Balanced Rock at Big Bend National Park

The Balanced Rock at Big Bend National Park.  Well worth the trek!

Balanced Rock at Big Bend National Park.

Bit of a hike with walking sticks.

Had a bit of hip/back pain, but well worth the journey. Of course, going up was easier than coming down!

During spring break a few years back, we booked so late, we had to stay in Marfa, Texas. Which turned out to be delightful! 

I told everyone to grab a chair.  We are doing seated warrior II yoga posture.  Great for bone building, increasing range of motion in both arms, hips, plus with intention, strengthening shoulders and upper back muscles.

What journeys are you doing for self-discovery, and self-help? Why not try a yoga class? I teach an in-person class on Fridays at LakeSide Event Center in Beaumont Texas. Pretty nice price point too. Only $4 if you are a non-resident of Beaumont. I have several of my students follow me from Jefferson Mid-County come to this class.

A wonderful facility. Clean, and spacious, with a skate park, and a neat lake to stroll around.

Plus the beginners class I teach is an adaptive yoga class. If you need to stay seated, I give you all the poses seated on the chair or standing behind a chair. I also teach you how to get down to the floor with the chair, and get back up off the floor with the chair. This class is geared towards beginners.

I occasionally either at the beginning of class or afterward do an indoor walking short workout, that folks seem to like. And if you laugh at my jokes, we sometimes do a seated cardio dance fitness routine. Y’all just need to check it out!

#balancedrock #stonegate #bigbendnationalpark

Ease back challenges with gentle beginners yoga with Gail

Discover how to ease back pain with beginners gentle yoga with Veterans Yoga Project Teacher, Gail Pickens-Barger.

Low Back Care Yoga on Veterans Yoga Project Online Yoga Studio with Gail P-B.
Low Back Care Yoga on Veterans Yoga Project Online Yoga Studio with Gail P-B. Wednesdays 12:30 PM CT
Benefits of a Regular yoga practice. On the chair or using a floor mat!
Benefits of a Regular yoga practice. On the chair or using a floor mat!
Yoga Benefits - Reasons to do Yoga!
Yoga Benefits – Reasons to do Yoga!

Grab an online account.

Book a class.

Online Yoga Studio at Veterans Yoga Project on Wellness Living Studio Platform.

Nidra sleep? Add Yoga Nidra Practices to your nightly routine.

Nidra sleep? Add these Yoga Nidra practices to your nightly routine!

Nidra Sleep? Add nightly Yoga Nidra Practices to your night routine!

Benefits of Yoga Nidra.

Great for Beginners to meditate, those of us needing guided rest for better sleep, easing of pain, and more.

So just to provide a little bit of context, and a little bit of predictability, our Yoga Nidra or our Guided Rest Practice is a form of guided meditation. Still, there is nothing for you to do, except to listen and follow the guidance of the teacher’s voice.

Aside from being relaxing, restorative, and restful, studies have shown that yoga Nidra can also:

  • ease insomnia
  • decrease anxiety
  • alleviate stress
  • reduce PTSD, chronic pain, and chemical dependency
  • heighten awareness and focus
  • transform negative habits, behaviors, and ways of thinking
  • foster feelings of peace, calm, and clarity
  • reduce stress
  • improve sleep
  • help heal trauma
  • reduce chronic pain
  • plant seeds for future growth

Create an account and book a class on Veterans Yoga Project Online Yoga Studio.

Playlists:
Yoga Nidra Meditation Videos:

Yoga Nidra Practices from VYP Yoga Teacher Gail P-B.

Rain Sounds for Sleeping Videos:

Rain sounds to ease into slumber

Easing into sleep with Soothing Rain Videos and Yoga Nidra Meditation Practices:

Both Rain and Yoga Nidra Practices playlist

Gentle Yoga for Healthy Backs – Beginners Yoga on Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio Site

Gentle Yoga for Healthy Backs – Beginners Yoga on Veterans Yoga Project Online Studio Site

Studies show that yoga is effective in assisting with lowering back pain.

National Institutes of Health – article on Yoga eases moderate to severe chronic low back pain

Boston University study finds it’s as good as physical therapy for relieving lower back pain

NPR – National Public Radio reports – study finds yoga can help back pain, but keep it gentle with these poses, as heard on Morning Edition.

There are even some guides in this article!

Science Daily Reports – Yoga helps back pain among veterans! –
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170725154211.htm

Time Magazine states Yoga works as well as physical therapy for Back Pain –
http://time.com/4825261/back-pain-yoga-physical-therapy/

Consumer Reports – Try Yoga for Back Pain

New Back Pain Guidelines from Consumer Reports – https://www.consumerreports.org/back-pain/new-back-pain-guidelines/

Yoga Classes in Jefferson Mid-County, Texas. Nederland, Port Neches, Port Arthur, Tx.

Yoga in Nederland, Port Neches, Port Arthur, Tx. Jefferson Mid-County

Got your yoga classes and locations listed here!  My classes and schedule don’t fit everyone’s schedule, so I thought I’d list out all the yoga that I know of here in Mid-County. (Beaumont &  Orange listings at the end of this post.)  Summer/Fall 2022

Starting 2022: Beginners Yoga on Tuesday night in Nederland, Texas. $10 held at Wesley UMC/Nederland, Tx.  6:00 PM CT.  Call Gail for additional information, or just show up with a yoga mat, a couple minutes prior to class starting. 409-727-3177.

Wednesdays: 12:30 PM CT.  Free Yoga on Veterans Yoga Project Online Yoga Studio.  Taught by local teacher, Gail Pickens-Barger.   A Beginners’ Gentle Yoga for low back care class.  Great for beginners and those with back challenges.  Linke below for getting a free account, then book the class. https://veteransyogaproject.org/vyp-classes

Fridays: 10:30 AM at Lakeside Best Years Senior Citizen Center.  Yoga. 60 minute class.  Free for Beaumont residents, come a bit early if you are not a member of the center, to register.  $4 fee for non-residents, and come a bit early to register.  Please wear a mask into the facility and into the yoga room.  Once you are stationed six feet apart, you have permission to take off your mask.

Nederland, Texas

Yoga Private lessons available
upon request
409-727-3177
yogawithgaileee@gmail.com
https://yogawithgaileee.com

Exygon Health and Fitness 
1001 Nederland Avenue, Ned. Tx
409-729-2592
Bring a yoga mat. $15 drop-in fee, included with monthly membership.
http://exygon.com/

PowerHouse Gym in Port Neches
Monday & Wednesday 6:30 PM $10 drop-in fee, comes with membership
Hatha Yoga Class

 

YMCA of Port Arthur 
6760 9th Avenue, Port Arthur, Tx 77642
409-962-6644
Yoga Tuesday/Thursday at 10:00 AM
Friday – 10:00 AM  – SilverSneakers YogaStretch
$15 drop-in fee, included with monthly membership
http://ymcasetx.org/health-well-being-fitness/

Individuals:

Gail Pickens-Barger – Private Yoga instruction in your home or place of business, 409-727-3177 or Contact Gail


SETX (Southeast Texas) Yoga for Veterans