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