Michelle Alva Blog / 13.06.2012

The human brain produces approximately 70,000 thoughts on an average day. Too often the thoughts we select lead us to experience stress, pain or fear. Singing the Hebrew prayer "Hayotzeir" as played in this video by the music of Rabbi Marc Labowitz and The TAO Orchestra is a way to experience the present moment and focus the mind on the direct experience of Divine Love. Create an intention before you sing and dedicate your prayer to someone or something.  In this video, we sing with the intention of opening our hearts so we all may open ourselves to the love that is flowing through us when we simply allow ourselves to BE present. Sing with us as you watch this video and experience the benefits of this sacred song and hold the intention of unconditional love flowing through you. Notice the benefits. When you sing with the...

Michelle Alva Blog / 06.06.2012

If you sit in a chair for more than 6-8 hours a day, you reduce your life span by 33% according a recent report by the National Cancer Society. According to a 2009 study published in Clinical Psychology Review, one out of every five individuals experience some form of sexual abuse. Too often we hold emotional and physical tension, pain and stress without knowing how to let go, heal and increase pleasure in our bodies. When we move, our bodies are happiest and healthiest! Daily exercise ensures optimal mental, emotional and physical health.  Belly Dance is a great way to have fun and exercise. Side to side pelvic and hip movements lubricate your hip joints and the muscles around your hips to help stimulate bone density. These rhythmical movements stimulate circulation of your hip joints, lymph fluid, blood and energy meridians. Your abdominal corset, low back and...

Michelle Alva Blog / 30.05.2012

The Pelvic Floor Muscles are located between your pubic bone and tailbone.  They are hammock shaped. These muscles are very important because they keep our internal organs at an optimal posture inside our pelvis. They prevent incontinence.  A relaxed and strong pelvic floor allows us to feel "uplifted" from the inside out and experience the innate pleasure that sexual intercourse and lovemaking brings. A tight pelvic floor causes sensations of pain during intercourse. These muscles are deep and internal and tend to hold emotions if we were abused sexually or touched in a way we did not approve of. Sometimes we carry tension and pain in this area for years because of suppressed emotions like shame, guilt or humiliation from these past traumas.  The posture that you assume if you work at a desk 6-8 hours a day, may cause these muscles to be tight or chronically...

Michelle Alva Blog / 23.05.2012

Fear is useful when we are faced in a truly dangerous situation. It helps us to move ourselves quickly towards a place of safety. However, we often walk around in fear without even realizing it, because of things that happened in our lives in the past. Fearful thoughts lead to tense muscles, poor digestion and a decreased ability to focus and connect.  We more easily perceive pain, stress and fatigue with chronic fear. Empower yourself with these easy techniques to help you clear your mind of fear and stress. The exercises below are designed to help you release pent up fears that have been stored in your body for years. 3 Tips on How to Clear the Fear
 1. Become aware of fearful thoughts. 
What you are fearful about? Do you feel you are in any danger?  Are you in any pain or do you feel threatened by anyone...

Michelle Alva Blog / 15.05.2012

If you hold tension, pain and stress in your shoulders, neck or jaw you might be stressed out or in need of improving your posture throughout the day. Some of us accept tension and chronic stress as normal. Many of us walk around carrying a lot of physical and emotional stress with no idea how to let it go. Your body is so powerful, it can clear tension, it just takes practice and the right techniques. Your body is actually very capable of releasing tension and stress. Here are 4 tips to begin the process: 1. Align your spine.           When your spine is in a neutral posture, you avoid strain and tension. Your muscles feel the most ease when you are with an erect spinal posture. Make sure your ears stack on top of your shoulders, and over your hips. Maintain the natural curves of your spine. Too often we...

Michelle Alva Blog / 07.05.2012

Many of us feel stressed out, drained and overwhelmed without knowing how to lighten up the load of chronic stress. 5 Ways to Decrease Stress and Free Your Mind NOW: 1. Let go of judgements. Release any negative self-talk about your your body, your thoughts and what you may perceive as “quirky”. You are so beautiful BECAUSE you are unique! Scan your body in the mirror and notice if there are parts that you are not so excited about. Forgive yourself for judging yourself NOW. The more we love the less we stress. Fake it till you make it! Loving your body is great for your overall health. Unconditional love is the healthiest way to reduce stress. It causes you to release tension, pain and stress! If you are overly judgmental of yourself, you are “stressing yourself!”  Let go and love your body now. 2. Acceptance. Accept yourself...

Michelle Alva Blog / 19.04.2012

 I am so excited to join forces with DAP Wellness and Green Monkey Yoga Studios to offer Pregnancy Nurturing Moves and A Touch Of Love Infant Massage Classes beginning Monday and Friday July 9 and 13th! WHAT: Pregnancy Nurturing Moves Group Classes are designed to benefit both mother and baby before birth to ensure a healthy pregnancy, birth and post-partum recovery. GOAL: Classes teach women how to activate their ability to de-stress, energize, let go of pain and tension and bond with their baby. It includes mindful breathing exercises, prenatal yoga, 20 minutes of cardio-dance-fitness and specific postures and movements to strengthen and lengthen key muscles that change during pregnancy. The whole program is also designed to PREVENT common musculoskeletal complaints during pregnancy, that too often are unnecessary. My background as a physical therapist, yoga therapist and mom has inspired me to create a unique series...

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