This morning I woke up with a pounding headache.  I think it’s from the little flu I feel coming on but it could be from anything. Headaches are very common and can be originate from countless sources.  Many friends and family ask me if yoga can help with headaches; and yes they can.  When a headache starts coming on, we often drop everything and try finding a quick fix.  I don’t like taking medication if I don’t have too.  So when I am getting a headache from dehydration, stress, tension, or anything else, I pull out the mat to do headache therapeutic yoga.

I find yogic breathing exercises along with a specialized headache sequence can nix headaches pretty quickly.  Yoga has the ability to relieve tension, boost circulation, calm the mind and can be a powerful natural remedy for headaches.

Specific poses can help alleviate pain associated with headaches and can help prevent headaches from happening in the first place.  This morning I incorporated some of these poses into my practice to prevent and treat my headaches.

1.    Deep Breathing (Pranayama) – Deep breathing releases tension in the shoulders and brings more oxygen into the brain.



2.    Cat Pose (Marjaryasana) - This is a beginner pose and is a great way to relieve tension in the spine, shoulders, and neck.  It also boosts circulation in the upper body.



3.    Child’s Pose (Balasana) - This fundamental resting pose can be a powerful remedy for stress, anxiety, and headaches.  It quiets the mind and releases tension from the back and shoulders.


4.    Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) - Not only is this pose good for headaches, it helps dealing with stress, calms the brain and helps relieve mild depression, relieve some symptoms of menopause. Overall a great pose.


5.    Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) - Calms the brain to relieve stress to prevent headaches.  It energizes the body, and relieves headaches, insomnia, back pain, and fatigue.


I hope these poses can help deal with headaches and prevent them in the future.  For more information on therapeutic focused yoga poses visit the Yoga Journal.com

Namaste.

It’s been a couple months since my sister started taking yoga classes.  The first couple months she would call me right after class and be so amazed at the things she was able to achieve.  But, the calls of excitement have turned into calls of frustration.  “Why am I not getting any better? I don’t think I can do I can get better? Maybe yoga isn’t for me?”  I hear these questions of frustration all the time. 

I stressed to her that yoga is a journey and not something that happens overnight.  It is important not to focus on the destination, but embrace every moment of the journey.




Yoga is a journey towards increased awareness and acceptance of the way things are around you.  Learning to free yourself from usual pressures of society is a big step in yoga growth. 

When starting yoga it is common to see great developments quickly, and then have it followed by a plateau where it feels like you’re not gaining anything more.  It is important to remember how far you have come.

Yoga strengthens your mind, body, and spirit are key components in the journey.




I had a difficult time in the beginning of my journey with letting go of a future-focused mindset and being results oriented.  When I finally tapped into the collective spirit and energy of yoga, I learned how to release all social responsibility while I am on my mat.

If you are like my sister and feeling discouraged about yoga, or if there is something else you are having trouble achieving, know that everything in life is a journey and that’s what makes getting there that much more worth it.  There is a destination upon arriving in each moment along the journey.  Every moment is a step towards a greater destination.

Namaste.

Recently one of my dear friends was diagnosed with a debilitating disease.  Hearing my friend share the prognosis made me think of a common saying, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”  Everyone goes through trying times in life where the struggle seems to never end.  But with a strong and powerful mind, body, and spirit, it is amazing what the human condition can overcome.



When I first heard about my friend’s disease, it was my instinct to try to console her.  I caught myself using empty clichés and countless tired attempts to cheer her up.  I realized that those empty words do nothing to help someone feel better about a situation.  Those pointless words are not what someone wants to hear when they know the future is uncertain.  

I know from experience when deep pain and struggle hits, we need solid truth to get us through it.  A few years ago I had my own health issues; they have now pasted; and I was tired of hearing “don’t worry everything is going to be alright.”  I didn’t want to hear the pointless clichés from all my loved ones.  All I wanted to talk about was life and what was going on with my friends and family, not the struggle I was going through.  I found it much more spiritually and emotionally healing to focus my mind of the positives and what was honestly going on.

I have visited my friend several times since then and she has expressed her appreciation for my honesty and efforts to focus on the things not related to the suffering.  I find it helpful to remind myself that in the most tragic circumstances you grow as a spiritual being more than any other time.  Positive thinking and optimism play a big role in dealing with situations, but real hope and efforts to make a different outcome, make a trying situation past faster. 

I also believe that meditation is an exceptional way to deal with struggle.  It helps calm the mind and center your thoughts.  Mind over Medicine by Lissa Rankin, M.D. is a great book at explains how positive energy and thinking actually can help you heal and get over trying times.  You can read my post about meditation and positive thinking here.

It may seem like there is not a light at the end of the tunnel, but trust me there is.  Keeping positive energy and perception of reality intact during tough times make you a more spiritual person.


“Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." –Joshua J. Marine.  It is true what they say, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.  I've become stronger, more spiritual, and more compassionate; I know you will too.

Namaste.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Like you can’t control what is happening around you and your mind is going a million different directions?  I recently was talking with a friend about over thinking situations.  She analyzes situations to the point where nothing can be positive and the fear of not knowing creates negative energy.  I suggested she begins taking time out of her day to meditate and center her thoughts.


 
I fell victim to stress, anxiety, and over thinking minor situations in the past.  Ever since I began meditating I have found the key to a calm controlled mind.  To meditate is defined as, “to think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.” 

Mediation serves many purposes; from stress relief to self-awakening.  I began meditation as a way to calm my thoughts and slow down the pace my mind transmits fear and worry.  The habit of over thinking was the ultimate cause of my stress and anxiety problems.  I found that when I was busy thinking and over analyzing a situation, I was missing the peace in situations.  I found self-peace through meditation.  I have become less focused on the movement of my mind and more aware of the peace that is constantly around us. 
Meditation is a natural instinct that we sometimes forget to utilize.  It is physical nature to retreat in stressful situations and take time to think about what is going on.  By actually focusing on meditating and slowing your mind stress and worries gradually give way to a calmer state. 

When beginning mediation I suggest meditating in a quiet and undisturbed room, focus on deep breaths and the feelings of consciousness.  I try meditating in at least 45 minute intervals, but if you only have 10 minutes, something is better than nothing.

After meditation I feel rejuvenated, energized and creative.  I find life to be much more enjoyable when I focus on thinking less and being physically, mentally, and spiritually in the present.


I believe that meditation helps the mind, body, and spirit in ways nothing else can.  I try meditating at least once a day.  It helps me create an optimistic energy for myself and radiate positive vibes to those around me. 

Mediation can help you get through some of the darkest hours and come out with a new life outlook.

Namaste.