“Every emotion has a corresponding breath pattern.” – Elena Goode
@elenagoode is a yogi and actress living in LA. She is also a very big support for the environment (recycling and replacing use of plastic) and social rights – specifically now for Black Lives Matter. We met while rock climbing with friends near the Palisades. We both climbed the mini cliff (about 300 feet high) but she did it a lot more effortlessly and gracefully than I did.
She started her yoga practice in NYC where she grew up. She was first introduced to Dahn Yoga through her friend from Puerto Rico. Now she practices one of her favorites, Kundalini Yoga, and integrates it with Vinyasa and Yin Yoga.
You can watch the full interview on the blog and on YouTube.
Here are some of the key takeaways from our time together:
Pranayama
Use, balancing, awareness of breath
Activates different centers of the brain and causes brain to release feel-good hormones throughout the body
Plays huge role in activating the Vagus nerve
Improves heart rate, liver function, endocrine system, kidneys, diaphragm, brain
Fear
Fear response activates hormones and diff chemicals throughout body unintentionally
Fear response when hanging off cliff – great
Fear response when reading something – not great – chronic stress leads to anxiety
Breath
Foundation for yoga is bringing awareness to your breath
Breathe into the belly
Feel the shift of chemistry in your body
Sync breath with body
Learn how to breathe
Shallow breathing stresses you out
Meditation
Bring awareness to your mind
Don’t judge the thoughts you have
Bring awareness to your thoughts without grasping and holding – Catch and release
Where am I today? Where are my thoughts today?
Yin Yoga
Softer practice than Vinyasa (Yang)
Holding poses longer
Gentle, lengthen and open muscle tissues wrapped around bone
Body scan, bring attention and awareness to the body
Bring energy and attention to center of heart – Release and balance emotions
Activate vagus nerve into rest and recover
Ocean
Naturally go into meditative state when near the ocean
Takes your brainwaves into calm state without having to do anything
Enjoy!
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments
Scroll below for Links and episode notes:
Connect with Elena Goode
Want to join Elena’s online Yin Yoga and Kundalini Yoga Meditation?
To get the details email Elena: [email protected]
Episode Notes
Oceanic meditation [26:00]
Breathing exercise to massage vagus nerve[22:15]
Yin Yoga exercise [17:44]
Meditation thought exercise [11:30]
