Atma Yoga

05/11/2022

The magic of meditation… I always try and find time in yoga classes for a bit of meditation, even if it’s just a couple of minutes letting our busy minds settle. Meditation is one of the 8 ‘limbs of yoga’ as described by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras written 2000 years ago, and complements the ‘asana’ (poses) part of our yoga practice. It plays an important part in laying the foundations for our yoga session, helping us direct our focus internally.

Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, but is increasing in popularity with big corporations like Apple and Google making it part of their wellbeing strategies. This is because of its proven benefits: Meditation helps us to focus and concentrate, and gives us the space to be able to act on a thought more skilfully – responding rather than reacting. And probably most widely reported, it reduces anxiety and stress, with some studies equating its effect to taking anti-depressants.

And there is now the scientific evidence to show why it works –meditation actually changes the structure of our brains. A study by Harvard showed that eight weeks of mindful meditation increased the grey matter in the areas of the brain involved in learning, memory and regulating our emotions. There were also decreases in the volume of the amygdala, responsible for fear, anxiety, and stress. One study showed that just two weeks of mindfulness meditation improved concentration and performance in students.

And finally, more good news! Meditation also helps our brains stay young (well, younger than they would be otherwise). What’s not to like???

05/10/2022

Sadly not part of my usual offering but here I am enjoying a bit of dog yoga. Nice extension in the spine from the greyhound, Alfie, in his downward dog (although he needs to relax his head a bit). Note the novel bolster in the other pic (I promise no jack russells were harmed in the making of this post). :)

28/09/2022

Check out this article about ways to improve our balance (and appreciate our wobbles...)

Simple and mindful practices. Profound difference.

23/09/2022

I’ve gone twist mad this week! They’ve been the focus of my classes - lots of different types of twist but also repeating the same twist, encouraging a bit more depth in the pose each time. From an energy centre perspective, twists unlock the Manipura chakra, known as the 'City of Gems', responsible for self-confidence and creativity. Yes please! From a physical perspective, twists give our internal organs a work out, helping us detox and improve digestion. Twists also help to maintain the length and resilience of the soft tissues surrounding the spine and mobility of the spinal muscles, keeping discs and joints happy and healthy. There’s an impact on the mind, too: creating space between the vertebrae allows energy to flow more freely, giving us an instant lift. Great when we’re feeling sluggish. Have a go at the mini sequence and let me know what you think!

14/09/2022

Contrary to what this image might portray at first glance, yoga isn’t about getting into the most challenging poses. It’s about what the path to those poses represents: bringing regular practice and commitment into our lives, gradually building strength and confidence, being fully in the moment, gently pushing our boundaries each time we practice. And over time we are capable of more than we thought possible. Life lessons! This could be being able to touch our toes for the first time in Uttanasana, feeling fully grounded and expansive in Tree, doing that perfect Chaturanga, or perhaps even Hanumasana (aka the splits) - I’m definitely on a very gradual path to that one!

06/09/2022

https://www.yogajournal.com/practice/yoga-sequences/fall-yoga-15-poses-proven-build-better-balance/

Bear with balancing…

One of the core skills of yoga, each class will usually include one or more balancing poses. But it’s hard! Why should we put ourselves through this?

There are some excellent reasons so bear with it…

* Balancing forces us to be completely in the moment, integrating mind and body, helping us to focus inwards
* It challenges us to do more than we may initially feel comfortable with, encouraging us to push boundaries and learn
* It actually feels good when it works!

But there’s more to the benefits of balance than you might read in a yoga textbook. As Dr Michael Mosley puts it in his excellent podcast series ‘Just One Thing’, balance requires a ‘remarkable feat of coordination’ between our muscles, joints, inner eyes and eyes. It affects our whole life, allowing us to move freely and confidently and walk upright without hunching. He also argues it impacts our mental health as poor balance can make us more fearful of going out and about, especially as we get older. Good balance prevents injury caused by falls - one of the biggest causes of hospitalisation (and worse). There is even research showing our ability to balance is a predictor of life expectancy. And although our balance declines from our 40’s onwards it can be improved. Hurrah! Standing on one leg regularly for short periods of time (perhaps when brushing our teeth) or during Tree, Eagle, and other balance poses in yoga can dramatically improve our balance. And more good news - there is ‘some suggestion’ that given the complex coordination of activities required to balance, it helps cognition, reducing the risk of dementia. So go get balancing!
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Balance, agility, speed, coordination, and power are vital for daily living and optimal for athletic performance. This sequence works it all.

05/09/2022

Practicing directly on the earth increases the benefits of grounding poses like Tree (Vrksanana). Give it a go!

04/09/2022

Grounding poses can be useful to combat anxiety or feelings of disconnectedness, promoting more stability and ease in the mind and body. Here is a very short, gentle sequence focusing on some key grounding poses. Enjoy!

02/09/2022

02/09/2022

Late summer colour in my little yoga shala

02/09/2022

Trying out the yoga room in our beautiful retreat venue🙏🙏🙏

02/09/2022

Loving practicing outside and being so close to nature