To rest, relax and restore is essential in today’s society where stress levels are rising. To rest deeply is to experience absolute relaxation, where there is effortless stillness, quietness and peace. Restorative Yoga provides bespoke restorative postures, specific yoga based sequences, breath awareness practices and relaxation. Open to both men and women this class is suitable for couples trying to conceive naturally or through IVF (providing you have been referred by your IVF consultant). The physical focus of the postures is to create space and ease and to optimize the blood flow to the muscles and connective tissues in the lower pelvis. On an emotional level, the benefits of restorative yoga and the haven of a safe, nurturing environment, can help both men and women cope with the stress associated with trying to conceive and to increase the ability to self nurture, deeply relax and accept where they are in the process. Our restorative fertility classes are in conjunction...

The tongue, like a sharp knife, kills without drawing blood. Buddha

I am about to start this detox from Littleton Mill. I think this is a brilliant idea, and the price makes it pretty affordable. I'm hoping to cleanse and purify my body before the Christmas madness takes it toll. I have run retreats at the Mill,- the team make the most wonderful food and are renowned for their detox weekends ( Kate Moss is a fan). I will post here about my experience ...watch this space...... Littleton Mill's experienced team of nutritional advisors, fitness instructors and wellbeing experts have helped hundreds of people transform their health through our juice cleansing program. Now for the first time you can benefit from a formula that has been developed and refined by our experts, all in one package: The Detox Box. We want everyone to be able to experience our signature juice cleansing program, so we have made the Detox Box affordable and easy to use. Enjoy the benefits of a professional retreat program from the comfort of your o...

There was an interesting article by Peta Bee in The Times this week about the growing number of people who are turning to a restorative yoga practice. It’s time to slow down your hot yoga moves by Peta Bee Somewhere along its path to finding inner peace, yoga seems to have lost its way. For the past decade and more we have embraced the ancient practice in our droves. We have rushed from our high-pressured jobs and snatched time to keep up and it has progressed to being a gym-class staple with lightening pace. Getting ashtanga arms and a Bikram butt became our obsession as we pushed ourselves into postures more frenetically than its original devotees would have ever done. Yoga is now suggestive of competitive stretching by lithe, super-bendy bodies and an emphasis on sweat. Yet just as we got used to the ever more dynamic downward dog, there is an opposing trend emerging among those who are trying to slow it back down. Fed up with being wedged into a room packed to capacity...

Eight hour Studio is a beautiful luxury and contemporary range of sleep wear. Every item is hand made and constructed from 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. The fabrics are hand wood block printed using colours made from AZO free dyes. Eight Hour Studio has an absolutely beautiful website . I shall definitely be looking them up when they are at The OM Yoga Show in London this October.

Whilst reading Gurji Portrait of Sri K. Patthabi Jois I came 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 practise, "so people with obsessive natures are also ...

SUPPORTING PREGNANT STUDENTS IN A REGULAR YOGA CLASS   CPD with Cherie Lathey of Yoga Mama at Yoga at The Space, Studland, Dorset  SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2015, 10AM-4PM Pregnancy is an amazing personal journey for a woman, both mentally and physically. Practising yoga during pregnancy can help women adapt to these changes in a positive way. Many yoga teachers often feel they do not have enough information or the confidence to integrate pregnant women into their general classes. This one day CPD workshop will be led by Cherie Lathey, Director and Senior Yoga Teacher of Yoga Mama, and is approved by Yoga Alliance UK. This will be both a discussion and practical workshop. Teachers will leave feeling confident they have the relevant information to safely support their pregnant students. The workshop will include: General precautions and guidelines How hormones can affect your student both physically and emotionally Common ailments of pregnancy and how to work wit...

In July 1915, one of the world's most respected and revered yoga gurus was born under a full moon in Kowshika, India. The teachings of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois went on to influence infinite practices and practitioners around the world. On what is the 100th anniversary of his birth, we honour his legacy here with infinite gratitude and humility. Thank you Guruji. Gratitude for one's guru can be a very private experience. However, for those who are comfortable publicly share their experiences with Guruji, we're using hashtag #guruji100 on Instagram so that everyone may contribute whatever content they choose.

A video of ashtanga yoga students practising around the world, will be released on the full moon day of 31 July 2015. It will show the global influence that Pattabhi Jois has had on so many people; many of whom (including myself) have never even met him. This video will show students simply showing up on their mats and practising yoga. This is a wonderful, moving tribute to Guruji who dedicated his life to Ashtanga yoga. A fitting celebration/dedication to a wonderful man in what would have been his 100th birthday year.

The anti-ageing benefits of yoga Regardless of what may happen, we are all going to age. However, it is how we age both mentally and physically that will affect our quality of life. According to yoga philosophy it is the flexibility of the spine that determines the age. You only have to look at yoga gurus - both past and present - to see that a regular yoga practice has a huge effect on the ageing process. The body is supple and mobile and the brain remains active well into old age. Many yoga teachers look more youthful than their birth age and remain “young at heart”, living active lives well into their 90's. The current trend for a quick fix under the surgeons scalpel is just that; a “quick fix” to make one look youthful on the outside, while the rest of the body is degenerating in the usual way. Yoga and a yogic lifestyle allows the body to slow the ageing process down. How? Stress is a major factor in ageing. By learning to control and use your breath (pranayama) to help...

If you are too clever, you could miss the point completely... Patrul Rinpoche Taken from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

I absolutely love this footage. Thank you to  grimmly2007  for finding and sharing this gem.

PRENATAL PILATES SATURDAY MORNINGS,  11:15AM - 12:15PM Prenatal Pilates can help retrain your muscles to accommodate to the changes your body is undergoing throughout your pregnancy. Many women find Pilates helps some of the common ailments associated with pregnancy such as back and pelvic pain. It is a safe and effective way to strengthen the core muscles including the pelvic floor. It is recommend you attend in the second or third trimester. Join our Physiotherapist and Prenatal and Postnatal Pilates Instructor, Rachel Druce, for this course and see the benefits for yourself! COST AND BOOKINGS Yoga Mama Prenatal Pilates class passes cost £84 (6 classes to be used within 8 weeks). To enrol on this course, call  0208 789 3881 or send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk . CLASS PASSES Yoga Mama operates a class pass system on Prenatal Yoga and Pilates courses. Class passes cost £84 for 6 classes, which must be used within 8 weeks. Upon enrolling on a c...

  RESTORATIVE YOGA WEDNESDAY EVENINGS, 8-9PM Unwind at the end of your day with a class that starts with gentle, yet strengthening yoga stretches and breath work, before moving toward restorative yoga, using props (bolsters, blankets, blocks, straps, eye bags) to support the body, create comfort and minimize muscular tension, which in turn helps to relax the nervous system, rest the adrenal glands, fostering a deep sense of well-being. This class is suitable for all levels of experience and flexibility. It is also suitable for people returning to yoga practice after a spell away, or any one working with injuries or health conditions. Above all, it's an hour where individuals can switch off from the pace of London life and tune into themselves. BOOKINGS This 8-week restorative yoga course costs £112. To book your place, call 020 8789 3881 or send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk .

Yoga is possible for anybody who really wants it. Yoga is universal. But don’t approach yoga with a business mind looking for worldly gain. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

4-WEEK ASHTANGA YOGA FOR BEGINNERS COURSE STARTS SATURDAY 25 APRIL, 8:45AM We are pleased to announce that Yoga Mama will be offering a new 4-week ashtanga yoga for beginners course which starts on Saturday 25 April, 8.45am. The class will be led by Degy and is designed for beginners. Please note that this course is unsuitable for pregnant women who have not studied ashtanga yoga before. ABOUT THE COURSE The beginner course will teach you the grounding elements of Ashtanga Yoga. You will learn the main principles of this method, which are linking breath and movement. You will be taught the Surya namaska sequence and introduced to the standing postures. This particular method of yoga is ultimately practiced in what is called "Mysore style", where you move through the sequence at your own pace, in what becomes like a moving meditation. It is both dynamic and relaxing at the same time. ABOUT THE TEACHER Degy was introduced to the ashtanga yoga method here a...

Yoga Sadhana is a wonderful book and I would highly recommend it   Yoga Sadhana for Mothers gives very clear guidance on how to safely adapt.an ashtanga yoga practice during pregnancy-It is also is filled with wonderful honest accounts of womens experiences with yoga and pregnancy-   this is an inspiring, essential guide for any yoga student, yoga teacher - and mother . I can honestly say I have been waiting for someone to write a book like this for a long time.- a true  labour of love ( no pun intended) by Sharmila & Anna.  I am sure it will encourage women to enjoy their practice during pregnancy in a new way-.letting go.and embracing the changes.......

8, 9 AND 10 SEPTEMBER 2015 We are delighted to announce that internationally renowned ashtanga yoga teacher, Nancy Gilgoff, will be returning to Yoga Mama and The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy in September for three days of Mysore-style ashtanga yoga workshops. This is a unique opportunity to practice with Nancy, in her only teaching dates in London this year. Book early if you would like to attend, as places will go quickly. ABOUT NANCY GILGOFF Nancy is widely respected as one of the greatest pioneers of ashtanga yoga to the West. She was one of the first westerners to study ashtanga yoga over 30 years ago with K.Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. She is the director of Maui's House of Yoga and Zen. Her studies have led her to the dharma teachings of the Dalai Lama and the expression of love and compassion for all beings. We are honoured to host Nancy's only workshops in London this year. PROGRAMME OF EVENTS Tuesday 8th September (8:30am - 11:30am): Mysore ...

8, 9 AND 10 SEPTEMBER 2015 We are delighted to announce that internationally renowned ashtanga yoga teacher, Nancy Gilgoff, will be returning to Yoga Mama in September for three days of Mysore style workshops. This is a unique opportunity to practice with Nancy, in her only teaching dates in London this year. Book early if you would like to attend, as places will go quickly. BOOKINGS Bookings: call 020 8789 3881 or email info@putneyclinic.co.uk .