30 Day Cobra CHALLENGE

We're going to have a new challenge starting from tomorrow -1st June - a 30 Day Cobra CHALLENGE!!

We'll try to build up more flexibility in our spine by staying in the pose starting from 3mins up to 20mins. We'll have 30 days for it and get our back as bendy as we can.

It's 7 of us so far taking part...

If you want to jpin us in the challenge,  take a picture of your Cobra pose before you start and just send it to me. We're going to take pictures once a week to see our progress :-)

I'm so excited about this!!!!

If you´re not sure what Cobra pose is...:

The name comes from the Sanskrit words bhujanga meaning "snake" or "serpent" and asana (आसन) meaning "posture" or "seat". The cobra pose is a back bend that stretches muscles on the front of the torso and strengthens your arms and shoulders. The cobra also warms up the torso and you can perform the cobra pose as part of the sun salutation sequence at the beginning of a yoga routine. Bhujangasana may strengthen the spine, stretch the chest, shoulders, and abdomen, firm the buttocks, and relieve stress and fatigue. Traditional texts say that Bhujangasana increases body heat, destroys disease, and awakens kundalini.

If you don´t know how to do Cobra pose...:

1 - Lie face down on the floor on a yoga mat with your palms flat, placed beneath your shoulders. The tops of your feet should be flat on the floor.

2 - Engage your abs by tilting your pelvis and drawing your belly button toward your spine. You want to engage your abs to protect your lower back

3 - Spread your fingers and press your palms into the floor. Rotate your shoulders back and down away from your ears.

4 - Push your upper body off the floor and straighten your arms as much as is comfortable while keeping your pelvis, hips, legs and feet planted on the mat. Lengthen your neck and lift your chest.

5 - Hold as long as you want to and then release. Don´t forget to do a counter pose!!

Here are our pics before the challenge :)

Namaste!

Practice Wednesday 27/3/15

Practice Wednesday 27/3/15

Secret Sanctuary Yoga Workshop

Hi my beautiful yogis :)

I would like to remind you about our next amazing and a very special workshop - an outdoor one, which will take place near Dunstable Downs. 

It is going to be a great adventure of a 4hours long yoga session, we will really look at the aspects of an outdoor yoga :) 

If you are interested to come, please, message me your full name, s I can print of nice certificates :) 

Namaste!

How to Cool Down with Yoga, Meditation and Breathing

Summer is a time for relaxation and fun with more open schedules, warmer weather, outdoor activities and vacations. However, there can also be a sense of pressure and stress in trying to meet our expectations of a laid-back season.

Just the other day, I looked at my calendar and felt overwhelmed by all of the activities on it. Delving deeper, I realized that I needed to create some space to simply be: read a book, go deeper into my meditation practice, savor the smell of a peach as I cut into it or the smell of flowers while sitting in my yard.

Taking the time to be present in the moment is a beautiful practice in its own right, and yoga and meditation are two ways achieve that goal by creating a space within, bringing your attention inward and turning your thoughts away from distractions.

Yoga peels away the layers and helps you become attuned to your true identity — connecting body, mind and breath.

Through a regular yoga practice you learn to listen to your body, tune into your breath and become aware of the chattering taking place in your head, eventually creating peace and freedom from anxiety, stress and unrealistic expectations.

In the heat of summer it’s easy to become consumed by the sensations brought on by the heat: irritation, fatigue, anxiety, anger and restlessness. Beat the heat and take the opportunity to slow down. Try a slower yoga class, such as Yin Yoga, which involves deeper floor stretches, or opt for a slower flow class if you’re a Power Yoga person.

Meditation keeps you refreshed during the heat of the summer — allowing an open mind to explore the rhythm of the season.

Meditation helps keep the mind relaxed, which is extremely important during the peak of summer when the rising temperatures outside cause an increase in body heat, adding to the level of stress and irritation within.

Just taking the time to be still and find something to focus on — your breath, the beat of your heart, a mantra or a meaningful word — can help you slow down and appreciate the abundance in your life.

Combine the art of yoga and meditation by doing cooling breathing exercises.

If you only have a few minutes in your day to devote to yourself, combine the benefits of yoga and meditation by doing one or both of the following cooling breathing exercises:

Left nostril pranayama: Starting with your right thumb, hold your right nostril closed and breathe slowly in and out through the left nostril. Pause at the inhale and exhale. Do for 4-8 minutes.

Shitali pranayama: Shitali in Sanskrit literally translates to “cooling.” Sitting in a comfortable position, take 2-3 deep breaths, roll your tongue (or purse your lips in a “O” shape if you can’t roll your tongue), and inhale deeply through your mouth and exhale through your nose. Do this 5-10 times until you feel the cooling effects.

By taking the time to tune into your breath and body through yoga and meditation, you can truly nurture yourself, allowing greater awareness and ability to enjoy the summer season, being present to all it has to offer.

Bloomin' Onion Bread Recipe

Oh yes, the evening class in Bannatyne´s Luton (8pm) is still on today, - I am covering it for Jane - if you are free, come and join us 

smile emoticon

 

Namaste!

Our first Restorative Yoga Workshop

I just got back from my second holiday this month on Sunday early in the morning, re-energized, happy, with new inspiration... and few hours later, our first Restorative Yoga Workshop started. There was a little problem with the traffic, I was panicking a little, but few more people turned up after :)

Usually my classes are flowing, we move a lot, this was something new and different I think. Getting into the poses was nice, cos we used blocks, pillows and blankets - I honestly enjoyed it a lot! 

We will have the next one in few months, I promise, it was a great experience and a great way how to get to know your body better just by listening to it in peace.

Here are two great pics my personal photographer took :P 

I would like to thank everyone who came and took part in this workshop!!! Well done and I'll see you all soon in the classes :)

Playing around in the garden - Slovakia