About marja

Marja is a certified eRYT 500 yoga instructor. For over twenty years, her experience, passion, and sense of humor keeps her approach to teaching yoga and mindfulness light and entertaining. As an educator and freelance writer, her background in health science and community nutrition combined with her studies in India serve to enrich her understanding of the mind/body connection. Since retiring as a performing songwriter a.k.a. Marge Calhoun, Marja and her husband, John, live part time in Colorado and Australia. While in the US, she is an instructor in Summit County, Colorado.
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The Hidden Power of Friendliness (four positive attitudes to try)

The nature of consciousness to know itself is the subject of the Yoga Sutras. How this formless, untraceable entity is capable of perceiving itself and its own ability is phenomenal. Studies in physics, neurobiology and psychology affirm the unique dynamics of consciousness as a causal influence. According to Patanjali, author of the Yoga Sutras, consciousness and its earth-moving potential is uncomplicated. Simply light up your grin and feel “the hidden power of friendliness.” Good Vibrations Friendliness from the heart is transformative. Patanjali extracted this revelation from earlier Vedic texts around 200 BCE. Like a universal tuner, dialing into a smiling channel becomes immediately apparent. [Read More]

2025-10-11T00:57:01+00:00October 11th, 2025|Uncategorized|
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The Happy Pee: Real Talk on Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Health

Have you ever been greeted by a wagging puppy only to notice a sprinkle of “happy pee” by your shoes? A common term for dogs that I used to gleefully warn my sister that she was making me laugh so hard it could spring a leak of good cheer.  Innocent enough and hardly a worry, who knew as a teenager the happy pee would turn into a little monster later in life? To my surprise, I had no idea what the happy pee really meant. My female elders kept the leaky secret to themselves. In retrospect the signs were there. The frequent [Read More]

2025-04-25T17:32:31+00:00April 23rd, 2025|Health, Well Being|
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Mobilize the Lymphatic System with Yoga and Massage 

Yoga’s influence in the function of the lymphatic system may be one of the least known and under appreciated benefits of a regular asana practice. Healthy lymph flow is a key component to healing as well as building a strong immune system. Gentle twists and bends can encourage lymphatic networks to flush stagnant material from the body. Known as a lymphatic drain in the field of massage, both depend on gravity to move fluid through lymph vessels for cleansing. Assisting this part of the immune system with gentle yoga or simple techniques in self-massage protects the body from the challenges of the [Read More]

2025-02-03T16:16:30+00:00December 30th, 2024|Health, Well Being|
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Lessons in the Language of Energy

The proverbial underpinnings of an Eastern saying like, “When the student is ready the teacher appears,” suggests a catalyst for change. A beckoning of sorts to finally act on something not entirely potentiated. As a student of yoga, the rich ontological practice and philosophy of the Yoga Sutras has been my introspective springboard if not a neurological adventure I’ve yet to fully comprehend. So when an opportunity avails, guidance is appreciated. I keep my finger on pulse of such things because as a teacher in my own right, I have a responsibility for the sake of reporting. From getting on my mat [Read More]

2025-10-10T06:02:54+00:00July 17th, 2024|Mindfulness, Philosophy|
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Find Wholeness by Intensionally Welcoming Opposites

Life, the beautiful dichotomy. No matter where you are, who you’re with or what you experience, there is a simple inner resource to help cope with the changing nature of reality. Taking the time to explore the opposite of what we’re feeling can be the difference between obsessing and the restoration of ease and grace. Divisiveness is unnerving. Hostility, within ourselves and between others has its costs. The price we pay is with our health and well-being. Sensing that pulse within us, we are sometimes caught by those feelings, emotions and thoughts. The mind can paint our inner landscapes with the contentment of [Read More]

2023-08-05T03:24:45+00:00August 1st, 2023|Mindfulness|
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Coming Home to Yourself: How to Walk the Path of Your True Nature

Life is a process of change. The human spirit has a natural inclination for growth and renewal while the mind has a tendency to resist. The mystery of what life presents and what one is to become seems threatening at times, driving us further away from who we actually are. Conscious awareness, intension and engagement are paths to get back on track and home to our true nature. Pathways to Transformation Marilyn Schlitz, PhD, vice president of research and education at the Institute of Noetic Sciences states in her book, Living Deeply, “Where there is resistance there is stress and disease.” Not [Read More]

2023-08-05T03:21:36+00:00July 28th, 2023|Healing, Mindfulness, Yoga Philosophy|
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Learning to Live with Arthritis

In Western countries yoga is increasingly practiced lacking the context which serves to enhance a myriad of life enhancing health benefits. Hatha yoga often thought of as the physical component of yoga, includes breathing practices, relaxation, and meditation. These features are indispensable for people suffering from inflammation to due arthritis. As certain medical communities question whether yoga is appropriate for people with vulnerable joints, studies at John’s Hopkins University provided critical evidence showing that patients with arthritis advocate yoga as safe, feasible, and enjoyable. Focusing on rheumatoid arthritis, (RA) osteoarthritis, (OA) and metabolic arthritis known as gout, participants in the study practiced [Read More]

2023-04-19T00:40:28+00:00March 8th, 2023|Healing, Health, yoga|
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Bhagdavad Gita’s Call to Action at a Glance

As part of a larger work, the Bhagavad Gita is known as one of the epic Hindu texts widely popular in yoga philosophy. Written about two thousand years ago, its essential theme of body, mind, and spirit awareness is a narrative between Arjuna and the avatar, Krishna. Their dialogue weaves a profound tapestry of poetic wisdom covering a deep enigmatic swath of the worldly and spiritual. However, the Bhagavad Gita can also can be seen in its simplicity at a glance. Training the senses, following one’s right path, and the soul’s purpose is the subject of many paintings depicting “Krishna’s Chariot.” Galvanizing [Read More]

2023-03-14T20:43:56+00:00February 12th, 2023|Mindfulness, Philosophy|
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Lift Your Mood with These Health & Mindfulness Tools

Mood disorders are common, persistent, and disrupting, but tips in lifestyle and environment can turn aggravation into an improved mood. In addition, complementary therapies recommend nutrition, mind-body practices, massage, and acupuncture. These tested modalities along with any medical advice have proven to open the heart, quiet the mind, and cultivate an inner smile. Recruiting the mind, body, and spirit to lift mood is the idea. Mental health is tied to physical and spiritual health. Since poor mental health is a risk factor for physical ailments, the lack of fitness increases the chance of moodiness. Gaining strength, flexibility, and coordination enhances focus, resilience, [Read More]

2023-02-09T13:22:16+00:00January 9th, 2023|Well Being|
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Develop New Habits By Understanding Health Behavior

Habits, the urges and repetitive patterns we constantly entertain. According to researchers at Duke University, habits account for about 40 percent of our behaviors on any given day. Because habits essentially reflect our health, holding on to habits that no longer serve us can be problematic. The Transtheoretical Model and The Process of Change is rich soil for growing better habits for ourselves and others. The stakes for modifying human health are high. According to State Health Access Data Center, 1 out of every 2 adults ages 18 and older had at least 1 of 6 reported chronic disorders ranging in types [Read More]

2023-01-05T18:20:24+00:00November 26th, 2022|Healing, Health, Well Being|
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