NICOLE OHME

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

I am not sure if I traveled as far as I could, but I definitely didn’t live longer in one place than 4 years 😉
This trip has been very different for me though, because of not taking any airplanes.
It is just my dog and I having this extensive road trip over this summer to (re-) connect with old friends.

I never drove so relaxed my car over such a long period of time. I could stay calm even in aggravating situations. All of this that thanks to the Human Garage and there fabulous Fascial Maneuvers!
As I was taking a long walk with a friend up near Hamburg we talked about this 2 months trip as my personal “Way of St. James”.  I won’t return as the same person back to Spain. I think even my dog will have changed to certain extend.

I drove by now over 2000 km to see friends from different times of life and last week it went even as far back as 36 years. I reunited with around 25 Up With People family members and some came with their families.
At times I was very overwhelmed by being with so many people together from the morning till late at night. So much input, output and inspiration all at once. Sharing our stories, emotions and simply enjoying each others company. Being able to be our authentic self without judgment is priceless.
They asked me to teach a yoga class and I also shared twice the full body stress reset (Fascial Maneuver) with them. What a heart warming experience to be appreciated by this amazing bunch of people. Some of them received a yogassage from me which was a wonderful way for me to connect with them on an other level.

Saying good-bye is not my strength, but now after I left, I feel overjoyed by the richness and love I feel inside for my UWP Family and this wonderful opportunity to spend quality time together!

Monday 17.07.
Moving from the Heart
Slow Flow

Wednesday 19.07.
No Judgment
Flow

Thursday 20.07.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 21.07.
Letting Love Lead
Flow

I can’t wait for our reunion in November in Marrakech!

Love,

Nicole

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

As some of you know, I love traveling!
Going on a road trip on my own just with my dog evoked a mix of emotions, including fear and excitement.

Through the experience of the 28+ reset, I became emotionally more stable and are able to shift my perceptions a bit more easily. I know that shifting my perspective from fear to excitement can have a profound impact on how I experience the journey.

If you feel similar when you go on your vacation or a trip, here are a few reasons why changing fear into excitement can make a significant difference:

– Embracing the unknown: Traveling often involves encountering unfamiliar situations, cultures, and environments. While fear might make you hesitant or apprehensive, embracing the unknown with excitement allows you to approach new experiences with an open mind and a sense of curiosity.

– Overcoming personal barriers: Transforming fear into excitement can empower you to step outside of your comfort zone. By embracing the adventure, you can challenge yourself and grow as an individual. Traveling often presents opportunities for personal development and self-discovery.

– Creating positive memories: When you approach a trip with excitement, you’re more likely to focus on the positive aspects of the journey. This mindset can enhance your overall experience and help you create lasting memories. It allows you to fully immerse yourself in the adventure and appreciate the unique moments along the way.

– Embracing flexibility: Travel plans don’t always go as expected, and unexpected situations can arise. By shifting from fear to excitement, you can adopt a flexible mindset that enables you to adapt and make the most of any situation. Embracing the adventure with enthusiasm allows you to find joy and opportunity even in unexpected circumstances.

– Opening yourself to new possibilities: Fear often holds us back from trying new things or taking risks. However, by changing fear into excitement, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities. You might discover hidden gems, meet incredible people, or engage in activities that you would have otherwise missed out on.

I am sure it is nothing you haven’t heard before or didn’t know. Something it is just a good reminder!

I am embracing to feel a mix of emotions before going on this trip. I will consciously choose excitement over fear. Extending my personal journey into this travel experience that can become a truly transformative and fulfilling adventure!

Like always we can practice this already on our mat to change consciously your perception. How does your body feel when it moves into a state of fear/stress? What is the quality of the breath then? Can you change your perception?

Monday 26.06.
Feeling Grounded
Flow

Wednesday 28.06.
Open to New Possibilities
Flow

Thursday 06.07.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 07.07.
Embracing All
Slow Flow

Monday 10.07.
Creating Memories
Flow

Wednesday 12.07.
Giving up Control
Slow Flow

I am taking you with me on the journey! 🙂

Love,

Nicole

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

The 28Day Reset has come to and end but my journey with Human Garage feels like just started. Here are some more valuable facts that might be of interest to you as well.

Points of Contact
Have you ever walked in a dark room and the only point of contact you had was your feet on the floor? You can’t see where you’re going so your body tightens in fear that you might walk into something. Then all of a sudden you reach out your hand and touch a wall, your body calms down and feels safe. You now have three points of contact to navigate you through the room.

This concept is really important to understand when working with the human body. When your body is in water, under a weighted blanket or being hugged by someone close to you it feels safe. The more points of contact the safer the body feels. That’s because it has more information of where it is in space and no longer has to make calculations to stabilize and moderate movement while protecting itself from external stressors.

We’ve found it takes a minimum of three points of contact to create the feeling of safety in the body and began applying this theory in the clinical setting with three practitioners working on one client at a time: the body would relax and release faster without pain.

Exercise: If you want to test this theory: have a friend place one foot on top of yours, one hand on your arm and one on your chest. Close your eyes and feel your body. Have them slowly take away the hand on your chest and feel your body change. Then, have them put it back on. Repeat this a few times and feel how your body reacts to having three points of contact versus two. You may even experience a heighten sense of awareness because the body is no longer using its energy to protect itself.

The Fetal Position

In our study of the human body we analyzed and broke down human movement. We observed each zone and side of the body and how they move in counter rotation to the other. That means when we walk: one arm goes forwards while one goes backwards, the head goes one way and the torso goes to the other, one leg rotates inward while one rotates outward creating equal pressure distribution throughout the body with each step.

As the movements become more complex we see the body wind itself into different positions to generate force and create movement. This can be seen as a baseball pitcher winds his body into a standing fetal position and then explodes in forward motion throwing the ball at high speeds. This winding and utilization of the fetal position is one of the most powerful methods to generate explosive movement and transition from one state to another.

We began exploring the fetal position in therapy to understand what impacts it would have on healing. Lying on one side, we would instruct our clients to cross their legs and hug themself as we rolled them into a ball and had them breathe. To our surprise, deep emotional and physical trauma would come to the surface and release.

But is it really that surprising? We know the body has memory and that the highest point of growth in a humans life is during the first 9 months in the fetal position inside the mothers womb. So why wouldn’t the body enjoy this position? Why wouldn’t it trigger a memory and stimulate healing? These are all the questions we asked ourselves as began to create the Fascial Maneuvers. When doing Fascial Maneuvers one of the core principles is counter rotation and the fetal position with each position winding and rotating the body to create internal pressure and release.
~ Human Garage

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I am so grateful to have found the guys from the Human Garage. I found them at a very challenging time in my life and it felt like they have thrown me a life line just before I started to drown.
These all in all 40 days reset has shown me a new holistic way to heal. By approaching my emotions on a physical level I have become mentally and emotionally more stabil that I can heal myself on all levels. I know there are still so many more layers to unfold, but I feel that I am on the way to finally becoming “me” again.

Monday 19.06.
Focus Within
Blind Flow

Wednesday 21.06.
Embrace Yourself
3-Breath-Flow

Thursday 22.06.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 23.06.
“Oiling” the Joints
Adding-on-Flow

I am happy to have you by my side as I continue my journey!

Love,

Nicole

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

Here are some more fundamental laws of the body worth to have a look at.

Pressure
We see the body as a bio-hydraulic system that balances internal and external pressure. At sea level, the average person has 14.7 lb pounds of pressure per square inch acting on their body. That means that the body has to generate enough internal pressure so it doesn’t collapse but not too much pressure so it explodes.

When we fly in an airplane and increase elevation, the atmospheric pressure drops, and our ears pop! That’s because there was more internal pressure in the body than external pressure acting on it. When we dive into the ocean there is a limit to how deep we can go before the outside water pressure crushes the body.

Through this understanding of pressure and its impact on the body, we began to look at things a new way. Instead of viewing the body as bio-mechanical, we investigated the way air and fluid moves through it. As blood rushes through a muscle sheath and swirls it expands the muscle, stimulates and stabilizes movement. Thus, making the human body a bio-hydraulic system. That means instead of stretching in one or two dimensions, we can use air, fluid, and pressure distribution techniques to expand and relax compressed areas of the body.

Electromagnetic
The human body has 50 trillion intelligent cells that band together and march to the commands of the mind creating our central nervous system. Every thought, emotion, sound, and stimulus creates a vibration that goes through the nervous system and is interpreted through the unconscious and conscious mind.

Each cell has a negative charge inside and a positive charge outside, averaging 1.4 volts of electricity. With 50 trillion cells, that means the human body generates 70 trillion volts.New discoveries in science have led to the conclusion that we are not solid structures but rather energy waves interacting with other energy waves. This helps us understand how without any physical signals a mother knows exactly what her child needs or how a dog knows their owner is on their way home the moment they set the intention. This supports our belief that the body is an intelligent supercomputer that receives and transmits signals. However, when dehydrated, injured, compressed or dysfunctional some signals are not able to reach the central nervous system or be interpreted at all. That’s why some people can’t smell, see or feel at the same level as others. We’ve found through the fascial maneuvers, hydration, and proper supplementation we can increase awareness and interpretation of these signals.
~ Human Garage

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Next week I am finishing my 28Day reset. It has been an amazing journey of reflecting and listening to the body.
This are the main take aways from the last week so far.
Mentally: More clarity – calmer mind. I find my brain looking for new words, moving away from habitual word and sentence patterns.
Emotionally: Haven’t felt such stability in my overall mood in years. Able to make better choices for myself and not according to other peoples wants and needs – without guilt! 🙂 Feel passion for things again and that it will lead me to changes in my life.
Physically: My body is still searching for its new alignment, little aches and pains from present and past appear here and there. My jaw is less tense. My knee is getting better and the cyst smaller. My skin is getting smoother and softer.
My vision starts to become brighter.

Monday 12.06.
Hands & Feet to Pelvis
Flow

Wednesday 14.06.
Sensing the Space
Slow Flow

Thursday 15.06.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 16.06.
Moving from the Heart
Flow

I am so grateful that I can share parts of my journey with you, thanks to your loving kindness and openness,

Love,

Nicole

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

If we move the fascia anywhere in our body, it has an effect on the entire body like a Tensegrity Model. Even the fascia structure itself is like this model.
I am finding more and more things out about the fascia and it is absolutely fascinating. Here is an other interview with the Human Garage if you are interested.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I would like to update you on my physical, mental and emotional development in the 2nd week.

Physically: The energy level is rising and I am not anymore that tired in the morning. The pain in the hamstring is a bit less. The bakers cyst the same and the discomfort in the knee changing spots. I am less bloated. The general pains in the body are gone. It still doesn’t feel like my body when I am teaching, my balance is off – just simply less control. My hormonal hot flashes improved.

Mentally: Less foggy in the brain, but still not up to speed and problems finding words. When I do the Fascia Maneuvers I get more clarity, my vision gets better and everything becomes more vivid. I started to give myself the time to heal without feeling guilty.

Emotionally: My mood is more stable and feel generally more uplifted. Moments of happiness for no particular reason. Less stressed and upset about things that come up every day.

Monday 29.05.
Three & Five Breaths
Slow Flow

Wednesday 31.05.
Elasti-Band
Flow

Thursday 01.06.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 02.06.
Elasti-Band
Flow

Thank you for your kindness and love that enables me to share my healing journey with you!

Love,

Nicole

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

There are times in your life where you need a reset – either physically, emotionally or mentally.
I have come to the point where I need all three.

Looking back at my life I have no regrets which doesn’t mean that I made all the right decisions and everything went always smooth. A few of those decisions I made, are now backfiring at me.
I lived my life intuitively, somehow deep down I had this knowing of what is “right” and what to do next.

I have a really good sense of direction when it comes to walks or hikes in nature, but somehow I lost in the last years my inner compass. I realized that Corona made me static and feel stuck. New doors that usually opened for me or opportunities that presented themselves when I go somewhere to teach couldn’t happen. I guess like so many people I felt a heavy cloud lingering over my head during these major invasion and changes in our lives.

I never really consciously made the decision where to go next – I don’t know what it means to have goals, I just have a passion for movement, body/mind and helping/healing people. When I listened and watched the little social media clips from Human Garage something instantly started resonating with me and sparked my interest. This work is made for the people to genuinely help them physically, mentally and emotionally. Dealing with pain and trauma stored in the fascia. So this is what brought me on this journey that I would like to share with you. You are the ones who helped me through this time not to get lost and I am ever so grateful to all of you for that and your love.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here my experience of the first 5 days of the 28 day reset.
I had to take pics of me before and after – I will share them with you in the end of this adventure.
Physically: I have been tired. Old body injuries have been flaring up and new ones showed up. Overall the body aches and feels not like mine. Balance is completely off. The full body stress reset Fascia Maneuver (FM) is done every day and an other introduced every day. The ones done to the face and jaw are amazing.
Mentally: Foggy in my head, so hard to concentrate and find words. Do my mediations at 4am which seem to help me being a bit more at peace with the process.
Emotionally: Had my down moments, because of being tired and feeling those pains in the body. Still surprisingly calm also with irritating situations that came up during the day.
It is a very supportive online community there. They help me when I have questions and cheer me on, help me to move forward and encourage me to not give up.
I would like to share a Podcast interviewing Gary of Human Garage (Healing Digestive & Hormonal Issues)

Monday 22.05.
Elasti-Band
Flow

Wednesday 24.05.
Elastic-Band
Slow Flow

Thursday 25.05
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 26.05
Elasti-Band
Flow

You are the best community I can be a part of!

Love,

Nicole

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

It is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been contemplated by philosophers, scientists, and individuals across cultures and throughout history. Time is a fundamental aspect of our existence and shapes our experiences, actions, and understanding of the world.

The value and perception of time are deeply personal and subjective experiences. Time is considered valuable due to its finite nature and the opportunities it provides for personal growth, relationships, and the pursuit of goals.
The perception of time can vary depending on individual circumstances, cultural influences, and psychological factors. Understanding the value of time and being mindful of how we use it can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As we were doing on Friday the three breaths in various asanas throughout my class, this whole concept about time perception came to my mind. Not holding it in every asana made it different for me. I became more mindful then when having the same amount of breaths in each pose.
After class it thought some more about it and how much it relates to our life in general. How do we deal with a fixed amount of time given to us?
One way is eyes closed and pushing through like me when I go to the dentist and minutes seem like hours. To calm my mind I look at the time spend on that chair in relation to a total of my lifetime, then it seems like nothing.
Another way is, to immerse oneself completely and where you don’t want it to end. This is me traveling, hiking or taking a dance class – time seems to stand still and the same time passes actually super fast.
Indifference is for sure also way.
Life becomes richer and more fulfilled, when we can see every breath we take is a gift and time becomes precious no matter what goes on us. Unfortunately, often we need to be shaken by a tragic incidence to start living life to the fullest.

This week’s classes will be a ” Three-Breaths-Shuffle”. What happens if we make a conscious decision to not pre-judge a pose before we enter it or to just love it anyways. Watching ourselves how we feel when we go into a pose, will determine how we will feel in it and come out of it.
That is one thing I love about yoga. You can practice these things on the mat and prepare yourself for daily life to be more active instead of reactive.

Monday 15.05.
Three Breath Shuffle
Flow

Wednesday 17.05.
Three Breath Shuffle
Flow

Thursday 18.05.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 19.05.
Three Breath Shuffle
Slow Flow

So much to learn from each breath we take!

Love,

Nicole

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

The action I see each week from all of you, paired with your wonderful intentions, is something hard to find and is priceless to me. It inspired me to write about it this week.

Generosity is the quality of being kind, understanding, and giving to others without expecting anything in return. It is an act of
selflessness and compassion that can bring happiness to both the giver and receiver.

The motives behind generosity can vary depending on the individual and their personal beliefs, values, and experiences. Some people may give out of a sense of obligation or guilt, while others may give to fulfill a moral or ethical duty. Some may give to gain recognition or praise, while others may give out of a desire to help others or make a positive impact on the world.
Ultimately, the true intention behind generosity should be to make a positive difference in the lives of others, regardless of the
individual’s motives. The act of giving, in and of itself, can bring joy and satisfaction to the giver, as well as the recipient, and can create a ripple effect of kindness and compassion in the world.

“When working with the body we found that intention is more important than any physical action you can take. What you think about when you work with the human body is what you get. If you are thinking about muscles and bones you will work on muscles and bones. If you think about fascia you will get fascia.

The mechanism responsible for this phenomenon originates within the brain and is known as the Reticular Activating System (RAS).

The body is intelligent and knows the intention of an action taken against it. Think of intention as the final result that all of the systems of the body are aligning too with the action.  If the intention is to work with muscles and stretch them, the body will focus on that exact action. If the intention is to release all of the restrictions so that the muscle can move freely,  then I’m working on fascia.”
~ Human Garage

Monday 01.05.
Place an Intention
Flow

Wednesday 03.05.
Intention on the Breath
Slow Flow

Thursday 04.05.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 05.05.
Place an Intention
Flow

Monday 08.05.
Set your Intention
Blind Flow

Wednesday 10.05.
What is your aim today
Adding-on Flow

Thursday 11.05.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 12.05.
What is your desire
Flow

I am touched by your kindness and generosity, and feel honored to be a part of this Global Yoga Community.

Love,

Nicole

My dear Yogis and Yoginis,

This week I would like to remind us of what our yoga practice can do for us and why we love it.

Yoga is a practice that has been around for thousands of years and has become increasingly popular over the years. Like everything that becomes mainstream a few things got lost along the way. One of the fundamental principles of yoga is the importance of a healthy body, mind, and spirit connection. This holistic approach to health and well-being is what separates yoga for me from other forms of fitness or exercise. Three aspects that are interconnected and interdependent.

Body
A healthy body is essential for a healthy mind and spirit. When we take care of our bodies through regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and adequate rest we are better equipped to manage stress and anxiety. The physical benefits of yoga are numerous, including improved flexibility, strength, balance, and circulation. Practicing regularly can also lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Mind
A healthy mind is equally important for overall well-being. Yoga helps to calm the mind and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. With time we become more mindful and self-aware, which might lead to greater clarity, focus, and emotional stability. The practice of breathing techniques help to oxygenate the brain and improve cognitive function, enhancing memory and concentration.

Spirit
A healthy spirit connection is essential for a sense of purpose and fulfillment in life. Yoga encourages us to connect with our inner selves and cultivate a sense of gratitude, compassion, and self-love. We might acquire a deeper understanding of our place in the world, and a sense of connection to something greater than ourselves.

Overall, the importance of a healthy body, mind, and spirit connection cannot be overstated. By practicing yoga regularly, we can cultivate this connection and experience a greater sense of balance, harmony, and well-being in our lives. Incorporating yoga into your daily routine can help you achieve optimal health and wellness in all areas of your life.

“Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.”
~ B.K.S. Iyengar

Monday 24.04.
What does it feel like
Flow

Wednesday 26.04.
Twist for bliss
Flow

Thursday 27.04.
Open Theme
Yogis Choice

Friday 28.04.
Hear your breath & calm the mind
Slow Flow

I love being with you on this journey together!

Love,

Nicole