Sunday Viewing

Thought I'd share this wonderful video which sums up "everything yoga" far more succinctly than I can (!) in under half an hour.

http://youtu.be/lOt8WT9hn3U

More from me in the week.

Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of your weekend 😀

Black Friday Respite

Phew..... Hello Everyone..... [peeps head above pile of unwanted clothing]

Having spent the last 48 hours trying to de-clutter (still in non-hoarding/aparigraha mode), I'm finally back with the next blog instalment :)

I confess, my efforts to clear space and let go of unwanted clutter haven't gone as smoothly as I'd hoped.  First, the pile of "stuff", instead of being neatly stashed in my wardrobe, is now strewn all over my study.  Second, my attempt at flogging everything on eBay yesterday was hampered by snail-paced computer function - is it all worth it for a mere £0.99 per item, I ask myself -  with the end result being one of total frustration. 

To top it all, today, being Black Friday - a time, it seems, for retailers to go all out to attract our custom (to ensure we collect yet more unnecessary "stuff") - means I have been bombarded with unsolicited emails which have, quite frankly, sent me into even more of a head spin.

So, it seems now would be a good time to introduce the practice of restorative yoga [and breathe].  

Restorative yoga (using props in the postures to support) is a great way to undo the stagnating physical effects of sitting in a fixed position, behind your desk, for hours at a time, and also helps still the mind from all its daily "busy-ness".  In essence, it brings equilibrium back into our existence.

Although this all sounds very relaxing and peaceful, a word of warning here: some people still find the postures I have demonstrated a little challenging at first.  However, in using plenty of props (bolsters, cushions, blankets etc) to provide greater comfort, you will soon find your body able to shed any restlessness, allowing your mind to relax into stillness.

The keyword here is: Patience.

By incorporating this short routine (or just a few of the postures) into your daily/weekly practice, you will soon be rewarded with the ability to find tranquility, be in the moment, and prepare yourself for the next set of challenges.

What's more, as you will see from the video, you don't even have to step out of your house to do it!



To view video, click the link below:
http://youtu.be/KmTqU7iF-q8



Wishing you all a peaceful and restorative weekend.

Meanwhile, I'm off to do a drop at the Charity Shop :)

Is your clutter holding you back?

I awoke this morning with last night's Ceroc (modern jive dance, for the uninitiated) music still buzzing around my brain - such an uplifting and motivating experience, and one I shall no doubt weave into my blog at some stage - but my thoughts went immediately to my wardrobe.  

In a couple of weeks' time it will be the Winter Wonderland Ball and, if I go (decision still to be made), I'm seriously short of suitable attire.  That is to say, outfits that one can dance in a) without getting too hot and sweaty (nice) and b) without treating all and sundry to a display of Bridget Jones' knickers whilst doing a twirl (ooo-err).  But how to find comfort and respectability, plus glamour, all in one outfit?

So, I sprang out of bed (not) and threw open the wardrobe doors, to be faced with trillions of outfits now gathering dust, and not one of them suitable.  Oh dear, Cinderella won't be going to the Ball after all.  

Yet, is this a good enough reason not to attend?  Well, that's my dilemma and not one I need bore you with.  However, whilst launching into my clothing cull, I did start thinking about the implication behind my apparent need to keep ahold of "stuff" that is now so obviously redundant.

Last week my blog posting Be kind to yourself referred to some of the philosophy behind yoga.  

The relevance here is another of the teachings: Non-hoarding/Non-collecting (Aparigraha in sanskrit, see Yamas on left of chart below).

Through our yoga practice we begin to trust that by releasing the "things" that no longer serve us (whether it's a wardrobe full of clothes, a desk full of papers, a mind full of limiting thoughts, even relationships that have outlived their meaningfulness), we can make space to allow our true potential, creative or otherwise, to flourish.

Obviously, I've still got a way to go viz wardrobe clutter, but I cannot begin to tell you how much I've let go of since my yoga journey began.  For example, several years ago, there is no way on this earth that I would have recorded myself attempting to teach yoga, far from perfectly, then making it public, at the very possible risk of receiving negative feedback.  

Anyway, here I am, and the video below is a follow-up from yesterday's sequence, giving a more in-depth explanation of some basic standing and seated yoga postures.  

If you are having difficulties viewing the video from this posting, click the following link:

http://youtu.be/CvVsigrnGXQ

NB, hurry to view - I've been notified that the material contains "matched third party content", i.e. background music, so I may have to delete it at some point.  In the meantime, I heartily thank the musicians/artists whose music beautifully complements my teaching attempts :)


Meanwhile, have fun de-cluttering (it's such a good feeling), let go of things that no longer serve you to make way for new, creative potential and, remind me, never wear that top (to demonstrate yoga) again!

And cats like yoga too...

Yesterday I touched on the importance of single-mindedness and focus in achieving our goals.  Continuing with this theme, my goal (through publishing this blog) is to make yoga more accessible to real people - that is, people like you and me, who lead busy lives, work hard, play hard, raise families, care for others, people who never have time for themselves - and to allay any fears that yoga is only about achieving awkward or impossible poses, is all about chanting and incense burning, or can only be practised in a class etc, etc.  Of course, it could be all of those things, but only if you let your ego kick in and we're not going to talk about that right now!

Today, I thought I'd show you a short yoga sequence.  By concentrating on the breath to create movement, and by adding a few additional (basic) postures, your yoga practice can become more flowing and, hence, more meaningful.  Thus, by adding some "vinyasa flow" to your day, you become one step closer to attaining your goals, with intent.

As I said before, don't worry if you cannot do all the postures perfectly (I certainly can't), I will be breaking them down into "bite size" chunks at a later date.  For now, accept this as part of the journey (it's approx 13 minutes long) and see how practising a short routine each day can slowly increase overall strength and stamina and prevent stiffness and rigidity from setting in, both physically and mentally.

I hope you enjoy it (the cat seemed to!).  If there is anything you are uncertain of, then please don't hesitate to drop me a line in the comments box below.  Equally, if you'd like to see more or less of certain things, let me know.  Remember, this is a learning curve for me too and, without your input, I can't improve and you won't be motivated to continue!


If you are unable to see the video from this post, please click on the link below:
http://youtu.be/r8ahd283zFQ





I will leave you with this short quote from Vivekananda:

Concentration will bring perfect repose to mind and body every time it is practised.

Focus and balance

My weekend went something like this:

k1, kfb, k4, skpo, k2tog, k4, *(kfb) twice, k4, skpo, k2tog, k4, rep from * 

Have you worked it out yet?

If you have, the chances are you do it too, so I don't mind admitting that, for almost two whole evenings (who said I don't lead an exciting life), this is the scintillating, mind-blowing, brain game I was ensconced in.

For those of you who haven't yet got a clue what I'm on about [hides in embarrassment] I was knitting.  Well, if it's good enough for a 21-year old friend who, for obvious reasons, wishes to remain anonymous, then it's good enough for me.  I've now got a nice pair of fingerless mittens and, what's more, I loved it!

But knitting (and you can substitute "writing" here too) doesn't come without its hitches (for me at least).  Spending prolonged periods of time focussing on one thing (apart from the odd glance up at Strictly, of course) can cause a whole host of side issues, such as neck and back stiffness (not to mention the sore derriere), eye strain, repetitive strain injury (fingers and wrists), even headaches.

I'm not going to give a lecture about the importance of sitting correctly, drinking plenty of water (not wine!), taking breaks for relaxation, etc, at this point, although all the above are important.  However, what I do want to talk about here is how the mind-body teachings of yoga come in handy in achieving better focus. 

Concentration, in yogic terms, is to the mind, what the yoga postures are to the body.  It can also be called single-mindedness or "one-pointedness" (aka ekagrata in sanskrit).  This is the essence of concentration (and I'll talk about this more at a later date).

For now, the video below shows the importance of focus, not just on the outer body, but also on the mind within, to help achieve (a) balance.




If you are unable to see the video from this posting, click on/cut and paste this link: http://youtu.be/-CSFufVoeK8

Over the coming weeks we'll look more closely at balances and how you can integrate these into your yoga practice to improve your powers of concentration and focus.

Meanwhile, happy writing (or knitting)!

Love is letting go of fear

The intuitive writing of Gerald G Jampolsky in Love is Letting Go of Fear has inspired today's subject matter.  The book offers transformative lessons in letting go of the past, to better face the future, through the release of limiting thought patterns. 

I wish to take this a step further and examine how the release of tension and restriction in the physical body can unleash (psychological) fear and helps us to be fully in the present.  To do this, I have chosen to look at a couple of basic yoga back bending postures (see video below).

According to the great yoga master, BKS Iyengar, backbends, through movement of the spine both backward and forward, provide a wonderful massage and increased blood flow to the heart.  

However, these postures don't just work on the physical level, but also the psychological.  

Our minds, as well as being challenged by the physical aspect of the posture (let's face it, how often do we throw ourselves backwards on a daily basis), often have to deal with the surfacing of fear and emotion at this point.

But, this is the beauty of the backbend.  What BKS also claims is, that backbends actually help us address our fears.

If you look at the postures I've demonstrated on the video, a backbend, by its very nature, is very "opening" to the front of the body.  It enables us to open our heart centre, making us more aware of our centre for compassion, love and support.  

So, the more you open yourself to "love", the less chance there is of "fear" overtaking your consciousness.




Click the link if video doesn't automatically appear:
http://youtu.be/S0MI22E9lzQ


Food of love - not music (today), but Maca

Before signing off for the weekend, I want to share with you a fabulous "power" food supplement - Maca - a root grown high up in the Peruvian Andes.  I recommend the powder form, so you can add up to 1 tablespoon per day (although build up to this level slowly if you've never used it before) to cereal, yogurt, smoothies, juices, etc.

Maca is nutrient-dense - contains Vitamins B, C and E; rich in minerals such as calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium and phosphorous, plus amino acids (protein) - no wonder it's called a "superfood".  

NB, it is contraindicated with some disorders of the liver, high blood pressure, some hormone-related cancers, and pregnancy, so check with your doctor before taking this supplement.

It's benefits can be enormous:

• increases energy and stamina (often used by athletes to reach peak performance)
• increases muscle mass (in conjunction with a good workout regime)
• reduces iron-deficiency anaemia 
• reduces risk of cardiovascular disease
• keeps bones and teeth healthy
• aids wound healing
• helps clear skin of acne and blemishes (and can help skin withstand extreme temperatures in hot or cold weather through decreased sensitivity)
• helps balance mood (alleviates anxiety, stress, depression and mood swings)
• increases mental energy and focus 
• balances sexual hormones and fertility
• promotes sexual function of both men and women - yes, folks, it's an aphrodisiac
• boosts libido and increases endurance

Wow, it's almost too good to be true.
So, go, open your heart - and feel the love this weekend.
Enjoy ;-)

Be kind to yourself

As a "wannabe" writer, I am always looking for inspiration for writing topics and, very often, this comes from the most unexpected sources.  Indeed, within the last ten days, I have found myself compelled to write on a subject inspired, for the second time, by the musings of a fellow writer (if I can elevate myself to her status, for I'm only a novice, she's already got a signed book deal).  Clare (you can find her under My Blog List opposite) recently blogged about her "Book With No Name".  Her second book, however, does have a name, "Do No Harm".  It is this which prompted me to write today.

Without going into an in-depth history of yoga, I'll just refer back to circa 300 BC!  This was about the time when a certain Indian writer, named Patanjali, was born.  But Patanjali was no ordinary writer, he turned out to be a pretty wise fellow, responsible for churning out the Yoga Sutras (the teachings behind yoga, as we know it today).  By practising (not just reading about) these mystical teachings, one is supposed to experience a purification of the mind and body and, thus, get well on the road to reaching enlightenment or a full awakening of the Self.

So, what's Clare's book got to do with any of this?  Well, she isn't writing about yoga philosophy, that's for sure, but her chosen title, Do No Harm, also happens to be one of those teachings.  Being aware of Ahimsa - the sanskrit translation, which means non-violence or non-injury in thought, word and deed - we learn how to behave toward ourselves, our fellow human-beings and toward nature and the environment surrounding us.

My message today, however, is about being kind to yourself.  As one who seems to suffer from the effects of the changing seasons, I have noticed a particular sluggishness of late, both in mind (can't think what to write) and body (got no get-up-and-go).  So, instead of a video session today, I bring you this:

Viparita karani or Legs-Up-The-Wall pose - a passive, supported variation of the Shoulderstand (which you could do instead, if you are already practiced in the technique).

Feel free to place a cushion or bolster under your behind if it's more comfortable.
Arms can be by your side or outstretched behind your head.

It's been said that taking just 10 minutes out of your busy day to practice this restorative posture is as good as the rest you get from a full night's sleep.....

I do believe it's a good all-rounder - both for relieving physical aches and pains and mental revival.

Try it whilst listening to some calming music or treat yourself to a meditation audio (there are plenty on YouTube).


You can keep your legs vertical against the wall or open them out into a "V" shape to get an extra stretch to the inner thigh - but take care not to strain your low back or groin.  A belt strapped around your legs/above the knees might help prevent over-stretching and enable a more relaxed posture.


In addition to music or meditation whilst trying this out, you could also vaporise some refreshing essential oils.  As I write this, I've dusted off my old burner and have some peppermint and rosemary on the go - excellent for clearing the head (and nasal passages) and uplifting mood - but you could also use lemon, grapefruit, may chang, clary sage or ginger (or a combination).  Take care not to use these too close to bedtime otherwise you might be up all night!

I've also resisted the desire to have a second cup of coffee (something we all succumb to in times of fatigue and stress) and have poured myself a soothing peppermint tea instead.  You could also try roibos (red bush) tea, which is naturally decaffeinated, green tea or lime & ginger for an extra kick.  

And if your habit is also to reach for the biscuit tin for a pick-me-up, try something that'll give you a slow-release form of energy, like an oatcake with peanut butter (or hummus or cottage cheese) instead.  Perhaps, a banana (or other piece of fresh fruit) with a few brazil nuts or a handful of seeds might do the trick.  Whatever snack you choose, the aim should be to accompany your carbs with some protein.  This will stop you "spiking" your blood sugars and keep energy levels more constant.

Enough of the lecture, just remember - be kind to yourself, as well as others.

Right, I'm off to dig out my dancing shoes :)