Stephanie Wheelahan changes lives through yoga, as she did her own life after the grip of postpartum depression led to alcohol abuse.

I have a deeper capacity to deal with life and stress, said Wheelahan, sober for more than two years. I have the capacity to get through life feeling grounded through lifes happenings.

Since the yoga created such a large shift in my life, Wheelahan said, she became a trained instructor to help others and recently opened Nourished Roots Yoga at 34 Main St., Thomaston.

Whether its relief from trauma, anxiety, or every day stress that clients are seeking or just overall wellness or physical changes Wheelahan and her team of seven instructors have just the right remedy, clients say.

Wheelahan, by all accounts a gifted teacher, has created a warm, inviting space reflective of her personality, they say.

Nourished Roots Yoga cultivates an environment where growth and connection thrive. Its not just about attending classes; its about embracing a deeper practice than what you may find elsewhere, said client Sara Siminow.

Each class and instructor serve a unique purposeStephanie has created a sanctuary for mindful movement. She is the guiding force behind this space and has crafted a one of a kind environment that feels like home.

Student Nicole Ianniello said Wheelahan taught the first formal yoga class she ever took and the impact was powerful.

It was serene and beautiful, and at the end she went up to each student to chat and ask how they felt, Ianniello said. Stephanies care and ability to connect with people creates a comforting environment. Stephanie has created a studio that mirrors herself. Its a warm, inviting, and comfortable space for all people to practice.

Yoga is an ancient and complex mind and body spiritual practice that can build strength, structure, stability, Wheelahan said.

Its become a popular way of promoting overall wellness physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, Wheelahan said. Mentally and emotionally it helps you bring into center. Youre focusing on what youre doing in the moment. It can result in better health choices, better sleep.

Wheelahan, a mom of two boys, 8 and 5, said she overcame alcohol abuse through yoga.

Wheelahan said while suffering postpartum depression after giving birth to her first son, the downward spiral began.

She knew she needed an outlet, but workouts at the gym didnt satisfy me.

I was really struggling mentally with alcohol abuse , she said. I was just a mess. I was not well.

She turned to yoga and in her case didnt use programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or others.

Wheelahan said she has been sober for more than two years.

A year into sobriety, she studied more about yoga for recovery and it led her to a program called Y12, which stands for Yoga for the 12 Steps of Recovery.

Wheelahan became a trained instructor in that approach and plans to offer it at Nourished Roots in the fall.

She said the Y12 yoga helps people cope with anything that made a profound impact on their physical, mental, and emotional health from childhood and forward.

The language used during recovery classes differs from other yoga styles and is heavily rooted in finding comfort and support in ones own body, she said.

The class offers different options to come back to yourself, is focused on moving in a way that feels comfortable, and geared toward relaxing tension in the body, she said.

The language we use is different because its more of an invitation, Wheelahan said. If its comfortable for you, you can explore.

When teaching from a trauma informed lens its more about experienceI hope for healing, she said.

Nourished Roots yoga offers a variety of classes from beginners to experienced, she said, and most of the instructors are trauma informed.

She chose the studio name because yoga is about nourishing your roots from the inside out so one grows into the person theyre meant to be.

I love to watch people become the best versions of themselves, Wheelahan said. Most people are healing from something.

Wheelahan said she loves everything about teaching yoga.

I love the people, I love the students, I love being part of the community, she said. I love hearing how they overcame things.

Student Amber Blackthorn said the studio is revitalizing our little town, while also building community.

Its a welcoming space for all to join, whatever the goal or reason, Blackthorn said. She creates a sensation of balance, peaceful but with room for laughter.

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A CT woman used yoga to heal. Her studio 'has created a sanctuary' for others, clients say - Hartford Courant

If youve ever entered your yoga class feeling a little, um, backed up, you might be surprised to realize that you dont walk out of it the same way: There just might be something about the practice thatwhile calming your mind and soothing your musclesalso revs up your digestive system.

Its very likely that yoga students will experience effects on the GI tract, and its completely normal and natural, Valerie Lucas, registered yoga teacher and YogaSix senior master trainer, tells SELF. She knows the feeling all too well, which is why she says she skips the pre-class breakfast burrito so she doesnt end up running out in the middle of it.

All this explains why yoga can be a helpful choice for folks dealing with constipation too. While theres not a whole lot of research on the topic, theres some evidence to suggest that it can help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Jill Deutsch, MD, director of the Yale Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Program and a registered yoga teacher, tells SELF. According to a small 2014 study, when young adults with IBS took a couple of yoga classes a week, they reported improvements in constipation (plus in other symptoms like pain) over the course of six weeks.

Its tricky to pinpoint a particular feature of yoga thats responsible, Dr. Deutsch says. Its likely a combination of things, she says, pointing out that the practice can include both asana (movement) and pranayama (breath work).

The first part is obviously huge. For one, movement in general can speed up your gut motility, or how quickly waste moves through your GI tract. We understand that a body in motion means that all of its parts are in motion, Dr. Deutsch says. This might explain why you suddenly have to poop after taking your dog for a walk in the morning, or if you sometimes have to head directly to the bathroom after coming back from a long run.

Digging a little deeper into yoga specifically, theres no data to say that there is one particular pose you should be doing for gut health in general, Dr. Deutsch says. But, she says, yoga practitioners and teachers and those who work in ayurvedic medicine point to some particulars that they say can improve overall gut health, function, and motility, she says.

For example, twisting poses can be helpful, Dr. Deutsch says. The GI tract moves from the right lower abdomen up and around to the left lower abdomen in a circle, so it makes logical sense that a twist or circular motion can potentially help stimulate or improve movement through the GI tract, she explains.

Other poses that involve folding or bending forward can gently compress and release the stomach and colon, Kelly Turner, registered yoga teacher and vice president of training and experience at YogaSix, tells SELF. This internal massage can help move things along, so to speak, which is why it's not uncommon to hear the occasional flatulence in a yoga class, Turner tells SELF.

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8 Yoga Poses That'll Help You Poop (After Class, Hopefully) - Self

Quality yoga pants can often cost well over $100. Thats a hefty chunk of change, especially if you want multiple pairs to put on rotation for working out, running errands and lounging around the house. These Promover Wide-Leg Yoga Pants from Amazon Canada fix that issue. Since theyre on sale, three or four pairs are the same price as just one premium style. Plus, reviewers swear theyre ultra-comfortable, super soft and durable to boot. (Did we mention theyre flattering, too?) Read on to discover why reviewers love these yoga pants so much that theyre even wearing them to work.

Soft and stretchy, these wide-leg yoga pants are designed for movement from stretching to dancing to hiking. Made from 81 per cent polyester and 19 per cent spandex, theyre also great for lounging around the house and are comfy enough for air travel and road trips.

The thick high-rise waistband means the pants wont roll down or cut into your body and the deep side pockets can be used to stash a cellphone, credit card, keys or other small items. Bonus: Theyre easy to pull off and on, even for arthritic hands.

No matter your shape, youll probably be able to find your perfect fit with sizes ranging from X-small to 3X, plus length variations of petite, regular and tall. The petite inseam is 28 inches and is designed to fit women 53 and under. The regular inseam is 30 inches and ideal for women 54 to 59. If youre 510 or over, opt for the tall inseam at 32 inches.

On laundry day, throw them straight into the washing machine. Like other athleisure and athletic wear, theyre best hung to dry.

Choose from 19 different hues, including an array of neutral greys, browns and greens.

More than 4,700 five-star reviews cant be wrong. This durable Promover wide-leg style is comparable to premium yoga pants that are more than three times the price.

If theres any box these pants check, its super comfortable. And thats probably due to the fabric, which shoppers gush is butter soft.

The style also has a lot of stretch and is made from a lightweight-yet-solid material thats not see-through, so you dont have to worry about showing too much during downward dog.

Many reviewers say the pants are flattering and the high, wide waistband holds in the tummy and offers nice contouring a perk if youre a bit self-conscious in that area. However, some shoppers note that the pockets are a little bulky, which means the fabric doesn't always lie completely flat.

Of course, these pants arent just wearable for yoga. One reviewer says theyre her go-to for travelling and life! Many others say they easily pass for work pants.

The style washes well, sans pilling, even if its accidentally laundered with towels or denim by mistake.

If youre typically between sizes, shoppers recommend sizing down because the style runs big. Some shoppers also say the pants were too long or too short, so it's probably best to measure your inseam before buying to choose the appropriate length rather than relying on the size guide recommendations for height. Lengths run as follows: 28 inches for petite, 30 inches for regular and 32 inches for tall.

If you're looking for an ultra-comfortable pant style that can take you from yoga to the grocery store to the couch (and maybe a stop at the office in between), the Promover Wide-Leg Pants could be your saving grace. The relaxed fit flatters many body types, and the soft, stretchy fabric feels like a supportive hug. They fit a bit big, so you'll want to size down. Also, make sure you measure your inseam and select the correct length before adding to cart.

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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These 'flattering' yoga pants are 'butter soft' and they're under $30 on Amazon - Yahoo Canada Shine On

Suhka Center in Clarendon (staff photo by Savannah Taffe)

Suhka Center in Clarendon front entrance (staff photo by Savannah Taffe)

Suhka Center in Clarendon studio space (staff photo by Savannah Taffe)

A Clarendon yoga studio is closing its doors as its owner seeks a new location with an additional focus on fitness.

The Suhka Center, which Yelp lists as the number one Black-owned yoga studio in the D.C. area, will be leaving 1016 N. Garfield Street on Friday. Co-founder Damion Moss said high rent and a dissolved partnership with a former business partner are driving him to look elsewhere.

We had an opportunity to do something really amazing here, two brothers coming together to build a yoga studio, Moss said. We have since gone our separate ways ,and since that happened, the pivot started.

Moss plans to open a new wellness space dubbed Good Space somewhere outside of Clarendon. He wants to keep the Sukha Centers focus on yoga, lifestyle and meditation, but also incorporate a more physically rigorous approach.

I look at yoga as a practice thats very empowering, said Moss. Not just the movement but the community and philosophies, how you look at the environment and how you treat others.

Before his time at Suhka, Moss had experience in various areas of wellness and fitness. He learned Budokon, a practice that combines martial arts, yoga and fitness, and established his personal training business, which was recognized as the best in Arlington in 2023.

Moss believes his background helped distinguish Suhka from other yoga studios.

So often you hear people say, I want to go to this class to tune out the world and escape, said Moss. I say Take this class so that you can deal with the world, not escape it so that you are more comfortable to do something uncomfortable.'

No matter where he goes next, Moss plans to continue using his training and personal philosophy to help people improve their wellness.

We are committed to uplifting our community to being better, healthier, smarter about the environment, smarter about how they live their lives, and were still going to be doing that, he said.

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Clarendon yoga studio seeks to relocate and rebrand with new fitness focus - ARLnow

We live in a world where uncertainty and change abound, while rapid technological advancement ironically both expands and inhibits human connection. While several of these advancements have improved the state of the world to some degree, the negative consequences have humans facing an increasing lack of community, isolation from nature and one another, rootlessness, and disconnection from self. Mental health issues are at an all-time high, loneliness has been called a world epidemic, distraction reigns, and stress is an unwelcome frequent visitor for an increasingly disillusioned population.

In response to many of the challenges posed in modern society, which are often at odds with both human nature and the natural world (see: sitting stationary at ones desk working at a computer screen for 8 hours), a new generation is looking to ancient wisdom to provide an antidote. The past several years have seen a hopeful movement looking to indigenous practices to help solve some of the worlds biggest environmental and social problems. Described by research agency Wunderman Thompson as the Indigenous Innovation trend, this revival of ancient practices draws upon the ability of indigenous cultures to maintain balance with nature and instill a sense of community, purpose, rootedness, physical strength, and mental equilibrium to individuals.

Kinam a physical practice based on ancient prehispanic Toltec wisdom has recently gained popularity in Mexico, illuminating a path towards a more balanced and mindful existence. While Toltec mental and spiritual philosophy has previously been popularized through the teachings of authors like Don Miguel Ruiz, the physical practice of Kinam allows for a comprehensive, movement-based system that integrates bodily, emotional, and spiritual development. Kinam has drawn in individuals around the world seeking personal growth, mindfulness, physical embodiment, and deeper connection.

The Toltecs were an advanced Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in central Mexico between the 10th and 12th centuries AD, before the Mayans and Aztecs. Predating Yoga, the practice of power postures now referred to as Kinam was based on psychophysical techniques created by the Toltec shamans of ancient Mexico.

These techniques emerged based on the shamans unique perspective on the world, space, and time, centered on the belief that the world was not a set of objects in space-time as we understand it, but rather a perceptual effect. The shamans believed that to understand this reality in greater depth, it was necessary to balance four factors: body, mind, emotions and vital energy. The balance between these allows practitioners to gain access to the extraordinary capabilities to live in a higher state of consciousness. In response, the shamans created power postures and the arts of meditation, recapitulation, dreaming, and self-vigilance.

The renaissance of these practices is attributed to over 20 years of research by anthropologist Frank Diaz, and is the result of an amalgamation of Diazs archaeological study of thousands of Toltec sculptures, codices, and murals, indicating different postures, along with oral traditions gathered from indigenous communities who have passed down knowledge & variations of the practice. More recently, additional documentation of the Toltec practices was gathered from 16th and 17th-century archives found in Sevilla, Spain, gathered from Spanish conquistadors.

Despite the fascinating breadth of academic research, the Toltec teachings are ultimately understood best through practice. Recognizing the positive impact of applying these academic findings to physical practice, former principal dancer Alejandra Cobo and Pilates expert Ana Delia Benito, together with Frank Diaz, with the support of Fundacin Dond, established the Kinam Institute to bring this ancient knowledge to the world. The Kinam practice, based on Toltec balance and power postures, incorporates modern techniques of functional movement and dance, and uses psychophysical exercises to help practitioners find center, balance, and fluidity.

The positive impact of power postures on mental states has been widely researched and documented in recent years. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy suggests that adopting power poses can influence not only how others perceive us but also how we perceive ourselves. According to her research, assuming high-power poses for just a few minutes can lead to increased feelings of power and confidence, as well as changes in hormone levels associated with dominance and stress reduction.

Through the practice of postures, physical movements, manual exercises, meditation, sleep training, and breathing techniques inspired by pre-Hispanic sources, Kinam seeks to promote integral harmony and a deeper rootedness. Kinam emphasizes the importance of transitioning between postures, organizing practices into challenges, series, and sequences, and providing variations based on individual capabilities.

The physical Kinam practice begins by acknowledging the cardinal directions, a nod to the Toltecs deep reverence for the natural world. From there, practitioners move through a series of postures and exercises designed to cultivate a sense of centeredness, balance, and fluidity both physically and energetically.

Each posture represents a stage of life, explains co-founder Ana Delia Benito. This is represented through their symbolism and meaning. For example, Sprout Pose, with its depiction of a sprouting seed, symbolizes rebirth and enlightenment, which can be associated with growth and development in a persons life. The Root Posture, with its connection to the practitioners own experience and congruence, reflects the ability to incorporate achievements and learning into daily life. The Arrow Pose, with its symbolism of attention and perception, could represent a stage of focus and mental clarity. By exercising these postures, practitioners exercise their abilities to call upon these states in real life.

A key aspect of the Kinam practice is its incorporation of sleep and dreaming techniques. In Kinams symbolic framework, conscious dreaming, known as ensueo, plays a central role in training the practitioners nahual their capacity for empowered action represented as vital energy. By applying willpower and intention to the dream state, Kinam teaches practitioners to command their dreams, develop focus, and the ability to plant seeds of transformation from the realm of the subconscious.

Through these conscious/awakened dreaming practices, or ensoar as Kinam calls them, individuals can project their nahual, renew their vitality, and actively utilize the time spent sleeping, rather than passively accepting it. The texts emphasize that ensueo is not merely another dream, but a transformative state of consciousness that can lead to ecstatic experiences and a profound reconnection with the creative essence of existence. By mastering techniques like controlled dreaming, hand symbolism, and the management of emotional challenges, Kinam practitioners seek to unlock deeper layers of awareness and spiritual growth through the practice of conscious, intentional dreaming.

While the practice of Kinam offers a practical psychophysical way of interacting with the world and oneself, it also incorporates an exploration of energy work. With principles similar to chakra centers, Kinam implements practices to shift energy within the body, such as transforming or moving stagnant energy to revitalize and motivate. Furthermore, by engaging in static positions that compress certain glands to induce specific, focused perceptual states, Kinam allows practitioners to access states of consciousness outside of our normal purview. Through these techniques, we can expand other faculties of humanity, including perception of the often hidden or unseen aspects of reality says Benito.

Toltec is a way of being, says Ana Delia Benito. We can all be Toltec.

Whether youre seeking to deepen your own physical, emotional, and spiritual practice, or are a teacher looking to expand your offerings, Kinam presents an intriguing opportunity to reconnect with ancient Toltec wisdom in a modern context.

Kinam is for anyone interested in reconnecting with their physical body, vital energy, and internal wisdom, the Kinam Institute states, as well as teachers of practices such as Yoga, Chik kung, and functional training, who wish to complement their teaching.

While Kinam has enjoyed a spread throughout world cities from Mexico City to Los Angeles, in Mexico, classes are offered at Agoralucis in Polanco, Mexico City, as well as online through the studio. The Instituto Kinam also offers a six-module certification program, enabling you to become a Kinam practitioner and train others.

In a world that often feels disconnected and out of balance, the revival of Toltec practices like Kinam offers a powerful antidote. By reconnecting with ancient wisdom, Kinam provides a holistic path toward greater harmony, embodiment, spiritual growth, and awakened capabilities. As we navigate the challenges of modern life, the Toltec way of Kinam stands as a beacon, guiding us back to a more balanced and mindful existence.

Monica Belot is a writer, researcher, strategist and adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she teaches in the Strategic Design & Management Program. Splitting her time between NYC and Mexico City, where she resides with her naughty silver labrador puppy Atlas, Monica writes about topics spanning everything from the human experience to travel and design research. Follow her varied scribbles on Medium at https://medium.com/@monicabelot.

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Kinam: The Toltec 'yoga' taking Mexico by storm - Mexico News Daily

By Deborah Burke Henderson, Contributing Writer

MILFORD For the average person, it might seem a stretch to move from educational training and professional work as a biomedical engineer onto the yoga mat, but Mary Greens lifelong interest in health and wellness has brought her right here, albeit through a circuitous route.

Its been a kind of dot-to-dot experience, Green quipped with a smile.

Green recalls an introduction to yoga when she was just eight years old. Although she refused to attend a class with her mother, she and her younger brother did try to copy the contorted postures pictured in The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, a 1960 how-to book that was kept on the coffee table. Some of the postures made such an impression that Green has been practicing yoga, on and off for decades, but most seriously engaging in the work in her mid-twenties.

As the fifth of six kids growing up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Green was fascinated with the creative process and building things, starting with her brothers LEGO blocks. She credits her mothers artistic nature and supportiveness as key influences in allowing her to develop this innate passion of making thingseven when things got messywhich has also carried throughout her life.

I was always drawing, painting and creating silly cartoons, Green recalled. I loved being funny and making my siblings and friends laugh.

Green credits her older brother, an engineering student at the time, with engaging her interest in math and problem-solving skills while she was in middle and high school. Later, when facing decisions about college, she felt drawn to both art and engineering and wondered how she might combine the two.

Classes in biology, anatomy, and physiology intrigued me and stimulated my passion for the workings of the human body and health and how technology might support that in terms of wellness, Green stated.

After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering from Syracuse University, Green established herself in the health industry. Green worked initially as a medical research assistant in an eye-care unit at a Boston hospital and then as an engineer for a medical device company where she worked on innovative optical technology creating devices for lab instrumentation.

The company I worked for had a terrific fitness center and provided offerings in yoga, tai chi, and aerobics, Green noted. At the time, I was more interested in fast-paced exercise, but I kept coming back to yoga.

It was there that she met her future husband, a fellow engineer. They started a family and after the twins were born, Green chose to become a stay-at-home mom. As their children grew, she discovered the Kripalu Center in Lenox, Mass., and took workshops and trainings in yoga and mindfulness.

I had an aha moment there, realizing these teachings could be the perfect segue to maintain my passions and continue helping others, Green stated.

She went on to receive certification from Kripalu as a yoga instructor. Additionally, in an eight-week curriculum at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, she experienced Jon Kabat-Zinns Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MSBR) technique which she found to be transformational.

For the past 16 years as a mat-based yoga instructor in workplace, educational, and community settings, Green has encouraged people to take care of themselves through mindfulness and mindful movement.

Movement implies you are in your body, Green stated. I offer guidance and instruction about making different shapes with our bodies, and always doing so with awareness of ones own experience, noticing the sensations each movement brings.

Ten years ago, the Community Center in Ashland hired Green to sub for a chair yoga instructor, and shortly thereafter, she took the position over. A typical class has 25-30 participants, ranging in age from 60 to more than 90 years old.

I sing Marys praises, Bea Riordan said. She is very welcoming and makes you feel good, no matter what your ability. I have been coming for nearly two years and find relief from my chronic back pain while I am here.

Fellow chair yoga enthusiast John Palmer, in his mid-eighties, admits he spends an inordinate amount of time sitting at his computer but finds this class a great relief.

Marys got a playful personality and keeps us smiling, said Palmer who started attending in mid-December. After completing just five consecutive classes, I noticed improvement both in my flexibility and balance.

Beyond the crucial benefits of dynamic stretching and strengthening ones overall muscles and joints during her hour-long class, Green sees great value in the community and friendship these seniors experience.

It warms my heart to see these folks care for one another, Green said. They are warm and welcoming with each other. It is a community of like-minded people who are discovering new ways to care for their bodies, find stillness, and experience life-affirming attitudes.

Green notes that the benefits of chair yoga are the same as a traditional practice: people physically get stronger, become aware of the breath and their bodies, and experience the psychological benefits of discovering a calmness in moments of stillness and gentle movement.

Recently, she was asked to teach a class in mindfulness and meditation at the center, and ten chair yoga students immediately signed up.

Even in the first session, I realized this practice will help still my racing mind and help me pay better attention to my body, Steve McCormick said. I thank my wife, Carol, for getting me here, but Im here to stay.

How does Green do it all? She credits her own daily practice.

My favorite time of day is early morning when I engage in some stretching movements and find stillness in a short meditation. I also make time to do a quick sketch, all of which sets my compass for the day. That and a good cup of coffee gets me going.

Greens advice to her students: Open and grounded, thats how we should walk in the world.

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Milford engineer turns to the yoga mat for encore career - fiftyplusadvocate

Blessing Nurses Alumni Association hosts goat yoga event for community wellness

by KHQA Staff

Blessing Nurses Alumni Association hosts goat yoga event for community wellness (Blessing Health).

Quincy, Ill. (KHQA)

A Blessing nurses' group is offering goat yoga sessions this spring.

The public is invited to register for a session of goat yoga at Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Quincy on Saturday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m.

The goat yoga session is sponsored by the Blessing Nurses Alumni Association as part of its observance of 2024 National Nurses Week.

Goat yoga is similar to traditional yoga, during which participants follow the lead of a teacher, performing different poses designed to enhance flexibility and strength.

During a goat yoga session, baby goats, known as kids, join the human participants. Goat yoga has been proven to improve mental and physical health.

Scientific studies have confirmed the positive effects of human-animal interaction on well-being. Research has shown that spending time with animals can reduce stress levels, and even alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

The college is located at 3609 N. Marx Drive in Quincy. The fee to participate in the goat yoga session is $30 for adults and $14 for children 12 and under.

Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Each participant will sign a liability waiver at the start of the goat yoga session.

Participants need to bring their own yoga mat to the session if they dont want to be directly on the grass, but it is not required to participate in the class.

To register and pay the session fee, go here.

Payment may be brought the day of the goat yoga session but must be paid before the start of the class.

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Twist into warrior, chair and cobra pose inside the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts' historic rotunda for a special yoga program.

PAFA will extend its normal museum hours for three nights as part of its upcoming Yoga in the Rotunda series. The Tuesday classes will be held in the middle of an immersive art installation, which involves looping color videos with sound, to give attendees an experience they won't find in a traditional yoga studio. PAFA's landmark building, considered one of the best surviving examples of Victorian Gothic architecture in America, will also help in that department.

A different teacher will lead each class and lend its own theme. Eunmi Chang will host "Flow & Harmonic Vibrations" on April 30, followed by Lori McAlister with "From the Outside In" on May 7. Dave Hem closes the series out with his "3rd Eye Max" on May 14. All classes will begin at 6 p.m. and last 45 minutes though participants are welcome to explore the museum before and after their flows. It will be open 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to registered guests.

While Yoga in the Rotunda welcomes all experience levels, participants must be 18 years or older and bring their own mats. Advance registration is required.

April 30, May 7, May 14 6-6:45 p.m. | $25 adult admission Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts 118-128 N. Broad St., Philadelphia

Follow Kristin & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @kristin_hunt | @thePhillyVoice Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice Have a news tip? Let us know.

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PAFA will host yoga classes in its rotunda - PhillyVoice.com

Previous studies in correctional facilities have shown positive effects of yoga on inmates. They experience increased impulse control and improved mental health. Are the same positive results seen in detained individuals with severe psychiatric disorders? Now, the first results from a large national and globally unique research study in forensic psychiatry from the University West are presented.

It is the first scientific study of its kind to describe the effect and feasibility of trauma-adapted yoga in forensic psychiatry.

It is a breakthrough that we can now demonstrate the possibility of using yoga as a complementary care intervention in psychiatry and the positive effects it brings."

Nra Kerekes, Professor in Medical Sciences (Psychiatry) at the University West, and research leader of the study

The results of the study are now published in the prestigious scientific journal, Psychiatry Research.

"We wanted to explore whether previous positive results with the use of yoga in correctional facilities could be transferred to detained individuals suffering from severe psychiatric disorders. Therefore, we evaluated trauma-adapted yoga as a support within forensic psychiatry," says Nra Kerekes.

Forensic psychiatry deals with the complex challenges that arise at the intersection of psychiatric illness, legal issues, and security concerns.

"There are few high-quality clinical studies on individuals who have committed crimes and who have a serious mental disorder. What exists are either studies on inmates separately or studies of individuals suffering from various psychiatric disorders. For both of these groups, yoga has shown positive effects," says Nra Kerekes.

Self-choice was a central component in the study design, where 56 patients at various forensic psychiatric clinics chose to participate. Over 10 weeks, they either participated in specially developed yoga classes or chose to engage in other forms of physical activity. Throughout the study, changes in their mental health, emotional states, antisocial and aggressive behaviors, pain perception, substance cravings, and ability to control their behavior and emotional reactions were observed.

In the current study, the yoga group showed remarkable reductions in negative emotional states, anxiety, paranoid ideation, hostility, and overall psychological distress. These reductions were not observed in the group performing other forms of physical activities. Additionally, the yoga group exhibited a significant reduction in pain frequency, and showed strengthened self-control and accountability.

"We can conclude that trauma-iadapted yoga implemented in a forensic psychiatric setting demonstrates feasibility and results in several positive changes in patients' mental health, emotional states, pain, and self-control," says Nra Kerekes.

She continues:

"A structured program of trauma-adapted yoga for patients and training for healthcare personnel has been developed and has now been confirmed to be feasible and beneficial within forensic psychiatry."

Source:

Journal reference:

Kerekes, N. (2024). Exploring the Impact of Trauma-Adapted Yoga in Forensic Psychiatry: Midterm Findings and Insights.Psychiatry Research. doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115879.

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Study shows yoga's positive impact on emotional health in forensic psychiatry - News-Medical.Net

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Blame it on Jennifer Aniston. Ever since she lit up the screen as Rachel in the 90s, shes been a beacon of wellness inspiration for me. Jen and I are about the same age, although unlike me, she has remained sculpted with an enviable aura of serenity. Her secret, echoed repeatedly in interviews, includes the practice of yoga.

For many years, my idea of wellness meant going to the gyms spin class and getting my heart rate dangerously high while someone barked at me to tackle the mountain with ACDC blasting at unhealthy decibels. The music, the dark room, and the manic exercise delivered an incredible workout while drowning out whatever troubles I carried, at least for the duration of the class.

As I pedaled furiously, Id watch the yoga students saunter by, mats in hand, with a quiet calm that piqued my interest. They seemed to operate on a different wavelength.

Then four years ago, a fellow spinner and spry woman in her 60s coaxed me into attending my first yoga class. With no darkness or blaring tunes to hide behind, the room felt painfully quiet. We sat cross-legged in Sukhasana, focused on our breathing, and then brought our palms together in anjali mudra. I thought, This is easy enough.

Then we were instructed to come into a Low Lunge. Everyone around me appeared to effortlessly manifest their foot forward whereas I needed to take several lurches. From there, the seemingly simple act of lifting my hands, leaning back slightly, and taking a deep breath caused me to fall into a wobbly panic. My grounded knee ached from its tte--tte with the mat and a serious bout of imposter syndrome kicked in.

Although I felt clumsy and stiff in yoga, I am a competitor at heart. (That alone shows you why I need yoga.) So I made it a point to come to class twice a week. Each time it was hard. The poses I awkwardly practiced began shifting my bodyconditioned to move fast and hardto spaces that were quiet and slow.

At the end of one of those early Savasanas, I found myself engulfed in loud, uncontrollable sobs. The instructor approached and placed a hand on my shoulder while my body heaved and snot splattered on my mat. It happens more often than youd think, she whispered. My embarrassment gave way to a lighter sense of calm.

Six months later, when the world shut down, I no longer had access to a bike and wasnt willing to use my rainy day fund to buy a Peloton. My exercise regimen disappeared.

Remembering the surprising spiritual weightlessness those earlier sessions had provided, I had several transient flings with yoga. Id follow the encouraging instructions from a YouTube yoga instructor, knowing my movements looked nothing like hers. Id attempt Tree Pose, congratulating myself when I didnt knock over the living room lamp while my golden retriever watched with grave concern. A Childs Pose-induced peacefulness would sometimes make a cameo appearance, confirming that Jen and all other yoga enthusiasts had gotten something right.

But with life moving at full throttle again, Ive largely returned to my pre-yoga ways. That post-yoga serenity is still tempting, although Im more inclined to go to a hard spin class than roll out my yoga mat.

As an active participant in our rush-through-life culture, I find it easier to think wistfully about the positive effects of a regular yoga practice than to fully commit to being present with it. Yoga demands an alignment of mind and body whereas spinning lets me zone out and sweat it out. I can pedal through pain like a maniac, without a thought in the world. Spinning is less about accepting and more about escaping.

Still, I never stash my mat out of sight. Even if its just gathering dust, its present and available, a simple reminder that even amid the hectic pace of life, my 53-year-old self sometimes needs a dose of balance, and the ability to channel Jens seeming serenity, one pose at a time.

Excerpt from:
I'm a Longtime Student of Spin and I Swear Yoga is More Challenging. Here's Why. - Yoga Journal