Candlelight Yoga Classes Relax and Refresh

candlelight yoga

Imagine the soft glow of candles filling the room while you move fluidly through various asanas (poses). The long holds and gentle stretches help you to unwind and slow down from the stresses of the day. The peacefulness that you feel upon finishing a candlelight yoga class can last all night, assisting in a good night’s rest. Candlelight yoga incorporates poses that are meant to relax you and release tension from chronic stress and fatigue that can build up throughout the day. Several styles are used such as yin yoga and restorative yoga, both of which include poses that promote … [Read more...]

Yoga Classes Build Strength & Flexibility

yoga classes

Trainers and coaches from many disciplines of physical fitness look to yoga classes for additional strength and flexibility. Most gym-related strength training shortens muscles through weight lifting and repetitions. Over time, this continual contracting of the muscles reduces movement of the joint. By incorporating yoga training into their routine, these athletes can begin to heal the muscle through lengthening and flexibility. Yoga postures require you to hold your own body weight, which will build muscle. It is not the type of muscle that a bodybuilder is trying to achieve through … [Read more...]

Back-to-School Wellness for Moms

wellness

Summer days have wound down and the kids have gone back to school. After the crazy days of summer caring for the kids, this is the time for moms to think about themselves and their wellness. Parents, especially moms, are known for putting their needs aside in an effort to care for their children. This is normal behavior, but over time it can take ill effects on the mother if she does not take time for herself. The weeks before the return to school is stressful. Shopping for school clothes, taking care of any school paperwork, trying to readjust your child to the “school routine” of going to … [Read more...]

Girls Middle School Support Group is Empowering

middle school

Navigating the middle school years can be a challenging time for girls. It is a time of transition from childhood to adolescence. With that, there are many new situations and feelings that they will encounter. Middle school support groups can help with this transition. Physically, girls’ bodies begin to mature during middle school. They can start their menstrual cycle, begin wearing bras, begin having feelings towards boys, begin having “drama” with girlfriends, and begin paying more attention to their appearance. Their world is changing in a biological, emotional, social and psychological … [Read more...]

Meditation: Learning to Live in the Moment

meditation

Do you live in the “now”? Or do you wonder what could have been, should have been, or what will be? Have you noticed that in difficult times some people take it in stride while others experience a lot of stress? Living in the present moment while seeing the larger picture is key to a peaceful mind. Meditation practices the technique of recognizing only the moment in which you are presently living. Over thousands of years, various types of meditation have arisen, but the objective of all these disciplines is the same. That objective being to focus inward in the moment and to accept, have … [Read more...]

Attending Your First Yoga Class

yoga class

So, you have been thinking of attending a yoga class in Naples? That is great since there are many health benefits for both body and mind. Do you feel a bit nervous or intimidated? That is a normal feeling for anyone trying something new. Here are a few tips on attending your first yoga class: What should I wear? Participants in yoga classes normally wear clothing that will let them stretch, bend, and move freely. For pants, it is recommended on wearing either full-length yoga pants or stretch capris. Both are made from stretchy material that is available in fabric that will whisk away … [Read more...]

Join Men Support Groups for Healing and Advice

men support groups

Our society places men and women into specific roles with expected outcomes for each group. A man is taught the unacceptability of the release of emotions. For example, it is more socially acceptable for a woman to cry than a man. Having an environment in which to express emotion and discuss men’s roles in our society in a safe environment is crucial. Men support groups have popped up around the country to fill this need. Financial burdens and everyday life stressors can be overwhelming for anyone. Men have been programmed to “be tough” and to hold their thoughts and emotions inside of … [Read more...]

Parenting Support Group: Uplift, Learn, Share

parenting

Being a parent has many challenges. There isn’t a manual to tell you what to do and sometimes you need to rely on your own sense as a parent to make judgments. As children grow, so do you as a parent. These phases in life can be stressful and difficult for everyone in the family. Reaching out for parenting support group can help you in the daily life as a parent. Just like any job, there are certain skills in being a positive parent and role model to your child. Not everyone has the skills passed on from their parents, so a support group is ideal for anyone who is struggling with the stress … [Read more...]

Yoga: 5 Surprising Benefits for All Ages

yoga

The ancient practice of yoga has long been known to have many health benefits. Not only is this exercise good for the body, it is also good for the mind and soul. It creates a connection between all three. But, there may be some benefits to yoga that you have not realized. You will sleep better. The nervous system plays a large role in sleep. Yoga helps to relax the nervous system. This results in a better night’s sleep. The meditative aspect during class also helps to ease a racing mind. It increases your circulation. With all of the twisting, turning, stretching, and bending in and … [Read more...]

Sand Tray Therapy Taps into Your Sub-Conscious

sand tray

Sand tray therapy, a non-verbal type of mental health therapy, was developed in England by Dr. Margaret Lowenfeld in the 1920’s. It was found that through the use of miniature toys, sand, and water, clients were able to creatively express emotions, thoughts, and experiences. They could choose from a variety of toys to create the “world” in the sand tray that helped to tell their story. This method of therapy was found to be especially helpful to children since expressing themselves through words can be challenging. Even though children found this method fun, it is also very helpful to … [Read more...]