Resources Archives - Waynesville Yoga Center

How to Address Chronic Pain

Written by Jerica on May 31, 2022. Posted in Resources. Leave a Comment

Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that 126 million U.S. adults (that’s more than half of the adult population) live with chronic pain. The temporary nature of acute pain helps us deal with it (ie, don’t use that finger: the cut is still healing).

However, chronic pain – lasting longer than 3 months – can foster depression, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, and more, as we seek to manage the interruption in our activities of daily living over time.

People with chronic pain are three times more likely to develop depression. “Experiencing depression, mood fluctuations, anxiety, altered perceptions and cognition, and emotional instability are all commonly associated with chronic pain.

This is a result of the perceived stress that impacts the body on a physical and chemical level.” In addition, chronic pain makes it hard to get restorative sleep, which can then increase pain.

Fortunately, current data demonstrates that there are a lot of practices, tools, and resources available to us to manage chronic pain and the stress that accompanies it. These practices have no side effects and, in many cases, have been proven to be even more effective than pharmaceuticals!

What are sustainable, accessible things you can implement to reduce chronic pain and cultivate long-term overall wellness?

1. Yoga, Especially Restorative & Gentle

Gentle and Restorative Yoga help release stored tension from the tissues. Restorative Yoga in particular uses props to support the body, creating a sense of safety for the nervous system and allowing the brain to rest from the bracing & hypervigilance common in chronic pain. Gentle yoga can safely increase the range of motion in the joints, reducing stiffness

In the joints, muscles, and connective tissue, Yoga can increase the flow of fresh blood into the cells, while enhancing the release of metabolic waste. This increase in nourishment and cleansing functions within the tissues can help heal the initial chronic pain injury, while also addressing the snowball effect of secondary pain and limited mobility.

Various studies have demonstrated that yoga helps reduce pain perception, decrease inflammation, and improve mobility among people with a range of chronic pain conditions. Yoga can rebalance the body’s chemical response to pain, releasing feel-good hormones while minimizing stress and tension.

2. Pranayama & Breathwork

Pranayama (aka “breath control”) and breathing practices can have profound impacts on the body’s experience and perception of pain. Our muscles hold tension and guard as a result of chronic pain, and in turn further aggravate the pain itself. Diaphragmatic, deep breathing has an extremely therapeutic effect on chronic pain by profoundly relaxing the muscles and reducing this pain cycle response.

In fact, the National Institutes of Health found that yoga and pranayama “harmonize the physiological system and initiate a relaxation response in the neuro endocrinal system. This consists of decreased metabolism, quieter breathing, stable blood pressure, reduced muscle tension, lower heart rate and slow brain wave pattern.”

Researchers have demonstrated amazing correlations between Electroenchephalography (EEG) patterns and breath patterns: slow breathing increases the α waves in the EEG, and adding feedback of breath sounds further significantly increased it from baseline.

“Diaphragmatic breathing is probably the single most valuable thing that a patient in chronic pain can learn on the road to recuperation.”

3. Meditation

“Meditation and pranayama, along with relaxing yoga poses, can help individuals deal with the emotional aspects of chronic pain, reduce anxiety and depression effectively and improve the quality of life perceived.” The positive impacts of meditation go beyond relaxation within the muscles and impact the deepest layers of our nervous system.

Research shows that meditation uses neural pathways that make the brain less sensitive to pain and increases use of the brain’s own pain-reducing opioids. Meditation is free, and the only side effects you’ll have to worry about are feeling blissed out or possibly dozing off. Meditation is incorporated in almost every Yoga class: usually in the form of savasana, or “corpse pose”, at the very end.

4. Myofascial Release & Massage

Therapeutic massage & bodywork may relieve chronic pain by way of several mechanisms, including relaxing tense muscles, tendons, and joints; relieving stress & anxiety; and possibly helping to “close the pain gate” by stimulating competing nerve fibers and impeding pain messages to and from the brain.

Massage lowers heart rate & blood pressure, reduces stress, increases relaxation, reduces pain & tension, improves circulation, helps balance hormones, improves immune function, and much more.

It can be especially effective in reducing chronic pain – both the source of the pain itself, as well as the snowball effect of emotional & physical tension due to the initial cause.

If you suffer from chronic patterns of tension that come from old injuries, scar tissue, and/or compensatory muscle / soft tissue fatigue, give your body the attention it needs to heal with myofascial release or massage.

It takes the body longer to unwind and reprogram if it has been out of alignment for a long period of time, meaning multiple sessions will help you avoid a rebound effect where the muscles and or connective tissue go right back after only one or two sessions.

5. Other Practices

There are a host of other nourishing, supportive practices you can implement to reduce chronic pain itself and the negative impacts it has on the mind, body, and spirit. These include goal setting, mindfulness training, sleep routine, and behavioral therapies. See below for recommended reading and resources.

How Can We Help?

At Waynesville Yoga Center, we offer many modalities of healing that can help you manage your chronic pain, such as:

daily yoga classes with seasoned instructors who can offer modifications & props to best support you and your pain
virtual programs, such as Yoga for Back Care, that you can access and benefit from at home
Myofascial Release, Massage, and Bodywork to reduce pain & inflammation and address the root causes of chronic pain

References

Harvard Health
Mayo Clinic
London Pain Clinic
Very Well Health
Healthline
Cleveland Clinic
National Institutes of Health
Augusta Pain Center
AbleTo

this is how we heal the world

Written by Jerica on January 4, 2022. Posted in Resources, What's Happening at WYC?. Leave a Comment

What a terrifying moment, when we realize that no matter how hard we try, wish, or work, we can do almost nothing to change another person. We can’t orchestrate – or even see ahead of time – the events that will shape our lives. We have almost zero power to pull the levers of control.

And yet… as soon as we are able to accept this truth, it can also be – ironically – very empowering. When we understand that we’re not in control, it actually blesses us with true influence in the small sphere where we do get to call the shots: ourselves.

The past two years have allowed all of us this opportunity to recognize not only the limits of our own influence – but also how much beauty there is in seeing what change we can affect within the small circle of our own lives. This is how we heal the world: we get clear within ourselves and claim the agency we have in our own lives.

Once we accept the limitations of our power, we find that there’s an enormous amount of healing we can do within the space of our own body, brain, and being. By deep diving in ourselves, we discover worlds of possibility. Affecting true change within is the only hope we have of impacting our relationships with others – and influencing the world.

We heal the world by seeking & cultivating healing within.

One powerful tool to clear the decks of our relationships with ourselves & others is through the chakras. They can be seen as woo woo energy centers within the body; but they’re simply access points to learn more about the amazing bodies & brains we’ve been gifted as vehicles in life.

Studying the chakras gives us a language and methodology to explore fundamental aspects of being human:

// how do we deal with the limitations of time, space, energy, and matter?
// what wisdom is available to us in our anger, sadness, and frustration?
// how do we navigate conflict with others?
// in what ways do we embrace the gifts & blessings of community and connection?
// where does our responsibility end and the other person’s begin?
// how do we reconcile the opposing forces of the seen & unseen worlds?

We’ll explore all of this – and more – in the 2022 Chakra Deep Dive. This course is only open for registration once a year; don’t miss your opportunity to cultivate awareness and seek deeper healing through the chakras. Click here for details…

Yoga Teacher Mentorship Program

Written by Jerica on December 29, 2020. Posted in 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Resources, What's Happening at WYC?. Leave a Comment

Are you ready to teach yoga but not yet confident enough in your skills as a teacher? Or have you been teaching yoga for a while but feel like your teaching style is stale or stuck in a rut?

This mentorship program will help you evolve and grow as a teacher, coming into tune with your own original style and brand as you carve out a special niche for your classes and offerings.

This 12-week mentorship program is designed to help yoga teachers that are still struggling with teaching yoga and/or yoga teachers that are looking to change things up and feeling that their classes are stale or stuck in the same old routine that does not inspire them anymore!

Be prepared for a deep dive into unraveling the old patterns and habits around your yoga teaching styles and discovering what your true gifts and unique experiences can bring to your classes. With a fresh approach, you can change your mindset and challenge yourself to level-up on what you have to offer. This can be uncomfortable and intimidating at first, but ultimately rewarding.

If you are ready, join Jay MacDonald for this transformational experience!

Where: This program is mostly virtual, so if you are not local, you can still do this program! If you are local, and prefer in-person one-on-one meetings, then we can do that as well.

The curriculum itself is all virtual with one group call per week (if more than one person is participating) and one session that is one-on-one.

There will also be a FB page for asking questions in a more interactive format between the coaching calls.

When: This program is offered year round. In order to apply, you will need to fill out an informational application which can be downloaded here. Please send to hello@waynesvilleyogacenter.com once completed.

Cost: $995 for former WYC graduates or $1250 for non graduate students. This covers your tuition and all costs related to the program.

Click Here for Details and to Register

What Can YTT Do For You!?

Written by Jerica on September 30, 2020. Posted in 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training, Meet Our Community!, Resources. Leave a Comment

what can ytt do for you? I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen pick up our flyer for YTT (Yoga Teacher Training), and put it right back down, saying “Oh no, I don’t want to teach”. You can see the mental block flit through their brain of “Teaching yoga!? Heck naw!!”

Unfortunately, there’s a huge misconception that teaching is the only function of a YTT program. It may seem counterintuitive, but preparing you to teach yoga is actually a positive side benefit of YTT!

YTT is a deep dive into the self. Coming face-to-face with who you really are, after the external constructs have been stripped away. It’s an opportunity to discover your strengths, confront your weaknesses, and ultimately secure a more clear understanding of who you are and where you want to go next.

It’s so funny to watch students get into the training and have that “aha” moment of “oh, I get it: teaching yoga is just a tiny part of this journey!” We actually laugh about it in class as they reach that point of understanding in the training course.

Don’t get me wrong: if you are 110% focused on teaching yoga, YTT will absolutely empower you with the knowledge & skills to do exactly that, successfully. But, if you’re open to more, Yoga Teacher Training offers a richness of experience and solid tools to be a better human.

What Can YTT Do For You!?

// Navigate the Intensity of 2020 – and Beyond

Current times are calling us to discard what no longer serves us, especially from the past, and be very intentional about what we want to bring into our future. Life always asks us to engage in this process; but 2020 has brought it into the forefront for many. It’s joyful, liberating work – but it can also be scary & intense. YTT can assist you in this process of sloughing away what has outlived its usefulness – and empower the next stage of growth for a richer, more expansive future.

While Yoga itself cultivates these invaluable tools, YTT takes it to the next level, sealing into your nervous system and body tissues this ability to find your center, no matter what is happening around you. While always of incredible value, this skill set is immensely beneficial in dealing with the uncertainty and intensity of our new COVID-19 world.

// Build Flexibility & Adaptability

Most people associate Yoga with physical flexibility, but don’t realize how much this informs the non-physical as well. Yoga Teacher Training can help you become more flexible mentally, emotionally, and socially, learning how to have greater compassion & understanding with others. In the divisiveness of the current age, honing our ability to stay within ourselves – while also having increased capacity for healthy communication with others – is invaluable.

YTT can give you practical tools to deal with uncertainty and intensity. One of the whole points of yoga is taking it off the mat: we learn how to face the fear of not knowing what’s coming next. We practice staying calm, steady, and balanced when things are intense and hot. We get comfortable with our discomfort, as we embrace what our bodies bring to the surface. We learn how to embrace what is, versus what we want, and to create the best possible outcome from that acceptance.

// Step Into Your Dharma

Your Dharma is your highest calling, your most important reason for being here. While not every person graduates Yoga Teacher Training with crystal clear knowledge about where to go next, many students gain a huge amount of guidance on where their life is headed. Because YTT supports you in facing your ego, managing your weaknesses, and honing your strengths, it can absolutely help provide direction for your whole life.

You may realize that you actually do, in fact, want to teach yoga – but maybe in a non-traditional setting. Maybe you feel drawn to work a specific population, such as kids or elders. Maybe you start the program with the intention to teach but change your mind during the course, incorporating the knowledge in an entirely different direction. That’s the beauty of YTT: if you’re willing to get a little more authentic with yourself, both on & off your mat, it can change your whole life…

See What YTT Can Do For You

Click here for more details about the program. For specific questions, email ytt@waynesvilleyogacenter.com. To take the plunge and commit, secure your spot.

Leigh-Ann Renz

Leigh-Ann has been practicing yoga since 1997 and teaching it since 2005. She is attracted to fluid vinyasa styles, including moon salutations, and loves to geek out about yoga “off the mat” – such as how the philosophies behind the physical postures can enrich our journey, both for ourselves and for others. She is honored to co-teach the 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program at Waynesville Yoga Center, and loves facilitating healing services to the community. A writer, dancer, massage therapist, creative marketing nerd, and proud Mom, she can be found travelling, enjoying the rhythm of the seasons, or soaking up the natural world when not working.

SIMPLY SARA WELLNESS // Holistic Health Coaching Discover What Food Can Do For You!

Written by Jerica on June 21, 2020. Posted in Meet Our Community!, Resources. Leave a Comment

Are you confused about food, nutrition and wellness? How much exercise is necessary? What is the deal with gluten free? How much sugar is too much? What about eggs and cholesterol? What’s up with butter–now it’s ok? And is organic better?

There’s a lot of confusing information about food and nutrition and it takes time and knowledge to sort through. That’s where I come in to work with you as your personal holistic health coach.

What Is Holistic Health Coaching?

Holistic health coaching is the opportunity for you to meet one-on-one with me, a certified, trained health coach, to receive support for changing old behaviors into new, sustainable behaviors that will transform your life.

How Does It Work?

Every person’s situation is different. I do not advocate special diets or promote any products. What I do promote is eating whole, non-processed foods and finding lifestyle changes that will work for you.

I will want to know what you have been eating and how it’s been working for you. Or not working! I’ll ask about your career, your life ambitions, your family and even your pets. Yes, holistic health coaching is much bigger than just food. You can share your biggest fears, what you perceive as your main obstacles and what you’ve always dreamed of doing. We will set some goals together. And after each session you will have a little homework–to keep you honest and committed!

What Can I Expect?

Two one-hour health coaching sessions per month
Individualized steps to reach your health goals and recommendations
Supportive educational handouts, articles and recipes
E-mail coaching between sessions
Wellness and recipe book recommendations, cooking tips and food samples

Testimonial

“I am more aware of what I’m eating and now I take time to really enjoy meals. I cut down on sugar and artificial sweeteners, which has eliminated my sweet cravings and helped with that afternoon crash. I’ve lost weight, but more importantly, I just feel better!” Kim B

Sara A Lewis, MA

Certified Holistic Health Coach

Yoga Instructor, ERYT-200
828-550-1640 saralewis27@gmail.com

How to Access Our Recorded and Livestream Classes

Written by Jerica on May 19, 2020. Posted in Resources. Leave a Comment

1. Make sure you are logged into your account. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re logged in, follow the steps on this page.

2. Go to the class calendar and register for any classes you want to take: click sign up & pay >> this will use your credits on file**. (If it’s a free class, you’ll see sign up vs. sign up & pay). >>Here is a video tutorial<<

LIVESTREAM CLASSES

BEFORE CLASS STARTS: Make sure you have created an account on ZOOM or downloaded the App on your phone. It is free to use! When it’s class time, enter the stream by clicking view broadcast.

NON-LIVESTREAM / REMOTE CLASSES

After registering (step 2 above), you’ll see view broadcast. Click on view broadcast any time that day to access the class. If you have any issues accessing the classes, pls email jerica@waynesvilleyogacenter.com, and we’ll get you taken care of! 🙂

NEED CLASSES / CREDITS?

If you don’t have any credits on file (ie, need to purchase classes), here are your current options:

:: continue to use your regular unlimited membership
:: sign up for a $45 unlimited membership >> click here to purchase

>> both membership options include unlimited classes, full access to our video library, and other goodies… <<

:: if you have a class pass (ie, 5 pack, 10 pack, etc), you can:
1. Drop in to any class for $8 >> click here to purchase

2. Use a credit to take a class at half-off (ie, what used to count as 1 class will now count for 2 classes) >> no action needed

3. Leave your pass, as it never expires, and purchase the $45 unlimited membership >> click here to purchase

Fascial / Fascia: Is It a Facial? Or Exercises for the Face?

Written by Jerica on October 28, 2019. Posted in Resources. Leave a Comment

Sorry, we know some of these anatomical terms can be confusing!

Fascia is the web of connective tissue inside of our bodies. It’s like the white stuff inside of a tangerine. Just like each section of a tangerine is separately encased in that white webbing, that also connects the whole fruit together – fascia surrounds each section of our bodies (muscles, organs, etc) and is connected to every other section.

The fascia in our bodies is like a spider’s web: it connects every part. That means that tension in your feet can literally cause headaches (yes! that’s true!), because pulling on one part of the web impacts every other part.

If an insect gets stuck in a spider’s web, the spider can feel that impact from any other part of the web, because that pulling is felt throughout the whole thing.

Fascial Yoga is a practice that focuses on creating harmony and relieving tension in this web of connective tissue. Because the fascia surrounding our muscles is anchored in the ligaments and tendons, we can relieve tension; decrease pain; move better; and increase our overall bodily function by working with the fascia.

At Waynesville Yoga, we weave Fascial release into Yoga in several formats:

// Fascial Release and Renew, which is a Level 1 / 2 class that focuses on releasing tension and opening up blockages in the connective tissue of your body. It’s a unique blend of restorative, yin, and traditional yoga poses with gentle, hands-on release techniques based on the John Barnes system of Myofascial Release (MFR).

It can be incredibly relaxing, and is a powerful tool in self treatment of chronic pain. MFR will also compliment and enhance your traditional yoga practice by opening fascial lines that may have you “stuck” in your current practice.

// Fascial Flow, a vinyasa style class with mindful movement to loosen up and release chronic holding patterns throughout the body, including the fascial system.

// Merge Flow, a specific type is a unique movement therapy that emphasizes making fluid connections within your fascial system. With Merge, you can train, heal or recover by identifying healthy movement patters that support your structural integrity. Think of these movements as a massage for your central nervous system- helping you establish balance within your fascia.

And more… keep an eye on our main calendar and pop-up schedule for classes – and when you see “fascia” or “fascial” on the schedule, now you know what that means!

Ever Tried Creative Visualization?

Written by Jerica on October 21, 2019. Posted in Resources, Yoga + Wellness Inspo. Leave a Comment

For those of us who experience four seasons, we’re no stranger to the October shifts. As we watch the leaves change colors, or maybe experience an early frost, we start anticipating the new routine of bundling up, indulging in warm foods + beverages, and perhaps spending less time outdoors.

For some of us, it brings on a feeling of change and contemplation. Where was I this time last year? Where do I want to be this time of year next year? And how do I get there- be it in regards to our mental health, physical well-being, habits, finances, relationships, etc.

Well since you can’t google the answer to these questions, the best way to find them is through stillness. Firstly, it’s important to remember that your life is a work of art. Every year you write chapters of a story, and while you can’t go back and rewrite chapters, you make decisions everyday that write the next one.

So perhaps trying some creative visualization can help guide you forward through the season and incite a ‘click’ of clarity when it comes to your goals.

Think of a goal that is important to you. It can be a long-range or short-range one. Write down the goal as clearly as possible in one sentence. Underneath that, write “Ideal Scene,” and proceed to describe the situation exactly as you would like it to be when your goal is fully realized.

Describe it in the present tense, as if it already exists, in as much detail as you wish. When you have finished, write at the bottom, “This, or something better, is now manifesting for me in totally satisfying and harmonious ways, for the highest good of all concerned,” and add any other affirmations you wish, and sign your name.

Then sit quietly, relax, visualize your ideal scene at your meditative level of mind, and do your affirmations. Keep your ideal scene in your notebook, in your desk, near your bed, or hang it on your wall. Read it often, and make appropriate changes when necessary. Bring it to mind during your meditation periods.

One word of warning: if you put it away in a drawer and forget about it, you are very likely to find one day that it has manifested anyhow without your consciously putting any energy into it at all.

(This exercise, and others like it, can be found in Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain.)

5 Tips to Stay Diligent with Your Yoga Practice

Written by Jerica on July 24, 2019. Posted in Resources, Uncategorized, Yoga + Wellness Inspo. Leave a Comment

Finding it hard to get to the studio on the reg? Or sticking to your home practice while juggling work, family, fun or travel? It happens! Sometimes life has us looking in another direction and – before you know it – you haven’t touched your mat in weeks.

I’ve gone through phases of squeezing in a practice twice a day to maybe once every few weeks; but without fail, every time I return to my mat and start feeling the physical and mental benefits, I’m in disbelief that I’d abandoned something that makes me feel so good (and so balanced).

I often come across articles on how to stay diligent with your practice: Have good habits! Wake up early! Stay consistent! Make it a priority! Uh yeah, I’m going to need something a little more concrete than that.

I figured out that the key to staying diligent with MY yoga practice, especially while traveling and constantly changing scenery, is to find ways to stay excited about it. So here are my tips to keep your EXCITEMENT to practice alive:

Make an adventure out of it

I throw my mat in my car and drive somewhere I’ve never been: a grassy park, a beautiful garden, the bank of a canyon or usually near a body of water, as I find it invites a
sense of calm. By making a mission of my practice, it becomes a fun reward for setting off and discovering something new. Settling onto my mat in these places also feels like a way of honoring and embracing little slices of the world that we sometimes walk right past: a grassy spot behind a barn, near some cool formation of rocks or under a tree that’s older that most people you know. Maybe bring a journal and see what comes through in your post-practice clarity.

If you’re looking for a quick jump-off in the Waynesville area, check out the cemetery, one of the nooks in Vance Park, something along Pigeon River or head up to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Get a playlist together

Am I craving a pump-me-up power flow? Or do I want something to quiet my mind while I melt into restorative poses?

Putting together a playlist before I start helps me set the vibe for what my mind and body needs that day and is also a good way to time my practice. Hop on YouTube or Spotify and chose a pre-made playlist, or use the opportunity to discover new music, artists or genres.

I bounce among desert / psychedelic rock; Afrobeat; Indian drumming and sitar; or Indonesian gamelan. Sometimes you end up creating the ultimate zen zone and are ready for a nap; other times, you end up in a one-woman dance party, ready to slay the day.

A playlist is just one piece of ambiance you can prep for yourself. Light some candles or incense, dim the lights, pump up the volume – all these help set the mood around you and enhance your sense of place and presence.

Feel good in the clothes you’re practicing in

Have you ever bought a pair of yoga pants that make you feel all sucked in and supported? Or a top that adds a little pop of color to your look? Little things like this get me excited to hit my mat. It’s not about looking sexy per se – but it’s about feeling good in your own skin. Read our blog on What to Wear to Yoga if you’re looking for some tips!

As a sun worshipper, I prefer a hot day in a bathing suit top + some linen pants, flippin’ my dog as a tanning tactic more than a yoga pose (who said you can’t multi-task during yoga!).

Find a buddy and make plans for after yoga

Whether it’s meeting at a studio or coming together for an informal practice, I find that making plans for AFTER yoga makes sure I actually make it to my mat. Having a yoga buddy can keep you accountable if you’re looking for consistency in your practice and can also invite some fun! (Don’t have a buddy? Go to a class, smile, introduce yourself to people, be kind and maybe someone will want to be your friend.)

Maybe you want to sit on the front porch at Waynesville Yoga and have a chat over tea; head over to Mad Anthony’s for a cold brew or snack; have a picnic; get a couples’ massage; or better yet- maybe you and your friend decide to go on a yoga retreat together and make a fun trip out of it!

Find YOUR mat + keep it in eyesight

I’ll practice in the sand, on the grass or a rug if I have to, but I’m a BIG fan of the feeling and smell of my mat (yeah, whatever, I like the smell of rubber and hope it never goes away).

For awhile I was using this old, worn down mat that hadn’t withstood the test of extended backpacking trips: tossed in dirty bus storage and ripped up by cute dogs all eager to say what up. It had no grip or support – and was really only great because it folded up so small.

Then I made the switch to a Jade lightweight mat, which were the first green and non-toxic yoga mats on the market. No longer was I slipping around when I went on my hot yoga kick or feeling my bones touch the floor below my mat during savasana.

When picking a mat, consider what you need. Do you travel and want something lightweight? Do you want something thicker to support you? Do your hands and feet tend to get really sweaty during your practice? Are you tall and need a longer mat?

Figure out what type of mat will best fit your practice lifestyle, then head to a store like REI where you can actually touch the options. You might come across great deals online – but I wouldn’t purchase a mat unless I’ve put my hands on it and feel confident that it’s a good fit. Then, keep that puppy in sight! I know if it’s in my line of vision i’m more likely to roll er’ out and maybe just stretch a bit.

Follow these tips, pick a mantra that speaks to you, and you’re sure to keep not just the magic of your yoga practice alive- but the magic of life and presence.

Jerica remotely handles marketing + management for Waynesville Yoga Center. When not working, she can be found embracing whatever place she’s found herself in, embarking on an adventure, or contemplating life while perched in tree pose. Taking classes at WYC has helped her develop a stronger dedication to her yoga practice and has led to an obsession with heart openers.

take it off the mat!

Written by Jerica on May 10, 2019. Posted in Resources, Uncategorized, Yoga + Wellness Inspo. Leave a Comment

While yoga is magical and amazing, on many levels, I’m way more blown away by its applications in my life off the mat. I appreciate what it does for me physical, mentally and emotionally – of course – but I’m amazed when I’m able to take my practice into the world around me.

In the summer of 2001, I was in Brooklyn for my cousin’s wedding. I had only been practicing for a few years and was somewhat obsessed with Cyndi Lee’s (now closed) Om Yoga studio.

I was in my early 20s, and it was an exciting adventure to take the subway to Manhattan, find the location (in the days before smart phones) and climb the narrow staircase to the studio.

As I made my way into the lobby, I heard this piercing noise: one of the building’s fire alarms was ringing in full blare. I thought to myself “Oh man, there’s no way they can have classes with that all that noise. Damn! I’m gonna miss my chance to practice at Om Yoga” – but there was someone smiling calmly at me from behind the front desk, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

When I asked if the class was still happening, she confirmed that it was, took my payment and got me pointed in the right direction, never once addressing the still-clanging alarm. I honestly was so stunned by her utter lack of response to the noise that I just followed her lead and got settled on my mat.

The instructor had the same attitude and demeanor: he acknowledged the noise and apologized for it, but never once indicated that we wouldn’t have the class as planned. We did the entire hour-and-a-half practice with that fire alarm ringing the whole time. The teacher raised his voice to be heard, and none of the other students seemed put off by the experience in the least.

I must have tuned it out, because I distinctly remember “waking up” after savasana and thinking “Oh wow, that alarm’s still ringing. Huh….” And that was it… I had a great class at my dream studio and walked back down those steep stairs into the hustle and bustle of the city.

When I was initially learning yoga, my very first teacher used to hold informal classes in her home – or sometimes, at her family’s store in Ybor City, a party neighborhood in Tampa. I literally learned yoga over the sounds of cars honking, music blaring, bass buzzing, people laughing and screaming. My teacher used to tell us that it was a perfect environment to practice in, because it would help us tune more deeply into our bodies, into ourselves.

I never learned to expect quiet from my yoga practice, and I’ve found that this expectation has served me well off my mat. Life isn’t quiet. Our minds aren’t quiet. Even in the most beautiful, epic scene in nature (which of course abound in our WNC community), our monkey minds are chitter-chattering away: ruminating about the past, dreaming and planning for the future, processing and solving problems we’re experiencing.

The whole point of yoga is to help us find the quiet within – no matter what’s happening. We might be calm and at peace; we tune into the beauty of that gift. We might be disrupted, upset, scared, angry, riding the waves of our emotions; we draw on our practice to tune into the quiet and the answers within. We might be practicing yoga in a serene space, and we enjoy that quiet. Or we’re in the middle of our practice and we hear the sirens of an ambulance – a barking dog – people chatting in the lobby – or construction noise.

Yoga helps me accept what is, without knowing what’s coming next. Sometimes it’s gentle and pleasant; sometimes it’s intense and loud. By learning how to stay present with my body and my breath on my mat, I’m more equipped to handle the unpleasant, unknown or intense experiences that life hands me. Yoga helps me enjoy the calm and quiet – and save that nourishment up for the disruption, which is always inevitable in this impermanent, ever-changing human experience.

Leigh-Ann Renz offers yoga + massage at Waynesville Yoga Center

Leigh-Ann Renz is a massage therapist, yoga instructor and part of the management team at Waynesville Yoga Center.

Category: Resources

1. Yoga, Especially Restorative & Gentle

2. Pranayama & Breathwork

3. Meditation

4. Myofascial Release & Massage

5. Other Practices

How Can We Help?

Recommended Reading

References

We’ll explore all of this – and more – in the 2022 Chakra Deep Dive. This course is only open for registration once a year; don’t miss your opportunity to cultivate awareness and seek deeper healing through the chakras. Click here for details…

What Can YTT Do For You!?

// Navigate the Intensity of 2020 – and Beyond

// Build Flexibility & Adaptability

// Step Into Your Dharma

See What YTT Can Do For You

Leigh-Ann Renz

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Find YOUR mat + keep it in eyesight

“That special moment when your body, mind and spirit blend into a yummy synchronized yogic OHMMMMMMM……..yeah, YTT has given me like a hundred of those so far! You guys are awesome!”

I signed up for YTT thinking I had time to myself to focus on me, but the world has other plans. It’s still the best decision I’ve made, and I am so grateful that what I have learned has come to me at a time that I can apply it to so much real world trauma. This YTT has been a saving grace!

“I haven’t felt this good since I got my puppy, ten years ago!…”

“Jay is an always-patient, highly skilled teacher who makes everyone feel welcome and able to participate. Her class is always a joy and rewarding.”

“Jay is a wonderful yoga instructor; has great variety in classes; is always dependable (there and on time); is kind and understanding; and always available to answer questions and give additional instruction if necessary. She is calm and classes are enjoyable no matter the challenge.”

“Amber, you’re an incredible teacher! You are a natural at creating flows that challenge and inspire your students.”

“Thank you all so much for offering this. It has truly been a gift in my life and I am very grateful to be part of this class!”

“Jay takes time to answer questions, to give help when needed in performing movements and is a gentle, calm person which helps my yoga experience.”

“After my first private session with Amber my body felt so good! Because of her guidance and personal assisting I highly recommend working with her.”

“My experience during my YTT at WYC has not only increased my confidence on the mat but has opened up endless possibilities and opportunities for a courageous, confident, and grateful life off the mat. “

“One of the things I have loved about the program is that we are not just learning how to teach certain poses; I have been learning things I didn’t even know I could learn about yoga in general, including about the subtle energies, how they tie to both anatomy and the philosophy of yoga.”

“Since I started taking classes at Waynesville Yoga Center, I can now go down the stairs ‘normally’, instead of one foot at a time. I’m really pleased with how these classes are helping me.”

“Jay met me prior to class to help me polish my yoga teaching skills. I really appreciate her willingness to meet and teach me to make me a better instructor.”

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