iRest Yoga Nidra can be perceived as resting, especially since rest is in the name, and we all are not people who rest. Resting can even be a bit scary. It is easy to wonder: Will everything be OK if I slow down and rest? What if I told you that iRest Yoga Nidra is active resting? You are doing something. You are actively listening to a voice, following the prompts, re-wiring your brain, and improving your health.
The Components of Functional Movement - Stability, Mobility, and Flexibility
Functional movement is the integration of stability, mobility and flexibility to support natural movement patterns and adapt to the physical demands of daily life. This approach takes into account individual differences, including skeletal variation and medical history. It's not just about being strong but being able to feel good and move well on and off the mat.
The Importance of Spiraling
Functional Posture - Letting Go of the Aesthetic Ideal
Yoga is a dynamic practice that generates a healthy stress on the bones and connective tissues. Rather than assigning rigid labels of good or bad to specific postures, it is best to approach our practice in a functional way. There is not a one-size-fits-all posture that suits every body or one that is suitable all the time. Certain postures can create imbalance if not approached mindfully.
Spinal Variation
The spine is most stable when in its neutral position, and it becomes less stable as it deviates from this natural alignment. Optimal health doesn't demand excessive spinal flexibility. Stability is the primary function of the spine. Remember, you are unique—no one else shares your biography or biology. One-size-fits-all advice doesn't hold; what works for one person might not work for you. The key is to discover the movements and exercises that serve your body. Let your practice be adaptable, not dogmatic, respecting the vast spectrum of human variation.
Balance Systems
Our ability to maintain balance relies largely on the integration of three vital systems: the visual system, the vestibular system (inner ear) and proprioception. A regular balance practice, found in many yoga poses, can improve stability and reduce the risk of falling. At Dogwood Studio, we apply functional and therapeutic balance poses adapted to your body promoting increased elasticity, strength, balance, decreased reactivity, and sense.
New Offering: Candlelight Yin Yoga & Yoga Nidra
Combining Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra is a good recipe to contribute to your wellbeing. Yoga Nidra is a meditative practice of listening and letting go. Yin Yoga is an effective practice that is introspective (engaging in mindfulness activities designed to increase self-awareness) and interospective (creating and noticing a change in some aspect of one's internal self, such as muscular system, breathing, temperature, pulse or touch, energy, consciousness). Wind down and relax Wednesday evenings from north Chatham County. Apply mindfulness techniques to cultivate relaxation, awareness and insights to our mind, body and heart with Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra.
This Fourth of July, Practice with Dogwood Studios!
4th of July gives us time to celebrate the joys of freedom. However, real freedom is an internal practice. Group classes at Dogwood Studios will follow our regular schedule throughout July. As everyone celebrates Fourth of July, you will find a few subs throughout the month and Joint Freeing Yoga on July 4th will be offered as an On Demand Video rather than a live class.
You Are Unique: A Functional Approach to Yoga
In the simple words of Bernie Clark, “you are unique – so is your yoga.” This uniqueness is defined by an array of biological strengths and limitations that constitute who we are. When we practice yoga from a functional approach, we recognize and honor our anatomical differences to move safely and effectively and minimize the risk of injury. Rather than limiting ourselves by the notion of what we think a pose should look like, functional yoga emphasizes the felt experience that arises when performing a pose. When we focus on the intention of a posture, as opposed to its aesthetic appeal, we develop a practice that will support us in maintaining healthy movement patterns for the duration of our lives.