I love water. I find a sense of calm in it. Taking a bath or shower, going swimming, sitting by the lake or ocean…any form or situation with water puts me at ease. Before practicing yoga, I think my most meditative state was around water. Something about it just rejuvenates me and clears my mind. It would then make sense that I would find myself in a swimming class at the university.

Although I have been around water my entire life, I am by no means a great or glorious swimmer. I have very much improved since my first class (where I was told to practice in order to stay in the class), but I am still not on par with Michael Phelps (or even remotely close.)  Mostly, I enjoy being in the water and exercising without realizing I’m working out.

As many would already know, swimming has many benefits. It provides a excellent cardiovascular workout without putting much strain on joints and muscles. It is a full body workout that provides the ability to exercise without overheating. However,
the most important, and often overlooked, benefit to swimming is breathing. When rotary breathing, swimming creates an atmosphere similar to yoga where the breath is controlled. The combination of regulated breathing with the calming effect of the water allows for a form of meditation to occur while reaping the benefits of moving your body at the same time. When I swim regularly, my entire body and emotional state feels better.

Once a week, I swim and then go to yoga. I have always heard yoga was historically used to prepare the body for meditation. When combined with swimming, I often feel I could stay in meditation longer than after just doing yoga. Oddly enough, doing yoga after swimming restores my energy and I am more awake leaving Total Wellness than when I arrived.

Yoga is great at targeting and releasing specific areas and combined with swimming I get an entire feeling of wellness. One activity on its own has numerous benefits but combined, the benefits seem limitless.

Start of a Journey

A few weeks ago, I set out on a journey of self exploration, discovery and emotional release through yoga. I chose Total Wellness in South Austin for Lori’s experience with PTSD and anxiety students and the availability of private sessions in a relaxing environment. After trying massage therapy, running, pet therapy, and just trying to ignore the problem, I finally turned to yoga to help me. Although every other practice had their strengths and helped in certain ways, yoga has been the only one to help me release everything and move forward.

Although more than willing to accept the practice of yoga, I did have my reservations of doubt in the beginning. A few sessions of poses, laying on blocks and meditation made me wonder how all of this could help put me back together again.  Not long after the doubt arose was the doubt quickly expelled. Years of anxiety, memory and emotion started bubbling to the surface and was released. It was definitely not a pretty break-through with a few glistening tears reminiscent of an Audrey Hepburn film. No, it rather resembled more of a flood gate release with years of baggage being swept away.

Although the release was definitely not enjoyable, the after-effects have been.  A feeling of stability and strength has become my new companion. I still have a long way to go but the first steps were the most difficult. A journey or self exploration, discovery and emotional release are rarely easy and oftentimes you have to deal with the past to move forward but nevertheless you are moving forward all the same.

Liz and Her Doga Experience!

I have been attending Doga with Lori for the past several months at APA! and it has been an awesome experience. I have practiced yoga for awhile, but came in not really knowing what Doga was all about. Each week I have worked with a different dog, and the transformation with each pup from the beginning of the hour to the end is always pretty remarkable. Some of the dogs come out of their pens hyper, excited and ready to play. During doga, we use massage, positive and calm energy, deep breathing, and yoga poses to relax and help the dogs relax. It’s so awesome to partner with the dogs and create a shared experience. By the end of the hour, the dogs are totally calm and “in the zone”, no matter what kind of crazy doggy distractions are happening around the play yard. I would highly recommend Doga with Lori to any of my friends with furry friends.

Try our Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture!

This treatment,unlike botox and fillers which only last temporarily, can increase the collagen production naturally by increasing blood flow to specific areas on your face. You will see firmer skin, and fine lines and wrinkles diminish. It also help improve muscle tone and dermal contraction in the face and neck, which reduce the signs of aging.