Moved To Meditate Podcast

Latest Episodes:

From the Military to Mental Health Yoga with Cindy Beers Jan 19, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, I talk with Cindy Beers, a veteran of the US Armed Forces, educator, and expert on yoga for mental health. You'll be inspired by her passion for self-applied healing modalities like yoga and meditation, rooted in her own journey of trauma recovery.

**Towards the beginning of the interview Cindy briefly shares about two trauma incidents she experienced during her 18 years in the military. We did not talk about these experiences in great detail here, but it's worth giving a heads up for any listeners that might be sensitive to this kind of story. You might want to skip ahead to about the 12-minute mark of the podcast, where you'll be well past that part of Cindy's story and able to hear more about her incredible work and new yoga for mental health program.**

Cindy talks about how she turned to yoga for help with fibromyalgia and physical pain, and found it also gave her a space to let go of painful thoughts and emotions. She describes what it was like to be a practitioner with a trauma history, attending group classes long before "trauma-informed" training was part of our yoga culture.

You'll hear how she handles it when a student exhibits strong emotions during class, and what she suggests every yoga teacher should do to support mental health, regardless of the type or style of class they teach.

She explains how discovering certain meditation techniques, particularly Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Transcendental Meditation (TM) helped her with anxiety and an over-active mind (or what she called "the hamsters in the brain"). Cindy shares a whole host of modalities that are part of her wellness toolbox, including Havening, Self-EMDR, affirmations, and Yoga Nidra, and how they've supported her alongside Western medicine.

I think you'll come away with a great deal of appreciation for Cindy's pioneering work advocating for mental health and wellness, utilizing the tools of yoga and meditation.

To connect with Cindy, you can visit her website at https://cindybeers.com/

or follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mentalhealthyogaandwellness/

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thecindybeers

and TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@mentalhealthtoolbox

To connect further with me (Addie), check out my main website movedtomeditate.yoga

info on the upcoming YIN YOGA TEACHER TRAINING at movedtomeditate.yoga/trainings

or the Moved To Meditate Class Library at movedtomeditate.com

Lastly, I'm on Instagram at @addie_movedtomeditate (for mindfulness, movement, yoga, and pictures of PNW nature and my adorable kitten, Mustache).

What Are the 4 M's? Jan 12, 2022

Show notes

In today's episode I talk about some of the guiding principles for what I teach, and what we are doing here on the podcast! I call these pillars of Moved To Meditate "the 4 M's."

The 4 M's are:

Meaningful
Mindful
Movement
that Meets you where you are.

These are some of the main intentions behind what I want to offer, and they kind of help me organize the different aspects of that work (and explain it to other people).

You've heard me and my podcast guests comment on what we're not doing - we're not about pushing and powering through, we're not about changing how people look or what they eat, we're not about perpetuating stereotypes of yoga practitioners, and we're not about a superficial presentation of yoga as just another fitness trend.

So, this episode outlines what Moved To Meditate IS about.

Meaningful - the reflection and inquiry aspect of practice, including our hearts and minds along with our bodies

Mindful - training our capacity to be present and to observe our experiences (which has benefits for the safety of movement practice and the general richness of life!)

Movement - the inter-disciplinary weave of yoga and other mindful movement practices, and the value of learning from practitioners from different traditions

Meets you where you are - accessibility, inclusivity, and bringing our human-ness to the practice, the intention that "We all get to be ourselves here."

Thanks for listening, and please feel free to share what resonates with you! You can reach me at mail@movedtomeditate.com.

To connect further with me (Addie), check out my main website movedtomeditate.yoga

info on the upcoming YIN YOGA TEACHER TRAINING at movedtomeditate.yoga/trainings

or the Moved To Meditate Class Library at movedtomeditate.com

Lastly, I'm on Instagram at @addie_movedtomeditate (for mindfulness, movement, yoga, and pictures of PNW nature and my adorable kitten, Mustache).

A Therapeutic Approach to Yin Yoga with Nyk Danu Jan 05, 2022

Show notes

In this week's podcast episode, I'm geeking out with Nyk Danu, a fellow yoga therapist and Yin Yoga teacher. Nyk has extensive training in Chinese Medicine and yoga therapy, so we go in-depth on how these modalities can enhance the Yin Yoga practice.

Nyk talks about how learning anatomy from Paul Grilley - especially the reality of skeletal variation - totally changed her understanding of alignment in yoga. We also discuss the use of yoga props in Yin, and why they are so important for making the practice accessible and therapeutic.

You'll also hear about:

the role of the nervous system and interoception in a therapeutic Yin practice
how the long-held Yin poses can be calming for anxiety
the mental challenges that often come up in a Yin practice
why Nyk is cautious about how she shares Chinese Medicine and Meridian theory in her Yin classes
what the sinew channels are, and how they may be more relevant to Yin than the Meridians
reconsidering common language in Yin Yoga, from a therapeutic point of view
ways to make Yin classes more trauma-informed.

This episode is packed with info for our Yin lovers! So, give it a listen and let us know what your favorite take-aways are.

To connect with Nyk, you can visit her website at https://nykdanu.com/

or follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nykdanuyoga/

To connect further with me (Addie), check out my main website movedtomeditate.yoga

or the Moved To Meditate Class Library at movedtomeditate.com

And, as mentioned at the beginning of the episode, our current Deeper Dive theme is Patience & Persistence. There is a free 3-page worksheet that you can download and use to take a closer look at your own relationship to Patience and Persistence, if you like. I will be sending the worksheet out with my email newsletter during the first week of January...you can sign up to receive it here.

P.S. If you missed the newsletter because you're listening to this later, you can still get the worksheet. All you need to do is email me at mail@movedtomeditate.com and ask. :)

Deeper Dive - Patience & Persistence Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I'm introducing our monthly "Deeper Dive." Starting with this new year, each month there will be a theme woven through different Moved To Meditate activities, and some different ways you can engage with it - through the podcast, written reflections, self-guided study, and more.

Today, I'm going to talk about Patience and Persistence, which is our Deeper Dive topic for January.

Patience and persistence are excellent qualities to develop for our movement and mindfulness practice, as well as navigating life. They are included in certain Buddhist teachings (like the 10 Paramis), and are very similar to concepts in the Yogic teachings (like Santosha and Tapas from the Eight Limbs).

But, the reason I'm bringing them up now is that we're at the end of the year, and around this time, many of us are looking back, looking ahead, and thinking of goals, resolutions, or intentions for the coming months. But how do we sustain these? Often, we start out great, but then feel guilty when we fall off the new habit.

It's important that we're setting goals that are both realistic and kind (not based in self-judgment or obligation), AND we need the balance of patience and persistence to help us along the way.

Listen in to hear:

how patience asks us to look at our attachments to outcomes and timelines
how patience is different than passivity or apathy
that reactivity drives impatience, but not steady persistence
when persistence actually turns into forcing

There is a free 3-page worksheet that you can download and use to take a closer look at your own relationship to Patience and Persistence! I will be sending the worksheet out with my email newsletter during the first week of January...you can sign up to receive it here.

P.S. If you missed the newsletter because you're listening to this later, you can still get the worksheet. All you need to do is email me at mail@movedtomeditate.com and ask. :)

To connect further with me (Addie), check out my main website movedtomeditate.yoga

or the Moved To Meditate Class Library at movedtomeditate.com

Lastly, I'm on Instagram at @addie_movedtomeditate (for mindfulness, movement, yoga, and pictures of PNW nature and my adorable kitten, Mustache).

Creative Chair Yoga with Karen James Dec 22, 2021

Show notes

Today we have a delightful conversation with Karen James, a creative teacher of accessible yoga, based in the UK. In this episode, you'll "discover the joy of sitting on a chair," as Karen puts it, and how chair yoga can be beneficial for just about anyone.

You'll hear how Karen went from "power yoga" to feeling more empowered through gentle yoga, and how it helped her connect with her authentic self in new ways. We talk about how creativity enhances both the enjoyment and the accessibility of the practice, and you'll hear Karen describe how she comes up with fluid and interesting sequences using the chair.

We also reflect on safety, practicing yoga online, and the role of hands-on adjustments during in-person classes. And, in true creative fashion, we end the episode with one of Karen's poems (which I think you will absolutely love)!

To connect with Karen, you can visit her website at https://karenjamesyoga.co.uk/

or follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/karenjamesyoga/

or find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/karenjamesyoga

To connect further with me (Addie), check out my main website movedtomeditate.yoga

Or the Moved To Meditate Class Library at movedtomeditate.com

(and look for the holiday gift cards page at movedtomeditate.yoga/giftcards!)

Lastly, I'm on Instagram at @addie_movedtomeditate.

Walking Meditation As Moving Mindfulness Dec 15, 2021

Show notes

In today's episode, I'm talking about some different options for mindfulness practice, and how to choose among the variety of tools in your toolbox. Specifically, I'll be discussing Walking Meditation, which is a traditional form of practice in Buddhist Mindfulness - usually taught in combination with sitting meditation.

You'll hear me talk about:

A few types of Walking Meditation
How Walking Meditation can be helpful for "de-compartmentalizing" how we think of movement and mindfulness practices
How this moving meditation contributes to balancing the qualities of alertness and calm in the body/mind
Why Walking Meditation is sometimes a better option (or entry point) for people with anxiety, and how it might affect the nervous system differently than other meditations.

I also give some simple instructions for trying this style of Walking Meditation - you can try this at home! And, then the episode ends with a funny story about how I once (accidentally) freaked out the neighbors with my slow, mindful walking ways.

To connect further with me (Addie), check out my main website movedtomeditate.yoga

Or the Moved To Meditate Class Library at movedtomeditate.com

(and look for the holiday gift cards page at movedtomeditate.yoga/giftcards!)

Lastly, I'm on Instagram at @addie_movedtomeditate (for mindfulness, movement, yoga, and pictures of PNW nature and my adorable kitten, Mustache).

Somatics and Self-Kindness with Erica Webb Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

In this week's podcast episode, we have a conversation with Erica Webb, a mindful movement coach who weaves together Somatic Exercise, Yoga, and Mat Pilates to support people to shift tension and reconnect with their body through a lens of self-kindness and curiosity.

We talk about what exactly Somatic Exercise is, including the concept of pandiculation, and how it works with the nervous system to help release patterns of tension in the body. Erica explains how pandiculation is different from stretching, and how it can complement a yoga practice.

You'll hear about movement "blind spots," and how somatic work can help us identify habits and recover more movement options. We also talk about how Somatic Exercise can be extremely useful in cases of pain or injury, since it allows us to explore very gently to gradually decrease the fear of movement that often accompanies a pain experience.

And, Erica will inspire you in this conversation with her emphasis on self-kindness. We discuss how this orientation toward kindness can be developed as an alternative to motivating ourselves with dissatisfaction or negativity, and how it can influence our choices on the mat and throughout the day.

To connect with Erica, you can visit her website at https://www.ericawebbyoga.com.au/

or follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ericawebbyoga/

For more resources from this episode, find the show notes on my website at movedtomeditate.yoga/podcast.

To connect further with me (Addie), check out my offerings at movedtomeditate.yoga.

Can Movement BE Your Meditation? Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

Today I'm sharing my answer to the question "Can my movement practice BE my meditation?"

The short answer is (of course) you can do what you want! This isn't going to be a lecture about how you "should" be meditating. But, is there a difference between moving meditation and stillness meditation? What are the benefits of including each in your overall practice?

In this episode, I talk about why I think both forms of meditative practice are equally valuable, how we can learn different things from movement-as-meditation and meditating in stillness. And, I'll touch on why some of us might benefit from starting with a mindful movement practice first.

I'll also share why I'm an advocate for "de-compartmentalizing" movement/yoga and meditation, and why I prefer that term over "integrating." And, I'll suggest some ways you can play with de-compartmentalizing movement and meditation in your own experience, so you can enjoy the full spectrum of mindfulness in all activities.

To connect further with me (Addie), check out my main website movedtomeditate.yoga

Or the Moved To Meditate Class Library at movedtomeditate.com

Or find me on Instagram at @addie_movedtomeditate.

Myofascial Release, Mindfulness, and Music with Shauna Fallihee Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

In this week's podcast episode, I'm speaking with Shauna Fallihee, who is a classical soprano, voice teacher, and expert myofascial release practitioner. We cover lots of helpful tips for incorporating self-massage into your yoga or meditation practice. And, we also have a lot of fun talking about our shared musical backgrounds and how movement and embodiment practices helped us both mentally and physically (as musicians and general humans).

Shauna explains what myofascial release is, and how it affects our tissues, nervous system, and embodiment (including the senses of proprioception and interoception). We discuss the ins and outs of various self-massage tools and where to use them on the body.

You'll also hear all about the Vagus Nerve – what it is, what it does, and ways we can affect it for greater well-being (hint: singing is one way, and self-massage is another!). We also talk about making the practice your own, when breath isn't the best meditation anchor, and how to support your body on an intensive meditation retreat. This episode is jam-packed with interesting info, so give it a listen and let us know what you think!

Resources from this episode:

Yoga Tune Up ® https://www.tuneupfitness.com/

Melt Method https://www.meltmethod.com/

Anatomy Trains (Tom Myers) https://www.anatomytrains.com/

To connect with Shauna, you can visit her website at https://www.embodiedsinger.com/

or follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/embodiedsinger/

To connect further with me (Addie), check out my main website movedtomeditate.yoga

or the Moved To Meditate Class Library at movedtomeditate.com.

What I've Been Learning from QiGong Lately Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

Today's episode is a shorter one, where I talk about my recent adventures learning QiGong. I've been practicing lots of QiGong over the last few months, so I thought I would share a little bit about this movement practice and what I'm learning from it.

If you aren't familiar, QiGong is a mindful movement and energy practice from China – it's considered a branch of Chinese Medicine. I'll cover some of the basics of what QiGong practice entails, as well as the benefits I've been noticing.

QiGong has been an amazing complement to the Yin Yoga that I practice and teach, since they have common roots in Chinese Medicine and Taoism. It's also been a great way to support my nervous system and rebuild my energy after a year of major changes.

Listen in, and be inspired to stimulate your own "beginner's mind!"

Recommended resources if you want to try some QiGong: