Yoga Mama

Ashtanga Yoga : Setu Bandhasana with Kino MacGregor and Julia Lofstrand

2012-01-29T03:48:00.000Z

New kid in town Mysore

2012-01-28T14:59:00.001Z

So here I am day three ( I think?) in Mysore...well two sleeps ( sort of)...It feels quite odd to be the new kid in town.
All the yoga students seem to be well settled into their routines, and know where to eat shop etc, I on the other hand can just about remember my name, although I have a great room mate who has taken me under her wing and given me a guided tour of Goklum. I have also managed to find a very nice swimming pool and have a massage, so not bad for the new kid in town.
I start my yoga practise in the shala tomorrow and I feel ready for it after my rest days-I have a feeling once I start practising I will feel more settled, after all that is why I am here.

I have a room with a view...

My own room with a make shift bedside table...

My transport over the past few days...

So for all of my friends who thought I was on a jolly holiday at the Taj-this is it!

Ashtanga Yoga Mysore aged 50 (well almost)

2012-01-27T05:05:00.000Z

SO I have arrived in Mysore for the first time in what will be the year of my 50th birthday. I have registered at the shala, and as suspected I am one of the older students.
I think there will be pros and cons of making my first trip to practise at the home of Ashtanga yoga at this stage of my life-My body is not what it once was, and some of the poses do not come as easily as they have done at various stages in the past....The up side to having many years of practise is that the other seven limbs are growing, and I have a pretty firm foundation in the subtle aspects of both myself, and this amazing yoga practise although there is a long way to go.
I have left my nice comfy home and family, to rent a room in a shared space with fellow yogis, with whom I will share this journey......
I have not come to "find myself" as im not lost ( this is what some people thing you come to India for).
I have not come to Mysore to get more poses, nor to get certified as a teacher- I have come to practise yoga at the source, and feel privileged to have the opportunity to do this. Having the time to focus just on yoga, to be fully absorbed, to rest, to listen to the guru is why I have come..... I am very lucky to have a supportive husband and family who know how important it is to me, to take this time out.....let the experience commence.

Mysore Magic: Yoga at the Source

2012-01-22T12:27:00.000Z

Here is a short clip of a new video filmed at the Ashtanga yoga institute in Mysore.

Thank you to Claudia for sharing the link

ASHTANGA YOGA MOTHER EARTH

earthyogi.blogspot.com

Pyjamas yoga practise

2012-01-17T09:10:00.001Z

Home yoga practise 2 004, originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk.

Practising yoga at home means Pyjamas some days. Sporting my favourite leopard print here :-) Lululemon eat your heart out.

One dude with the right attitude can get a party jumping!

2012-01-14T14:35:00.000Z

I love this-happy, happy, happy.

Yoga poses to improve mobility and beat back pain

2012-01-05T09:00:00.000Z

Cat pose or Viralasana is a fairly accessible pose for most people-It is a great pose for practising vinyasa (or breath and movement) and can help to establish a rhythm with the breath.
It can also help to ease some back pain, and encourages mobility throughout the spine without strain.
I personally practice inhaling when the head is up and exhaling when the head is down, lightly drawing the lower belly in with each exhalation. The last pose; child's pose or Balasana is a fantastic pose to compliment cat pose, and not only stretches out the spine but can also be really relaxing and nurturing.

Zico coconut water

2012-01-04T09:00:00.001Z

Big thank you to Zico for keeping me well hydrated throughout the festive period. Chilled this drink is delicious-although fortunately for me I was the only member of my household to enjoy the taste-therefore did not have to share them-Oops my yogic halo slipping....

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga lineage

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000Z

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

"Without the work of K Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga yoga would have been lost. All modern practitioners of ashtanga yoga benefit directly or indirectly from his teachings".
K Patthabi Jois learned from his master Krishnamacharya-whose own master was Ramamohan Brahmachary.My own yoga teacher Nancy Gilgoff learnt directly from Pattabhi Jois - For me keeping close to the lineage is very important -I try my best not to dilute my physical yoga practise and continue to study the text of Patanjali ( Pattabhi Jois said he taught Patanjalis yoga), this alongside reading items by writers who have given a lot of time to research both the history, and the physical practise of Ashtanga yoga.

Im currently reading on my kindle

Ashtanga Yoga
Practices and philosophy
by Gregor Maehie

The first two lines above are quoted directly from this book by Gregor Maehle -fascinating read so far.

My well thumbed book The yoga sutras of Patanjali

Beach yoga

2012-01-03T09:00:00.000Z

Im off to spend sometime in the sun with my family-Hope to do some beach yoga whilst I'm there.

Bhekasana from Ashtanga Yoga Second Series with Kino MacGregor and Dayle...

2012-01-02T10:36:00.000Z

I have never heard the tip about taking the calf flesh out before-nor the mention of lifting the thighs-Kino always give useful information in her short clips. It took me a long time to get the hand/foot grip correct and my feet most definitely do not touch the floor ;-)

Delights of home yoga practise.

2012-01-02T09:00:00.000Z

One of the greatest things about having a self yoga practise is that you don't even have to get out of your pyjamas - and you can tie up your hair with anything you can find ( guess what my hair tie is?) answers on a post card.... I fell out of headstand and nearly took out the Christmas tree-don't suppose that would have happened in a shala!

My Christmas in short

2012-01-01T11:33:00.000Z

The items above are gifts I received for Christmas -I think they are probably a very good reflection of me.

A yoga mat.

A book on India

A kindle

A beautiful Lulu Guinness handbag.

My Christmas entailed;Food, family, friends, yoga, pantomime, food, family friends yoga and of the course the odd disagreement. :-)

Happy New Year

2nd Series Ashtanga with Santina

2011-12-28T17:27:00.001Z

I love the opening text that goes with this clip-Santina looks to be really in her yoga practise, and not performing solely for the camera.

Quote of the day

2011-12-28T16:37:00.000Z

There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things
which are beyond the power of our will.

Epictetus

Quote of the day

2011-12-27T16:32:00.002Z

A person is a person because he recognises others as persons

Bishop Desmond Tutu

Ashtanga Yoga Second Series Backbending: Danurasana with Kino MacGregor ...

2011-12-26T11:01:00.000Z

Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana Tri-pod down dog

2011-12-22T23:22:00.001Z

Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana Tri-pod down dog, originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk.

Down dog variation.

Dog in the festive spirit

2011-12-21T12:22:00.001Z

Festive dog 031, originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk.

My dog was well and truly in the festive spirit.

My Sunny yoga studio

2011-12-17T16:00:00.000Z

Down dog variation in my beautiful yoga space :-)

Mental Transformation & Quick fix society

2011-12-16T10:15:00.001Z

I came across this item by the Dali Lama which I found to be so spot on-We are in a quick fix society and transformation of any kind takes time...the path to transformation is a long one, with twists and turns all the way..better to be on it than not in my humble opinion.

One thing that you should remember is that mental transformations take time and are not easy. I think some people from the West, where technology is so good think that everything is automatic.
You should not expect this spiritual transformation to take place within a short time; keep it in your mind and make a constant effort, then after 1 year, 5years 10 years, 15 years you will eventually find some change. I still sometimes find it very difficult to practise these things. However, I do believe these practises are extremely useful.

Dali Lama

Yoga Mama Iphone app-Prenatal yoga

2011-12-14T07:59:00.000Z

Here is a short clip from my prenatal Iphone application. To view more clips go to yogamama at youtube or to purchase the application see the link below,

App Store - Yogamama

itunes.apple.com/gb/app/yogamama/id417941285?mt=8

5 votes - £1.99

Read reviews, get customer ratings, see screenshots and learn more about Yogamamaon the App Store. Download Yogamama and enjoy it on your iPhone, ..

All clothes from Sweaty Betty

Zico Coconut Water

2011-12-13T09:24:00.002Z

For all you lovers of coconut water-Zico which is currently available in the US, are launching their wares in London

"ZICO is green coconut water blended for a consistently delicious,

isotonic, low calorie way to stay refreshed and replenished throughout

your active day. As an isotonic, and with high levels of potassium

(569mg potassium per 414ml bottle), ZICO is ideal replenishment during

or after exercise, but makes for perfect all-day refreshment whenever

you’re on-the-go."

Basically it's a great way to hydrate during and after yoga and is low in calories, isotonic and a natural source of potassium. Coming to London soon.

For more information go to the Zico website

http://uk.zico.com/

Yoga sutra Patanjali

2011-12-11T19:33:00.001Z

TATRA STHITAU YATNO,BHYASAH

Of these two, effort towards steadiness of mind is practise.
Here Patanjali means continuous practise, not just for one or two days. You have to always be at it, not just a few minutes a day and then allowing the mind to have its own free time all the other hours.It means you become eternally watchful, scrutinizing every thought, every word and every action.

Book one 13.
Translation Sri Swami Satchiddananda

Ashtanga Yoga Third Series with Kino MacGregor

2011-12-10T18:19:00.000Z

I understand there is some controversy around this third series dvd by Kino-I personally would like to see it

Runners Knee / Ilio-Tibial Band Friction Syndrome

2011-12-07T15:30:00.000Z

Runners Knee / Ilio-Tibial Band Friction Syndrome (ITBFS)The Iliotibial Band is a long band of fascia that runs from the outside of the hip, along the outer thigh and to the side of the knee. Ilio-Tibial Band Friction Syndrome (ITBFS) occurs when an overly tight Iliotibial Band rubs on the outer part of the knee and causes the fascial band to become inflamed through over-friction.Also, between the IT Band and the bony outer knee lies a bursa, (a lubricated pad which is there to help prevent over-friction of the IT Band as mentioned above), which can become entrapped by the IT Band and become inflamed itself.SymptomsITBFS is characterised by pain, tenderness and swelling on the outer part of the knee and thigh. It is generally aggravated by movement of the knee, and relieved by knee inactivity.CausesITBFS is generally considered to be an overuse condition; so a repetitive activity like running is commonly related.Repetitive loading of the knee, e.g. running or cyclingAbnormal foot biomechanics, e.g. flat feetIncorrect footwearWeak pelvic hip muscles, e.g. Gluteus Medius

Quote of the day

2011-12-06T15:30:00.000Z

Always be kind,
For everyone is fighting a hard battle.

Plato

Yoga Girl music video

2011-12-05T17:47:00.000Z

A Funny tongue in cheek yoga video from Eco-Snobbery Sucks-by Jeffrey Davies

http://ecosnobberysucks.com/about/

My girl does yoga

2011-12-05T15:30:00.000Z

The girl child at my yoga studio in Putney-she is currently unable to practice yoga because of her broken wrist :-(

Bollywood yoga

2011-12-04T19:00:00.001Z

This guy contacted me recently about running this class to our staff -Not entirely sure if this yoga? or if I could persuade our team to do it? but it look like fun what ever you want to call it!

www.yogawithkush.com

Pose of the day

2011-12-04T18:44:00.001Z

Yoga, originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk.

Upavista Konasana variation.

Jesus Christ in Richmond Park

2011-11-23T18:50:00.000Z

My local park and I too have a dog who thought chasing deer might be fun ;-)

Every button tells a story

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000Z

When my daughter, who had just turned 20, started thisbeautiful button knit, she was a happy and healthy textile student at CentralSt Martins College in London. She had just started to specialize in knit, whenshe was struck down with glandular fever. At the same time a close friend diedsuddenly, in tragic circumstances, and the combination of the two had a drasticeffect on her health. She had to put her university life on hold, give up herEast End student home and return to live with us to recover. She spent most of the past winter in bed and was diagnosedas having ME symptoms and a gluten/wheat intolerance. This was the turningpoint on her slow road to recovery.

This knit piece was created using two mop handles. Thebuttons were from a collection my own mum had gathered over the years. So manychildhood memories in the button tin, my mum left behind when she died 17 yearsago. At times my daughter was so unwell she couldn’t lift the knitting needles; therewere months on end where her joints were so painful that it was impossible todo anything, even lift a paint brush. It's been a long year but Cally is nowback on the road again, so finishing this piece was very significant andsymbolic. Taking it to the framers was like letting go of a period of time. Sheis doing a silk screen printing course and a fashion course at London Collegeof Fashion, preparing herself to return to the “full on” creative hub that isCentral St Martins. She currently has a broken wrist but after the year she hashad, it doesn't hold her back.

My beautiful girl @callyhearts

The benefits of hypnobirthing classes

2011-11-22T08:01:00.000Z

by Marygrace Anderson, hypnotherapist at the Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy

Marygrace Anderson is now offering hypnobirthing classes at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy. The benefits of hypnobirthing include:

Manage any discomfort through powerful breathing techniques.
Reduces fear, tension and discomfort, thus naturally increasing discomfort threshold.
Learn relaxation techniques that will help your body to work the way it is designed to.
Learn how to put yourself in control of your birth, rather than blindly turning your birthing experience over to your doctor or midwife.
Less medication and chemical anaesthesia is needed as muscles thin and open easily.
Hypnosis shortens the first stage of delivery by approximately 3 – 4 hours for mother's delivering their babies. For subsequent deliveries, it is not unusual for them to be as quick as 60 - 120 minutes long.
Learn visualisation techniques that can help your body to do what it wants to do.Allow your mind and body to work together in harmony.Experience the pleasures of birth rather than the negative experiences you may have heard from others.
Release worries and concerns you may have about birth.
Enables mother to go into "hypnotic relaxation" if unable to sleep between feeds.
Raises resistance to fatigue during delivery thus minimizing maternal exhaustion.
Encourages the production of milk.
Decreases "post natal blues" and speeds up recovery. Using the endorphin release to increase your body's natural anaesthetic; a much safer option than relying on pharmaceuticals and other drugs.

For more information, contact Marygrace on 07931 547414 or by email at mghypnosis@aol.com or call The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 020 8789 3881.

Bishopstrow House and The Halcyon Spa

2011-11-20T12:14:00.001Z

After an exhausting few months and the official opening of our new clinic The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy, my husband and I headed off to Wiltshire for some rest and relaxation. I have stayed at Bishopstrow House before and find it so relaxing. In its previous life, it was a country manor house, set in amazing grounds behind an old stone wall. It has the feel of another era, without the pretentiousness that some hotels of this ilk have.

The staff at Bishopstrow House are fantastic. When the room we had booked wasn't quite right for us, we were promptly relocated without any fuss to the most beautiful Shaftesbury Suite, room service and 10 hours of the most refreshing sleep I have ever had. I headed over to the Halcyon Spa, while my husband swam for an hour in the outdoor swimming pool.

Running a very busy clinic, and teaching yoga in London doesn't allow for much “pampering” time, so I booked myself an Elemis facial with the lovely Rachael in the Halcyon Spa. The spa is gorgeous; you can choose from many wonderful treatments, exercise in the gym, swim, steam, sauna, etc. I chose not to exercise (apart from a little bit of discreet yoga, by the swimming pool) but all about choices here. The spa rooms are really well lit, and so clean and comfy; the staff are really helpful, you immediately feel more relaxed once you step into the spa suite.

I have been to a number of different spas over the years and not all of them have succeeded in creating this feeling. In fact, some are so clinical that they invoke the opposite effect.This is the 2nd time I have posted about Bishopstrow House. The hotel and spa industry is having a difficult time, along with everyone else at the moment, so to find a place that is still offering such a wonderful service (with a genuine smile), is worth sharing.

Bishopstrow House website

It’s getting crowded on the road to enlightenment

2011-11-19T19:54:00.000Z

It's getting crowded on the road to enlightment... This is the title of third item in three weeks that the Times has written about yoga and "enlightenment". This is obviously a good selling tactic at the moment, but it might be useful if they got their story straight.

In the first item they wrote "how wonderful yoga is for you". Item two said the opposite "yoga is not good for you". Item three mixes up yoga, Buddhism and Kabbalah and how many people are rushing off to India in search of enlightenment, and how much it's all costing us gullible Westerners.

The item then goes on to sayJulia Roberts converted to Hinduism after appearing in Eat, Pray, Love; Demi Moore, Britney Spears and Madonna are all followers of Kabbalah; Tiger Woods said his Buddhist Faith would help him recover from sex scandals; Steven Segal announced in 1997 that he was the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama...

Is the Times therefore using the above statements to reassure us that the collection above are on the crowded road to enlightenment? Or purely filling their newspaper with any old bullshit?

Ashtanga Intermediate Backbends

2011-11-18T23:59:00.001Z

"Encouraging Words" by Zen Master Guishan

2011-11-18T19:40:00.001Z

"Encouraging Words" by Zen Master Guishan
Some day you will die.
Lying on your sick bed about to breathe your last,you will be assailed by every kind of pain,
Your mind will be filled with fears and anxieties and you will not know where to go or what to do,Only then you will realize you have not practiced well.
The skandhas/aggregates (matter, sensations, conceptions, impulses and consciousness) and the four elements in you will quickly disintegrate, and your consciousness will be pulled wherever your ancient, twisted karma leads it.
Impermanence does not hesitate.
Death will not wait.
You will not be able to extend you life by even a second.
How many thousands times more will you have to pass through the gates of birth and death.
If these words are challenging, even insulting, let them be an encouragement for you to changePractice heroically.
Do not accumulate unnecessary possessions.
Don't give up.Still your mind,end wrong perceptions, concentrate and do not run after the objects of your senses. Practice diligently. Be determined not to let your days and months pass by wastefully.

Ashtanga Yoga Intermediate: Mayurasana with Kino MacGregor & Patrick

2011-11-15T23:43:00.000Z

Quote of day

2011-11-12T08:00:00.000Z

It must be said that genuine compassion is not like pity or a feeling that others are somehow lower than you.
Rather, with genuine compassion you view others as more important than yourself.

Dalai lama

Pose of the day- Supta Padangusthasana

2011-11-11T09:00:00.000Z

Supta Padangusthasana -Hand to toe

Learning Purvottanasana from the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series, with Kino...

2011-11-10T22:26:00.000Z

Have yoga mat will travel

2011-11-10T22:16:00.000Z

I always take a yoga mat with me where ever I go- so on recent trips to Manchester (where my son is at university) my mat came with me. I stayed in the city centres Crown plaza which is in a fantastic location for wandering around the city centre...The beds in this hotel are AMAZING as are the staff, and they have a great Sunday night deal should you ever find yourself in Manchester on a Sunday night... Wouldn't it be fantastic if hotel rooms provided yoga mats along side the mini bar-thus catering for all needs ;-)

I definitely will always pick this hotel over the others I have stayed in-in Manchester

70 SHUDEHILL MANCHESTER , M4 4AF ENGLAND

Quote of the day

2011-11-10T20:27:00.000Z

Anger and hatred are two of our closest friends.
When I was young I had quite a close relationship with anger.
Then eventually I found a lot of disagreement with anger. By using common sense ,with the help of compassion and wisdom. I now have a more powerful argument with which to defeat anger.

Dalai Lama

Practising Back bending on Pilates reformer

2011-11-08T17:56:00.000Z

We have some great Pilates kit in one of our studios-I clearly don't know how to use it but doest stop me having a go... some things got to help move my stiff upper back alongside my yoga.

Chickpea vindaloo

2011-11-08T17:40:00.001Z

Here is another great recipe form Adam and Theresa over at The yogi Kitchen, which is soon to be called "Keen on food".

Adam and Theresa are currently practising yoga in Mysore India so follow their food journey at the above link. This particular item was posted during their stay in Tarifa, Spain, where they taught yoga and hosted international yoga teachers.

Chickpeas are the ubiquitous bean of a vegetarian diet, but here in Andalucía, we are still amazed at the freshness, plumpness and largeness of the ones here. Vindaloo is a Goan dish, originating when the Portugese brought chillis to the area and introduced cooking with wine, traditionally it is served with pork, but here we have used chickpeas and vinegar instead of the meat and wine, to an effect that I have to say is one of my new favourite dishes.

It has been a bit of a chilly week here in Tarifa, with temperatures dipping to 10 C, and I was craving the combination of chickpeas with potatoes, in a spicy dish, tomato and cream is one of my all time best type of sauces and add vinegar... Well all of the boxes are ticked.

We are almost out of chapati flour, so we ate this with soft white rolls like the Indian pav. Pure heaven.

The recipe was found on the internet and credit was given to Steven Raichlen, thank you Steven.

Chickpea Vindaloo (serves 4)

Ingredients:

1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked in water for at least 8 hours
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp minced fresh ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground tumeric
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or crushed red dried chillies (or to taste)
2 tomatoes, chopped
3 tbsp red wine or cider vinegar
2 potatoes, peeled and diced into 1cm cubes
2 to 3 cups vegetable broth
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup yoghurt
2 tbsp fresh chopped fresh coriander

Cooking instructions:

Drain the chickpeas, cover in fresh water and boil for 1 1/2 hours or until soft but not mushy.
Heat the 1 tbsp olive oil in a heavy saute pan over medium, add the ginger, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon stick, bay leaf and cayenne, stir for about 30 seconds.
Add the tomatoes and stir in the vinegar and bring to a boil.
Stir in the chickpeas, potatoes, 2 cups of vegetable stock, tomato paste and salt. Return to a boil, cover and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
Stir in the yoghurt until thoroughly mixed, simmer for a couple more minutes. Add chopped coriander, stir through and serve.

Dynamic Surya Namaskar sequence

2011-11-04T19:19:00.001Z

Letthe Sunshine in

DynamicSurya Namaskar

This is a dynamic, flowing variation onthe classic sun salutation. This particular sequence has an emphasis onstretching the psoas or hip flexor muscle at the top of the thigh. You canchange the pace of this yoga sequence by staying in each pose for 5 breaths orby using the one breath one movement principle in order to to flow through thepractice.

This warming, heat-producing sequencecan be used as a stand-alone short yoga session or, alternatively, as a warm-upto a longer yoga class. Building the number of rounds up over time will enableyou to gain strength. Connecting to yourbreath in each movement, allows this sequence to feel like a moving meditation.You should always rest in savanasana at the end of your yoga session.

. Tadasana (Mountain pose)

Stand with your feettogether-hands in front of your heat in pray..

2. Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)

Inhale and sweep your arms upkeeping your shoulders moving down the back.Look up towards the thumbs.

3. Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

Exhale folding forward. Bend yourknees here if you need to.

4. Ardha Uttansana (Half Standing Forward Bend)

Inhale look forward and lengthenthe spine

5. High Lunge

Exhale, and step your left footback into a lunge, keeping your gaze forward. Drop your back knee to the floor if you needto. Inhale

6. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)

Exhale and step your right footto down dog-keeping your feet hip wisth apart.. Spread your fingers and drawyour lower (floating) ribs into the body.

7.Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana (Tri-pod down dog )

Inhale lifting the right leghigh-keeping keep the belly strong and both hips

facingtowards the floor

8. Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana Variation

Exhalebending the right knee taking the heel towards the left hip.

Keep both shoulders square to thefloor.. Inhale

9. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)

Exhale and step your right footback to down facing dog.

. 10. Plank Pose

Inhale and bring your bodyforward until your shoulders are over your wrists.Keep your body straight likea plank..Push your heels into an imaginary wall behind you, be strong throughthe belly

11. ChaturangaDandasana(Four-Limbed Staff Pose)

Exhale as you bend your elbowsand lower body down towards the floor ( drop your knee’s to the floor if youneed to) Keep your elbows close to the body and keep the shoulders moving awayfrom the ears.

12. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana(Upward-Facing Dog Pose)

Inhale, sweeping up into updog,opening the chest and heart-standing up on the hands. Keep your legs fullyactive and the shoulders moving awayfrom the ears ( stay low in cobra as an option)

13. Adho Mukha Svanasana

Exhale back to Down Dog

14. High Lunge

Inhale the right foot back in between thehands in a lunge. Inhale

15. Uttanasana(Standing Forward Bend)

Exhale stepping the left foot forward to touchthe right, folding back in over

the legsin a forward bend.

16. Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)

Inhale and sweep your arms upkeeping your shoulders moving down the back. Look up towards the thumbs.

17.Tadasana (Mountain pose)

Exhale the-hands back in front ofyour heart.

Sweaty Betty sale ends Nov 7th

2011-11-03T15:57:00.001Z

Sweat Betty have an online sale on at the moment, with many items almost half price. Here are a few of the tanks on offer all in gorgeous colours. Sale ends November 7th.

Lots of yoga and fitness items to choose from.

Flex Vest
£25.00 £50.00

Quote of the day

2011-11-02T16:25:00.000Z

The smile is a very important feature of the human face. But because of human intelligence ,even that good part of human nature can be used in the wrong way, such as sarcastic smiles or diplomatic smiles, which only serve to create suspicion. I feel that a genuine affectionate smile largely depends on ones own attitude.It is illogical to expect smiles from others if one does not smile oneself.
Therefore, one can see that many things depend on ones own behaviour.

Dali Lama

Yoga and back pain: study shows yoga to be more effective than conventional medical treatments

2011-11-01T22:05:00.000Z

Interesting article about practising yoga in order to relieve back pain in The Times today by Hannah Devlin.

After a 12-week course of yoga, patients with long-term back pain reported less discomfort, performed better physically and were more confident in performing everyday tasks than those offered conventional GP care.

While improvements were most pronounced at three months, immediately after the yoga course, people who were assigned to the yoga group still had less pain a year after the start of the study.

David Torgerson, director of the Trials Unit at the University of York, said: "Doctors should be able to suggest yoga classes as an approach that could help."
The study, published today in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, assigned 156 patients to yoga classes and a control group of 157 patients to standard GP care. Those in the control group received a range of interventions, including mild pain relief medication, physiotherapy and advice to remain active and avoid heavy lifting. On average, members of the yoga group were able to undertake 30 per cent more activities compared with those in the usual care group after three months.

Lower back pain affects 80 per cent of the UK population at some point. It is estimated that about 4.9 million working days a year are lost to it, but few effective, evidence-based treatments exist.

The yoga programme, which involved 20 experienced yoga teachers, was designed by Alison Trewhela, from Truro, Cornwall, an Inyegar Yoga teacher and Senior Practitioner in Yoga on the British Register of Complementary Practitioners.

The classes were designed for complete beginners, with yoga teachers given extra training in back care. Participants were recruited from 39 general practices in seven Primary Care Trust areas, with classes held in non-NHS premises in Cornwall, North London, West London, Manchester and York.

Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research UK, said: "This trial is part of our larger commmitment to seek self-help solutions to this common musculoskeletal problem. There are compelling explanations why yoga may be helpful and this trial lends powerful support to the wider use of this approach."

Sue Faulkner, 68, from Bishopthorpe in York, who took part in the trial said that yoga had helped her to resume hobbies and a more active life.

"Walking around is no longer a problem and I can do my gardening now so long as I pace myself", she said. "I've even taken on an allotment with my daughter and son-in-law and no longer take painkillers."

Hannah Devlin, The Times, Tuesday 1st November 2011

Yoga Jam - Friday 25th November

2011-11-01T20:44:00.001Z

Yoga Jam
Friday 25th November 7:30 - 10:30pm
The House of Yoga, London

Enjoy a funky and uplifting 90 minute vinyasa class, taught by some of The House of Yoga's fantastic teachers, who will be sharing their love of yoga in a fun and energetic way. The night will finish off with some nibbles, drinks and great conversation.

Tickets cost £15 and all proceeds go to the Africa Yoga Project (www.africayogaproject.org).Visit www.thehouseofyoga.co.uk for directions.

Mysore back bending with Patthabi Jois

2011-10-31T17:32:00.001Z

Some amazing old footage from Mysore with Sri K Pattabhi Jois.

Quote of the day

2011-10-29T16:03:00.003+01:00

Our experiences and feelings are mainly related to our bodies and minds. We know from our daily experiences that mental happiness is beneficial.For instance, through two people may face the same kind of tragedy, one person may face it more easily than the other due to his or her mental attitude.

Dalai lama

Yoga weekend in Norfolk 2012

2011-10-27T08:45:00.005+01:00

Taking time out to focus on yourself and your yoga practice can really recharge the batteries, and can often take you to another level with your yoga.

Rachel is running a yoga weekend at the beautiful Morley Old Hall in Norfolk in May 2012; all details listed below.

Made me smile to see cake is also available. All about the balance ;-)

Yoga Holiday in Norfolk, May 2012

Come and join us at Morley Old Hall, Wymondham (nr Norwich), Norfolk for 3 days (2 nights) of yoga, relaxation and delicious food!

The weekend will include:

5 yoga sessions + 2-3 meditation sessions
One-to-one work during breaks (optional)
bed, breakfast, lunch, dinner, all refreshments (dietary requirements catered for) and housekeeping (oh and cake of course!)
Pick-ups from and to local station
Plenty of chill-out time to read, write, go for walks or anything else you fancy doing
For those of us who can't live without it, we'll even have free wi-fi!!
All of the yoga sessions are multi-level and the holiday is suitable for beginners as well.

Date: 25-27 May 2012
Price: £399 per person based on sharing an en-suite room with one other (single supplements available)
Early Bird price of £349 if paid in full before 31 December 2011.
Deposit: £100 to secure your place.

Contact for booking and further details:
T: 01223 479070/07985 779892
E: rachel@massage-movement.co.uk
W: http://massage-movement.co.uk

Astanga yoga book review-Lino Miele

2011-10-26T08:45:00.004+01:00

This book written by Astanga yoga teacher Lino Miele is now in its 8th edition.It was was written by Lino under the guidance and direction of Sri K. Patthabi Jois and records the exact number of vinyasa (breath-movement sequencing) for each posture in both the primary and second series.

I personally have never practised the coming to stand at the end of each vinyasa, but most of the breath counts are very familiar to me. Although I think it would be interesting to see how (and why) some of this has changed over the years.

Perhaps the new directer of the Ashtanga yoga institute (KPJAYI) in Mysore, Sharath Jois, who is continuing the lineage of ashtanga yoga (handed down from his grandfather Patthabi Jois), will revise this count sometime in the future?!

It is a great guide for anyone practising ashtanga yoga and a fantastic reference book for accurate breath in this wonderful system.

Yoga and stretching both ease chronic back pain

2011-10-25T10:12:00.006+01:00

By Genevra Pittman

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Weekly yoga classes eased pain and improved functioning in a study of patients with chronic lower back pain; but the yoga sessions weren't any better than regular stretching classes. Participants in both types of classes had better functioning and fewer symptoms after three months than patients in a control group.

"We've known for a while that exercise is good for back pain," said Dr. Timothy Carey, from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, who wrote a commentary published with the study. Yoga, he told Reuters Health, "seems to be a perfectly good option for people with back pain, but it is not a preferred option."

Finding that yoga and stretching had about equal effects means it was probably the stretching involved in yoga, and not the relaxation or breathing components of the practice, that helped improve functioning and pain symptoms, researchers said today in Archives of Internal Medicine.

The study involved 228 adults with long-lasting back pain, randomly assigned to three groups. The first two groups went to either weekly yoga or stretching classes for 12 weeks and were asked to practice on their own between classes. Both types of classes focused on stretching and strengthening the lower back and legs.

Patients in the third group were given a book with back pain-related exercise and lifestyle advice and information on managing flare-ups.

After the 12-week programme, people in the two intervention groups had significantly lower scores on a questionnaire measuring how much pain interferes with daily activities, compared to those given the book.

The questionnaire rated daily "disability" level on a scale of zero to 23, with 23 being the most severe. The exercise groups dropped from an initial average score of 10 in the yoga group or nine in the stretching group to between four and five in both groups. The control group went from a baseline score of nine to about a seven at 12 weeks.

Sixty percent of people in the yoga group reported improvements in pain, compared to 46% in the stretching classes and just 16% of controls.

Three months after the end of classes, symptom improvements were similar in people who had done either stretching or yoga, and still better than in the third, non-exercise group.

And at both the end of class sessions and three months later, about 40% of the class participants reported cutting back on pain medications, vs 20% in the control group.

"Here is an option that is something worth trying," said Karen Sherman from the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle, who led the study.

With either stretching or yoga classes, she told Reuters Health, practice is a must for patients. "There is absolutely no treatment that works for everybody... (but) if they're willing to practice, they should go ahead and give it a try."

Dr. Carey said the findings suggest that the best type of exercise for people with back pain depends on their preferences and what's convenient.

"It's important that people do exercise they enjoy," he said. "That way, they're more likely to stick with it."

The study was funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

While it didn't include people with severe back pain - therefore the findings don't necessarily apply to them - Dr. Carey said that "almost anyone with back pain can benefit from stretching exercises."

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/ruTGPD

Tom Lowes, osteopath at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy

Ashtanga Yoga: How To Jump Back with Kino MacGregor and Daylene Christensen

2011-10-24T22:57:00.001+01:00

Quote of the day

2011-10-24T21:08:00.005+01:00

"Truth resides in the heart of every man.
And it is there that he must seek it, in order to be guided by it so that, at the least, it will appear to him.
But we do not have the right to force others to see the truth in our way."
Mahatma Gandhi

Pose of the day

2011-10-22T20:17:00.003+01:00

Uttanasana-Forward fold, originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk.

Uttanasana (Forward fold)

David Swenson Triyoga London 2011

2011-10-21T07:57:00.006+01:00

The wonderful ashtanga yoga teacher David Swenson will be in London from the 18th - 27th November 2011. As mentioned in previous posts, David was my first yoga teacher many years ago. I was able to catch up with him again at a Triyoga workshop last year. Despite a 16 year gap, he was just the same; funny, generous and with a mountain of knowledge to share. It was in this workshop that I came to a standing position from a backbend for the first (and last) time, well almost...

I would recommend getting along to one of the many workshops on offer. They range from led classes to teacher training, so choose wisely.

Many of my students feel slightly intimidated by practising with someone like David, but there really is no need to be.

Triyoga soho London: 2nd floor, Kingly Court, Soho, London W1B 5PW.

Nearest Tube: Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Piccadilly Circus

Website: www.triyoga.co.uk/soho

The Yoga Show London Olympia 2011

2011-10-20T08:32:00.004+01:00

The Yoga Show will be held at London Olympia again this year. It's a great opportunity to try out different styles of yoga and buy yoga books, props, etc.

I would recommend choosing which workshops you would like to attend (this applies to the free ones) and getting yourself in the queue early, as these sessions get very busy and have restricted numbers. I would also recommend you are selective where you place your email addresses on show stands, unless you want to receive a lot of yoga emails ;-). Enjoy

Sample a wide range of yoga and pilates. Open sessions are for all levels of experience including beginners, and are the ideal way to try something new. Sessions are held with some of the country's leading teachers and professional organisations.

WorkshopsTake a longer class and experience the teaching styles of talented inspirational teachers. A chance to try a different style of yoga including popular fusions influenced by yoga, pilates, dance and music.

ExhibitionVisit over 200 exhibition stands covering all aspects of Yoga, Pilates, Ayurveda and naturally healthy products. From mats to bolsters, bags & belts to holidays, teacher training and clothing.

Children's yogaGive your child the gift of yoga, all sessions are free of charge..

Tel: +44 (0)1787 224040

Fax: +44 (0)1787 223535
Email: info@primeimpact.co.uk

And then there were three...

2011-10-18T09:07:00.005+01:00

So my son has gone off to university, leaving a bit of a gap in our household.

Gone are the football boots strewn around the floor, the smoke alarm blaring when he cooks any food, late night worrying “is he home?”, the random chanting that he sometimes does, drum and base music blaring from the top of the house... This has been replaced with discussions on the telephone about his course, student life and the never changing topic “can I have some money?”

He did a marvellous job on Skype recently showing me his ribs and telling me all about his lack of nutritious food. So a quick online payment into his bank account settled this and - judging by his facebook status - this nutrition came via a Manchester night club. Little darling!

Looking forward to having his smiley home for a few days soon. (Oops, maybe we look a bit too happy in the photograph?!)

Mum and baby beauty morning at Melvita Putney

2011-10-16T10:30:00.000+01:00

"Who hasn’t been to the lovely Mum & Baby Beauty Morning at Melvita in The Exchange Centre yet? It’s every Tuesday from 9.30 am where Craig and his team will welcome you with refreshments as well as delightful organic pampering treatments! Also don’t miss out on their current offer on their hypoallergenic and paediatrician approved baby range: Free Full Size Nappy Change Milk when you buy 2 Mum or Baby products (excluding soap)*. What’s not to love?

Not only does Melvita have the most gorgeous range of organic products- they are fully active in community life in Putney-Pop along for a treat and to meet other mums and babies.

Melvita Putney – Unit 22 The Exchange Shopping Centre Putney High Street London SW15 1TW – Tel: 020 8704 1670

Yoga Retreat Wiltshire

2011-10-13T09:31:00.005+01:00

I just spent a wonderful weekend facilitating a yoga retreat at Littleton Mill in Wiltshire. Littleton Mill is an Eco house and everything about it has been sourced this way. It is a working mill and the house is powered by the mill, so it feels almost like the house has a heartbeat when you lie on your mat in Savasana.

The food is all home made on-site and was fabulous; organic vegetarian food and plenty of it.

There were 10 of us on the retreat weekend and the group dynamics worked perfectly. 9 busy women taking some time out to practice yoga and "just be" or, as I like to think of it, a bit of "spiritual banking". During our Sunday morning yoga practice, two swans with their 5 babies swam up to the window to look at us. Everyone carried on with their practice, but it was with big smiles that they did so. Feel a spring retreat might be in the air.

Quote of the day

2011-10-06T08:59:00.002+01:00

The first condition of humanness is a little humility and a little diffidence about the correctness of ones conduct and a little receptiveness.
Mahatma Ghandi

Polka dot yoga bag by DevonRed

2011-10-06T08:35:00.004+01:00

I am trying out my beautiful Polka dot yoga mat bag from DevonRed. DevonRed is a small independent business based in Exeter, making handmade yoga bags and products.

The yoga bag is bright and sunny and has enough room inside it for me to place my keys and lipstick should I need to. I am loving my bag and eye pillow.

To view all products go to www.devonred.com or to follow DevonRed on Twitter

Garden yoga moment Mysore style

2011-09-30T20:51:00.001+01:00

Garden yoga moment Mysore style, originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk.

Beautiful day in London today, so I took the opportunity to bust a yoga pose or two, while sitting in my garden. Check out the vest top!

Art of yoga adjustments

2011-09-29T08:06:00.003+01:00

As my yoga teacher lives in another country, I have to take yoga adjustments where I can. My husband is a handy man for this as he is an Osteopath with an MSc in Sports Medicine. Trusting your assistant is key!

Kurmasana Supta Kurmasana Transition with Kino MacGregor

2011-09-28T08:56:00.000+01:00

Strong Legs and Healthy Backbends in Laghuvajrasana with Kino MacGregor & Julia Lofstrand

2011-09-11T20:26:00.000+01:00

Straight arms with hands near the feet? I thought hands were near the knees! I'm going to give this variation a go.

Is Ashtanga yoga addictive?

2011-09-11T18:16:00.006+01:00

I am rereading Guruji: A Portrait of Sri K Patthabi Jois and have come across an item written by Ashtanga teacher John Scott in which he was asked:

Do you think ashtanga yoga attracts a particular kind of person?

"I think it definitely attracts people who have an obsessive nature or an addictive nature I think the practice itself can be addictive, which is so clever. So anyone who has had a drug habit, for example, is perfect because you can swap one addiction for the yoga practice addiction. Now when you start working with the addiction of yoga, the not doing the yoga is a yoga in itself".

John goes on to say that for 5 years he practised every day and didn't want to miss a day. He says he was addicted and scared to "not do it for fear of letting it go". He also goes onto say how he feels Patthabi Jois understood this and put in full and dark moon days/rest days to give us an opportunity not to practice, "so people with obsessive natures are also challenged within the practice, to let go of the practice".

I found this a fascinating insight into to how the series is made up in a way to address some of the above issues. Of course, in the great scheme of things, having an addiction to yoga, is better than having an addiction to heroin or the likes; but addiction to anything holds us back.

By having a regular mindful yoga practice and adhering as best as you can to the roots of the practice, you can embrace the changes that your yoga will bring and break down patterns that no longer work for you. This of course takes time and is what yoga is about. There is no fast track or quick fix with yoga, which is why having a teacher who has practised themselves for many years is very important to me. Staying close to the Ashtanga linage enables me to see the changes in my life and in the way I practice yoga.

Thank you to John Scott for sharing how it was for him in the early days. This resonated with me.

Gurui: A portrait of Sri K Pattabhi Jois

John Scott full item page 356

108 Sun Salutation Fundraiser Event, 18th September- Shoreditch, London

2011-09-06T17:37:00.004+01:00

In the summer of 2009 my lovely friend, and fellow yoga teacher Georgina went to Rwanda to do three months of voluntary yoga teaching with HIV+ survivors of genocide and rape. Below is her story and why she is doing this fantastic fund raising event. Please contact her if you would like to attend or make a donation.

108 Sun Salutation Fundraiser Event, 18th September- Shoreditch, London

109 Sun Salutations-2009 Photography by Tracey Fahy

"You may remember that in summer 2009 I went to Rwanda to do three months of voluntary yoga teaching with It was a life changing experience and spurred my decision to train as an Art Psychotherapist to gain new skills and resources, including art and yoga, with which to assist people with mental and physical therapeutic health needs.

A group of yoga practitioners I teach in Shoreditch have decided they want to take up the challenge of doing 108 Sun Salutations so we are taking this opportunity to fundraise for We-Actx who offer clinical services and voluntary counseling and testing, and Project Air, (the now independent and expanded yoga branch of the organization I volunteered with in 2009) who offer healing yoga to women and children survivors.

I will be leading the Sun Salutations and this is a call out to all who would like to join this challenge. There are approximately 10 places available (maybe a few more if there is a lot of interest and feel free to share the spot with someone – in which case you’d both do 54 Sun Salutations each). This is also a call out for donations which are also welcome, however small.

Why 108? why indeed! For information on the significance of this auspicious number pursue the link

For more information, call or text me on 07768 628 581 or email: georgina@cowrieyoga.com

Ashtanga Yoga : Chakrasana, Backwards Rolling with Kino MacGregor and Daylene Christensen

2011-09-05T10:00:00.001+01:00

Vegetarian recipes: Four Bean Indian Salad

2011-09-05T09:11:00.004+01:00

This delicious salad is from Yogi Kitchen, a foodie's delight of a blog site. Head over to their website for lots of wonderful dishes.

Four Bean Indian Salad

Adapted from Mysore Style Cooking by V. Sandhya
Serves 2

Ingredients

250 g (8oz) green beans
1 handful fresh dill, chopped
4-5 tbsp toor dhal
4-5 tbsp mung beans (whole)
4 tbsp sprouted mung beans
4 tbsp minced red bell pepper
4 - 5 cups of water
Salt to taste

Tempering

1 tsp oil
1 tsp black mustard seeds
2 red chillies, minced
1/2 tsp asafetida
2 tbsp coconut, (grated fresh is ideal if you have it, we used dried)

Instructions

Chop green beans into small pieces. Chop the dill finely.
In a heavy bottomed pot place the toor dhal and mung beans and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft not mushy.
Add the chopped fresh green beans and dill. Cook well until they become just soft.
Add salt to taste, then drain the water and set both broth aside and place the vegetables in a large bowl.
Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed saute pan, add the mustard seeds and when they pop add the chillies and asafetida, then the grated coconut. Stir for a few minutes, then add to the vegetables along with the bell pepper, stir and serve immediately or chill for later.
Sandhya recommends that you can drink the remaining broth anytime with pepper and lemon juice added.

Pose of the day

2011-09-04T11:46:00.004+01:00

Dwi Pada Sirsasana variation, originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk.

Dwi Pada Sirsasana variation (full postion feet behind the head.)

Ashtanga Yoga Intermediate Series: Karandavasana with Kino MacGregor and Julia Lofstrand

2011-09-03T19:53:00.002+01:00

I tried this pose for the first time earlier this summer. I managed to bring my knees down, assisted by my teacher, but getting them back up was a different story. I think this is a useful tip that Kino gives about practising from headstand first and moving the leg back to come into lotus makes sense. Now to practice and possibly fall on my head :-)

Yoga retreat Littleton Mill Wiltshire

2011-09-01T07:41:00.006+01:00

Weekend Yoga retreat with Cherie lathey

Littleton Mill, Wiltshire: 7th - 9th October 2011

The weekend ...

This is a yoga weekend to restore and recharge the batteries, before heading into winter hibernation.

It is suitable for those coming to yoga for the first time or for those who want to deepen their practice. This will be a small yoga group and we will be able to focus on individual needs in a calm and tranquil environment. Littleton Mill is a 17th century water mill in Wiltshire, which has been lovingly restored by Melissa and Richard Kendall.

The cost of the weekend is £250. This is on a shared room basis and includes all yoga and freshly prepared organic meals. There are a couple of “non-yoga” spaces available (at a reduced cost) for those who would like to bring a friend or partner to enjoy the peace and quiet on offer. There will be plenty of time to read, rest or walk in the beautiful countryside. Massage is available on request (not included in the price).

There are limited spaces available, so please contact me on ASAP if you would like to attend. Please forward to any friends that might like to join us.

For more information about this yoga retreat and/or to reserve your place, send an email to info@yogamama.co.uk or call me on 07939 58 90 83.

For a review of Littleton Mill http://littletonmill.co.uk/reviews.php

Yeo London! Let’s Yoga! In partnership with the Royal Parks Foundation

2011-08-31T15:05:00.005+01:00

Yeo London! Let’s Yoga!

In partnership with the Royal Parks Foundation

The Sunset Session 31st August 6pm, the Round Pond, Kensington gardens

Sunset yoga in one of London parks tonight

Wednesday 31st August at 6pm at the Round Pond at Kensington Gardens. You can register for the Sunset Session by clicking visiting www.yeolondon.com.

There is a £5.00 fee for this class, so if you're looking for some outdoor yoga in the heart of London town, head on down, or look online for more of these sessions coming soon.

Summer Back Bends Ibiza

2011-08-31T08:17:00.006+01:00

I have to take yoga assists where I can. On holiday in Ibiza earlier this summer my husband was recruited to help me with my "dropping back". He is not a yoga teacher, but as an osteopath with an MSc in Sports Science/Sports medicine, he has an excellent understanding of the body. It was a bit scary but I figured that he more than anyone was not going to drop me on my head ;-)

Ashtanga Yoga : Jumping In To Crow Posture, Bakasana with Kino MacGregor...

2011-08-29T10:20:00.001+01:00

I always find Kino's video clips useful. But how fast does she talk?

Bishopstrow House, Weekend Spa

2011-08-29T08:55:00.006+01:00

After a week of intense yoga practice and a week that saw my body have a collision with a piece of Germany's finest car engineering, my son not getting his university place of choice, and then getting two places, I was exhausted both physically and mentally. The change in the university plans meant I did not have to make the long drive to Newcastle, so I cancelled my trip and booked a place at Bishopstrow House for my husband and myself instead.

I have blogged about this Spa hotel before. It is a beautiful, old manor house set in gorgeous countryside and has a feel of being in another era. While swimming alone in the outdoor pool, I imagined this is what it would have been like for the Astors, of Clivedon house, without the scandal of Christine Keller and the Profumo affair.

I booked a garden room but when I arrived it had been given to someone else. I almost wept when I was given a room without a view. However, this was swiftly rectified and the unwinding process began.

The spa is so relaxing and - although it definitely feels a bit odd to wander around a Georgian country manor in your dressing gown - we soon fell into the swing of it and left Bishopstrow with our batteries fully recharged.

I would highly recommend this hotel if you are looking for a quiet place to unwind. Packages are available, so it is always worth asking.

Ashtanga yoga closing prayer

2011-08-28T08:07:00.003+01:00

Closing Prayer
Svastiprajabhyah Paripalayantam Nyayena Margena Mahim Mahisah
Gobrahmanebhyah Subhamastu Nitym Lokasamasta Sukhinobhavantu

May all be well with mankind
May the leaders of the Earth protect in every way by keeping to the right path
May there be goodness for those who know the Earth to be sacred.
May all the worlds be happy.

Sharath London Ashtanga tour 2011

2011-08-26T11:27:00.005+01:00

Whoa, what a week I have had... Last Friday my teenage son backed a heavy bit of German motor car into me, resulting in some heavy duty bruising on my legs. Shoulder, elbow and wrist injuries were also part of the deal too.

On Saturday I had treatment on these and called Hamish at Ashtanga yoga London to see if he recommended that I still attend the week long workshop with Sharath. He suggested coming as the yoga would "help with the healing". I expressed my concerns at having to modify my practice and that - having never practiced yoga with Sharath before - he might go too hard on me. I couldn't have been more wrong!

Sharath took me under his wing (along with many other students) and gently assisted me into my backbends. A light gentle touch which conveyed "I'm here, it's okay", softly encouraging me on the way.

By day two or three I was up on my own and he quietly said "very good". By Thursday I was feeling much stronger and finding my flow in the practice. Once again a word of encouragement at the end of the yoga session: "practice really improving".

Friday's practice was fun and fast, and it was lovely to be along side some of the twitter shala and share the energy of those who had been doing the second series all week.

Sharath is now the guru in Mysore, following in the footsteps of his grandfather Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. I don't think this can be an easy path; transitions are often difficult and change is not always welcome. I suppose this leads me to say why I was apprehensive about attending with my injuries. I had heard stories about the count, the pace and the discipline, which left me with preconceived ideas about the new guru. What I found was a gentle unassuming man, who was able to scan the room of 150 + people and see who needed his attention. He was humble, gentle and without frills.

I feel very privileged to have been able to spend a week with Sharath and to share the experience with so many others. It is amazing as a Londoner to be in a room full of strangers (mostly) and feel like you are part of a community; breathing, sweating and chanting together and then going off into the city and doing your best to live yoga. As Sharath said in his parting words " London needs yoga".

A big thank you to Astanga yoga London for organising this event and to Hamish for the wise words of wisdom that enabled me to embark on this adventure: "the yoga will be healing".

Tired but happy.

Quote of the day

2011-08-22T16:21:00.002+01:00

Be a lamp unto yourself. Workout your liberation with diligence.

Buddha

Quote of the day

2011-08-16T10:51:00.001+01:00

Our sorrow and wounds are only healed when we touch them with compassion.
Buddha

The Yoga Show 2011

2011-08-16T10:16:00.004+01:00

Tickets for the yoga show are not yet on sale, but there is still space available if you wish to run a stall.

www.theyogashow.co.uk

Pose of the day.

2011-08-13T20:37:00.001+01:00

Ustrasana (Camel variation), originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk.

Ustrasana (Camel variation)

Here come the boys-Men and yoga

2011-08-11T08:30:00.004+01:00

Here is the quite unusual vision of an all male yoga group.

This was taken on my holiday and they are all either related to me, or very close family friends (husband and son included).

Most publication items that are widely available about yoga, will usually have a a nubile, lycra clad female on the cover. Those that do have a male on the cover (few and far between) will either have s very strong looking man with rippling biceps, doing an arm balance that looks pretty unachievable to the novice. Or a ballet dancer type, looking off into the distance, with one leg wrapped somewhere round his neck.

The benefits of yoga are well documented, and many sports men and women are using yoga alongside their regular activities, to help keep their bodies stay flexible and strong. Breathing techniques, which for me are the key aspect of yoga can help you deal with the stress and strain that life may bring ...So anyone from students to company directors ( as in these photos) can take to the yoga mat-regardless of where you can wrap your legs?!

So here are a few photos of the men in my life, doing their yoga thing......Front cover of yoga journal perhaps?

Will Power & Grace

2011-08-09T19:14:00.000+01:00

I tried a demo class of Will Power and Grace yesterday, and can hardly move my legs today :-)

Many of the moves I have seen before, in the good old days as an aerobics instructor ( although we always wore shoes then) . Not entirely certain its for me, but its fun and dynamic, and very reminiscent of the 80s feeing the burn...where are my leg warmers?

Ashtanga Yoga : Standing Up and Dropping Back, with Kino MacGregor and A...

2011-08-09T18:48:00.000+01:00

Whoa, not sure I will ever be able to do this? but good to observe how it is done.

Arj Barker Sickest Buddhist Funny clip

2011-08-04T11:27:00.000+01:00

This was shared by a twitter friend Mel-Funny poke at a number of things I can relate to.

Quote of the day

2011-08-02T08:34:00.003+01:00

" Attachment follows the experience of pleasure-Aversion follows the experience of pain-Clinging to life is the sentiment which causes its own potency to flow equally even in the wise-Their operations are to be got rid of by meditation"

Bengali Baba; Yogasutra Patanjali

Ashtanga Yoga : Building Strength to Jump Back from Bakasana or Crow Pose

2011-08-01T13:54:00.001+01:00

Blue Lagoon Ibiza

2011-08-01T13:11:00.002+01:00

Ibiza 2011 114, originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk.

On my recent trip to Ibiza, we visited a friend on a nearby island. This is where he gets to swim every day. I wont say exactly where it is as I think he likes having it to himself. ;-)

From London With Love by Jemma Forte

2011-07-21T10:25:00.005+01:00

From London with Love is the latest book published by the talented and funny writer, Jemma Forte. A book that will make you laugh out loud.

A novel story about a movie stars daughter fleeing Hollywood and her fathers reputation, to set up an anonymous life in London.

Jemma has had some fantastic reviews for her second book, which include:

"If you loved the devil wears Prada, you'll adore this... Fabulously funny " HEAT

"Wonderfully funny and heart felt" Company

Available from today at: http://www.amazon.co.uk

I came away from last night's book launch at Waterstones in Chelsea clutching my signed copy of the book, eagerly awaiting book three.

Cherie Lathey & Jemma Forte at Waterstones in Chelsea

Quote of the day

2011-07-19T12:01:00.003+01:00

Facts are not frightening. But if you try to avoid them, turn your back and run, then that is frightening.

Krishnamurti

Bishopstrow House, Hotel and Spa Warminster

2011-07-18T16:09:00.006+01:00

On a recent trip to Wiltshire to practice yoga, I stayed at this beautiful hotel; Bishopstrow House.

Having had months of "full-on" work commitments, this was a real treat indeed.

My room was beautiful and looked out over a private garden that made me think of Watership Down, with rabbits (that looked rather big, but then again I am a true Londoner) hopping around the lawn. I had an evening swim in the heated outdoor pool, which is a rarity in itself; finding an outdoor pool in the UK that is actually warm enough to swim in.

I headed over to the spa and had a steam and sauna followed by what can only be described as the most unusual shower I have ever had.

Being a new spa the double shower gave you a push button choice to the kind of shower you would like to choose. I choose the Caribbean storm. I stood in the shower and closed my eyes as a fine warm mist sprayed onto my face; gorgeous! There were sound effects playing too, so when a thunder clap started, I should have taken note. The next thing I knew I felt like someone had chucked a bucket of really cold water over me and I screamed out loud. I left the shower laughing to myself and sat back in the steam room, only to hear another unsuspecting guest take to the shower. She too must have picked the Caribbean storm experience, as it wasn't long before I heard her scream as well.

I had breakfast in my room which was delicious and the restaurant menu looked amazing. I will definitely return to Bishopstrow House again. One night felt like a few days of rest for me. I will bring my husband next time and sit and listen to his reaction to the interesting shower arrangement.

Nancy Gilgoff Ashtanga workshop Wiltshire

2011-07-14T08:02:00.005+01:00

I have been very fortunate to be able to practice yoga with Nancy many times. She is a wonderful teacher, both on and off the mat.

On her recent travels, I was able to catch up with Nancy in a few different locations, which really enabled me to progress in my physical yoga practice.

I don't think I need to write which poses I have (or don't have), which is why I am just posting a few photos to show that if you are practising yoga, you are on a journey of discovery within, regardless of what poses you are able to do.

Intermediate Ashtanga Series-Pattabhi Jois

2011-07-11T15:47:00.002+01:00

As I have just started practising to the end of the intermediate series, I have been on the look out for some video clips. I came across Sri Pattabhi Jois teaching this section. Fascinating to watch and lovely to hear his calm, gentle voice teaching the practice. I hasten to add my version of the intermediate series vaguely resembles these. Yogis... practice, practice, practice!!!

From pregnancy to giving birth with yoga.

2011-07-07T08:23:00.007+01:00

Dr Françoise Barbira Freedman presents:

From pregnancy to giving birth with yoga:

A birthlight workshop

Sunday 24 July 2011 5– 7pm

Triyoga Primrose Hill

Everyone is welcome

£50 per couple or £25 for one person.

In Ayurveda, as well as in other world traditions, pregnancy is a special time for mothers to grow strong and well together with their babies.

This workshop is for mothers to be and partners (or supporting close friend or relative) and it is based on the principles of Birthlight, a charitable trust founded by Dr. Freedman.

Birthlight aims to promote the greater enjoyment of pregnancy, birth and babies using Yoga and breathing methods to enhance your and your baby’s well-being. Birth 'light' refers to giving birth lightly, without undue strain on the body and making full use of the breath, it also refers to the ‘light’ that can shine around birth. The workshop teachings are based on using the flow of breath in relaxed stretches and adapting classic yoga postures for women's needs in pregnancy, after birth and for reproductive health generally.

As well as teaching pregnancy yoga and training pregnancy yoga teachers, Françoise works as a medical anthropologist at the University of Cambridge and lectures in midwifery and women's health studies for the NHS. She considers her four children her finest accomplishment.

Call 020 7483 3344 to book for a single place - you can't do this online.

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