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The technique for setting up PLANK POSE starts with establishing your base. Connect your hands or forearms to a wall in front of you and press into it with intention from the armpit. The action of pressing into the wall firmly will help engage serratus anterior muscles and create a stable base for your shoulder girdle. Your shoulder girdle cannot be purchased on Amazon. It’s the entire system of muscles working together to stabilize your shoulder. Shoulders are the most ve

Dear Yogi, We are back in Texas after a very full week in Isla Mujeres. One of my favorite parts of teaching abroad is the opportunity to meet folks from all over. In this case, most travelers were from Texas. However, we met a few from Austria, South Korea, and Mexico. The couple from Guadalajara and I enjoyed a yoga/pilates class totally in Spanish. I was secretly thanking my friend and student Ines for practicing Spanish with me during our sessions together in Austin.

The Psychology of Pain Learning to move safely in order to relieve suffering as you get things off your chest is key. Learn to ground yourself. Learn to breathe. Shock, Grief, Learning, Adjusting "It’s important to be kind to yourself", says Diana Naranjo, a PhD, who works with patients managing diabetes and cystic fibrosis. "When you first learn about the illness, there’s often a trauma response: shock and grief about the loss of a healthy self. You’re also taking in a l

Where did my voice go? Difficulty expressing thoughts and emotions fearfulness or shyness impulsive speech neck pain or stiffness thyroid disorders sore throat mouth ulcers earache jaw pain temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders dental disorders hoarseness hearing challenges My dear reader, you may find it interesting that I am choosing to write about the throat this week. There's a reason. While reviewing my notes from Yoga Therapy training, I came across information tha

People are drawn to yoga therapists for personalized, holistic support that blends physical postures, breathwork, and meditation to address specific health challenges. They seek out these professionals to relieve chronic pain, manage mental health issues like anxiety and trauma, and empower themselves with sustainable, self-care tools. Yoga therapists offer personalized, holistic support using postures, breathwork, and meditation to address specific health challenges. Clients

I was walking into one of my favorite restaurants in Steiner Ranch the other day when a woman approached me. She saw the magnet on my car, Yoga by Dayna, and wanted more information. As we walked up a flight of stairs to Vaquero’s, I noticed she had difficulty navigating each step. Grimacing, she mentioned that she has bursitis in her hip. It has greatly slowed her down. She is in the midst of physical therapy but doesn’t have a longer term for repairing the original ca

Retirement often brings a mix of relief and uncertainty. For many seniors aged 60 to 75, this phase can feel like a loss of identity, beauty, and purpose. Concerns about falling, restless legs, and unsettled minds add to the challenge. Some struggle with posture that no longer supports their confidence, while others feel overlooked or taken advantage of by family. These feelings can chip away at a person’s sense of worth. Yet, this stage of life holds immense potential for gr

Hello, dear readers. If you are in the Austin, TX area, I hope you have been able to take a moment to appreciate the recent rain. Since today is Easter Sunday, it's a wonderful opportunity to reflect on something you are grateful for. I know this isn't always easy, especially when life seems to bring difficult tasks or overwhelming interruptions—even in an otherwise full and fruitful existence. Whether you are feeling grateful, or perhaps a little bitter, anxious, or deeply t

You love to lift, run, and generally crush life at the gym. But let's be real: those SHOULDER ISSUES you're feeling? They're probably throwing a tantrum because you keep doing that one thing incorrectly—over and over again. Think of PAIN as your body's really dramatic way of saying, "Hey, something is broken!". If you keep moving with that pain, you're not getting stronger, you're just delaying the healing process or causing a new injury. Stop it. The good news is the SOLU

Hope for Rheumatoid Arthritis Good day yogis! This week, we are taking a look at inflammation. I find it very irritating when a physician diagnoses a patient with arthritis or simply inflammation. We need more information and we need hope. Research is showing promise using a Vagus Nerve Stimulator to significantly reduce severe pain associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis . The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve, actually 2 nerves, which run from the brain stem down thro

Athletes often push their bodies to the limit, which can lead to pain in key areas like the Achilles tendon, hips, and lower back. These pains are not random; they often result from muscle imbalances—some muscles become too tight while others weaken. Understanding which muscles contribute to these common issues helps athletes prevent injury and improve performance. This post explores the muscles involved in Achilles, hip, and low back pain, and offers guidance on which muscle

Good day yogis! This week, we are taking another look at neck pain. You are invited to see something very personal. From my own medical files, I retrieved a cervical x-ray performed in 2021. I also found two reports describing the results of my X-rays from 2016 and 2021. Oftentimes we look at X-ray results and see many unfamiliar words, and lose interest. In this blog, I break down what vertebrae C5-C6 revealed and what it means in terms of function. Hopefully, this wi

Discover the Fusion of Yoga and Fitness Yoga by Dayna My Meditation Blog Contact me About Me Unlock Your Full Potential with Yoga and Resistance Bands Experience the perfect blend of traditional yoga practices and modern fitness techniques at Yoga by Dayna. Our Hill Country studio offers a serene setting for personalized yoga therapy and fitness sessions for 1-2 people, ensuring you receive the attention you deserve. Book Your Session Now Enhance the benefits of yoga by incor