Yoga in the Dark Podcast Yoga in the Dark

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:
P***y 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.”