#YOGAOFLIVING | How Yoga helped me as an Occupational Therapist

 It can be said that the negative energy that whirls around us in the world is an outward manifestation of the whirlwind of energy going on within ourselves. This can manifest outwardly through our words, deeds and thoughts, pervading our body, mind and soul. Occupational Therapist and yogini, Theresa Wagner talks the art of maintaining a safe, nourishing environment and making the commitment to safeguarding that environment for oneself and others through the practice of ahimsā, or non-harming.

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Ahimsa: The Yoga of Non-violence

The greatest writings we have on yoga are linked by a shared belief in non-violence. If you have been connected with the practice of yoga for some time,  you have likely come across the practice of non-violence (sanskrit: ahimsā).  Our greatest modern yogis, Gandhi among them, based their life's meaning on this principle, which is often said to be the essence of yoga. How do we bring this principle into our practice and our lives?

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Real Rituals: Mornings with Joli

However cliché, every morning is an opportunity for us to embrace a new day and approach it as a clean slate... a blank canvas with which to write our story or paint our life's picture. Early morning rituals are essential to setting the pace for the entire day ahead. Here, Jolisa goes through the rituals of my morning.

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YOGA BASICS: Mantra, What is it Good For?

More likely than not, if you've been doing this yoga-practice-thing for a while, you've come across the word 'mantra.' Mantras have come to us in a plethora of forms: invocation, meditation, incantation, prayer, kirtan, chanting and various other manifestations of sacred sound.  But, what is it?

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Sunday Brunch: Easy Egg + Avocado Bagel

This egg + avocado bagel is SOO easy to prep. Jaz and I loved making (and eating!) this after our morning Sunday hike for guilt-free sustenance. This recipe has good sources of protein, healthy fats and fiber, giving us energy and keeping us feeling grounded without feeling heavy. The citrus and spice flair give this recipe added zing to help wake us up. Plus, one bagel can make two servings.

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YOGA BASICS: Help, I'm new to Yoga

What is YOGA? There are many different interpretations and meanings of the word yoga that have been handed down for centuries. In Sanskrit, yoga is derived from the verbal root yuj- to join, yoke, to come together. The physical postures performed in classes are just one element to the practice of yoga. Ultimately, yoga is a way to build the confidence to challenge your self-defeating thoughts, quiet your mind and make space to focus on what really matters in your life. 

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YOGA BASICS: Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations)

One of the most important components of a physical yoga practice is Sūrya Namaskāra, more commonly known as the Sun Salutation. Surya Namaskara is a series of 12 unique postures strung together for the purpose of stretching and warming up the entire body before beginning an āsana practice. Together these 12 postures, aligned and in harmony with the breath, create a dynamic and energizing flow.

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