Yoga Therapeutics & Meditation for Beginners

Joy Zazzera'a Blog

Welcome to your trusted space for science-informed insight and body-wise support.
If you’ve ever searched for yoga or meditation help online—and ended up more overwhelmed than empowered—you’re not alone.
This blog is here to remove the guesswork out of what's possible.

Here, you’ll find clear, compassionate guidance rooted in yoga therapeutics, meditation made simple, massage therapeutics, and my lived experience. Whether you’re navigating joint replacements, reduced mobility, chronic stress, or just starting out with yoga and meditation, this space is meant to remove confusion and offer real solutions—for your body, nervous system, and stage of life.

Yoga Medicine ® Therapeutic Specialists Human Cadaver Dissection Lab training at the Laboratory of Anatomical Enlightenment in Boulder, Colorado.

Why a Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Would Study a Cadaver: Insights from the Inside-Out

While many yoga trainings skim the surface of anatomy, my path as a therapeutic yoga teacher has led me far deeper. In April 2023, I participated in a human cadaver dissection lab at the Laboratory of Anatomical Enlightenment in Boulder, Colorado. This wasn’t about textbook diagrams or abstract theory—it was an unfiltered, humbling, and profoundly human experience that reshaped the way I teach.

Joy Zazzera

Jul 273 min read

Serene yoga altar with a jade plant, mala beads, a Buddha statue, and soothing stones on a rustic wooden table.

Yoga Philosophy Basics for Beginners: 4 Systems to Know

Yoga isn’t just about movement—it’s a rich and ancient system for understanding how we live, think, and grow. Long before yoga was associated with stretchy pants and studio classes, it was and remains a philosophy—a holistic way of approaching the body, the breath and the mind. If you’ve ever wondered about the deeper meaning behind practicing yoga, this article - Yoga Philosophy Basics for Beginners - offers a simple introduction.

Joy Zazzera

Jul 204 min read

Be here now. A simple mantra silently repeated for a number of minutes to focus attention when practicing meditation.

Beginner Meditation Mistakes: 10 Common Myths You Don’t Need to Worry About

Meditation has become more popular than ever, but with that popularity comes a lot of confusion. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing it “wrong” because your mind won’t stop thinking—or because you haven’t had a transcendent experience—you’re not alone. The truth is, many common meditation myths can create unnecessary pressure and prevent people from starting (or sticking with) a daily meditation practice.

Joy Zazzera

Jul 64 min read

Older beginner new to meditation sits in a chair to settle into her practice session, listening to a guided meditation with headphones.

What Really Happens During Meditation? The 6 Stages of Presence

Building Confidence in Meditation with The 6 Stages of PresenceWhen you first begin a meditation practice—or return to one after a break—it’s natural to wonder what really happens during meditation. Is it supposed to be calm and quiet? Should you be completely still, free of thought? What if you’re not? These questions are part of the journey. And the truth is, meditation isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about meeting yourself right where you are and learning how to stay

Joy Zazzera

Jun 294 min read

How Much Does Yoga Cost? Understanding the Value of Personalized Practice, 6 Factors to Conider

How Much Does Yoga Cost? Understanding the Value of Personalized Practice, 6 Factors to Consider

Yoga is more than a class. It’s an investment in healing. And like any investment, its true value depends on what it gives back—not just in the moment, but over time. There are 6 factors to consider when developing your understanding about the value of developing a confident and personalized yoga practice and this article will discuss each of them.

Joy Zazzera

Jun 227 min read

How to Find the Right Yoga Teacher

Finding the right yoga teacher and style isn’t just about taste or preference. It’s about trust. It’s about alignment—not just physical, but philosophical. You deserve to know what kind of experience you’re stepping into, especially if you’ve tried other classes that didn’t quite feel right, or you’re approaching yoga with physical limitations, stress, or hesitatio

Joy Zazzera

Jun 86 min read

Yoga Medicine ® Therapeutic Specialist

Yoga Therapeutics & Meditation for Beginners

Why a Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Would Study a Cadaver: Insights from the Inside-Out

Yoga Philosophy Basics for Beginners: 4 Systems to Know

Beginner Meditation Mistakes: 10 Common Myths You Don’t Need to Worry About

What Really Happens During Meditation? The 6 Stages of Presence

How Much Does Yoga Cost? Understanding the Value of Personalized Practice, 6 Factors to Consider

How to Find the Right Yoga Teacher

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