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Michelle Fondin

“Ping!” “Bringg!” “Beep!” “Tap, tap, tap!”Our lives are inundated with sounds, we hear them everywhere we go. Our sense of hearing is a beautiful one. We are lucky to hear the birds chirping to announ …

The question I most often hear from students and clients is, “What can give me the quickest results to take my practice, diet, or health to the next level?”For all inquisitive minds out there, my advi …

As a health-conscious parent, it’s easy to walk through a school cafeteria and cringe at the choices available to kids. From Lunchable, artificially-made, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to cups of …

Editor’s Note: The following excerpt was adapted from The Wheel of Healing: An Easy Guide to an Ayurvedic Lifestyle.Did you know that it’s just as important to process your emotions as it is to proces …

Leaves cover the ground, school buses dot the roads, and there’s a crisp chill in the air. These are all signs that Vata season is upon us. If you’re a Vata type, you may have a history of getting sic …

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, the time change in the fall can throw off your healthy schedule, leaving you tired and blue. Barbecues and fresh fruit snacks turn into pasta and potato meals. …

The second chakra, Svadhisthana, is also known as the creativity and sexual chakra. It is located above the pubic bone and below the navel, and encompasses the genital region and the hypogastric plexu …

The beginning of the year is a natural time to set new goals. Unfortunately, well-intentioned resolutions often fall by the wayside as early as the middle or end of January. You may start a new exerci …

The third chakra is called Manipura, which means “lustrous gem.” Manipura is the original Sanskrit name for the Solar Plexus chakra. Located around the navel in the area of the solar plexus and up to …

Couples yoga is so much more than a simple yoga practice. When you merge your practice with another’s, you fall into sync with that person. Your breath, movement, and body positions find a rhythm toge …

The fourth chakra is at the center of the seven chakras with three below and three above. This is the area where physical and spiritual meet. The fourth chakra, also referred to as the heart chakra, i …

Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. It can also be one of the most anxiety-filled. With an overabundance of information and technology, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and …

The fifth chakra, Vishuddha, is the first of the three spiritual chakras. In the area of the throat, it governs the anatomical regions of the thyroid, parathyroid, jaw, neck, mouth, tongue, and larynx …

Yoga studios have become places of bustling activity. A space that normally caters to quiet time and personal reflection, now also acts as a social venue. While it’s nice to have a community space for …

An excerpt from Michelle’s book, The Wheel of Healing with Ayurveda: An Easy Guide to a Healthy Lifestyle, New World Library, May 12, 2015.When we think of health, we often refer to the physical body. …

Ever wonder what your yoga teacher is thinking about while you’re striking a pose and taking a deep breath? Their thoughts might just surprise you—and at least make you laugh.Welcome to the mind of th …

We live in a world of immediacy. We want an answer to a text now, that double skim vanilla latte immediately, and the streetlight to change—oh, like yesterday.The practice of meditation helps slow us …

Despite yoga’s popularity, most practitioners aren’t expert yogis. Most students in yoga classes are new to the practice—and many have unanswered questions.It can be daunting to even think about askin …

By the time lunch hour rolls around, you may have already endured a marathon of meetings, sifted through a pile of work, and generally gotten so much accomplished, you should feel productive and amazi …

As a new yoga teacher, you’ll likely have classes at several different locations, which can be challenging. Each location, whether it’s a gym, studio, or client’s home, might require a different set o …

Throughout history, people have chosen spiritual teachers to help them reach a more profound spiritual connection.The term guru has been made popular to refer to our most respected teachers. The Sansk …

As the weather cools and the holiday season nears, you may be tempted to eat rich food and sweet treats—despite your best intentions to stick to a healthy, balanced diet and avoid gaining weight.Accor …

When the New Year arrives, you may be trying to break free from the holiday fog of parties, gift giving, visiting guests, and a hefty credit card bill.And like many of us, you might decide to set your …

If you want to learn yoga, you no longer have to research, order, and wait for a DVD to come in the mail. These days, you just have to pick up your phone.Learning yoga in person can be an effective, m …

You’re sitting in the crystal clear waters of Fiji, a tropical smoothie in hand, basking in the glow of the South Pacific Ocean sun. You watch the surfers cascading gracefully toward the shore. This g …

The never-ending flow of information from news sites and social media feeds can cause even calm people to feel anxious or stressed. It’s no wonder that some 40 million adults in the U.S. suffer from a …

Our minds can get quite cluttered. We spend so much time exploring and experiencing the outer world that we are rarely called to get to know the universe within. Do you remember the last time you sat …

When you decide to detox your body, you must consider your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system consists of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste products, and other unwanted ma …

We all share energy that is both female and male. Think of it as yin and yang, complementary and both necessary. Dr. Deepak Chopra refers to God and Goddess energy in speaking about the collective sou …

Yoga has become widely practiced in the United States with growth to more than 20 million people since 2002. According to the U.S. News & World Report in 2015, yoga practice showed more growth tha …

Since the time of our birth, we are drawn to the external world. From the moment we exit our mother’s womb and take our first breath, the outer world calls us to explore it. An inundation of sights, s …

Too often we get caught up in the busyness of our lives and lose sight of our life’s purpose. The last three limbs of yoga are known as samyama, the pathway to the true light of knowledge. Dharana is …

The changing of the seasons is often a tricky time for health. On one hand, if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you may be excited with the end of winter and happy to see the budding flowers of sp …

As we advance through the stages of the eight limbs of yoga, we come to the seventh limb called dhyana. Often, dhyana is used interchangeably with the practice of meditation. There is, however, a dist …

Traveling is such an exciting time. Packing the suitcases, buying new clothes, and dreaming about your destination enliven the spirit as you anticipate unplugging from daily life. However, travel also …

Do you remember being a kid and having your mom kick you out of the house for the entire day during the summer? Playing spontaneous baseball games, creating objects out of nature, and riding up and do …

The eighth and final step in Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga is samadhi. The word samadhi literally means “putting together” and is often translated as “integration” or “absorption.” The eighth limb i …

Sleep can often be a time of struggle and stress for parents and kids alike. By the time night rolls around, parents are exhausted, kids are often overtired and wound up, and the highly sensitive chil …

You have all the good intentions in the world to sit down to meditate. You find a comfortable spot, turn your phone to silent, let the dog play outside, give your kids a snack, and set your timer for …

Integrating yoga into your regular workout program is beneficial on many levels. It can help prevent injury, relax muscles, and keep you flexible. Furthermore, the benefits of reduced stress and incre …

There is power that comes with using meditation in unexpected places. Your meditation practice does not need to be confined to your bedroom or some tranquil space in your home. Your practice is portab …

Yoga is a lifestyle, and there are many different ways you can incorporate yoga into your daily life. Try this 30-day yoga challenge and get a month’s worth of transformational practices and ideas. Yo …

Burnout is pervasive in the Unites States. You know the feeling. Maybe you’ve had to put out so many fires or had so many emotional experiences that you almost feel numb. It can be hard to focus. You …

Meditation has historically required a place to sit, a little time, and perhaps a good teacher to help you get started. However, that perfect formula has evolved with the increasing popularity of medi …

Knowing your Ayurvedic mind body type is about honoring yourself and your true nature. It also helps you learn how to balance your health and your life. Just as there are different types of foods and …

While your busy life seems to rule every waking moment, it can be difficult to remember that meditation can actually create a more organized, tranquil, and less chaotic life. Yet, one of the biggest c …

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the New Year rushes in quickly. Often, you’re pumped with new vigor as you have a clean slate before you. You start to hastily make your New Year's resolut …

Modern yogis are high-powered and goal-oriented, and often treat yoga as a boot camp. Yoga sages know that the practice of yoga is a lifelong pursuit with nuances and discovery of the mind, body, and …

The start of a new year is when many people take up gym memberships, enroll in weight loss programs, and create their yearly goals. This New Year why not try learning meditation—you will reap benefits …

Winter brings shorter days, less sunlight, and colder weather. It can seem like you are cut off from Source with the increased darkness, which can bring about sadness and the blues. Many people experi …

Your fridge is filled with week-old leftovers and the cookie bin is still laden with crumbs, reminding you of your guilt-ridden nightly visits. As you look at your overstuffed recycling bin, you sigh …

When you are in the midst of the empty bottles, broken promises, and never-ending lies due to a loved one’s excessive drinking, it can feel like you’re all alone in the world. The shameful and sinking …

When you’re starting yoga, whether for the first time or coming back to it, looking at yoga class offerings can be rather confusing. With a plethora of options such as hot yoga, hatha yoga, Vinyasa fl …

Have you ever gotten into your car for your morning commute, only to find yourself in your parking spot and having no recollection of driving there? If you’re like me, it happens quite often. You’re s …

Perhaps food has always been an issue for you. Maybe you’ve never had an eating disorder, but eating too much and lack of portion control have seemed to be a struggle since you were young.Even if you’ …

Spring is a time of renewal. Awakening from the winter slumber, you find yourself with motivation that was dormant for several months. All of the sudden, you have bursts of energy as you open the wind …

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American’s commute to work is 26 minutes, which is 20 percent longer than in 1980. If you calculate that round trip weekly, you are spending, on averag …

The changing of the seasons is always a marvelous sight to behold. If you live in an area where winter is bold and proud, spring is a long-awaited and welcoming season. The first flowers start to bloo …

Movies from the 80s and 90s depicted a lot of good times associated with copious amounts of alcohol and drunkenness. Bars and pubs seemed to be the only places people ever went to have a good time. No …

Nervousness, panic attacks, road rage, and feelings of sadness plague more Americans than you might think. According to CCHR International, 36 million Americans were taking anti-anxiety drugs and 41 m …

Author Judy Blume stated in a recent interview, “You can live a whole lifetime in one summer.” What a great quote. Summer is a season that makes you come alive like no other. Perhaps it’s the long hot …

During a routine visit, your doctor tells you that you have high blood pressure. Panic-stricken, you join a gym, buy an annual pass to a yoga studio, and hire a nutritionist. After doing all of those …

As a kid, vacation was a thing of magic. Anticipating the chance to explore new places and try new wonderful things, you would fanaticize about all that lay ahead. You would make detailed plans or pac …

Good intentions to eat healthy and lose weight can easily be sabotaged by high stress and long work hours. You buy the vegetables to make a tofu stir-fry, but when you arrive home from work or picking …

Homeopathy is a health care system that has been around more than 200 years. The principle of homeopathy is “like cures like.” In other words, your body creates symptoms to help fight off disease. By …

“That is my toy. And you can’t have it!” a frustrated child screams at her brother. “Now, now, it’s nice to share,” scolds the child’s mother. And so begins the training to suppress your needs, wants, …

The transition from summer to fall can be a bit jarring. You’re used to living on island time, even if you’ve been working. You come home, go the pool, take a long walk, or sit outside with your famil …

While some people experience more inner peace than others, daily peacefulness is difficult. Most must work at it as it doesn’t tend to come naturally.Distraction Takes HoldIf you attend church or any …

Much of the dietary advice you may receive today is based on the latest fads or research from a single study. It seems that nearly every week, the information changes. A food that was good for you las …

Like many people, I did not have a healthy relationship with food growing up. I was raised with a mother who suffered from poverty consciousness and we were, in fact, living for many years at poverty …

You are sitting in yoga class when you hear your instructor say, “Sit tall with all of your chakras aligned,” and you wonder, What in the world is she talking about? You’ve heard the word chakra befor …

Our minds are turbulent, like the rough waves close to the shore. The more we fight against the mind, the harder meditation and stillness become.When you begin a mindfulness meditation practice, you’r …

The sixth chakra, the Ajna chakra, is in the area of the third eye, which is found in the space between the eyebrows. It encompasses the pituitary gland, eyes, head, and lower part of the brain. An i …

The seventh chakra, Sahaswara, is referred to as the thousand-petal lotus chakra. This is the top chakra of the seven and located at the crown of the head. Sahaswara is our source of enlightenment and …

Tienes todas las buenas intenciones del mundo de sentarte a meditar. Encuentra un lugar cómodo, pon el teléfono en silencio, deja que el perro juegue afuera, dale un bocadillo a tus hijos y pon el tem …

Meditation is a skill like learning to ride a bike or drive a car. It takes time, discipline, and making mistakes before you feel you’ve mastered the skill. Sometimes, we fall into an it-looks-easy-so …

Located at the base of the spine, the pelvic floor, and the first three vertebrae, the root chakra is responsible for your sense of safety and security on this earthly journey. The word Muladhara brea …

Nuestras mentes son turbulentas, como las olas agitadas cerca de la orilla. Cuanto más luchamos contra la mente, más difícil se vuelve la meditación y la quietud.Cuando empiezas una práctica de medita …