Tag Archives: fort worth

Private Yoga Therapy Sessions

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Yoga therapy is based on the theory that the body’s dysfunction is not always caused by a physical problem or accident.  It may also be caused by emotional blockage or old negative stories which can over ride healthy thought patterns over time..IMG_0088By working our way slowly up the body from the feet or “Root” to the head or “Crown” we work together to release, modify and/or change your personal story; be it one of pain,  struggle, dysfunction, or disorder.  Not only did I complete both a 200 and 500 hour Yoga Therapy training.   I was able to witness the power of  yoga therapy first hand with Michelle Andrie.IMG_4282

My body physically changed and my  thought patterns are more productive over all.  Yoga Therapy is an organic way to heal or re-connect the Mind, Body and Soul.  It is ideal for any body struggling with successfully changing negative patterns.  As a massage therapist and yoga instructor for over ten years I have witnessed how the condition of the physical body typically parallels our deepest inner voice.  By changing our “voice” we can change our story.  This brings us to acceptance which ultimately brings us to Joy.

Each Yoga Therapy session focuses on a different area of the body and the emotion that corresponds with that specific areaIt requires a minimum of 7 sessions.  Some people may prefer more based on their physical and mental well-being at the time they begin their work.   The initial session is 90 minutes and each there after is one hour in length.

Click here for rates…

Please contact me at 817-675-9621 with any questions or to schedule your first session.

Restorative Yoga, Is it for you?

What is Restorative Yoga?

As a licensed massage therapist and fitness/Yoga instructor for the past 13 years, time after time, experience shows that many chronic aches and pains are caused by daily habits that constantly force us to look down, bend forward or sink in the mid section. Therefore, each Restorative Yoga class focuses on strengthening the core and opening up the front of the body specifically the heart, shoulders and rib cage. I like to say: “It’s like peeling off old layers of shrink-wrap. Ultimately, releasing stress and clearing out stagnant energy that no longer serves us.”

Each of my Restorative and/or Gentle Flow classes focus on different muscles and joints so the format is ever changing. However, the intention always remains the same; “ Relax and clear the mind through deep, belly breathing while slowly stretching out tired, over used muscles.” This form of movement not only helps reduce stress it is beneficial to those recovering from minor injuries and/or surgeries, for people with adult on-set Scoliosis, Osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, chronic low back pain or Sciatica.   These are just a few of the common disorders that greatly benefit from practicing Restorative Yoga regularly.

Slowly lengthen tired, overused muscles.

Slowly lengthening tired, overused muscles.

 

“It’s a lifestyle, not a diet.”

www.changingbadhabits.com

 

What our bodies may being trying to tell us.

The connection between pain in your body and the Chakra system may be worth paying attention to……..

Chakra is believed to be a center of activity that receives, assimilates, and expresses life force energy.   The word Chakra literally translates as wheel or disc.  Therefore, Chakra defines the  spinning spheres of bio-energetic activity that radiate from seven major nerve centers extending forward and upward from the spinal column.

Typically, six of the seven Chakra wheels are referred to.  Imagine these wheels stacked in a column of energy that begins in the base of the spine and climbs to the middle of the forehead.  The seventh and less referred to  Chakra,  expands from the crown of the head into the universe.  It is beyond the physical region; some choose to call it spiritual.  The six predominant Chakra correlate with our mortal states of consciousness.

While most bodywork experts agree that tension and pain in the body are largely caused by how we move (or don’t move enough) throughout the day, a growing number of practitioners cite emotional stress as another factor. Deb Shapiro, author of Your Body Speaks Your Mind, stated that understanding how parts of the body connect to certain emotions can help us get in touch with neglected areas of our subconscious. “And the great thing about that is tapping into the root of the problem on an emotional level can heal chronic pain,” said Deb Shapiro.

Neck (“Crown”, “Third Eye” or “Brow” and “Throat” Chakra)

The neck is a two-way communicator: You take in life-sustaining food, water, and air through the neck, and at the same time, emotions, feelings, and thoughts are expressed outwardly through your voice. Stiffness here can indicate resistance, usually to other ways of thinking.

Shoulders (“Throat” and “Heart” Chakra)

Where you carry the weight of your responsibilities, whether it’s work, family, or mortgage payments. Creative energy flows from here, moving into your arms and hands, where it emerges in what you do in the world. Tense shoulders can also indicate resistance, perhaps to the responsibilities you feel you must maintain, or pressure that’s put on you to perform.

Upper back (“Heart” and “Solar Plexus” Chakra)

This is the area on the reverse side from the heart, it is where you can store repressed anger, resentment, guilt, or shame.

Mid back (“Solar Plexus” and “Sacral” or “Spleanic” Chakra)

Your core allows you to bend and move, representing your ability to be psychologically and emotionally flexible. Stiffness in the mid back can reflect an inner stiffness, holding on to a fear, or inability to go with the flow.

Low back (“Sacral” or “Splenic” and “Base” Chakra)

This part of the body supports your weight from above, and it’s related to your notions of survival, security, and self-support. If you’re feeling insecure—or as though you’re unable to meet other people’s expectations—that pressure can manifest in the low back.

Gluteus (“Base” Chakra)

Although seemingly soft, the Gluteus is often the most tense and clenched muscles in the body. This area has to do with elimination and release, self-control and power issues are often held here.

Hamstrings (“Base” Chakra)

These muscles are connected to the knees—which we use to bow down to a higher being—and so tight hamstrings can often mean that a deeper level of surrender is needed. The thighs and hamstrings also hold on to past conflicts, such as traumatic childhood memories, anger, or resentment. This area is also closely associated with sexuality and intimacy.

As you can see, both Eastern and Western medicine suggests, that by tapping into pain you may be experiencing in your physical body and becoming honest about your personal emotional challenges, it is possible to decrease physical aliments and increase your overall well being.

It is also implied that by simply incorporating the Chakra colors that correspond with your area of  physical pain into clothing, daily surroundings, and food choices, it is possible to visually  stimulate the healing process.

For more information on Chakra in relation to the human body, please click on this link to Wikipedia.

What can actually go in your Recycle Bin and why does it matter?

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“Can this be Recycled?”

How many times have you asked yourself that very question?

Why should you care enough to take the time to find out what can be recycled then to clean your trash and then to place it in specific bins?

Well, check out the map below of the Oceanic Garbage Patches located on innocent Mother Earth.  That’s right, massive swirling patches of  human generated trash that exist in our Ocean’s; 85% of the patches are debris from products made  out of plastic.  The patch located in the Pacific Ocean is twice as large as the state of Texas and up to 90 feet deep in some areas.  These non-decaying, swirls of trash are killing precious ocean life and destroying our environment.

The next time you ask yourself, “Can this be Recycled?”, please remember that every little bit counts.  By making a conscious effort to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle you can do your part in stunting Oceanic Garbage Patches.  Please take the time to review the list below of Recyclable and Non-Recyclable items in the City of Fort Worth, TX and help make a difference.

You can find out more about the devastating Oceanic Garbage Patches at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch and at,

http://www.mauitime.com/Articles-i-2009-01-29-68584.113117_The_great_garbage_swirl.html

The Garbage Patch is located within the North Pacific Gyre, one of the five major oceanic gyres.
There are five major oceanic trash vortex’s known as Gyre’s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyre

City of Fort Worth – Garbage & Recycling
Environmental Management Department
“Put These In Your Blue Recycling Cart”

Paper (Paper clips and staples are OK.)

  • Advertising circulars
  • Carbonless paper
  • Cardboard – corrugated cardboard. Large boxes must be broken down or cut to fit inside the cart.
  • Catalogs
  • Envelopes – with or without windows
  • Junk mail
  • Magazines
  • Newspapers – all sections
  • Office paper – file folders, letterhead, sticky notes, printer paper, calendars, school papers
  • Paperback books
  • Paperboard – cereal boxes (liners removed), soda and beer carry cartons, dry goods packaging, paper towel and toilet paper cores.
  • Paper bags
  • Phone books

Metal Containers (Please rinse. Labels can be left on.)

  • Aluminum drink cans – do not flatten
  • Aluminum baking tins – durable; not disposable
  • Steel or tin food cans and lids
  • Empty aerosol cans – with spray nozzle; remove plastic lid unless part of the can
  • Empty steel paint cans – must be empty and dry; a thin skin of dry paint on bottom and sides is OK; remove lid and recycle

Glass Containers (Please rinse. Labels can be left on. All colors accepted.)

  • Bottles and jars – remove metal and plastic lids and recycle
  • Ceramics
  • China
  • Dishes
  • Mirrors – must fit inside cart with lid closed
  • Windowpanes – no auto glass

Plastic Containers (Please rinse. All colors accepted. Must be hard plastics.)

  • Bottles, cups and jars – with #1 through #7 recycling symbols on bottom of container; remove caps and lids and recycle
  • Food trays, tubs and bowls – with #1 through #7 recycling symbols on bottom of container
  • Plastic eating utensils

City of Fort Worth – Garbage & Recycling
Environmental Management Department
“DO NOT Put These In Your Blue Recycling Cart”

  • Household trash
  • Aluminum foil
  • Auto glass
  • Clothing or bedding
  • Drink boxes and straws
  • Garden hoses
  • Gift wrap and greeting cards
  • Hangers (plastic or metal)
  • Hard cover books
  • Light bulbs
  • Medical waste(including syringes, lancets, IV bags and tubing, and medications)
  • Paper milk and juice cartons
  • Paper that comes into contact with moist food, including pizza boxes, some frozen food containers, waxed drinking cups, etc.
  • Plastic containers that held hazardous materials such as gasoline, motor oil, paint, pesticide or weed killer. Throw empty containers in trash. Dispose of leftover household chemicals for free at the Environmental Collection Center, 6400 Bridge St. Call 817-871-5257 for hours of operation, directions and a complete list of materials accepted or visit www.fortworthgov.org/dem/eccpg.htm
  • Plastic bags including grocery sacks, dry cleaners bags, newspaper wrappers, etc.
  • Toys
  • Styrofoam® (foamed polystyrene) cups, food containers, formed packing, “peanuts”, etc.
  • Waxed paper and waxed food containers
  • Yard trimmings

Courtesy of  www.fortworthgov.org

Come take a class with me in Fort Worth, TX

"It's a lifestyle, not a diet"

“It’s a lifestyle, not a diet”

If you would like to take a group class with me please click on the facilities name listed below to find out details on their class rates and membership information.

Colonial Country Club (Members Only)

Solea, Tavolo Park (Residents Only)

I also provide customized exercise plans for individuals, couples and small groups  at your home or office or in my studio.  A variety of fitness techniques can be explored based on my client’s individual surroundings, abilities and goals. Please email me at amanda@changingbadhabits.com to discuss personal training or small groups.

I am not currently teaching Nia but to find a Nia class near you, go to www.nianow.com.

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