2020-09-01 Yoga Journal

94 Pages·2020·69.2 MB·English

Grand Canyon - Arizona, USA

Erin Widman

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Founder: The Yoga Experience

Philosophy: Yoga has the potential to expose the
vast grandeur of life to everybody.

Mat: Jade

Nature’s Best Yoga Mat

2,119,516
TREES PLANTED

Buy a Mat, Plant a Tree

H E A L I N G S TA R T S H E R E

STEVEN
MEDEIROS
on breaking
down barriers

WITH YOGA NIDRA
Rest
Restore
THE
ESSENTIAL
POSE
for a
happy back

SOOTHE
SORENESS
at home

26

TIPS FOR A
PAIN-FREE
PRACTICE

+A Sequence
for Self-Inquiry
pg. 56

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Now is the time to take a stand against global warming.

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100%
carbon
neutral

2 YOGA JOURNAL

ON THE COVER
MODEL: STEVEN MEDEIROS
PHOTO: ROBERT STURMAN

Recover &
Restore

2020
Sept/Oct

Yoga has been helping people heal for
centuries. Here, how energy, asana, and
the mind play a role—from the experts
who know best.

PHOTO: WINNI WINTERMEYER

62
GUIDE TO AN INJURY-

FREE PRACTICE
We asked some of the world’s leading yoga
teachers how you can stay safe in your
practice—now and for years to come.

70
THE POWER OF

PLACEBO
The placebo eff ect remains one of medicine’s
greatest mysteries. Here’s how it works and
why it helps us heal.
76
STANDING TALL
Yogi and criminal justice advocate
Steven Medeiros is living proof that you
can overcome any obstacle when you
fall back on your practice.

4 YOGA JOURNAL

SEPT/OCT 2020 CONTENTS

CONNECT

10 BY THE NUMBERS

An easy practice for mood boosting

12 TRENDING

Meet the mother of all
cannabinoids.

14 YJ TRIED IT
We’ve got the scoop on
dopamine fasting.

20 COUPLES YOGA
THERAPY
Emotional healing on the mat

24 TEACHER TALK
Finding the yoga in self-promotion

THRIVE

30 GLOW
Raise your radiance with plant
pigment chlorophyll.

34 EAT

Whole-wheat morning muffi ns

36 WISDOM

Straightforward advice from one
yogi to another

39 TRANSFORM
Can energy healing help soothe
chronic illness?

40 EDITORS’ PICKS
Self-massage tools for
seriously sore muscles

PRACTICE

44 MEDITATION

Yoga nidra for navigating grief

46 POSES

Uttanasana, 4 ways

48 ANATOMY

Customize your forward bends.

52 HOME PRACTICE

A fi rst-responder-inspired sequence
for facing challenges with bravery

56 SEQUENCING

Overcome trauma with Phoenix
Rising Yoga Therapy.

YOGA JOURNAL issue 317 (ISSN 0191-0965, USPS 116-050), established in 1975, is published six times a year with combined issues in January/February, May/June, July/August
and September/October for six issues (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December) by Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc., an Active
Interest Media company. The known offi ce of publication is 5720 Flatiron Parkway, Boulder, CO 80301. Annual Subscription: U.S. $21.95; Canada $33.95; overseas $43.95. Single
copies: U.S. $6.99; Canada $7.99. Canadian GST #8256424911. Periodicals Postage Paid at Boulder, CO, and at additional mailing offi ces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to: Yoga Journal, P.O. Box 37274, Boone, IA 50037-0274.

Use Code HEAL for 15% off orders at madeasintended.com

Bracelet Trio for Health & Strength

Pyrite for health and vitality, Jasper for strength, Onyx with Om for protection and grounding.

Each bead is a reminder of the healing power of appreciation for all we have.
Each trio comes with an attached gratitude card.

“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” – Unknown

YOGAJOURNAL.COM 5

It’s hard to think of a time when the world has been more in need of collective healing. Many of us, and our loved
ones, have been aff ected by COVID-19, racial injustice, unemployment, and the sheer stress of the unknown.
There aren’t quick and easy cures for any of these problems, but taking a few minutes to meditate, play with my
kids, or go for a hike provides some ease when I feel anxious about the state of the world. When I seek out these
restorative moments, I am better able to show up for myself, my family, and my community.
We hope that this issue can provide some similarly healing moments. “Standing Tall” (page 76) is the perfect
example of how our darkest points can also off er potential for powerful transformation: Seventeen years ago, cover
model Steven Medeiros nearly lost his life in a motorcycle accident. Before that, he was long exposed to the hardships
imposed on people of color by systemic oppression and the police. The incidents brought him a gratitude for living
and sense of purpose that led him to become a policing- and prison-reform advocate.
Teacher Crystal Fenton illuminates other ways healing can arise from challenging times (page 52). In 2015, she
began leading yoga classes in response to the health problems facing New York City’s fi rst responders. Her sequence
and mindful breathing exercises may also bring you comfort from physical and emotional stress.
In that same vein, meditation and yoga nidra teacher Tracee Stanley shares a healing practice for working with grief
(page 44) that asks us to remain awake to diffi cult emotions that arise in moments of transition.
And while we’re talking about healing, we should remember that while humans are suff ering, so is our planet. That’s
why we’re proud to announce an initiative that will make Yoga Journal carbon-neutral for the next year. Our partner,
Cooler, has calculated YJ’s carbon footprint and purchased emissions permits that are otherwise bought by industrial
polluters who use them to exceed mandated greenhouse gas limits. Purchasing the permits prevents 1.2 million
kilograms of carbon pollution from ever leaving a smokestack. In practical terms, this delivers the same climate-cooling
benefi t as 2.4 square miles of mature forest. To learn more about Cooler, visit cooler.dev.

Tracy Middleton
Tracy Middleton
BRAND DIRECTOR

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

LOGO LICENSING, REPRINTS, AND PERMISSIONS
Contact Brett Petillo, Wright’s Media: [phone],