Ujjayi Breath is a great practice for relaxation – calming for the mind and soothing for the body. It is also great treatment for anxiety and insomnia. Please be patient with yourself when learning this practice as it’s not the easiest practice to do. Sit in a comfortable position, the spine erect and theContinue reading “Ujjayi Breath – a beginners guide”
Category Archives: Stress Management
Go away – I’m busy relaxing!
Do you find it almost impossible to relax because you feel guilty when you’re not busy? We increasingly live under constant pressure to be productive – doing something every moment of the day; multi-tasking; maximising every second. The increase of mobile phones means we have messages coming at us 24/7 – there is never aContinue reading “Go away – I’m busy relaxing!”
The Durga Gallery
Over the last half term our Yoga class students have been working with the Warrior and Goddess postures to strengthen our legs and improve our lungs. We have also looked at images of the Goddess Durga with her 8 arms and thought about how fantastic that might be at this time of year to helpContinue reading “The Durga Gallery”
Immune Boosting Yoga
New research published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine (Feb 2018) suggests that yoga can be a helpful way to boost your immune system and decrease inflammation in the body. Psychological stress can impact many systems in the body, including weakening the immune system and increasing chronic inflammation. Inflammation is natural part of the immune response andContinue reading “Immune Boosting Yoga”
Stepping Off the Christmas Merry-Go-Round
With the count-down to Christmas now in full swing – juggling who’s going where, what to buy for so-and-so and fitting everyone in over the festive period – things get frantic for the body, mind and soul. At these times our heads are jam packed with to-do lists and our bodies are tense holdingContinue reading “Stepping Off the Christmas Merry-Go-Round”
Yoga Classes – September 2017
Our focus for this year will be Anahata – the heart chakra. Anahata colours our life with love, compassion and beauty. Through our yoga pracite we’ll fill our hearts with love and generosity – give ourselves the time and space we deserve to feel loved and give love with joy and radiance. In our asanaContinue reading “Yoga Classes – September 2017”
Yogic Breathing (3 Part Breath)
Yogic breathing (or 3 part breathing) combines abdominal breathing, thoracic breathing (chest) and clavicular (lower throat) breathing. In class I call it the ‘3 part breath’ – it can also be call the ‘Complete’ breath – but of all the names I like ‘3 part’ because it reminds me of the 3 stages. This breathingContinue reading “Yogic Breathing (3 Part Breath)”
Learn to Relax
Our relaxation exercises in the Beginners Yoga last term were inspired by the book ‘Learn to Relax’ by Mike George. It is a very readable book interspersed with exercises to help reduce stress, live in the moment and relax. As you go further into the book there are sections on finding harmony in the relationshipsContinue reading “Learn to Relax”
5 Reasons To Put A Smile On Your Face!!!
Did you know that there are many health and psychological benefits of smiling, laughter and a good sense of humour? We are greatly influenced by the expression we hold on our faces – smiling actually uses less muscle and energy than frowning, so it really does make much more sense to smile. By smiling youContinue reading “5 Reasons To Put A Smile On Your Face!!!”
Autumn Leaves Meditation
Meditation has been practiced for many thousands of years because people know that it reduces stress, calms the mind and increases inner peace. During the 1970s medical researchers at Harvard University studied meditation in depth and found that during the practice the body has what they call the relaxation response, which gives the body deep rest thatContinue reading “Autumn Leaves Meditation”