Amanda - Listen Move Live

08/19/2025

Some of you may remember a class when we focused on SOFTENING. We all know how terrible how it can feel when someone says "Just relax!" I find that *softening* rather than "relaxing" can be more accessible and achievable.
This video includes a brief explanation followed by ~23 minutes of guided relaxation practice.

Ways to use this video:
- As a stand-alone practice
- Use it for savasana after one of my other videos or any other asana practice
- While you are waiting for something (at the doctor's office, on hold with customer service, etc)
- When getting ready for bed

And then...
- Repeat the sequence as many times as needed.
- Try to remember this practice when you're stressed.
- Try softening whenever you think of it, throughout your day - even if it's just one thing (shoulders, forehead, glutes, etc).

True story: I repeated this softening exercise for ~90 minutes straight on a plane (at 6AM on Christmas morning 2024)!!

This is guided relaxation to try when you're looking for some help focusing the mind and finding ease through the body.I've found that "Just relax!" is truly...

08/13/2025

It feels a little like I disappeared from here just when I was getting something going! Two family visits kept me out of my “recording studio,” plus I’ve been working on this little passion project. 😁

I am taking baby steps putting this out there (it feels scary!) and you all tend to be a friendly bunch. 😆🥰

I’ll post the website link below in the comments.

If anything happens to catch your eye, please feel free to use the code LML for 20% off your order. 💫
*This code is temporary and will eventually revert to a lower discount that you can continue to use.
*The general public can use the code LAUNCH15 for 15% off. 👍

More to come! Check back in the future for more GGG products.

I hope to share more yoga videos soon, too! 💙

Our signature shirt! 💿📀💿📀
It comes in many colors and on 4 different shirts (2 unisex tees, a women’s fit tee, and a tank top).

We are just getting started, so be sure to follow and see what’s coming.

07/11/2025

*NEW VIDEO ALERT*

Were you in class the day that I introduced this memory tool?
Singing "Head, Shoulders, Reach, & Fold" is a great way to bring gentle movement, breath, rest -- and maybe a smile! -- into your day. Perfect for when life gets busy and you can't get to class, but you want to keep up your practice.

I've posted two videos in a series -- some that will explain, and others that will walk you through one set of options.

Consider this an IOU for "Breathe and Rest and Rest and Breathe"! 😉

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_0ZLtBmSZVt40z0l9AYfcBTik5B1lgY7

06/30/2025

I created a Youtube channel back in April and I finally have some videos available! 🥳

So far, there are two hour-long gentle mat classes. Perfect for when you can't get to the studio! Plus, a 23-minute video called "Loosen up, Settle down." Short and sweet!

I have in mind to create more videos. Is there something you'd want to see? ... Chair yoga? Pose breakdowns and options to modify? Truly 'beginner' classes? Guided breath and relaxation?

I have ideas, but let me know if there's something you'd use!

Here's the link to check it out: www.youtube.com/

06/26/2025

The truth is, I am just like many of you: on a quest to find a yoga class and a yoga teacher that is a great match for me.

The funny thing is… the class I was teaching is the class I would love to take! And that’s why it was so important for me to teach it.

At different points in my yoga journey, more active, strenuous, and moving classes were what I wanted. Frankly, I didn’t know that yoga was anything more than that; those times were before I had learned the bigger picture of what yoga is, what yoga offers to us. As a dancer, a yoga class with flowing sequences where I’d be praised for the perfect poses that my fit, flexible body could achieve felt fantastic!

As life progressed and I learned more, my needs changed.

I’m not looking for physical challenge and increasing my heart rate; I’m happy to keep my fitness pursuits in the gym. I’m also not looking to rest quietly (in restorative postures) or stretch (yin) for a whole class. Really, like many, I’m only looking for a standard “mat class” -- but really dialed down: a little bit of movement and mobility, a little bit of strengthening, a little bit of breath and focus, and of course a quiet, settled savasana. And I’m looking to learn more about yoga, how it can improve my life, and feel encouraged to integrate that throughout my day.

Despite my years practicing yoga, this preference has left me trying out “beginner friendly” yoga classes. Unfortunately, it seems that most yoga teachers don’t fully get what it means to be truly a beginner, or a beginner in an average body or a bigger body or a less-fit, less-mobile body. It’s not that they don’t want to support everyone, but often they are not equipped to break down poses and other practices to their more accessible bare minimums. (No disrespect intended; most yoga teachers are lovely and have the best intentions!) Which means that most classes advertised as “beginner friendly” are actually not, and are also not what I’m looking for either. And if you live away from cities, your options are even more limited.

Why is this important to me and important to recognize? It’s not just that I am challenged to find an appropriate class for myself -- although that is frustrating. It’s even more important because so many people end up missing out on what yoga can be. Yoga truly is for everyone, yet typical studio and class offerings don’t necessarily demonstrate that.

Sampling a few local classes reaffirms for me that there is a need for what I can offer. And I will find ways to continue doing that.

If you’re out there feeling a little sad because you really want to practice in a community but can’t seem to find the class that fits where you are in your journey, I feel you! I know it’s hard to keep taking new classes with new teachers. And I know it’s hard to take a class that doesn’t match the pace and energy you prefer. If it’s too easy and slow, it becomes a practice in remaining focused and present. If it’s too challenging, it’s no fun when you need to modify every single thing the class is doing.

Keep at it. Yoga is worth it. And yoga is much more than what happens within a studio; you can practice yoga even if you never set foot into a yoga class.

Keep at it. Yoga is worth it. What yoga can do for your life is worth it.

And in case you haven’t figured it out, this is as much a note to myself as it is to anyone else.

06/22/2025

Yoga is for everyone. 🙏

05/09/2025

I am so grateful that I have had the chance to be part of the Better Life With Yoga community. 🙏💜
Initially, I was simply delighted that a new yoga studio opened so close by, so that I could pick up my own studio practice again. For quite a while, I kept it under wraps that I was a yoga teacher myself! 🙂
Eventually, I told Jean my little secret, and I began covering various classes as a sub, when teachers couldn't make it.
Then, together, we introduced the concept of sound meditation and sound baths. I loved being able to share my love of gongs and sound in these events!
And, of course, our Beginner Yoga community. 💗 It has been a pleasure and an honor to practice each week with you (nearly 2 years, for a few of you!), and to welcome many newcomers to the studio! Such a wonderful, enriching experience!
Having been able to teach a variety of our classes and workshops, on different days and times, I was able to meet so many of you, and had the opportunity to witness you on your yoga journeys! Thank you for allowing me to be part of your practice.
Thank you all for your support along the last 3 years, and as I make a transition toward the new and unknown. Jean, thank you so much for creating this community, for the invitation to teach and share my offerings, and for your encouragement and support.
I will always look back on this important chapter of my life with gratitude and appreciation. 💕

- - - - -
Forgive me for the delay -- I fully intended to share this post sooner. As some of you know, my last week in Massachusetts had some unexpected twists (including the stomach bug! 😫) and then it was a wild whirlwind drive down to Georgia. Finally, things have calmed and slowed down -- getting acclimated!
I have been thinking of you all and hope things are going well! 💕

04/22/2025

I’m so sorry. I’m sick and won’t be able to teach my last class today 4/22. (There will be a sub filling in.) Terrible timing!

04/10/2025

It is super sad and surreal to note that I’m only teaching 4 more Beginner Yoga sessions at BLWY before I move out of state. Many of you have known that this was a possibility, and the reality has finally arrived. 💙
Remaining class dates:
Fridays: April 11 and 18
Tuesdays: April 15 and 22
I hope I’ll see you in class! 🙏

04/06/2025

One more pop-up! I’m teaching Gentle & Restorative Yoga on Tuesday night, 4/8 at 7pm. Class begins with simple movement and stretches to loosen up and release tension. The second part of class features restful postures using blocks, bolsters, and blankets for support. All are welcome!

03/31/2025

This Shanti Mantra, or peace prayer, from the Vedas is commonly chanted by a teacher and student before starting the study of the yoga scriptures, setting the mind and asking divine blessings for the task ahead. 🙏📚

“In this mantra we are asking the lord to protect and nourish both us and our guru, so that we can gain the fruit of knowledge. We ask that both of us make the effort to ensure the transfer of knowledge takes place smoothly.
We ask that the knowledge we gain be perfectly clear, without any misunderstanding, and remain fresh in our minds forever.
We also pray that there not be any obstacles during the sharing and receiving of knowledge, whether it is our internal body or Adhyatmika, environmental or Adhibhautika, and natural calamities or Adhidaivika.”

03/19/2025

No class at the Senior Center tomorrow 3/20. See you on 3/27!

I have a few Tuesday night pop-ups coming up in April. Both are mat classes & open to all levels. Pilates & Yoga will be focused on core strengthening. Gentle & Restorative is super low impact.