The practice of yin yoga is based on ancient Chinese philosophies and Taoist principles which believe there are pathways of Qi (energy) that run through our bodies. By stretching and deepening into poses, we’re opening up any blockages and releasing that energy to flow freely. “A yin yoga sequence has a very similar effect on our energies as an acupuncture treatment,” yin yoga instructor Stefanie Arend previously tells mbg. By holding the various poses, a yin yoga sequence can help restore the healthy flow of Qi in our bodies....

If communication is not your forte, don’t worry. Below are 10 signs you can look for to help you increase your communication awareness and enrich your relationship in the most mindful, uplifting ways. Unhelpful: You are so irrational; your opinion is just plain wrong. Helpful: Your perspective is different from mine. I’d like to know more about your thoughts so that I can understand you better. Unhelpful: Our bills are past due again; if you were smarter, you’d get a better job, and we wouldn’t be in this situation....

Just like acne, dark spots have a long and varying list of causes and, again, different treatments. To be clear, “dark spot” is an umbrella term, used in skin care to describe discolored marks on the skin. Here, a breakdown of what dark spots are in the first place, along with causes and best treatments from dermatologists. Let’s dive in. While that generally covers what dark spots are, the causes vary....

“Every home (and even room) offers a completely different environment, so you’ll want to choose plants that’ll thrive specifically with your natural light and humidity levels,” echoes Brooke Blocker of Outside In. You’ll also want to consider how often you travel, what the temperature is in your space, and how much time you have to put toward tasks like watering and fertilizing. The closer you’re able to mimic the natural conditions the plant comes from, the better chance you’ll have at success....

If you haven’t noticed, we’re big Trader Joe’s fans here. And when it comes to prepping for a party, it’s always nice to hit your whole list in one trip to the store. At a minimum, you’ll need some chips, and while TJs has an impressive selection, the Jerk-Style Plantain Chips and the keto-friendly Oven-Baked Cheese Bites are our top picks. For a little fancy flair, try the Manchego Fig Bites....

“A great way to understand the energetic value of a number is by putting it in context to other numbers,” Richardson tells mbg. The number one, for example, represents initiation and new beginnings, while the number nine represents endings and completion. She notes that the more times you see two repeating, the more that energy is amplified (i.e., 22 versus 222 versus 2222). “222 is known as an angel number, offering intuitive guidance, and people with a life path number of two [in numerology] are thought to be intuitive and sensitive,” she adds....

In psychology, these mental gymnastics are known as defense mechanisms. People are typically not aware when they’re using these self-protective methods, according to couples’ therapist Alicia Muñoz, LPC. “Because they’re survival adaptations, it would be misguided to say defense mechanisms are bad, wrong, or unhealthy,” she adds. “At the same time, they tend to block our awareness of our true underlying experiences, create tension in our bodies, and make it harder for us to be truly intimate and vulnerable with others....