Yely Rivas Website

Yely Rivas

Yoga & Meditation Expert and Burnout Coach

Yely Rivas is a mindful yoga and meditation teacher and burnout coach based in Florida. With over 20 years of experience in yoga and meditation, Yely created the Burnout Shield Method™, a system that empowers women to restore energy, release guilt, and live with balance and joy. She provides 1-on-1 self-care coaching and hosts annual yoga and self-care retreats around South America. Yely holds E-RYT 500 and YACEP certifications in Vinyasa Yoga, Functional Yin Yoga, Meditation, Yoga Anatomy, and Flexology. She previously owned a medium-sized yoga studio, and continues to accumulate thousands of hours of teaching to thousands of students. She also collaborates with Yoga Medicine, Yoga International, and Ompractice by teaching various online yoga classes in English and Spanish. Yely has a master’s degree in law from the University of Illinois.

Education

  • Master's In Law - LL.M., University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana
  • Attorney at Law, Universidad Catolica Andres Bello, Caracas, Venezuela

Professional Achievements

  • Fluent in both English and Spanish
  • Over 2 decades of experience in yoga and meditation
  • Hosts annual yoga and self-care retreats at eco-luxurious locations in Latin America

Certifications & Organizations

  • Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) 500
  • Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP) certifications in Vinyasa Yoga, Functional Yin Yoga, Meditation, Yoga Anatomy and Flexologist

Favorite Piece of Advice

I always tell my clients that healing begins the moment you stop rushing yourself. When you slow down enough to listen to your body and honor what it needs, you shift from surviving to truly living. Your breath, your boundaries, and your self-compassion are your greatest sources of power.

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Forum Comments (3)

How do you meditate spiritually?
Right off the bat, I'll just say that meditation is not for everybody in the beginning. The person has to be willing and open to try something completely different, especially if they are not used to sitting with their thoughts in that way. The stillness and silence can be very awkward, frustrating, or even uncomfortable at first.

It takes a lot of self-awareness, which can be a funny cycle, because meditation is what can make you more self-aware, but you need the self-awareness to know that you should start meditating! You need to feel the need to change something, to try something to help you feel better. For anyone trying meditation, I would suggest trying different styles. If one style doesn't resonate with you, don't give up on the whole concept. Continue trying different styles, different teachers, different schools of thought.

Finally, I'd suggest starting with very short sessions. I always say, even if it is one minute that you are able to sit in silence and just be, that's a good way to start training that muscle of stillness. I don't focus so much on the formalities of where to do it, how often to do it, or how to sit. As long as you have the intention to create some time in your day, that's a good way to start.
How long should I meditate?
That's a good question. I'd start by saying that meditation is much simpler than we think. We can be so structured that when we try to do something simple, we complicate it. There is no perfect length of meditation. I would not ever say you have to meditate 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or any specific amount of time to have a "good" meditation experience.

If somebody's starting to meditate, this is a practice for you to explore. This is a practice where there is no blueprint or one size fits all system. You can customize the practice for what you need on a daily basis. One practice that you were doing yesterday or last week might not work for what you need today. So, that's the beauty of this. It's so adaptable.

Ultimately, you are your own boss when it comes to how you want to meditate, whether it's when, where, or how often. Some people say meditating every day is ideal. I believe that is true. But when you are in the beginning of setting up the habit, maybe you meditate twice a week first if that works for you? You can start with short goals, and then grow from there. So, again, choose what works for you, explore, and always adapt.
What should I think about while meditating?
You are incredibly smart for asking that. By asking that, I can tell that you are trying to do your best, and I'm guessing that you also like to plan and organize? However, being in a state of meditation is actually about simply noticing what's happening. So, if anything, I will say instead of what you should "think about", just notice, observe, and be a witness to the experience itself. There's not going to be a wrong or right way to meditate, ever. It's just being in the experience. A good way to know if you're having a good meditation is by observing how much you can observe or notice things, whether you're distracted, whether you're thinking, whether you're noticing your breath, whether your body's tired. It's just noticing. That's the whole point of the meditation. And then go back to your home base, whether it's your breath, a mantra, or an affirmation.

Co-authored Articles (13)

How to

Meditate

''A beginner's guide to your best meditation practice yet''Meditation is a practice derived from Hinduism and Buddhism. The goal of meditation is to focus and understand your mind—eventually reaching a higher level of ...

How to Perform Stretches for the Rhomboids

Increase flexibility & strengthen your rhomboids with easy stretches Rhomboids are deep muscles in the middle of your back between your spine and shoulder blades. These muscles help elevate and rotate your shoulders. The...

34 Beginner-Friendly Partner Yoga Poses to Try At Home

Plus expert tips for you and your boo to get the most out of each poseDoing yoga with your partner can be an incredible experience that fortifies your bond, improves your communication, and nourishes your minds and bodie...

How to

Do Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra (also known as Yogic Sleep) is a powerful relaxation technique that you can do when you gain some control over the relaxation response. When practiced right, this technique can be as restorative as sleep, whil...

How to

Practice Mindfulness (Buddhism)

Practicing mindfulness is about controlling the way you think about the world. You must learn to live in the present moment and how to focus your attention on only the matters you choose to focus on. Mindfulness involves...

How to

Do a Bridge

A bridge is a type of move that’s often seen in gymnastics, yoga, and Pilates. There are several different versions of the bridge and different variations for beginners and experts. The move is a good way to work out ...

How to

Do an Elbow Stand

The elbow stand is a great posture to learn for beginners of yoga and gymnastics, and a prerequisite for harder movements like handstands. While they may appear difficult if you’ve never done one before, they’re actu...

The Ultimate Guide to Anapanasati Meditation

Instructions on how to find peace with Buddhist breathing techniquesAnapanasati, which means “mindfulness of breathing,” or breath meditation, is a core contemplative practice of Buddhism. Its practice builds mindful...

2 Ways to Do a Headstand

Learn how to safely do a headstand poseHeadstands are good fun and require less gymnastic skill and flexibility than other stunts such as back tumbles, back flips or walking on your hands. While headstands are sometimes ...

How to Meditate While Lying Down (& Get the Most from Your Meditations)

A psychologist weighs in on effective meditation techniquesPeople all over the world practice mindful meditation to center their thoughts, calm anxiety, and develop an appreciation for the world around them. Meditation i...

How to

Do a Lower Back Stretch Safely

Lower back disorders are painfully common. In the United States, back pain is the single most common cause of job-related disability. Stretches can help keep your lower back healthy. However, because the area is sensitiv...

How to

Hold a Handstand

Plus, how to improve your strength & balanceDoing a handstand requires you to have a mastery of strength, technique, and balance. Whether you’re a cheerleader, a gymnast, or a yogi, learning to do a handstand can help ...

How to

Calm an Overactive Mind

Everyone worries sometimes. However, if you find your mind is on overdrive all the time, you may need to find ways to calm it down or clear it. Meditation, yoga, and mindfulness can help you clear you mind, which can cal...