yoga4healthyliving

Yoga Cat Stretch

Yoga Cat Stretch is an asana that we regularly perform in my classes in Dunstable and Great Brickhill.  It is brilliant for releasing tension in the spine along with increasing the flexibility of the vertebrala column.

Remember we have 24 movable vertebrae and between each is an intervertebral disc which is filled with fluid and protects the vertebrae from each other and preventing them from trapping nerves.  Cat stretch also allows us to massage the abdominal organs, gently squeezing and releasing.  The wrists and arms are strengthened as they are taking part of the body's weight.  It is now known the the first bones to degenerate with osteoporosis are the wrists and forearms, so this weight bearing posture can really help to prevent weakness in the lower arms.  Loads more benefits, come along to my class and experience it first hand...Great Brickhill Tues afternoon and Thurs evening (handly for Milton Keynes and Leighton Buzzard) and Dunstable Fri morning (handy for Kensworth, Luton, Markyate, Houghton Regis, Caddington, Studham).

Call me on 01525 374190 or 07817959161 for more info. 

Energy

Yoga is fantastic at increasing energy levels.  When I am disciplined and spring out of bed early (as opposed to begging one of my sons for a cup of tea whilst I doze a bit more) and practice a few yoga postures, I can quickly feel a zest for life coming over me.  When I do this consistently, ie week after week, I notice that my mood is very much more balanced.

Postures you could choose to create energy are back bends.  This can be as simple as standing with feet hip width apart, arms by sides, taking an in breath and in so doing lifting the chest and rib cage and going for a hint of a back bend, protecting the neck if you know you have weakness there.  As you exhale, gently come back to upright.  Do this slowly for maybe five repeats.  Stand quietly and tune in to your breathing.  Notice how much more the rib cage is moving.  You could follow this with a gently fold forward, allowing the arms to float down like a rag doll, and the head to be free, softening the knees to protect the lower back and to bring the chest closer to the thighs.

Walking for weight loss

'Walking is man's best medicine'

Hippocrates

Walking cuts heart risk

So just three brisk walks a week for 30 minutes a time can lower blood pressure and heart disease risk, so say scientists. Being a bit concerned about my shape, more interesting to me, is that it can reduce the circumference of the waist and hips!  Of course I knew all this already.  But, reading it again, sometimes is that extra push to put into practice what we already know will be good for us.  So in addition to your regular yoga practice and to build up bone density, dig out those trainers and start striding... 

Five a day

      

Five a day is by now extremely well known advice for the number of portions of fruit and veg we need to be eating per day to keep everthing moving - sure I don't to expand on that!  Also of course all those fab anti-oxidants that strengthen the immune system.  Why then when I was in lovely Le Touquet this week did I see a true rainbow of fibre in the shape of veggies and fruits and yet on my plate in restaurants and the like did I see so few?  Odd that. So being a vegetarian Yoga person it was hard going for me. No matter made up for it last night with big plate of veggie curry with green beans, leeks and coriander and orange squash.  Yummy!  Will chuck some coconut milk in the leftovers and with a quick whizz, soup for lunch!  Please send me any veggie curry dishes you have tucked away, as I usually make up my own but would love to hear your suggestions for more.

Yoga on the beach

Yoga on the beach  form from Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable is so much fun!  On holiday last week in Jersey I couldn't stop myself from doing a few warrior and triangle poses in deep white sand.  I did check that my companions wouldn't be embarrassed and they were extremely tolerant. 

What was so great about the beach for yoga?  Hmmm, I think the warmth of the sun, the softness of the sand, my legs sank so far in that I was close to the splits!, the sense of freedom that goes with being on holiday too...and the exhiliration of splashing and swimming in the sea afterwards.  I felt that I had turned back the clock in many ways and confirmed to myself that age is all in the mind and that it is none of my business what other people think of me.  It is OK to be exactly who I am!

PS There is a photo of me in downward facing dog floating around and I will post it here when I find it!

Remember no yoga this Tues 14 Aug, but back on Thurs 16. 

Yoga Day Gyanashakti

Yoga Day - Sat 1 September 07 1000-1600 at St. Luke's hall, St. Peter's MK40 2NN, central Bedford

I hope to make this yoga day and thought I would publicise it on my blog as it seems as though it will be a lovely day of yoga and lovely people.

A late summer's day of Satyananda Yoga, Pranayama, Yoga Nidra and Meditatin with Gyanashakti

£35 - including home made veggie lunch

Gyanashakti is a highly experienced yoga and meditation teacher from Sweden, now teaching in London at the Satyananda centre.

Included in the day is posture work, breathing techniques meditation and relaxation.  The theme of hte day is finding stillness in the yoga practices.

More info at pepeperkins@hotmail.com or call 01234 303212

Yoga day - 1 September 07

I promised classes this week information on a yoga day on 1 September.  All details will be on this site by bedtime tonight!