The 12 Steps & The 8 Limbs of Yoga

The generally accepted story is that the 12 steps came to AA via the Oxford Group of the Theosophical Society, who developed them by systematizing Yogic teachings of India. This post is a comparison of some of those teachings & the 12 Steps. If we take a closer look, we can see a striking similar... Read More

The Relationship Between Trauma Sensitive Yoga & Recovery

Trauma & Substance Use Disorders (SUD) Trauma can play a significant role in one’s development of a substance use disorder. The relationship between PTSD and substance use is often underdiagnosed, resulting in mis-diagnosis and failure to treat both SUD and PTSD. Thus, the need for trauma-informe... Read More

Somatic Practices for Relieving Stress & Anxiety

Somatic Practices for Relieving Stress & Anxiety This post includes excerpts from a paper I wrote about using body-based practices for relieving stress & anxiety. It explains how anxiety can be held in the body and how somatic, or body-based modalities can help. Given that anxiety disorders have ... Read More

Meditation and Mental Health: Benefits, Adverse Effects, and How to Mitigate Them

It is generally accepted that mindfulness and other types of meditation can be beneficial toward improving one’s mental wellbeing, but more information could be helpful in determining best practices for people who are living with mental health (MH) conditions, especially as it relates to adverse ... Read More

Resources

Should you ever feel you might need additional support, it is my hope that this list may be of use for you. Crisis Hotline: 24 hours: 740-593-3344 or 1-888-475-8484. Interpersonal (Domestic) & Sexual Violence Services: Eyes Up Appalachia - resources for human trafficking survivors in our region.... Read More

15 Benefits of Yoga Practice

Improved strength and flexibility are not the only benefits to maintaining a yoga practice. Here are 15 benefits of yoga that apply to children, teens, and adults: Body awareness and connection to body - Embodiment is the experience of being in our body. There are so many things in our culture t... Read More

My Approach to Trauma-Informed Care

My Interest in Working with Survivors My passion for sharing the gift of yoga has become my life’s work and purpose. My lived experience has provided me with an innate understanding of how growing one’s practice yields fruits of wellbeing. I believe that the physical practice and philosophy of yo... Read More

A Yogic Perspective of Mental Health and Anxiety

A Yogic Perspective of Mental Health and Anxiety Exerpts from a paper written exploring the efficacy of using yoga as a treatment for anxiety disorders. It is well established that yoga supports one’s emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing. Yoga is a 5,000 year old practice ... Read More

How Mindfulness-Based Practices can Help us Know our Truth

Meaning is created through five dimensions of neural processing: associations, beliefs, cognitions, developmental phases, and emotions. Integration, truth, and coherence overlap in that integration is a way of organizing experiences so that they are coherent, and what is coherent is true. Being a... Read More

Using Breathwork with Trauma Survivors

Using Breathwork with Trauma Survivorsby Erin Finck The breath can be a powerful tool to induce relaxation and reduce stress. As such, the breath may be a useful modality to support trauma survivors who are living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD symptoms are rooted in disruptive ... Read More