into ages where others are thinking, “He’s way too old for that.” Having a firm grasp on how our beautiful body works is important in order to know how to keep it mobile and healthy. Good habits in our yoga practices lead to strong, able bodies. Bad habits or misalignment lead to injury. Repeated injury leads to broken bits and pieces. Do you dream of someday prescribing yoga and meditation as a means of combining them with primary health care? In my opinion, that would be better than most prescriptions written today. We are victims of our own advancement. Got a headache, stomach ache or high cholesterol? Take a pill. Many people think yoga translates into vegan, abstinent, super-flexible monk types. The biggest lesson I’ve learned from yoga is that moderation and mindfulness are key. I eat humanely raised, organic, local meat. It’s good for the animal, the environment, the economy and me. I enjoy alcohol in moderation and choose brands that follow sustainable practices. Meditation has been shown to ease depression, increase efficiency and lead
to better mental and physical health. It’s scary to think we are in control of 99 percent of our health, because that comes with responsibility. I believe we should explore what we’re responsible for with functional medicine professionals who rely on lifestyle changes before prescribing drugs. In my opinion, what we all need is a good dose of yoga and meditation, more vacation time, family time, good healthy food and a pay raise—the list goes on. If you could leave just one message with your students, what would it be? You’re good enough. We’re told too
often that we’re not skinny enough, rich enough, good looking enough or smart enough. The media is saturated with these messages to entice your subconscious into buying products to supplement your flaws. You are more than your wrinkles or rolls. You’re more than your ADD, chipped front tooth or lazy eye. We spend way too much time and energy on negative thoughts. We all have them. It takes practice to shift the shaping and wiring of our brain to focus on the good and really important things, but we can do it. This is what Shine On and my classes are all about. It’s the message behind everything I do.
Taylor Harkness will present five Shine On yoga workshops at The Yoga Loft, in Naples, from September 11 to 13. For more information on the workshops, call 239-260-7725 or visit YogaLoftNaples.com. See ad, page 53.
natural awakenings
August 2015
49