sometimes our deeply held beliefs about ourselves don’t hold up to scrutiny. For years, I’d been sure that I was not getting enough sleep. I would wake up in the morning feeling tired, often disturbed by the vivid dreams I experienced. If I woke up in the middle of the night, I’d anxiously count theContinue reading “taking control of the narrative”
Author Archives: laura beth wenger
pyschosomatic doesn’t mean imaginary
Just because it doesn’t “make sense,” doesn’t mean it’s not real. Psychosomatic symptoms are caused by a complex constellation of factors, including mental, emotional or social conditions. They are as harmful or dangerous as any medically-diagnosed condition. When I was 13 years old, I had all of the symptoms of mononucleosis. After being tested byContinue reading “pyschosomatic doesn’t mean imaginary”
“can’t you just…”
Last week, one of my clients was telling me about her past experience with a yoga teacher. “She was young, thin, her body could do everything, and she was just trying to push my body into different positions, like, ‘can’t you just do this,’ and it wasn’t working at all…” In that moment, not onlyContinue reading ““can’t you just…””
they handed me a french horn: (it’s not too late to be who you wish you had been)
“There is an inner wholeness that presses its still unfilled claims upon us.” Emma Jung My one and only childhood encounter with musical instruction happened at the age of 9. My classmates and I were filed into a small room where a visibly irritated and tired teacher handed each of us a musical instrument. WhenContinue reading “they handed me a french horn: (it’s not too late to be who you wish you had been)”
It’s Not Exercise, It’s Not a Workout, It’s Training (here’s why):
When I talk about the kind of work that I do, or how I move my body, you might notice that I never refer to my “workouts” or “exercise.” This is a deliberate choice that speaks to the kind of work that I do and the ways in which we can disrupt what Decolonizing FitnessContinue reading “It’s Not Exercise, It’s Not a Workout, It’s Training (here’s why):”
6 ways that movement helps support mental health
(There are definitely more, but 6 is a nice number to start with!) Endorphins. Movement releases “feel-good” hormones like seratonin, endorphins, dopamine & norepinephrine (adrenaline). You really can get a natural high. If you’re moving in synchronicity with other people, socializing, or outdoors, you may get an additional dose of these! Improves the mind-body connection.Continue reading “6 ways that movement helps support mental health”
why mindful movement matters
Mindfulness gained popularity in the past few decades as a secular way to experience the benefits of meditation. It’s become so common as to almost be cliched. Your employer is encouraging mindfulness as a means to reduce stress (and lower their own costs). Your favorite actors go on regular mindfulness retreats. And now the manyContinue reading “why mindful movement matters”
sympathetic joy: learning to celebrate others’ good fortune
You’re probably familiar with the concepts of lovingkindness (metta), compassion (karuna), and equanimity (upekkha). When we wish, pray or chant, “May all beings be happy and free from suffering,” we have a clear understanding of what is being offered. Even equanimity feels pretty clear: we wish that all beings be unbothered by the ups andContinue reading “sympathetic joy: learning to celebrate others’ good fortune”
body positivity isn’t always the (best) answer
When I was a freshly-minted new yoga teacher, I had one goal with my students: to help them to recognize that they were enough, perfect, just as they were. I proclaimed radical self-love to anyone who would listen– convinced that if they could just throw out their scale and embrace their own imperfections, they wouldContinue reading “body positivity isn’t always the (best) answer”
diversify your joy portfolio
When you think about health and wellness, what comes to mind? Exercise, meditation, massage, eating well? What about just feeling good– are you prioritizing joy and pleasure for yourself? Learning to allow ourselves to feel good doesn’t come easy for some of us, especially those of us who have a history of traumatic stress orContinue reading “diversify your joy portfolio”