Yoga and Healing Resources - Therapy at Iris Healing Arts
To support your personal growth, I provide information on yoga, meditation, breathwork, and numerous other healing resources. I offer person-centered, value-sensitive care; I support your personal and spiritual growth as you experience or define it.
Below, I share two quotes representing a core belief in yoga philosophy and Christianity. These quotes are examples of concepts that are shared within spiritual traditions. The global interfaith movement is another example of finding common ground among people and cultures.
“The physical body is not only a temple for our soul, but the means by which we embark on the inward journey toward the core.”
B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Life.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
Yoga Therapy, Meditation, and Breathwork
Because yoga is such a health-promoting and popular integrative and holistic therapy, I highly recommend it. As a yoga therapist, I often encourage and guide my clients in practicing yoga, meditation, and breath work. The active forms of yoga that include familiar postures build strength and resilience. However, in today’s stressful world, many more people benefit from restorative yoga, which provides a deep relaxation experience. Hatha Yoga promotes a state of inner harmony and balance by aligning the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions. Importantly, yoga has historically been intended to prepare for meditation.
Meditation brings health benefits to the whole person because it harmonizes the body, mind, and spirit. There are many forms of meditation, either secular, spiritual, or religious. In Christian spirituality, contemplation is another form of meditation in which a person seeks to pass beyond mental images and concepts to a direct experience of the divine. No matter what your spiritual path may be, research has shown that meditation is as effective as the antidepressant Lexapro for alleviating anxiety.
It is also essential to recognize that when practicing Hatha Yoga or breathwork, past or current trauma may surface in the form of intense emotions or body memories. Because of this, I encourage you to pace your yoga practice and be gentle with yourself.
Breathwork and Alternate Nostril Breathing
Breathwork, an essential component of yoga, connects us to our vital force and, if done correctly, helps us relax if done. Also known as pranayama, breath work powerfully enhances psycho-spiritual healing. However, it is best to start slowly to avoid overstimulating emotional release beyond what is comfortable.
Alternate nostril breathing is a breathwork practice that can deeply relax the body and steady the mind. It balances one of the related ultradian rhythms. The previous link will explain how to balance and control your right and left brain hemispheres.
In summary, regardless of your experience with yoga, meditation, or breathing exercises, I offer guidance, encouragement, and emotional support. For more information, please see my Meditation blog or contact me below. Thanks.
Yoga App Resources
These apps are excellent and very popular. However, do proceed with caution. It is generally recommended to be trained with an experienced yoga teacher for optimal safety. Yoga must be practiced with care, as injuries or emotional distress may occur if the asana (poses) or pranayama (breathing exercises) are done improperly. If yoga practice is new to you, please begin slowly and mindfully.
Find What Feels Good (App Store, Google Play)
Yoga | Daily Yoga for Everyone (App Store, Google Play
Yoga for Beginners | Mind+Body (App Store, Google Play)
Yoga and Healing Resources
- Information on holistic therapy
- Interesting article on positive psychology and holistic therapy
- Research article on the impact of yoga on aging physiology
- Research article on the benefits of yoga on epigenetics and gene expression
- Yoga for Wellness by Gary Kraftsow, one of the texts from my yoga therapy training
- Light on Yoga by B.S. Iyengar (a classic!)
- Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times by Judith Hanson Lasater, famous for popularizing restorative yoga and more
- Structural Yoga Therapy, Adapting to the Individual by Mukunda Stiles, another text from my yoga therapy training
- A research article from Psyche, a digital magazine, ‘Many people not only survive mental illness, they thrive.’
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
- The Promise of Energy Psychology by David Feinstein, Donna Eden, and Gary Crain
- The I Ching or Book of Changes by Richard Wilhelm translation
- The I Ching Workbook by R.L. Wing
- I Ching for Beginners by Mark McElroy
- Care of the Soul, A Guide for Cultivating Depth and Sacredness in Everyday Life by Thomas Moore (a wonderful classic)
Additional Healing Resources
- The Dance of Anger, a Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationship by Harriet Goldhor Lerner, Ph.D. (a classic!)
- Codependent No More, How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie (a classic!)
- Mayo Clinic information on meditation and stress reduction
- Conscious Loving, The Journey to Co-Commitment, A way to be Fully Together Without Giving Up Yourself , a classic by Gay Hendricks, Ph.D., and Kathlyn Hendricks, Ph.D. These relationship experts influenced my work with relationships and communication.
- The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate
- Research article on the harmfulness of alcohol and its effects on DNA
- Hazeldenbettyford.org, The Serenity Prayer and Twelve Step Recovery
- The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Art and Healing, Using Expressive Art to Heal Your Body, Mind, and Spirit by Barbara Ganim
- Kundalini Rising: Exploring the Energy of Awakening by Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa, Andrew Newberg, Sivananda Rhada, Ken Wilber, and John Selby (a classic!)
- Defeating Depression: A Holistic Approach a Naturopathic approach to healing depression
- Curing Depressed Humans, Not Nervous Systems, an article by Sofia Carozzaa and Maria Graziano. An interesting view of depression from a spiritual tradition.
- Research article on brain inflammation and depression
- JAMA article on Spirituality and Health
- Research on birdsong, and nature on mental health
- Research article on birdsong and anxiety and paranoia
Yoga and Healing Resources Summary
“You can’t base your life on other people’s expectations.”–Stevie Wonder
This yoga and healing resources page provides information related to integrative mental health. Since yoga and breathwork are beneficial and popular avenues to support healing and personal growth, I offer many resources for your consideration. As a yoga therapist, I also provide cautionary guidance if you are not working with a teacher.
I also included various links related to healing that may pique your interest. Finally, we are all unique and heal in deeply personal ways. If my work appeals to you, please reach out to me below. Thanks!
For more information, see Services, Dream Therapy,
and my Blogs,