Often lower back pain and tension in the hamstrings is due to our glut muscles being "lazy" and imbalanced. And if our gluts are not activating fully as we walk and move, other muscles begin to compensate causing our back and thighs to tighten and overwork. Our brain locks in these unhealthy and restrictive patterns until we take action to reprogram our brain to signal the muscles to move in a more harmonious way that supports the alignment of the spine, pelvis, head and shoulders.
This gentle series of movements uses neuromuscular repatterning to bring a sense of ease and resiliency to the hips, knees and lower back, and is particularly beneficial when practiced first thing in the morning (but it can be done any time of the day!) In as little as 8 minutes you will notice a significant increase in your range of motion, and if you have time to continue for 4 more minutes you're guaranteed to experience more ease in the entire length of your spine from your shoulders to the hips and knees.
If you have ever experienced a sense of aching hip joints or pain in your buttocks you may have an imbalance in your hip flexors. This often happens from sitting too long or from a lack of strength on one side of your body. Our hip flexors are very easily affected by stressful situations and the body is designed to flex us forward into a fetal position as a protective response. We often don't even realize our body is doing this flexion pattern as it is hardwired into our mind-body connection by the nervous system. THIS VIDEO IS A SEATED PRACTICE TO FIND MORE SENSE OF SPACIOUSNESS AND EASE IN THE HIP FLEXORS.
read moreSelf Love begins with taking time to nurture oneself and connect with our heart, breath and entire body. This 2-part video gives instructions for a simple and relaxing breath centered mediation that activates the magnetic field around the heart while using all 5 fingers to balance the 2 hemispheres of the brain and providing a breath pattern and eye focus that focus the mind to calm the nervous system. Part 1 is a short, step-by-step description of how to do the meditation. Part 2 begins at the 5 minute marker and provides voice instruction and soothing music with a background video of water lapping on a sandy shore taken while I was visiting Belize. The meditation in part 2 is practiced for 3 minutes, but can be practiced for up to 11 minutes if you choose. I highly recommend watching the description of how to do the meditation in part 1 before doing the practice in part 2 for the first time. Part 1 (instructions) is 5 minutes long and Part 2 (meditation practice) is 7 minutes long. My intention in sharing this video is for each and every person who views it to experience a sense of his/her connection to unconditional love and light that interconnects All of Creation. May this practice assist in letting go of self-judgment and open you to remembering your own divinity as a spark of the light of Source. I also acknowledge, with gratitude, that this meditation is from the tradition of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan.
read moreCold weather and lack of daylight can lead to a mild case of the winter blues or more serious seasonal depression. And while it’s common knowledge that exercise boosts mood, movement routines specifically designed to release negative energy and emotions may do even more to foster emotional well-being.
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