Although the breathing techniques are different between the two disciplines, linking the breath and mind body connection are key to proper form and engagement in both Yoga and Pilates. A regular yoga and Pilates practice can improve muscular strength, balance, posture, and flexibility. Pilates increases stability, you will find that your ability to balance in poses while practicing yoga improves.

"I find it humorous when I make plans. It's as if there is some abundant level of control that I have over the events of my life. To put it on the Google calendar somehow makes it "so". I, JENNIE RAY HART, DEEM THIS TO BE MY SCHEDULE! Oh, OK.

I have come to find that the best phrase to use (and it works for every single thing!) is always "Oh, OK". Whether it's the 15th shoulder strengthening activity in Rachel's Yoga Build class or the call I get that my Mom's been hit by a car while riding her bike "Oh, OK" seems to work. It's the grounding acknowledgement that "I'm here and this is the situation" and it's time to do the thing...even though it wasn't on the calendar. The calendar is actually just the scaffolding to what is actually going to happen."

Many rely on the power of energetic properties of crystals to assist with intention setting, meditation & mindfulness practices, space clearing, and healing.

We’ve often wondered if we should change the name of our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training because the in-depth, holistic study of the yoga practice that it provides is not just for those who want to teach yoga. Sure, the course will give you the tools to teach a guided asana (physical), meditation, or guided breathing practice, but it will also create a pathway to navigating the deep self study that the yoga practice provides while fostering an environment for community connection.

We had a chance to spend some time with two of our favorite people in one of our favorite spaces last week - Suzanne sat down with Benjamin and Shelley from Tablespoons Bakery to chat yoga and work in honor of National Disability Employment Awareness month and our first yoga series specifically for adults with developmental disabilities kicking off next week Tablespoons Bakery is a vocational culinary training program through the non-profit Next Move Program where we actually got to meet Benjamin and Shelley for the first time as we provided yoga programming for their interns and alumni!

Before finding the Humble Haven community, my knowledge around yoga teacher trainings was very limited and I just assumed they were reserved for “real yogis” or those who wished to pursue a career in teaching yoga full time…and I kept thinking why the heck would anyone wish to spend so much money on education they wouldn’t put be to “good use”?

I’ve never been so glad to be proven wrong.

When you continue to show up for yourself, you not only work on your physical health, but you do the inner work that it takes to become a better version of you. Day in, and day out, not matter what stage of life you are in. Here at Humble Haven, I think we can all relate when it comes to being met face to face with our feelings. We have all experienced moments of anxiety as we enter our first (or new style) class, we have all felt moments of intimidation and defeat, perhaps the overwhelming wave of tears that show up when we are in pigeon pose; but we also get to experience the opposite when we walk out of these doors. We get to feel confident, supported, safe, strong, seen, relieved, lighter, less anxious. Free.

So how does time spent checking students in for class, mopping the studio floors, and folding lavender towels allow me to better show up in my role of creating content that speaks to our past, current, and future students? It’s all in the listening. The chance to hear those seemingly small moments when a community member shares about how a teacher or class served their physical or emotional needs. As yoga students we all show up to our mats for a variety of personal reasons, but at the end of the day those reasons and results of showing up are universal. 

I think of advocacy like a muscle. The more we exercise and nourish a muscle, the stronger and more comfortable we get using it. The road to getting stronger and more comfortable usually entails some exhausting and uncomfortable moments, but just like anything else we practice, if we keep at it there will be moments of triumph and ease. 

Advocating for what needs to be changed for the sake of a more equitable world will require leaning into moments of discomfort instead of shying away. When I find myself asking, should I speak up?