What is Yoga?
Most people expect a yoga practice to involve flexibility and strength of the body, eventually leading to standing on your head. This is the great myth, for yoga is a lifestyle practice of flexibility and strength that is rooted in the mind.
The lens we choose to relate to a person, react to a situation or interact with the world can be changed. Yoga teaches us how to change the lens and see the deeper meaning below the surface.
This is practicing perspective.
Okay, but what is yoga....?
I know. You may have experienced or learned about yoga through a wide range of teachers, organizations, marketing or entertainment, so that understanding may not be clear.
Let’s just look at the foundational text – the yoga sutras, which begin by explaining the practice of yoga as: “harnessing the fluctuations of the mind”.
Why do we want to harness the fluctuations of the mind?
Because the thoughts in our mind often cause suffering, which leads to behaviors and actions that aren’t in alignment with our core values, purpose or intentions.
Yoga empowers you with tools of awareness and discernment in all aspects of your life. You don’t even need a mat.
All you need is curiosity to begin with me.
Yoga as a Lifestyle
I have been practicing yoga since 2004, leading to my recent advanced study as a Yoga Therapist. What started out as an athletic interest in my 30’s, taking classes at the local 24 Hour Fitness, put me on a path to view the world around me through many different lenses.
At first, it was fun and challenging exploring the strength and flexibility of my body while testing my ability to focus during a practice that was predominantly physical and benign in spirit. However, experiencing the depth of losing a loved one presented a far more integrative opportunity in my yoga practice to tap into the spiritual/emotional foundation that I had within me. Additional ‘life’ situations over the next decade presented more and more opportunities to interact with circumstances using a more balanced set of tools, leading me to the advanced study as a yoga therapist.
Today I have a yoga toolkit that is a custom fit for my lifestyle. It enables me to decode corporate stress, navigate personal relationships with ease and strengthen my body.
Let’s take a look at crafting a toolkit fit for you!
Alison’s understanding of my fears, limitations, and desire to heal was remarkable. She created a safe and supportive environment where I could explore the world of yoga at my own pace and comfort level. With her patient encouragement, she adapted each pose and breathing technique to my unique needs, ensuring that I was never overwhelmed or discouraged.
As I delved deeper into my yoga practice, I began to experience a profound transformation. My breathing became easier, my asthma attacks less frequent, and the grip of anxiety started to loosen. I was learning to control my breath, not the other way around.
Breathing now feels like a tall glass of water.
If you are seeking a path to healing and transformation, I highly recommend seeking out Alison’s expertise.
I came to practice Yoga Therapy with Alison to work through some very acute anxiety and depression. I needed support but wanted guidance in a holistic arena. I am currently in traditional western therapy but I am sensing some limitations of traditional “talk therapy”. I am beginning to appreciate the journey orientated nature of Yoga Therapy. Practicing with Alison feels fluid, powerful, calming and dynamic. It is my Talisman in challenging times.
Wow. Every session with Alison leaves me with new insights about myself and the simple tools I have to heal from the trauma I’ve recently experienced. I also work with a psychological counselor, but I’m so glad to have her in my life as well.
Alison helped me gain knowledge and awareness about my body while recovering from an acute infection, and as someone with multiple sclerosis. Working with her over the course of 4 months, I was able to gain back strength and mobility needed to move back into an independent lifestyle. I also have a whole new understanding of the impact of my breath.
I highly recommend Alison as a yoga therapist.
MS