Mornings are challenging for me. As I wake up, I often have a rush of creativity, and always a rush of productivity (one form of creativity). I can review a lot of emails, type up lots of documentation, and often write up my blogs (my favorite early morning activity aside from yoga). And then of … Continue reading Managing Morning Creativity
Author: Gila Daman
Latest release: Inner Piece: Decluttering a Soul. Also by Gila: Pandemic Poetry, She Pooped, I'm Pooped!: Motherhood Year One, First Comes Self-Love, Then Comes Marriage, and The Roadmap Ends Here: Entering Adulthood.
Music Videos Versus the Songs Themselves
TV is visual, unlike reading which leaves the images up to the reader's imagination—invites them to create their own interpretation. The influence of images is also apparent in music videos—impacting the way one interprets a song. Which is why I often will play a song on YouTube but ignore the music video, since I want … Continue reading Music Videos Versus the Songs Themselves
Music and Nostalgia
The songs are great (or not!) but the deeper reason why we like them is that they bring up memories of our youth. With many osngs I can picture what I was doing at the time, my emotions, my interactions, etc. It's kind of like oflactory memory—it shoots me back right into that moment.
Sleep Promotes Inner Peace
Yesterday I blogged about my past two weeks of poor sleep. It's kind of a cycle: poor sleep leads to heightened anxiety which leads to poor sleep, etc. I was relieved when I woke up this morning that I felt refreshed. I had not woken up in the middle of the night as in previous … Continue reading Sleep Promotes Inner Peace
Staying Afloat in the Tumultuous Ocean of My Mind
This morning I woke up again feeling unsettled after a poor night's sleep. I'm in bed for the recommended 8 hours, but I keep tossing and turning. Last week it was due to a cough from post nasal drip. This week—anxiety over new house concerns, as well as anticipation of other new professional things around … Continue reading Staying Afloat in the Tumultuous Ocean of My Mind
Yoga: Strengthening the Rational Brain
Soon after one of my yoga sessions, I had a difficult conversation at work. Doing the yoga prior helped me feel more centered during this. I was firm, but not reactive. I was assertive and communicated my needs without becoming overly emotional.
The Art of Non-Doing
At the end of my yoga sessions as I lie in savasana, I let go of the tension in all parts of my body and think, "Remember, things can happen WITHOUT you using so much force." I strive to incorporate more non-doing into my life. Obviously, we have to put in our share of effort, … Continue reading The Art of Non-Doing
Yoga: The Heart Center
As I finished my yoga session one morning, I pressed my palms together in prayer position at my heart and thought about the recent times that I had felt affronted. My heart was still harboring some of the hurt.. I realized that I had never given a moment to acknowledge the pain and pressure that … Continue reading Yoga: The Heart Center
My Passion for Teaching Yoga and Pilates
Some of my happiest moments in life where in college when I would discuss Pilates or yoga with a peer of mine and moments later find myself showing them a pose that related to our discussion. I still remember the coolness of the kitchen tiles of the university's cafeteria, as I got down on all … Continue reading My Passion for Teaching Yoga and Pilates
Teaching Yoga From One’s Own Growth Process, Not One’s Mastery
I used to attend a self-improvement class where the teacher would say she is teaching the topic she most has to work on herself. That always resonated with me. She was humble, yet direct about the lessons she wanted to get across. When I think about the type of wellness teacher I am, I often—quite … Continue reading Teaching Yoga From One’s Own Growth Process, Not One’s Mastery
Mindful Nuggets 