Letting go of Entitlement in Relationships

Wisdom lies in finding your own truth – series 3 When you hear a voice inside say that ‘he or she’ doesn’t love you, ask yourself – do you love you? When you hear a voice inside say that ‘he or she’ doesn’t respect you, ask yourself – do you respect you? Entitlement – so much of our communication and interaction with others is based upon this belief.  There are two sides to this coin – both impact upon our behaviour, relationships and feelings of happiness and self- worth.  When I refer to relationships, these can be adult relationships with…

Pregnancy Yoga Classes at Yogalime

At Yogalime, our motto is ‘Give love to you’ and our Pregnancy Yoga Classes are restorative, loving and kind to mums-to-be.  Whilst we move the body in asana (yoga postures) to strengthen the muscles and joints, we also focus on opening and relaxing the body and mind in preparation for childbirth. In Ayurveda philosophy there is considered to be an energetic connection between an unborn child and a mothers heart.  Many of our practices will work with an awareness of this bond and help to nurture this connection. Pregnancy yoga has many benefits, and helps a woman to create a firm foundation for the…

Sankalpa – Sow a Resolution for Positive Change

A New Year is a great reminder to pause, stop and take a moment to sit with yourself and focus on what you would like to achieve and the changes you would like to bring into your life.  Taking the time to clear the mind and allowing yourself an opportunity to hear and listen to the intuitive wisdom of your heart is an invaluable practice.   Sankalpa is a sanskrit word which broadly speaking means a ‘resolve’ or ‘resolution’.  It differs in meaning from ones traditional view of a New Years’ resolution, as it extends much deeper than for example, changing a habit…

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…

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…

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. …

Asana Explored

Raja yoga is the science of the mind and its primary text, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali provides that the goal of yoga is ‘chitta vritti nirodhah’.  Translated from Sanscript this means ‘restraint of the modifications of the mind stuff.’ Patanjali divides yoga practice into 8 stages or limbs, known as Ashtanga or eight –limbed yoga.  Each are of equal value, are necessary and should be maintained in yoga. The 3rd limb is called ‘asana’, which Patanjali defines as ‘comfortable and steady posture’.  This can be any posture, whether standing, sitting or lying down that one can maintain in comfort for…