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Special 4 Week Series Date: Each Saturday in February Space is limited. Click HERE to reserve your spot. |
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Grief is our internal response to loss. Its particular trajectory and pattern will express itself uniquely through each of us. Yet, yoga provides a therapeutic framework that helps the body, mind and spirit process the impact of our losses, which may allow for them to be transformed, over time, into something useful and growth producing. Here’s how:
The Body on Yoga Deep breathing paired with conscious gentle stretching, twisting and strengthening of the spine oxygenates the cells of the body more effectively, stimulating the muscles, nerves and glands to increase the flow and communication of beneficial hormones and neuro-chemicals. This creates a relaxed body and a focused, calm mind.
The Mind on Yoga Through the action of breath and conscious movement, the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) is subdued and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest) is enhanced. A relaxed body and calm, focused mind contributes to better energy, mood and optimism. Studies have shown that a regular yoga practice has similar to better results than an anti-depressant! Without the side effects! Another study looked at brain waves after a 2 hour yoga practice and found that alpha waves (relaxation) and theta waves (unconscious memory, dreams, emotions) increased by 40 percent. So, with consistent yoga practice, it is possible to create a body/mind state that has more access to deep seated emotions and the physical resilience to experience and process them.
The Spirit on Yoga The meditative aspect of yoga can help us come home to our true selves; to access the human being, beyond the human doing. This contemplative practice does not ask you to believe in a certain diety or religious dogma. It simply creates a personal experience of stillness, through which we are free to explore our spiritual nature. In grief work, this can broaden the context in which we experience our losses, helping us with the task of reorganizing our life around this “new normal”.
The weekly 90 minute classes will include approximately 20-30 minutes of group sharing/check in and theoretical discussion of the grief process. The remaining hour will be spent in gentle yoga practice, with introduction of fundamental yoga postures and breathing techniques which build over the course of 4 weeks. You will be given homework in between class, and encouraged to journal your responses. Group sharing of this information is optional. Please call the studio if you have questions at 319-337-4777