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Let me make something clear. I don’t want anybody reading this and thinking they need to go out and buy a bunch of equipment. When I started doing yoga, I didn’t have any equipment (including a mat). I took free online classes in the middle of the carpet in my living room. And guess what? …
Cancer. It’s a scary topic. Just about everyone you meet will know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, and it may even be themselves. Cancer of any kind and the pharmacological treatments for it can result in decreased overall quality of life, respiratory problems, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, lymphedema, impaired balance and several psychological/emotional symptoms. …
For being so small, the wrist is complex. Let’s review a little anatomy to get started. The wrist is composed of 8 little bones, packed full of ligaments, and has several tendons crossing those 8 little bones that control your fingers. For a small area, there’s a lot of stuff going on! Look at the …
You may be asking yourself, "What is lymphedema?” Well, you’re not alone. I get asked that question literally all the time. Short answer: Lymphedema is a form of swelling in one or more body parts. Now hang on tight for the long answer… Let’s start with edema. I’m sure 99.9% of people reading this have …
Continue reading "Benefits of Yoga for Individuals with Lymphedema"
“If you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time” -Unknown. All too often people start yoga with the goal of doing backbends and headstands because…they look cool? To impress your friends? Instagram? So you can say you can? But my question is this: why do you feel the need to do that? Obviously these …
Photography by Noelle Johnson Photography The breath, pranayama, is a major aspect of yoga practice. It’s the forth limb of yoga and is integrated into any yoga class or video you’ll ever take (at least it should be). But why is the breath so important from a medical standpoint? Obviously we need oxygen to live. …
Frankly, any time is a good time to practice yoga! Traditionally, yoga practice was completed in the morning (you'll see why in a minute), but in reality your practice should be completed whenever is best for you. We're all unique individuals, and if I preach for your practice to be personalized to you (which I …
Continue reading "Morning Lark or Night Owl: When Should You Practice Yoga?"
Good question. It’s a well-known fact that exercise is good for you. Non-negotiable. But as an occupational therapist I’ve seen many individuals over the years who struggle to exercise on a regular basis due to chronic pain, fatigue, joint problems, poor sensation in their limbs…the list goes on and on. And that’s just speaking physically. …
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