How to resolve, successfully!

After the exuberant abundance of Christmas celebrations, a fresh attitude of health, simplicity and frugality is a welcome contrast. And so we move into January; a new month, a new year, indeed a new decade. A fresh sweep of time stretches ahead, clean and blank and ready to be imprinted with our hopes, wishes and goals. There is the feeling that we may sweep old habits away with the tinsel and recreate our lives, our very selves anew!

I offer a few thoughts and suggestions for anyone who may be embarking on positive change at this time.

1 Aim for sustainable, manageable change. Be kind to yourself and keep expectations realistic to ensure success.

2 Build upon what you have already achieved. For example an occasional yoga class could become a weekly commitment. If you attend class regularly, why not resolve to practice at home on the days you don’t see your teacher.

3 Let go of old habits gradually. Release the stress and drama of going cold turkey: aim for one dairy/alcohol/caffeine/sugar free day per week. When this is established, extend to two or three days, then five and so on.

3 When introducing new habits, set time parameters. For example including a fresh juice with breakfast for 10 days or for the month of January, then review.

4 Allow yourself to receive. Holistic bodywork such as massage will reduce stress and support other changes, particularly if exercising or detoxing. You might also invest in essential oils, and book a few sauna or spa sessions

5 Prioritise your new habits. Set time and money aside and honour your commitment to yourself. Block out time in your personal diary and family calendar and protect with vigilance! Attending to your health is not an added extra or luxury! It is key to your ability to stay relaxed, healthy. After all, when you are physically and emotionally balanced you will be in a much stronger position to support your loved ones.

I wish you every success in your endeavours and a peaceful and prosperous 2010

Happy New Year!

The twelve names of the sun

With cold feet and a warm heart, I have just returned from watching the midwinter solstice sun emerge from the night sky as it rises over Glastonbury Tor, a well observed ritual within my community. Sun worship is an ancient practice; early humans evolved spiritual beliefs and rituals that reflected their relationship with the natural world, and created symbols and deities representing the sun as a symbol of consciousness.

The sun is referenced liberally throughout ancient Indian texts and in the physical yogic tradition, we have surya namaskara, sun salutations, which are performed daily before sunrise. It is a flowing breath linked sequence of postures that generate prana, purifying and rejuvenating the practitioner.

I love the timelessness of surya namaskara and how, as we move through the poses we are connecting ourselves with thousands of years of yogic wisdom and honouring our connection to the rythms of nature. On a study trip to India three years ago I was introduced to a set of bija (seed) mantras that accompany surya namaskara, thus giving a complete and powerful spiritual practice. The sun is named in between each of the thirteen rounds, praising its aspects as follows:

Om mitraya namaha – the sun as friend
Om ravaye namaha – he who shines
Om suryaya namaha – dynamic aspect
Om bhanave namaha – remover of darkness and illusion
Om khagaya namaha - by whom we measure time
Om pushne namaha - who bestows strength and nourishment
Om hiranyagarbhya namaha – the golden germ of all life
Om marichaye namaha - Lord of the dawn, he who illuminates
Om adityaya namaha – the cosmic mother, boundless and inexhaustible
Om savitre namaha - vivifying and stimulating
Om arkaya namaha – source of life and energy
Om bhaskaraya namaha – revealing all truths and showing the path to enlightenment

The practice concludes:
Om sri savitre surya narayanaya namaha – salutations to the universal spirit

Using mantras in conjunction with the physical form allows us connect to and awaken these divine qualities and thereby embrace the tremendous strength and potential that exists within.

Maintaining health & harmony during the festive season

At this busy time of year it is important to take time out for ourselves. Periods of planning, shopping and socialising need to be balanced with adequate rest, exercise and good nutrition. Here are my 5 top tips for festive harmony:

1 Savasana with props: The ultimate restorative pose to calm the senses and soothe the nervous system. Try to find time for this every day during the run-up to Christmas. Lie on your back with a rolled towel or blanket under the knees and another support under the neck. Close the curtains, close your eyes. Relax deeply, allowing a full deep breath. Stay here for 10-20 minutes.

2 Carry a small atomiser of rosewater to mist the area around the face. The skin is easily dehydrated by central heating. This simple intervention de-stresses, freshens, hydrates and uplifts!

3 Select a simple mantra or affirmation, such as All is well, or Everything is flowing smoothly, My day always unfolds effortlessly. Write it out and place somewhere where you will see it several times a day: the mirror, fridge door, dashboard of the car or tuck into your purse.

4 Take healthy snacks to parties and social events to prevent overindulgence and mindless eating. I like to take grapes and fresh dates.

5 Stay connected to nature. The winter landscape can be quite breathtaking with bare trees silhouetted in bright daylight and hedgerows bejewelled with berries. I like to take a morning walk along the lanes around Glastonbury Tor; breathing in fresh air and enjoying the quietness of it all.

Winter skin – facial skincare treatment

I have noticed during the last few days that my facial skin is becoming a little dry; perfectly natural during the colder months. I have introduced a weekly cleansing routine to nourish the delicate complexion. This is ideally performed in the morning.

Firstly, an oil massage to maintain moisture levels and boost circulation. Right now I am using Neal’s Yard Orange Flower Facial Oil, which comes in a handy dropper bottle for easy application. I would also recommend Weleda’s Wild Rose Intensive Facial Oil capsules, rich in essential fatty acids and winner in the 2009 Natural Beauty Awards. A budget option would be pure apricot kernel oil. This has a delicate sweet scent and is intensely moisturising, often the base ingredient in natural skincare products. Ask for it at your local health food store.

Apply the oil with light upward strokes from below the jawline to the forehead. Use fingertips to ‘tap’ all over the face, taking care around the eyes. If time permits, rest with the eyes covered in cotton wool pads soaked in witch hazel and pre-cooled in the fridge.

Now exfoliate with your preferred product. Modern Friction by Origins is widely acclaimed; One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser from Clarins is suitable for daily use, Boots Botanics Purifying Face Scrub is a great budget buy.

Apply with the fingertips, patting and rolling the product, avoid vigorous scrubbing movements.

Remove with a muslin square soaked in hot water to which you have added your favourite essential oil: I favour lavender, frankincense or orange, dependant on my mood.

Follow with a cool cloth, apply toner and daycream. Voila! You should be experiencing bright, clear and well hydrated skin.

Chin mudra - gesture of consciousness

Chin mudra is well known and commonly associated with yoga: picture a yogin in seated pose, eyes closed, hands balanced on thigh or knee, open palms with thumb and forefinger touching. A simple yet auspicious form.

Sit comfortably, either in sukhasana, siddasana or padmasana. Rest the back of the wrists on the upper thigh, close to the knee. This in itself creates a closed energy circuit within the body and stimulates one of the main nadi (energy channels) on the inner thigh. With relaxed arms and soft, open hands, touch the tumb and tip of forefinger. Close your eyes and immerse yourself in the rhythm of your breath, inhaling and exhaling through the nostrils.

Symbolically, chin mudra represents the joining of jiva atma or individual consciousness with brahma or universal consciousness. An appropriate mantra would be so-ham, inhaling so and exhaling ham. Brief and powerful, so-ham can be interpreted as I am that; a reminder of our true and infinite nature.

Autumn yoga: a quiet practice

I arrived at class today to find several of my regular students already in the teaching studio, arranged in corpse pose, covered with blankets. I took this as a sign that a quieter practice was called for!

The weather outside was pretty turbulent; the long Indian summer of warm sunny days that persisted through September and October has yielded sharply to a November of chillier temperatures and the return of the rain.

The steady yellow glow from a halogen heater in the corner of the studio was evocative of the departed sun. We used ujjayi pranayama to increase our inner fire or agni and create heat internally. This warrior breath can be used throughout the practice of sun salutations and standing poses.

The use of additional stretches, parsva chakrasana, kati chakrasana are also appropriate during the colder months and we may have to make peace with a lesser range of movement. It feels good to spend longer in restorative poses such as balasana (childs pose), creating natural pauses in our asana sequences. Generally working with fewer poses. And we opted for a a passive inversion, with the trunk relaxed on the ground and the legs raised and supported on the wall.

A longer savasana is also called for, with a blanket to retain heat; allowing the body to rest completely. As we rested quietly in the final moments of the session, the rain ceased, the sun reappeared. A welcome blessing!

Cracking joints – an ayurvedic perspective

The sound of cracking joints, perhaps when rotating wrists or ankles is a clear signal that something is not quite right. It is the audible expression of vata dosha, the air aspect of our constitution. The popping sound accompanies the release of gas in the joints.

Usually, this comes about as a result of overexertion, a period of increased activity or movement creates an excess of vata in our system. This effect may be more strongly felt during autumn which is the season of vata: it is a time of change characterised by wind and falling leaves, a drying out as the life force of the natural world is withdrawn as we move towards winter.

If unattended to, vata will accumulate in the tissues of the body and overtime may manifest in degenerative conditions such as arthritis.

To restore balance firstly it is a matter of slowing down and resting. This brings a halt the generation of vata and allows us to harmonise with the seasonal cycle. Joint health is restored through lubrication. Warming, nourishing, heavy oil counters the qualities of vata (light, dry, mobile, rough, erratic). If possible take a professional massage treatment on a weekly or fortnightly basis throughout the colder months. As part of your evening routine, apply lightly warmed sesame oil to the body in light strokes in the direction of the heart. Pay special attention to hands and feet, ankles and wrists.

You may like to use mahanarayan ayurvedic oil, an ancient traditional formula prepared with medicinal herbs that restore and maintain the health of your joints, available widely on the internet, I have found a good brand reasonably priced here.

Wishing you good joint health!

October arrives!

October brings the first frosts, vivid autumnal foliage, the clocks are adjusted hastening darkened evenings and celebration: Hallowe’en, Samhain, Diwali. We bring fire into our lives through lighting and heating our homes, warming food and burning candles.

I enjoy the subtle changes that can be noticed on a daily basis at this time of year: a few final warm, sunny afternoons, the turning of a leaf, horse chestnuts, acorns and beechnuts strewn in abundance in country lanes. The enchanting morning mists, the sharp chill in the air and glorious melting sunsets.

In terms of our yoga, we can respect Nature’s rhythm by slowing our practice and taking a longer savasana so as to harmonise with the resting phase of the annual cycle. We can add heat to counteract the chilly, damp mornings with heating pranayama and meditation on the sun, fire or our own solar centre.

Ayurveda would further suggest the use of warming colours for our clothes and in our homes and taking brisk exercise outdoors at midday whilst the sun is at maximum strength. We might consider supplements to increase the digestive fire such as black pepper and ginger powder, or ashwaghanda to maintain a strong immune system.

I have started using the sauna once or twice weekly to detoxify and add heat and am favouring gently warmed soup over juices. My essential oils have become less floral and more woody and spicy: using rosemary and black pepper in footbaths and for massage.

Enjoy October!

Celebrating the autumn equinox

We are experiencing the autumn equinox, the point in the calendar at which day and night are of roughly equal duration. The long days of summer have ended and we find ourselves moving into a phase of shorter days and lengthening evenings as the sun departs on its journey to illuminate and warm the southern hemisphere.

Last weekend we were blessed by sunbaked days of continuous blue skies and summer temperatures of 22 degrees. It felt like July, in fact it was an improvement on this year’s rain sodden July. I was fortunate to be spending the equinox with like minded company at the Out of the Ordinary festival (OOTO) in Sussex. While the classic elements of the green festival scene were in full effect such as chai stalls, workshops, saunas and great bands, the timing of the event enabled us to celebrate the equinox, making the most of the fading light around campfires, chanting and drumming together. The sunshine boosted the mood and helped create a memorable, magical event.

Back in Glastonbury, the equinox was honoured by a ceremony at the well head of the White Spring, at this very time I was holding my weekly drop-in yoga class at the Rowan Centre on the High Street. With the equinox in mind we used nadi shodana (alternate nostril) pranayama to reflect internally the balanced situation of the sun, finding a moment’s pause at the end of the inhalation and exhalation as we have perfect equilibrium in the solar cycle.

As a final farewell to the summer sun, many friends will be gathering at Coed Hills rural arts community in South Wales. With the sun continuing to pour its blessings steadily upon us it looks to be a lovely gathering, with workshops, a healing space and cabaret to keep each other happy and well. I am negotiating a last minute workshop proposal for a pranayama and mudra session as my contribution, I am hoping that this will go ahead.

Howsoever you spend the weekend it looks set to stay sunny, enjoy!

www.outoftheordinaryfestival.com
www.coedhills.co.uk

Summer draws to a close

Strolling through the leafy lanes of Glastonbury, nature's signals are unambivalent: summer is drawing to a close. We may be blessed with long days of warm sunshine and yet the berries are ripening in this gentle heat: hawthorn, elder, blackberries. I took a new path today on my walk and found myself in a disused orchard. A glade of unkempt apple trees their fruits fully ripe, some of which had fallen were fermenting and decaying, a perfect illustration of the cycle of life as I recall how delighted I felt at the emergence of blossom so much earlier in the year.

In the UK we have just enjoyed the late August Bank Holiday, and from here on we are focussed towards the autumn and beyond. Reluctant school boys are wriggling reluctantly into stiff new trousers, we may be preparing our winter wood store, our diet begins to subtly shift to welcome in richer flavours and velvety textures.
I enjoy the ritual of storing summer clothes and reconnecting with the warm colours and comfort of an autumn wardrobe: velvet, corduroy and wool.

It is time to create a new routine and become re-established at home after the travelling and merriment of a summer of festivals. I am pleased to be starting yoga drop-in classes in Glastonbury next week, thus beginning a period of settled regularity. I am looking forward to this greatly.

Yoga weekend with Marc Woolford, Brighton

“No stretching!” a seemingly baffling non-yogic command rapped out by Marc during Sunday’s session. Unsurprising in the context of the Scaravelli method and Marc’s evolution of his yoga.

We were dealing with the idea of the spine as the central axis of movement and support, having explored the breath and the bandhas during Saturday's session. It seemed that every movement, every investigation we made served to illustrate how one might move from external mechanical responses, to quieter, internal rearrangements.

Freeing the breath so that the spine is relieved of its habitual burden of carrying the weight of the body. Instead support might be found from forming new stuctural relationships, creating space in the fluid core, allowing movement to follow the release of the exhalation.

As to be expected from a workshop, we looked at relatively few poses, but took plenty of time to watch Marc demonstrate and verbalise his suggestions. Adjustments were shared with the group and Marc attended to us all individually, so that our body could access this way of working, creating in Marc’s words, “Less conflict” thus then leading to “Integration”.

Marc concluded Sunday’s session in a most beautiful and unexpected way, as we rested in savasana he coaxed gentle chords from a harmonium and chanted one of my favourite Sanskrit mantra: sahana vavatu accompanied by wide, expressive oms. It was a delicious soundbath, the excited street sounds of Brighton falling away as we bathed in blissful vibrations, immersed in relaxation, a perfect conclusion.

Visit Marc's website for details of workshops, yoga holidays and retreats www.yogawithmarc.com

Natural Bodies, yoga studio in Brighton for drop-in classes, therapies, workshops and teacher training in the Scaravelli tradition www.naturalbodies.org

Big Green Gathering 2009 cancelled

A collective wave of sadness is felt across the Green festival community today with the news that this year’s Big Green Gathering, due to take place at a farm near Cheddar, Somerset next week has been cancelled. I’ve spent a sizeable chunk of this afternoon on Facebook as well as attending to texts and phone calls from stunned, incredulous friends and colleagues, all of whom were planning to have a really good time and create a beautiful festival for ourselves and the general public when the gates would have opened on Wednesday.

Most of us were loading our vehicles today with the intention of heading onto the site tomorrow. Indeed the infrastructure of the site; plumbing, loos, crew catering offices etc is already established. There have been strict instructions issued not to approach the site, that it is closed.

The reason for the closure is related to legal issues which are being thoroughly aired on local news sites. What is emerging for me on a personal level is the deep sense of connectedness that persists in the festival community as we mourn our loss. Many will have been preparing for months; purchasing stock, creating decorations, generally getting excited and enthusiastic.

I have attended the Big Green on the last four occasions, as a therapist in the Healing area. This year I was planning to join in with the rambunctious fun and diversity of the Earth Energies and Divinatory Arts Field, I had been looking forward to teaching morning yoga and giving crew massages. Elsewhere, friends would be creating arts spaces, a bhakti yoga space, a garden of found objects; offering sound healings, fairy craft workshops, sacred plant medicine healings and so much more.

The diversity and vitality of the Big Green bears testament to the breadth and scope of the current green scene in the UK. With many of the issues pioneered now embraced by main stream society, such as green energy, sustainable homes, organic gardening, the need for a forum, a showcase for alternative lifestyles is highly pertinent.

I will miss the horse drawn camp for its unique flavour and timelessness, the late night sweat lodge in the tipi field, hanging out with friends in SAMS sauna, the unexpected moments of beauty and bliss that fuel my festival adventures. The Big Green Gathering is (was?) a brave and important event, unique in its authenticity and unrivalled in its outlook. Sending thoughts of peace and love to all involved.


www.big-green-gathering.com

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/8169477.stm

Summer yoga workshop in Glastonbury: reflection and review

I was joined by a group of fellow yogis at the Rowan Centre on Glastonbury High St for a morning of yoga, the second in a series of two summer workshops. My intention in creating the sessions was to provide the opportunity for regular students to regroup while weekly drop-in classes are paused for the summer. How delightful then that the groups have comprised a mix of familiar faces as well as those who I have met whilst covering and teaching at festivals.

The teaching studio is a bright, clear space with an intimate feel, just right for a small group of eight to ten. I am told that the St Michael line (a geomagnetic energy channel which has been mapped from East Anglia to Land’s End) tranverses the room, giving added benefits!

We began supine, resting down onto the floor, through feet and hips, pelvis, shoulders and skull. Beginning the business of allowing the weight of the body to drop away, becoming softer, more spacious, finding room in the joints, the spaces between vertebrae, elongating the spine, allowing the fullness of one’s natural breath to assist in this deep undoing.

So much of this approach to yoga, the Scaravelli tradition, is about not doing; the quieter and less involved we can be, the more the body will yield and open. Sometimes we have to get out of our own way! We can then come to experience the body’s preferred, natural state of being. Not doing, breathing, becoming quieter, creating conditions for the body to experience a lightness, spaciousness and freedom so that any resultant movements are joyful, free from resistance, in a sense effortless…

During a pause I passed around Vanda’s book, Awakening the Spine. Far from being a how-to manual, much more an evocative inspiration. Her wonderfully lyrical words and selected imagery convey the feeling sense of how the body might move:a backbend is analogous to an ocean wave; we are reminded of the gentle serenity of the Buddha; the curving grace of a swan’s neck is an invitation to yield and find the inherent beauty in our asana.

The sun shone warmly and so we took tea together in the garden and I left the students chatting and bonding amongst the flowers and herbs as I drafted arrangements for my autumn teaching schedule with the office manager.

I feel blessed and uplifted to have shared my love of yoga in such a profound and yet easy, uplifting way. Thanks to all who attended.

If you would like to receive details on upcoming yoga workshops via email, kindly subscribe to my newsletter via my website www.jivayoga.co.uk

Scaravelli yoga workshop with Bill Wood - Totnes

In the middle of a busy summer schedule it feels good to break pace and have a change of scene. Last Sunday I took an early morning drive to Devon, plunging through wooded valleys and lush pastureland, leaving the chaotic, creative swirl of Glastonbury for the smarter, sophisticated vibe of Totnes and an all day workshop with Scaravelli yoga teacher Bill Wood.

The session was held at the Forge Yoga Studio, at the top of Totnes High Street, tucked down a narrow lane. It is a beautifully designed yoga space with natural light, a wooden floor, plastered walls and thoughtful details throughout; an abundance of yoga mats, blankets, bolsters, a kitchen area for drinks, satisfyingly solid crafted wooden doors.

The theme - the breath. Explored through the classic tenets of the Scaravelli approach: relaxing the diaphragm, resting down through feet and hands to find hips and shoulders, witnessing, letting go of outcomes, finding the ‘internal dynamics’ of yoga, moving with fluidity and freedom.

Bill’s warm encouragement enabled all present to access the poses in a safe and enjoyable way. He moved around the studio delivering precise, sensitive adjustments which were frequently shared with the group. Comments were invited and spontaneously offered throughout the day to the extent that workshop felt like a continuous, dynamic dialogue between Bill and ourselves.

A subtle infusion of Buddhist teachings gave a rich texture. I found myself engaging with powerful inversions such as handstand and forearm balance with confidence and enthusiasm as my breath progressively relaxed and my body opened to new possibilities. Wonderful. I hope to practice with Bill again, soon.

Bill holds drop-in yoga classes, workshops, retreats and teacher training in Devon and the southwest.

www.billwoodyoga.co.uk
www.forgeyoga.co.uk

Sanskrit - the holy language of yoga

Following class today a student enquired as to the language of yoga, was it Hindi? Hindi as a language relates to the Hindu religion and is the most common language of modern India, widely spoken and understood across the subcontinent and now echoing around the globe via countless Bollywood movies. Whereas Sanskrit is the ancient, scholarly language of classical Indian art, music dance, philosophy, spiritual tradition and therefore yoga. Seminal texts such as the Upanishads, the Vedas, Patanjali’s yoga sutras and more.

Sanskrit is the language of spoken and sung devotion. Mellifluous mantra, bhajan and sloka (chants, songs, prayers) are all recited in the medium of Sanskrit. Most of us are familiar with Om, the sacred syllable said to be the vibrational seed that creates and recreates the universe. Or the eagerly implored repetitions of Hare Krishna! Perhaps a longer mantra used to begin or conclude yoga practice. It is a warm rich language, pleasing to the ear and uplifting in its vibration. For millions of devotees, yogis and academics it is the language of God.

On visits to India I frequently encounter fellow yogis who are studying Sanskrit; the mesmerising, swirling shapes of the written form and the voluptuous sounds as it is spoken aloud. I have absorbed some knowledge of Sanskrit through my yoga studies: committing Patanjali’s yoga sutras to memory at the insistence of my teacher in Mysore. Lino Miele’s patient, faithful counting and naming of the poses whilst leading the primary astanga vinyasa series. Blissing out chanting devotional bhajans with a group of plump Indian housewives at the Neasden temple in north London. Reading texts for ayurveda, tantra, Buddhism….

I prefer to use Sanskrit terms for yoga poses during class. Hence seated forward bend paschimottanasana, triangle pose trikonasana, cobra pose bhujangasana and so on. In this way one connects oneself and ones students with the ancient, esoteric practices that have shaped and preserved our precious yoga.

Follow the link below to hear some wonderfully uplifting Sanskrit chants from the Padma Purana.

Facial for men: creating a new treatment

I have been giving organic facials for a few years and attracting a steady number of male clients. I decided it was time to create a treatment just for the guys.

Men’s facial skin is thicker than women’s, it tends to be oilier and coarser with larger pores. Men are less likely to have followed a skincare regimen resulting in congestion and blocked pores. Regular shaving and use of astringent aftershave leads to dryness and sensitivity. Years of unprotected sun exposure may cause premature aging and sun damage. There is clearly work to be done!

I needed to create a high quality treatment with clear benefits. I wanted an alternative to the floral products I use with women. I begun looking for a suitable product range. Organic, affordable, widely available and from an established brand with ethical values and integrity. I chose the JASON Vitamin C range as it specifically addressed the issues of sun damage and premature aging. I felt that the scientific references to free radical scavengers, anti-oxidants, ph levels and bold orange and black packaging would appeal to men.

The treatment itself begins with a seated head and scalp massage, to stimulate circulation to the scalp and induce relaxation. I use the foaming cleanser as men enjoy the feeling of lather. This is removed with a muslin that has been soaked in hot water and tea tree oil. I am told that this is remniscent of trips to the barber! This is followed by exfoliation, facial oil massage, massage to the neck and shoulders, application of toner, day cream and lip balm. My guinea pigs loved it!

I am excited about taking the men’s facial to the Glastonbury festival next week, It’s a great forum for trialling new treatments as the crowd are wonderfully friendly and enthusisastic. I hope that I have created something that appeals to men and that they will find effective and enjoyable.

www.jason-natural.com/products/vitamin_c_care

Therapeutic massage for chronic stress

I work from a lovely spa in the Somerset countryside. Its peaceful, idyllic setting makes it an ideal bolt hole for city dwellers who visit to shrug off urban stress and spend the weekend relaxing in nature’s tranquility.

We often receive groups of young women, on a pamper break or hen weekend. Typically they unwind in the sauna and hot tub and have a treatment or two. Almost invariably they present the same symptoms, tension in the shoulders and neck. A half hour massage is usually enough for them to achieve relaxation.

However, when a person is chronically stressed, a single treatment is rarely enough.

Stress, when it manifests, is evidence of the mind-body connection. The body responds to a constant onslaught of thoughts and emotions by tightening, holding on. If the stress inducing situation is longterm such as a high pressure job, unsatisfactory domestic or environmental conditions or a difficult relationship, the stress becomes chronic and the effects start to show up in the body’s systems. A common list of stress related ailments are familiar to most in modern society and includes ulcers (digestive system), insomnia (nervous system), IBS (digestive system) and so on.

Last weekend I massaged three junior doctors, all in their early twenties and living in London. They had finished their final medical exams a fortnight before and were awaiting results. All agreed that it had been a highly stressful time! During consultation, we identified that their stress had been accumulating over a number of years, starting with ’A’ levels and the pressure involved in securing a University place: these talented young women had a history of chronic stress dating back six or seven years!

Whilst they all enjoyed their massages, it became quite clear that post-treatment my clients were still carrying a tremendous amount of tension in their bodies. Under such circumstances I advise a course of therapeutic treatments. A typical program would be one massage per week for four weeks, thereafter fortnightly, eventually monthly. I recommended that they get in touch with a natural health clinic in their local area, where they should find several massage practitioners offering different styles. Having found a therapist they feel comfortable with, pre-booking a number of sessions and paying in advance could well lead to a discount. Over time the body will give away its stress and wellbeing will be restored.

www.somersetspa.co.uks

Scaravelli yoga workshop with Marc Woolford

How might we declutter, find internal space? Create conditions for a lengthened spine, a fuller experience of the breath? The workshop title Antigravity, the diagphragm and the fluid core, gives a sense of Marc’s approach to yoga: an interpretation of the work of Vanda Scaravelli underpinned by anatomical and biomechanical knowledge.

Indeed, Marc makes use of a skeleton, hanging conveniently in the teaching studio, to illustrate concepts such as the similarities in design of the skull and pelvis, the movement of the ribs, how the tailbone might be encouraged to drop.

Typical of the Scaravelli method, Marc teaches through demonstration, verbal instruction and hands on adjustment. Beginning with kapalabhati breath and ending with sarvangasana we covered relatively few asana, in the conventional sense. The work is exploratory and poses are used to demonstrate the principles which were being conveyed. The essence of the teachings: cultivating an inner attention, responding with sensitivity to the breath, treating the body with kindness, allowing the natural expression of the pose to emerge.

Confident and charismatic, Marc’s teaching style is inclusive and engaging. He welcomes comments and suggestions, enjoys humour and is extremely approachable.

It felt great to be a student once more at Natural Bodies, the yoga studio where I spent many happy hours attending drop-in classes and workshops as a former Brightonian. I left feeling longer and lighter!

Visit Marc’s website www.yogawithmarc.com

Sunrise Celebration 2009: a healer's perspective

I am resting quietly at home following a weekend of heat hazed fun at this year's Sunrise Celebration. The healing area was situated atop the festival site, affording a splendid view out across wooded hills and ensuring that we benefited from a cooling breeze. We enjoyed a wonderful opening circle, sharing earth chants with Johnathan Cainer and a Tibetan Lama amongst others.

I led two of the several daily yoga sessions: an energizing morning practice and a quieter, restorative afternoon session. Mornings required a little karma yoga in advance of class to remove paraphenalia left by partygoers who used the space as a hangout; indeed on Sunday a group of revellers had to be gently coaxed back into consciousness and enouraged to leave, which they did in good humour.

In the same space, shamanic journeying took place daily; part of the free workshop schedule which included classical Indian dance, bhajans, T'ai Chi and Qi Gung.

I also set up my therapy space and gave a serious number of organic skincare facials. This has become my signature treatment at festivals, a big hit with mothers who are able to leave their children for a half hour or so to receive a much longed for pamper and relax. Elsewhere, massage proved popular treatment with ayurvedic, holistic and thai modes available.

A beautiful sound pyramid and travelling garden created soothing magical spaces enabling festival goers to pause and calm their senses before heading backdown into the hurly burly of the main arena where the various sound stages, cafes and markets were located.

Smaller in scale and ambition this year the balance of festival crew,ticket holders and traders felt just right. The flowing contours of the site - an organic farm near Bruton, Somerset created an intimate setting for a true sense of community to be created. Blessed by a steadily radiant sun, Sunrise has become a joyful and exhilarating start to the summer festival season.

www.sunrisecelebration.com

Festival yoga

I’ve been rummaging around in my storage boxes, looking for legwarmers; essential festival wear when it comes to yoga.

My teaching career begun at festivals, as a dedicated student I would practice daily in the morning quiet, often beside the canvas geo-dome that is my live-work structure, perhaps in a communal workspace. My face became familiar and eventually I was asked to teach.

What a wonderful experience it is! One is most often teaching from a temporary space, large structures with hand hewn wooden frames, covered in brightly coloured canvas. The floor, that is to say the earth, is pleasingly solid yet decidedly lumpy, it may be covered with tarps and rugs which adds to the uneven character.

Situated within the Healing Area of most events there is usually a pleasant soundtrack of didgeridoo, chimes, chanting or singing, however during large events the amplified music from the sound stages does tend to dominate: Last year I gave a session at Download, the heavy metal event at Castle Donington. Needless to say my usual suggestions to fall still and quiet seemed rather pointless as Zebrahead raged in the background.

Students are a highly diverse bunch, a mixture of serious yogis, first timers, children as well as those who have drifted in to see what’s going on. Sessions are generally free which allows for experimentation, most events will host at least two or three styles. It is entirely possible to turn Buddhafield or the Big Green Gathering into an eco yoga vacation, combining any number of classes between dawn and dusk with therapies, sauna and vegetarian food.

I love the randomness and unpredictability of festivals, especially the smaller events on the alternative festival circuit. A chicken wanders in from the horse drawn camp during meditation, a violent downpour ends and a rainbow appears, a bluegrass ensemble give an impromptu set across the way. It feels good to take my practice into this lively creative arena and offer a soothing counterpoint to the hectic stimulation of the event.

Join me for yoga in summer 2009 at the Sunrise Celebration, Buddhafield, the Healing Field Gathering and more…

Sri K Patthabi Jois 1915 – 2009

An aspirant, by grace of his guru and constant practice of yoga can someday realize the nature of supreme peace and immortal bliss. Yoga Mala

I'm studying an image of Pattabhi Jois, from the back cover of his text book Yoga Mala. He is a young man, in bare feet, simply dressed with shining eyes. Many years later, an older, portly and benevolent man is known with great affection by thousands of yoga practitioners across the globe as Guruji - dear teacher.

The scale of Pattahbi Jois’ contribution to yoga is vast; his promoted method, astanga vinyasa was somehow just right for an emerging breed of yoga students in the west. Powerful, challenging, absorbing, intensely physical it appealed to those who might have alternately worked out in a gym or done a lot of cardio work. They came in great numbers, a trickle at first in the 1970’s then as word spread, hundreds of practitioners would diligently make the journey to Mysore to study with him for months at a time.

Jois’ influence is felt throughout the contemporary yoga scene; the vast army of practitioners he personally trained and authorised to teach his method, who in turn are teaching and training others. The proliferation of derivative yoga styles such as dynamic yoga, power yoga and vinyasa flow. Celebrity followers such as Sting, Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow who shunted yoga out of the hippy backwaters and into mainstream cool.

Beyond the inestimable amount of dollars and rupees generated, the toned bodies, the quantum boost to yoga’s popularity, the great man leaves another, quieter legacy; the impact he made on those who personally knew and loved him. Today they are mourning their loss and celebrating his life.

Sri K Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, South India, left his body 2:30pm 18th May 2009 at his home in Gokulum suburb with his family.

www.ashtanga.com Information on the practice and updated list of teachers and workshops.

www.kpjayi.org Website of the Ashtanga Yoga Institute, Mysore, South India, established by Jois as his teaching base.

Massage appointments now available at Shekinashram

I am very pleased to have been accepted as a therapist at the Shekinashram in Glastonbury. The ashram is a spiritual centre situated on Chalice Hill on the lower slopes of the Tor and easily accessible from the town centre, it is a few minutes walk from the High Street. I love working from this most peaceful setting.
Therapies are taken in a snug and cosy wooden cabin within the gardens, which are lovingly tended by staff, helpers and visitors as part of their karma yoga, the yoga of selfless action. Following a treatment you may enjoy herbal tea by donation, or take a sauna for an additional fee. I love working from this most peaceful setting.

Shekinashram offers a full program events and activities for personal and spiritual growth and has b & b accommodation available. Check their website for details.
http://www.shekinashram.org/

If you would like to take a massage at the ashram with me, kindly call 07779 807089

“Is this yoga going to be vigorous?”

“Is this yoga going to be vigorous?”

A question posed at the start of class, in fear rather than hope, from a new student. I take ‘vigorous' to mean a powerful, strenuous, fast moving practice. Certainly there are yoga forms one can study today which are highly vigorous: astanga vinyasa, Bikram yoga, power yoga and derivatives such as dynamic or vinyasa flow. The intention here is to create heat within the body, allowing the body to open more deeply and expel toxins through powerful breath and of course sweating. Many enjoying the feeling of exercising the body to one’s limits, maybe beyond! And of an increased heart rate. The effects are similar to a cardio-class at the gym or a good work out. There is a great feel good factor, post-class one can feel relaxed and exhilarated.

Whilst the yoga I offer has a vigorous component, it cannot be categorised as vigorous. My path of study has led me to understand that the body opens deeply when we turn our attention to conscious relaxation: undoing rather than doing. It is a metaphor for how one approaches life: busyness, stress and overactivity versus quietening down, observing and allowing what is, moving from a place of deep awareness.

It is important to add heat to the body to facilitate movement, cleanse and detoxify. We might pre-face our asana practice with ujjayi pranayama or kapalabhati kriya. Surya namsakara (sun salutations) are extraordinarily effective at generating heat, following a few rounds in class we usually turn the heating down and open a door or window. Then the skill is to maintain the heat and flow as we progress through our asanas. Generally a standing sequence is by nature vigorous, requiring a degree of stamina and strength and it is pleasing to link such poses into a sequence to maintain a sense of vigour.

For a balanced and integrated practice we must allow time for cooling restorative poses, with a slower breath. Poses such as seated forward bends and hip openers which we cannot impose upon the body, we must become quiet and await the body’s response.

Finally, savasana, the pose of the corpse, Iyengar believes it to be the most challenging pose. How might we lie still and do nothing with our physical self for an extended time?

Goma return to Glastonbury

I am thrilled that Goma will be returning to Glastonbury this Bank Holiday weekend. They will be performing sacred chants and mantras from India, inspired by their devotion to their guru, Babaji. I find their music utterly mesmerising and uplifting, from the opening notes one finds oneself absorbed into bliss. Highly recommended.
Event details as follows:

8pm Saturday 2nd May 2009, West Pennard Village Hall nr Glastonbury, Somerset

Sliding scale £6 - £10; £5 concs

Further information: call Uma 01749 812151

Follow this link to hear Goma sing Shiva Maheswara from their 1998 album River of Grace http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0grkLDaZlEk

Order Goma CDs online http://www.soundtravels.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=goma

Thoughts on covering yoga classes

The yoga drop-in classes that I hold weekly in Glastonbury are the backbone of my work. I truly enjoy the mix of regular students and new faces and witnessing individuals progress.
Another aspect of my teaching is my work as a cover teacher, sometimes at the Shekinashram and more regularly at the Leisure Centre in Wells. I have become a familiar face to many of the students there and it is gratifying to be so positively received. What I appreciate deeply is how willing the class is to explore yoga from a different perspective with new ways of working.
Yesterday, for example, I introduced restorative pairwork to a group who had showed up for dynamic yoga.
Thinking back to my days as a student at drop-ins, I sometimes held mixed feelings when my regular teacher was replaced, often at no notice! More often than not, it afforded an opportunity to broaden my experience of yoga; I was first introduced to Patanjali by a cover teacher in a health club in South London.
Most of us look for and commit to one teacher as the surest way to advance. I admire those who can easily accept a temporary change of teacher. Moreover I take it as proof that yoga leads to flexibility and openness on all levels…

Can anyone do yoga, at any age?

I recently received an email from a lady in her '70's who is interested in returning to yoga. How wonderful. Vanda Scaravelli (pictured), whose method I have been absorbing for the past 3-4 years, practised asana well into her eighties.

Fortunately there are many beautiful pictures of Vanda and her graceful practice to encourage yogis at any age. Vanda's words are equally inspirational:

"There is no age for yoga. You can start at 70, 80, because if it's done with gravity, with the breath, you receive and you don't go against, and you will never damage the body. The first thing is not to fight yourself. Be ready to receive energy. Energy helps, breathing helps. There is no age."

And this week an enquiry regarding a teenager who is coming to yoga to help with posture, breathwork and relaxation.

I love to be reminded of the breadth of the practice of yoga, that it can encompass three or maybe four generations of student within a class. The important thing is to heed the call to yoga, whatever one's age.

To read Vanda's bio and an interview conducted by one of her longterm students click here www.estheryoga.com/vanda

Buds and branches

Just back from teaching the regular Monday night drop-in session in Glastonbury. It's Easter Monday and it has been a glorious weekend. We have enjoyed wonderful, warm sunshine, which creates instant feel good mood.

Many of us will have been out and about in nature, exploring the countryside or tending to one's garden. All around bushes and trees are greening up at Spring's insistence.

So in class today, we approached tree pose, vrikasana from a spring perspective, with a focus on our branches and buds, the arms, hands and fingertips. As the students settled into savasana and I extinguished the electical light overhead, it was thrilling to note that the sky was not yet completely dark. The lengthening days are our invitation to increase activity levels and send our our metaphorical buds and branches into the world, with boldness.

Spring clean your life, holistically!

With the days lengthening and warming, we can finally shrug goodbye to winter. For most this is an opportunity to shed heaviness and welcome in a lighter version, whether that be clothing, linens, food and drink.

From a holistic perspective we might look beyond the physical and declutter on all levels. Nonetheless we live in a material world and this is a good place to start. Be easy about it, start small with a kitchen drawer or your cosmetics bag. I've just culled my sock collection and I'm excited about the lovely space I have created. This sense of achievement will spur you ever onward!

On the emotional level, write a list of behaviours or attitudes that you would like to leave behind, such as self-blame or criticism of others. Choose just one and create an affirmation to counter your negative thinking, such as I forgive myself always, I allow others to be fully themselves. Pin your affirmation somewhere visible at home and leave it to percolate into your subconscious over the month.

Spiritually, create space by allowing time every day for personal practice, I suggest 10 minutes in the morning or evening to sit quietly with yourself and observe your state of being.

From Goa: Brahmani yoga centre

For the past 3 weeks I have been practising at the Brahmani Yoga Shala, here in Anjuna. Formerly known as the Purple Valley Yoga Centre, specializing in ashtanga vinyasa, now under the directorship of Julie Martin, the range of classes and activities has diversified to include restorative yoga, acro yoga, pranayama & meditation making this a good place to loosen the strings of your practice and try something new.

Sessions are suitable for all levels of experience and commitment, from daily drop-in classes to workshops and advanced teacher training. I have been working on my personal yoga with Liz Warrington, who is guest teacher here during March offering the Scaravelli approach.

In addition to the high quality teaching, what I find engaging and enjoyable about Brahmani is that it operates as a mini yoga hub, attracting an international set of yoga pilgrims from the South Indian yoga circuit (Mysore, Kerala, Tamil Nadu)and beyond. Hence a great place to connect with other yogis and share experiences.

Last week I met Jennifer, a young athletic New Yorker who much as one might imagine has students answering Blackberries and cell phones during class. I was moved by Elizabeth's story, from the US, she is currently living in Namibia and is planning to introduce yoga to the stressed executive ex-pat community there. Yesterday I breakfasted with James and Beccy, a formidable pair of travelling Tantrikas; researching the metaphysics of sacred sexuality as they move around the globe.

Brahmani is located within the grounds of Hotel Bougainvillea, also known as Granpa's Inn. This means that a whole selection of useful amenities are on hand. It is a great spot for post-yoga brunch and one can take a cooling dip in the outdoor pool for a small fee.

Visit the Brahmani website:www.brahmaniyoga.com

From Goa: Practising with Liz Warrington

I've been practising out in India for two weeks now and really enjoying being a student again! Letting go of the role of teacher is a real break and a reminder of what it is to be a student; absorbed in one's personal practice, receiving instruction, guidance and adjustment.
My teacher is Liz Warrington, an established teacher of the Scaravelli method with a strong reputation. Liz brings a warm, joyful approach to the work and has a lightness of body and spirit that is reassuring and inspirational. I love the lyrical, poetic commentary that Liz offers as she guides us through the sessions. Toda, she spoke of getting, "...the whole body to sing the same song." Wonderful.
We work in a slow, focussed way, with relatively few poses, tuning in deeply to the body and breath. My body is responding well to Liz's gentle suggestions and with the warm, steady heat of India I find myself opening, softening and feeling incredibly alive! Happily, Liz has been giving extended sessions at weekends so I am being thoroughly replenished and will have plenty to share with students upon my return.
Liz holds workshops in the UK and abroad. She seems keen to visit to Glastonbury and we have discussed the possibility of her coming to give workshops, watch this space!
You can visit Liz' website here www.lizwarringtonyoga.com

Mudra workshop with Emil Wendel in Goa

My first meeting with Emil, four years ago, was quite memorable - he lay a vibrant red hibiscus bloom beside my yoga mat. At that time, he was taking a regular pranayama and meditation class at what was then the Purple Valley Yoga Centre in Goa.

These days Emil mainly teaches workshops and contributes to Yoga teacher training courses. He concerns himself with the inner aspects of yoga: mantra, pranayama, meditation and philosophy.

I've just participated in a with Emil exploring mudra, symbolic hand gestures that can be employed to enhance and enrich one's yoga practice. Mudras are an ancient form with roots in Tibetan Buddhism, Tantrika and classical Indian dance.

Emil delivered the session with thoughtful insight, revealing the depth of his knowledge, accumulated during many years studying and teaching in India and Nepal.We explored the form and benefit of the mudras most commonly encountered in a contemporary yoga practice, adding in Emil's words, "a few drops of beauty". There seems to be a powerful connection between mudra and breath, which I will be exploring in my personal practice.

I look forward to sharing these insights with students upon my return. Emil also presented the group with a flowing sequence to assist one in life's creative process, essentially a moving meditation of the hands. This is an elegant and sacred practice which we preformed as a ritual and I am very pleased that Emil has given me permission to teach it.

Emil will be visiting England later in 2009, for more information on his work and schedule visit www.beyond-the-asana.com

Treatment review: Ayurvedic massage

Here in India, Ayurveda, the Science of Life, represents an unbroken tradition of knowledge and practical application, transmitted by teachers and gurus, often throughout several generations. To take an ayurvedic massage is to receive the benefit of ancient wisdom, so perfectly suited to the most modern of ailments: stress.

I took my massage at a walk-in centre on the main road in Arambol, a thriving yet laid back beach resort in North Goa. These days Goa is peppered with Ayurvedic Centres which have sprung up to serve the tourist economy, staffed largely by Keralans whose home state can quite legitimately be called 'the home of Ayurveda'.
I requested abhyanga sweda, a treatment I have happily recieved many times on previous trips. Essentially, this consists of a thorough oil massage followed by a steam.

Following tradition I was assigned a female therapist, a young, slender Keralan, Sandhya who would shortly be returning south to continue university studies. This was not a spa experience, I was led to a solid wooden couch in a bare room and invited to undress to my briefs. Seated on a plastic chair, I received a thorough head, neck and scalp massage with a heavy application of medicated oil. The same oil was used throughout the treatment, which is characterised by long, flowing repetitive strokes and lashings of oil. This treatment is designed to reduce excess vata, a symptom of overexertion and stress. I should mention that our western sensibilites and etiquette do not apply; the therapist will leave you uncovered throughout the treatment and massage the whole of the bust.

Post-massage I was lead into an adjacent room where the steam unit was being prepared. I can only describe it as something like a quilted jacket crossed with a tent! That is to say one sits inside a structure, often a wooden box where steam is introduced. One is sealed in up to the neck, the head is never steamed as it is undesirable to increase pitta to the head. I stayed here quite contentedly chatting to Sandhya for ten minutes or so until sweat was truly pouring.
I left feeling deeply relaxed and satisfied and will probably take one treatment a week while I am out here.

The treatment lasted about 90 minutes in total and cost Rs 600 (a little under nine pounds sterling).

Winter sun? Preparing to meet the heat

Winter in the UK is well and truly on it's way out; although March can be pretty turbulent with all kinds of weather happening at once. I have opted for some winter sun in Goa. March is a great time to take a late winter break: prices are very reasonable, resorts are quieter and upon return to the UK the nights will be lengthening and there will be a true feeling of spring in the air. The perfect reward for having survived a particularly cold winter!
When it comes to skincare I take a holistic approach. The skin has several functions, it protects us, yes and also it is an organ of elimination ie it has a direct connection to the digestive and circulatory systems. In a hot climate, the skin plays a vital role in maintaining homeostasis, an optimal and balanced physiology.
The inner reflects the outer, our emotions as well as the food and substances that we put into the body will show up on the skin, hopefully as a smooth, unlined face and a clear, glowing complexion.
My holiday skincare preparation begins in the days leading up to departure. I recommend a pre-flight full body exfoliation and moisturisation treatment. There are many benefits to this. The exfoliating product loosens and removes dead skin cells that form the upper layer of the epidermis. This assists the natural proces of skin renewal and leaves a brighter, clearer complexion. The product is generally applied with brisk, vigorous, circular movements which stimulates the circulation and lymphatic system, promoting detoxification which in turn contributes to a brighter, clearer skintone. The exfoliant is rinsed away under a warm shower and a rich body moisturiser applied which boosts moisture levels in the skin for a soft, plump appearance. Please consider paying to recieve a treatment or ask a friend to help, so that all parts of the body are treated and with even pressure.
The other treatment I would recommend at this time is a pedicure so that you can confidently bare your feet which have been hidden for months in boots, socks and slippers. Be bold and pick a bright pink or red varnish for added glamour! An added advantage is that the feet contain reflexology points and a thorough massage will stimulate your body's self-healing and relaxation mechanisms.
At this time I review my skincare products. Throughout the winter one tends to use richer creams to counteract driness, whereas in the heat it is all about cooling and balancing oiliness. I opt for a light, foaming cleanser, a toner for combination/oily skin and a light day cream. I usually pack a clay or mud mask for a twice weekly deep clean while I am away.
When flying, the mantra is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. In the departure lounge, see if you can guzzle down up to two litres of mineral water. On board, don't be tempted by alcohol, tea, coffee and salted or deydrated foods such as crisps and crackers. Instead pack water rich fruits and veggies to keep moisture and mineral levels high. I like to take pre-cut carrots and mixed peppers, cherry tomatoes and grapes. These foods place a minimal load on the digestive system which means that you are far more likely to be able to rest, sleep and arrived relaxed and refreshed at your destination.
Bon voyage!

Jennifer recommends:
Clarins body exfoliation and moisturising treatment available at Clarins salons nationwide.
Aveda pedicure, available at Aveda salons nationwide
Origins Clear Improvement charcoal mask available at Origins counters at major department stores nationwide or buy online.

Happy holi!

Here in India one finds oneself in the middle of Holi, the Festival of Colours, a three day spring festival celebrated nationwide, a most exuberant and joyful time.

It's all about having fun and "letting one's hair down", this is the most commonly used phrase I have heard.

India is already colourful enough, yet during Holi the brightest possible pigment powders are thrown enthusiastically at passers by in the streets and people gather to sing, dance and generally have a good time.

Elephant processions and feasting are all part of the fun. Holi hai!

The benefits of going on retreat

I’m going on retreat tomorrow, flying to India to take a personal yoga retreat in Goa. I’m really looking forward to it. To retreat is to withdraw from daily life, to rest, relax and restore on deeper levels, often in tranquil, natural surroundings. One will often meet like minded people, and the opportunity to share thoughts and experiences can be wonderfully enriching.

In the case of a yoga retreat, one is able to practice poses daily, or twice daily at a regular time and involve other aspects of yoga such as meditation and mantra. In this way we can live the yogic lifestyle, free from the distractions and obligations of our daily lives. It is a way to deepen our practice and actively assert our commitment to yoga.

I hope to use this time to experience the profound peace and renewal that comes from living close to nature. I am excited about connecting with other teachers and students. I am looking forward to reading and absorbing a few classic yoga texts in an unhurried manner and meditating at sunset.

Shivaratri

Shivaratri, “Shivas great night” falls this year on February 23rd. An important Hindu festival, it is celebrated at new moon to honour the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. It is also considered to be the night when Shiva performed the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction of the universe.

Devotees honour the occasion with ritual, chanting, story telling, prayer and fasting, continuing through the night until dawn.

It is believed that a devotee who observes a Shivaratri fast with sincerity and utters the name of Lord Shiva with perfect devotion is absolved from all sins. Such a devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shiva and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

Follow this link to hear Shiva’s powerful mantra. Om namah shivaya: I bow before Shiva.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gEx3ldOUBs&feature=related

Working without a teacher

I am looking forward to tomorrow’s yoga class with more than usual enthusiasm having missed last week’s session due to the renovation of the teaching space.
I began wondering how regular students, those who turn up week after week would handle a two week gap in their practice.
I would love to think that many of my students have begun to practice at home. For it is when we take responsibility for or own yoga that the practice becomes very powerful, we become our own teacher.
Students tell me that they elect to attend led class because of a lack of motivation to practice at home. However, when the teacher is absent a gift is offered- the opportunity to honour our commitment to yoga and practice alone. Through such action we reinforce our commitment to yoga, our health and wellbeing. Alone with the breath and the poses we can explore movement and stillness joyfully, confidently, uncovering a deeply enriching experience.

About the sit bones

During class I frequently make references to the sit bones. Most commonly when we are preparing our posture for pranayama and also during sequences of seated poses.

The sit bones are anatomically speaking ischial tuberosities, the bony protrusions located at the base of the pelvis. An easy way to locate them is to sit cross legged in sukhasana and shift the weight of the torso until you get a sense of them, the point at which the skeleton contacts the floor. It can be helpful to move the flesh of the buttocks out with ones hands if necessary! Now try in dandasana, for a more subtle experience.

Having established connection with the sit bones, one can adjust one’s posture for optimal results. We can place our attention on the contact of the sit bones and from our stable seat invite the feeling of a light, upward moving spine.

This feeling of being grounded through the sit bones can help us stay balanced during seated forward bends and twists where we might be inclined to overemphasise one side of the pose and sacrifice our alignment.