yoga4healthyliving

Neti

Do you suffer from any of the following?

• Frequent colds and coughs
• Rhinitis / Sinusitis
• Stuffy nose and nasal congestion
• Frequent throat infections
• Post-nasal drip
• Catarrh and excessive mucous
• Blocked ears and ear infections
• Allergies and sneezing
• Sensitive runny nose
• Asthma
• Hayfever

Have you tried lots of different treatments and found they only relieve the symptoms but the problem always comes back?

The Yoga holistic approach to health recommends that daily cleansing of the nasal passages using a neti, which can help prevent harmful bacteria, dust and chemicals from entering the body and causing infections and irritation.

A neti is basically a specially shaped pot for holding water which has a spout on the end designed to fit into the nostrils. It is used to flush the nasal passages and sinuses. In India neti's have been used for centuries and even today they are as common as tooth brushes.

How it works is incredibly simple. A saline solution is made up of a teaspoon of table salt and half a litre of  boiled  water. Wait until the solution is blood temperature before you use.

The neti is then filled with the water, and the head brought forward over a sink and tilted to one side.  Keep the mouth open throughout to breathe. 

The spout of the neti is inserted into the upper nostril and the neti pot is then raised which allows the salted water to pass into the upper nasal passage and out of the bottom nasal passage. The process is then repeated by tilting the head the opposite way and inserting the neti into the other nostril.

Blow very gently through each nostril. 

Milton Keynes yoga classes

Great Brickhill is on the southern border of the city of Milton Keynes and I run two yoga classes there on Tues afternoon 1.15-2.45 and Thurs evening 8.00-9.30pm.  So if you are interesting in managing your stress; slowing down the ageing process; improving your flexibility; strengthening your body; looking and feeling toned and many other benefits call me now on 07817959161.

Dunstable Yoga Classes

Yoga in Dunstable comes with fun attached!  Below are some of the lovely regulars from the Friday Morning Yoga Class that I hold in St. Augustine's Church, Downside, Dunstable.  We like to treat ourselves to lunch out every few weeks at a local hostelry - or in this case the local Chinese (eat as much as you can!) restaurant. 

  From left to right (back row) Kathy, Margaret, Beryl, Joyce, Debbie, Pat, Judith

  (front row) Vicky, Debbie and Ann - click on image to see a bigger picture (go on I dare you!) 

Thank you ladies for your regular support, the fun we share and your enthusiasm for your yoga practice.  If you would like to come along and join us, please do.  £4.50 per class, every Friday morning 10.00-11.30.  A bargain...call me on 01525 374190 to find out more.

International Day of Peace 21 September

International Day of Peace on 21 September is an opportunity to focus our thoughts on peace in our lives. Perhaps you would like to choose a way to celebrate this day.  Many will be taking a minutes silence at noon, others will be lighting a candle. 

"Thre is no way to peace.  Peace is the way."  Mahatma Ghandi

Grow and be happy

In order to be happy, human beings must feel that they are continuing to grow.  Yoga can help you grow in all kinds of ways.  It raises your awareness of your body and how it behaves.  It may encourage you to take better care of it by looking at what you put into it.  By spending a few minutes in relaxation and stillness, it can make you realise how good this feels and perhaps decide to do it more often.   

Yoga class Milton Keynes - North Bucks Yoga Association

North Bucks Yoga Association are holding a Yoga class in Old Straford Community Hall, Milton Keynes with Tara Fraser on Sat 6 Oct.  This one off session is sure to be interesting.  It begins at 0930 and runs until 1230.  cost is £12.00 and you can book with Jean Reid on 01908 611431.  A percentage of fees goes to charity.

More Yoga Cat Stretch

So the Cat Stretch, how do we do it?  Well, as for many yoga asanas there are variations, but let me give you the basic today.

Begin on all fours, knees under hips, wrists under shoulders - if that is comfortable.  Spread the fingers and have the middle finger pointing forwards.  This opens the energy centres between the fingers.  Begin with your spine in neutral.  As you exhale, allow your head and tailbone to tuck under your torso.  Move gently with awareness of how it feels.  As you inhale, allow head and tailbone to return to neutral.  Exhaling, allow the head and tailbone to lift up towards the sky.  Tip for those with dodgy backs, avoid taking the tailbone too high, keep in more in neutral.  When you meet resistance in the body, that is a message to tell you that you have gone far enough.  Inhaling, come back to neutral.  Continue in this way.  Notice how the spine feels during the movement.  Observe how the abdominal organs get squeezed together and then move away from each again.  This will help to break up tension in that area and also massage the whole abdomen.  Feel the strength in the arms and the shoulders as the head lifts, allow the chest to open a little at this point.  Just keep observing how you feel in mind and body.  But most of all, ENJOY this peaceful easy movement.  When you are ready to rest, move into Pose of the Child, so bottom moves back to rest on heels, forehead to the floor and arms wrap around the body.  Alternatively, if there is a better position for you to relax in, go ahead and indulge. 

Om shanti