Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from June, 2013

Nancy Gilgoffs London Ashtanga yoga workshops...Humility.

Ive had a wonderful week with Nancy- she came and taught three days of workshops in my studio here in Putney. We had a great time together and I was honoured to have been her assistant during the three days of practice. We talked about all sorts of things: from the teachings of the Dali lama, discussing ( and practising) pranayama, and even watched a fair amount of the Wimbledon tennis together. I heard lots of stories about guruji and his family, and the early days in Mysore. I feel I have learnt a lot from her on this trip and none of this was about asana. I have a real sense at the moment that the more I know, the less I know.....this yoga is a lifetime journey and I have only scratched the surface. Here are some photos.....

How can an osteopath help with breastfeeding?

If your baby is struggling to breastfeed there is plenty of information and support out there to help you both. You can seek advice online or from breastfeeding groups, lactation consultants, tongue tie specialists and your midwife. Not to mention tips from friends and family! But did you know that these specialists are increasingly recognising the role that cranial osteopaths can play to help your baby feed? At an appointment your osteopath will check the muscles, ligaments and joints that are involved in feeding. For example osteopaths check to see if your baby can turn their head comfortably to feed from each breast. Your osteopath will look at the jaw movement to check that they can open their mouth wide enough to feed. He or she will also check tongue movement for signs of tongue tie or weak suck. Osteopaths can also give advice on feeding and winding techniques specific to you and your baby. Cranial osteopathy is a gentle treatment which may improve the way your baby feeds.

Wimbledon tennis and Yoga 2013

I have been doing the warm-ups at Wimbledon tennis qualifiers for many years. Indeed some of the young things I worked with back in the day are now 40+. I have introduced hundreds of people to yoga this way and hopefully a few will have picked it up from "Yoga Mama" Here is the lovely group from this year's event busting their yoga moves. Many tops sports people now use yoga as part of their training programme and, indeed, many top tennis players use yoga to increase flexibility, strength and mental focus. Who? My lips are sealed.

Top tips for staying young

by Fleur Borrelli, Nutritionist Here are some excellent tips to help you stay young. Aerobic exercise Exercise on an empty stomach Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit Avoid environmental chemicals Eat whole foods Live! Laugh! Love! For more information or appointments, you can contact Fleur at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 0208 789 3881 or send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk or visit our website. Nutrition and Superfood website: www.nutritionandsuperfood.co.uk Telephone: 07766 883 522 for a free consultation.

Fitness and the mitochondria

by Fleur Borrelli, Nutritionist How effective we are at exercising aerobically all depends on our mitochondria. Mitochondria are little sub-units, known as organelles, inside our cells. These are the power-houses of the cell, the engines, where make most of our ATP which is the body’s energy currency is generated. Apart from producing energy for us, they coordinate other actions such as becoming a skin cell or a muscle cell. They also manage cell death which needs to occur in a way that does not cause collateral damage and can even be beneficial to us. Our mitochondria are so vital to health that we need to treat them well. They are semi-autonomous and reproduce independently of the cells they live in a way that is very similar to a bug. In fact microbiologists believe that at the beginning of time they might have lived freely as bacteria, until they took up resident in larger cells. They even have their own DNA to produce proteins which help our cells to work. When we engage

How did you Meet Guruji?

I love this...Thank you to  Amanda Manfredi  for sharing.

Yoga Hip Stretching for Lotus

Nice hip opener here from Kino MacGregor 

SATYA; Truthfulness.-Astanga Yoga Anusthana

From Sharath's book Astanga Yoga Anusthana . Satya means being truthful to others both in words and and actions, not telling lies, and following a path that is true and honest. Speak the truth that is sweet, do not speak the truth that is not sweet. Do not lie to please. This is the eternal dharma satyapratisthayam kriyaphalasrayatvam ys 2.36 By being truthful whatever action you take will be successful.

When life gets busy....Child's pose.

My blog has been a bit neglected of late as life is pretty hectic at the moment. I continue my daily Ashtanga yoga practice (mostly) and come to child's pose when things get busy in my world. Balasana or child's pose is both relaxing and calming, allowing the back brain to rest towards the front brain, encouraging a restful mind.  While I don't recommend you drop to your knees every time you feel a bit of stress (could make for interesting business meetings), I do recommend finding time for child's pose for quietening the mind, and connecting with the child within.