Yoga Wheelâs are just as important as your mat!
Sorry for the blog being down for so long. Our app will be up soon! For 1:1 in person or online, you can still e-mail! Space is limited.
And yes, Iâll expand on the wheel. TBC
Much love,
Until next timeâŚNamaste my friends! đđťBomb Yoga Mom
Letâs take a twist on fitness + Eco-friendliness!
Happy Earth Day, my friends! I hope you have all had a wonderful day, and reflected on what you can do to make it better. There is no better way to combine being sustainable & lowering your carbon footprint all while getting your workout in by practicing outdoors. Youâre not only being eco-friendly, but youâre getting that added benefit of Vitamin D from itâs true source!
The pose above is probably my favorite if not top 3 poses that I do throughout the day, and incorporate in every practice. About the pose: Utrasana, also known as âCamel Poseâ (or Camel). Utrasana, or âCamel Poseâ is a huge heart opener. (Both arms at ankles). Stretches thighs, ankles, thorax, inguinals, quads, psoas). Great for strengthening your back. Youâll see full expression and different variations in more posts! I just loved this photo for today! Also, as yâall know I like to be personable with my own experience. This is great for everyone. However I may have an extra force pulling me to this pose due to certain body ailments. Iâll take a second to let you all know I âsufferâ (radically accepted) from a very rare connective tissue disorder called Ehlerâs Danlos Syndrome, or EDS – ALONG WITH fibromyalgia. (If you suffer from fibromyalgia it is very common to be misdiagnosed, or undiagnosed with the real genetic disease of Ehlerâs Danlos – EDS). You can have both, but every doctor who even knows what EDS is – has told me (of course I ask) – that YES, most people are diagnosed with fibromyalgia when in reality they have EDS, or in my case, both. I also have severe S-Curved Scoliosis at an above 20 degree curve with herniated and bulging discs at every level of my spine. I have a metal disc in my neck after discectomy. I have thyroid issues ⌠just to name a few of my bodyâs condition. Iâll do a post on that as I donât want to take away from EARTH DAY.
Some things you can do to help the Earth are simple. â˘Turn off the lights. ⢠Be mindful of the energy usage – your wallet with thank you too! ⢠Plant a tree (so therapeutic) ⢠Reduce, Re-use, and recycle ⢠Conserve Water ⢠Reuse shopping bags. Those are all so easy, eco-friendly, therapeutic, and helpful money management tools. You can also go the extra mile by biking to work (and other places!) Added fitness bonus! ⢠Do your workouts outdoors & get that Vitamin D & fresh air! ⢠Only buy sustainable eco friendly products. Theyâre becoming more and more affordable so youâre not breaking the bank. At first it was expensive & rare. Now, more and more companies either are or plan to be fully/as much as possible carbon-neutral! ⢠For the ladies – hereâs a tip on a great company (non-collab) – HereWeFlo – for lifeâs messy moments. Eco-friendly and gives back to the community. Price is afforadable if not less than name brands weâve been used to for decades.
Donât forget – being outdoors with natural (I wish I could say pure) air, has been proven to eradicate disease, improve mood, and since Iâve spoken about sobriety, it is HUGE in recovery that you love your planet and spend time outdoors. Youâll make new friends, and youâll probably have some new, healthy addictions like gardening, biking, working out, or even just grounding – melting into the Earth. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you.
I will be back to edit and add more of my favorite companies, ideas Iâve personally incorporated that were actually saving me money while being eco-friendly, and some great fitness tips for outdoors! Remember, gyms are EXPENSIVE for a reason! All of that energy usage is what youâre paying for, and you can always makeshift equipment or use other items you have outdoors! We only have one Earth, letâs love it back. Until next time my friends, NAMASTE
PS – Donât forget grounding every day. You donât have to be a yogi for that!
He is risen!
đˇđ°đđđ˘ đ´đ°đđđ´đ! âď¸ – đĽđ˛đđđżđżđ˛đ°đđśđźđť đđŽđ đŽđŹđŽđŽ – Happy Resurrection Day! Easter is a fun holiday – but letâs not forget the true meaning. Our sins were paid on the cross by Jesus, and by His stripes, we are healed. Through His resurrection, we too have our own resurrection to come. There would be no other way to connect with our perfect God in heaven. He paid it all. ⢠Isaiah 55:3 âBut He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him; And by His stripes we are healed.â (NKJV)
To be posted-Posh Fest 2022 (Courtesy of my PFF Lynn)! Post to come! #poshmark
Dara Singletary @thatbombyogamom
To be posted-Posh Fest 2022 (Courtesy of my PFF Lynn)! Post to come! #poshmark
Dara Singletary @thatbombyogamom
Hello my friends! So Iâve been a busy girl lately. Not only do I have some AWESOME yoga-related news to share with you, but Iâve got a lot of other health-related information for those health-conscious people following along! So if youâve wondered where Iâve been, I stepped up my game and am an official RYT-500 teacher through the Yoga Alliance, the gold standard for anything yoga.
As this is just a short update (overdue as I graduated over a month ago), I wanted to give yâall some info if you are interested in becoming an RYT, and confused as to schools, designations, pricing, etc.
First off – youâre welcome to do whatever your heart wants! And Iâm not here to push for anything other than that! However, I do want to give some tips for those who are just lost like I was for years trying to figure out what to do.
In order to be successful – My personal belief is that you NEED to be with the Yoga Alliance. There are THOUSANDS of Registered Yoga Schools (RYS) through the Yoga Alliance. The YA holds their teachers and teacher trainers to a standard unlike any other yoga association. They offer digital events almost daily that count toward required Continuing Education which ⌠is 1000% necessary. During the pandemic they are allowing for these CEUâs to be easily accessible to anyone and everyone. So – donât let the price of a Yoga Alliance school sway you. Trust me, Iâm a money conscious mama and it was hard but YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! And in this case, more! Think about it – would you want a Doctor or Physical Therapist who didnât have to have continuing ongoing education to keep them up to date? Of course not! So although there are a lot of people who see yoga as slow, gentle (which it can be) practices, it can also be extremely hard on the body hence the difference between Yin and Yang styled classes. For instance, if youâve ever done Bikram Hot Yoga, it doesnât really feel like âyoga,â does it? And even with Yin-styled classes (which Iâll explain the two now that Iâm back from my hiatus!) even the slightest movement can injure you for a long time. I mean a LONG time, like Iâve previously stated a guru of mine was hurt for a year after one bad move. So when you see the price tag on the certification for being a yoga teacher, understand thereâs a reason why. If you see a school unregistered with the YA – they donât have YA credentials for one, and for two Iâd just say run. Thatâs like paying a couple hundred for a University degree (which I also have several of those as well).
Iâm not here to sway anyone and we can all be successful yogis. BUT – donât quit your day job when you get that first RYT-200. It takes a lot of work, time, effort, dedication, passion, and again it never just stops. The possibilities are endless and if your like-minded and have an entrepreneurial mindset and donât want to get stuck in the rat-race, this is one of MANY avenues for you (if you donât like yoga – this would be terrible advice to tell you to go for it). Whatever it is that you love, pour your heart and soul into it and you will reach potential you never thought possible.
Thatâs all for now as Iâm working on even more (RCYT, and things related to my B.S. and Masterâs, plus ya know – keeping a mini-me alive and thriving! đ) – soooo âchatâ soon – NAMASTE my friends!
Good day everyone! I hope this WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY blog post finds you well. I have had a pressing urge to tell a small story about how I became a yogi, why I became a registered yoga teacher, and how you can do it too!
For starters, I had no idea what I was in for when I first stepped foot in a yoga studio around my early 20âs. I had been an elite gymnast and runner my entire life, and figured I would give it a try, just for fun, no commitments, just something new.
After experimenting with different types, I ended up practicing yoga for about 10 years before I finally took the plunge to stop being a yoga student alone, and become a registered yoga teacher (RYT)! I had no idea where to start or what I was doing. The only thing I knew about becoming a teacher, was teacher trainings offered in the current studio I had practiced (WAY overpriced). So, I searched and searched until I found what I needed. I hope this blog post helps you decide if becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher is right for you, and also takes out a lot of the work and questions on how to get there.
Before I get started, I want to inform you (because many donât know thisâŚ.I didnât!), there are MANY yoga teachers that are not even registered yoga teachers. They are practitioners and youâll see the difference through this post. That is extremely scary to say the very least, knowing that a lot of gyms hire personal trainers or even just yogis to teach yoga, and this is a big no-no. There are so many different types of yoga, so many modifications, and yoga teachers require a lot of experience and training in order to prevent injury. The poses may seem minimal at first sight (especially beginner yoga), but everyone is different anatomically. An experienced certified trainer is able to offer modifications and really stay hands-on with their students. Even the best yoga teachers can make one small move and injure THEMSELVES! (One of my former teachers injured his groin for an entire year!) That is why becoming a registered yoga teacher, or taking classes only from a registered yoga teacher (RYT) with the proper credentials and experience is so important. I cannot stress that enough. Even more, yoga is not just a physical practice. Yoga is mind â body â soul. It may seem like an exercise of the body, but it is so much more. You reap benefits of the mind while practicing through the body. We have so many channels and sources of the subconscious, while we are doing everyday tasks. Yoga truly hones in on our subconscious, conscious, channels, vessels, and we really arenât even aware. (Usually we just note that we âfeel good,â and I always attributed that simply to endorphins.) You can let go of stress, ailments, dis-ease, clutter of the mind, and reach a new level of consciousness, selflessness, awareness, soulfulness (the list goes on) through the art of yoga.
One of the first things I want to press is that the Yoga Alliance is the GO TO. Please donât be sucked in to getting certified if itâs not through a Yoga Alliance school. The protocols they adhere to are strict, in a good way â no one should be helf-certified through other means. I would never direct someone to take any type of training that is not with a designated, certified Yoga Alliance School. You can go to https://www.yogaalliance.org to search for schools, but I have a lot of experience and this post will lead you to the absolute best school out there! If you are ready and your schedule permits, start as soon as you can! You will not regret it.
It takes a lot of time, dedication, energy, passion, and effort to become a registered yoga teacher. Below I will outline the different main designations, as you have to start at step 1 and work your way up (if you want to, or you can stay there. The choice is all yours). The possibilities are endless.
RYT 200 â Registered Yoga Teacher 200 Hour â this is your starting point!
RYT 300 â Registered Yoga Teacher 300 Hour â I recommend this next, to go to:
RYT 500 â Registered Yoga Teacher 500 Hour
(I will add there are other designations, for example YACEP, and other certifications (such as prenatal yoga). I totally recommend, but for starters I outline the 3 above as my personal go-to.
Now, I will add in a side note, you can choose to be an E-RYT 200 instead of jumping to 300 and 500 hour. However, for my experience, the above is what I recommend. After youâve completed those, you will then add up hours to becoming an E-RYT 500. The sky is the limit! YOU choose where you want to be!
Whatâs wonderful is that you will not just learn anatomy & physiology (like physical trainers), but also mindfulness, grounding, coping mechanisms, restoration, and so much more. If youâre choosing to be a student and not ready to take the plunge, just know that there are so many different types of yoga. If you donât like your first class, thatâs OKAY! Try another. I can say without a doubt that there is a yogic practice for everyone.
Now, letâs back up. I try to connect with my bloggers on a personal level. So, while I do give facts and recommendations, I also connect with you and allow you into my life, as I know someone will connect. I also want my personal experience to help you through whatever journey you choose. I always pray before I post anything, that someone who needs this will be led here.
So â when I decided to take that leap from student to teacher (I had been wanting to for YEARS), I was going through an arduous divorce (as a new mom – arduous is putting it lightly). I couldnât sleep. I couldnât eat. I was in a constant state of fight or flight. My mental health and my energy, my prana, my frequency was at an all time low (higher frequency = better health). I cannot explain to you how bad it was, and I can honestly say I didnât even know how bad it was until Iâve looked back in retrospect.
I loved the practice of yoga, and how I felt energized after classes. Iâd go in drained, and leave renewed. I felt SO HAPPY, even when I was SO LOW just an hour prior. I didnât know until I took YTT (Yoga Teacher Training), why I felt the mental clarity and complete change in my mindset. It was a complete 180. All of the years I had been practicing, I thought I was simply working out. Not the case! As a yoga teacher, we learn not just anatomical safety, teaching, but we also learn the background of yoga. We learn the origins. We learn yin and yang. We learn duality, polarity, mindfulness, grounding. We learn why these poses affect us mentally and physically and how they connect to certain organs and systems of the body. We learn breathing exercises (try looking up alternate nostril breathing for brain hemispheres!), and how to connect the breath and the body. We understand fight or flight, anxiety, stress, root chakras, and so much more. This helps us as teachers to send that to our students, aid them in achieving their highest potential and awareness, and we learn the art of letting go. The timing of taking the training during my divorce, at my absolute lowest point ever, was a complete miracle. I honestly donât know where Iâd be if yoga was not integrated so deeply during that time.
Iâll add once more â I was able to handle things that I couldnât handle before. (As you know, I am a single mom). So not only was I able to handle this tremendous anxiety, depression, fearâŚI was able to become a better mother. A better parent since I was playing both roles. I started noticing the way I spoke (not even just to my daughter, but to everyone), the way I was parenting, the way I handled myself, the way I carried myselfâŚeverything had shifted. I was always a kind and patient parent, but it was so difficult being a single mom (my daughter having an absent father almost her entire life). I had always made sure not to let that show to her, but prior to YTT, I would have intense meltdowns after she went to bed. Then, suddenly everything shifted. It became less and less tough and more and more fulfilling than it even was before. The way I handled the stress was different. No more meltdowns and panic attacks. (If they arose, I knew exactly what to do). I even noticed that I was talking to her in the same way Iâd talk to a class (or teachers talked to me), and my energy plus my frequency was extending to her. I was extending the light and extending the love even more than I knew possible.
[Since this is also a parenting blog, side note to parents: Our children are so resilient, and they feed off of what is around them. When there is chaos in you, they will be in chaos in them. When there is tranquility, they will be in tranquility. So, again, the timing couldnât have been better. The training served my daughter, just as it did me. (My daughter was 2 years of age).]
So, now that Iâve revealed my personal experience, perhaps you have more of an idea of what you may want to do! If you feel teacher training is good for you â I have great resources to share.
Disclaimer: this is not an ad. My blog is 100% not for profit. My blog contains nothing but my own experiences and thoughts.
There are many schools that you can find, but you definitely need to make sure that they are a registered yoga school (RYS) through the Yoga Alliance (you can do an easy, super user-friendly search to verify at www.yogaalliance.org). However, as Iâve said above, I have a lot of experience with different schools and teachings. For the purpose of this blog, Iâd like to give you a straightforward path to get you where you need to be, if it is your desire (Iâm cutting out a lot of work for you that I had done on my own for a long time!)
The best school that I have ever encountered is My Vinyasa Practice (www.myvinyasapractice.com) â https://www.myvinyasapractice.com/online-yoga-teacher-training/ . They are a registered yoga school (RYS) that offers an array of trainings, workshops, personal FAST support (and even phone lines for assistance), in person and ZOOM classes, recording libraries, book clubs, peer reviews, live peer review practice teachings, insurance, help for business growth and development, podcasts, and so much more (every week they are collaborating something new; this is the most IN DEPTH studio ever!), and you can still sign up online through 2021 â so no need to worry about location! They are fully accredited through the Yoga Alliance and AFFORDABLE. So to cut out all of the searching, if you are ready to take that plunge, I highly recommend heading straight there, they are a one stop shop for literally everything. See what they have to offer, as they have more offerings than any other school Iâve ever come across (and Iâm talking YEARS of research and personal experience). Even if youâre already an RYT, but ready for other designations or just want to learn more or take a retreat, I highly suggest to check them out. (Again, this is not paid, not an advertisement, itâs simply me helping my readers with what I wish I would have read years ago!) It has been my delight and such an honor to have come across them. Also, you can search their Youtube for classes too! You can take it with you wherever you go with their live-stream as well!
Honestly, I could write forever, as this is such a passion and has changed my life tremendously, given me so much gratitude, but Iâll let you all soak in this WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY post! As always, the choice is yours, but now you have my personal, unbiased feedback on training, teaching, schooling, and more. I hope this has helped guide you, wherever you are at. Iâve listed the links below for reference in one place as well. May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be whole.
Until next time my friends, NAMASTE
Happy International Day of Yoga 2021 Campaign đđť
This year, the Yoga Alliance Foundation is launching an International Day of Yoga, Matching Donation Campaign! It will match dollar for dollar contributions in support of COVID-19 aid for India! Please consider even just $1! Find the link below:
https://www.yogaalliance.org/Donation
Iâll be adding to the post but wanted to get it posted ASAP! You can donate any amount, if you feel led to contribute! Itâs an amazing cause with an amazing alliance. http://www.yogaalliance.org
Until next time, Namaste my friends! đđť
So for the last 2 weeks I have been on edge. Sleeplessness, irritability, impatience, resentments that I let go of arose, and I just thought I was going through the motions. Not so much. My body, mind, soul, spirit was preparing me for today and the weeks to come.
I generally go to bed around 7, (I know), but I couldnât sleep or turn my mind off. Iâm a mom and play the dad role, so I am exhausted at the end of the day, really by 4 or 5. However, I thought, are we in Mercury Retrograde? I figured weâd be somewhere in retrograde as Iâve felt such a shift lately (but didnât think once about retrograde until tonight…), so I looked up to see. I was not one bit surprised to see the blasted that this is the âBiggest Mercury Retrograde of 2021â and that it started TODAY. (I donât need a retrograde calendar, I have a built-in body/mind/soul retrograde alert system if you will!)
Again, I wasnât alarmed to see that May 29 is the start of the biggest Mercury Retrograde of the year. No wonder my body has been so out of tune – when you are in sync with your mind, body, and soul, you just know. My being was preparing me for this.
This is going to be a short post, but thereâs the reason why Iâve been so out of sorts and not posting like I have intended. For that I apologize because I have so much more to share!
Regarding Mercury retrograde, it is May 29-June 22. Trust me yâall, I havenât looked up the dates in forever. I just knew.
What is Mercury retrograde? I will let you do your homework until I edit this, but it is when Mercury is in apparent retrograde motion. But what does that mean? Mercury retrograde is a time when there may be confusion, frustration, anger, feelings all over. âCoincidencesâ can be huge, although Iâll link a podcast on how this sentence is a catch 22 because I donât believe in coincidence. However, the notice of âcoincidenceâ will probably be extreme. Intuition is super high during this period, and if youâre already intuitive well … double whammy. However, I see the intuitive trait as a GIFT.
Lastly, since itâs past my bedtime and retrograde is going to be quite long, I have a few things to add (I will be editing when itâs not past my bedtime (đ)…I am the epitome of âwanderlust,â free-spirited, and a moon child. HOWEVER, I disagree with a LOT of astrology and there are things I wonât allow in my head. Retrograde has proven time and time again, I mean hello, how âcoincidentalâ that I would think, maybe we are in retrograde, and BOOM it started TODAY, AND itâs the largest retrograde of the year!So for closing on this note, I want to say this: during retrograde, itâs great to note that you shouldnât be quick to make commitments. You should look out for âcoincidencesâ and make note of it! It will peak your interest. Stay flexible. Take extra measures to guard your heart and soul and to stay on the course of soulfulness, rather than to stray, which is what many people will end up doing. Most of all stay positive, donât blame Mercury retrograde or use it as an excuse for poor behavior, communication, attitudes, etc. Stay authentic, stay true, stay you!
Until next time my friends, NAMASTE
P.S. Do NOT fear Mercury Retrograde, or (anything for that matter). Embrace it! Use it to become a stronger, patient, loving, soulful person, even more than you already are! This is the perfect opportunity.
Good morning, and happy Tuesday my friends! Iâd like to start with gratitude, and declaring this a thankful, thoughtful Tuesday.
Today I would like to get into the beginnings of yoga physically, since I have talked a lot on spirituality – reason being I went from âme,â to a straight up 24/7 Spiritual Gangster. However, I know a lot of you are eager to get to the physical aspect, so letâs get started!
Childâs pose – this is where we begin and at any time during practice I urge you to come back here if your body isnât working with you. I want to make it so clear that regardless of whether you are full-throttle or simply still, you reap all the benefits.
As this is our starting pose (mine at least), I will post a photo below and most likely the first thought in your mind is ok…next. Not so fast. There are so many different aspects to postures that seem mundane or simple, everyday easy resting poses, that have nothing to do with yoga. In childâs pose – you have variations as well. So letâs get into that. {Childâs Pose is âBalasana,â (anytime you see the suffix -asana or -sana, itâs an ASANA, (as well as a counter asana), so donât let the ease of the photo make you quick to just lay there as it looks}. Furthermore to speak as to it being an asana, and counter asana, let your mind remember that it actually does something (i.e. stretching, calming the mind) rather than just getting you ready for practice (hence why I say you do reap the benefits of anything, no matter how simple it may seem). It is actually a forward bend, and restorative pose. Childâs pose stretches your body (extending the arm you can reach your fingers towards the edge of the mat and feel a wonderful deep back/shoulder stretch). Also, 3 main areas you may be surprised about that are engaged, include (but not limited to) the hips, thigh, ankle.
To start, let me explain the correct way to do Balasana, Childâs Pose:
1. Kneel on the floor, touching the big toes whilst sitting on your heels. Begin to separate the knees approximately as wide as the hips.
2. Now lay your torso forward and down between thighs as you EXHALE (breathwork is crucial in all poses, whether you should be inhaling or exhaling). – Narrow your hip points toward your navel (bellybutton), as you broaden your sacrum (low back) across the back of your pelvis. You should feel that nice opening stretch. If you have low back problems, itâs great to do this anytime throughout the day and just relax.
3. You should be nestled in between your inner thighs, and lengthen the tailbone as far as feels good. (Never push your body past itâs limits, as always).
4. Lift the bottom/base of the skull away from the bottom of the neck. Picture this as your vertebrae stretching, creating that space in between. (Also great for cervical and thoracic pain, disc issues, etc.)
5. Lay your hands out it front of you, palms facing up, or back behind you, palms facing down. (Your choice). (Reiteration: Childâs pose is a kneeling pose, and you may either take your arms out in front of you or back behind you. I say, do both and choose which feels best. Thereâs no wrong or right choice in which direction you choose to extend the arms. Just make sure you do.)
6. Release the front of your shoulders toward the floor, either way. If your arms are extended in front of you, you will most likely feel an âahhhhâ sensation, in your back, which is the widening of your shoulder blades across the back.
7. I recommend staying for 3 minutes. You wonât find this is all classes, but this is where I begin deep breathwork, inhaling as deep as you can go, maybe taking one more sip of air, and then exhaling with an audible H-A âHAAAAâ sound. (For years I was too embarrassed to do that in studio). When you become a teacher or you learn that this practice is YOURS, you DO things that might normally feel embarrassing or weird. Itâs a great benefit as you are clearing out the lungs, releasing that stale air from your body. Repeat these breaths at least 3-5 times. Take your time and inhale deep, exhale deep.
Childâs pose isnât just laying there now is it?! Do these things so you can reap the benefits to the full extent.
Lastly, I will say to please READ these tips:
⢠This is NOT for prenatal yoga
⢠If you have knee issues you can modify the knees (such as Osgood-Schlatter đââď¸)
⢠If you have trouble resting on the heels, you may place a blanket or roll your mat up under them
⢠We never in daily life breathe back into our torso. This allows us to do that (hence the breathing exercises). Also, remember to stretch the vertebrae during inhale, and on each exhale (deep), go a little further into the forward fold (into that nestled spot between the thighs). This will help you with standing forward folds
â˘Set your intention! Use this as a time to shut off the mental chatter before your practice.
â˘Additional benefits: reduces stress and fatigue. Again, reduces back and neck pain.
â˘Can be sequenced between more challenging asanas/poses/flows.
â˘Lastly – I will emphasize this forever, never push the limits. You know your body best, trust it. No one is looking or comparing, I can assure you.
Until next time my friends, NAMASTE
Bomb Yoga Mom