Yoga Therapeutics & Meditation for Beginners

Joy Zazzera'a Blog

Welcome to your trusted hub for yoga therapeutics, meditation, and body-wise support.

If you’ve ever searched online for help with yoga or meditation—and felt more overwhelmed than empowered—you’re not alone. This blog is here to simplify the science, remove the guesswork, and show you how yoga and meditation can truly support your body and nervous system.

Here, you’ll find clear, compassionate guidance rooted in therapeutic yoga, meditation made simple, massage-informed self-care, and my lived experience. Whether you’re navigating joint replacements, reduced mobility, chronic stress, or just beginning yoga and meditation after 50, this space offers real solutions—practical tools you can trust to feel better, move with confidence, and build a sustainable home practice.

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 85 min read

A middle-aged woman rising to begin her morning routine. The morning mind is often quieter, less cluttered, making it a natural time for meditation.

How to Create a Meditation Routine

One of the most powerful and transformative tools we have is a daily meditation practice—built into our day like a trusted anchor. Learning how to create a meditation routine that feels sustainable can be life-changing. Taking regular “time-ins” gives the mind a break from the constant stream of doing. It’s like putting your mental ringer on silent—offering yourself a permission slip to pause, reset, and create space between your thoughts and the demands of your day.

Joy Zazzera

Jun 13 min read

Serene yoga altar with a jade plant, mala beads, a Buddha statue, and soothing stones on a rustic wooden table. Meaningful objects such as these can also serve as objects of attention during meditation practice.

What to Focus on in Meditation: The Art of Attention

Objects of your attention in meditation are specific focal points that gently guide your awareness whenever your mind wanders. This could be your breath, a mantra, or even a sacred or meaningful object. Their purpose is to anchor your awareness, helping shift the mind from activity to stillness and silence. Among the many options for what to focus on in meditation, the breath is one of the most accessible and intuitive.

Joy Zazzera

May 183 min read

A supportive, comfortable home yoga practice allows a front-row seat for expert guidance with an online teacher.

Is Online Yoga Effective? The Advantages of Practicing Yoga Virtually

Practicing yoga virtually offers unique advantages, especially for adults with movement limitations, joint replacements, or chronic stress. Online yoga also removes common barriers: commutes, studio culture, and environments that may not feel inclusive. And when your virtual teacher is experienced in yoga therapeutics, the practice becomes not just accessible—but deeply supportive.

Joy Zazzera

May 43 min read

Practicing Reclined Hand to Big Toe position to stretch the hamstrings and calf assisted with a yoga strap for more control through the experience.

How to Practice Yoga Safely: For Older Beginners & Adults with Movement Limitations 

Safe yoga for older beginners isn’t about avoiding all discomfort—it’s about learning to recognize your limits, respond to your body’s signals, and build capacity gently. One of the most common concerns among beginners—especially older adults—is poor balance or feeling “unsteady.” This is often a result of disuse, outdated movement habits, or unresolved tension. The good news is that balance can improve with practice—especially when we focus on the foundational systems that

Joy Zazzera

Apr 203 min read

Meditating in nature supports parasympathetic activation—slowing heart rate, easing anxiety, and grounding your energy in the present moment.

What Happens When You Sit Still To Meditate

Sitting still to meditate may seem simple, but it can awaken a wide spectrum of internal experiences—some subtle, some surprising. For many beginners, the first time they truly pause reveals a noisy inner world: thoughts racing, sensations rising, memories surfacing. This is not a sign of failure; it’s a natural part of the process. Meditation isn’t about “doing nothing.” It’s about gently witnessing whatever arises within you—without judgment or resistance.

Joy Zazzera

Apr 64 min read

Middle aged woman practicing meditation sitting outside in quiet stillness alongside a calm lake.

How Meditation Affects the Brain and Body: What Science Reveals

In recent years, scientific research has made it increasingly clear: meditation profoundly affects both the brain and body. From improved sleep to reduced pain, emotional regulation to cognitive clarity, peer-reviewed studies continue to confirm what ancient traditions have long known. This post explores how meditation affects the brain and body, uncovering what science reveals about the true power behind stillness.

Joy Zazzera

Mar 236 min read

Knee pain after sitting is often your body's way of moving cautiously - not failing. Yoga therapeutics helps you move with more ease and less guarding.

The Science of Yoga Therapeutics: 7 Proven Benefits for Stress, Pain, and Mobility

When you’re stiff, cautious, or afraid to move, your nervous system is doing exactly what it’s designed to do—protect you. But when protection turns into avoidance, it can lead to deeper restriction, discomfort, and disconnection. That’s where yoga therapeutics comes in. This science-informed, personalized approach to movement uses the “a little and often” method to help reintroduce safe, accessible movement—especially for joint-sensitive adults or those recovering from in

Joy Zazzera

Feb 244 min read