HEART OF LOVE YOGA

I can't believe it's that time of year again!  Time to pull out the notebooks, binders and backpacks.  Oh, wait...maybe your student doesn't need a backpack at all because school is at your dining room table thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Here we are entering a new school year with so much uncertainty.   Don't we wish we could magically make it go away and get back to the old normal?

Home schooling, as many parents have learned, is hard work and takes a tremendous amount of patience and special skills.  And many of us now realize just how hard teachers work and how they are terribly underpaid.  If you are working from home while your child is attending school from home, the stress of working, schooling and parenting all at the same time can be overwhelming. 

And it isn't easy for your little ones either.  They are missing the fun of social interaction with friends and peers, hands-on learning in the classroom, sports and extracurricular activities and just being out and about. All this time at home during the pandemic can increase stress, anxiety, isolation and old school cabin fever.

One of the best ways to reduce stress and anxiety is practicing yoga.  This fall, Heart of Love Yoga will offer more opportunities for you and your little to get moving and have some fun through yoga.  Stay tuned!  You won't want to miss it!

ANNOUNCING REEL GIRL POWER!

At Heart of Love Yoga, we love our youth and think they're pretty special.  So, we created something special for them - Reel Girl Power.

Reel Girl Power is all about empowerment - building self-esteem, self-love and transforming young lives with the power of movement, mindfulness and movie magic.  This summer, Reel Girl Power is offering our first online camp for girls and young women, ages 10 to 17. 

The camp is a fun blend of creative games, yoga, dance, self-discovery, writing, photography and filmmaking.  During our Camp Reel Girl Power experience, participants will learn the basics of film production and create experimental, documentary films using collaborative filmmaking and reflection on self-acceptance and self-love.

Camp runs July 15th - August 14, 2020. 

Learn more about Camp Reel Girl Power at ReelGirlPower.com.

The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything most of us have experienced.  Sure, we’ve read about pandemics in history books.  But, right now, being quarantined in our homes, away from our friends and family and wondering when life will return to normal is far, far too real.  

This time of great uncertainty naturally triggers anxiety and stress for many of us.  While it’s important for us to stay home to protect our health, we also need to find healthy ways to cope while sheltering in place.  

One of the best and easiest ways to reduce and manage stress and anxiety is to practice yoga and meditation.  These practices are known for boosting our resiliency and immunity in tough times as well as boosting our immunity.  And both are extremely important at this time.

So, to keep us connected, healthy, moving and feeling better, I’m offering FREE, online yoga classes and mindful meditations.  These will be very gentle, easy yoga practices perfect for all levels, especially beginners. 😃

If you’d like to take part in these classes, please email us at heartofloveyoga@yahoo.com and we'll send you the link to join. 

Lots of Love,
Anietie

Wishing everyone health and the miracle of a quick end to this pandemic.

Happy Leap Day! 

If you're like me you probably spend way too much time contemplating and analyzing the leaps you take.  Analysis paralysis, anyone? ;-)

One of the greatest things we can do for ourselves is move out of our own way.  And sometimes, that means getting into action. Or as Henry David Thoreau put it, "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you have imagined."

So here's to a new year and a new decade of bravery and fearless risk taking that propels us into the future of our dreams.  Let's take a leap together!  😃

So I went to turn on my computer this morning and got the screen asking me which language I wanted. 😳 Clearly, not a good sign.

I clicked "English" as that was my only option because for a number of years in a row I failed to live up to my New Year's resolution to speak Spanish fluently. (I dropped that resolution years ago saving myself from failure. 😄)  Having clicked "English," I was now at the Disk Utilities page - not good. Fingers crossed I could quickly fix the problem and get back to work.

But there it was...the sinking feeling that I hadn't backed up my computer in I don't know when and what if this wasn't going to be a quick and easy fix? 😱  I thought to myself, "What was I thinking?
I know I should be backing up regularly. And now, I'm here feeling a little anxious about possibly losing my files. Ugh."

Feeling this rise in stress, I stopped and took a couple deep breaths to bring my mind back to calm. And I mentally noted that no matter what - it was all going to be just fine.

As a yoga practitioner and teacher, deep breaths are my go to as an instant game changer. Deep breaths create positive shifts in our bodies, moods and energy, reducing stress, the flight and fight response and bringing in mental clarity and ease.  And from that place of calm and clarity, we are best able to tackle the day to day stressors of our very busy lives.

Unfortunately, stressful situations are ubiquitous. They include the mundane like the daily commute, job dissatisfaction and petty conflicts with our loved ones to major incidents like financial crisis and critical health challenges.

Thankfully, deep breaths can help us deal with the stressors and move through these tough spots.
For me, those deep breaths helped me to reinstate calm and find clarity to work through my computer's reboot, thankfully without losing a single file. Whew!

At this very moment, I am backing up ALL my computer files. 😃 If you haven't backed up yours lately, I encourage you to do the same.

Today, I am adding a new New Year's resolution to my list: regularly back up computer files. I'm writing it down as "Back That Thang Up!"

Written by Harry Cline

Self-care is crucial for preventing caregivers from getting burned out, but it can also add quality to your senior family member’s life. Finding the time for that self-care can be a challenge, but you only need small steps to make a major difference in your mental health. If you only have the time and energy for one self-care habit, you should use these tips to add a stress-relieving combination of meditation and yoga to your daily routine.

Mind-Body Benefits of Yoga and Meditation
The wonderful thing about yoga, especially when paired with meditation, is that it offers a host of physical and mental benefits to practitioners because of how it fosters the mind-body connection. For example, people may notice improved gut health when they start a yoga practice. The physical activity and stress-busting techniques of yoga foster a more balanced belly microbiome, which can result in benefits like a more regular bathroom schedule and better mental clarity. Similarly, yogis may experience better dental health. The practice requires you to focus on how you’re manifesting stress and tension in your body, which is often a clenched jaw or mental fog that prevents you from practicing healthy oral habits. Being aware that you clench your teeth when you’re feeling overwhelmed allows you to take a moment to relax any time you feel yourself getting anxious, resulting in improved dental health and a mood boost that encourages you to practice other self-care acts, like brushing your teeth.

Set Up Your Own Space for Relaxation and Practice
As you begin yoga and meditation, consider setting up an area in your home to make it easier to stick to your new habits. You don’t need a lot of extra room to make a difference. All you need is an area big enough for you both to comfortably stretch out and relax into your routines. Adding little touches, such as candles and cushions, will add to the ambiance of your new wellness corner and also make you want to spend more time in it.

Go to a Class Together
If you can make it to a yoga or meditation class,  you can get a better understanding of how to practice these habits. You can expect to pay $10 to $30 on average for a drop-in class, but you might be able to gain financial assistance depending on your senior loved one’s health insurance. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for yoga classes. Go online to learn more about these plans. Keep in mind that this coverage is not offered by basic Medicare.

Honor the History of These Relaxing Self-Care Practices
Most people know that yoga and meditation are good for stress relief. That’s what makes these holistic rituals so beneficial for seniors and their caregivers. Practicing the mindful breathing that is so integral to these habits is what helps your brain and body respond more positively to stress. This is why yoga and meditation are finding their place in the treatment of physical and mental health issues. However, what many newcomers to meditation and yoga don’t know is the history behind these effective techniques. Studying the history of yoga can give you even more powerful insight into practicing mindfulness in all areas of your life. Plus, many feel comforted by the positive messages in these texts, which can help deepen your practice.

Modify Your Poses If Needed, but Focus on Breathing
It can be intimidating to start a yoga practice when you’ve seen photos and videos of people in advanced, perfect-looking poses. Striving for perfection, however, goes against the true intent of a yoga practice. Instead, look for modifications that allow you to practice in your own way. Know that your feet may never rest flat on the ground during downward dog, or that you may need a bolster or blanket for seated positions. There’s nothing wrong with modifying even the simplest of poses, especially for seniors with mobility issues, so long as you are not taking attention away from your breathing. Controlling your breath is a fundamental element of yoga and meditation, and can also help you stay calm in tense situations.

Use Online Tools to Begin and Deepen Your Practices
Attending yoga and meditation classes allows you to feed off the positive vibes of others, and it also gives you more personal instruction from experienced teachers. It’s also understandable that seniors and caregivers may not be able to leave their homes as often as needed, but luckily, there are plenty of online yoga resources that can give you pointers on poses, your breathing, and the various types of yoga. In addition to online yoga videos and tutorials, there are also quite a few visual meditation tools available. These guided meditations are a good way for seniors and caregivers to feel comfortable when starting their own daily practice.

When you are caring for a senior loved one, it can be easy to forget to care for yourself as well. However, yoga and meditation can bring peace and balance to both of your lives. Take a few minutes each day to be mindful and to stretch those tensions away.

Harry Cline is a retired nursing home administrator, father of three, and caregiver to his ninety-year-old uncle, so he knows how challenging and rewarding caregiving can be.  He is the creator of NewCaregiver.org.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

So, I broke a toe as summer was ending.  And this little piggy has been slow healing.  My podiatrist outfitted me with some killer soft shoe fashion footwear - the kind you won’t see on the Paris runways.  😂

Lucky for me, I’m not the kind of woman dying to get back into a pair of heels.  What I am is a woman learning to be more patient because “Why is this not healed already???” 🤷🏾‍♀️ and “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”

Looking for the lesson in the moment, I’ve used this opportunity to dive deeper into my study and practice of energy healing modalities which I’ve neglected for too long.  The Universe never fails to remind us of what’s important when we get off track, now does it? 😊

In this experience of limping, hobbling and healing, I’ve also learned to pay even greater attention to how my body feels and how it moves.  I’ve noticed how an uneven gait disrupts the comfort in my hips and lower back, and how the muscles in my legs, hips and glutes compensate for the lack of flexion in my toes.  👣

One thing I love about yoga is that it teaches us to be more aware of our bodies. And this awareness allows us to better care for our bodies and to be more present in the moment which brings greater peace, joy and contentment into our lives.

So, how is your body feeling today?  Is it tight, sore, painful?  Could it use more care, energy, relaxation or pain relief?  Yoga can help provide all these things and more.  And now is the perfect time to treat yourself to better health!  

If you want ideas on how you can incorporate yoga and meditation into your life before the next year (and decade) roll around, email us through the "contact" page.  Together, we'll usher in a healthier new year and a happier you!

Lots of Love,
Anietie

Here it is fall again.  By the end of summer, I'm usually ready for the slowing down that autumn brings.  But, not this year.  This year, I'm gearing up to grow and expand as the days grow shorter and cooler. 

I recently read a number of articles on how to get the most out of the rest of the year, revitalize those most important New Year's Resolutions and plan for 2020.  Well, I'm all about it. 

No, I didn't reach some of the goals I planned for 2019.  But I'm not giving up.  I'm ready to get to work, to grow and expand.  And yoga is my super boost to help me along the journey.  

You see, yoga requires perseverance, determination, courage and commitment.  It's the perfect practice to help us elevate in all areas of our lives because a consistent yoga practice and yogic lifestyle eventually affects every part of our lives.

So, go ahead and strike a tree pose and rise high.  Grow, expand.  Reach for the stars.  You can do it!

Love and Hugs,
Anietie

The path to success is hardly ever straight.  Be willing and ready to make a shift, while finding joy in the journey.