Inner Spark: Mindful Yoga and Mental Health with Kristin Vikjord
Today we have a warm and inspiring conversation about the potential of mindful yoga to enhance mental health and well-being. I have the pleasure of speaking 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.
Episode Details:
Kristin Vikjord 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 yoga and 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!
Guest Bio:
Kristin Vikjord is a Northern Norwegian, clinical psychologist, mindfulness & yoga teacher, turned who turned to writing to convey her experience of the beauty and harshness of life. With a little-over-the-average interest in wisdom teachings, Kristin co-founded multiple projects like Delight Yoga Schools (NL), the Arctic Yoga Conference (NO), and the Inner Peace Conference (NL), and supervised many volunteer organisations in bringing yoga to at-risk populations and clinical settings. Inner Spark, her first book, has already been published in four languages.
Resources & Links from this episode:
To connect further with Kristin, visit her website at kristinvikjord.com, or follow her on Instagram at @kristinvikjord.
- Kristin’s book Inner Spark: Finding Calm in a Stressful World
- Online courses and video practices with Kristin at KV Studio
- If you liked this conversation, be sure to check out Ep. 91: Mindful Yoga and Embodied Dharma with Anne Cushman (one of Kristin and Addie’s teachers at Spirit Rock Meditation Center!).
To connect further with me (Addie), check out my collection of mindful yoga classes in the Moved To Meditate Class Library
or take a look at the upcoming Mindful Movement Teacher Training that I mentioned in this episode!