Article originally posted on mattnelsonyoga.com. Shortly after my first child turned three years old, I found myself feeling that there was a disconnect between my sadhana and my family life. Having two children under four is a consuming endeavor, and presents a unique set of challenges with regards to finding time to engage in daily spiritual […]
Yoga and rock climbing are a natural match, both combining mindful movement and bringing focus to the present moment. I began my own journey into rock climbing eight years ago, when my sister took me to the Portland Rock Gym while visiting from New York. I had always been afraid of heights, and I thought […]
As we practice it today, Yoga can be understood as the process of breathing into movement. Whatever first drew us to Yoga class, many people find themselves returning for the experience of plugging into an elusive but ineffable something, something we find at the core of ourselves, and yet instinctively understand to be more than […]
Q: Tell us about yourself! A: I grew up in Rhode Island and moved to Portland in September 2008. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. I love being so close to the mountains, rivers, ocean, and all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. I ride my bike everywhere and spend most of my […]
Q: Tell us about yourself. A: I am an artist with a background in furniture making and jewelry design, and I make my living from using my creative energy as an Interior Designer. I love being an artist, it is very freeing. I can be myself. I own more tools than clothes. I like to […]
I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself, as some of you may be unfamiliar with my work at The People’s Yoga. I am the creator and teacher of Yoga for Bigger Bodies. This yoga class was created when I noticed the absence of support for people living in larger bodies. It was created […]
We have countless ways to dismiss our experience. Endless strategies to shirk from, abandon, and resist the moment – in particular, the experience we are having in the moment. Picture a mother consistently dismissing her child. Imagine the effect that this has on the child. We learn to assume that our experience isn’t valid. We […]
Lately I find myself one or two finger typing, I am not a fan. So when I have time, one way I meditate is through remembering how to use cursive. I believe that my sitting meditation tools help me remember; remember my inherent wakefulness, the beauty that we already are. I would like to share […]
What is the Yogathon? Since its inception in 2010, the Yogathon’s purpose has been to bring awareness to the long term effects of trauma and how they impact those within our community. Through Living Yoga’s trauma informed yoga programs, students are taught mindfulness, impulse control, and wellness practices. These life changing skills support students in making […]
Q: Tell us about yourself! A: I am from Toronto and northern New York originally, but I’ve lived in a lot of places. I think I thought being nomadic was part of becoming an artist – something I can openly admit to being without breaking into hives these days. I moved to Portland from Chicago […]
Tension is one of the ways we feel safe and held and assured that little is going to change. While easy to identify neck and low back tension, the grip in the ears is more complex. Not listening is a key skill of maintaining the status quo (abhinvesha). Through a simple investigation of how the ears work, we […]
Every month, The People’s Yoga features local artists in our studio spaces. This month we have had two very special creatives showcasing their talents on our walls. Let’s get to know Megan Novak and Rachael Rice a bit better… MEGAN NOVAK @ NE KILLINGSWORTH Join us on Saturday, March 28th, 7-9PM at NE Killingsworth to meet […]
It seems like the attention can only be held by what she does not yet understand. So key to the yogi skill of dharana (steady attention) is the willingness to consider that one might yet know it all. There can be no curiosity or wonderment if we are bored. The yogis have long suggested to […]
I enrolled in my first Yoga Immersion after seeing a paper flyer taped to the check-in counter of my local studio. Those two words, “Yoga Immersion,” spoke to a longing that had taken form in me that I hadn’t quite named yet: I wanted to steep in the practice. I sensed there was something more […]
Above photo credit: Sean Pecknold You may or may not have seen Neal Morgan hanging around the studio. Neal is our first artist-in-residence at The People’s Yoga. He will be tapping into his yoga practice to explore its influence on his music. Since Neal will be with us until September, we thought we’d give you […]
I began dreaming about Nepal years ago. The Himalayas, the living yogic traditions, and the sacred temples and stupas called to me. BKS Iyengar’s quote, “Move from the known to the unknown” became my mantra. This last year, I decided I would try to spend my next birthday in Nepal and set an intention as […]
How long have you been practicing? I’m new to yoga! I’ve been practicing for about 7 months. Why did you start? I have had a lot of physical trauma, hip surgery and am on the mend and wanted to continue to work towards healing in my body through yoga. How has your practice changed over […]
How long have you been practicing? I started practicing 10 years ago when there was a yoga studio literally across the street from my apartment. I rolled out of bed and into the studio 4 mornings a week (read: no kids, single). I liked the challenge of the asana practice, but I loved that yoga […]
This month we’re featuring Mollie Guillemette, a regular on her mat, and at People’s Yoga. How long have you been practicing? I started practicing yoga almost 20 years ago, when I was 13! Why did you start? There was an article in a magazine that showed how to do 5 poses and that was how […]
For August, we just walked across the hall to meet one of the People of People’s Yoga–meet Tracy Burkholder, one of the massage therapists that shares the SE studio space. How long have you been practicing? I’ve been practicing regularly since 2011. In total cliche fashion, I turned 40 and realized that my minimalist approach to fitness […]
