Inner Spark: Mindful Yoga and Mental Health with Kristin Vikjord

Today we have a warm and inspiring conversation with Kristin Vikjord about her book, Inner Spark. We talk about re-kindling your own light and inner guidance, especially at times in your life when you feel a bit lost or burned out.  Kristin is a clinical psychologist, based in Bodø, Norway, and since she's also a yoga and mindfulness meditation teacher, we met several years ago when we were in training together at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.  You'll hear how Kristin's grandmother inspired the concept of the "inner spark," and how that memory helped her navigate the challenges of early motherhood. The majestic Norwegian landscape, where Kristin lives (just north of the Arctic Circle) is also a major source of wisdom for her, and we talk about how nature can be a resource for strength, and even hope, in the midst of our struggles. We also discuss: how time in nature helps stimulate the Vagus Nerve (thus promoting well-being) stages of re-kindling the inner spark that include normalizing, clarifying, and gaining agency why mindful movement practices are so important in her therapy sessions with clients, rather than sitting meditation alone. Enjoy this conversation and let us know how you are tending to your own inner spark! -- For more links and resources mentioned in this episode, find the show notes at movedtomeditate.yoga/podcast. To connect further with Kristin, visit her website at kristinvikjord.com, or follow her on Instagram at @kristinvikjord. To connect further with me (Addie), check out my Class Library at  movedtomeditate.com or take a look at the upcoming Mindful Movement Teacher Training that I mentioned in this episode! And, I'm on Instagram at @addie_movedtomeditate (for mindfulness, movement, yoga, and pictures of PNW nature and my adorable kitten, Mustache).