Breathe, Balance, Believe Therapeutic Yoga

12/13/2025

As I undergo menopause while pursuing studies in Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, I am uncovering new strategies to support my body during this transition. I have always been inclined to favor natural remedies over prescription medications and have successfully replaced them over the years, which has proven effective for me. However, I have been taking estrogen replacements for over a year, and upon my latest prescription refill, I was dismayed by a price increase of more than 75%, prompting me to seek a natural means of introducing estrogen into my system. My research thus far indicates that consuming red clover and licorice root together as a tea stimulates estrogen receptors in the body, balances hormones, and supports overall well-being without causing overstimulation or adverse effects. Unlike soy products, which can overstimulate and have blocking effects leading to health issues, licorice and red clover appear to be a more promising option based on my current research. Moreover, this natural approach is significantly more
economical than my prescription.

12/11/2025

My younger sister has been battling cancer for 2 months now. She collapsed at church and was rushed to the hospital where they discovered a brain tumor. During the brain surgery she suffered a heart attack, and few days later she had another attack. She had to wait another 6 or 7 weeks to begin chemo and radiation due to her other health issues and getting her body more stable. This is going to be a long battle for Kara and a time where she is not going to be able to work.
I live 6 hours away from her and so it is difficult for me to go help her very often at this point and time. She is blessed with a strong and supportive group of friends who make sure she gets to her chemo and radiation treatments and that she is fed and laundry is getting done.
However, costs for treatments is insanely expensive and her normal bills aren't going to stop coming in. She could use all the help she can get.
To make matters even more challenging, our mother fell leaving the hospital after visiting Kara, and she broke her femur and she has been in a rehab facility for a month and will be coming back home tomorrow. So, there is a lot going on right now for my family.
Even if you cannot help out financially at this time, please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers.

Kara has been at Northwest Community Hospital for two months. I was on a respirator… kara benson needs your support for Standing with Kara in Her Time of Need

12/10/2025

✨ Stair Confidence Tip ✨
Do you feel uneasy walking up or down stairs?
Pause for a moment and notice your feet.
👣 Correct stance = hip-width or wider
• If your feet are too close together, you create a narrow base of support. This will cause you to feel off balance.
• Keeping your feet hip-width apart or wider gives you a stronger foundation and more confidence.
🪜 Step alignment matters too:
• Step onto the center of the step—off-center placement throws off balance.
• If your feet turn too far in or out, it can make you unsteady.
Next time you’re on the stairs, give yourself space, center your steps, and align your feet—you’ll feel steadier and safer with every move. 💪✨

12/01/2025

❄️ Snowed in but not slowed down—today becomes a lesson in self-care.

A Snowbound Day of Reflection

Another snow day has descended upon St. Louis, wrapping the city in quiet stillness. I am grateful that I was able to meet with my morning clients, but the storm has now pressed pause on the rest of my schedule, leaving me at home for the remainder of the day.

Though unexpected, this pause offers me something I often neglect time for myself. I will use these hours to complete my coursework, sink into a grounding and warming yoga practice, and indulge in the simple ritual of soaking my feet in an Epsom salt bath while sipping licorice tea.

This was not how I envisioned my day. My greatest joy lies in working with clients—helping them achieve goals that range from the seemingly small, like rising from a chair or stepping confidently into a car, to the monumental, such as preparing for a life-changing event. Yet today, instead of guiding others, I am called to turn inward and honor my own self-care—a commitment I have long postponed but now embrace with intention.

For someone living with ADHD and C-PTSD, maintaining routine and prioritizing self-care is no small feat. Still, my studies in Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine continually remind me that these practices are not luxuries—they are essential. At 56, I am increasingly aware of how I wish to age, and the choices I make now will shape that journey.

I am learning that wellness is not one-size-fits-all. The right foods, the right movement, the right timing for rest, meditation, and nourishment—all must be tailored to the individual and to the season of life. Herbs, practices, and rhythms that restore balance are not simply preventative measures; they are the foundation for vitality, mobility, and resilience as the years unfold.

I invite you to walk alongside me as I share this journey. My hope is that my reflections inspire you to begin—or deepen—your own path toward wellness. And if you seek guidance, know that I am here to help you design a practice that honors your unique body, mind, and spirit.

12/01/2025

🌿 Discover Easier Movement – Book Your Free Consultation Today 🌿

Did you know yoga isn’t just about stretching—it’s about making daily life easier, safer, and more comfortable?
Working with a yoga instructor at home can help seniors:
• 🪑 Get up and down from a chair with more ease and less strain
• 🚗 Move in and out of a car smoothly and confidently
• 🏞️ Walk up and down stairs with better balance and stability
• ⚖️ Improve balance to reduce the risk of falls
• 🦵 Ease knee and hip discomfort through gentle, targeted movement

Personalized instruction means every session is tailored to your body, your pace, and your goals. No crowded studios, no one-size-fits-all routines—just safe, supportive guidance in the comfort of your own home.

✨ Because independence isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living better.

👉 Ready to feel stronger, steadier, and more confident in your daily life? Your first in-home consultation is completely free—send me a message today to schedule yours!

12/01/2025

🌿 Discover Easier Movement – Book Your Free Consultation Today 🌿

Did you know yoga isn’t just about stretching—it’s about making daily life easier, safer, and more comfortable?
Working with a yoga instructor at home can help seniors:
• 🪑 Get up and down from a chair with more ease and less strain
• 🚗 Move in and out of a car smoothly and confidently
• 🏞️ Walk up and down stairs with better balance and stability
• ⚖️ Improve balance to reduce the risk of falls
• 🦵 Ease knee and hip discomfort through gentle, targeted movement

Personalized instruction means every session is tailored to your body, your pace, and your goals. No crowded studios, no one-size-fits-all routines—just safe, supportive guidance in the comfort of your own home.

✨ Because independence isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living better.

👉 Ready to feel stronger, steadier, and more confident in your daily life? Your first in-home consultation is completely free—send me a message today to schedule yours!

11/24/2025

Did you know that the body has more than 30 trillion microorganisms living in and on it? The microbiome in the gut weighs more than the brain and it is responsible for how healthy we are.
The foods we eat and the prescription medications we take all play a part in how well these microorganisms are able to protect our health. Cancers, IBS, mental health and so much are all linked to our gut health.
photo from https://ar.inspiredpencil.com/pictures-2023/human-gut-microbiota

11/23/2025

The Doshas are the three vital energies in Ayurveda—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—that shape your physical health, emotional tendencies, and daily rhythms. Understanding them helps you recognize your unique constitution and make choices that support balance, resilience, and overall well-being.

🌿 What Are the Doshas?
In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life, health is seen as a dynamic balance between body, mind, and spirit. At the heart of this system are the three Doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—each arising from the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether).

• Vata (Air + Ether): Governs movement, creativity, and communication. It influences circulation, breathing, and the nervous system.

• Pitta (Fire + Water): Governs transformation, digestion, and metabolism. It fuels intellect, confidence, and energy.

• Kapha (Earth + Water): Governs structure, stability, and lubrication. It provides strength, immunity, and emotional grounding.

Every person has all three Doshas, but usually one or two are more dominant, creating a unique constitution called Prakriti.

🌟 Why Do They Matter?

The Doshas aren’t abstract—they directly affect how you feel, function, and flourish:

• Physical Health: Imbalances can manifest as digestive issues, fatigue, inflammation, and disease depending on which Dosha is disturbed.

• Mental & Emotional Well-being: Vata imbalance may cause anxiety, inability to focus, and emaciation, Pitta imbalance can spark irritability, anger, inflammation, acid reflux, or skin rashes, and Kapha imbalance may lead to lethargy, weight gain, or attachment.

• Daily Rhythms: Your sleep, appetite, energy levels, and even how you respond to stress are influenced by your Dosha makeup.

By tuning into your Doshas, you gain a roadmap for personalized wellness—choosing foods, activities, and routines that restore harmony rather than disrupt it.

🌱 Practical Ways to Work With Your Doshas

• Balance Vata: Grounding routines, warm foods, steady sleep, and calming practices like meditation.

• Balance Pitta: Cooling foods, time in nature, and practices that cultivate patience and compassion.

• Balance Kapha: Energizing movement, lighter meals, and stimulating activities that prevent stagnation.

Ayurveda emphasizes that prevention is better than cure. By recognizing early signs of imbalance, you can adjust your lifestyle before small issues grow into chronic concerns.

✨ The Bigger Picture

The Doshas remind us that well-being is not one-size-fits-all. What nourishes one person may overwhelm another. By honoring your constitution, you cultivate resilience, vitality, and emotional clarity. In essence, the Doshas are a guide to living in harmony with your body’s natural design and the rhythms of the world around you.

If you are interested in learning more about your Dosha, I invite you to email me to receive a personalized Dosha quiz. You may complete it for your own insight, or schedule a complimentary consultation where we will review your results together. During our session, I will explain what your Dosha type reveals about your unique constitution and share practical steps you can take to enhance your overall health and well-being.

Andra Benson | NOV 23

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11/19/2025

Black pepper is one of the simplest kitchen staples — a pinch here, a grind there — yet it carries a surprising mix of physiological effects. Most of its bioactivity comes from piperine, a single compound that quietly shapes digestion, nutrient absorption, inflammation, and even how some medicines behave in your body.

Black pepper is one of the simplest kitchen staples — a pinch here, a grind there — yet it carries a surprising mix of physiological effects. Most of its bioactivity comes from piperine, a single compound that quietly shapes digestion, nutrient absorption, inflammation, and even how some medicin...

11/13/2025

Aging brings changes in strength, balance, and flexibility that can make everyday tasks harder and increase the risk of falls. Private home mobility training — one-on-one sessions delivered in a senior’s own living space — is an effective, compassionate way to preserve independence, reduce injury risk, and restore confidence. This blog explains why home-based mobility work matters, what it looks like, and how it delivers better outcomes than one-size-fits-all programs.

Aging brings changes in strength, balance, and flexibility that can make everyday tasks harder and increase the risk of falls. Private home mobility training — one-on-one sessions delivered in a senior’s own living space — is an effective, compassionate way to preserve independence, reduce inj...

11/12/2025

This 💯

Have you ever felt this way. These days, who hasn’t?

First of all, cut yourself some slack - this is called being human.

Next, cut some extra obligations OUT of your life. Things you think you “should” be doing.’

No more “shoulding” on yourself. It’s time to curate both your time and your energy.

No more abandoning your own needs so that you can look after everyone else’s.

No more agreeing to a request just because it’s easier than saying no.

Here are some easy ways to say no and set your boundaries.
(https://www.randytaran.com/blog/how-to-say-no-even-if-it-s-hard)

When things get to be too much, think of it as an invitation to course-correct. Your body is sending you a signal. Pay attention.

Drop a 🤎 if this is a good reminder.

11/09/2025

Maharishi AyurVeda vs. Traditional Ayurveda: Differences, Principles, and Benefits Explained

Introduction

In recent decades, Ayurveda—the traditional holistic system of medicine from India—has grown in popularity worldwide as people seek natural, integrative approaches to health and wellbeing. Amid this renaissance, a specific approach called Maharishi AyurVeda has gained attention, especially for its emphasis on consciousness and its structured, modern revival of Ayurveda’s ancient teachings.

In recent decades, Ayurveda—the traditional holistic system of medicine from India—has grown in popularity worldwide as people seek natural, integrative approaches to health and wellbeing. Amid this renaissance, a specific approach called Maharishi AyurVeda has gained attention, especially for i...