JANUARY 2025
AND SHE IS BACK ON SCREEN - EndorphinGirl® THAT IS.
EndorphinGirl® here. In the words of one of the EndorphinKids® - it’s been a minute. Our inner EndorphinGirl® or EndorphinGuy® for that matter doesn’t go away, sometimes s/he takes a break, a pause or even a snooze.
This particular EndorphinGirl® while away from the on-line stuff for the minute, has been focused on some other things throughout 2024. Some cool, some easy, some fun, some hard, some sad. It’s been an eclectic year that has included an abundance of change, sadness and grief and a whole lot of other things. As this blog unpauses, the things EndorphinGirl® will be sharing will vary from month to month.
This particular somewhat abbreviated comeback newsletter will focus on some of the nature-related and fun from 2024, which EndorphinGirl® will get to in a moment. Other topics that will be covered in the ensuing months will broadly range, and touch on grief, yoga (of course), travel, friendship, retreats, and some surprise topics, including a shared tip on a feel good action that has worked for EndorphinGirl®.
In 2024 we made a real effort to get closer to nature. One of the EndorphinKids® along with EndorphinGirl® had incredible opportunity to run a few Retreats in the splendor of the Northern Finland Lapland during two different seasons.
In both winter (January 2024) and Fall (September 2024) we had two marvelous groups join us. Bringing people together for a shared purpose, in some instances participants new to one another, is always illuminating and rewarding! Together we experienced and shared outward aspects of nature and our own inner nature and what we learned about both.
We experienced many connections between our time outdoors in nature and our yoga practices in and outside of the studio, and the value of these together and/or separately. Slowing down, reflecting on what should remain and what should go, taking baby steps in any new daily actions, and the importance of the breath, all relevant in both scenarios.
Our days consisted of daily yoga and meditation practice, shared meals, accompanied by an outdoor activity in nature determined by the season. Some of these activities included snow shoe-ing, fell ski-ing, hiking to Sweden and on Finnish Fells, camp-fire stories and meals, Arctic dips or swims and ending most days with a traditional Finnish sauna and sometimes a presentation from the spectacular Ms. Aurora Borealis.
While each group and season was special and different, both were magical and energizing. Check out a few pictures of our Lapland Retreats in this Newsletter!
EndorphinGirl® has so much respect and admiration for her fabulous co-host who led the groups on the most amazing outdoor experiences on the Fells in Muonio, among other things, she was simply exceptional! (Mia 💖)
We’ll be back in February 2026 for another retreat in the beautiful Finnish landscape. Stay tuned on that.
Meanwhile, a feel-good tip from EndorphinGirl®
EndorphinGirl®’s Feel Good Tip #1
A favorite meditation is Sa Ta Na Ma. EndorphinGirl® really likes this one because it may help improve focus, concentration, mental clarity and reduce stress. It is simple and can be done anywhere. The combination of sound, movement and breath is very effective.
What is the translation of Sa Ta Na Ma?
Sa: Birth or Infinity, the beginning of all things.
Ta: Life and existence, the manifestation of energy in the physical world.
Na: Death or transformation, the changing of form.
Ma: Rebirth and regeneration, completing the cycle of creation.
How does the sound vibration play out?
Each syllable resonates with different parts of the brain, which in turn activates neural pathways promoting a state of balance in the brain which supports some of the benefits noted above, such as memory, focus, and mental clarity.
What movement is involved?
Press the thumb to different fingers with each syllable.
This simple act stimulates acupressure points that connect to different parts of the brain, enhancing mental clarity and boosting memory retention.
These movements are called mudras, sometimes referenced as hand yoga; mudras are a great tool for concentration.
What’s the breath’s purpose?
The practice of deep, rhythmic breathing combined with chanting improves oxygen flow to the brain.
How to practice this?
Find a Quiet Space: Sit in a comfortable position with your spine straight. However, you can also do this any time or place, for instance waiting on a long line in a shop and feeling agitated, silently begin your practice, sitting on a chair in your office taking a quiet minute before a meeting.
Begin Chanting: Chant the mantra Sa Ta Na Ma aloud or silently, breaking it into four distinct syllables.
Add Movement: As you chant, touch your thumb to your index finger on Sa, your middle finger on Ta, your ring finger on Na, and your pinky finger on Ma.
Focus on Your Breath: Breathe deeply and slowly, allowing your breath to align with the rhythm of the chant.
A final word on Sa Ta Na Ma. It is also a very useful mantra to repeat anytime with or without the movement. Repeating a mantra disrupts the thinking pattern, and if heading towards that old enemy, negative thinking, it can shift how you may feel and think quite quickly!
Well EndorphinGirl® leaves you to it!
Stay tuned for more adventures with EndorphinGirl® in 2025!
