Sometimes people say the most hurtful things.
April 5, 2022
I used to faint at the prick of a finger or sight of blood. However, after stabbing myself with needles throughout three rounds of infertility treatments, it’s safe to say that I no longer pass out. But I still give the phlebotomist or nurse a heads up just in case I fall over in the chair. Because, after scaring them and myself a time or two, I know to speak up, lol! Today, was no different.
That’s a wrap!
March 15, 2022
Over the past few months, we’ve offered an overview of the eight limbs of yoga and suggestions for how to incorporate each one into your daily life while facing fertility challenges.
How to use Pranayama
January 11, 2022
Last week we went over what Pranayama is, this week we’ll go over how to bring it into your life.
The 4th Limb of Yoga – Pranayama
January 5, 2022
How do you breathe? Do you think about it? Do you ever pause to notice what happens when the breath comes in? And then what happens when it goes out? The 4th limb is arguably the “easiest” of the 8-limbed path - Pranayama - aka breathing. Typically we neglect the breath until it feels strained or absent. We all breathe automatically, it’s autonomic. We don’t have to think to breathe, but there are ways of breathing that are better than others for us physiologically.
Wait, what? There’s more to yoga than just the physical practice?
November 3, 2021
I remember the first time I was introduced to yoga (not just the physical practice we’re all too familiar with here in the West). I had just completed three rounds of timed intercourse with injections — but none of them took. I was devastated, and I was in the midst of trying to decide what to do next. So, I signed up for a yoga retreat in the mountains. It was a much-needed respite from the overwhelming grief, frustration, and anxiety I had been experiencing for quite some time.
Awareness
October 19, 2021
Not that we need more reasons to avoid what we hope we don’t experience, October is not only Depression Awareness Month (see this post), it’s also Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. For some of us, this reminder is extremely painful. If you have ever been in that place where you have lost a child, born or unborn, it's heartbreaking and our condolences are with you.
Mental State
October 14, 2021
You may have heard that October 10th was World Mental Health Day. But what is your own awareness of YOUR mental health?
The World Health Organization created this day to bring awareness to mental health conditions and start to de-stigmatize them.
1 Simple way to meditate
September 28, 2021
Meditation can sometimes feel mystical. Imagine a monk wearing a robe sitting high atop a mountain in the Himalayas, not eating for days, not cold (despite the weather), and totally relaxed in body and mind. Sure, that monk has had years of practice, but meditation does not need to look like that.
3 Breathing techniques to help you cope
September 21, 2021
Breathing is automatic, it's autonomic, but how often do we check in on how we’re breathing? The breath works as a way to tell our brain if we’re safe, or if we’re in harm's way. The way you’re breathing right now, might be signalling to your brain that you’re not currently safe: stressed out from work, running from the neighborhood dog, worried about that next doctor's appointment.
5 Yoga poses to help you build heat
September 14, 2021
Fall is fastly approaching! The leaves are starting to turn yellow and the nights are getting cooler. Here at Orchid Experience we use yoga to help us stay warm and grounded as the season starts to change. Here are our 5 favorite poses to help us warm up.