The holidays are upon us! We at Dogwood want to say thank you for being part of our community. We hope the learning community online, in person, and recorded classes and private sessions have been beneficial to your wellbeing.
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Coming Soon: Osteoporosis and Yoga Workshop!
Not all yoga practices are equal. There are special considerations to take into account when dealing with osteoporosis. SAM Sather, a certified yoga therapist and RN, is teaching an osteoporosis and yoga workshop for you to learn how to practice or teach yoga for those at risk for fractures from osteoporosis. Having osteoporosis does not mean you should not do yoga, but empowering a student about how to keep theirself safe is essential.
Yoga May Benefit Respiratory Function
I remember the first time I recognized how much yoga changed my breathing. I was teaching a biology unit on respiration and wanted to demonstrate how much carbon dioxide was in our exhale. I started to exhale into a beaker of water with a universal indicator and made bubbles for about a minute until the water turned green (I had exhaled enough water to make the water acidic). The students were amazed - not about the color change but that I was blowing bubbles for an entire minute! Many students asked to try it themselves. None of the students could exhale long enough to make the water change color. Although it appeared like I had magical lungs, in reality yoga helped me strengthen my diaphragm and intercostal muscles so I could access my full lung capacity.
Yoga Supports A Healthy Circulation System
Before yoga as exercise was mainstream, Dr. Dean Ornish began researching how lifestyle changes can impact one's health. In the 1983 Pilot study Dr. Dean Ornish showed that even severe heart disease could be reversed by the Ornish Program, as demonstrated by improved blood flow to the heart after only 30 days. With 37 years of scientific evidence, the Ornish program shows that changes in diet and lifestyle can make a powerful difference in your heart function and overall well-being. The Ornish program is not a yoga program, but it mirrors the themes of yoga and offers participants opportunities to practice yoga. The rigorous program has you look at four important areas of your life: how you manage stress, how much love and support you have, how much you move and what you eat.
Dogwood Studio’s first Service Class supports Healing Pines Respite
Dogwood Studio is proud to start our pay what you can Karma Classes by supporting Healing Pines Respite. Healing Pines Respite is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides respites for women throughout North Carolina currently in cancer treatment and up to two years post-treatment. They grant space to tune into their healing journey with rest, connection and nature. They promote shifting the priority from merely surviving to living well so women with cancer can heal mind, body, and spirit. When women thrive, it has a ripple effect on their families and communities.
Introducing Dogwood Studios newest intern: Ainslee
Ainslee Cunningham is a 200hr registered yoga teacher (RYT) who is deeply inspired and influenced by nature. Ainslee aspires to support people with the mindbody connection of yoga, especially those affected by addiction and trauma. She is excited for the opportunity to be an intern at Dogwood Studio.
Dogwood Studios is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Dogwood Studios has been working on our level of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We recognize that we need to do more and be better. We are committed to having courageous conversations and taking active steps to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. In the last few months, our team has come together to put what we think is important about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into words. Creating a DE&I statement is the first step in transforming our ideas about diversity, equity and inclusion into action and results. We hope you can join us in this process of learning and growing.
Nourish yourself with Restorative Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra, translates to the yoga of sleep, is a guided and passive meditation that provides therapeutic relaxation. As you listen to the soothing meditation, you consciously harness the biological function and benefits of sleep. You enter into a mind state between being awake and asleep, allowing your body to completely rest and restore.
Ground yourself with Yoga and Meditation this Fall
Fall is a good time to practice self care that nourishes and warms the body and mind. Grounding practices of yoga and meditation help you keep your balance as Nature around us starts to prepare for winter because our bodies and our minds are also preparing for winter. Just like we balance out our active Yang practice with a calming Yin practice, we need to balance the variability of fall with grounding and nourishing activities to keep us rooted. Fall is the time to let go of the heat and intensity of the summer and embrace the heaviness that is approaching. We can find our balance between summer and winter’s energy by making self care an intentional aspect of our daily routine.