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It Starts with YOU wellness®
ANXIETY / STRESS RELIEF / STRESS MANAGEMENT through use of:
Mindfulness, MEDITATION, Yoga, and NUTRITION
ANXIETY / STRESS RELIEF / STRESS MANAGEMENT through use of:
Mindfulness, MEDITATION, Yoga, and NUTRITION
about michelle:
It Starts With You Wellness® started off as an idea I had a few years ago, before our family moved down to Florida. The initial thought was to create a yoga website, focusing on the gentle side of yoga, with the addition of other wellness practices. Since a gentle practice of yoga was the basis of helping my anxiety, it was my "go-to" practice. But, as I was starting to prepare my site, it seems that every other yoga teacher was doing the same. I didn't want it to be "just another yoga site", just as I told myself after I graduated from my teacher training that I didn't want to be "just another yoga teacher".
So, there I was, creating videos of different styles of practices, but always coming back to..."but what if someone has anxiety, how would they need to do this pose.." I know this, since I lived it.
My first yoga class was a gentle class. I was totally inflexible, where I could barely reach down past my knees. I remember being told to close my eyes, which was great, so I didn't feel the pressure or carry thoughts of people looking at me. I lacked the self-confidence in myself, and was nervous just being there, since I didn't know what to expect. Luckily, I was in a very safe space, where there were low numbers of students in the class. I can't imagine having the same experience if I went to a big yoga studio with 20 or more people in the class. I would have spent more time looking around and being distracted than concentrating on what I needed to do. But then we are told, that IS the practice...to let go of the ego and get to a place where you only care about what's going on with you. That's great...on paper..or if someone says it to you.. but depending on the depth of anxiety, it may not help, and may even worsen the problem.
It is said, and I say this quite often.. "Yoga isn't about what you look like...its about how you feel". If you FEEL good when you are doing it, then you are doing it correctly. There may be some certain alignments you may need to be aware of, but overall, you really can't do it wrong. It's all about following your body, and honoring where your body is, whether you are a beginner, or more advanced.
But over time, I realized yoga alone wasn't going to be enough to end my battle with anxiety. Why? Because eventually, my mind would keep getting in the way. It was EXTREMELY helpful...but wasn't the end all. So, I pushed forward, delving deeper into more specific tools and techniques, to tap into the inner mind. This is when it all started to come together. Training the brain, not the body. Using the body to train the brain..not the other way around. This is where the true results were found. Testing this on myself, is where I realized how affective the process really is. It becomes helpful, even for those who have had anxiety for many years.
Since learning how to manage my own anxieties, I've since been able to open myself up to a more aggressive yoga practice, as well as other forms of cardio exercise, which I never thought I would want to do. But, that being said, it has inflicted the concept that "We Are All Different", so much more into my brain. We all DON'T need the same thing, and our needs can change. We need what WE feel is right at the time.
So, why this site? It has become important for me to share the knowledge to others out there. I understand the struggles that accompany anxiety, and I don't like the thought of anyone suffering as I did. There are some helpful tools on the main site that can start you on the path.
If you choose to dig deeper, I am offering a more "hands-on" approach by offering live on-line classes. There are group classes.. (See: Managing Anxiety Series), as well as private one-on-one classes... (See: Mindful Mentoring). With both, you can ask me more specific questions about what YOU are currently experiencing before the class, and I will answer them as best I can during the class, or incorporate them within.
The key importance is to start off slow, and allow the changes of the lifestyle to occur as they need to...and be patient with yourself...
Do you believe you can make anxiety a thing of the past? If you do...then you will!
Feel free to contact me at: [email protected] with any questions..
When I changed my lifestyle to encourage less anxiety, stopped playing the victim, allowed for more love of myself...everything changed...and it can change for you too.
-Namaste
So, there I was, creating videos of different styles of practices, but always coming back to..."but what if someone has anxiety, how would they need to do this pose.." I know this, since I lived it.
My first yoga class was a gentle class. I was totally inflexible, where I could barely reach down past my knees. I remember being told to close my eyes, which was great, so I didn't feel the pressure or carry thoughts of people looking at me. I lacked the self-confidence in myself, and was nervous just being there, since I didn't know what to expect. Luckily, I was in a very safe space, where there were low numbers of students in the class. I can't imagine having the same experience if I went to a big yoga studio with 20 or more people in the class. I would have spent more time looking around and being distracted than concentrating on what I needed to do. But then we are told, that IS the practice...to let go of the ego and get to a place where you only care about what's going on with you. That's great...on paper..or if someone says it to you.. but depending on the depth of anxiety, it may not help, and may even worsen the problem.
It is said, and I say this quite often.. "Yoga isn't about what you look like...its about how you feel". If you FEEL good when you are doing it, then you are doing it correctly. There may be some certain alignments you may need to be aware of, but overall, you really can't do it wrong. It's all about following your body, and honoring where your body is, whether you are a beginner, or more advanced.
But over time, I realized yoga alone wasn't going to be enough to end my battle with anxiety. Why? Because eventually, my mind would keep getting in the way. It was EXTREMELY helpful...but wasn't the end all. So, I pushed forward, delving deeper into more specific tools and techniques, to tap into the inner mind. This is when it all started to come together. Training the brain, not the body. Using the body to train the brain..not the other way around. This is where the true results were found. Testing this on myself, is where I realized how affective the process really is. It becomes helpful, even for those who have had anxiety for many years.
Since learning how to manage my own anxieties, I've since been able to open myself up to a more aggressive yoga practice, as well as other forms of cardio exercise, which I never thought I would want to do. But, that being said, it has inflicted the concept that "We Are All Different", so much more into my brain. We all DON'T need the same thing, and our needs can change. We need what WE feel is right at the time.
So, why this site? It has become important for me to share the knowledge to others out there. I understand the struggles that accompany anxiety, and I don't like the thought of anyone suffering as I did. There are some helpful tools on the main site that can start you on the path.
If you choose to dig deeper, I am offering a more "hands-on" approach by offering live on-line classes. There are group classes.. (See: Managing Anxiety Series), as well as private one-on-one classes... (See: Mindful Mentoring). With both, you can ask me more specific questions about what YOU are currently experiencing before the class, and I will answer them as best I can during the class, or incorporate them within.
The key importance is to start off slow, and allow the changes of the lifestyle to occur as they need to...and be patient with yourself...
Do you believe you can make anxiety a thing of the past? If you do...then you will!
Feel free to contact me at: [email protected] with any questions..
When I changed my lifestyle to encourage less anxiety, stopped playing the victim, allowed for more love of myself...everything changed...and it can change for you too.
-Namaste
For personalized tips and help with YOUR specific anxiety concerns, try a one-on-one private Skype session with Michelle.
More on this, click below...
More on this, click below...
Michelle is an Anxiety Coach who has the following credentials: BS, E-RYT, YACEP, CHN, CLYL, Y12SRL.
(Bachelor of Science, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider for Releasing Tension, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, and a Yoga 12-Step Recovery Leader)
Michelle draws her knowledge and expertise from a combination of her own personal experience with anxiety and panic, and methods from each of the certifications above, for a well rounded approach to managing anxiety and panic.
(Bachelor of Science, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider for Releasing Tension, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, and a Yoga 12-Step Recovery Leader)
Michelle draws her knowledge and expertise from a combination of her own personal experience with anxiety and panic, and methods from each of the certifications above, for a well rounded approach to managing anxiety and panic.