Table Health Members Share how Yoga Gives Us the Tools to Access Clarity

Our Table Health members are actively supporting a movement; an effort to redefine healthcare, and we are proud and humbled to support you in your quest toward personal health and wellbeing.

Redefining Healthcare is a community effort, and we are honored to help cultivate a healthier community by sharing helpful, relatable information and resources from our members and the local health and wellness community at large to encourage healing and personal wellbeing.

Recently, we welcomed new members, Ashtynn and Mathieu to Table Health Direct Primary Care. We invite you to learn more about your fellow members who also happen to be certified and skilled yoga practitioners, as they share more about the benefits of a yoga practice.

Q. What is your full name, title, and area of expertise?

A. Ashtynne Hudecz, Yoga Teacher + Traîner: Yogic Lifestyle, Vinyasa + Yin Yoga, Pranayama

Mathieu Boldron, Yoga Teacher + Trainer: Yogic Lifestyle, Hatha Yoga, Yoga Teacher Trainings, Philosophy, Pranayama, Anatomy

Q. What is the best, most practical way to start a yoga practice and stick with it?

A. The first step to create a consistent yoga practice is finding a style of yoga and teacher that resonates with you. When you find your teacher, you will be inspired to keep coming back. Try different styles and teachers until you find one you like.

The best way to develop a consistent practice is to immerse yourself completely. Classes may not be enough; find workshops, immersives and trainings to dive deeper into the “why” and more subtle aspects of the practice. Understanding why you’re doing what you’re doing during a yoga practice creates a fully embodied experience that transcends beyond the mat.

Q. What are the benefits of yoga?

A. The benefits of yoga are truly exponential. Consistent practice of yoga gifts us with the ability of pure awareness and deep listening. When we listen to our bodies, we make choices that support our health. When we listen to others, we foster healthy relationships and deep connections. When we listen to the planet, we can eliminate or stop contributing to collective suffering. Awareness heals all.

Q. Is there an introductory breathing exercise you can walk us through?

A. Samavritti is a grounding breathing technique you can use to soothe feelings of anxiety, create balance of mind, and increase awareness + energy.

In Sanskrit, “Sama” means same and “vritti” means fluctuations. During Samavritti breathing, the inhale and exhale are equal. Slowly lengthening your breath builds up carbon dioxide which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and promotes a sense of calmness.

Pranayama is normally taught under the guidance of an experienced teacher. Please only breathe for a count which is comfortable for you. Avoid forcing. Stop increasing the count and/or take a break if you feel uneasy.

1. Sit up straight or lie down in a comfortable position. (Use pillows if wanted)

2. Breathe in for a count of 5

3. Breathe out for a count of 5

4. Repeat 10x minimum.

5. If comfortable, increase inhale and exhale to a count of 6. Repeat 10x minimum

**If it makes you feel uneasy, do not increase count, stay at 5**

6. If comfortable, keep increasing one count at a time and repeating 10x, up to a count of 15 maximum.

7. Let your breath return back to a natural rhythm and sit in silence for as long as you feel called to.

Practice Samavritti for 5-60+ minutes, depending on the time you have available. Increase duration of practice as you become more at ease. We recommend using a timer to begin. Start with a minimum of 5 minutes.

Q. How can a yoga practice and/or elements of yoga philosophy be applied to times of uncertainty?

Although we could speak on this topic for hours, we will wrap up with the second Sutra (thread) in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali:

1.2 Yogas Citta Vritti Nirodhaha

Translation: Yoga is the stopping of the fluctuations of the mind.

The goal of yoga is to attain the ability to still fluctuations in the mind that draws us away from the present moment. If you can control your mind, circumstances in the external world cannot affect your peace.

Many of us are unaware of our stream of consciousness (think internal mental movie). We tend to project future realities in our minds based on fear, past experiences, etc. This draws us away from the beauty of the present.

The practice of yoga trains our minds to stay in the Now. We learn to direct our awareness to the breath, to sensation, to the present moment repeatedly. Over time, mental turbulence is replaced by pure presence and clarity. Peace is created from within.

In moments of crisis, yoga gives us the tools to access clarity. Body, mind and consciousness are intertwined. Breath is the bridge between the body and mind. Control your breath, calm the mind.

Q. How can your fellow Table Health members and readers connect with you? Learn from you?

A. To stay connected, follow us on Instagram for our most up to date schedules and online programs + classes:

@ashtynnehudecz

@mathieuboldronyoga

We teach in person and livestream in Traverse City at Dharamsala TC:

Member Feature: Ashtynne Hudecz and Mathieu Boldron