The Joyous Fool
By Sandy Robinson
The Joyous FoolJan 24, 2022
Treat Your Neck: Self-Bodywork Routine
Neck tension is the bane of many. Try this soothing, effective self-treatment to relieve tension, and restore comfort and ease to the neck and head.
Winter Antidote!
Break free of Winter rigidity and stagnancy! This practice opens the upper body, in order to benefit from a creative use of pranayama (breathing techniques). Get back into the "flow of you." Note: Practice begins at about 3:30.
Thanksgiving Quickie! 10-minute Release and Recharge
After a gathering full of food and loved ones, a bit of physical and emotional release may be in order. Let his practice be the antidote!
News Break: Restore Your Personal Peace
When the news of the day threatens your inner peace, try this practice to restore physical and emotional stability. A brief warm-up for the spine and upper body paves the way for various pranayama (breathing) techniques; a uniquely soothing meditation closes the practice.
Juice and Joy! Full-Body Practice for the Joints
This gentle, but deeply healing practice takes all of the major joints in the body through a wide range of creative movement patterns. And, this routine is chair-friendly, so may be used by those contending with, for example, arthritis or injury recovery.
Up, Down, And Back Again: Movement Retrospective and Practice
This episode honors movement from a variety of traditions, from sports and fitness, to dance, Pilates, and yoga. After an account of her own adventures in the world of movement, Sandy offers a highly active practice, yet one that is accessible for most healthy bodies. If you are short on time, feel free to skip to
The Fall Practice
Sandy opens with some surprising findings and thoughts with regard to the Fall Equinox, and the word "equal." The subsequent practice offers powerful breathing techniques, spinal movements, and techniques to rev up the body's processes of elimination. The session closes with a meditation bolstered by mudra and pranayama.
Seasonal or Situational Doldrums? This One's For You!
Sandy relates her inspiration for this episode, and then guides listeners through a gentle, yet thorough and effective practice to release feelings of depression and negativity toward oneself. Learn how to include mudras and pranayama with simple movements, in order to deepen the effects of your practice.
Empty Space, Empty Breath: On Energy, Art, and Pranayama
Sandy explores her use of the word "energy," and then connects it to the artistic concept of negative, or empty space. A brief pranayama practice of suspended inhalation and exhalation (empty breath) concludes the discussion.
Let Your Breath Take You Where You Want To Go
Ease into this full pranayama practice with a short warm-up to release mental and physical tension. Then, experience the profound effects of harnessing and directing the breath. Learn techniques to center; clear; calm; and harmonize all aspects of self.
Experiment With Meditation
Rather than a "practice," Sandy guides you through an experimental "experience." A brief warm-up awakens the spine and deepens the breath; what ensues is an exploration of possibility and realms beyond physical existence.
SpaceTime and Meditation
Sandy introduces the newly named Wayvie site with a reading from her blog. The piece serves as an inroad to its associated practice, "Experiment with Meditation." Listeners may also find fodder for their own contemplation about how and why to meditate and pray.
In the Yin (With a Touch of Yang)
Experience a feeling of wide-open freedom in the physical body, as you infuse your being with peace. This yin yoga-based practice provides a full-body deep stretch, while transitional movement sequences offer comfort and circulation.
Keep It Together: Practice for Busy Times
With elements of Feldenkrais and yoga, this short, yet comprehensive routine will keep your body and mind ready-and-steady during especially busy times. Done entirely on the ground, the routine offers full-body alignment and range of motion: The result is one of peaceful strength and openness.
Pressure Practice!
Let this practice serve as your recourse when external demands create anxiety, tension, and self-doubt. This routine will guide you through the formula, "Clear and assuage; root and fortify." With just a few breath patterns and movements, motivation and confidence will be restored.
Decisions, Decisions: Side-body Solution!
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the side body houses the Gall Bladder meridian. This practice offers a movement and stretch flow that stimulates the channel, which is responsible for clear decisions and sound judgment. Fringe benefit: the gift of lateral movement for the spine, and a dose of digestive power!
Back on Track: Recovery Practice
Whether you have not been feeling well; are easing back from injury; or simply have not moved purposefully in a while, this practice will help you get back on track. Creative and thoughtful movement patterns harmonize the whole body, while fostering physical and mental awareness. An unusual pranayama technique provides relief from both anxiety and congestion.
Holiday Helper: Impart Peace
Make a big difference to your heart and mind in just 15 minutes. Especially beneficial for anyone facing the first round of holidays after the passing of a loved one, this practice will gently ease the body, calm the heart, and soothe the soul.
Clear and Reset
Replace confusion or distraction with centeredness and clarity. Eliminatory and refreshing pranayama (breath work) accompanies simple movements for a thorough physical overhaul and renewed focus.
Morning Blend (Or: Slow Perk)
This is a gentle, yet comprehensive routine that is exceptional for the joints and freeing for the muscles. The practice will leave you feeling fluidly mobile, focused, and motivated for the day ahead.
Shift!
Whether you are experiencing a shift of spiritual consciousness; need to shift your perspective; or want to shift from work to relaxation, this practice will help you get there. An overall release of muscle tension and stagnant emotional or mental energies is followed by a meditation to hone the powers of discernment.
Beacon (Or: Through the Darkness)
After a brief account of her own recent "dark time," Sandy offers a short practice to help one get one back on track. Calming and uplifting, the routine honors the shared human experience of moving from darkness into light.
Combo Practice: Ancient Practices--How and Why They Work
This routine summarizes the series, "Whys and Wherefores of Ancient Practices," which can be found in its entirety at: everythingelsa.online. The full practice is done seated and requires less than 15 minutes: great for the office, when injured or unwell, or when the mind needs a profound reset.
Noon Nectar
Turn to this practice when mid-day slump arrives. With simple movements, you will release tension, mobilize the spine, and stir circulation. Then, "tricky" moves help to refresh focus and synchronize the hemispheres of the brain. A closing mudra pattern helps to seal the deal: You will feel clear and revitalized for the rest of your day.
Explore and Expand
If you feel mired in mundane concerns, use this practice to help you wriggle free from earthly binds. In just a few subtle, gentle moves, you will create the optimal state to align with Higher Consciousness and the divine realm. This is the final piece in the Keep It Simple Series: Parts 1 ("Calm and Cool") and 2 ("Bold and Bright") are also available for follow-along practice.
Overcome Overwhelm
Short and potent, this practice effectively clears the mental congestion and overstimulation that may arise when one is inundated with ideas, planning, and details. A great practice for house-hunters and job-seekers!
Bold and Bright!
Part of the Keep It Simple series on the Everything Elsa blog on Word Press, "Bold and Bright" will bring you into a vibrant physical and mental state. In less than 15 minutes, with just a few moves and powerful breath work, you will be left with a feeling of vitality and confidence.
Joint Effort: A More-Than-Movement Practice
This part-bodywork, part-small movement, and part-meditation routine explores the esoteric underpinnings of the body's joints. While the practice may temporarily assuage physical pain, the primary goal is to encourage physical and mental exploration: In so doing, you will usher in an overall sense of psycho-spiritual possibility.
Mend the Mind
The power of the mind is remarkable in its ability to provide both light and darkness in our lives. The practice and meditation here will help to settle and soothe distressing thoughts and emotions by restoring brain synchrony and balancing the nervous system.
Treasure Trove: Bounty! Ease the Neck, Boost Creativity
In order for creative energy to flow and be expressed, the Second and Fifth chakras must align. From a physical perspective, this practice will free the neck and low back, while strengthening the lower abdominals.
PodClass! "Halfsies" Follow-Along
After periods of high activity or stress (or conversely, too little stimulation), the body and mind can feel a bit off-kilter. Let this (newly named) PodClass practice help you restore balance and improve concentration.
Temper the Times
Although this practice was created in response to the racially motivated attack in Buffalo, NY, the movements and meditation will restore stability and agency whenever your inner or outer world is shaken.
Express Ticket
Shore up your inner peace and steadiness with this quick practice. With movements designed to promote openness and steadiness, followed by a closing meditation sequence, this routine provides a ready dose of calm and positivity.
A Little Oomph!
Turn to this practice when your mind and/or muscles need some motivation. Whether you are dragging on a Monday morning, or simply don't feel like tending to your tasks, the routine will slowly, but surely impart renewed vitality and enthusiasm for what comes next.
Gently Rise (Or: Help for a Bad Day)
This gentle movement and meditation acts as a salve for those days or periods when you are feeling down. Whether the cause of "gloom" is obvious or seemingly inexplicable, the blend of moves, breath, and mantra will help you rise up and out of the gray. Ease your way forward with renewed faith in the workings of the Universe, and in your ability to persevere. The mantra used is: Sa Ta Na Ma, Ra Ma Da Sa, Sa Say So Hung.
Treasure Trove: Sacred Secrets at the Gym
Discover the hidden depths of basic fitness moves! From squats, to planks, to leg lifts: Learn about the subtler esoteric qualities that these and other movements can evoke. All told, the moves comprise a 10-15 minute practice that moves past physical strength into the power of mind and spirit.
Treasure Trove: Silence, Plus...
This meditation practice introduces the profound benefits of silence as a discipline. Using a mudra to create a deep sense of peace and connection to the "source," or divine Universe, one takes the first step toward practicing silence on a regular basis.
Treasure Trove: Evening Elixir
"Evening Elixir" is the third in a three-part series from 2021, called, "Daily Doses." (Look for "Morning Medicine" and "Noon Nectar" in future episodes.) If you have had a busy day, this is a great way to unwind. If you are having a bout of insomnia, help yourself settle down with this short practice. Whatever your need, the tension-relieving movements and breath work will help you return to a state of ease and peace.
Treasure Trove: Calming Practice for the Full Moon
A short, flowing warm-up releases tension and prepares the body to sit for pranayama (breathing techniques.) This practice pacifies the heightened energy of the Full Moon, leaving you settled, refreshed, and focused.
Introducing: Treasure Trove
In the first episode of the new series, "Treasure Trove," you will find a short practice designed to instill spark, motivation, optimism: a full dose of vitality for both the mental and physical bodies.
Movement Break!
If you have been sitting at the desk, on the couch, or in the car for a while, this quick dose of movement will renew circulation and vitality. So, join in, and feel better in less than 10 minutes!
Free and Easy
Today's episode helps to rid the body and mind of deep tension. It also helps to shed the "blues;" to ease your way into the day; and to invigorate motivation. This is a routine that begins gradually, and ultimately leads to a thorough unwinding and release of tension.
Light Lift
Today's episode rejuvenates and uplifts: no serious thinking, just a full revamp and reprieve. The practice serves as an excellent morning routine, as it releases stiff muscles, improves focus, and stimulates overall circulation.
Grief: The Practice
Whether grieving a person or situation, or feeling your way through a time of uncertainty, this practice will provide comfort. A series of gentle, sometimes unusual movements will activate the Heart and Root energy centers: In harmony, these chakras establish a sense of security and hope in the midst of a challenging time.
Spice of Life: Revitalizing Movement Sampler
If you are caught in a Winter slump; worn by the ongoing pandemic; or just in need of a little change, this practice is the one for you. An accessible, rejuvenating variety of movements and therapeutic techniques allows you to experience a bit of Feldenkrais, qi gong, Pilates, and kundalini yoga. Have some uplifting fun!
In the Dark: Ode to the Lobe Series Conclusion
This practice explores balance and vision, physically and metaphorically. Discover the full array of supportive abilities that the brain and body can supply when pitched "into the dark." Fringe benefits: strengthened core and relief from eye strain!
Ode to the Lobes--Part Two: "Earmark" this Practice
In this episode, Sandy explores the side lobes of the brain: temporal and parietal. The practice hones in on hearing, sensation, and their relationship to Traditional Chinese Medicine and the chakras.
Surprise Practice! Mercury Retrograde
In just 15 minutes, learn how to contend with the mishaps that Mercury loves to generate during its retrograde phase. By clearing the auric field and building intuition, listeners make peace with the planet's mischief; one can more easily roll with the likely communication and electronic frustrations likely to occur from Jan. 14-Feb. 3.
Ode to the Lobes: Series Introduction, Plus Practice
It's all about the brain! In today's practice, whole-brain synchronization is stimulated: uni- and cross-lateral moves, plus atypical breath work and oppositional movement. Further practices will hone in on specific regions, and their relationship to esoteric aspects of consciousness.
Where You Are
If your entry into the New Year finds you a bit down or contending with illness, this practice offers gentle help. A range of movements and breath work bring circulation, ease, and hope back into the emotional and physical bodies.