Research has shown that Metta Meditation Increases Positive Emotions & Decreases Negative Emotions.
In a landmark study, Barbara Frederickson and her colleagues (Fredrickson, Cohn, Coffey, Pek, & Finkel, 2008) found that practicing seven weeks of lovingkindness meditation increased love, joy, contentment, gratitude, pride, hope, interest, amusement, and awe.
Read MoreThroughout my childhood and 20's I learned to endure his need for complete control. I bore his incessant irritability and shielded myself from his frequent bursts of anger. And, even while enduring him, I craved his approval and attention. I longed to feel more ease and love with him and around him, and of course within myself. In fact, it was this profound desire for peace and connection that fueled my journey deeper and deeper into the path of yoga.
Read MoreMost of us live a step (or many steps) in front of our bodies. We are in constant mental motion, sequestered in our heads. We tend to forget there is support underneath us; that we belong on the earth, in our bodies, with our breath.
Read MoreChange, self-initiated or not, moves us through a transition zone which creates a sense of groundlessness. The scary in-between state of letting to go of what we’ve always known and/or done to allow for something new (a new habit, pattern, way of thinking or acting) to emerge. It’s like being in flight between trapeze bars. It takes skill, dedication, and courage to relax and trust into this groundless state.
Read MoreTension has a psycho-neurological component. We need to realize that our bodies respond to everything we hear and experience around us, as well as to what we think and experience on the inside. Every time we don’t feel okay about something, we tense up in our body and it doesn’t release until we feel grounded, slow down, take a deep breath, and soften our body. Our tension can be from an hour ago or a decade ago. What makes a difference is how we meet our tension.
Read MoreIn Yoga and Ayurveda we believe that digestion is the cornerstone of good health; everything that is taken in must be chewed and broken down. We must be able to assimilate that which will contribute to our wellbeing and release that which would become toxic if built up. We also know that complete digestion can only happen when our bodies and minds are ‘safe’ to Rest and Digest (parasympathetic nervous system); when we are relaxed, warm, and relatively content. When we are not in this state, when we are stressed, our bodies pause all digestive functions and instead focus on the potential need to ‘Fight, Flee, or Freeze’ (sympathetic nervous system).
Read MoreAutumn is a time of transformation in the environment. And nature outside always affects our nature inside us. As the trees go back into their roots, we are also afforded the opportunity to draw in, retreat, reflect and reconnect.
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