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GGG Fall Yoga Blog: Yoga for the Season You’re In
Fall is here. It’s my favorite!!!
The air gets cooler. The days get shorter. The leaves start changing. We pull out the hoodies, maybe hit some woodsy trails, brew the coffee, light the candles and start thinking about the joy of the Holidays and how to maximize it.
Okay…maybe that's just me. 😂
But fall also has a way of reminding us that change is part of life.
Sometimes the changes are beautiful and exciting.
Sometimes they are hard.
Sometimes they are completely unexpected.
And sometimes we find ourselves in a season we never planned on (great and challenging).
That got me thinking about yoga.
I teach yoga, but I don't believe yoga is only for people who are flexible, athletic, injury-free, stress-free, or looking for another workout.
Sometimes yoga is for the person who is hurting.
Sometimes it's for someone grieving.
Sometimes it's for someone recovering from an injury.
Sometimes it's for a person going through a difficult relationship, a major life transition, parenting challenges, caregiving, anxiety, exhaustion, or just a really hard or messy season.
And sometimes you don't even have a specific reason. You just need somewhere to breathe and be part of something.
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Yoga Doesn't Have to Look Like Yoga
One of my favorite things about yoga is that it can be adapted.
A yoga practice can be:
- gentle and restorative
- modified around an injury or limitation
- five minutes in your living room
- super intense or any variation/intensity
It can be challenging when your body is ready for that.
And it can be incredibly gentle when your body needs something different.
Your yoga practice should meet you where you are and not punish you for where you aren't.
This is especially important during seasons when our bodies or lives are asking something different from us.
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Yoga + Physical Therapy
Yoga and physical therapy are not the same thing, and yoga isn't a replacement for medical care or physical therapy.
But many times, they complement one another.
A customized yoga practice may provide opportunities to work on:
- mobility & balance
- body awareness
- strength & flexibility
- confidence in movement
The key word is customized.
If you're recovering from an injury, surgery, illness or other physical challenge, your practice may need to look very different from a traditional yoga class. And that's okay.
There is no prize for forcing your body into a pose it isn't ready for.
Sometimes progress doesn’t feel that way at first.
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Yoga + Trauma/Grief/Stress
Grief/Trauma is another place where I think yoga can offer something valuable.
Not because a yoga class is going to "fix" grief or trauma.
It won't. And I don't think these things needs to be fixed.
Sometimes we simply need a safe place to exist in the middle of going through it.
Movement can help us reconnect with our bodies when we're spending a lot of time inside our heads.
Breathing can give us something steady to focus on.
Stillness can give us permission to feel.
And sometimes working crazy hard with serious intensity or a gentle breathing practice is exactly what the day requires.
Yoga doesn't have to make you feel all better.
Sometimes it simply helps you feel a little more sane.
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Yoga During Life's Messy Seasons
There are so many seasons of life that don't fit neatly into a wellness plan.
And when life gets messy, our self-care often becomes the first thing to disappear.
We tell ourselves we'll get back to it when things calm down.
But sometimes things don't calm down.
Sometimes we need support because things are hard.
I don't want yoga to feel like one more thing you have to be "good at."
I want it to be a place where you can show up exactly as you are.
Tired. Crazy.
Happy. Sad.
Sore. Strong.
Overwhelmed. Healing.
Hopeful.
Or maybe just needing an hour where nobody needs anything else from you.
You are welcome here.
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A Different Kind of Yoga Session
I'm especially interested in creating more individualized yoga opportunities for people who need something beyond a traditional group class.
That might look like:
Private yoga
A customized session based on what your body and life need right now.
Gentle/restorative yoga
Slower movement, breathing, stretching and relaxation.
Yoga alongside physical therapy or recovery
With appropriate modifications and communication with your medical/therapy team when needed.
Yoga for stress and emotional regulation
Using movement, breath and mindfulness to create a little more space in an overwhelmed nervous system.
Yoga during difficult life transitions
A quiet place to move, breathe and reconnect with yourself.
Small groups or customized sessions
For families, friends, caregivers, workplaces or individuals, looking for a community to lean on.
And sometimes…
We just need to move and breathe without having to explain everything.
I'm good with that too.
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A Little Fall Coziness
Since we're talking about making life a little sweeter, I also wanted to start sharing some of my favorite things, in case you like these things too or need some ideas.
My Fall Favorites
🕯️ Cozy + calm:
Your favorite hoodie, flannel or blanket
No need to get a new one…you already probably have a bunch. Go back into your closet and revive ones you have always loved. Wash and dry them with your favorite scented dryer sheets or essential oil drops on dryer balls. If you’re like me, I end up reshaping the neck in my sweatshirts to be more comfy and for a new look if it needs one (check out youtube for instructions)
☕ Something warm:
Coffee is my love, but tea is great too. With coffee, I mix leaded with unleaded…my favorite unleaded is Teeccino (pumpkin spice). I also love Bones coffee (pumpkin roll) and the low acid French roast at Trader Joes.
🧘♀️ Yoga favorite:
I have been re-watching and practicing with my favorite instructors, Seans Corn and Rainbeau Mars. They each have free content on youtube!!
📖 Something I'm reading/listening to:
C.S Lewis – The Great Divorce (it’s not what you think – it’s about a bus ride through hell).
Continuing Evidence of Christ-Healing – amazing stories of healing.
George Kamel – Breaking Free from Broke - so good!
I am also re-watching the Vampire Diaries and we are always re-watching our favorite family movies like Pixels and Halloweentown.
💛 Somethings that makes me happy (and might make you happy too):
Time with people I enjoy – my kiddo, family and friends
Being outside and movement (walking or doing a workout)
Hugs
Enjoying a good meal and a great cup of coffee
Checking out my neighbors Halloween decorations
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Fall Yoga Calendar
Here is where you can find upcoming classes, events and opportunities to practice together.
October Classes:
ZOOM Community Classes – Online – all ages – donation class
Saturday – Oct 3rd – 8:00am
Saturday – Oct 10th – 8:00am
Saturday - Oct 17th – 8:00am
Saturday – Oct 24th – 8:00am
Saturday – Oct 31st – 8:00am
**private sessions are not on a calendar and we select dates/times that work for everyone’s’ schedules**
La Grange Park Library – you don’t have to be a library member - class is free***
Monday – Oct 26th – 7:00pm - Adults and Teens
LifeTime Fitness Classes - Kid’s Yoga/Martial Arts Classes – Burr Ridge (guest pass required which I can get for you):
I work most Wednesday evenings in their Kids’ Academy.
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Let’s connect:
Email info@gracegrowthgritstudio.com
Class Locations:
Library Yoga (FREE!)
555 N. La Grange Rd, La Grange Park
Open to all — Just show up
LifeTime Burr Ridge (Kids Yoga & Martial Arts)
601 Burr Ridge Parkway
Need a free guest pass - I can help
ZOOM Yoga (online yoga)
Come as you are. Camera on or off (first class is ALWAYS free)
Suggested donation - $5-$10 (not required but always appreciated)
Zoom Link: If you are new to my class, email me for the zoom link and passcode.
If you are interested in a private session or a customized class, reach out. Email me and we’ll set up a time to talk or text (whatever is best for you).
Sometimes the best class isn't the one on the calendar.
Sometimes it's the one created specifically for you.
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Wherever You Are This Fall…
Maybe you're having a fantastic season.
Maybe you're rebuilding. Maybe you're healing.
You don't have to wait until life is perfect to take care of yourself.
You can simply start by showing up for yourself.
Until next time, I hope you have a beautiful Autumn and I hope to see your lovely face soon.
Hugs,
Leah
GGG Studio
info@gracegrowthgritstudio.com