In the last post, I talked about some of the benefits of yoga practised as a ‘flow’, or continuous movement synchronising each movement with an inhale or exhale. Now let's look at some possible pitfalls with this approach as it’s often practised in yoga classes. I feel this is a relevant topic as vinyasa (1) [...]
What is Flow in yoga and is it a good thing? This month in class our theme is Breath and Flow. In particular, exploring sun salutations and other linked sequences of movement/breath. Here’s my definition: Flow in yoga is a sequence of continuous, linked movements, synchronised with the breath, usually repeated a number of [...]
Tips for Starting Yoga “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind there are few.” Shunryu Suzuki, Zen teacher 1. Body Awareness - Embracing the challenge! In yoga we are paying attention to sensations we feel in the body. It makes you more aware of what’s going on in your [...]
In meditation, there is a distinction made between formal and informal practice. So, when someone says, “running/art/music is my meditation", that could be called informal practice. The kind of ‘flow state’ we might access in these activities is informed by the foundation of regular, formal sitting meditation, where the skills of consistent practice (focus, self-regulation [...]
One of things I now love about integrating more progressive functional movement and strength training into yoga is the benefits of upper body strength. For much of my yoga life, I have felt like I’m cheating and dipping out of body weight moves because they were too much for me. Like many women or people [...]
5 reasons why functional movement can add great value to your yoga practice In the last decade or so, strength and mobility training - what is called functional movement - has started filtering into yoga classes. Finally yogis are learning from the latest movement science outside of yoga. In my own yoga practice, and in [...]
Committing to Yoga as a Way of Life Two years after I committed to a regular ashtanga yoga practice, I also had two small children and a part time job. By the time the second child turned one year old, my yoga had dwindled to lying on my mat essentially napping twice a [...]
It all came down to nervous system regulation. Not words I was familiar with at the beginning. I started yoga with commitment when I was 29, after a couple of years of trying out classes occasionally. What got me hooked was my first Ashtanga class. 90 super tough minutes of led primary series, which left [...]
For many people, the thought of going on a yoga retreat is, on first reaction, unappealing. Even if you enjoy a regular yoga class, a whole day or week of yoga might seem like more than enough. If you have a weekend or week off, there are lots of fun things you can do; you [...]
I was away in India over Easter, and enjoyed taking my movement practice outside and being warm! Daily sea swimming, beach running & walking, as well as outdoor yoga and my own inventions of strength training-using rocks as weights, feet/ankle/ balancing work on handy branches and boulders (possibly to the amusement of more relaxed holiday [...]
