by Nicole Christensen | Jan 14, 2020 | Uncategorized, Yoga for Beginners
What Is Chair Yoga?
Chair Yoga is often misunderstood to be an age-specific practice when, truthfully, we’d all be much better off with a couple of chair Yoga sequences under our belts. Students who experience back pain, or are wanting to counter a high-intensity lifestyle can all benefit from a chair Yoga practice. It is a safe and accessible practice for anyone with the potential to be especially supportive to students who experience physical limitations.
The asanas, or postures in Chair Yoga, are done both seated and in a seated position, using the chair for balance. Chairs and props are supplied to ensure the safety and support of all practitioners….no mats are needed. With a chair or two, additional bolsters, blocks, and straps, this class emphasizes the mind-body connection through gentle movements while subtly strengthening and stretching the muscles with the rhythm of the breath.
For students navigating the physiological changes due to aging, chair Yoga is a wonderful practice to explore the numerous benefits of Yoga with the added support of a seat. Increased body awareness, balance, stamina, mobility, lung capacity, digestion, mental clarity, stress relief are few of the many benefits that keep students coming back into the Yoga practice.
How Can Chair Yoga Benefit you?
Regardless of age, all people at some point have to navigate a physical limit due to injury or illness. Chair Yoga is an excellent option of practice to aid in the healing process and to navigate the challenges that come with trauma, surgery, chronic pain, painful disorders, or any illness that leads to limited mobility or restricted activity. Chair Yoga complements traditional physical therapy, is a genuine friend in chemotherapy recovery, gently soothes and helps to relieve pain for many who suffer from Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain conditions.
At Lotus Yoga our Chair Yoga sequences can also be extremely beneficial to those who spend a large amount of time sitting. We live in an era where long periods of sitting happen if you want them to or not. Chair Yoga sequences can offer a number of diagnostic and creative tools to relieve back and neck discomfort, increase blood flow, and help to maintain muscle, bone, and joint health. Many different asanas, or postures, are readily available within the chair Yoga practice. Just as in a Basics or Vinyasa class, each posture has various benefits that can be taken off the mat and right to a desk or a couch.
Adaptive Chair Yoga is available here at Lotus Yoga and Wellness for any stage of life. There are no preconditions for learning Adaptive Chair Yoga. There’s no expectations for flexibility or range of motion. Adaptive Chair Yoga is designed to support the student as they are. This class is available to anyone, regardless of size or ability. Our only goal is to make everybody feel welcome, Yoga is right for everyone and they’ve come to the right location. Caregivers are always welcomed to practice as well.
No matter what your health issues or degree of fitness, you’re still able to practice Yoga!
Call Lotus Yoga today to find a class time for you!
by Nicole Christensen | Jan 13, 2020 | Uncategorized
Everyone has Stress, How are you Managing it?
Pressure and Tension?
Your smart phone is ringing off the hook, with notifications popping up from emails, texts, Instagram likes, Facebook messages, and phone calls. Tension and stress end up being a daily companion in the 21st century. If you’d like to find a natural way to help ease tension, increase awareness, and fine-tune your mental focus, Yoga may be a good option to explore.
Can Yoga really help with stress?
There are many breathing techniques in Yoga, many of which also are recommended for stress management. A few of them are:
- Controlled breathing
- Meditation
- Physical movement
- Mental imagery
- Stretching
The word ‘Yoga’ derives its name from the Sanskrit word meaning “to yoke”—or to bring together. Yoga does just that, yoking the mind, body, and spirit together. In the first Yoga Sutra Patanjali writes “Yogas chitti vritti nirodhah.” Translated from Sanskrit to English, it means “Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.” These fluctuations can be stressors that cause stress. Whether you practice Yoga for spiritual enlightenment or for stress management and physical well-being, the benefits are numerous.
Meditation is considered one of several kinds of complementary and integrative wellness approaches. Through learning more about how our brains work, how to observe thoughts rather than to be involved with them, and to explore the vrittis (the circular thoughts that distract us), you may find skills that help you better manage stress and stressful situations in your life. Meditation may help you understand to become mindful and conscious of the present moment with no judgment.
Different Styles for Different results!
Hatha Yoga might be a fantastic pick for stress and anxiety management. Hatha is one of the most popular types of Yoga, presenting an opportunity for a moving meditation. For those with a preference for rigidity and predictability, ashtanga Yoga may be right for you. Ashtanga Yoga is another type of Yoga, set in series and routine. Ashtanga Yoga is a vigorous practice and can be wonderful for stress and addiction management, due to the spiritual and structured nature of the practice. Lotus Yoga and Wellness offers classes ranging from seated meditation, moving meditation, to ashtanga to best suit each practitioner’s needs.
How Does it Help with Stress?
Yoga is a physical practice and subsequently, there are many benefits to the body as well. A few physical benefits are:
- Reduced cortisol levels
- Allergy and asthma symptom relief
- Increased quality of sleep
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower heart rate
- Reduced muscle tension
- Increased strength and flexibility
- Reduction of muscle tissue degeneration occurring from age
Practicing Yoga can also result in improved balance, flexibility, range of movement and strength. Yoga can help reduce risk factors for chronic ailments, like heart disease and high blood pressure. In addition, Yoga can help alleviate chronic conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia (sleeplessness).
Is Yoga right for you?
While Yoga is generally considered safe for most healthy individuals when practiced under the guidance of a certified teacher, there may be a time where a physical Yoga practice is not advisable. Please talk to your medical care provider before starting Yoga if you experience any of the following circumstances or conditions:
- A herniated disk
- A risk of blood clots
- Eye conditions, such as hepatitis
- Pregnancy — though Yoga Is usually safe for pregnant women, certain poses are not optimal for health
- Severe balance issues
- Severe osteoporosis
- Uncontrolled blood pressure
You could have the ability to practice Yoga in these types of situations should you take certain measures, like avoiding certain moves or poses or finding a modification for them. If your physician approves a Yoga practice, tell your Yoga teacher before class. They may offer modification options tailored specifically for you that they wouldn’t have known to offer otherwise. If you develop symptoms, such as pain, or have issues, see your physician to ensure that you’re getting benefit, not harm out of Yoga.
All of these benefits of Yoga come from the fact that there is an emphasis of care and compassion to you and those around you in the practice. While there are many practices and tools for stress management, Yoga utilizes not only the physical actions of controlled breathing and mindful movement but also offers words of kindness and gentleness to ease into your internal dialog.
by Nicole Christensen | Jan 10, 2020 | Cbd, pet, thc, Uncategorized, Yoga Classes, Yoga for Beginners
Welcome to the Yoga Guide for Beginners!
When new to Yoga, it can feel intimidating and difficult to know precisely where and how to begin. This Yoga for Beginners manual was created especially for you–to give you all of the tips, guidelines, and recommendations you will need to initiate your best Yoga practice. To ensure your best experience, we recommend reading this post in its entirety before beginning any Yoga practice.
What is Yoga?
Traditionally, Yoga’s goal is to integrate mind, body, and soul to reach a state of enlightenment, or oneness with the universe. Various disciplines of Yoga incorporate different approaches to reach enlightenment. Ultimately maintain the same goals: to reach samadhi, or the enlightened state. Western Yoga has become most similar to Hatha (ha-ta) Yoga, one of many disciplines of Yoga. Hatha Yoga, as described by yogi extraordinaire Gina Caputo, is a ‘moving meditation’. Each movement is physical, yet invites a greater awareness of the practitioner’s internal ce and purify the mind and body for a seated, still meditation.
Regardless of your intentions for coming to Yoga, your goals to achieve, or your expectations of the practice, the Yoga practice is a wonderful option to exercise and strengthen your body, your mind, and the relationship between the two.
Is Yoga Right for You?
In short, yes! Contrary to social media indications and some body movement practitioners, Yoga is in no way exclusive. If you have a body, regardless of its shape or size, capabilities, or circumstances, you can practice Yoga. The ability to practice Yoga doesn’t matter how old you are, how much you weigh, what you do for a living, where you live, or what faith you practice. Yoga is available for everyone. While there are social, economic, and environmental factors that all too frequently hinder would-be yogis heading to the mat, the Yoga practice is based in pranayama, or breath-work. Have five minutes at your desk to close your eyes and listen to your breath in an intentional way? You’re starting on your path to be a yogi! Yoga is not limited to the able-bodies. It’s extended to every body.
Find the right fit!
While extended to every body, some practitioners may have a health illness or a recent injury, potentially making it dangerous or challenging to do particular poses or breathing techniques. Teachers at Lotus Yoga will be able to offer modifications that allow you to explore what you’re able to experience, rather than what you’re unable to experience. There are many alternatives and modifications that enable you to practice Yoga safely and specific classes that best fit your needs.
In the course of the practice, you may notice many frequent complaints have particular Yoga movements that may help in the recovery of aches, pains, and injuries. If you’re recovering from an injury or are of poor health and have not been given the go-ahead from your doctor or healthcare practitioner, consult with them before beginning any Yoga practice. Yoga can be recommended as a supplement to a well-rounded treatment plan but should never be substituted for professional medical care.
What to expect:
While you may experience sensations in various parts of your body in asanas (Yoga poses, pronounced ‘ahhh-san-a’), it should not be painful, especially in the joints. A sharp or intense pain is your body’s signal to stop and re-evaluate the post. This is one of the many ways that Yoga, when practiced mindfully, strengthens the mind-body connection.
If you are a brand new practitioner or coming back to the practice after some time off, we recommend you start with a gentle Yoga practice until you’ve built up the strength and flexibility for more challenging sequences. It is almost always best to error on the side of safety and caution and approach Yoga slowly and attentively. Lotus Yoga and Wellness has an array of classes designed specifically for those starting out their Yoga journey. Basic Beginner’s Yoga, Yoga Basics, Beyond Basics, Yin Deep Stretch, and Stretch and Restore classes are offered throughout the week at various times and a great first introduction or re-introduction to Yoga.
Practicing Yoga
Yoga is typically done in bare feet or sticky socks on a mat with various Yoga props. These additional, optional props, including but not limited to straps, blocks, blankets, and bolsters. Don’t have any of these available? Not a problem! These can be easily substituted with scarves or neckties, a stack of books, and pillows. Lotus Yoga and Wellness, and most Yoga studios, will have all of these and more available for you to use during class time.
Props allow your body to find your best expression of a pose. No yogi will look the same as the next, as all bodies are structurally different. Props open the gateway of your practice supporting you in the present moment, not where you think you should be.
We recommend that you begin with a brief and simple Yoga class and gradually develop from there. As soon as you are feeling comfortable with a few standard beginner Yoga poses, you can integrate them in a sequence and continue to include more challenging poses. Ensure to learn and follow the vital components of a Yoga practice: meditation, breathing (pranayama), intention, asanas, and comfort.
How Often Should I Do Yoga?
If you’re able to practice Yoga one or more times each week, you may notice significant improvements in your flexibility, range of movement, strength, balance, inner peace, and overall well-being. Ideally, when starting a self-practice, we recommend shorter and more frequent periods, 20-45 minutes for a total of 3-4 hours spread over several days. Practicing Yoga for any amount of time is beneficial but you may notice a larger amount of improvement over a shorter time period with a consistent practice. Like learning any new activity, consistent practice yields more fruitful results.
The Benefits of Practicing Yoga
The benefits of Yoga are nearly endless. Practicing Yoga beyond an exercise class helps build character and values. Non-harming, honesty, devotion, self-inquiry, mindfulness, and non-attachment are all traditional teachings of Yoga, all of which you may find following you off the mat. Yoga empowers you to make conscious choices toward living your best life, achieving your dharma, or your life’s purpose. At Lotus Yoga and Wellness, teachers are deeply rooted in the traditional, spiritual teachings of Yoga, the Eight Limbed Path as set forth by Patanjali sometime before 400CE. They synthesize continuing to teach from Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga with bringing the practice to all those who wish to do Yoga.
Pro Tips
Patience, dedication, repetition, and consistency are the keys to growing and progressing in the tradition of Yoga. After you’ve found a teacher that works for you to start your Yoga practice, we invite you to explore these tips:
- Commit to a regular program of Yoga classes or home clinic
- Continually be curious about the affects of your practice and your desired intensity. If it feels right to you, increase the number of classes you attend per week or the length of your practice. There’s always the choice to do more or less and the only person that knows what’s right for you is you!
- Attend Yoga workshops that focus on specific aspects of the Yoga practice that interest you.
- Journal the effects a consistent Yoga practice has in your body, head, and heart
- Read and study to learn more about Yoga. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of your teachers!
- Find sources of inspiration for you to continue your practice.
- Make friends at your studio and get to know your fellow yogis.
All in all, there can be a lot of information to sort through and factors to consider when starting a Yoga practice. We hope that this can help clarify questions you may have about Yoga, where to start, and what to expect. If you have any additional questions, we’d be happy to answer them for you at our studio.
Namaste,
Lotus Yoga and Wellness
by developer | Dec 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
Cannabidiol or CBD is a chemical found in cannabis plant and is a popular natural remedy used for curing many common ailments including anxiety, depression, inflammation, Parkinson’s disease, sleep disorders and more. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that has been a subject of interest for many researchers and scientists for its varied and extensive medical applications.
Various Benefits from Using CBD
Pain Alleviation
Many studies have shown that CBD oil has analgesic properties which can be linked to the oil’s ability to interact with specific neuro-receptors in the brain which helps reduce inflammation and diminish pain. Therefore, CBD oil is often recommended for people who seek relief from chronic pain and swelling. People who have been diagnosed with cancer usually start taking cannabis-related products, including cannabis oil, to relieve the pain of chemotherapy or the disease itself.
Combat Anxiety
Several studies have found that the use of CBD oil is helpful in easing anxiety, depression and other stressful conditions. A study published in 2011, in the journal Neuro-Psychopharmacology confirmed that when people with a social anxiety disorder (SAD) were given 600mg of CBD oil before a public speaking test, they were become more confident, and experienced significantly less anxiety, during their speech.
Treat Acne
Due to a significant role in reducing inflammation and its effects on the immune system, it is often recommended as a treatment to acne. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation revealed that CBD oil inhibited the production of sebum in the sebaceous glands in the skin which are responsible for producing acne.
Handle Epilepsy
Clinical studies have found that CBD oil to be highly effective in the treatment of certain types of epilepsy seizures. The oil provides relief by interacting with the brain cells that are responsible for regulating relaxation and controlling excitability. The success of the oil for seizures varies from patient to patient, but overall, the results are positive.
Improve Heart Health
Recent research has proved that CBD oil offers multiple benefits for the heart and circulatory system, including the ability to lower high blood pressure. Studies have shown that anxiety-reducing properties of CBD oil are an effective treatment for high blood pressure.
How to Use It
CBD oil is ordinarily available commercially as a tincture which can be taken in just a few drops under your tongue. Keep it there for a few seconds and let it be absorbed. The tincture can also be mixed with water, some juice or smoothie before taking inside. Some CBD oils are available in the form of products like creams and salves which can be directly applied to the skin. However, it’s always recommended to consult your doctor before taking any CBD oil for any remedy.
Lotus Organic Botanicals
We offer hemp oils, lotions, tinctures, and more for our customers to experience several avenues for all of their CBD needs. The human body has an endocannabinoid system with receptors that spread throughout the body and are responsible for regulating pain, mood, appetite, etc. Lotus Organic Botanicals aims to help ease the pain and illnesses of clients.
by developer | Dec 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
The legal use of marijuana and other cannabis products is growing rapidly in different states of Europe and the US. With a range of therapeutic effects of this cannabis, consumers are becoming more curious about choosing the right product. This includes Cannabidoil (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), despite being extracted from the same Cannabis genus, there are significant differences between the two.
Both the substances have the same molecular structure: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. However, a slight difference in the arrangement of the atoms accounts for the significantly different effects on your body.
CBD vs. THC
CBD is primarily extracted from the hemp plant and commercially available in oils, edibles, tinctures, gels, gummies, oils, various supplements, and more. While THC contains the main psychoactive compound responsible for producing a ‘high’ feeling or euphoria, it’s largely present in marijuana and also available in oils, edibles, tinctures, capsules, etc.
Psychoactive Properties
Though both of these compounds interact with the receptors found within the human body and nervous system, the effect they produce is drastically different. First and foremost, there’s an important difference between the two. THC binds with the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain and produces a feeling of euphoria which effects your cognitive abilities.
Therefore, the side effect from THC inhibit people from operating machinery or functioning normally. On the other hand, CBD slightly interacts with CB1 receptors and does not produce the ‘high’ effect. This fact means that ingesting CBD for therapeutic purposes does not make you any harm, yet, still offers you relief from the pain.
Benefits of THC
A large number of studies and research experiments have shown that THC is helpful in:
· Chronic Pain
· Nausea
· Vomiting
· Inflammation
· Digestive Health
· Side Effects of Chemotherapy
· HIV and AIDS
· Sclerosis
Benefits of CBD
Research studies indicate that CBD may be helpful in dealing with:
· Epilepsy
· Acne
· Chronic Pain
· Parkinson’s Disease
· Depression & Anxiety
· Inflammation
· Diabetes
· Schizophrenia
· Cardiac Diseases
· ADHD
· Sleeping Disorder
· Mad Cow Disease
The Minimal Side Effects of CBD
Unlike THC, CBD does not affect your cognitive abilities and it is tolerated much better within your body. However, studies have shown that any side effects associated with CBD are due to the drug-to-drug interactions between CBD and other medications you may be taking causing an allergic reaction.
THC, on the other hand, causes several side effects such as increased heart rate, coordination problems, dry mouth, red eyes, slow reaction time, and memory loss. These side effects can be attributed to the compound’s psychoactive properties. Our goal is to provide clients with incredible CBD in whatever form works for them. The positive side effects have been thoroughly proven, and continue to be used for treating chronic pain, arthritis, sleep disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, and more.
by developer | Dec 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
With cannabidiol becoming more and more popular for treating chronic pain, disorders, and physical ailments, there are a few myths that float around within the CBD world. When considering CBD to help relieve pain or subside symptoms of an illness, be mindful of what CBD can do for your body. The time for CBD to shine is now, and with the correct research and information, it has the potential to change how we treat our ailments.
CBD is Psychoactive
Unlike its counterpart, CBD doesn’t have any THC in it. Due to widespread ignorance and lack of education, it was popularly denounced because of the gimmicks. With the marketing image and recent spark in curiosity and awareness of what’s in CBD, astigmatism has dramatically decreased. CBD itself doesn’t have any more than 0.2% of THC not allowing it to spur any psychoactive properties for the consumer.
Cannabidiol Cures
The belief that cannabidiol cures are one that can be detrimental and dangerous. There is still so much research to be done about CBD and how it can aid those in pain and suffering from sickness. It may be a long time before any scientist hypothesizes that CBD can cause specific illness or disorder. For the time being, cannabidiol is used to treat and relieve pain and symptoms for epilepsy, sleeping disorders, etc.
It’s Medical Marijuana
First and foremost, medical marijuana is only legal in 29 states, whereas, CBD is legal in all 50 countries. Medical marijuana puts consumers at risk by carrying carcinogens throughout the body. CBD is a pure dietary supplement that is utilized through creams, capsules, liquids, and other various products. There is no risk of overdosing because your body will metabolize the oil without permitting undesirable side effects.
Lotus Organic Botanicals
Within the medicinal industry, it can sometimes be difficult to draw a clear line in the sand with what is useful and what’s not. While CBD is entirely safe and non-threatening, there are many speculations that state otherwise. There are more benefits to CBD than just treating severe medical conditions and relieving pain. For more information, take a look at our other blog posts!
