Yoga in the Dark Podcast

Why is it so hard to take care of ourselves? Join Holly and Megan as they unpack the topic of self-care, self-worth and why it's a challenge to give ourselves what we need. 

Megan and Holly explore the science behind women's hormones according to the studies by biologist Alyssa Vitti, author of "In the Flo". Women, you make sense! Our bodies aren't some grand mystery- we have simply been taught the wrong facts our entire lives. Menstrual cramps, PMS, moodiness, and fatigue are NOT normal. We don't have to put up with it. Listen to learn how to balance your hormones and take control of your body back. *Note: This book pertains to cis women. I apologize if that doesn't include everyone, Hopefully we can find research in the future for trans women and men hormone studies! Resources: "In the Flo" by Alyssa Vitti Notes for hormone phases: Follicular Eat: Steamed or sautéed artichoke, broccoli, carrot, green peas, parsley, zucchini, string beans, 1tbs flax seeds and pumpkin seeds a day Exercise: Elliptical, jumping jacks, hiking Ovulatory Eat: Raw veggies, fruits, smoothies, steamed asparagus, brussels sprouts, chard, scallion, spinach, 1tbs flax seeds and pumpkin seeds a day Exercise: Intense workout, group classes, bootcamp, interval sprints  Luteal Eat: warm roasted or baked cauliflower, collard greens, onion, parsnip, sweet potato, squash, 1 tbs sesame and sunflower seeds a day  Exercise: First 5 days- strength training, intense yoga  Second half of luteal phase- flexibility, barre, Pilates, gentle yoga Menstrual Eat: warm hearty food, soups and stews, beet, kale, kelp, mushrooms , 1 tbs sesame and sunflower seeds a day  Exercise: Nap, workout, yin, nidra, restorative, gentle walk for less than 30 minutes Don't do any movement for more than 30 minutes

WE'RE BACK! SEASON 2 kick off with a new format and new release dates. Join us the first Sunday of every month where Megan and Holly discuss topics with the intention of bringing yogic philosophy into the challenging and often dark aspects of life, while offering tools that deepen our human experience, decrease suffering, and call in joy. August's Episode delves into the question, where do you put your energy and is call out culture really all that bad? Holly comes through with a resounding yes/and approach that offers a more constructive use of our time as we divert our attention to community organizing, re-humanizing each other, and communication. So we want to know, where do you put your energy? Organizations mentioned: National Women's March American Civil Liberties Union Black Lives Matter Local Black Lives Matter 5280 Padres & Jovenes Unidos Mi Casa Resource Center The Center on Colfax Edit: The Gender Identity Center of Colorado is permanently closed (oops!) so the information for CO's LGBTQ Center is supplemented. They have an array of wonderful resources available. As always, we want to hear from you! Send us an email with topic ideas, reflections, comments etc to us at:  yogainthedark@gmail.com.

Stay Safe. Make certain you receive your news from valuable and viable sources. Stand up and do whats right. We love you all. Take care!

It's our first listener's episode! Thank you so much to Teagan, Andrew, Siera, Domenica, and DeeCee! Books mentioned: Pussy by Regina Thomashauer How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan

Join Megan and Holly as they explore the ancient power of Reiki, the collective, the institutions built from power and privilege and ways to step into social responsibility.  Reiki Resources: "Reiki Healing: Step-By-Step Guide To Reiki Healing For Beginners" By Lena Lind & Peter Harris Power & Privilege Resources: Kendall, Francis. “Understanding White Privilege.” 2002,  McIntosh, Peggy. “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.” Power & Privilege Definitions. https://www.pdx.edu/studentmedia/sites/www.pdx.edu.student-media/files/Power%20and%20Privilege%20Concepts.pdf. Spring, Joel. Deculturalization and the Struggle for Equality: A Brief History of the Education of Dominated Cultures in the United States.  University of Sunset Coast. “Race, Power and Privilege.” 

To all the mothers of babies and fur babies, and to those stepping in as mothers, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! We Love you! This episode is dedicated to Holly's mom, Glenda Lynn Spomer, may she be dancing everywhere and anywhere she pleases, and Megan's mom, DeeCee Conner, one of our biggest supporters. We wouldn't be able to make such nonsense without our moms giving us life. Thanks moms!! Join Megan and Holly this week as we discuss the power of intention and reinventing yourself in the light of challenging times! Sources: Book: The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer (available on Audible) Article: 15 Steps I Took to Successfully Reinvent Myself After Losing Everything by John Rampton https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/276263 https://www.kindnessacademy.com/ 

Episode 5 takes many twists and turn this week as Megan and Holly bring two interesting, bizarre, and remarkable people: Byron Katie and Wim Hof. Oh and Megan channels the voice of the tomb in Aladdin. Enjoy!!! Byron Katie Book: Loving What Is The Four Questions: Judge Your Neighbor Worksheet www.TheWork.com   Wim Hof Sources Books:  Becoming the Ice Man,  The Wim Hof Method (Oct 2020),  The Ice Man Speaks The way of the Ice Man - Audible Sources: · YouTube Team Fearless Episode ,”Anyone can do it! Wim Hof explains the crazy power of the human mind, deep breathing, and cold showers.” · Season 1 Episode 2 - Goop Lab with Gwyneth Paltrow “Cold Comfort” · National center for bio technology information and the national Institute of health “voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans,” et al. May 2014 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4034215/

Things get a little weird this episode as we discuss psilocybin and grief, despite it all we find a few good laughs amidst the dark. Oh and apparently Hunni Bear Yoga is a thing.  This week's episode is intended to entertain and inform not to diagnose or treat anything! Consult a healthcare provider and please do research before taking up any new methods of treatment for mental health or any physical or emotional ailments you may be experiencing. We do not recommend you start or stop any medications. What we do recommend is that you open your heart and mind to the vast amount of healing available.  As promised, we will offer any websites or info from the episode here.  Documentary: https://fantasticfungi.com/ Article Link: https://www.businessinsider.com/magic-mushrooms-shrooms-mental-physical-effects-2016///?r=AU&IR=T/#shrooms-can-make-you-feel-good-1 Book:  The Alchemy of Grief: Embracing Mourning through Grace  By Annamarie Fidel-Rice, PH.D. Website: Grief.com

Join Megan and Holly for episode 3, where new words are formed and a card table very nearly catches on fire. 

As promised in episode 2, Megan will lead you to a place of inner peace with this Yoga Nidra guided meditation. It's the easiest meditation you'll ever do! Enjoy!

Join Megan and Holly for Episode 2, Accept Who You Are, where we embrace the ideas of acceptance. Check out Megan's Yoga Nidra Meditation offered along with this episode.

This is episode numero uno and we are so excited to kick off with two topics near and dear to us: The Divine Feminine and Anxiety. Surprisingly, both are intricately connected. Some notes: Stay tuned for a meditation by Megan that will be uploaded to our website. Also, suicide is a very real feeling and situation, please reach out and know you are not alone. National Suicide Hotline @ 1.800.273.8255. Find us at https://www.yogainthedark.co/ or write us at yogainthedark@gmail.com.

Welp! We did a thing! Join Holly and Megan every Sunday for Yoga in the Dark, an opinion based podcast that explores the esoteric and scientific sides of topics such as yoga, meditation, trauma and love. Because the only way to the light is through the dark!