BKS Iyengar Dies Aged 95

BKS Iyengar passed away early this morning, he had been unwell for several weeks and was admitted to hospital last week.  He suffered Kidney failure and a heart attack.  I pay respect to Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar and his loved ones. In writing about him I am filled with joy, a light from within for all he achieved in sharing and spreading the teachings of yoga across the world.  This is a phenominal feat of achievement which has touched, helped to improve and heal the lives of many. I pay respect and gratitude to a man who lived and devoted his life to…

Navasana – Boat Posture (Modified)

Pronounced NAH-VAHS-anna, nava means boat.  This is boat posture (modified). This posture is found in the seated sequence of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (primary series). It is recommended to seek the guidance and supervision of a qualified yoga teacher when practicing yoga postures. Sitting on a yoga mat, pull the flesh away from under the sit bones.  Lift the pelvic floor up.  Lift in the lower back.  Lengthen the spine vertebrae by vertebra with the top of the head reaching towards the sky.  The shoulders are broad, with the shoulder blades reaching down the back towards the waist. Inhale, drawing the navel up…

Prasarita Padottanasana A – Feet Spread Out Intense Stretch Posture A

Pronounced pra-SAH-ree-tah pah-doh-tan-AHS-anna, meaning feet spread out intense stretch posture. This posture is found in the standing sequence of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and is one of 4 in the Prasarita Padottansasana series, A-D. It is recommended to seek the guidance and supervision of a qualified yoga teacher when practicing yoga postures. Standing at the front of the yoga mat in Tadasana (Mountain Posture), inhale stepping the right foot towards the back of the mat.  This is a wide step with the outer edges of the feet parallel.  The feet are firmly rooted into the ground.  Do not lock the knees.  The arms…

The Exchange Project for Parents

I am excited to share news about the Exchange Project which has been running for 8 years, sharing items used in raising children between the ages of 0-10 years.  The idea is simple and it is beautiful.  Exchange items you do not need for items you do. We live in a world of excessive consumption.  The impact of our demands can be observed, felt and are lived globally for example with child labour, slavery, workers working in dangerous conditions, and the negative impact of production and waste upon the environment and nature.  This consumption is also driven by waste, our waste.  So…

Preparing for Pranayama

There are many types of pranayama practice.  Some energise the body, whilst others can make the body feel more restful.  There are some basic things to consider before starting a pranayama practice.  As with yoga, be mindful that this is your practice.  You can start with a couple of minutes a day and over time extend the length of your practice to 5, 10 or 20 minutes (etc.) at your own pace.  You can also practice more often than once a day. Find a quiet space where you will not be disturbed.  It’s a good idea to practice in an environment at…

modified side angle posture in yoga

Utthita Parsvakonasana – Extended Side Angle Posture (Modified)

Pronounced oo-TEE-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna, this is Extended Side Angle Posture. This posture is found in the early stages of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga standing sequence.  Here I will discuss a modified version of this posture which does not require props. It is recommended to seek the guidance and supervision of a qualified yoga teacher when practicing yoga postures. Begin by standing at the front of a yoga mat in mountain posture (tadasana).  The pelvic floor and bandhas are engaged – with the navel pulling inwards, towards the spine. On an inhale, take a wide step, stepping the right foot towards the back of the mat, with…

Jineth Bedoya Lima, speaking at Coalica, Global Summit to End SVC, London 2014

Sexual Violence in Columbia’s Internal Child Trafficking Network

“Take care of your daughter, or she will be sold” a phrase reportedly heard in Columbia’s poorer districts.  According to Jineth Bedoya Lima, Sub Editor of Columbia’s National Newspaper, El Tiempo, it’s true. The Global summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict brought Jineth Bedoya to London’s Excel fringe event ‘Coalico’ on Wednesday, where the challenges in documenting sexual violence against children in armed conflict in Columbia were discussed. Jineth, a Columbian journalist who carries out exceptional investigative work is a survivor of sexual violence and the recipient of numerous journalism and courage awards.  She works on the issues of sexual…

Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict

  On 10-13th June 2014, London’s Excel centre will be hosting the worlds’ largest summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.  British Embassies and High Commissions around the world will be hosting events coinciding with the Summit.  Global solidarity and support for this initiative is being shared on twitter with the #TimeToAct . Summits Aims The summit aims to create practical action, bringing about changes at a grass roots level and to create momentum against this atrocity.  It will be co-chaired by the Foreign Secretary and Angelina Jolie, Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The issue of Ending…

Utkatasana, fierce, powerful pose, yoga

Utkatasana – Fierce Posture

Pronounced OOT-Kah-Tahs-anna, Utkata means powerful or fierce. This posture is found in the standing sequence of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. It is recommended to seek the guidance and supervision of a qualified yoga teacher when practicing yoga postures. Utkatasana is entered into with an inhale.  The feet are firmly rooted into the ground, with the toes, ankles and knees touching.  The sit bones (two bony points in the bottom) are reaching towards the ground (as if sitting on a low chair).  The pelvic floor and bandhas are engaged – with the navel pulling inwards, towards the spine. Whilst keeping this foundation,…

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

The Primary series of Ashtanga vinyasa yoga is called yoga chikitsa, translated simply as yoga therapy.  In combination with its healing elements, yoga chikitsa is designed to ground practitioners in the key elements of breath, drishti (focus), vinyasa (flow) and bandhas, building a strong foundation from which the practice of future series may grow (there are 6 altogether).  Regular practice of yoga chikitsa has a cleansing and toning effect on the body and mind.   In yoga philosophy the body comprises of thousands of nadis.  Nadis can be thought of as a stream or channel through which prana (life force) travels. …