Winter brings extra challenges of cold, dampness and less natural sunlight. This all puts an extra burden on our body systems, lessened thankfully by the blessings of central heating, hot water on tap and super warm winter layers...
The Corpse PoseThe moving we do in a yoga class is revitalising, life enhancing and nourishing. Yet at the end of the class, we take Savasana, a pose that symbolises death. Savasana means Corpse pose, which is often something I shy away from explaining in class, especially these days. However, even though we may avoid the subject, death will always be a part of life. This is something the ancient yogis, who gave the name to this posture, were acutely aware of.Letting Go of the Physical The death of Savasana (you will be pleased to know) is a metaphorical death. In my own practice, I experience it as a letting go of the physical body, as if it is no longer so vital, so important, so...
Photo by Oluremi Adebayo from PexelsHypermobility and Exercise (or Strength Training) A week or so ago I got an email from a student asking about hypermobility and exercise. She was specifically asking if there is an online strength training programme I knew of, designed for people with hypermobility. I have to say, I've not come across such a programme (let me know if you do). However, I'd say that it would be good to find a trainer who has overcome the problems associated with hypermobility within their own body. It is my experience that when it come to hypermobility and exercise, "it's not what you do, but the way that you do it." With this in mind, below are some movement strategies to incorporate into your exercise,...
Ingredients 1 white onion roughly chopped 2 tbsp butter or coconut oil (use flavourless organia coconut cooking oil from Biona) 3 cloves garlic sliced 1 huge courgette (if you have a friend with runaway courgettes on their allotment) or 4-6 normal sized ones) chopped into small chunks Organic veg stock in 1.5 pints boiling water or use fresh or frozen chicken stock 2 cups lettuce (anything but iceberg) or any green leaves that are wilting in your fridge 2 cups organic frozen peas Handful basil or mint leaves Sea salt and pepper Optional toppings; pumpkin seeds, more peas added in at the end, squeeze lemon juice, drizzle of olive oil, spoonful of tahini. Method Add the chopped onion to a large saucepan with the butter or flavourless coconut cooking oil and cook on a medium heat...
Ingredients 1 can or half a large jar of chickpeas (chickpeas in jars are more plump ad juicy but much more expensive) 1 cup of quinoa cooked in 2 cups water or stock 2 cups of water or stock 4 cups of kale leaves (finely sliced) Paprika, Salt, Pepper Olive Oil Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice Tahini Paste Freshly Minced Garlic Marmite (optional) Kalamata Olives Fresh or Sun dried Tomatoes Slices of Avocado Sprouted Alfalfa Pumpkin Seeds Method Heat the oven to 200 degrees C Place the chickpeas in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil and a half a teaspoon of paprika, and some salt and pepper. Combine to coat the chickpeas Roast the chickpeas on a baking tray in the oven for around 25 minutes. I use a silicone baking tray but you could line an ordinary one with greaseproof paper if...
Ingredients (for two portions, adjust according to your appetites) 1 banana mashed 1 medium carrot finely grated 3/4 cup of porridge oats, gluten free preferably 2 tablespoons of broken walnuts 2 tablespoons of freshly ground linseed 1 1/2 cups of milk (plant, or organic dairy, avoid semi-skimmed) or water 1 tablespoon of shredded or desicated coconut 1 tablespoon of maca powder 2 tablespoon of goji berries, dried apricots, raisins Sprinkling of cinnamon Optional toppings: fresh or frozen blueberries, cacao nibs, pumpkin seeds, a drizzle of local honey. Method In a medium bowl, mash the banana until almost smooth. Place it into a medium pot. Peel the carrot. Using the fine grate hole on a box grater. Place the carrot into the pot with the banana. Add the oats, milk or water, walnuts , linseed, coconut, maca, goji berries...
Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels Yoga is not a religion or an exercise regime. Yoga offers a collection of practices for living a holistically healthy life. Having a sense of the wholeness of life means that we realise we are part of an interconnected whole, the web of life on this planet, and beyond. Yoga in the West is often centred around self care. However, yoga practice in its widest sense is actually much more concerned with the care and wellbeing of ALL sentient beings, the life on the whole of this planet. The work that we do to improve ourselves is actually work that is in service to all our fellow human and sentient beings. This is exemplified by the Shanti Path, or Peace...
Photo by Life Matters from PexelsUnderstanding Oppression to Understand How to Create A Better WorldThe experience of going through the restrictions of lockdown seems to have caused a collective contemplation. Due to the brutal murder of George Floyd, the group mind, has been called to focus on the subject of racism, in particular, and oppression in general, as an area that needs our attention.As I explained in the Black Lives Matter article, it’s my firm belief that by individually and collectively addressing the problem of systemic oppression, we have a chance of creating “the more beautiful world we all know in our hearts is possible”.In this two-part article (part 2 next week) I will explore what oppression is, why we are all complicit and what...
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on UnsplashWe are emerging from lockdown, into a new world. We've taken a break, from burning excessive amounts of oil, petrol and aviation fuel. Some of us have put on hold unnecessary buying and consuming. We had to sit at home with fewer distractions and be with ourselves. It's given us time to pause and reflect. What is really important? What is actually going on? What really matters?The Black Lives Matter movement epitomises everything that we need to realise and change in order to move towards a more just, humane and sustainable world. It is a stark fact, but right now we need to make a leap in our evolution to meet the enormous challenges of the sixth mass extinction....
Welcome to Your Online Holistic Yoga ClassThis sequence is about connecting to the energy centres along our spine, known in yoga as the chakras. Although seen as a rather new age type concept. chakras are actually a real phenomena that we all experience in our lives. IF you think to the lump in your throat when you are unable to express something; the butterflies in your belly when you feel nervous or excited; the sinking in heart, the tingling up your spine. These are expressions of the life force energy moving within the chakras. This class visits each chakra from the base upwards and then back down again, using the yoga postures. Enjoy!Payment for This ClassFor now it feels right to offer these classes on...