August Special Offer -
On Monday evenings, 7.30 to 9.00 for the month of August, James offers 4 Kundalini Yoga classes for €50.
Why not try James' great value classes. Classes are 1½hours and caters for all students from beginners to advanced levels.
For more information contact James on 086-8193075 or
Garaldine is adding another morning class at Lotus Yoga. You can now attend either of or both Geraldine's Wednesday or Friday class from 7.30 to 8.45am. The classes are tailored to suit beginners and intermediate level.
On Friday, 25th June Geraldine will offer one class free so students can experience the benefits of practicing yoga early in the morning.
B.K.S. Iyengar doing a Full Arm balance (Adho Mukha Vrksasana)
Born in India in 1918, B.K.S. Iyengar is considered one of the foremost teachers of Yoga in the world and has been practicing and teaching for over sixty years. Millions of students now follow his method and there are Iyengar yoga centres all over the world. He has written many books on yogic practice and its philosophy including "Light on Yoga," "Light on Pranayama," "Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" and more.
At the age of 15, B.K.S. Iyengar was introduced to yoga through his brother-in-law following the teachings of a very strict scholar and yogi Sri T. Krishnamacharya. In 1937 at the age of 19 he began to teach yoga and soon his recognition grew. However, it wasn't until a chance meeting with the famous violinist, Yehudi Menuhin that B.K.S. Iyengar received international acclaim where he taught abroad in London, Switzerland, Paris and elsewhere.
On first introductions to the subject, our initial understanding of yoga does not go far beyond the notion of relaxation, light physical exercise including a spot of stretching to help our flexibility / agility.
Having poor health from childhood, Iyengar had a very clear motivation for practising yoga. Viewed as the bible of yoga, his book, ‘Light on Yoga' sets out a series of prescriptive asanas (postures) to specifically deal with a variety of common ailments, an example quoted below (editor's note - it is recommended to seek medical advice for treatment of serious illnesses) ;
High blood pressure
Haläsana (244); Janu-Sirsãsana (127); Ardha Baddha Padma
Paschimottãnãsana (135); Triang Mukhaikapãda Paschimottänäsana
(139); Paschimottãnäsana (160); Virãsana (89); Siddhãsana (84);
Padmasana (104); Savãsana (592). Nädi Sodhana Pranayãma (Section
205) without retention. Meditation with closed eyes. (If the blood
pressure is very high, then it is better to do Ujjãyi Prãnãyãma (Section
203) in the lying position without pillows first for 5 minutes and then
to perform Nadi Sodhana Prãnayäma (Section 205) and immediately do
Savãsana (592) for 15 minutes.)
For whatever reason one takes up yoga, it is when we understand and believe that through regular practice, the benefits on many levels will undoubtedly inspire us to continue and in time without much effort, we will mould our day-to-day routines around these practices.
The introduction in the book on Iyengar yoga ‘Light on Yoga' sets out very well the philosophy underlying the practice, in summary - calm mind, regular breath and core strength.
Excerpt from ‘Light on Yoga' by B.K.S. Iyengar
What is Yoga?
The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning to bind, join, attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate one's attention on, to use and apply. It also means union or communion. ‘It thus means,' says Mahadev Desai in his introduction to the Gita according to Gandhi, ‘the yoking of all the powers of body, mind and soul; it means the disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the emotions, the will, which that Yoga pre-supposes; it means a poise of the soul which enables one to look at life in all its aspects evenly.'
Yoga is one of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. It was collated, co-ordinated and systematised by Patañjali in his classical work, the Yoga Sutras, which consists of 185 terse aphorisms. In Indian thought, everything is permeated by the Supreme Universal Spirit (Paramätma or God) of which the individual human spirit (jivatma) is a part. The system of yoga is so called because it teaches the means by which the jivätmã can be united to, or be in communion with the Paramatmä, and so secure liberation (moksa).
One who follows the path of Yoga is a yogi or yogin. In the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gitã, which is the most important authority on Yoga philosophy, Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna the meaning of Yoga as a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow. It is said:
‘When his mind, intellect and self (ahamkãra) are under control, freed from restless desire, so that they rest in the spirit within, a man becomes a Yukta - one in communion with God. A lamp does not flicker in a place where no winds blow; so it is with a yogi, who controls his mind, intellect and self, being absorbed in the spirit within him. When the restlessness of the mind, intellect and self is stilled through the practice of Yoga, the yogi by the grace of the Spirit within himself finds fulfilment. Then he knows the joy eternal which is beyond the pale of the senses which his reason cannot grasp. He abides in this reality and moves not therefrom. He has found the treasure above all others. There is nothing higher than this. He who has achieved it, shall not be moved by the greatest sorrow. This is the real meaning of Yoga-a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow.'
At Lotus Yoga, Sorcha's Monday evening's class (6.00-7.15pm) takes students from beginners to advanced levels. Using props Sorcha focus on improving flexibility and building core strength. Class sizes allows Sorcha one-to-one tuition while conducting her class.
The sensations of labour are unlike pain from an injury or accident. They are the result of a normal, healthy body function and so need not be feared. Most first-time mothers will have some level of anxiety about the labour but try not to be overly anxious before and during the birth - stress can slow down the birthing of your baby. Recognise the sensations of each contraction as productive and positive - a necessary process to bring your baby into your arms. The experience of labour passes and at the end, you will have a tiny bundle of joy, well worth the effort!
Be prepared - you will feel less anxious and more in control if you develop your concentration, breathing and visualisation skills before the birth. Use whatever techniques help you to stay relaxed and practice these regularly so that they come to you easily when needed.
Here are some tips that will help:
Finally, it is useful to remember that you cannot consciously control your labour or your contractions. Even if you were unconscious, your body would simply get along with birthing the baby. However you can control how you respond to contractions. Control in labour is a matter of controlling how you respond, not controlling the labour itself. So sit back, relax and let your body go for it! J
Learn concentration, visualisation and breathing techniques as well as yoga movements at Paula's Wednesday evening prenatal yoga class. You'll be glad you came!
This article was adapted from Maggie Howell's Natal Hypnotherapy CD, available at http://www.natalhypnotherapy.co.uk/
The human body has an incredible capacity to heal itself. Both acupuncture and yoga are effective techniques at orchestrating the body's potential for well being and energetic balance. In conjuction with a reasonably healthy lifestyle along with complimentary practices such as Tai Chi, meditation and Qi Kung, each aid in ensuring ones health is maintained at its full potential.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Acupuncture are ancient forms of natural healing. They originate from Taoist and naturalist philosophies and evolved over approximately 3,000 years of theory, clinical trials and observation. These are holistic therapies and as such they try to restore a sense of balance in all aspects of one's life. This is achieved by manipulating Qi (the bodies essential energy) either through needles, acupressure, massage, heat or electric pulses in order to restore health, harmony and well-being.
Qi circulates throughout the body in a network of channels or meridians connecting yin and yang organs, internal and external aspects of the body. Each acu-point acts as a gateway to the meridian, so that the acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing process to restore its natural balance. The diagnostic principles of TCM enable the practitioner to decide on the best possible combination of points to use, in order to relieve the symptoms and treat the underlying root cause.
In TCM pain is caused by a disruption in the flow of qi through the meridians. This can be due to internal or external climatic or pathogenic factors such as wind, heat, cold damp or dryness. For example, after sleeping in a draft one wakes up with an acute stiff neck; in TCM one may be given a diagnosis of wind cold invading the Urinary Bladder and Gall Bladder channels. In order to resolve this problem the principle of treatment will be to clear wind and warm the meridians and thus stop the pain and restore full range of movement once again. This is usually achieved in just one session.
Chronic conditions such as migraine, constipation or pre menstral sydrome (PMS) tend to be attributed to internal organic disharmonies which occur due to various different internal and / or external factors. For example poor nutrition, excessive work / life balance, difficult emotional or living conditions can impact on the body and manifest as a recurring migraine with vomiting and intolerance to light.
Abdominal acupuncture, a revolutionary new and rare form of acupuncture, has developed over the last 20 years. There are only a few practitioners of this form in Europe and only one practising this form in Ireland. It is very gentle in nature (needle sensation) and powerful in action. Results are rapid and long lasting; for this reason it is also known as "miracle therapy". It can be used to treat all the same disorders that traditional acupuncture deals with and is particularly effective with painful and stubborn conditions such as backache, sciatica, disc prolapse, frozen shoulder, R.S.I., tendonitis & Rheumatoid arthritis. In abdominal acupuncture, the navel is the centre and the area used is energetically very potent, including the area known as the Dantien or Hara. All embryonic development stems from this area and it also contains all the bodies' channels and collaterals either directly or indirectly which gives abdominal acupuncture its incredible healing power.
It is said in TCM "a moving hinge never rusts"; for this reason Yoga is a powerful way to prevent body aches while nourishing the soul and calming the mind. Like abdominal acupuncture, Yoga is one of the few practices which enhances our life force or life essence (Jing). Practiced in conjunction with abdominal acupuncture treatments, each can compliment one another and help reinforce and maximize therapeutic results. Poses such as Bharadvajasana (Twist) help to strengthen the spine while nourishing the digestive organs, facilitating the flow of qi through the meridians of the abdomen. Back problems which can be treated with TCM can also be improved by practicing the Marjaryasana (Cat) and Bitilasana (Cow) poses. Savasana (Corpse Pose) at the end of a Yoga class induces a similar peaceful and relaxed state of body/mind as one achieves after an abdominal acupuncture treatment.
About Dave Shipsey.
Dave has been practicing abdominal acupuncture for over seven years and is continuously amazed by the incredible results that can be achieved with this form. Clients generally prefer it because of the rapid results and the gentle nature of the needle sensation. As with other forms of acupuncture, during a treatment clients usually feel very relaxed and often fall asleep. Afterwards, they return to the world with an aura of calm contentment.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture are also very affective in treating all areas of women's health including menstrual problems, menopausal syndrome and fertility difficulties. TCM like yoga can be used throughout pregnancy and can treat all kinds of complications such as morning sickness, carpel tunnel syndrome, and pre-eclampsia. Amongst other things it can be used to turn breech babies and to induce labour.
If you would like any further information regarding TCM and/or abdominal acupuncture, Dave can be contacted on 01 4738845, 0879618344 or . Dave is registered with the Acupuncture Foundation Professional Association and is fully insured and approved by all major medical insurance providers.
The Yogic Way of Proper living!
In their book,
and based on the ancient wisdom of yoga, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm set out 5 principles of yogic living by closely observing the lifestyles and needs of people in our modern world, namely;
1) Proper Exercise - Asanas
2) Proper Breathing - Pranayama
3) Proper Relaxation - Savasana
4) Proper Diet - Vegetarian
5) Positive Thinking & Meditation - Vedanta & Dhyana
'The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With One Step' - Lao Tzu
Proper exercise acts as a lubricating mechanism for the joints, muscles ligaments, tendons, and other parts of the body, by increasing circulation and flexibility. The fundamental difference between Yogic exercises and ordinary physical exercises is that physical exercises emphasize violent movements of the muscles, while Yogic exercises promote slow and conscious movements of the body, thus avoiding the build-up of lactic acid in the muscle fibres which causes fatigue. The main purpose of exercise is to increase circulation and the intake of oxygen. This can be achieved by simple movements of the spine and various joints of the body, with deep breathing, and without violent movement of the muscles.
Yogic exercises are in fact called yoga asanas, an asana being a steady pose. Yogic exercises, when done correctly, influence and positively energise all systems of the body: the circulatory system, the muscular and skeletal systems, the endocrine system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, and most importantly, the nervous system. In terms of muscles, Yogic exercises not only strengthen the muscles but also stretch them. There is a great emphasis on the flexibility and the youth of the spine. Swami Vishnu-devananda said: "flexible spine, flexible mind"
The correct postures are performed with awareness and concentration, accompanied by breathing and relaxation. Thus Yogic exercises affect not only the physical body but also the astral body, the energetic body and the mind. Through the systematic and rhythmic holding of the postures with breathing and concentration, and releasing the posture to come to a state of relaxation, the prana (or chi) is allowed to flow unobstructed through the nadis to all the organs, cells and parts of the body, revitalizing them. The body and mind are harmonized with each other, removing tension located in the different parts of the body and the mind. Also, in this process, the body and mind are put in alignment or in harmony with their ruler, the Inner spirit, thus giving to the practitioner a deeper sense of well-being and meaning. Yogic asanas prepare the body and mind to be strong for further practice of concentration and meditation.
Other exercises that can be complementary to the practice of Yoga are swimming and walking. Yoga doesn't promote any excessive exercise or the kind of exercise that develops only one aspect of the body to the detriment of other parts. For an exercise to be considered a Yogic exercise, it must be done with awareness. Yogic postures (asanas) are internally-oriented, non-competitive, and meditative, promoting calmness and helping the practitioner to transcend identification with the body, as opposed to our over-attachment to the body and external beauty.
'Nature Does Not Hurry, Yet Everything is Acomplished.' - Lao Tzu
Yoga emphasizes breathing correctly (the Yogic full breath using the diaphragm). We substantially increase the intake of oxygen through deep inhalation and release the toxins appropriately through our deep exhalation. Yoga teaches us to be constantly aware of our breathing patterns, and to breathe consciously in our daily life. Specific breathing techniques (pranayama) are devised to further purify the nadis, balance the breath and the energy in our system, and to store and channel the subtle energy (prana) for higher purposes.
The word Hatha is composed of the words Ha and Tha, which mean sun and moon, respectively. This refers to the balance between the prana vayu (the positive vital air) and apana vayu (the negative vital air). Prana (vital air) in the body of the individual is a part of the universal breath.
The regulation of the harmonized breath helps the Yogi to regulate and steady the mind. Pranayama needs to be practiced by all serious Yoga practitioners. Advanced practices should only be done by those already practicing a pure lifestyle, and it is recommended that they are done under the supervision of a teacher in a pure environment, like an ashram.
'Silence is a Source of Great Strength.' - Lao Tzu
Relaxation techniques, such as Savasana, cool down the system like the
radiator of a car. When the body and mind are constantly overworked, their efficiency diminishes. Relaxation is nature's way of recharging the body. The state of our mind and the state of our body are intimately linked. If your muscles are relaxed, then your mind must be relaxed. If the mind is anxious, then the body suffers too. We can say that there are three levels of relaxation: physical, mental and spiritual. There are also three levels of tension, or stress: physical stress, mental stress and spiritual stress.
Physical stress comes from poor eating habits, sedentary living, repetitive movements of the body, and poor posture. Modern life, especially in big cities, is full of stress as modern working and living conditions are full of pressure, and devoid of prana and relaxation.
Mental and emotional stress comes from a hectic lifestyle, highly demanding jobs, distractions of the mind, low vitality due to lack of prana, and negative emotions such as anger, hatred, jealousy, fear, and anxiety. Spiritual stress comes from existential anxieties, from living with questions without answers, such as "what is life and death?", "what is love?", "what is the nature of our connections with God?", "is there a God?", "why are there inconsistencies and unrighteousness?", "how can one find stability in the ever-changing phenomena of life?", "why are we suffering from disillusions?", and "why can't we achieve enduring peace?"
The solution is to achieve the three levels of relaxation: Physical relaxation is achieved through the systematic practice of conscious relaxation (Savasana) and correct posture. Mental relaxation is achieved through correct breathing, concentration of the mind and positive thinking. A distracted mind is always anxious. A mind concentrated on a positive object is more relaxed and recharged. Spiritual relaxation is a deeper type of relaxation, when we become content, a detached witness of the body and mind. Swami Vishnu-devananda states that being free from identification with the body, the mind, and ego-consciousness is the only way to reach a state of complete relaxation.
Through complete relaxation we live in the solid present, overcome our fears of death and of the future, and welcome life's demands with strength and courage, able to guide our mind, control our desires and choose better priorities.
'Very little is needed to make a happy life.
It is all within yourself,
in your way of thinking.' - Marcus Aurelius
Correct nutrition and diet gives proper fuel for the body and the mind without creating toxins and digestive problems. Optimum utilisation of food, air, water and sunlight is essential. There is medical evidence that a balanced vegetarian diet is extremely healthy and provides everything the body needs. The Yogic vegetarian diet is sattvic (pure), and helps to calm the mind, and to reveal the spirit as well as nourish the body.
The body needs food for two purposes: as fuel to supply energy, and as materials to repair body tissues. For repairing and building tissue, the body needs: 1. protein; 2. carbohydrates; 3. fats; 4. minerals. These elements are found in larger proportions in vegetable tissue than in animal tissue. Nuts, peas, beans, soy bean products like tofu, and milk contain protein. Wheat, oats, rice and other grains are mainly carbohydrates. All protein foods and vegetable oils provide the fats, and the main supply of organic minerals and vitamins comes from fruit and vegetables. A vegetarian diet is a natural diet, fresh and wholesome, full of fibre and alkaline in nature, energy-producing, and easy to absorb and to eliminate. To maintain a sattvic diet, free from rajasic and tamasic influences, avoid stimulants and depressants such as caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs of all kinds, overly spicy food, on ions, garlic, overcooked food, old food, frozen food, canned food, sodas and processed foods, as well as all meat. Yogis advocate "ahimsa", the principle of non-violence, non-injury and respect for life. Everything our body and mind needs for growth can be provided from the vegetable kingdom. By avoiding eating animal flesh we nourish ourselves in a natural and healthy way.
The vegetarian diet helps in the performance of asanas as the body and the joints becomes more flexible. It is a wonderful way to prevent heart disease, arthritis, obesity, and a good remedy for many chronic disease
Changing to a vegetarian diet can be gradual and life-transforming. It consists not only in deciding to stop eating meat, but in learning a new way of life, by being conscious of how you nourish yourself. It includes not only being aware of what you eat, but also how you eat. Yogis promote taking time to cook, and to eat consciously in a regular manner with appropriate intervals between meals to allow the digestive fire to activate and digest the food. Blessing meals is also encouraged to sanctify the act of eating and for offering thanks to the Creator. Proper diet includes periodic fasting as well, to give a break to the digestive system, purify body and mind, and to make the mind more perceptive, more sattvic, and more conducive to concentration, contemplation and meditation.
'Patience is the Key to Joy.' - Rumi
Just as the driver of a car manages to bring himself to his destination without accidents and setbacks, so the yogi learns to manage his mind and emotions in order to keep himself positive at all times. Positive thoughts are energizing and facilitate growth, while negative thoughts are draining and inhibit growth. Only with a positive outlook about oneself can one maintain a meditative life which will ultimately lead to intuitive knowledge and inner strength.
Reference:
by Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm
Kate teaches lunchtime Pilates Classes on Mondays & Saturdays at Lotus Yoga.
Catering for students of mixed levels, her classes are free flowing from a gentle warm up to a relaxing warm down.
Contact Kate at or tel 086 8253691
Kate writes about core strength and its scope in dealing with postural imbalances, the cause of many injuries and the potential of alleviating pain through regular practice.
The core muscles that lie deep within the body work as stabilisers not only to the spine but to the rest of the torso including the ribs, pelvis and shoulders. The strengthening of these muscle groups that surround and support the spine is the basis of developing "Core Stability", which will result in improved balance, posture and stability of the spine and torso. Core muscle strength is the key to injury-free exercise and improved performance amongst athletes, as well as being the key to a pain-free life for many people suffering with chronic back pain. These muscles are the basis of strength, fitness and conditioning of the body that were referred to by Joseph Pilates as "The Girdle of Strength".
Pilates is the ultimate exercise choice for anyone looking to improve their core strength and stability, whether it be to improve posture, relieve on-going back problems and pain, or to just generally improve strength, fitness, body tone, balance and coordination. Many back pain conditions are associated with a weakness in the core muscles that stabilise and support the spine, resulting in poor posture and allowing stresses, pressures and strains put upon the body during the average daily routine to have a direct impact on the spine, thus resulting in pain. The muscles begin to tighten in the area of the spine experiencing pain and discomfort, which leads to further postural adjustments. This, in turn, causes extra strain on the muscles which tighten and spasm further in the affected area, ultimately resulting in more pain. This is a vicious circle that becomes more and more difficult to break, often resulting in increasing weakness of the core muscles as the muscles surrounding an area of pain continue to overwork and dominate the workload. An increasing number of people from all backgrounds, professions and of varying sport and athletic participation and ability are experiencing on-going back pain. It seems however you choose to fill your day there is no guarantee that you will experience a lifetime free from back problems.
Maybe your occupation consists of sitting at a desk all day - this can result in a lack of mobility of the lower back, postural issues resulting from slouching and even sitting cross-legged for hours on end and an increasing amount of tension in the neck and shoulders. In many occupations, we often spend hours typing and manipulating a mouse, staring downwards towards a screen and keyboard (particularly for laptop users) and coping with the increasing stresses and strains of an increasingly stressful and demanding worklife. Perhaps you spend most of your day on your feet, standing in the same position or performing a series of repetitive movements throughout the day. Again, a lot of tension is often held in the neck and shoulders and strain is often felt through the lower back due to postural adjustments made from standing or making small repetitive movements for prolonged periods. You may even spend your day rushing around or frequently lifting large and cumbersome or heavy objects, thereby adding extra stress and strain to the body with continuous bending, stretching and lifting movements. Whatever your occupation, there is nearly always some aspect of your daily routine that encourages you to get into bad postural habits and put pressure on your back. Bad postural habits are an important factor to consider in virtually all cases of long-term back pain.
Core strength and stability training is also a must for the athletes out there, where a lack of core strength can ultimately lead to injuries. The recovery time-period and debilitating nature of any injury is always the grave unknown for those involved in serious competition sports and those exercising for pleasure alike. One only has to consider the kinds of injuries that prevent many athletes from continuing with their sport, or at least that prevent them from competing for some time, to gain an understanding of the benefits of this type of body conditioning for athletes. Back injuries and shoulder injuries are very common in a wide range of sports including running, tennis, badminton, rugby, cycling and horse-riding to name but a few. Core strength training should be a vital component of the training programme for any athlete and will ultimately help the body move and perform to its optimal level. Many high-profile examples exist in media of top-level sportsmen and sportswomen making use of Pilates for injury prevention, rehabilitation and core strengthening purposes. Examples include the Munster rugby team, the Welsh and Australian national rugby teams, and even David Beckham.
The good news is that improved core strength and stability can be used positively to counteract bad postural habits, the physical stresses and strains of worklife and the pressures put upon the body through vigorous (and even not-so-vigorous!) sports and exercise programmes. Once the basic principles of Pilates are learned as a student in a class situation, the stabilisation of the spine and improved core stability gained can be applied to every aspect of your day-to-day routine including work, sports and relaxation time. After a few weeks of Pilates core strength training you will begin to feel the benefits of improved body awareness, core strength and control, and improved posture and balance throughout your daily life.
Give yourself a boost by saluting the sun. Surya Namaskara (sun salutations) is a series of poses linked together by breath. Surya Namaskara can be done on it's own or are an excellent way to start a practice as they warm up the body and initiate movement. The breath is used to move from one pose to the next and if done correctly teach you how to breath when moving into or out of a pose. For example inhalations are used to lift the chest, expanding the lungs so they can be filled with air. Exhalations are used to move into foreword bends, as the foreword bend expels air from the lungs. This dynamic flow of asanas stimulates circulation and gives a feeling of joyfulness and calmness. The moves are energising and have maximum benefit when done in the morning. The sequence wakes up the body and mind making you feel light and focused.
For a quick energy boost during the day try Uttanasana (intense stretch) or Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog). All foreword bends and inversions are good poses to relieve stiffness, stress, and fatigue and to calm the mind.
In Uttanasana the legs are straight and the palms of the hands are on the floor beside the feet so that the upper part of the body is inverted and surrendering to gravity. The heartbeat slows down and the spinal nerves are rejuvenated. The brain cells are soothed and this relieves headaches and gives a feeling of calmness. The spine is stretched and this removes stiffness. This strong foreword bend from the hips massages the abdominal organs, kidneys, liver and spleen refreshes them. It also relieves stomach pain during menstruation
In Adho Mukha Svanasana the weigh of the body is distributed between the hands and balls of the feet with the hips lifted up so that the body is inverted. The body is upright for most of the day with gravity pressing down on the organs. When the body is inverted fresh blood flows freely into the organs and detoxes them. The brain is invigorated to relieve fatigue. The spine is stretched and the heartbeat slows down giving a sense of calmness and lowering blood pressure.
While much has been written about yoga and its benefits over the centuries and probably as much again in the last 100 years or so, you will never get a true sense of yoga by reading about it. You just have to try it for yourself!!!
You can always begin with the breath and try some of the breathing techniques described in the articles above, but, if you feel like exploring further, now is a great time to check out a yoga class.
There is a great variety of classes available in Lotus Yoga Centre and if you are not sure where to start or which class is right for you, you can drop in to a few different classes before committing yourself to any particular one.
The beauty of yoga is that once you have developed an awareness for some of the different postures and their relationship to the breath, you can take it home and make it your own. All you need is a mat and a bit of quiet space and you are on the road to enlightenment (or, at the least, a stress-free existence!). It's up to yourself how quickly you wish to arrive at your destination and if you even want to get there in this lifetime! The main thing is that you enjoy your journey!
Why practice Yoga?
If you are still not convinced, have a look at some of the recent research pointing to the enormous benefits of practicing yoga postures and pranayama [yogic breathing techniques], on our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Yoga has a particularly strong track record where the indicators of stress are concerned - high blood pressure, cortisol (the stress hormone) levels and LDL cholesterol have all been reduced by the daily practice of yoga/pranayama. - See the Art of Living Foundation's research section on their website on the effects of sodarshan kriya breathing technique on stress reduction. Given that stress is a proven factor in the major killers in our society today, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes, it's obvious that yoga is a tool that we should all have in our well-being tool box!
Much of the research regarding the benefits of yoga has been carried out in India and can be difficult to access. Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, Director of the Kundalini Research Institute, has compiled and analysed over 180 research articles - ‘The rationale for yoga research -yoga as therapy-' at http//kriteachings/research.
For anyone interested in the health benefits of yoga it's well worth a look!
Here are my tips to help make Tai Chi a fun and regular part of your life:
Just 15 minutes that is yours alone every day. For many of us the best time is first thing in the morning but other good times are lunch time, after work or last thing at night. 15 minutes are not much - about the same time as a cup of coffee. For those 15 minutes forget about everything except your Tai Chi, you can solve the world's problems after you finish.
Back gardens, parks, living rooms, kitchens or bedrooms are good places. Somewhere with as much space, light and fresh air as possible is best. Don't worry if you only have a small space, just reposition yourself when you need to.
After a while your energy will harmonize with the place and you will find it increasingly easy to relax in your place at your time.
then don't worry about it - just do your 15 minutes Tai Chi as soon as you can. If you are away/travelling then don't worry just do your 15 minutes wherever you can.
if/when you miss a day. This can and does happen to everyone. Tomorrow is a new day so wake up, smile and practice. Let go of past failures, they are meaningless. If you want to do your Tai Chi today then you will.
You don't have to do it perfectly. If you can't remember parts or your mind won't settle then that is fine, just keep going. Ask your teacher about it when you can. Do what you can and relax and enjoy the feeling of doing something for you. This is your time and space and you body, mind and spirit are free to enjoy it.
and everything will feel better.