Skip to main content

Posts

BKS Iyengar -What a remarkable man.

Sad to hear the news of BKS Iyengar passing on to the next life What a truly remarkable man who studied and shared his knowledge of yoga to millions of people. His books have certainly influenced me-his dedication and wisdom stayed with him to the end. His mark on the world saw him nominated for the Noble Prize for peace.....lets hope we see more yogis follow in his "giant"  footsteps.

Boy Has Ears Created from Ribs

Our colleague, Neil Bulstrode (Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeon), recently took part in a pioneering operation which has brought new joy to a 9-year-old boy born without ears. Using cartilage taken from the ribcage, the team of surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital were able to construct new ears for him. Boy has ears created from ribs by Fergus Walsh, Medical Correspondent for the BBC A boy who was born without ears has had a pair created from his ribs. Nine-year-old Kieran Sorkin had the surgery at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital. About 100 children a year in the UK are born without one or both ears, a condition known as microtia. Kieran was born deaf with small lobes where his ears should be. He can already hear, thanks to previous surgery to implant a hearing aid. "I want people to stop asking me questions", said Kieran from Hertfordshire. "I'd like just to look like my friends. "I'd also like to be able to wear sunglass

Quiet London: Putney

As you probably already know, London is an exciting, vibrant and often noisy city. However, if you look hard enough you will also discover that it also has a quiet side. Writer, Siobhan Wall, has compiled a guide to quiet corners in and around the capital (some better known than others) and Yoga Mama are pleased to announce that we have been included in the book. Siobhan encourages Londoners and visitors to the city to wander away from the crowds and discover calm amid the hustle and bustle. Quiet London is a guide to over 100 quiet corners in and around the capital, bringing together a mix of peaceful gardens and green spaces to lose oneself in, and places that inspire rest, relaxation, meditation and mindful contemplation. We are honoured to have been chosen among a select group of quiet corners in London. Why not come along and find out for yourself? Our studio is located in a peaceful and tranquil environment in the heart of Putney, south-west London. Quiet London i

How heavy is your head?

This is a great image that really shows why posture is important, and why people working at computers should be especially mindful. Carrying around a 42lb head is going to hurt. Tuck that chin in and lengthen the spine. Thank you to The Putney clinic of Physical Therapy for displaying this on their notice board.

Karavandasana "crawl up" demonstration with Nancy Gilgoff.

I recently did a 2nd series Ashtanga yoga adjustment clinic with Nancy Gilgoff in Berlin. Here Nancy shows how to crawl up from lotus position when learning this pose-She also recommend practicing lotus legs whilst in headstand, to gain strength and find the lotus without using your hands- Nancy is nearer to 70 then she is to 60-what an inspiring woman she is. 

Looking at psoriasis the nutritional medicine way

by Fleur Borrelli, nutritionist at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy The skin and the brain are intricately linked. Both produce the same hormones and neurotransmitter substances. In the skin, serotonin should be converted to melatonin which acts as a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. It is no wonder, therefore, that the skin condition psoriasis is linked to both depression and anxiety disorders (1) . A lack of nutritional cofactors such as vitamins B6 and B12 may prevent this conversion in a biochemical process known as methylation. Geographical latitude may also influence incidence of psoriasis as beneficial sunlight is also needed to produce melatonin (2) . Overuse of sunscreens and lack of exposure to the sun will also inhibit the production of vitamin D, vitally important for the integrity of the barriers of the body which include the intestinal lining, the blood brain barrier, the synovial lining and of course the skin (3) . The function of the barriers is

Yoga and stress-related skin conditions

By Cherie Lathey, senior yoga teacher and director of Yoga Mama Many skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and atopic dermatitis can be triggered by or, indeed, made worse once an outbreak is present by stress. Some suffers will become self-conscious and even depressed which then causes a circular negative effect on the condition. Practising yoga and meditation can have a really positive effect on both the mind and body. We know helping to relieve stress can help to alleviate some of the symptoms or aggravating factors of skin conditions brought on by stress. While I am not suggesting yoga and meditation alone will cure psoriasis, it can definitely help. A gentle yoga practice and breathing techniques can have a profound effect on how we manage stress, and how we perceive ourselves in the world. Helping to balance moods and enabling a positive connection to the body by letting go of the negative feelings that might occur when a skin condition is present. Gentle poses