Julia Marie Yoga
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Yoga or a Cup of Coffee?

9/26/2022

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First of all. I really love coffee.

But I also know that a coffee after noon keeps me up all night, and too much caffeine really kicks my anxiety into hyperdrive. 

So when I'm feeling low and I've already had two cups of coffee in the morning, I opt for movement instead of sugar or caffeine.  And research shows that movement is not only going to do a better job than coffee, it also offers additional benefits that coffee just can't touch.

A 30 Minute Midday Flow on my Mat or a quick walk around the block are my go-to mood boosters.

Here are some reasons why...


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Yoga for Confidence

9/18/2022

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Yoga itself is a Sanskrit word. It means 'to yoke' or 'to unify'.  
With that understanding one thing is clear. Yoga is verb!  Yoga is an action word.

We take action wether it is internal action of breathwork, observation, and contemplation, or it is outward work utilizing our body. The goal is to bring together the parts that feel separate, or more specifically to wipe clean the residue that is obscuring our vision of what's true: we're already connected.

When confidence is low it can feel like an abrupt, and harsh disconnection from ourselves. And when we feel far away from ourselves it impacts every aspect of our being.
The thing is - we can'y always 'think' our way to confidence. Sometimes the best way to gain new insight, and a sense of empowerment is from ACTION rather than thinking.  We have to get into our bodies and create more space for ourselves.

Power is not a dirty word.  

In Chakra theory from the Yogic tradition the seat of power is located in our solar plexus. This is the center of action, confidence, free will, and getting 'ish done.  It also seems important to point out that this is a significant interchange in our energy system. It's hard to tap into love, truth, intuition, or our higher selves when we are feeling powerless.  In exercise science when we take on BIG movement we also know it gets our blood pumping, and when we focus on core work it help support our spine so we stand a little taller, and can feel both stable and dynamic.

In this flow we focus on BIG and powerful postures along with core work to stoke our power center.

Hope you love it!  Let me know after class one empowered action you can take today.

XO,
​Julia
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That Beautiful Exhale + Beginner's Mind

9/14/2022

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New things coming your way!
Specifically - a podcast!
​

If you find value from this podcast please share it with your friends, leave it a review, and consider supporting the podcast on Anchor with the buttons below.
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Yoga Teachers: You MUST Know this Assist Technique

7/13/2022

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DISCLAIMER: As with any hands-on technique it is best to practice with fellow instructors until you feel confident in your ability to perform the technique safely before putting it into use in a classroom setting. It is also critical that this or any other hands-on technique be used only when a student offers informed consent, is stable enough to receive the application of hands-on assistance, and when the application of hands-on assistance is beneficial and helpful. As a teacher ensure you know the risks and liabilities. and your employers policies if applicable,  before offering hands-on assists in professional settings.
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The world of yoga opinions when it comes to giving and receiving assists thoughts range from ‘never ever’ all the way to ‘the juicier the better’.  If you’re somewhere in the middle and looking for functional ways to support your student’s in poses then this article is for you. 

Hands-on assistance in a yoga class generally stems from one of two motivations: effort or ease. This can be one way a modern yoga teacher can relay the yogic concepts ‘Sthira’ and ‘Sukha’ into asana. Learning to identify where to navigate effort, and how to cultivate ease in the body is a gateway for doing so in the mind and emotions as well. 
Helping someone find more ease has always come naturally for me - offer a block, touch a bound muscle to encourage awareness and softness, provide a wall of support when needed.  

But effort?  

Using the methods I had been taught up to that point felt forceful as if I was manufacturing the pose for the student, and rarely yielded lasting results. 

It dawned on me about 50 hours into my 300/500 training that I needed a more well rounded background in anatomy, an approach outside of the world of yoga. So, on top of 300 additional hours of yoga training, I dove into additional studies in personal training, group exercise, cycling and kinetic mechanics.  It may have been overkill, but what came from that headlong (and wallet thinning) dive, and a crazy number of miles on my car bouncing from jobs at studios, gyms and the homes of private clients is my own personalized approach to assessing a client’s anatomy, teaching movement, and offering assistance.

Admittedly I started this process as a rigorous (and naive) search for the ‘best’ method. But as is generally the truth when working with the human body my quest became a continual proving and reproving of one truth - everything is contextual.  How frustrating it can be to sit squarely in the middle of gray shades, when so desperately I just want to know what’s best!  

One concept in particular has transformed how I train students to awaken muscles, and develop awareness around patterns of compensation, and I find it crosses over exceptionally well  in the yoga room. 

This ONE technique offers a method that 
  • takes into account a client’s personal anatomy
  • minimizes risk of injury from assistance, 
  • and helps support a lasting muscle memory for the client ensuring that they can duplicate the results without my assistance!

Efficient and personalized?
How delicious!

So, what is it?

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My Go-to Instant Bliss Technique

7/21/2021

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Have you ever had someone say to you, 'Just breathe!'? How about, 'relax.'?
Did it work? 

Eh-- probably not. 

I've got to tell you. What is more effective? When someone actually breathes WITH you. 
So, let's breath together!

To begin, find a comfortable seat in a chair or on the ground.
Place one hand on your abdomen, and one hand on your chest.
Allow your eyes to get soft or perhaps lower your gaze.

Now, let's begin to breathe with more intention.

Breathe in and fill your low abdomen all the way up to your chest.
Hold breathe in all the way at the top and count backwards from 4...3...2...1
Exhale from the chest all the way down to the low abdomen.

Repeat 10 times.

After the tenth round, return to normal, natural breath pattern.
Get up from your seat when you feel ready.
 How do you feel?
Have you tried this breathing style before?
Let me know in the notes below.
​
And, if you are looking for some bonus (and FREE) gentle & meditation check out this video below!
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<<Previous
    Body. Mind. Spirit.

    Author

    Hi there! You found me. My name is Julia Marie Lopez. For 20 years I have studied meditation and mindful movement as my primary tools for healing. For the past 10 years I have worked as a wellness business owner, the Founder of Practice Everywhere, and now I am embarking on a new adventure to expand how we define our Personal and Public Practices.

    My favorite experience is the feeling I receive when someone else feels supported by something I've created. 

    So this site is more than a lifestyle or healthy living blog, My approach to writing it is to offer my perspective and input that inspires happier, and healthier living on your own terms - because that's what I want too! We get to define our own parameters for what a happy and healthy live means to us.

    XO,
    Julia

    ​Since I offer you my experience and perspective, share my writing about life, love and wellness, and offer a bit of unsolicited advice, I think you should also know that I do include affiliate links and promotions in some of blogs. If you make an action (such as sign ups, memberships, or purchases) I might earn a commission. I promise to use this income to support my love of coffee, dogs, yoga, and my family (in no particular order).💜 

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Photo used under Creative Commons from Cea.
  • Home
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    • Thurs 6 PM @ Yoga Vida ATX
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