Flametree Yoga Studio (2025)

01/10/2025

“Afraid of dropping back?” Ever looked at Scorpion Pose (Vṛścikāsana) and thought, “That’s impossible for me”? You’re not alone—and a simple chair can change everything.

Start as if going into Pincha Mayūrāsana, then walk in and drop the feet onto the chair. Instead of hanging in empty space, the feet find support, the mind calms, and the pose becomes accessible.

Have a few attempts. Over time, the toes can brush the chair the top of the chair. You can then walk them down to the seat of the chair. Gradually you will build strength, trust, and confidence.

Here’s the magic: grip the chair legs. This anchors the arms, steadies the shoulders, and allows the spine to safely arch. With the right support, fear transforms into freedom—and even Scorpion Pose becomes a possibility.

30/09/2025

This simple supported backbend is like hitting the reset button for your body and mind.If you’ve never tried a supported chair backbend, I encourage you to give it a go. Even a few minutes can change how you feel. And if you practice regularly, you’ll likely notice how much calmer, more open, and more energized you become—not just on the mat, but in daily life.

Yoga is about balance: effort and ease, strength and surrender, energy and rest. Supported chair backbends bring all of these qualities together in such a beautiful, harmonious way.

So next time you feel like you need both rest and renewal, remember this pose. It’s one of the simplest ways I know to soothe the nervous system, nourish the spine, and open yourself to deeper breath and brighter energy.

29/09/2025

Have you tried yoga with ropes yet — the practice that meets you at any age, level, or ability? When you first see the yoga ropes on the wall, you might wonder, what on earth are those for? The truth is, ropes are for everyone. No matter your age, whether you’re male or female, a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner, the ropes meet you exactly where you are.

One of the most powerful benefits of working with ropes is the way they support the spine. Hanging or leaning into the ropes creates a natural spinal decompression — a gentle lengthening that takes pressure off the back. Many people experience immediate relief from tension or pain, and with regular practice, the benefits become even more profound.

Ropes also invite the hips to open in a way that feels supported, not forced. When the body feels safe, it releases more easily. This makes rope work a fantastic option for anyone who struggles with stiffness or limited mobility. Instead of pushing, you’re allowing.

And here’s the magic: gravity becomes your partner. Usually in yoga we’re lifting, resisting, and engaging. In the ropes, gravity does the work for you. This gives you the rare chance to surrender — physically and mentally. As your body softens, your mind follows, creating a deep sense of relaxation and calm.

Another gift of the ropes is time. Because you’re supported, you can hold poses longer. This means you don’t just do the pose; you live in it. You have space to breathe, to reflect, to notice alignment, and to feel the pose teaching you something new each time.

Think of the ropes as a trusted friend. They support you when you’re unsteady, they challenge you when you’re ready, and they remind you to be present. They become a teacher in their own right — guiding, correcting, and encouraging you without words.

26/09/2025

Can peace be this simple?
Why Iyengar Rope Yoga delivers. I think many of us have a love–hate relationship with forward bends. We love how they feel when we come out of them—calm mind, soft breath, long spine. But being in them? That’s another story. The hamstrings pull, the back resists, the brain chatters. Even a few breaths can feel like forever.

It’s so common to wait impatiently for the pose to be over, so that we can enjoy the release afterwards. And it’s hard to imagine what it would be like to actually surrender in a forward bend… to rest inside it, to feel calm and at peace while we’re still in the shape.

That’s where the ropes work their magic. The other day I slid into the sling for Urdhva Mukha Paschimottanasana. At first, you will inevitably feel a bit insecure. You know you have to trust the ropes. But then you realise the ropes are actually holding you and you are secure in them. Gravity allows you to let go. And in that letting go, the whole experience changed.

Your spine is lengthened on its own, your breath deepened, and your mind becomes quiet. The fight is gone. The ropes gave you permission to stop doing and start being.

I remember the first time I felt this, I realised I wasn’t waiting to get out of the pose to feel the benefits. I was experiencing them inside the pose. Calm. Supported. Present. That’s the gift of practising this way.

The ropes don’t just support your body—they teach you what it feels like to surrender. They show you that ease and depth aren’t opposites; they actually belong together.

Forward bends don’t have to be a battle. With support, they can become a place of peace, a space where we stop striving and allow ourselves to be. Sometimes the most profound yoga isn’t about doing more—it’s about letting go into what’s already here.

25/09/2025

Want to see yourself differently? I want to share something that has been one of the most surprising, delightful, and life-changing aspects of my yoga journey: the yoga ropes.

When I first saw ropes on the studio wall, I thought: “Wow, what are these for?” Soon I discovered they’re an incredible tool for opening the body, exploring backbends, and—maybe most importantly—changing the way you see yourself.

With ropes, gravity becomes your teacher. Instead of pushing or straining, you lean back, hang, and surrender. The hips soften, the chest expands, the spine lengthens—without the struggle we often feel on the floor.

Inversions in ropes are a whole new world. At first, it feels wild—your mind says: “Is this safe?” But then, something shifts. Blood flows differently, the spine breathes, and your mind quietens. You literally see yourself and the world through a new lens.

Backbends become melting, not forcing.

Yes, there’s fear at first. But once you learn with a qualified Iyengar yoga teacher, that fear softens. The ropes hold you. You’re secure. And then comes the fun—it’s freeing, playful, a little like being a kid on the monkey bars again.

Ropes let you stay longer, open more slowly, and discover hidden tension you didn’t know you held. They’re honest mirrors, showing where you grip—and helping you release.

Over time, something deeper happens. You feel your body not as tight hips or stiff shoulders, but as one spacious, integrated being. Presence. Energy. Consciousness.

Most of all, ropes are fun. They bring lightness, laughter, and surprise. Each practice reveals something new—sometimes calm, sometimes joy, always freedom.

If you’re curious, this is your invitation. Come try them. You don’t need to be flexible or advanced—just open, and maybe a little brave. On the other side is freedom, play, and a deeper connection to yourself than you can imagine.

24/09/2025

Want some help with spectacular rope backbends?
Backbends can bring up fear. Sometimes, the spine feels compressed, the chest feels tight, or the hips feel stuck. The ropes change all of that. They provide a supportive structure that allows you to safely explore backbends in a way that feels spacious, playful, and deeply releasing.

Spinal Decompression
When you lean back into the ropes, your body is partially supported and gently drawn into traction. This creates length in the spine, giving the vertebrae more space and reducing the familiar feeling of collapsing into the lower back. Instead of strain, you experience expansion.

Feel Your Back Body
One of the greatest gifts of the ropes is the time and support they offer to truly sense your back body—an area we often ignore in daily life. With the ropes holding you, you can explore where tension is stored, where stiffness lives, and even where fear has held you back.

Integration and Strength
The ropes remind you not to forget your legs. Active, grounded legs connect you back into the spine, stabilising the pelvis and supporting the natural opening of the chest and hips. This balance of strength and release allows the whole posture to become both safe and transformative.

Playful Exploration
Beyond the physical, ropes invite curiosity. They give you the courage to go to places you may not have been before—physically, mentally, and emotionally. With support, you can open your chest, release your spine, and discover the joy of moving into new territory with confidence.

Ropes don’t just make backbends easier—they transform them. They offer time, safety, and freedom for your body to decompress and your mind to expand. Come experience how ropes can change the way you feel in your spine, your breath, and your whole being.
Step into support. Discover spaciousness. Feel the freedom of your back body.

22/09/2025

Iyengar Yoga drop backs feel impossible? This humble prop is your bridge. At first glance, a folding chair looks ordinary. It’s for sitting, waiting, maybe stacking in a corner. But in yoga, the chair becomes something else entirely — a doorway, a mirror, a friend.
When you lean back over it in a supported backbend, the world changes. The spine opens, the breath deepens, and suddenly you feel more alive than you thought possible. It’s exhilarating — not because the chair is glamorous, but because it is humble.
Of course, it takes courage to begin. Fear shows up at the start, whispering: “Too much, too hard, stay safe.” But the moment you let yourself try, Playfulness walks in. Suddenly, you’re experimenting, laughing, discovering hidden space in your body, meeting a lighter side of yourself.
For experienced students, the chair is a bridge. If you’re stuck in simple backbends but hesitate to approach, drop backs, this prop helps you cross the gap. It reveals the habits, fears, and anxieties that hold you back — while also showing you that you’re capable of more than you imagined.
The chair is humble, yes. But it’s also a tricky guide, and a companion. It helps you see yourself more clearly, breathe more deeply, and touch that raw exhilaration of being alive.
Next time you see one in the studio, don’t overlook it. Bring your courage, invite your playfulness, and let the chair surprise you.

21/09/2025

Chair Backbends In Iyengar Yoga Why Chairs Are Magic for Backbends in Iyengar Yoga. Let’s talk about backbends. For many people, even the thought of going backwards feels scary. The body stiffens, the breath catches, and suddenly the whole spine says, “No thanks!” Fear has that effect — it makes us rigid. And when you’re rigid, it’s so hard to open.

This is where the humble yoga chair comes in. In Iyengar yoga, the chair is one of the best props we have for working on backbends. It’s supportive, accessible, and gives you courage. Instead of rushing into a big arch and popping straight back out, the chair lets you settle in. You can stay, breathe, and really feel the spine stretch and the chest expand.

The magic lies in time. When the body is supported, you can hold the pose for longer. That sustained opening is what transforms the practice. Without a chair, deep backbends are usually only available to people with a lot of natural flexibility. But with a chair, even beginners can lie back, feel the chest open, and taste that freedom.

And here’s the thing: backbends aren’t just about the body. They lift the spirit. They reduce heaviness, shift negative thoughts, and bring a sense of expansion and joy. When you lie back over a chair and stay for a while, there’s this incredible feeling of lightness, as if the world has opened up around you.

So if backbends have ever felt intimidating, try them with a chair. It doesn’t take away the challenge — but it does take away the fear. And in that space, your practice can really grow.

21/09/2025

Chair Backbends In Iyengar Yoga: Why Chairs Are Magic for Backbends in Iyengar Yoga. Let’s talk about backbends. For many people, even the thought of going backwards feels scary. The body stiffens, the breath catches, and suddenly the whole spine says, “No thanks!” Fear has that effect — it makes us rigid. And when you’re rigid, it’s so hard to open.

This is where the humble yoga chair comes in. In Iyengar yoga, the chair is one of the best props we have for working on backbends. It’s supportive, accessible, and gives you courage. Instead of rushing into a big arch and popping straight back out, the chair lets you settle in. You can stay, breathe, and really feel the spine stretch and the chest expand.

The magic lies in time. When the body is supported, you can hold the pose for longer. That sustained opening is what transforms the practice. Without a chair, deep backbends are usually only available to people with a lot of natural flexibility. But with a chair, even beginners can lie back, feel the chest open, and taste that freedom.

And here’s the thing: backbends aren’t just about the body. They lift the spirit. They reduce heaviness, shift negative thoughts, and bring a sense of expansion and joy. When you lie back over a chair and stay for a while, there’s this incredible feeling of lightness, as if the world has opened up around you.

So if backbends have ever felt intimidating, try them with a chair. It doesn’t take away the challenge — but it does take away the fear. And in that space, your practice can really grow.

17/09/2025

Want More Energy? B.K.S. Iyengar once said in Light on Life: “Everyone desires more energy. If energy could be packaged and sold in shops it would be the most successful business ever. Where can we get it, people want to know? Not in packets, and not in shops, because it is first everywhere and second it is free. It is called prana—universal energy.”

This energy isn’t something you buy or chase. It’s already here—in the air and in the breath within us. The key to tapping into it is pranayama, the yogic practice of working with the breath to connect with prana.

Through mindful breathing—lengthening the exhalation, deepening the inhalation, and gently restraining the breath—we awaken this energy, guiding it into the body and mind.

What happens then?

The body feels lighter, fresher, more alive.

The mind settles, quietens,
and focuses.

We discover calm and clarity we didn’t know we were missing.

In Iyengar yoga, pranayama starts gently, often lying down over folded blankets. This helps the body relax and the chest open. From here, we notice the natural breath, inviting it to lengthen and expand without force—just awareness and patience.

Patience is key. Pranayama unfolds over time, so expect gradual results. Start with 15-30 minutes. It’s long enough to dive deep into the breath, but not too overwhelming.

Begin with Ujjayi (ocean breath), a grounding practice that creates internal heat and focus. After mastering Ujjayi, you can try Viloma 1 and 2. Viloma 1 increases lung capacity, while Viloma 2 builds control and awareness through segmented breath.

As you grow more proficient, transition to seated pranayama. Seek guidance from a qualified Iyengar teacher to ensure safe practice with proper alignment.

With regular practice, pranayama can shift your headspace, boost energy, and bring stillness—not from a packet, but from within. The breath you carry everywhere you go is the key.

15/09/2025

Mindful Core Power. Boat Pose — Paripurna Navasana — is one of yoga’s classic core strengthening poses. It tones the abdomen, firms the hip flexors, and strengthens the back. But what makes it truly powerful is not just the muscle work — it’s the mindfulness required to stay steady.

Without mindful attention, Boat Pose collapses into strain: the chest drops, the breath tightens, and balance is lost. With awareness, the pose becomes calm, spacious, and deeply effective.

Iyengar Yoga shows us that core strength and mindfulness go hand in hand. In Boat Pose, you must notice where your weight rests, how your spine lengthens, and whether your breath can remain smooth. The real “core work” isn’t about gripping the abs — it’s about steady attention, calm endurance, and a quiet inner strength.

The same is true for Urdhva Prasarita Padasana — Leg Raises. At first glance, it seems like a straightforward exercise. But in Iyengar Yoga, the legs are lifted and lowered with precision, the breath sets the rhythm, and the abdomen firms without strain.

Instead of forcing, you practice with awareness: the back body stays grounded, the chest stays open, and the breath flows evenly. This mindful approach tones the core while protecting and strengthening the back.

Both Boat Pose and Leg Raises remind us that yoga is never just about exercise. It is a mindful endeavour. Each pose becomes a mirror — reflecting where we hold tension, how we use the breath, and how we find steadiness inside effort.

Practised this way, yoga strengthens more than the core. It steadies the mind, fosters reflection, and creates a calm, quiet presence that you carry into daily life.

14/09/2025

Does Iyengar Yoga really strengthen your core? When people think of “core work,” they often picture sit-ups, crunches, or that harsh sucking in of the belly. But in Iyengar Yoga, core strength is something much more subtle—and far more profound. The “core” isn’t just your abs. It’s a coordinated system of muscles at the front, sides, and back of the body that wrap around the spine and pelvis like a natural stabilising cylinder.

Q: I thought yoga was just stretching. How could it possibly tone my core?
A: That’s one of the biggest misunderstandings about yoga! In Iyengar Yoga, the core isn’t trained through flashy movements like sit-ups or crunches. Instead, it’s engaged in a more intelligent and subtle way. When you hold standing poses such as Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) or Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II), your abdominal and back muscles quietly work the whole time to keep you balanced, upright, and aligned.

Q: But don’t you need to “suck your stomach in” to work the abs?
A: Not in Iyengar Yoga. In fact, over-tightening or gripping the belly often blocks your breath and makes you rigid. Instead, we aim for a lengthened spine, a lifted chest, and a firm but spacious abdomen. This kind of deep, integrated engagement activates the inner core — the transverse abdominis, obliques, pelvic floor, and spinal muscles — the parts that truly support posture and protect your back.

Q: If it’s so subtle, is it really effective?
A: Absolutely. Think of it this way: every time you hold a standing pose, you’re training your body to stabilize without collapsing. That means the core muscles switch on continuously, not just for a few crunches. Over time, this builds endurance, tone, and functional strength. Students often notice they stand taller, their balance improves, and everyday movements feel easier.

Q: So why don’t more people know yoga tones the core?
A: Because it doesn’t look dramatic. There’s no sweating or equipment involved, and the work is mostly internal. But if you’ve ever held Warrior II for a full minute with precise alignment, you’ve felt the fire in your core!

Flametree Yoga Studio

01/10/2025

30/09/2025

29/09/2025

26/09/2025

25/09/2025

24/09/2025

22/09/2025

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