Answers To Frequently Asked Questions | Yoga/Meditation

Yoga (little y), is a wholistic lifestyle practice that originated in ancient India. It involves using various tools, such as physical postures, breathing techniques, social and personal values, and concentration/meditation to promote body-mind wellness, inner peace, and spiritual growth. Yoga (big y) as a phenomena, has no physical origin (and can be found, to one extent or another, in all spiritual traditions across the globe). Yoga (big y) is a natural, but not inevitable, process of inner evolution to one’s True Self/greatest expression while manifested into physical form.

Yes, anyone can practice Yoga, regardless of age, gender, and/or physical ability. There are various forms, styles, and types of Yoga, and numerous modifications for yoga postures and techniques that you can use to suit your individual needs and/or abilities.

Meditation is a mental practice that involves using focus and concentration to train, develop, and purify your mind. The practice is often centered on achieving heightened states of mental clarity, relaxation, peace, and/or greater Self-awareness and compassion (among other things).

Meditation has been scientifically linked to reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, and to improving mental health, emotional wellbeing, and overall quality of life. The practice can increase focus, concentration, and productivity, and can also prepare practitioners for higher spiritual connection.

All of the time. It is recommended, however, that if you wish to engage in yoga and meditation as occasional practices, and not as lifestyle choices, that you practice yoga and meditation at least 2-3 times per week to experience true benefits. I encourage you to practice daily, or as often as you like, depending on your schedule and/or preference.

No, you do not need any special equipment to practice yoga and/or meditation. It is recommended, however, that you wear comfortable clothing and use a yoga mat, a rug, a thick blanket, or cushion for comfort and support. You can shop for the right gear to get started from our affiliate company Gaiam. If props and/or other equipment are required for any class (for example restorative sessions that require bolsters, blankets, pillows, etc, or Hatha sessions that require blocks or straps for modifications), you will be informed of this. ahead of our meeting time

Practicing yoga-meditation can improve your body-mind health/wellness, flexibility, strength, balance, endurance, resilience, posture, and overall wellbeing. And, as mentioned in an answer to a previous question, the practice can also reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and improve mental capacity, clarity, and focus. This, again, is in addition to empowering its practitioners to achieve higher states of spiritual connection. Effectively applied to one’s life, Yoga-Meditation (at least on the Eight-Limbed path that we use as our foundation here) promises to empower one to achieve his/her greatest potential/purpose for being alive: to fully know/be her/his Highest Self, expressed, in this lifetime…to be Liberated.

To start practicing yoga and meditation here, you can start browsing through the wide range of educational tools and resources available here. Afterward, you can apply to join our community and to participate in our courses and live classes (if you are accepted as a Student). If you are a beginner, we will start slowly to gradually build up your practice to avoid injury and/or burnout. We will proceed at the right pace for you.

Challenging? Yes. Hard? No. My work is to safely empower you to grow and to evolve while holding you in unconditional positive regard at all times, supporting you to enjoy your journey/be gentle with yourself along the way. As a Teacher/Coach my work is to get you from where you are to where you strive to be in your Yoga-Meditation practice. And this involves supporting you to become skilled at empowering body-mind-ego purification/conditioning that progresses you to the right level of awareness that, then, allows you to know/understand and come into higher Truths/Realities that secure your aim of Liberation in this lifetime. Again, our main focus is for you to progress on your inner journey, and in order to ensure that this progress takes place, you will need intentional practice that can sometimes be challenging. I acknowledge, and have awareness of, where different people are at all times. And, therefore, knowing that not everyone has the same inner conditions/understandings, nor the same skill to get to the goal right away, we will first work on developing what is necessary in order to proceed. This can, for some individuals (depending on what body-mind-ego “shape” they are in) be challenging and/or uncomfortable. But I am not here to torture you (nor myself), so we will work to ensure that your journey here never feels unbearably “hard.” Always remember that I am a guide and a supporter, not your overlord. You are always in control of yourself and your journey here, and you decide whether you want a mild, medium, or intense practice at all times.

Yoga and meditation can be used as complementary support tools for various conditions, such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, high blood pressure, certain physical ailments, and so forth. It is important, however, to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new practice, especially if you have a medical condition. Yoga and meditation do not replace medical treatment if you are ill.

Yes. Yoga and meditation can be safe and beneficial during pregnancy, but you are required to consult with your healthcare provider for clearance first. Avoid certain postures and modify others to suit the changing needs of your body.

Yes. I am a Certified Trauma Support Professional, and, I have worked with trauma survivors in numerous settings, both in my coaching business and in non-profit settings, across the United States throughout my career. I am also a trauma survivor with higher Universal Self-Awareness, a “black” woman who values and lives by ethical conduct (Yamas, Niyamas, Golden Rule , etc), and a human being who has compassion for others and possesses the painfully beautiful gift of empathy, so, this space is both trauma-informed, non-judgmental/non-assuming, and culturally competent/respectful to/for all beings.

To see the expanded list of my main trainings and certifications, please have a look here. Main certifications include: Certified Graduate-Level Evidence-Based Coach (EBC), Certified Trauma Support Specialist (CTSS), Certified Yoga Teacher (RYT500/CYT), Certified Meditation Teacher (CMT300+).