Melissa Byram is a wife, mom, and Yogi, dedicated to helping people live their happiest lives throug
04/14/2023
Hiiiii friends! Happy Friday!
I know you've heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but did you know that it works for downdog, too?! (YES really!)
In 2018 researchers with NIH reviewed 15 randomized controlled trials that examined whether the regular practice of yoga postures could strengthen the immune system and reduce chronic inflammation. They found that Yoga reduces pro-inflammatory markers in the blood AND saliva. (More details on the study are in my Friday email. If you're not already a subscriber send me a message with your email and I will add you❤️)
Want to learn more about how Yoga can help reduce inflammation and increase your happiness? Join us for Beach Yoga tomorrow at 10am at Old Salt Park!
Tickets are available at MeditationMamaYoga.com
I hope to see you! xo
03/10/2023
In keeping with our exploration of the WHY breath work and meditation can be life changing, I thought it might be interesting to talk a little about the Vagus nerve and the pivotal role it plays in our every day life.
The longest cranial nerve, the vagus nerve oversees digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, immune system responses, skin and muscle sensations, speech, taste, and urine output. Your heart rate can be a great and easily accessible barometer as to what’s happening with your vagus nerve!
Next time you’re feeling stressed or get an elevated heart rate notice on your Apple Watch, take a few moments to recognize what’s happening with your breath. If your breath feels choppy or dysregulated, I’d bet your nervous system feels that way too. The really great news is that ANY form of diaphragmatic breath will stimulate your vagus nerve and will allow your brain to give the signal the body is safe to relax and recover. SO, the next time you’re feeling the urge to fight, flee, or freeze, take a moment for your breath and I guarantee you’ll feel better.
Want to learn more about hacking your vagus nerve? Beach Yoga is ON for tomorrow at 10am at Old Salt Park!
Tickets available at: MeditationMamaYoga.com
02/17/2023
Hiiii friends! Happy Friday! 😊
I hope you had a perfect Valentine's Day and were constantly reminded how special and loved you are (as you should be every day!). In keeping with the heart focused Valentine's Day theme I wanted to share a really interesting study from the Canadian Journal of Cardiology I recently came across about the heart healthy benefits of a regular Yoga practice. (I will link below.)
Adam Meyer from Well+Good gives a really good summary:
"Researchers sought to determine whether the addition of Yoga to a regular exercise routine could reduce the risk of developing heart disease. The research team recruited 60 people who’d previously been diagnosed with high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome to partake in an exercise training program. Participants were split into two groups: one that did 15 minutes of yoga before a 30-minute cardio session five days a week and another that did 15 minutes of stretching before the same cardio session. The researchers then measured the participants’ blood pressure, glucose, and lipid levels. After three months, both groups saw positive changes. But the participants who did 15 minutes of yoga had significantly reduced their systolic blood pressure (more than twice as much as the stretchers), and showed lower resting heart rates and a decreased 10-year cardiovascular risk— which weren’t seen in the stretching-only group."
SEE, EVEN SCIENCE AGREES- Yoga and stretching are not the same! The power of Yoga is tied directly to the ability to activate the parasympathetic nervous system through the breath. The breath is the catalyst to stimulating the rest and digest system of your body, which tells your brain your body is safe and allows your body to shift its focus to recovery.
Want to learn more? Beach Yoga at Old Salt Park is ON for tomorrow, 2/18 at 10am.
You can expect an hour of breath inspired thoughtful gentle movement ending with an extended savasana with essential oil cloths. This is the perfect class for complete beginners or fully seasoned Yogis.
The 🌟original 🌟 Beach Yoga at Old Salt Park is FINALLY BACK tomorrow, 1/21 at 10am!
All levels are welcome for this hour of pure beach Yoga bliss. 😊
Whether you're a complete first timer or a seasoned professional, join us as we breathe, stretch, and sink into the sand together.
This class is thoughtfully designed with Yogis off ALL abilities in mind. Yoga isn’t about creating beautiful social media worthy pictures or even touching your toes- our practice gives us the opportunity to free ourselves from the pressures of every day life by creating a mindful and deliberate bond between our body and breath. It’s palpable and powerful.
If you've been on the fence- come join us! Our thriving weekend Beach Yoga community can’t wait to meet you.
Tickets available at: MeditationMamaYoga.com
11/18/2022
✨Beach Yoga is ON for tomorrow, 11/19 at 10am at Old Salt Park✨
Join us as we continue to explore the amazing parasympathetic nervous system! Bundle up and sink into the sand as you release pent up tension and anchor yourself in the peace of the present moment. This breath inspired class is for Yogis of all abilities. 😊
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Meditation Mama Yoga posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I’m a wife, a mother of two beautiful children, and also an experienced Yogi. I’ve gotten so much through the practice of yoga and I want to help you do the same thing.
Sometimes life can be hard. I know. In 2013, I was facing a difficult pregnancy. I didn’t know if my baby would survive to term and, even if she did, the doctors weren’t certain that either of us would survive the delivery itself. Every day was stressful for me, which further added to the complications. Finally, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I nearly died that day, but nothing was going to stop me from meeting her.
The next few weeks were touch and go for both of us. I was kept in the hospital for round-the-clock monitoring and medical care, and my daughter wasn’t allowed to leave the NICU. Eventually, though, we made it through and I spent the next year raising a colicky, but very loved, child.
During that time, my Dad was a source of strength and comfort for me. He had always been my best friend, so his kind spirit, incomparable smile, and silly nature helped me through the late nights and difficult recovery. When he suddenly died on the Fourth of July the following year, my world caved in around me. My protector- the man that had taught me and loved me through so much- was instantly and very unexpectedly gone. I plunged into a very dark place in my life.
After a period of severe depression, I rediscovered my love for yoga and meditation. As I traveled down that path, the peace that I found helped me to work through the trauma of the past and pull myself out of my depression. It helped me find the inner peace that I so desperately needed. For the first time in a very long time, I was actually happy.
Today, I’m an RYT200 Yoga Alliance Certified yoga teacher that’s in love with what I do. Working with beginning and experienced yogis (and everyone in between) has been an incredible blessing in my life. I founded Meditation Mama Yoga to help people find the best versions of themselves, just like I did. I believe in gratitude, kindness, and appreciation for life, which guides my interactions with students. I’m honored to be able to help people find their own healing and experience their own joy.
I’m looking forward to sharing in your journey!
Learn more about Yoga for Business, Yoga on the Beach, or Private Yoga + Meditation Sessions at MeditationMamaYoga.com
