Often, at the conclusion of a yoga class, students are instructed to lie on their backs in Corpse Pose. Extending the arms and legs straight down, as if in a sleeping position, students will feel a release of relaxation from the tops of their heads to the tips of their toes. The pose typically lasts only for a few moments before an instructor ends the class, but what if you entered a deeper state of relaxation brought on by spending more time in the pose? What kind of benefit

When you think of the typical yoga student, what crosses your mind? Is it an image of a young, super-flexible person? An uber-spiritual hippie? If these notions have you hesitant to do yoga, here’s a surprising fact: the typical yoga student does not exist. You don’t have to have a perfect body. You don’t even have to be flexible or physically-inclined to reap the benefits of yoga. The point of yoga is not to compete or struggle to be the most agile person in the room. The go

The adjustment of energy in the body through the process of Reiki is becoming more and more popular in American culture. Some speculate this may be due to an increased need for relaxation and self-connection, brought on by a dependence on technology. While that may not be the case for all who seek out Reiki services, one point has been proven: the practice is becoming more widely used and accepted as an alternative, natural treatment. In previous posts, we’ve talked about thi

For thousands of years, people have been using oils for medicinal cures, boosting positive emotions, and cosmetic purposes. Distilling parts of different plants, there now exists a vast range of essential oils that can be used in countless ways. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy lists the following oils as some of the most commonly used: Clary sage Eucalyptus Lavender Mandarin Peppermint But why do people continue to use these essential oils? What kind of ben

Since its development in the early 1900s, the spiritual healing art of Reiki has drawn thousands of followers who swear by this technique. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem as if public interest in Reiki is dwindling. Instead, more and more people are turning to it for its gentleness. Perhaps most important to the practice of Reiki is noting that not all practitioners use the same method; however, all share the common base link: healing. No method is better than another, since all

The Japanese technique of Reiki has been on the rise for those seeking non-invasive, gentle health treatments. While it’s been a well-known secret to many holistic health practitioners, Reiki is now being used in various medical settings as a natural method to relax and improve patients. Reiki is comprised of two words – “rei,” meaning “universal life,” and “ki,” meaning “energy.” Therefore, Reiki is a method of energy flow using a spiritual life force. Although spiritual in

Mudras, typically hand gestures used throughout various yoga practices, are effective in ways that go beyond spiritual. Over the past few years, there has been scientific evidence that these energy-channeling movements actually help to increase physical functions of the body. Dr. Matthew Taylor, founder of the Smart Safe Yoga website, reported that in 2014, two books were released that discussed the benefits of mudras. These books are Mudras for Healing and Transformation, by

Imagine being able to channel your innermost energies just by the touch of your fingers. Turns out, it’s easier than you can imagine! You can direct energy to parts of your body by incorporating mudras into your yoga practice, enabling the formation of a closer connection to your inner self. Mudras are gestures, usually hand positions, intended to heal and/or energize. Hand mudras consider that each fingertip corresponds to an element. The thumb represents fire; index, air; m