Yoga Therapy

First of all, let's give a massive high five to Avocado Green Mattress for generously providing one of their Organic Yoga Meditation Pillows to gift to one lucky participant in this month's May Meditation Challenge. I have one, love it, and use if often, and am excited to share the product/company as this particular meditation tool is made of natural and organic vegan materials, a certified organic cotton cover, is handcrafted right here in Los Angeles, is functional, and is gorgeous.

You can check it out for yourself by using this link: https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com/shop/organic-yoga-pillow/?variant=standard

Now, let's get to it! Welcome to Yoga to Cope's 2nd Meditation Challenge - Quarantine Edition. This one will run from Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 15 and just like last time, you can play along using our Calendar template, which will be available in our Instagram story/highlight for you to use. Don't forget to tag us @yogatocope so we can see you!

We will feature a live meditation each Tuesday for the duration of this challenge, special guests, tips and tricks, and - hopefully - a sense of control, calm, and clarity during this odd, ever-changing, sometimes scary time in our world history.

Don't forget that while we love connecting with you via Instagram, Facebook, and our podcast + website, if you're ready to take things to the next level, please consider joining our private Facebook group called the "Yoga to Cope Community". Consider it a safe space to vent, ask questions, discuss podcast episodes, learn, connect, and feel a little less alone.

We're all in this together, we are sending all the love and light to our entire Yoga to Cope network, and we hope you and yours are staying safe and staying sane.

YOGA TO COPE IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AIMING TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY FREE, ONLINE, YOGA-BASED RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH TRAUMA, PRE-TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND THE LIKE. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT yogatocope.org TO BROWSE ALL CURRENT, FREE CONTENT, MAKE A DONATION, AND MORE.

Website: yogatocope.org

Instagram: instagram.com/yogatocope

Donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?country.x…I0K7x0Jg0_o4fR_nW

Even more friends of the pod are here to check in on your quarantine. Tune in to hear from some very inspiring people, including:

Lauren Johnson, Licensed Professional Counselor

Juliet Cormier, Yoga to Cope Intern

Linda Ignarro-Smith, 72andSunny

J Harrison Ghee, Broadway's Mrs. Doubtfire

Keltie Knight, Ladygang + Entertainment Tonight

Kiara Perico, Kiki's Way

Jake Chamseddine, Touring Photographer

Ashley Loren, Singer + Broadway's Moulin Rouge

Dr. Sarah Villafranco, Osmia Organics

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this second installment. It is an honor to share these beautiful humans and their messages with our Yoga to Cope community. From all of us, stay safe and be well.

YOGA TO COPE IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AIMING TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY FREE, ONLINE, YOGA-BASED RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH TRAUMA, PRE-TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND THE LIKE. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT yogatocope.org TO BROWSE ALL CURRENT, FREE CONTENT, MAKE A DONATION, AND MORE.

Website: yogatocope.org

Instagram: instagram.com/yogatocope

Donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?country.x…I0K7x0Jg0_o4fR_nW

Please give a warm welcome to Courtney Betts, a yogi living abroad and Executive Assistant to Rachel of the popular Yoga Girl brand/community. A Canadian native, Courtney joins us over the phone from her new home in the Netherlands to discuss being in an abusive relationship at a young age, how a yoga retreat in Aruba changed her life for the better, and how she handles being introverted and shy by nature.

Courtney is a crucial part of the Yoga Girl team, and shared about their new initiative, 29K, after we stopped recording, so I have linked that for you below. 29K is a free app offering mental health tools and a self-compassion course, so please feel free to check that out!

Instagram: Instagram.com/courtneybetts

Website: www.yogagirl.com

29K: https://29k.org/yoga-girl

YOGA TO COPE IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AIMING TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY FREE, ONLINE, YOGA-BASED RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH TRAUMA, PRE-TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND THE LIKE. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT yogatocope.org TO BROWSE ALL CURRENT, FREE CONTENT, MAKE A DONATION, AND MORE.

Website: yogatocope.org

Instagram: instagram.com/yogatocope

Donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?country.x…I0K7x0Jg0_o4fR_nW

Friends of the pod are here to shine some light, love, laughter, and words of encouragement from the heart into your quarantine. Tune in to hear from some of my very best friends, former podcast guests, and (hopefully) future podcasts guests including:

Sarah Urie, Founding Director @ Yoga to Cope

Joy of Communion by Joy, PR @ Yoga to Cope

Kirsti Schroder, Costume Design + Styling

Alex Marino, Wallflower Shop Home Decor

Rebecca Black, Singer + Songwriter

Maris Degener, Yogi + "I Am Maris"

Michelle Konstantinovsky, Journalist

Zack Hall, my husband

Daniel Novoa, Yogi @ The Yoga Joint

Lauren Whited, Friend of Yoga to Cope

Kara Urie-Lott, MS LMFT

Sky Corbett-Methot, Yogi + Retreat Host

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this installment. It is an honor to share these beautiful humans and their messages with our Yoga to Cope community. From all of us, stay safe and be well.

YOGA TO COPE IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AIMING TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY FREE, ONLINE, YOGA-BASED RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH TRAUMA, PRE-TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND THE LIKE. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT yogatocope.org TO BROWSE ALL CURRENT, FREE CONTENT, MAKE A DONATION, AND MORE.

Website: yogatocope.org

Instagram: instagram.com/yogatocope

Donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?country.x…I0K7x0Jg0_o4fR_nW

Oh the places your mind will try to take you.

Founder of Yoga to Cope, Kala MacDonald, here. I am doing fine, I am doing great actually - BUT for about 2 days per month I dive deeply into two "Dark Days" where I question everything; my work, my money situation, my relationships, my value, my worth, my body, my look. My mind starts asking me who I think I am, and it tells me I'm not good enough, not far enough along professionally to keep going, and to just give up and do something else, something easier, something less risky.

"Be smaller"

"Take up less space"

"Stop trying so hard"

"You're not good enough"

"You're not pretty like her"

These are some of the things my "Dark Days" brain tries to tell me. I've figured out how to be an observer of these days as opposed to swim around in them. Today I found myself in one of those days, those moods, and felt compelled to share what they feel like and look like and sound like for me, because maybe I'm not the only one. I feel lucky to be able to step back and be an observer in these moments, but some of you may not be there yet, or you may not even realize you're in this cyclical downswing that isn't really YOU.

Hopefully you hear something in this that helps you tune in to the dark moments you may go through from time to time, to realize you aren't alone when you feel most alone or at your most vulnerable and low, and to take steps toward help if you find yourself in need.

https://www.yogatocope.org/resources

If you are feeling suicidal, please use these resources to get help:

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

24/7 Confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

800-273-8255

YOGA TO COPE IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AIMING TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY FREE, ONLINE, YOGA-BASED RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH TRAUMA, PRE-TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND THE LIKE. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT yogatocope.org TO BROWSE ALL CURRENT, FREE CONTENT, MAKE A DONATION, AND MORE.

Website: yogatocope.org

Instagram: instagram.com/yogatocope

Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?country.x=US&fromUL=true&locale.x=en_US&token=XDrpy6mYUHq_gWzsmhw1XtdCIQfukIKH4usRayKAYgi1zj4JmNi_MI0K7x0Jg0_o4fR_nW

Get ready for a magical episode with Myla Ivers, creator of her company called Master Your Magic! Myla agreed to be interview for our show with no context and only two days of notice, and she delivers! She is a yogi, Reiki healer, and Akashic Records reader, among other things. She is also a program creator, tackling subjects like the Chakras and your Third Eye. There are plenty of beautiful, inspiring takeaways throughout our conversation, and please click through the links below to connect with and work with Myla after getting to know her here!

Instagram: Instagram.com/master_your_magic

Website: www.masteryourmagic.com

YOGA TO COPE IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AIMING TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY FREE, ONLINE, YOGA-BASED RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH TRAUMA, PRE-TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND THE LIKE. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT yogatocope.org TO BROWSE ALL CURRENT, FREE CONTENT, MAKE A DONATION, AND MORE.

Website: yogatocope.org

Instagram: instagram.com/yogatocope

Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?country.x=US&fromUL=true&locale.x=en_US&token=XDrpy6mYUHq_gWzsmhw1XtdCIQfukIKH4usRayKAYgi1zj4JmNi_MI0K7x0Jg0_o4fR_nW

This episode does discuss the topics of sexual assault, rape, and violence/being attacked.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and we are taking this opportunity to share an episode where Hannah Shaw and Yoga to Cope respond to an Anonymous e-mail our organization recently received asking for advice about coping with and handling a past sexual assault/rape that took place. Hannah kindly comes on to share her insights and advice as a Social Worker who has been working in the field of Rape, Domestic Violence, and Sexual Assault for years, and we speak to some other topics during the second half of the episode, including what to do if you are sexual assaulted, "red flags" to lookout for that could help you identify if a child is being assaulted in their home, and the topic of consent.

Please use the following resources if you would like to seek help for a sexual assault, rape, domestic abuse, or violence of any kind:

Rape Crisis Domestic Violence Safe Haven

Website: https://www.safehavenofashland.org/

Safe Haven 24/7 Anonymous Hotline: 419-289-8085

Facebook: RCDV Safe Haven

Instagram: @rcdvsafehaven

Twitter: @RCDVSafeHaven

RAINN

Website: https://www.rainn.org/

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673

Just Breathe : A Guide to Wellness

http://www.odvn.org/resource/JustBreathe_finalnocrops.pdf

YOGA TO COPE IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AIMING TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY FREE, ONLINE, YOGA-BASED RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH TRAUMA, PRE-TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND THE LIKE. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT yogatocope.org TO BROWSE ALL CURRENT, FREE CONTENT, MAKE A DONATION, AND MORE.

Website: yogatocope.org

Instagram: instagram.com/yogatocope

Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?country.x=US&fromUL=true&locale.x=en_US&token=XDrpy6mYUHq_gWzsmhw1XtdCIQfukIKH4usRayKAYgi1zj4JmNi_MI0K7x0Jg0_o4fR_nW

You're in for a real, magical treat with this episode featuring NYC-based Alchemical Acupuncturist Michael Wiltse. Michael is kind enough to speak with us today about his holistic approach to acupuncture, and how effective this work can be for acknowledging, loosening, and healing through traumas both big and small. He speaks passionately to Chinese Medicine, the "little red birds" we all have in our hearts, and how we all begin with a spoonful of stardust and destiny within. We talk alchemy, we talk meditation and yoga, and Michael sends us off in the most beautiful way with a sung prayer. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed recording! Connect further with Michael using the links below.

Instagram: Instagram.com/michaelwiltseacu

Website: www.michaelwiltse.com

YOGA TO COPE IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AIMING TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY FREE, ONLINE, YOGA-BASED RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH TRAUMA, PRE-TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND THE LIKE. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT yogatocope.org TO BROWSE ALL CURRENT, FREE CONTENT, MAKE A DONATION, AND MORE.

Website: yogatocope.org

Instagram: instagram.com/yogatocope

Donate: www.paypal.com/donate/?country.x…I0K7x0Jg0_o4fR_nW

Welcome to this mini episode - recorded Monday March 16 - where I'll share where I've been getting my COVID-19 information in an effort to stay informed and sane at the same time, plus some helpful tips for how to spend your time at home when you start to feel streaming burn out.

Please give a warm welcome to our latest podcast guest, Tiffany Ragozzino! Tiffany is a Physical Education teacher at an all-girls public school right here in LA, and an online presence using her platform and voice to inspire women of all ages to feel confident, feel strong, and to be unafraid of weight training their female bodies. She is behind the group "The Pretty Little Lifters", but goes so much deeper than workouts and meal plans. She gets to the heart of what its like to be a girl who wants to be strong, inside and out. I hope you enjoy our conversation, and click below to connect more with Tiffany!

Instagram: Instagram.com/theprettylittlelifters

Website: www.theprettylittlelifters.com

YOGA TO COPE IS A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION AIMING TO PROVIDE COMPLETELY FREE, ONLINE, YOGA-BASED RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE COPING WITH TRAUMA, PRE-TRAUMA, GRIEF, DEPRESSION, AND THE LIKE. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT yogatocope.org TO BROWSE ALL CURRENT, FREE CONTENT, MAKE A DONATION, AND MORE.

Website: yogatocope.org

Instagram: instagram.com/yogatocope

Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?country.x=US&fromUL=true&locale.x=en_US&token=XDrpy6mYUHq_gWzsmhw1XtdCIQfukIKH4usRayKAYgi1zj4JmNi_MI0K7x0Jg0_o4fR_nW