Where The Lotus Grows

The stress response itself begins in the brain. When we sense danger or dread the information is processed and the distress signal is sent via the autonomic nervous system to the hormone centers of the body resulting in a cascade of stress related hormones throughout.  Under prolonged/chronic stress, these hormones affect our overall health and can contribute to weight gain and disease like diabetes.  Yoga Therapy and other mind/body modalities can improve parasympathetic response, reduce stress and improve health. 

Today the ladies talk about stress and the endocrine system; the different effects stress hormones can have on our health, including weight gain and diabetes, and the many ways in which we can reduce stress.  

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Ann is a yoga therapist, mind-body science educator, and author of Science of Yoga. She is part science nerd and part heart-based spiritual nerd. Ann supports people living in living healthier, more joyful lives by making wellness non-intimidating and accessible to everybody.

Today the ladies talk to Ann about her “getting dirty, growing strong” story, and the challenges, triumphs, and serendipity of becoming an author. Her book, Science of Yoga is available now!

With a Master of Science in yoga therapy and roots studying yoga in India and qi gong China, Ann uniquely applies cutting-edge research to mind-body practices while maintaining the heart of the traditions. She internationally speaks and teaches on the science supporting yoga’s benefits to both the public and yoga professionals. In her private practice, Ann specializes in helping busy people worldwide relieve pain (like from back pain and arthritis), manage stress, and find ease through one-on-one online yoga therapy online.

Specialties: Yoga for Arthritis + Chronic Pain Relief • Research Science Supporting Yoga • Neuroplasticity + Mindfulness • Accessible Yoga • Office Yoga

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Remaining aware of our speech is difficult.  It is difficult to stay in the moment.  We have thoughts, which are the brain's movement. They are manifestation of our being but are not necessarily who we are .

Today the ladies discuss the concept of watching your words, speaking from truth but attempting to do so in a non violent way. As our culture becomes more and more hyperbolic, we can decide to choose our words more carefully. 

We are always communicating our words, speech, writing, body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, physical actions, our thoughts are all part of communication. We have a choice to create beautiful thoughts, speech and actions. Communication is what we put into the world and it remains after we have left it. You can say that communication bears our signature. By using compassionate speech today it can help you heal the past, enjoy the present, and prepare the ground for a good future.

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The stories we tell ourselves are most often ego and desire driven, often from a place of lack, and usually subconscious which means we don't even think about them as stories. These stories can be both good (when derived from a healthy belief or open/flexible mindset) or bad (when self limiting and rigid) but when we get stuck in story, it can be truly ugly. 

Join Kim and Tonya as they discuss the power of story, how not to get too caught up in it, and the potential to rewrite it. 

Practices to shift our stories, recognize when they are destructive, limiting, even false/delusional - negative/ bad & ugly.

When we can recognize our narratives as “stories” we have a tremendous power to heal. 

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Mantras have a profound, healing power, it is an exchange of energy that feels like you are floating in a spiritual river. Music today talks about emotions and events. Mantras are a time to allow your cells to have a language of energy that provides connection to something larger. It is the vibration that is different.
Join Tonya and Kim today as they discuss the many different ways in which mantra and sound can be helpful, motivating, and healing. 
“Mantra, literally meaning ‘saving the mind,’ a mantra is a creative sound considered expressive of the deepest essence of things and understanding, so its repetition can evoke in a formulaic or even magical way a state of enlightenment or positive energy.” Robert Thurman

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STRESS!  It's an all too familiar term. Today Kim and Today introduces a new series on Stress and Disease.  Every few weeks they will take a deeper dive into the effects of stress on the different systems of the body.  
This week's episode kicks off with the cardiovascular system, as prolonged stress is commonly linked to heart disease. The stress hormones (discussed in detail in the next stress and disease episode), particularly the pituitary and adrenal cortical hormones are also responsible for mediating damaging cardiovascular stress. Not only can this stress can accelerate atherosclerosis and coronary occlusion, we often find seek to soothe our stress in ways that negatively effect our cardiovascular health, such as overeating, drinking, or smoking.  Learn how self care and  yoga therapy techniques can help to reduce stress and make a  positive impact on cardiovascular health.  For more resources  visit wherethelotusgrows.com 

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It is hard to do inner work when the mind is frazzled from the days activities. Stop, Be still, Take a deep breath, Check in. 

Coming home to yourself is stopping the outwardly attention and turning inwardly to your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations (jaw, chest, belly, hips, etc.). It is about taking a personal interested in what matters to you.  Today the ladies revisit self care and talk about slowing down and checking in with the self. 

Take some time to be where your feet are. 

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Closer to your true self - in yoga therapy we teach people to breath, to walk, to move and unintentionally the client turns it into a spiritual journey. Actually we brought them closer to their true selves by slowing them down to hear their own inner wisdom. 

When you sit down to mediate it is not a compulsory routine it is a visit with the invite universe the essence of your existence and to let the love flow through you. When you have daily routines it allows you to learn to listen more and more to your inner voice. Letting go is the hardest thing but if you dare to leap the light will shine again. 

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More and more it seems people are branching out on to their own to work for themselves, taking their side hustle mainstream or deciding to take their passion project to the next level.  With the availability of low cost internet marketing it seems easier than ever to launch a business from your home. For many of us, pursuing our passion means seeking something more intentional and meaningful than working for others. Additionally, the outdated road map to success, high school + college = job/career for life, doesn't really fit the modern model. Currently, the average American will work twelve different jobs in their lifetime and it's pretty safe to assume not all of these jobs are ones we’re passionate about, or even related to our field of interest. How many of us stopped or stalled pursuing passions to follow the “safe/secure” job, the career path our parents suggested we follow, or just fell into something that paid just enough to keep up with the Jones’s. 

Today Kim and Tonya discuss the movement of Mindful Entrepreneurship and the idea of seeking success through passion, respect, and being of service.

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Heather Glidden is a holistic fitness provider, bodyworker, meditation, life and business coach, studio owner and author of How to Thrive in Your Healing Business. Today the ladies talk to Heather about the connection between movement and healing, some of her personal struggles and triumphs on the journey to becoming a healing entrepreneur, and the importance of listening to your body and caring your yourself in order to really be of service to others.  If you’re in the business of healing or caretaking, today's episode is a MUST listen!  

Heather is continually amazed by the transformative power of movement in her own body and the bodies of others. This potential for transformation has been the driving force behind her work since she began teaching in 2004, and it is the primary inspiration for this studio.

Her training has taken her around the world, studying with top instructors including Gyrotonic Method creator Juliu Horvath. She believes that true health is multi-dimensional, and she works with each client to discover how their movement training can best serve their overall wellness.

Her extensive training and detailed knowledge of anatomy, combined with years of experience, allow her to work with a wide variety of clients. Her experience includes work with athletes and dancers as well as those with shoulder and neck pain, scoliosis, spine issues of many varieties, hip replacement, foot and ankle issues, knee pain, and stroke recovery.

Each client has unique needs, and Heather creatively combines her full range of skills in every session. Heather’s sessions use the Gyrotonic methodology as their framework but may also incorporate elements of massage, Pilates, or life coaching as indicated.

Heather is also a licensed Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis pre-trainer under master trainer Lisa Lansing. She is honored to have this opportunity to share the joy of the Gyrotonic method with new instructors.

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