Stay up to day with all the latest with Forever Yoga's blog. Located in Milford, New Hampshire!
It's #anatomy month in our #yogateachertraining program so I had to buy the studio a new friend. I had it shipped to my husband's store and they apparently we're having a slow night! 😂😂😂 #skeleton #yogaskeleton #skeletonselfie #skeletonsarecool #skeltonrock #guitarplayingskeleton #foreveryoganh #musicstore via
Oh my goodness our #halloween classes were so much fun last night! Thank you to everyone that came out to practice and have some laughs as well as those of you that dressed up! Costumes were: Helen - the Merrimack River. Susan- OITNB. Ross - mullet man. Jody - flower child. Anne - Where's Waldo. And the raffle winner picked by the random number generator is. . . Susan! Congratulations! Be in touch so I can get you some @foreveryoganh swag from our new zazzle shop at http://ift.tt/2eiLhyA. #foreveryoganh #yogastudio #yogisjustwannahavefun via
My Mom has gotten into #papercrafts. So while I was home last weekend she helped me "enhance" some of my #handboundbooks. You can pick one up in the boutique at the studio now. 😊 #handmade #foreveryoganh #notebook #notebooks #writeyourmantra via
Spent some time visiting my homeland this weekend. It was in these #mountains my #love of #mothernature and all she provides us with each day was born. I dearly love my adopted #newhampshire home, but this part of #newyork will always be #home in some way. #catskills #minnewaska #minnewaskastatepark #mohonk #mohonkpreserve #iloveny via
I've been playing with #beads again! Blue #tigereye #mala with tassels and #buddha guru bead. Great for balancing the #throatchakra and #protection of the upper #chakras. Available for purchase at #foreveryoganh now! #malas #meditation #communication #crystals #naturalstones #handmade #mantra #mantras #chanting via
Our fabulous group of #yogateachertrainees holding up their group #intention at the end of their first #yogateachertraining weekend! I'm so amazed at what they've done and how they've grown already! 💙🙏💙 #grateful #yogateacher #foreveryoganh #yoga via
One of the reasons there's a "Take a Hike" square on our #BINGO card this month is because I find it so personally essential to get outdoors for my health and wellness. Physically I benefit from #walking, #hiking or #biking for sure, but the mental and #spiritual benefits abound as well! When we get outside we realize our #connection to creation, to all the other beings we share this world with, and how if we just put one foot in front of the other over and over again, we make progress. Sure we might stumble or fall, but we will move forward. And there's nothing better than a walk to help get #grounded and refocus during the challenges of life.
What's your favorite outdoor trail or path?
(And anyone know what kind of snake that is? I have to admit I was kinda glad it was tiny!)
#hikenh #greatoutdoors #gooutsideandplay #foreveryoganh #newhampshire #uncanoonuc #hiking #uncanoonucmountain #goffstown #goffstownnh #yoga #yogaandhiking #mindful #yogateacher via
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME-------------------------------------- So... I wasn't going to share this here... but I got such a reaction on my personal page that I thought perhaps it was important to do so. More on that in a moment.
First of all, as the title suggests, unless you've had a good amount of training (and apparently, even that might not help!), headstand is nothing to take lightly. Inversions are Serious Business. They take time, skill, intention and strength to do them safely.
I wasn't using most of those at this particular moment.
I was practicing on my own in the studio a few days ago and video taping my practice so I could be my own teacher; hoping to see what alignment points I might be missing and what improvements I could make (Good Thing). It was fairly warm that day so I positioned myself near the check in desk (Bad Thing) under the fan. Toward the end of my practice I said to myself, "I wonder what would happen if I tried to kick up to headstand in the middle of the room." (Bad Thing) Mind you haven't exactly been consistent in my headstand practice lately (Bad Thing).
What happened was I surprised the *#$& out of myself.
When the legs went higher than I thought they would (Good Thing), I panicked (Bad Thing) and attempted to "protect" my neck with some epic flailing. Given those circumstances, I landed fairly lightly and have suffered no ill effects (Good Thing).
So why the heck am I posting something so embarrassing here??
A couple of reasons: First, to show you that while pushing your limits and challenging yourself is a Good Thing, doing it carelessly is not. And even your yoga teacher can fall into that trap.
Second, to show you how trauma can show up even years later. As some of you know, I had spinal surgery on my neck in 2009. 7 years later my instinct is still one of protection. That can be a Good Thing and a Bad Thing. I'm (obviously) still working with that.
And finally, because when I shared this on my personal page I can't tell you how many people thanked me for posting something that WASN'T staged and polished and perfect! That it made them feel better because they are still learning and knowing that even a "pro" could still struggle with things like this gave them hope for themselves.
Yoga practice is just like life. It can be pretty darn messy at times. We try our best to be mindful, but sometimes we panic and flail. Each time we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and try again is a triumph! Whatever challenge you're facing in your life or your practice right now, if this gives you a little more hope for yourself, then the fall was even more worth it.
And just so you know, after I fell I put myself back together, dusted myself off and tried again. At the wall. ;-)
🕉 💙 🕉 💙 🕉 💙 🕉 💙 🕉 💙 🕉 💙 🕉 💙 🕉 💙 🕉
[flowplayer src="http://forever-yoga.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bad-headstand.mov"]
Congratulations to @helendalbeck who was the first to get a #BINGO with 5 in a row in our 4th anniversary bingo game! Helen got a #Cuppow lid as her prize. There's still time to get your bingo card! Just come in for class and purchase your card for $2 (50% of that goes to the Animal Rescue League of NH). There's still time to win mystery prizes for 4 corners and an X and EVERYONE that gets 5 in a row in any direction will be entered to win the final raffle for over $250 in prizes! #foreveryoganh #anniversary #fouryearsold #yoga #yogastudio via
I'm tired of being #sad for the awful things that are happening in our world. That's not to say that they don't make me sad. Or #angry. Or #confused. Or #heartbroken. But instead what comes to my mind and heart is to stop being sad and start being #LOVE. To myself, to my friends and family and to everyone I meet. That's how I can effect change. I can be an example and I can lift others up. That's what I can do right now. Join me? #belovenow #stopthehate #stoptheviolence #ahimsa #yoga #foreveryoganh #bethechange via
Whether you are new to yoga or have been practicing for some time, Forever Yoga is a place where you will be seen and cared for, rather than being lost in a crowd. This studio is founded on the deep seated belief that the practice of yoga can be accessible to each of us no matter what our physical, mental or spiritual challenges may be. We offer you a warm, caring environment where you can explore and grow in this practice from a place of equanimity.
Please join us for a class or workshop and allow us to assist you on your personal path.
Jessica M. Lang Wright is the owner and Principle teacher at Forever Yoga. Learn more about her by reading her bio here.
Disclaimer: Not all yoga poses are suitable for all persons. Please consult with your health care provider and obtain full medical clearance before practicing yoga or any other exercise program. The information provided in this blog is strictly for reference only and is not in any manner a substitute for medical advice or direct guidance of a qualified yoga instructor.
