If yoga was dramatically anti ageing, something undeniably measurable and with guaranteed results for all, well, I’d be typing this from my retirement compound full of dogs with an ageing portrait of myself in the attic. However, there IS evidence that yoga in both its physical and philosophical forms does have some pretty positive impact…
Comfy & Curious These two concepts can be great cornerstones to a yoga practice whether you are a student or a teacher. Could they even be an extreme simplification of all you need to remember in class? So, what do they mean and how can we use them? It’s easy to look at the words…
Kirtan Kriya is a traditional meditation practice from Kundalini Yoga. It involves using the mantra (‘muntra’) “Sa Ta Na Ma” while touching the thumb to each fingertip in a sequence, but don’t lose interest just yet, you may be surprised at a modern application. There are lots of different types of meditation and landing on…
Understanding the Gunas in Yoga Philosophy, to me, is exactly like the fable of Goldilocks. I am no academic so the way I make sense and apply philosophy may seem silly or disrespectful to some but I strongly believe in finding an access point that everyone can understand immediately from the get go rather…
Yoga Like A Fine Wine? We all definitely end up settling into a style of yoga or a teacher that suits our tastes. Something tried and tested , does what it says on the label and dosn’t make us feel funny or leave us with a nasty taste. Like a good wine, yoga needs a…
Let’s lower some barriers to meditation. Play around with what feels good, and manageable for you individually. And understand there is no rule book, no blueprint, and no way to get it right or wrong. You can meditate in the morning, or in the evening, or both – there are no rules. You can sit,…
Finding Inner Peace: The True Meaning of Santosha In a world filled with constant change and external pressures, finding inner peace can seem like a daunting task. Yet, there is a concept in yoga philosophy that offers a pathway to lasting contentment, no matter what life throws our way. This concept is known as Santosha.…
Chakras: Beyond the Myths and Misconceptions Chakra, pronounced “chu-kra,” not “sha-kra” commonly translates to “circular wheel-like disc.” However, the common terms we often hear, like chakra blockages, balancing, opening, or healing, can be misleading. Traditional Yoga texts suggest that chakras don’t need opening because they aren’t closed, nor do they need healing because they aren’t…
The five kleshas (‘clay-shas’) in the Yoga sutras as known as afflictions, often translated as poisons and seen as the root of our discontent. We could simply think of them as obstacles in our minds that make us unhappy. They are: 1.Ignorance/delusion avidya 2.Ego asmita 3.Attachment raga 4.Aversion dvesa 5.Fear of death/change abinivesah These can…
Choosing to use a prop in yoga isn’t always a practical decision but more often an emotional one. Each prop carries a unique energy and symbolism, resonating differently with individuals. Whether it’s the comforting embrace of a bolster or the grounding stability of a block, or your nervous system feeling supported nestled into a meditation…