by Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief
Yoga is a powerful tool for recovery after brain injury. Contrary to some beliefs, everyone can do yoga — you don’t need to be super flexible, have great balance, or even be able to stand up. The beauty of yoga is that every pose can be modified to accommodate anyone.
An important aspect of yoga is your breath. Connecting your breath to your body and flow, and getting oxygen flowing to your brain, is what makes yoga so powerful for recovery. Yoga is also a time to quiet the mind by helping anxiety and distracting thoughts drift away.
Side bends help balance your entire body. They lengthen the abdominal muscles while improving flexibility of the spine. They also lengthen the muscles between the ribs and pelvis, including parts of the lower back. They open up the rib cage, improving mobility and expansiveness of the lungs — which makes breathing easier in all situations. They can help reverse the tightness from sitting all day.
Other benefits include aiding in digestion and increasing metabolism. Side bends can also relieve respiratory issues such as asthma, allergies, and colds.
Instructions:
- Begin in a comfortable seated position, either on the floor or in a chair, with arms relaxed at your sides.
- Reach your left arm straight up overhead.
- Slowly lean your torso to the right as you inhale, allowing your right hand/arm to rest wherever feels comfortable.
- Slightly revolve your chest towards the ceiling as you breathe into the right side of your body.
- Slowly lower your left arm back down as you exhale.
- Repeat the pose on the other side.
Adjustments and modifications:
If you are really tight in the midsection, this can be a challenging pose. Lean only as far as feels comfortable, knowing that any bend, no matter how small, is beneficial.
- Never strain or force yourself beyond your current ability.
- If you experience low blood pressure or dizziness, you may wish to avoid bending beyond your heart level (inversion).
Join me for weekly accessible yoga classes for only $10 a month through my
Patreon membership site: www.patreon.com/amyzellmer
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Are you finding it hard to carve out time for writing and creativity?
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- Accountability & Connection: Share your goals, overcome writer’s block, and enjoy the camaraderie of working alongside others on their own creative journeys.
- Whether you’re crafting a novel, drafting blog posts, planning social media content, or developing a product or email series for your business, this group is here to help you stay on track and make your creative dreams a reality.
If this sounds like the support you need, I’d love for you to join us! For just $108 a year—about the cost of a fancy coffee drink each month—you’ll have a year of inspiration, connection, and dedicated writing time.
Ready to prioritize your creativity? Click [here] to secure your spot in our Virtual Writing Group. We start September 4th!!
I can’t wait to see what you create!](https://scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.29350-15/458341018_483345868037283_1467344792046745902_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=0gue685XI54Q7kNvgG9YnXl&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=AnFnD_p39R9mrYTehMVDK0L&oh=00_AYCpWahJ7LMplla9x0GbRsmNO9FPKbWxIQp8XCyneI2Ziw&oe=673BBD1F "We start TONIGHT —
join my virtual writing group for a rare chance to work directly with me while completing your writing project
Are you finding it hard to carve out time for writing and creativity?
Life gets busy, and it can be challenging to prioritize your creative projects—whether you’re working on:
a book,
blog posts,
social media content,
or even crafting an email series or a new product for your business.
That’s why I’ve created our Virtual Writing Group—a dedicated space where you can focus on your writing, whatever form it takes, and connect with a community of like-minded creatives.
JOIN NOW: https://creatingwellnessfromwithin.com/writinggroup/
Why Join?
- Monthly Writing Sessions: We meet on the first Wednesday of each month from 6-8 PM CST. This is your time to sit down, focus, and make progress on your writing projects.
- Creative Community: No matter what you’re writing, you’ll find support and inspiration from fellow writers who understand the challenges and rewards of the creative process.
- Accountability & Connection: Share your goals, overcome writer’s block, and enjoy the camaraderie of working alongside others on their own creative journeys.
- Whether you’re crafting a novel, drafting blog posts, planning social media content, or developing a product or email series for your business, this group is here to help you stay on track and make your creative dreams a reality.
If this sounds like the support you need, I’d love for you to join us! For just $108 a year—about the cost of a fancy coffee drink each month—you’ll have a year of inspiration, connection, and dedicated writing time.
Ready to prioritize your creativity? Click [here] to secure your spot in our Virtual Writing Group. We start September 4th!!
I can’t wait to see what you create!")
