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Author: Mandy Ryle

  • Thoracic Integration

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    Mandy Ryle
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    If you often have pain in your upper back and/or neck, this is a lesson you should do often. I’ve borrowed a bit from a Feldenkrais Method® Lesson and added some elements that have helped my clients. Improving awareness through movement and attention is an effective way to unravel persistent pain in these areas.

  • Body Scan (Yoga Nidra)

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    Mandy Ryle
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    An essential practice for anyone who has a body. This practice is perhaps the most researched element of Yoga and has been shown to have many health benefits such as managing immune function, blood pressure, cortisol levels and inducing restful sleep. Yoga nidra has been shown to be superior to other types of meditation for…

  • Breath Awareness

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    Mandy Ryle
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    The foundation of all meditation and mindfulness practice is awareness of the breath. Though it may seem simple, this practice is quite profound and I encourage you to do it daily. At first you will need the recording, but after awhile you will be able to guide yourself independently through the practice.

  • Free Floating Awareness Meditation

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    Mandy Ryle
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    This is one of the first meditation practices that I discovered for chronic pain. I have adapted it from Tinzen Young’s version and used it hundreds of time for myself and frequently with my clients as well. Free Floating awareness encourages you to look at your discomfort through a lens of safety which is an…

  • Gunas Meditation

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    Mandy Ryle
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    This is an incredibly valuable practice. It is a wonderful introduction to mindfulness but also enhances interoception. Interoception is the sense of ones body and it has been shown in research to reduce pain intensity in those suffering from chronic pain and augment self compassion. I assign this to nearly every chronic pain client at…

  • Nadi Shodana

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    Mandy Ryle
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    This is a more meditative take on the traditional alternate nostril breathing. Rather than using a mudra to close one nostril at time, we use the hands for a simple, yet effective mudra to remain attentive. I assign this pranayama to clients who have trouble sleeping as it is a great bedtime meditation. I also…

  • Nadi Shodana with Mudra

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    Mandy Ryle
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    This is a more meditative take on the traditional alternate nostril breathing. Rather than using a mudra to close one nostril at time, we use the hands for a simple, yet effective mudra to remain attentive. I assign this pranayama to clients who have trouble sleeping as it is a great bedtime meditation. I also…

  • Nurture the Process

    Nurture the Process

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    Mandy Ryle
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    A wiggly, stretchy practice that stays low to the mat. You’ll get some time in some standard and adventurous hip openers but also explore some somatic movements and strength drills. As you move you will learn and be inspired by the biological process of learning. Just a touch of neuroscience!

  • Hip Release

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    Mandy Ryle
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    It’s time to slay the myth that stretching is the key to reducing stiffness and pain. It could not be more false. This practice is and evidence informed method to help you to release your hips. Even when we have pain we can work on strength and awareness. In fact, we should work on these…

  • Developing Intuition and Independence in Practice

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    Mandy Ryle
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    Develop skills for your home practice as you learn how to attend to your own needs and intuition. This practice is a a minimally guided intuitive Yin practice. Learn how to listen to a pose and to allow the body to guide your choices. Your practice will include the use of a pranayama, three part…