Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat Zinn (1990)

• This book outlines the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program.  MBSR was my first introduction into meditation and its healing impacts.  The training is available for free at https://palousemindfulness.com/. 

Lights on the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali by B.K.S. Iyengar (1993)

• An essential read for yoga philosophy, this translation and commentary was offered by the influential and global guru B.K.S. Iyengar.  I studied the Iyengar lineage with Felicia Santini and Larry Sands, both of whom teach at NRG Fitness (see below). 

Somatics by Thomas Hanna (1988)

• A foundational text in the field of Somatics and its sensory-motor awareness practices for regaining and maintaining physical health.  "What physiologists see from their externalized, third-person view is alway a 'body.'  What the individual sees from his or her internalized, first-person view is always a 'soma.'...The somatic viewpoint recognizes not only that human beings are bodily beings who can become victims of physical and organic forces, but also that they are equally somatic beings who can change themselves."

generative somatics is a collective infusing somatic theory into the development of social and climate justice movements.  

• "Somatics is a practice-able theory of change that can move us toward individual, community, and collective liberation through working to embody transformation. Somatics with a social analysis understands the need for deep personal transformation, aligned with liberatory community/collective practices, connected to transformative systemic change. They are inextricable and support each other. "

The Art of Holding Space by Heather Plett (2020)

• "Holding Space is the practice of compassionately witnessing, accepting, and supporting someone without judgement, while retaining your boundaries and sense of self."  I admire Heather's journey and continued commitment to instilling mutual-beneficial paradigms and practices for relating to ourselves and each other.

The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor (2018)

• This book is an important example of the brave heart work required - and absolutely possible - in social justice efforts.  Scaling back and forth through the individual to collective levels of our social systems, Sonya demonstrates the why and how to explore our understandings of ourselves as part of being the communities we want to live in.

Felicia Santini and Larry Sands are Iyengar yoga instructors who teach at NRG Fitness in Ironwood, Michigan. Healing Hands Therapy is Larry's massage and bodywork.

Gogebic Yoga, online SomaYoga classes and community led by Anna Wakefield, often in partnership with Ali Zuba of SOMALIVE

Serene1yoga, a variety of classes available periodically across the Gogebic Range by Serena Mershon Lohkamp

Rooted Soul Yoga Studio in Mercer, Wisconsin hosted by Amanda Easter

5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness in Wausau, Wisconsin offers a variety of in-person and online classes including practices of the gentle and focused Viniyoga tradition.

Yoga Roots on Location, guides explorations in Raja Yoga through a social justice and antiracist framework grounded in self-awareness, community, and unconditional love.