. My runners love to do this type of yoga after practice or on a rest day. Signing up for a yoga class, is like taking dance lessons, doing a cycling group exercise, skiing, golf, or a night of run club; there is nothing to feel intimidated by. Yoga can be that night to treat yourself. As an athlete, it is very rewarding to teach small groups on the side, it is something that I very much enjoy doing and a skill/opportunity that I feel blessed to have.
These are products that I use for therapeutic yoga classes. Wegmans even sells some of these products. Have an abundance of pillows and blankets. It is always nice to have extra pillows or yoga blocks to rest your hands. When I discovered the yoga bolster, I found my favorite thing ever, it makes your back feel so good. My yoga mat is very thick and comfy.
It was such an honor to meet Khenpo Jigme, and have the luxury of lovely conversation after mindfulness meditation.
This was such a fun elective to take senior year after finishing major/minor requirements.
I love to color mandalas in my adult coloring book, because of the opportunity that I had to see a sand mandala created and destroyed over the course of days.
