WHAT IS FUNCTIONAL YOGA MEDICINE™?

Functional Yoga Medicine is a multi-layered healing system that is comprehensive yet simple and easy for you to apply into your daily life and create your own SELF Healthcare System.

It empowers you to take back control of your health by helping you tap into your own INNER HEALING power.

Our bodies are multidimensional, and the tools we utilize to enhance our health must account for ALL layers in order to enhance function as a WHOLE.

E – Enteric Health:

Food is medicine, but the state of one’s being when eating is just as important as the foods one eats. Your gut is your second brain, communicating with your brain through the vagal nerve. Also, with 70-80% of immune cells in the gut, there is an intricate interplay between the intestinal microbiota, the intestinal epithelial layer, and the local mucosal immune system.

A – Autonomic Balance:

Balancing the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is essential for maintaining optimal health and well-being. The ANS, which comprises the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), regulates many involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. Achieving a balance between these two systems provides a homeostatic balance, allowing your body to survive and thrive.

S – Somatic Consciousness:

Somatic consciousness, or heightened awareness of bodily sensations, enhances movement and overall well-being. By being attuned to the subtle signals from our bodies, we can improve the quality and effectiveness of our movements. This awareness allows us to identify and correct poor posture, inefficient movement patterns, and areas of tension, leading to more fluid and precise movements. Somatic consciousness can significantly enhance performance, coordination, and injury prevention for athletes and practitioners of physical disciplines like yoga and dance.

Moreover, increased bodily awareness supports emotional regulation and stress reduction, enabling us to recognize and address physical manifestations of stress and emotions early. This proactive approach improves mental and physical health by preventing chronic tension and related health issues. Additionally, somatic practices such as body scan meditation and mindful movement promote a deeper mind-body connection, fostering a sense of holistic well-being. Integrating somatic consciousness into our daily routines can achieve a more balanced, healthy, and harmonious life.

E – Empowerment Psychology:

Empowered psychology, fostering a proactive and positive mindset towards one’s health, plays a crucial role in overall well-being. By believing in their ability to influence health outcomes, empowered individuals are likelier to engage in proactive health behaviors, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and adherence to medical advice. This sense of empowerment builds resilience, enabling better-coping mechanisms for stress, illness, and life’s challenges, ultimately leading to improved mental and physical health. Empowered individuals are also more effective at managing stress, utilizing techniques such as mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral strategies, which reduce the harmful impact of stress on the body and lower the risk of chronic diseases.

Furthermore, empowered psychology enhances patient engagement, encouraging open communication with healthcare providers, adherence to treatment plans, and active participation in health management. This approach supports a holistic view of health, recognizing the interconnectedness of mental, emotional, and physical well-being, and leads to more balanced and effective health practices. Empowerment fosters sustainable health practices beyond temporary fixes by promoting intrinsic motivation and ensuring long-term commitment to healthy behaviors. Ultimately, empowered psychology transforms health from passive to active, resulting in better health outcomes and a higher quality of life.

To learn more about Functional Yoga Medicine and the Ease Method,

check out this Mind Your Health Podcast Episode!

YOGA (or Your Opportunity for Growth and Awareness) connects the body and mind, and when you learn how to integrate breath with movement utilizing the four foundations of Functional Yoga Medicine, the body achieves a healthy state of BEING which transcends all dis-ease toward EASE.

Our Yoga practice is focused on four foundational principles:

Ease Method Self Healing System

01

E – Enteric Health

The “second brain” in our gut controls digestion and communicates with our main brain, mainly through the vital vagus nerve, impacting overall health.

02

A – Autonomic Balance

Autonomic alignment ensures our body’s natural systems work in harmony, which is vital for health and well-being; Functional Yoga Medicine uses breath, movement, and meditation to achieve this balance

03

S – Somatic Consciousness

The somatic nervous system manages our movements and senses; by combining yoga’s awareness with FYM’s knowledge, we enhance self-understanding and healing.

04

E – Empowerment through Practice

Our thoughts and feelings guide our actions, and through Yoga, we can better understand and strengthen our responses to life’s challenges.

Enteric
Health

Rooted in functional medicine’s focus on holistic health, we recognize the gut’s profound impact on overall well-being. Coupled with specific yoga asanas, we enhance gut health, ensuring a robust enteric system that supports both body and mind.

Autonomic
Balance

Functional medicine delves deep into the body’s innate systems, and with the integration of breathwork and meditation from yoga, we work to harmonize the autonomic system, bringing tranquility and balance to both unconscious and conscious functions.

Somatic Consciousness

Marrying the awareness-driven practices of yoga with functional medicine’s insight into the body, we foster a heightened sense of self. By understanding and responding to bodily sensations, we promote healing, resilience, and embodiment.

Empowered Psychology

Empowering individuals isn’t just about practice but also knowledge to make informed decisions based on personal priorities. Through workshops, classes, and one-on-one sessions, we integrate the wisdom of functional medicine and the timeless teachings of yoga. This equips individuals with the tools and understanding they need for a holistic health journey.