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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Top Yoga Trends

Fusion Styles Offer Fresh Choices

by Marlaina Donato

While interest in traditional yoga remains strong, a groundswell of new styles looks to accommodate our changing times. With approaches ranging from yoga designed for curvy women to paddle board yoga, there is something for everyone.

“I can see a definite trend of mixing yoga with all sorts of new activities and passions,” says Sophie Parienti, founder of Yogi Times magazine and website, in Los Angeles. “I always keep an open mind. Whether it is acro yoga or art yoga, if it becomes a way to commit to a personal practice, why not?”

Innovative styles are on the upswing, including yoga blended with Pilates, resistance training and dance forms like ballet. “Yoga has been evolving since its origins and these variations on the traditional practice show exciting creativity and invite in people that are new to yoga. In particular, we’re excited to see yoga offerings that increase inclusion and accessibility to a wider and more diverse student base. Practitioners can only benefit from this direction,” notes Kerry Maiorca, chair of the Yoga Alliance and founder of Bloom Yoga Studio, in Chicago.

Newer forms of yoga are affirming that bodies of all shapes, sizes and ages can reap benefits. Moms-to-be can enjoy prenatal yoga designed to strengthen the body for childbirth, and aqua yoga—especially in a heated indoor pool—is helpful for those with physical challenges. Chair yoga is popular in corporate settings and senior centers.

A decade ago, high-energy styles like power yoga were taking center stage; the current trend is toward gentler forms like restorative and yin. Instructors are prioritizing the safety and comfort of students.

“There is an emphasis now on the quieter styles of yoga, the introspective meditative forms. Many teachers are being trained to modify poses,” says Maiorca. “A big focus right now is trauma sensitivity—and how and if to use touch as an instructor, underscoring the message that we are safe on the yoga mat.”

The future of yoga is inspiring given the coexistence of tradition and modernization. “Yogis by nature are seekers and love exploring the new and original as part of the journey,” advises Parienti. “Focus on feeling good, whatever form it takes or whatever name it carries.”

 

Marlaina Donato, a freelance writer and multimedia artist, also authors books on spirituality and alternative health. Connect at MarlainaDonato.com.

Feature
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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