Above All Wellness

10/07/2026

🌿 **Wellness Wednesday: The Power of the Breath** 🌿

**Have you ever noticed what happens to your breathing when you're stressed?**

Your breath may become faster, shallower, or more restricted. You may even find yourself holding your breath without realizing it.

Our breath and nervous system are closely connected. That's why learning to become more aware of our breathing can be such a powerful wellness tool.

# # # 🌱 How can yoga therapy use the breath?

In yoga therapy, breathing practices—often called **pranayama**—can be selected and adapted to meet an individual's needs and goals.

Breath practices may be used to support:

✨ **Stress management** — Creating a pause when life feels overwhelming.

✨ **Relaxation** — Encouraging the body to shift toward a calmer state.

✨ **Emotional regulation** — Developing a tool for responding to stress rather than immediately reacting to it.

✨ **Mindfulness** — Using the breath as an anchor to bring our attention back to the present moment.

✨ **Body awareness** — Noticing how emotions and stress show up physically.

One of the beautiful things about the breath is that **it is always with us.**

We don't need special equipment. We don't have to be flexible. We don't have to be experienced in yoga.

We simply have to pause and notice.

And for me, as a Christian Yoga Therapist, the breath carries an even deeper meaning.

In Genesis 2:7, Scripture tells us:

**"Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life."**

The breath can remind us that life itself is a gift from God.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or simply need a moment to reset, try this:

**Pause.
Breathe.
Notice.
Be still.
Remember that you are not alone.**

You don't have to change everything in one moment. Sometimes you can begin with just **one intentional breath.** 💙

At **Above All Wellness**, yoga therapy uses individualized movement, breathing practices, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques to support the body, mind, and spirit.

**If you would like to learn more about how yoga therapy could support your wellness journey, I'd love to connect with you.**

10/06/2026

🌿 **Tips for Tuesday: Take a Breath** 🌿

When life feels overwhelming, one of the simplest tools we have is something we are doing every moment of every day:

**Breathing.**

But when we're stressed, anxious, rushed, or overwhelmed, our breathing can become shallow, quick, or tense without us even realizing it.

Today, try this simple breathing practice:

✨ Find a comfortable position.
✨ Relax your shoulders and soften your jaw.
✨ Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest.
✨ Slowly breathe in through your nose.
✨ Then gently breathe out, allowing the exhale to be a little longer than the inhale.
✨ Repeat for 5–10 comfortable breaths.

Don't force the breath. You don't need to take a huge breath. Simply **notice your breathing and allow it to become slower and more comfortable.**

As you breathe, remind yourself:

**"I can pause. I can breathe. I don't have to solve everything in this moment."**

And remember what Scripture tells us:

**"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10**

Sometimes wellness begins with something as simple as stopping long enough to take a breath. 💙

🌿 **Try it today and notice how you feel before and after.**

09/30/2026

🌿 **Wellness Wednesday: Yoga Therapy & Back Disorders** 🌿

Our backs carry us through almost everything we do—walking, sitting, standing, bending, reaching, working, and simply getting through our day.

So when back pain or a spinal condition becomes part of our lives, it can affect much more than our physical comfort. It can influence sleep, mood, activity levels, confidence, and quality of life.

**Could yoga therapy be part of the solution?**

Yoga therapy is different from simply attending a general yoga class. It is an individualized approach that takes into consideration a person's health history, symptoms, physical abilities, goals, and limitations.

For someone living with a back disorder, a yoga therapist may incorporate carefully selected:

🌱 **Gentle movement** to maintain mobility and reduce unnecessary stiffness

🌱 **Strengthening exercises** to support the muscles that help stabilize the body

🌱 **Breathing practices** to encourage relaxation and reduce the tendency to hold tension

🌱 **Body awareness** to help someone recognize patterns of tension, movement, and discomfort

🌱 **Relaxation and mindfulness** to address the stress and emotional burden that can accompany chronic pain

🌱 **Modifications and supportive forms** so that the practice can meet the person where they are

One of the most important principles of yoga therapy is that **there is no one-size-fits-all practice.**

Someone with a herniated disc may need a very different approach than someone with arthritis, scoliosis, osteoporosis, or nonspecific chronic low-back pain. That's why individualized assessment and appropriate medical guidance are so important.

Yoga therapy is not about pushing through pain or forcing the body into a particular form.

It's about learning to **listen to your body, work within your capabilities, and develop practices that support your overall well-being.**

As a Christian Yoga Therapist, I also believe that caring for our bodies is part of honoring the body God has given us.

**"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit... Therefore honor God with your bodies." — 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NIV)**

Caring for your back isn't simply about getting rid of pain. It's about supporting your ability to move, participate in the things you love, and live your life with greater comfort and confidence.

💙 **If you or someone you know is struggling with back pain or a back disorder and would like to explore whether individualized yoga therapy could be a helpful complement to your current care, I'd love to connect with you.**

Send me a message or contact **Above All Wellness** to learn more.

*Yoga therapy is complementary care and does not replace medical evaluation or treatment. Always follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider, particularly when dealing with an injury or diagnosed spinal condition.*

09/29/2026

🌿 **Tips for Tuesday: Caring for Your Back** 🌿

Back pain is something many of us experience at some point in our lives. Whether it's from sitting too long, poor movement habits, muscle tension, an old injury, or an ongoing condition, how we care for our backs can make a difference.

Here are a few simple tips for supporting a healthy back:

✨ **1. Keep moving.**
Our backs generally benefit from regular, gentle movement. Avoid staying in one position for long periods when you can.

✨ **2. Pay attention to your posture.**
When sitting, working at a computer, or looking at your phone, notice whether you're holding unnecessary tension in your shoulders, neck, or back.

✨ **3. Strengthen your core.**
The muscles around your abdomen, hips, and back help support your spine. Gentle, appropriate strengthening can be an important part of back health.

✨ **4. Don't ignore your body's signals.**
Pain is information. If a movement causes pain or makes your symptoms worse, stop and seek appropriate guidance rather than pushing through it.

✨ **5. Breathe.**
When we're uncomfortable, we often tense our muscles and hold our breath without realizing it. Slow, comfortable breathing can help encourage relaxation.

✨ **6. Remember that every back is different.**
What feels wonderful for one person may not be appropriate for another. Your movement routine should take your individual condition, abilities, and needs into consideration.

💙 **Tomorrow for Wellness Wednesday**, we'll look at how **yoga therapy can be adapted to support people living with back disorders and chronic back pain.**

*If you have persistent or severe back pain, consult your physician or other qualified healthcare professional for an appropriate evaluation.*

09/02/2026

🌿 **Wellness Wednesday: Finding Rest for the Body, Mind & Spirit** 🌿

**"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 (NIV)**

These words of Jesus are an invitation—not just for the moments when we're completely exhausted, but for the everyday burdens we carry.

We live in a culture that often celebrates being busy. We're encouraged to keep going, accomplish more, care for everyone else, and somehow find time to take care of ourselves somewhere in between.

But our bodies were not designed to remain in a constant state of stress and activity.

Sometimes **we need to stop.**

This is one of the beautiful places where yoga therapy can support our wellness.

Yoga therapy isn't simply about stretching or getting into a particular posture. It can be a personalized practice that uses movement, breath, mindfulness, relaxation, and other therapeutic tools to support the **whole person.**

🌱 **Rest for the body**
Gentle movement can help release physical tension and bring greater awareness to what our bodies are communicating.

🌱 **Rest for the mind**
Breathwork and mindfulness can help us slow down, become present, and create space between ourselves and the constant stream of thoughts.

🌱 **Rest for the nervous system**
Intentional practices can encourage a shift away from constant stress and toward a more relaxed and regulated state.

🌱 **Rest for the spirit**
For those of us who follow Christ, moments of stillness can become opportunities to remember that we are not in control of everything—and we don't have to be.

**Rest doesn't mean giving up.
Rest doesn't mean you're lazy.
Rest doesn't mean you aren't productive.**

Sometimes rest is an act of trust.

It is saying, *"God, I have done what I can today. The rest is in Your hands."*

And perhaps that's what makes Matthew 11:28 so powerful. Jesus doesn't tell the weary to try harder.

**He says, "Come to me."**

💙 If your body is tired, your mind is overwhelmed, or you simply feel like you've been carrying too much for too long, perhaps today is a good day to pause.

Take a breath.

Let your shoulders soften.

And receive the invitation to rest.

**At Above All Wellness, yoga therapy provides individualized practices to help support the body, calm the mind, and nurture the spirit.**

If you or someone you know could benefit from a personalized approach to wellness, **I'd love to connect with you.**
Also if you are looking for a place where you can go and find rest. I will be teaching a YogaFaith class at Lake Forest Church in Huntersville on Tuesday mornings starting Sept. 22 at 10 am. You can sign up here. https://onrealm.org/lakeforest/Registrations/Registrants/776ed796-9c80-47e6-8d71-b4b30106245a?congregantView=True

09/01/2026

🌿 **Tips for Tuesday: Give Yourself Permission to Rest** 🌿

When was the last time you truly rested?

Not just sitting down while scrolling your phone. Not checking email while watching TV. Not thinking about everything you still need to do.

**Real rest.**

Our bodies can become tired from constantly being "on." Our minds can become overwhelmed by responsibilities, worries, and the never-ending list of things that need our attention.

So today, try giving yourself just **5 minutes to pause.**

✨ Put your phone down.
✨ Take a few slow, comfortable breaths.
✨ Relax your shoulders.
✨ Notice where you're holding tension.
✨ Let go of whatever you don't need to carry in this moment.
✨ And remind yourself: *I don't have to do everything right now.*

Jesus gives us a beautiful invitation:

**"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 (NIV)**

Today, don't think of rest as something you have to *earn.*

**Receive it as a gift.** 💙

Tomorrow for **Wellness Wednesday**, we'll explore what it means to find rest for the **body, mind, and spirit** through yoga therapy.

08/31/2026

Meditative Monday- "Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11:28–30 — Outlaw Gospel Blues“Come to Me, all who are we...

08/26/2026

🌿 **Wellness Wednesday: Yoga Therapy & Cognitive Disorders** 🌿

Living with a cognitive disorder can bring changes in memory, attention, communication, mood, movement, and the ability to participate in everyday activities. Conditions such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia can affect not only the individual, but also their families and caregivers.

While yoga therapy cannot cure cognitive disorders or reverse all cognitive changes, it may be a valuable **complementary practice** that supports overall quality of life.

One of the greatest benefits of yoga therapy is that it is **individualized**. Practices can be adapted to meet a person's unique abilities, needs, and current level of functioning.

✨ **How might yoga therapy help?**

**🌱 Gentle movement and mobility**
Adapted movement can help support strength, balance, flexibility, and confidence in the body.

**🌱 Body awareness**
Simple, accessible practices may help an individual reconnect with their body and experience the present moment.

**🌱 Relaxation and stress reduction**
Breathing and relaxation practices may help reduce tension and create a greater sense of calm.

**🌱 Supporting emotional well-being**
A yoga therapy session can provide a compassionate space for movement, connection, enjoyment, and self-expression.

**🌱 Connection and engagement**
Meaningful movement and shared activities can help support social connection and participation.

**🌱 Practices adapted to the individual**
Yoga therapy can be modified to include chair yoga, simple movements, familiar music, breathing practices, relaxation, and other approaches based on the individual's abilities and needs.

As a Christian Yoga Therapist, I believe that every person has inherent dignity and worth—regardless of their diagnosis or abilities. Even when memory changes, **God's love for us does not change.**

**"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." — Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)**

A diagnosis may change many things, but it does not take away a person's value, identity, or need to be seen and loved.

💙 **If you or someone you love is living with a cognitive disorder and you would like to learn more about how individualized yoga therapy may provide support, please send me a message or contact Above All Wellness.** I would be happy to talk with you about whether yoga therapy may be an appropriate addition to your overall wellness plan.

*Yoga therapy is complementary care and is not a replacement for medical care, cognitive evaluation, prescribed treatment, or other healthcare services.*

08/25/2026

🌿 **Tips for Tuesday: Supporting Cognitive Health** 🌿

Cognitive changes can affect memory, attention, problem-solving, communication, and the ability to manage everyday tasks. Whether someone is living with mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or another cognitive disorder, simple routines and supportive environments can make a meaningful difference.

Here are a few tips that may help support cognitive wellness:

✨ **1. Keep a routine.**
A predictable daily schedule can help reduce confusion and create a greater sense of security.

✨ **2. Keep moving.**
Gentle physical activity can support overall health, circulation, mobility, mood, and well-being.

✨ **3. Engage the mind.**
Reading, listening to music, looking at photographs, doing puzzles, learning something new, or participating in meaningful activities can help keep the mind engaged.

✨ **4. Stay socially connected.**
Loneliness and isolation can affect emotional well-being. Spending time with family, friends, or a supportive community can be beneficial.

✨ **5. Create a calm environment.**
Too much noise, clutter, or stimulation can sometimes be overwhelming. A peaceful and familiar environment may help promote comfort and reduce stress.

✨ **6. Be patient and compassionate.**
Cognitive changes can be frustrating and frightening. A calm voice, gentle reassurance, and patience can go a long way.

Most importantly, remember that a person is **more than their diagnosis**. Even when memory or abilities change, the need for connection, dignity, purpose, love, and belonging remains.

**"Let all that you do be done in love." — 1 Corinthians 16:14**

💙 If you are caring for someone with cognitive changes, remember to care for yourself too. Caregiving can be demanding, and you deserve support and compassion as well.

Tomorrow for **Wellness Wednesday**, I'll be sharing how **yoga therapy may provide individualized support for people living with cognitive disorders.**

08/21/2026

So what do you need to do today to have a Fantastic Friday??