Imagine practicing yoga surrounded by the delicate beauty of spring—wildflowers nodding gently in the breeze, the scent of fresh herbs and tea leaves in the air. This is the magic of the Tea House, where nature and mindfulness intertwine to create a space for deep connection. We invite you to embrace the season’s rising energy in our April yoga series.
Meditation is not a linear journey. It’s not about achieving a specific state or reaching a final destination. Instead, it’s a variable practice that shifts and evolves. This fluidity makes meditation an opportunity for exploration rather than a pursuit of perfection. It invites us to let go of binary perspectives such as good or bad, right or wrong, failure or success.
Do you feel like meditation just isn’t for you? You’re not alone. Meditation is often seen as a gateway to calm, clarity, and balance. But the truth is, sitting in silence can feel anything but peaceful. It’s important to understand that meditation isn’t about achieving peacefulness. It’s about learning to focus on a single thought, noticing distractions, and gently guiding your attention back.
As the calendar turns and the new year approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the tide of resolutions and the pressure to “start fresh.” We draft lists of goals and set rigid expectations, believing that January 1st marks the start of a perfect, linear path toward self-improvement. But what if we approached the new year differently? What if, instead of rigid resolutions, we embraced curiosity, intention, and a willingness to ease into this next chapter with grace?
The sacrum, often overlooked, plays a vital role in both spinal health and overall movement. It's not just a single bone but a fusion of five vertebrae that occurs as we age, usually completing the process in our 20s. Despite this fusion, the sacrum is part of a dynamic system that requires awareness and movement to stay healthy.
Jessica Booth, from Cognitive Psychiatry of Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC, describes people’s difficulty with Jennifer from Dogwood Studio. “A lot of times people struggle with the feeling of disconnect between the mind and body; that they might be conflicting with one another or that they have different priorities from one another. It is hard to get them in sync. Yoga is one of those aspects that promotes you being in sync with your body and mind together fulfilling one purpose.”
We care about ourselves. We eat things that we like and do things that we enjoy. But do we take the time to cultivate a true appreciation of ourselves; to recognize that no matter the circumstance we are human and deserve our own unconditional love? We can develop understanding, support, care and comfort for ourselves with self-compassion.
Eleven years ago, my abdomen was in constant pain. I would either be in pain because I was hungry or in pain because I had just eaten. I was almost always bloated and never knew how my body would react to the food I had eaten. I didn’t know what was wrong with my digestion, and I thought I was the only person in the world who had to restrict their diet to plain white rice and chicken breast. When I finally went to the doctor, he pressed on my abdomen and diagnosed me with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Dogwood Studio is switching to a new and improved scheduling platform with a fresh new look!
Starting July 24th, you will purchase and sign up for classes, memberships (soon to be called subscriptions), privates, and events using the new system. The system, called Ribbon, will also host the new, easier to navigate Video Library.
There are many options this summer to keep up with your practice. Our schedule has been updated through September for online and in person classes. Challenge yourself to something new, whether it is taking a class at a different time or checking out one of our wonderful subs. We are here to support you.
Exercise is good for your health and well being. When you exercise, You increase your circulation and release endorphins so you feel better. It helps your immune system. Studies show that moderate activity has a positive effect on cholesterol because during exercise, our body metabolizes triglycerides which then promotes the movement of LDL and HDL into the liver.
The Stonewall riots started in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969 and lasted 6 days. After years of abuse and being told by society that their way of life was wrong, the patrons of the Stonewall Inn had enough. They did not want to live a life of shame, so instead of letting the shame build up and turn into anger, they fought back. This brave act is an example of practicing ahimsa (a = no and himsa = harm).
Earlier this week the UN celebrated the 7th annual International Day of Yoga. You can find the event for 2021 and previous year’s events on UN Web TV. The celebration honors the universality of yoga. Yoga is practiced around the globe. Yoga can be done by males, females, transgender, kids, adults and the elderly. It can be practiced in bed, on a mat, in a chair or standing up. Yoga does not contain one specific way of practicing. The physical practice of yoga is highly adaptable to meet the unique needs of each person. Yoga can benefit your body, your mind and your spirit. It offers physical practice, a way to understand your mind and provides connection. The practices of Yoga can be used to support mainstream medicine.
In 2014, the United Nations recognized the universal appeal and health benefits of yoga by establishing June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
Dogwood Studio is switching to a new and improved scheduling platform with afresh new look! Starting in July, you will purchase and sign up for classes, memberships, privates, and events using the new system. The system will also host the new, easier to navigate Video Library.
