Caregiver's Retreat, World Yoga Conference & more
Adding Speaker to my repertoire of titles
November has been an interesting month. And I wanted to take a moment to share what I have been up to lately. On November 1st, I was the keynote speaker for The ARC of Oneida Lewis County’s Caregiver’s Retreat. For those from the studio who were wondering why there was no First Friday class in November, this was why. I spoke about what yoga & meditation are and how they are available for everyone. My infamous comment that I have a yoga YOU can do was used. I spoke about the importance of yoga and meditation for caregivers in combating caregiver burnout. We did some simple yoga poses using a chair together, and I guided them through a couple of meditations. One focused on breathing and the breath cycle…most people aren’t aware that you cannot focus on your breath and anything else. Google it! It is a scientific fact! Additionally, many are unaware there is more to the breath cycle than inhaling and exhaling. I love introducing meditation to people by using the breath because you have to breathe to live, and when you need to meditate and need something to focus and concentrate on, the breath is the perfect tool. Incorporating the entire breath cycle is a perfect way to remind yourself that the body is still briefly every time you breathe…not once, but twice. I ended with my own bubbles meditation. I originally wrote the meditation for children, but since then, I have also used it many times with adults. it appeals to our inner child…as I always say, when guiding people through this mediation…who doesn’t like blowing bubbles? I’m including some pictures here to share from that night.
On November 9th, I was privileged to be a speaker at the 2024 World Yoga Federation Online Yoga Conference. This year's topic was about the true knowledge, wisdom, and light of yoga. This is my second year being able to speak. Coming on the heels of the US Presidential Election, I felt Ahimsa was the BEST possible thing to speak about. The first yama of yoga, non-harming. Non-harming in word, thought, and deed. My thoughts from the moment I was asked were that we live in such a divided world these days. Yoga is about unity, about recognizing that we are all part of each other. That we all come from the same source. That we are all pieces of divine love. When we say Namaste in yoga, we honor the divine in each other. Regardless of your opinions of the political landscape, we shouldn’t be harming each other. Period. And I spent my short time at the conference speaking about the importance of all of this. I’m including a picture and an excerpt from the video from Day 2 when I spoke.
It’s been a busy month of sharing, needless to say. This is the second and third time this year that I have had the opportunity to share about yoga and Ayurveda with others. My first presentation was to local teachers about how they can incorporate yoga and meditation in their classrooms.
I have been inspired to create a speaker profile after this month. I invite you to check it out. Profile. If you want to have me speak about Yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, etc., reach out!