 Over the past 18 months, our nervous systems have been dialed up in a way we may not access easily in our conscious thoughts. Our bodies work to adapt but we will also benefit from additional support. That said, the word for November is Restore.
Recently I hosted an event for therapy clinicians. The class was based on restorative yoga. For those who have never experienced this; imagine a quiet, dark, warm space with blankets and props used to assist your body into relaxing positions. Listening to their comments afterward, I began to think how important deep rest is for all of us. We often shift the need for exercise and a healthy diet to the forefront of our brain but let’s go ahead and add the gift of allowing ourselves to deeply rest. If you’re interested in seeing a restorative yoga class added to the schedule, please drop me a line. In the meantime, find a few moments each day for a quiet breath, a slow stretch, and a hand to the heart. We’re all connected. In well health, Amy Upcoming Events and Specials Treat yourself to a holiday yoga six-pack, with no hangover! Save $25 on six classes between November 15th-December 31st. Sign up for a class and select the Holiday package to purchase. The goal: practice yoga weekly to lower stress and promote relaxation during the holidays. This time of year especially, yoga provides a healthy way to support your nervous system, revitalize energy, and bring in a little peace. Offer must be used any time between the dates above and cannot be shared. Brain Health Seminar Zoom Informational Sessions December 8th and 16th at 7:30 pm It is to maintain physical health but did you know you can also have a positive effect on your brain as it ages? This five-part in-person interactive educational series will focus on specific areas of brain health led by Susan Castle NP-C. Call (404)661-2448 for more info. Holiday Partner Yoga with Deep Roots Wine Market December 9th, 6 pm Bring a partner or friend for a fun-filled light-hearted partner class followed by wine and snacks at Deep Roots across the alley. www.deeprootswine.co/events Weekly Ongoing Yoga Schedule Monday 6 pm Wednesday 12:30 pm Saturday 10 am Sunday 11 am
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 Thankfully, I came from a family of humble teachers including my mom, stepdad, aunt, uncle, brother, and sister-in-law. Growing up I witnessed how they cared deeply for youth whether it was in creative lesson planning, weekend and evening events or late nights grading stacks of papers (yes, real paper). Their meaningful work touched the lives of so many.
Isn't this so often the case? Recently my brother who teaches technology in middle school, shared with me that in 25 years he’s never worked so hard or felt as much pressure, politics aside. COVID has affected us all in multiple ways through our career shifts, parenting challenges, relationships, and caring for our beloved family members. How does this relate to yoga? We have all needed a place to find relief. The practice of yoga offers a space to get quiet, connect the body and the breath and re-balance energy, basically feel better. As a matter of fact, I’ve been asked back to a school to meet with the staff next week and am excited to share how yoga can reduce our stress response if practiced consistently. This post is in honor of teachers who strive daily to keep themselves and their students safe. If you teach or know a teacher, please let them know they can come to the studio and receive a 50% discount. In well health, Amy Upcoming Events and Specials October Bring a Friend Month Share your love of yoga by inviting a friend to class and your next class will be free. This offer runs for the month and is a great way to spread the word of mind/body health. Teachers Special In honor of World Teachers Day teachers will receive half off their first yoga class. Please let your teacher friends know about this offer effective October 1-31st. Alive in Roswell October 21st 5-8 Join me and my hilarious pup Leicester as the Roswell neighborhood series comes to a close. Sign up for a chance to win a gift basket and enjoy the beautiful GA fall weather. New Sunday 11am class Start your Sundays with a creative vinyasa flow with registered yoga teacher Sophie Hine. She debuted her class last week and it was a huge success! Well done Sophie. Weekly Monday Evening 6 pm Wednesday 12:30 pm Saturday 10 am Sunday 11 am @amylloydyoga https://www.facebook.com/amylloydyoga/  September marks pain awareness month and for people who are suffering, there is no reminder needed. The extreme uncomfortable physical feeling is ever-present in the body.
If you know or love someone who experiences chronic pain, which is defined by ongoing or lasting longer than six months, or have experienced it personally it can be debilitating. Pain can zap energy levels, deregulate emotions and interfere in relationships. The stigma and judgment around people in pain is difficult for all sides. What can we learn about pain?
How can we support friends/loved ones in pain?
If you are experiencing chronic pain please make an appointment to speak with your doctor or therapist. Resources: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/stories/september_pain_awareness_month.html https://uspainfoundation.org/painawarenessmonth/ https://www.iasp-pain.org/advocacy/pain-awareness-month  Eddie Vedder said it best in his 2009 song by the same name. The lyrics mention being together and enjoying each other’s presence in this very moment. In a time when this part of the world is opening back up maybe we can take his advice to heart right now.
The phrase just breathe is also used in tattoos to bring attention to the fact that mental illness is a real illness and it deserves respect, not shame. Just breathing again brings us back in to the here and right now. I’ve heard my two large dogs practicing it as I write today and realize we all could benefit by coming back to the breath, whether it’s during your work day, driving in ever increasing traffic, first thing in the morning or as we settle into our evening routines. OK. Start by taking a long slow inhale and count to four. Hold the breath for a short second at the top of the breath and “just breathe” out for eight counts. Close your eyes and try it one more time. And again. You got this.  “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives” It struck me that this frequently tossed around phrase could be misunderstood especially when for some it conjures up decadent images of bubble baths, candles and expensive chocolate and for others it may mean to deliberately say, no but thanks anyway. Recently, I asked a good friend for coffee and her answer was “I’d love to, but instead I need to recharge my batteries and rest”. Self-care takes both discipline and awareness. It’s true in times there may be little we have control over; however, in those instances we can choose, what will we do with these moments? Discipline may be your routine for the day which includes balancing many items such as how to fit in priorities and structuring time thoughtfully when your schedule is wide open. Discipline sounds strict but if it benefits one’s connection to themselves might it be positive? Take for example, what we should do vs. what will be healthiest for our souls?
Could we not continue to expand our thoughts around self-care to include a greater awareness of self and how we tend to regulate our emotions which affect our actions? Becoming aware of our actions is an eye-opening experience. Maybe self-care is pausing before saying yes to that invitation or the reverse in saying no to that drink of alcohol even though everyone else may be having one? Maybe the most important aspect of self-care is not about self at all but instead how caring for ourselves affects those around us we love the most. Let’s spread self-care to ourselves and others today. With tax season in full swing it’s a perfect time to bring up ignoring now what we can do later: translation - procrastination.  For some a cash return is at the end of filing taxes yet it can still be a “to do” we don’t rush “to do”. From a health stance one could argue that procrastination really lines your priorities; other less attractive by-products of procrastinating include stress, anxiety, and shame which coincidentally ranks up with leading topics patients speak of when walking through my office door.
A good friend once shared that she procrastinates when she feels she might fail at doing something which makes lots of sense. Shall I have a bit of chocolate here or pay the bills, hmmm? This raises yet another question: does perfectionism drive procrastination and if so we are trading seats on the titanic because perfect is the evil of good enough. Yes, perfect is the evil of good. It’s established then, procrastination which carries on longer than helping us sort daily tasks, is creating negative emotions within our minds. So, what can we do? Here are a few tips to try next time procrastination behavior raises its head and remember, acknowledgment is the first step to making a change. 1) Stop. Breathe. Yes, inhale while you count to four, hold the breath at the top for four then exhale for a count of four. Repeat. Do it once more. 2) Ask yourself the question: Am I spinning around because I’m trying to avoid something? 3) Question 2: What is it I could be “resisting” avoiding, afraid of not doing it right and what is the harm in beginning? 4) Start slowly with the job you have been putting off and remind yourself to be kind to you, always. 5) Smile. |
AuthorAmy Chlebek Lloyd Archives
November 2021
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