All posts filed under: EDS Wellness

It’s the little things that keep you going …. 

Published by HypermobileYogi

It’s the little things that keep you going — especially after being up all night working trying to fix one of your websites (You know, the one that has the most traffic per day? Yep, that one. Fun times.) which totally crashed because of a plug-in update and you can’t get into the back-end either. No.Idea.What.To.Do. And ….. you had a product review due, actually, it’s overdue, and it was about to be posted before the devil plug-in corrupted everything. And finally, you were trying to work on editing speaker presentation videos from two very important conferences you held recently for your still newly launching nonprofit, when you put one of the big memory cards (“big,” meaning it can store a lot of content, especially video content on it) into your computer to make sure that all of its videos had already been downloaded. Thinking that all videos had more than likely already been downloaded, you opt to still triple check. Then, you realize that the memory card is empty when your computer reads it. …

Living with EDS and MCAS

Published by HypermobileYogi

When you are the founder of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and your focus is on serving those with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders, and related conditions, this is how you roll to a new doc apt. And again tomorrow too … I just want the hot spots on my thighs, the millions of pins and needles that are all over that are pricking me, and the cold breeze blowing on me, to stop. Otherwise, I may lose my mind. #RealLife #AllClearDermCheck #LivingWithEDS #MCAS #EhlersDanlos #NewLocalMCASDoc #PrayingSheCanHelpTheseReactions #AlreadyWarnedAfrin #LivingWithTheTrifectaIsARollerCoaster

Nope, did not have the MELT Method or Yoga Tune Up®, but now I do!

Published by HypermobileYogi

When you teach #Just5Minutes classes 2x a week live on your foundation’s Facebook page, and you are now holding a weekly movement and mindfulness-based program and support group, you feel obligated to purchase and “try” the various movement programs that say they help people manage chronic pain. Or, maybe it’s just an excuse, so my husband doesn’t say, “don’t you have enough workout stuff already?” Nope, did not have the MELT Method or Yoga Tune Up®, but now I do! My other excuse? These will be perfect for the Life Hacks table at Wellapalooza 2017! EDS Wellness’ “Just 5 Minutes” class on Monday at 11 am (EST), just got a whole lot more exciting. 😉 (Massage pillow, knock-off TRX bands, and resistance band set were purchased previously and are some of my necessities for living as well as possible with EDS, and ensuring that I always have a way to keep my muscles strong – all are easily portable for traveling)

Our 4th MIND-BODY STRATEGIES FOR HYPERMOBILITY AND CHRONIC PAIN class is today – December 2nd!

Published by HypermobileYogi

It’s hard to believe that our MIND-BODY STRATEGIES FOR HYPERMOBILITY AND CHRONIC PAIN program is almost over! Thank you to everyone who has registered and help support this important and fun initiative. A follow-up email including information shared in all 4 classes will be sent soon. Promise. For Real.  Our 4th class – Vinyasa Flow for Hypermobility and Chronic Pain will be a full 50-60 min class. Our final class will blend Hatha Yoga mixed with Gentle Vinyasa Flow Yoga. We will remain mindful of proper positioning and alignment for hypermobility and chronic pain but will move at a bit quicker pace during this class. However, this will still be a restorative practice. All levels welcome! This series of 4 classes are being held at The Mindfulness Center in Bethesda, MD. Classes begin at 1:30 pm. Please allow extra time to park and get set-up so that we can be mindful of the use of the studio and those who need it after our scheduled class is over . Address for The Mindfulness Center: 4963 …

What matters is that we showed up – together. 

Published by HypermobileYogi

Powerful class today.  12 people total showed up – vulnerable, open-minded and honest. I did the same.  We are all in this together.  While I’m learning to teach yoga and mindfulness to our community, versus solely speaking and writing about it, those who’ve come to our last three mind-body classes, have showed up to face their own fears surrounding movement and anything that may cause additional pain or trauma. What matters is that we showed up – together.  What matters is that we allowed ourselves to be vulnerable and open-minded.  What matters is that we know that we are not alone.  What matters is that we allowed ourselves to focus on the positives and what we can do, not just what we can’t – even if it was for #just5minutes.  I’m blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to walk this journey with all those who open themselves up and allow me to walk with them. Not lead them, but walk beside them.  Today was humbling.  Thank you to Deborah Norris, Ph.D. and everyone at …

Our 3rd MIND-BODY STRATEGIES FOR HYPERMOBILITY AND CHRONIC PAIN class is tomorrow – November 18th!

Published by HypermobileYogi

We had fantastic 1st & 2nd MIND-BODY STRATEGIES FOR HYPERMOBILITY AND CHRONIC PAIN classes!  Thank you to everyone who came out! A follow-up email including information shared in the both classes will be sent soon. Promise.  Our 3rd class will focus on the mindfulness for hypermobility study that was conducted at NIH a few years ago, John Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness program, and will include a 30 mins restorative yoga practice.  All levels welcome! This series of 4 classes are being held at The Mindfulness Center in Bethesda, MD.  Classes begin at 1:30pm.  Address for The Mindfulness Center: 4963 Elm St., Suite 100. Bethesda, MD 20814 (Above the Wells Fargo Bank) We have several people registered, which is great! If you are already registered or are interested in joining us tomorrow or for our final class in this series on December 2nd, here are a few suggestions to help ensure your safety and comfort: – If you have a yoga mat, you are welcome to bring it. However, The Mindfulness Center has plenty. I often recommend using …

Pictures from EDS Wellness’ 2nd Mind-Body Class for Hypermobility and Chronic Pain

Published by HypermobileYogi

A few pictures from our 2nd Mind-Body class for Hypermobility today. We discussed wrist, neck and ankle issues, how to practice yoga safely with Hypermobility, proper form in specific poses, things to look for when practicing yoga, the use of props, and finished with a gentle flow yoga practice. Professional pictures by Christina Maldonado Photography    

Gratitude for My Extended EDS, Mast Cell and Chronic Illness Family

Published by HypermobileYogi

When you lived in the middle of chaos – personally, professionally and literally, for about 2 years straight, fighting and climbing to the pinnacle of some invisible hill, one that only you can see, there are moments that keep you going just when you want to give up. For me, those moments have been the unwavering support and help from some of my very close EDS/MCAS/broader chronic illness world friends – not all are named here, but these women have been by my side, rolled up their sleeves and helped me with no questions asked. And they have really helped me. They have devoted their own time, resources, and what little energy they have to helping me with my far too many projects. They’ve helped make my aspirations come true, they’ve listened and supported me through a ton of crazy BS I’ve endured to get to this point, and they’ve worked – hard. Really hard, because they believe in what I do and they also care just as much as I do, if not more. …

May is EDS Awareness Month!

Published by HypermobileYogi

 May is EDS Awareness Month! 


In honor of EDS Awareness Month (May), Sarah Wells from My Stripy Life and I are sharing details on what you need to do to register for your FREE copy our parenting EDS Kids e-book ‘51 Tips for Parents of Children Newly Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)‘ once it’s released! What first started out as a joint blog post about parenting and having kids with EDS, turned into a six-month-long project that Sarah and I have been working on off and on, waiting for the right time to finish and release it. As we continued to collaborate on it, we kept finding more and more to add, and even more information and resources that we wanted to make sure were included in our post – which then turned our joint blog post into a full resource e-book. This e-book is the real; no holds barred advice that we wish we knew, and we hadn’t had to figure out for ourselves, the stuff that the medical books don’t always tell …