JANUARY 7, 2015 BY: BHAZELTON  COMMENT

Are you a beginner thinking of taking a yoga class? Confused about what type of yoga class you should pick? Picking the ‘right’ yoga class can be a daunting task. From Bikram to Ashtanga to Hatha to Yin yoga, there are a seemingly endless number of yoga styles.  Each style appeals to a different type of person and can benefit your body in different ways, but overall, styles are less important than the practice itself.  Yoga can help to improve your overall health, including your balance, flexibility and strength and help to release tension in your body and mind.

Whatever reason brings you to a yoga class, it’s the perfect reason to practice yoga.  Most yoga studios will gladly help direct you to the class that matches your current fitness level and knowledge of yoga.  In addition, if you let the yoga instructor know upfront that you’re new to yoga, he/she should help you to modify, as necessary, for your individual needs.  As you become a more seasoned Yogi, you will be able to modify each class to your own needs as you see fit.

To better help you navigate your way through the many different types of yoga and to help guide you to the style that best suits you, we’ve outlined several of the most commonly recognized yoga styles below.  The most important thing to remember is that yoga accepts you just as you are and whatever yoga class you decide to show up to you can modify, slow down, bend your knee or skip a pose if the pacing is uncomfortable for you.  If your first class is challenging, just keep coming back.  There’s a number of changing variables in a yoga class that can vary from the studio to the teacher to your fellow students – classes can be very different on different days.

Hatha
Hatha yoga describes any of the physical practices of yoga called Asanas, which are the physical poses you perform in a yoga class.  Yoga has 8 limbs and only one of those limbs is the physical practice.  In a Hatha yoga class anything goes, you might flow, you might hold poses briefly, you might hold them for longer periods of time – it all depends on the teacher.  Many studios will label their classes with levels from beginning to advanced or level 1 to level 3.

Each Hatha yoga class will be different based on the studio and the teacher. It’s best, regardless of your fitness level, to start with a beginning or Level 1 class so that you can really learn the poses well.  As you gain familiarity with the poses, you can check out the more advanced classes.  With Level 1 classes, the yoga teacher gives more instruction on each pose and will help you safely navigate your way through the class.  In the higher level classes, you’ll be given less instruction and maybe just given a cue to move through at your own pace.  If you’re new to the practice you might spend your time looking around to see how exactly you are supposed to move through it.  That’s OK.
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Vinyasa
‘Vinyasa’ is when you are linking or merging two things together.  When you see a Vinyasa yoga class it generally means that each poses will flow from one to the next with the breath uniting the poses.  This style generally has levels as well and is easy to modify for beginners.  Generally speaking these classes might start out slow, work to learn the pose and then flow them together with a breath for each movement.  In these classes Surya Namaskars or Sun Salutations are repeated to warm and stretch the body.  These classes are great at warming, strengthening and stretching the body and calming the mind. In between the movement of the Sun Salutations, standing poses or challenge poses might be added. A Vinyasa class will get your blood pumping, so if you’re looking for a bit of cardio while you work on balance and flexibility, this may be the class for you.

Ashtanga
Asthanga yoga popularized by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is simply the method of yoga that synchronizes the breath with a set series of poses.  The series is nonstop (one breath per movement) and follows the same set order of yoga poses.  There are six main series in an Asthanga class.  Students show up at a predetermined time and the instructor begins each student with a set of poses in the series based on where the student is at in their practice. These classes are referred to as Mysore classes.  Be forewarned – -f you show up to one of these classes and have never done yoga before, you may only do Sun Salutations and then be done for the day.  There are also Ashtanga classes in which a teacher will lead an entire class through the series and each student will do what they can.  Often times, Ashtanga will be weaved into a Vinyasa or Hatha yoga class to make it more accessible to the students because it’s a practice that requires dedication.  Ashtanga yoga might be labeled as so-called ‘Power’ yoga with partial Ashtanga sequences but perhaps not the full practice.  Ashtanga can be a bit challenging for those new to a yoga practice but if you do venture to try it remember to go slow and take it easy on yourself.

Iyengar
Iyengar yoga does not “flow” at all.  Iyengar yoga was developed by B.K.S Iyengarwho wanted to make yoga accessible to all.  Each pose is worked on individually using props, blankets, blocks, straps and any other props necessary to properly align the body in each pose.  If a teacher uses the Iyengar name they have received specific training in the this type of yoga.  Often times a class won’t be called Iyengar but the the teacher may have a heavy Iyengar influence and therefore the class may flow less and focus more on pressie alignment of the body.  This is a good class for beginners as they can learn the poses more deeply before they link them together in a flow class.

Bikram
If you are already in shape and you have some time, Bikram just might be right for you.  Bikram is a challenging form of yoga (that should not be confused with Hot Yoga) that is performed in a room that’s heated to 105 degrees with 40% humidity.  A true Bikram class is a series of 26 poses, lasting 90 minutes long, and done in the same precise sequence every time with very specific alignment adjustments.  Bikram himself called the studios “Torture Chambers” and is a pretty good representation of what you will find in a Bikram class (in my opinion).  Even though the popular thought is that sweating is good to detox our bodies it has been shown that sweating only elimates 1% of toxins.  Bikram yoga uses heat to loosen and stretch the body so that it can be molded into the proper pose.  Bikram classes have been known to heal many people.  Is it the heat? Or is it the yoga?  If you can handle the heat and want to step in to the “Torture Chamber” then this yoga might be for you.

Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is not Bikram yoga.  Just like with Asthanga, Iyengar and many other types of yoga, in order to proclaim yourself under any one lineage of yoga, a teacher must complete advanced study in that specific yoga lineage.  Hot yoga is for those yogi’s that like the heat of Bikram yoga but would rather have the style of the class be Vinyasa or Hatha.  The rooms are heated to the teachers liking and probably not as hot as Bikram’s 105 degree rooms.  Many people like Hot yoga because of the great sweat they get and feeling that they can get deeper into their poses with their muscles being so warm.  If you like the heat but don’t want to repeat the same 26 poses, or you don’t have 90 minutes to devote to your practice, then Hot yoga might be for you.

Therapeutic Yoga
In theory, all yoga is therapeutic.  Therapeutic yoga takes it to the next level.  Classes are designed to work specifically with each yogi’s limitations due to injury or illness.  Therapeutic yoga classes blend, restorative yoga, gentle yoga, supported Hatha yoga, meditation and other styles of yoga to bring the body into balance, reduce stress and hopefully recover from injury or illness.  These classes are a great place to start even if you are physically fit because, while they may not be physically demanding, they are a good way to gain a basic knowledge of yoga and they’re definitely a great place to start if you have any type of injury or illness.

Gentle Yoga
Gentle yoga is just as the title says – gentle.  This is a great place to start if you aren’t physically fit or have any type of illness or injury.  Generally you’ll do some vinyasa work but it will not be strenuous, some light stretching maybe some breath work and, while physically not taxing, you will feel more at ease after this class.  Gentle yoga is another good place to start in order to gain a basic working knowledge of yoga practice.

Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga works with the energy channels that run through the body, the so-called “meridians”.  The meridians flow through the inner areas of the body, the facia, ligaments and tendons.  Yin yoga is another great place to start if you are new to yoga.  Generally, you’ll use props, as necessary, to support the body and then hold the poses anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes.  The extended time allows for the “stretch” to go deeper into the body.  Breath work and meditation may also be used during these practices to quiet the mind.  Generally all poses are done in a seated position and absent of any “flow”.

Restorative Yoga
If you like to relax then Restorative yoga is for you.  This yoga practice supports the body with props to hold the poses for longer periods (5-15 minutes) to allow the body to passively relax and stretch.  As you allow your body to be fully supported by the props, your central nervous system moves from the fight or flight response to the relaxation response.  It’s in this place that deep healing happens.

Restorative yoga is a great class for just about anyone.  With all the hustle and bustle of our hectic lives, restorative gives our body time to fully relax and restore.

As you can see there are many types of yoga to choose from.  In the end, all Yoga is beneficial to all those who practice and the biggest hurdle is just getting to the yoga class in the first place.  Yoga studios and teachers are more than to happy to help you learn the ins and outs of yoga and find the best class for you.  There are many components that go into a yoga class so if at first it doesn’t fit just try another class on for size.  Just keep coming back.

​Holistic medicine and heat therapies have been around for thousands of years. Hippocrates said 2,300 years ago “Give me fever and I can cure every disease”. Nowadays, the demand for less invasive yet equally effective preventative care is back on the rise. Now, combining latest technology with ageless alternative treatments, a new product has been developed marrying the best of both eras: the BioMat.

While today saunas are viewed as a nice reward at the end of a workout, originally they were prescribed for a number of unexpected benefits, most importantly to help revive the circulatory system increasing blood flow through dilating blood vessels. All of this was accomplished simply by slowly raising the core body temperature. Still, one of the big drawbacks to saunas is the profuse sweating and general awkwardness of sitting in what is essentially a hot box along with like-minded folk [a little too] nearby. With minimal space and comfort to truly relax – it is recommended to only stay for 10-20 minute increments and sleeping is highly discouraged.

However what if there was a product that had benefits surpassing those found in either a traditional or infrared-thermal sauna and actually encouraged recipients to lie down and relax? Imagine comfortably lying on a BIOMAT as the warming, soothing infrared rays pass through layers of amethyst/tourmaline, permeating their healing light energy deep within your body bringing you a deep sense of relaxation and euphoria. The BioMat is a fairly new product on the market recommended for medical, physical and deep relaxation needs. It requires minimal space (it is completely portable), considerably less cost in energy bills (1 cent for every hour compared to the average sauna 25 cents every hour), and provides a state-of-the-art Amethyst Crystal Infrared and Negative Ion technology assisting in the healing processes through Thermotherapy. The FDA approved BioMat can be used to achieve the benefits of an infrared sauna without the hazards of heating the head or the negative exposure of Electromagnetic Frequencies.  

What is Thermotherapy? Heat therapy, also called thermotherapy, is the use of heat in therapy, such as for pain relief and health. Infrared rays are invisible waves or rays of energy that elevate the surface temperature of the body. Most competitive Far Infrared systems use electromagnetic fields to accomplish this and as a result, such systems are only able to penetrate heat 2-3” into the body and can feel uncomfortably hot to the skin. The Biomat’s exceptional Crystal Infrared system uses Amethyst crystals that cover the surface of the mat and varying temperature settings to allow for the comfort each individual. It’s controller blocks harmful interference from all electromagnetic waves circulating throughout the mat itself and thus prevents them from entering your body – imagine the invisible electronic rays that come from your cell phone or laptop that are recommended to be kept at a safe distance from your bedside in order to ensure a good nights sleep. Amethyst is able to conduct high frequency and powerful Infrared light waves generating a natural, [up to 6”] penetrable current of heat, surpassing that by double of standard Far-Infrared systems.

During a single session on the BioMat, one has the opportunity to experience the effects of body core temperature rising through infrared heat, the healing energy of negative ions and a meditative state providing calmness and clarity. This is a wonderful time to reflect, rejuvenate or simply be. Often a refreshing nap occurs, which is encouraged in order to allow the body, mind and spirit to recharge before reentering day-to-day life responsibilities and stresses. Registered as an FDA medical device, doctors as well as mental health professionals often recommend treatments that include BioMat usage to further heal and relax their patients before, during or after their sessions.

Benefits from a healing session on the BioMat affect a wide range of cellular imbalances as well as health issues including: • Relief of muscle spasms, sprains, strains, minor muscle or joint pain and stiffness • Increase of blood circulation, tissue oxygen • Reduce of stress and fatigue (improving sleep quality) • Provides deep relaxation • Supports the immune system • Reduction of inflammation

It is recommended to consult a BioMat service provider for additional information or to inquire whether a BioMat treatment would be right for your healing needs.

Visit Sundance Studio to learn more about the healing properties of Biomat alternative therapy. Sundance Studio is a health center and studio integrating a team of wellness providers in Steamboat Springs.

I first learned about BioMats by following Dr. Sircus. He talked about the way he lays on his BioMat at the first sign of illness. Heat has long been used against disease and in fact when you get a fever that's exactly what your body is doing: fighting disease. He also talked about how he uses BioMats as part of his treatment for cancer patients. Below is another account of the beneficial uses of a BioMat.

drsircus.com/medicine/light-heat/biomats-for-autistic-kids
by Dr. Mark Sircus
Autism, Mitochondrial Dysfunction and FIR Therapy

The most comprehensive, gentle, and effective technology available today to detoxify the body is far-infrared (FIR) therapy. It is currently being used in clinics around the world for this purpose; and, using the appropriate protocols, it can be safely used with children as young as two years old. But when using a relatively new product like the BioMat, at low settings while the kids sleep all night long, even infants can receive its benefits making it far superior to actual infrared saunas which you have to get into.

J. Miller cites research which has found mild elevations in core body temperature positively affect behavior in autistic children. Far-infrared waves also increase circulation. According to Miller, children with autism have diminished blood circulation in certain areas of the brain, which means that nutrients and oxygen aren’t getting to where they need to go. Sleeping on a BioMat each night will increase core body temperature, increase circulation, help the cells detoxification process and even help nutrients get into the cells.

Researchers are also using heat to treat depression. UA psychiatry professor Charles Raison is examining the effectiveness of whole-body hyperthermia as a treatment for depression. “This is one of the first studies of depression treatment that is not directly targeting the brain itself,” said Clemens Janssen, one of Raison’s graduate students at the UA’s John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences. Far infrared is a treatment that has a whole range of effects that can only help autistic children.

Jill Harrison brings attention to another area of interest regarding “FIR sauna therapy for individuals with autism is FIR waves’ ability to trigger the release of nitric oxide (NO) from the endothelial lining of the blood vessels. NO helps preserve blood-vessel elasticity and enhances blood circulation. This has significant implications, because optimal blood circulation is a key factor for healing virtually all health issues – but especially for people with autism.[1]

“Research indicates that regular far-infrared-sauna use increases micro-circulation, which enables blood to flow more easily throughout the body, thereby improving the exchange of oxygen and nutrients for waste products in the cells. Also, individuals with autism can have diminished blood circulation in certain areas of the brain. This is known as hypo perfusion. Extrapolating from research done on FIR and congestive heart failure, and research on FIR sauna therapy and the release of NO, it is likely that increased perfusion in the brain would be expected in any individual who is exposed to FIR waves. FIR waves’ ability to trigger the release of NO may also play a role in enhancing memory, learning, and behavior modification along with improving neurotransmission and immune functions,” concluded Harrison.

Detoxification is only the beginning of the story with FIR therapy especially the type that can be delivered all through the night via BioMats that our children can sleep on. It is beyond most peoples understanding that light is one of the most important environmental inputs, after food, in controlling bodily function and that the FIR therapy delivers the goods like no other process.

When the light hits the cytochromes inside the fibroblasts’ mitochondria, it stimulates the cell’s energy transport system. When we send FIR light rays into the cells they excite the Mitochondria into producing up to 10 times more ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Dr. Harry T. Whelan says, “The light is absorbed by mitochondria where it stimulates energy metabolism in muscle and bone, as well as skin and subcutaneous tissue.”

Mitochondrial dysfunction is the most common metabolic abnormality associated with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. (ASD). Over the past decade, evidence has been building that mitochondrial dysfunction is an important marker for autism.[2] Mitochondrial dysfunction has also been implicated in other psychiatric and neurological disorders.

In 2008 the Hannah Poling decision in the federal government’s Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) brought worldwide attention to underlying mitochondrial disorders in Autistic kids. This case, as do all cases before the VICP panels demonstrate the extreme danger of attacking children with multiple vaccines.
Aluminum toxicity has been implicated in mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD children by Dr. Nancy Mullan and Dr. Amy Yasko with vaccines delivering aluminum routinely into children’s bloodstreams. [3]

Children with autism are far more likely to have deficits in their ability to produce cellular energy than are typically developing children, a new study by researchers at UC Davis has found. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA),[4] found that cumulative damage and oxidative stress in mitochondria, the cell’s energy producer, could influence both the onset and severity of autism, suggesting a strong link between autism and mitochondrial defects.

"Children with mitochondrial diseases may present exercise intolerance, seizures and cognitive decline, among other conditions. Some will manifest disease symptoms and some will appear as sporadic cases," said Cecilia Giulivi, the study’s lead author and professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences in the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. "Many of these characteristics are shared by children with autism."

Mitochondria from children with autism consumed far less oxygen than mitochondria from the group of control children, a sign of lowered mitochondrial activity. For example, the oxygen consumption of one critical mitochondrial enzyme complex, NADH oxidase, in autistic children was only a third of that found in control children.

Reduced mitochondrial enzyme function proved widespread among the autistic children. Eighty percent had lowered activity in NADH oxidase than did controls, while 60 percent, 40 percent and 30 percent had low activity in succinate oxidase, ATPase and cytochrome c oxidase, respectively.

Because the brain has the highest energy demand of any tissue, mitochondrial disease causes a variety of neurological problems, including intellectual disability, seizures, developmental regression, gastrointestinal problems and lack of coordination. In addition, because muscles have a high demand for mitochondrial energy, low muscle tone, weakness and fatigue are features of many mitochondrial diseases. These neurological and muscle-related symptoms are very commonly found in children with ASD.

After the heart, the brain is the most voracious consumer of energy in the body. The authors propose that deficiencies in the ability to fuel brain neurons might lead to some of the cognitive impairments associated with autism. Mitochondria are the primary source of energy production in cells and carry their own set of genetic instructions, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), to carry out aerobic respiration. Dysfunction in mitochondria is already associated with a number of other neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The number of mitochondria in each cell depends on the cellular energy demands. For example, low energy cells, such as skin cells, have fewer mitochondria, while cells that require high energy demands, such as muscle, liver, brain, cerebrovascular endothelium and GI cells, have many mitochondria. Neural synapses are areas of high energy consumption and are therefore especially dependent on mitochondrial function.  
Mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to reduced synaptic neurotransmitter release and neurons that have high firing rates.

Autism Testimonies
Claire is 4 years old and was diagnosed with Autism at age 2. She has been progressing with the wonderful support of a team of teachers, therapists and involved family. She has also accelerated quickly using the BioMat!
Day 1: Slept most of the night on BioMat resulting in sound sleep.
She awoke happily in morning instead of grumpy.
Day 2:Restful sleep without tossing; staying on the BioMat during the night. She also laid on the BioMat on 2 separate occasions during the day for 30 min. improving her mood.
Day 3: Another night of not tossing about. During the day she was more focused on the tasks she was performing. A rest on the BioMat for 40 minutes gave her calm energy.
Day 4: Continued quality sleep on BioMat all night long. When her father arrived home from work she greeted him at the door saying, “Hello daddy. What are you doing?” She has never done that before!
Day 5: Wakeless, beneficial sleep on the BioMat all night. She exhibits eye contact much better. During her therapy session she drew a stick man while following the directions of the song she was listening to. Previously she was unable to follow directions.
Day 6: At a professional basketball game she displayed appropriate responses to the environment. She is more aware of her surroundings since using the BioMat.
Day 7: She went to a neighborhood parade and showed interest in the activity. She was very excited about what she was catching. She caught a stuffed “bunny” and she verbalized, “It’s a bunny.” And gave it a hug.
Day 8: We call the BioMat the “Magic Mat.” She said to me. “This is my mommy,” pointing to me with eye contact! She verbalized that she wanted pizza for dinner. Appetite has improved since using the BioMat.
Day 9: While giving Claire her bath last night she appropriately used her hands to wash her hair on her own-a first!
Day 10: Claire was watching TV before school & the TV froze. She calmly said, “TV broke.” Normally Claire would have either not responded or responded by crying & having a fit! Amazing.

For five years Jamie Jenkins‘ anxious parents feared they would never hear him speak. But that fear turned to joy when Jamie finally broke his silence with an unusual first proper word – purple. They brought him to the National Light and Sound Therapy Centre in London where Jamie underwent two weeks of half-hour light and sound therapy sessions twice a day. The sound therapy involved Jamie listening to music through headphones while the light therapy exposed Jamie to different colors each day from a light box. Experts recommend the sound and light therapy treatment every year so Emma is definitely taking Jamie back next year.

I recommend that parents purchase a small BioMat and treat their children to light therapy every night. There is no end to the way that light can be used to heal autistic children or children with cancer.

Dr. Rachel West site is nationally regarded for her work with children who have attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders including Asperger’s syndrome. Dr. West combines many therapies and modalities together with diet and nutrition—and she frequently uses infrared as part of her programs.

“The nice thing is that far infrared actually penetrates at cellular levels so it will help clean out organ tissues and disconnect cells from toxins that may be blocking pathways and at very low heat, which is safe for children.

“The lactic acid [that builds up in kids’ muscles] makes kids feel like they want a massage, and the saunas feel great on their joints and muscles,” she says. “And keep in mind it isn’t the heat that counts, but the penetration and the benefits of infrared sauna that can occur at low heat. We see oxygenation of cells and better sleep,” she says. “Since sauna restores and calms the nervous system and heat is nurturing, many parents have their kids take a sauna in preparation for bedtime or before their evening bath or shower.”
Special-needs kids invariably benefit when their body’s elimination pathways are working optimally. Infrared therapy is a non-toxic, no side-effect way of ridding the body of harmful pollutants, especially heavy metals. Dr. West says taking a sauna three times a week, for 20 minutes to start, is a good regimen for kids.

Dr. Sherry Rogers
Dr. Sherry Rogers, author of Detoxify or Die, has a lot to say about far infrared rays. She agrees with me about putting an investment in far infrared ahead of anything else saying, “Just add up the time and money you wasted getting diagnosed or add up the cost for a year of prescription medications and you will pay for it. Once you have it, it’s yours to use forever, for the world will never run out of ways to poison us. The whole family can use it. It is not only capable of providing the primary "cure" or solution for your current medical problem, but can free you from symptom producing medications. Since we’re continually being bombarded by new chemicals every day, it is a tool to keep you "cleaned out" for life. It is a win-win situation. I’m convinced that the far infrared sauna is something that everyone should do to restore health. How can we bring aging and illness to a screeching halt? How can we turn back the hands of time? Sweat out the poisons is the answer.”

My Most Powerful Recommendation
I feel it is better to forget the sauna and have the children sleep on BioMats and provide treatment seven days a week while the children are sleeping. BioMats are easy, more powerful and all so comfortable and comforting that the children will fall in love with them and so will their parents who see their tormented kids relaxed and put at ease.

I have been carefully building my Natural Allopathic Medicine protocol for years after I encountered the desperate needs of parents of vaccine damaged children. From the fields of chelation to the waters of magnesium bicarbonate I have hunted high and low for the most powerful, basic and affordable substances that would really make a difference in these families’ lives. On the path I got hijacked by Cancer and how to treat that.

I will now stand on record that before parents invest in doctors’ appointments and a long list of therapies and medicinals that the first most cost effective treatment step is with far infrared treatments delivered through the more than convenient BioMat. I am not dismissing the necessity and importance of chelation, selenium etc. for elimination of heavy metals, and of course the use of clay but nothing can stand up to or replace the healing power of light.

The BioMat is the most expensive part of the protocol yet because of its power and total ease of use, and the effectiveness that gives results I would declare it the best use of financial resources for medical purposes. Everyone will get more bang for the buck with this method of treating every imaginable condition. I have seen how even healthy children crave its comfort, now imagine a distressed child.

In the future we will be reading about even more exciting things for the world of autistic children when I publish my Water Medicine book. Personally I cannot wait to hear from parents when they not only add the BioMat to their children’s lives but also when they start drinking high levels of magnesium bicarbonate in their water.

[1] Can far-infrared-sauna therapy benefit individuals on the autism spectrum? Harrison J.; Health Freedom News .Winter 2012, pp. 15-17; 
http://www.thenhf.com/article?id=3620
[2] Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis
D A Rossignol1,* and R E Frye2; Mol Psychiatry;  2012, March; 17(3): 290–314;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3285768/
[3] http://www.ageofautism.com/2013/01/autism-science-digest-aluminum-toxicity-in-mitochondrial-dysfunction-and-asd.html
[4] C. Giulivi, Y.-F. Zhang, A. Omanska-Klusek, C. Ross-Inta, S. Wong, I. Hertz-Picciotto, F. Tassone, I. N. Pessah.Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2010; 304 (21): 2389 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2010.1706

​Did You Know? Thieves essential oil blend was inspired by a medieval legend of four thieves who used a special aromatic blend of clove, rosemary, and other botanicals while robbing the dead and dying of the bubonic plague. In the spirit of this legend, Young Living created the Thieves line of products.

Thieves Household Cleaner is an all-purpose, concentrated cleaner formulated with 100 percent plant- and mineral-based ingredients. It is biodegradable and formulated with natural ingredients that harnesses the power of Thieves essential oil blend.
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Why do we use Thieves as our mat spray and studio floor cleaner?
Because we are health-minded consumers who want naturally derived, effective cleaning products!  We also use cloths instead of paper products to wipe down yoga mats.

If you'd like to incorporate Thieves into your household cleaning regime, you can purchase it HERE.

Hover over the Products tab and select At Home.  Add your selected products to the cart.  At checkout, you will be prompted to register an account.  You can set up a retail account with no obligations or become a member and receive wholesale pricing after purchasing a starter kit, your choice!  

When asked who introduced you to Young Living, use Sundance Studio's enrollment # 1660654.

Today's blog post is brought to you by Danielle Preissing.


“Self-knowledge or knowledge of truth is not had by resorting to a guru (preceptor) nor by the study of scripture, nor by good works: it is attained only by means of inquiry inspired by wise teachers. One's inner light alone is the means, naught else. When this inner light is kept alive, it is not affected by the darkness of inertia.”  Sage Vasishtha

To some, yoga can seem like this mystical, unknown practice.  For others, it is a way of life.  A yogi can be a person who is able to put their foot behind their head while standing on their hands.  A yogi can also be someone sitting in silence in a far away land for days on end.  Many times, a yogi is someone who quietly attempts to be kind, compassionate, and caring on a daily basis as their practice. Yoga is simply the practice of self-exploration and connection with a divine source, and this manifests very different for each person.  There is no right or wrong way.  There is only your way.  It’s truly as simple and beautiful as that.  

Yoga is an ever-changing and evolving exploration into the self that has managed to enrich my personal life in many ways.  It is a vehicle to help me quiet my mind. Plain and simple, I practice yoga to feel good in my body.  I practice meditation to feel good in my mind.  These two practices sustain me and nourish me so I can move through life more relaxed. They also help me gain clarity as to how to realize my full potential in this life.  Yoga and Meditation make me stop and listen.

These are just my thoughts, my interpretations of yoga. Every student, every teacher, every guru can and should have a different understanding of yoga.  That is a beautiful thing.  Just because I feel something in my practice, doesn’t mean you will.  Just because you experience a moment of zen during a backbend, doesn’t mean I’ll follow you there.  And that is okay.  There is something truly glorious about this individual freedom within yoga.  Yoga just feels like the wheels that can take us on this journey through the self.

I find it disappointing that many feel the need to judge the path other’s are on.  Ultimately, we are (hopefully) all doing the best we can.  We are all on this individual journey that has no map.  I know in my practice, as in life, I make plenty of mistakes.  So who am I to think I know what’s best for you?  Who are you to judge the person next to you in crow?  All I am really qualified to do is celebrate your effort and journey through love and kindness.  I hope you will do the same.  Think about the power in the simple act of practicing love and kindness to others.  

Smile, love, give, serve, show up fully, be present, speak with truth, find your light and let it shine.

Many Blessings and Much Love!
Danielle Preissing

Today's blog post is brought to you by Charlie Chase, yoga instructor and personal trainer.


Grounding aka. Earthing
Below is a summary from an article recently posted by Dr. Mercola.  

Earthing, a.k.a Grounding

Also look for the documentary Grounded

Earthing, aka Grounding, which can be achieved by walking barefoot on the Earth, transfers free electrons from the Earth’s surface into your body that spread throughout your tissues.

The effect is sufficient to maintain your body at the same negatively charged electrical potential as the Earth. This simple process called 'grounding,' and its effect is one of the most potent antioxidants we know of. Grounding has been shown to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, enhance well-being and much, much more.

Poking holes in the soles of your shoes and inserting a grounding rod can allow you to stay grounded, as can special grounding shoes that are now available (sporadically). 

Leather-soled shoes will also allow you to stay grounded with the Earth. 

Walking barefoot is one of the easiest and best ways to stay grounded, but you’ll need to do so on the proper surface. Good grounding surfaces include:

·         Sand (beach)

·         Grass (preferably moist)

·         Bare soil

·         Concrete and brick (as long as it's not painted or sealed)

·         Ceramic tile

The following surfaces will NOT ground you:

·         Asphalt

·         Wood

·         Rubber and plastic

·         Vinyl

·         Tar or tarmac

In today's world, this is more important than ever, yet fewer people than ever actually connect with the Earth in this way anymore. Free radical stress from exposure to mercury pollution, cigarettes, insecticides, pesticides, trans fats, and radiation, just to name a few, continually deplete your body of electrons. 

Simply by getting outside, barefoot, touching the Earth, and allowing the excess charge in your body to discharge into the Earth, you can alleviate some of the stress continually put on your system by electromagnetic fields and other types of radiation from cell phones, computers and Wi-Fi.

As mentioned above, grounding is one of the best antioxidants known, which in turn reduces inflammation, among other things. This in itself is groundbreaking, since inflammation is at the root of most diseases, including heart disease. Dr. Stephen Sinatra is a prominent cardiologist featured in Grounded.

According to Dr. Sinatra, inflammation thrives when your blood is thick and you have a lot of free radical stress, and a lot of positive charges in your body. Grounding effectively alleviates inflammation because it thins your blood and infuses you with negatively charged ions through the soles of your feet. 

Grounding helps thin your blood by improving its zeta potential, which means it improves the energy between your red blood cells. Research has demonstrated it takes about 80 minutes for the free electrons from the earth to reach your bloodstream and transform your blood.

Hypercoagulable (thick, slow-moving) blood contributes to chronic inflammation, because when your blood does not flow well, oxygen can't get to your tissues. Grounding's effect on blood thinning is so profound that if you are taking blood thinners you must work with your health care provider to lower your dose otherwise you may overdose on the medication. You can see an example of grounding’s effect on blood cells in Grounded, as well.

However a newer theory is that grounding may actually facilitate the formation of structured water in your body.  (Dr. Gerald Pollock).  Dr. Sinatra agrees that it made sense and was going to revise his theory on how grounding actually works.

Grounding is supported and backed by other prominent medical doctors and scientists including Dr. David Suzuki, NASA  astronauts, and, of course, it was used by ancient civilizations who placed strong value on their relationship to the Earth.

The Tarahumara people of northwestern Mexico are one of the few modern-day cultures that still embrace barefoot living and, famously, barefoot running. The tribes are among the most skilled runners in the world, running up to 200 miles over a two-day period. Notably, they run barefoot and this has been suggested as the reason for their remarkable athletic prowess.

But even if that doesn’t impress you, the anecdotal accounts of residents of Haines, Alaska featured in the filmGrounded are hard to ignore. 

The beneficial impacts on their pain levels, sleep, stress and more were near miraculous. One woman even gave her grounding kit back because she didn’t want to get too well and then lose her disability benefits!  And at one of the town’s motels – the first in the US to offer a grounded room to guests – travelers keep coming back because their pain significantly improved after spending just one night in the grounded room.

Grounding also calms your sympathetic nervous system, which supports your heart rate variability. And, when you support heart rate variability, this promotes homeostasis, or balance, in your autonomic nervous system. This is important because anytime you improve your heart rate variability, you're improving your entire body and all its functions.

"In other words, we're there -- we're in a health mode, as opposed to disease mode. Grounding does that," Dr. Sinatra explains.

Did ancient cultures know something about this that we don’t? It appears so, as many Gothic cathedrals are built on energy hotspots on the Earth, and are actually designed to channel Earth’s energy to flow strategically through them.

Exercising barefoot outdoors is one of the most wonderful, inexpensive and powerful ways of incorporating grounding into your daily life. You can also simply take off your shoes as much as you can when you’re outdoors to take advantage of these natural grounding opportunities.

When indoors, using a grounding pad or sheet is an excellent way to stay grounded while you’re working, sleeping, or even flying. By the way, One little trick from Dr. Sinatra is to remove a shoe when flying and put your foot (bare or with a sock) on the metal support frame on the seat in front of me. Doing this will ground you to the airplane frame and help mitigate damage from radiation at 35,000 feet. 

So…go outside…Barefoot…and enjoy!!

Celebrate the Earth and get Grounded with Earthing Yoga! 
Combine the healing powers of Yoga & Mother Earth in this new practice developed here in Steamboat!
 
Non-grounded humans (the majority of us) have an excess of positive charges in the body due to an influx of free radical stress in our daily environment and interactions with the world. New research suggests this excessive positive charge could be one of the root causes of pain stemming from inflammation and other bodily imbalances such as hypertension and hypercoagulation of the blood.
 
The solution is simple, get Grounded! The surface of the Earth naturally carries a negative charge that is one of the most powerful forces in neutralizing the excessive positive charge in our bodies.  Research shows that the skin of the Earth, the soil, is like one giant anti-inflammatory, sleep booster, and energizer all in one! In short, Earthing restores and maintains the human bodies most natural electrical state, which in turn promotes optimum health and functioning in daily life. 
 
By combing the simple act of grounding yourself to the Earth with the pervasive healing powers of Yoga, the potential for results skyrockets! Come get grounded and discover how Earthing Yoga can benefit you.Come with an open mind, mats are optional, hope to see you there!

A free introductory Earthing Yoga class will be held at a park near you.  Time and location to be announced soon!  Contact Charlie Chase or Allie Andrews for more information.

A bit over a year ago, one of my favorite yoga teachers, Jill Barker, told me about Kristen Rockford, a brave soul starting a new yoga studio called Sundance Studio. Would I be interested in teaching there?  Heck, yes--a beautiful setting with lots of options (including outdoors in the summer) with reasonable rent options?  Kristen and Sundance have been a blessing to both the yoga community and the community at large in a multitude of ways and I feel privileged to teach Essentrics and sub for yoga teachers as needed.

You can find out more about Susan and Essentrics, the class she teaches at Sundance, via her website: http://susanemead.com

As Winter gives way to Spring ~ a period connected to transition ~ a reconnecting to the revitalization of energy through the flow of Shakti (from the composting of winter into the new life cycle).  A time to plant seeds, an opportunity for change, for growth, for adventure this is the initial spark of ignition.

Spring is a time for cleaning, for celebrating the old and looking toward the new ~ an opportunity to cleanse the world around you. Whether that means a re-evaluation of your social circle, cleaning the car, deleting emails, going through the closet make sure to be thorough and ruthless ~  the practice of  non-attachment (Aparigraha) and  the concept of non-possessiveness or non-greediness in Yoga traditions. This often means to limit possessions to what is necessary or important. 

This cleansing ritual allows a review of need/want/desire and a reflection of Dharma ~ is something serving your highest purpose? With everyone and every situation comes to us a lesson ~ if we are paying attention we can discern when the lesson is learnt and that as humans we have the capacity to move forward and to move on ~ with gratitude for the experience but without remorse or regret for what we have watched transform.



When Spring Cleaning ~ maybe ask yourself:

- How is my home ~ does the energy flow, is it comfortable and inviting, am I inspired?

-How is my work space ~ is creativity being fostered, am I at ease?

Your relationships are a reflection of where you are in life~ Pay attention to whom you’ve been attracting into your orbit lately. For better or for worse take an honest look at. If you are being held back, have the courage to say goodbye if their purpose no longer sits in line with your own!

Today's blog post is brought to you by Beth Wendler, who teaches Music Together at Sundance.

The Place you are right now, God circled on a map for you.

— Hafiz quoted in Marrow of Flame by Dorothy Walters

I’m often amazed with children’s ability to be present.  They don’t worry about the next moment or the past moment.  I most love their presence with what they are feeling at the moment.  If they’re hungry, they let you know.  If they’re done with an activity, they let you know.  They don’t spend a lot of energy trying to be in any other state....than the one they're in.  I find it wonderfully refreshing.  

The most refreshing aspect of young children’s presence is their state of being.  Not only are they present physically, where their feet are, as someone once said.  They are equally as present to their emotional state.  There is little denying their frustration, anger, sadness, joy, quiet.  They are quick to expression and quick to resolution.  

Sometimes I watch in wonder, they don’t worry about what to make for dinner, they don’t worry about the phone calls they didn’t make yesterday.  In this moment I have everything I need.  In this moment, I’m happy.  In this moment I am singing.  In this moment I am.....
It’s so elusive for us.  It requires such practice.  Is it simply that they don’t have the responsibility?  In their purity do they realize that in this moment all is well...and in this moment all is well.....and in this moment...?

There is never a more important moment than the one they are in.  This is really the focal point of presence.  As Ram Das says, “Be Here Now.”  The potential for fullness and expansion that would come if we could treat each moment as the most important, the only important one.

What a gift we would be giving to ourselves, our loved ones, acquaintances, if each moment we share with another is the most important one, the only one.

Rabbi Abraham Heschel said this about presence, “The higher goal of spiritual living is not to amass a wealth of information, but to face sacred moments.”

This is the beauty of children’s presence.  They face sacred moments all day long!

Eastern and western philosophies have long emphasized the importance of balance and moderation, but somewhere along the way, most of us lose sight of this wisdom when it comes to cultivating balance in our physical bodies. About a third of the population suffers from knee pain, and most Americans experience low back pain at some point. But there’s good news: chronic joint pain is commonly caused by muscular imbalances, which are largely the result of lifestyle factors such as prolonged sitting and repetitive motions. This means that targeted stretching and strengthening can restore balance, relieve pain, and improve functioning for most people.  

As an example, desk workers often have weak, overstretched mid-backs with painful knots near the shoulder blades. A regular yoga practice can help to a degree, but a holistic program including chest openers in yoga class, rows in strength class, and massage therapy to dissolve trigger points is likely to provide a faster, more complete, more permanent solution. At the other end of the spectrum, distance runners tend to have stronger muscles in the front of their thighs than in the back of their thighs, so they generally benefit from exercises like single-leg deadlifts that balance the thigh muscles and stabilize the knees. Even modern American yoga classes tend to emphasize certain postures, such as planks and chaturanga push-ups, more than others, which can lead to imbalances. Indeed, yogis often have stronger muscles in the back of their arms compared to the front and stronger muscles in the front of their torso compared to the back, so complementary poses like upward plank paired with targeted strength training like bicep curls can help keep joints healthy.

Each of us has a unique combination of physical traits, personal histories, occupational demands, and recreational activities that shape our bodies and our movement patterns, which is why a one-size-fits all approach to exercise often leads to poor results at best and injuries at worst. By gaining a fuller understanding of how your body works, you can tailor your yoga practice and fitness routine to your body’s particular needs, which can help restore balance to your muscles and healthy mobility and stability to your joints. This will improve your ability to complete activities of daily living with greater ease, enhance performance in your favorite sport, reduce the risk of chronic pain and acute injury, and make you feel just plain better when you climb out of bed in the morning.

To get started, simply take note of where your body is stronger or tighter, where it’s weaker or more flexible. Notice which movements challenge you and which come easily. Mind-body practices like yoga and tai chi help us become more aware of our bodies, so if you haven’t explored these practices yet, consider doing so. And if you don’t know much about anatomy but would like to, chat with a knowledgeable instructor or trainer and consider a movement assessment. Sometimes this approach to health and fitness can be tough—it requires self-awareness, a commitment to learning, and a whole lot of patience. It usually means doing more of what’s difficult and unpleasant, at least for a while. But in the end, your body will thank you.