Jul 12, 20151 minAsthanga; Pratyahara 5th PetalWithdrawal of the senses takes awareness away from external distractions such as sounds and sights. Pratyahara allows us to lose the chitta vritti (fluctuating waves of the mind) and asmita teaching us to just ‘be’ without judgement and fear. We are given a moment of self reflection and can honestly assess how we can start the healing process. We learn how to listen to the messages from the body without prejudice or interference. Imagine an ocean; the mind ceaslessly moving b
Jun 30, 20151 minAshtanga; Lower ChakrasEnergetically, those suffering eating disorders or low self-esteem suffer a distinct lack of energy in the lower 3 chakras. Muladhara is the root chakra providing our connection to the Earth (body) and our energetic centre of proprioception; feeling in the physical body. To re-energise this centre we use rooting, standing asanas to establish a firm connection to the earth e.g. Tadasana and Vrkasana. Svadisthana is our centre for expressing our creation and transforming our fe
Jun 26, 20151 minAshtanga; Pranayama 4th PetalLiterally means ‘to stretch that which is everywhere’. These breathing exercises consciously control the prana within. Lengthening the inhalation increases the prana absorbed. Directing prana via certain currents (vayus) through the body clears energetic blockages (samskaras and granthis). Thus kundalini shakti can travel uninhibited through all 72,000 nadis and eventually via sushumna nadi to bring enlightenment (Samadhi). These practices are deeply restorative and balancing
Jun 24, 20151 minAshtanga; Deep HealingOther benefits of asana include the rebuilding of weakened muscle tissue and organs. By gaining flexibility we loosen our muscles allowing more space for nutrients, oxygen and prana to be stored. Stretching our muscles creates a pulling motion on the tissues connected to the bones causing them to grow allowing increased amounts of calcium to be absorbed into the bones. Any weight bearing practices (balances) also increase bone density having the same effect. This helps to rep
Jun 17, 20151 minAshtanga; ShadowsAccording to yoga the key cause of suffering ‘dukkha’ are the kleshas which feed the illusion of disconnectedness. ‘The pain-bearing obstacles are ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion and clinging to life’ Yoga sutras 2.2 Patanjali Kleshas cause a vicious cycle of pain: Ignorance (avidya): anorexics ignore the bodily need for nourishment. Egoism (asmita): a body-mind separation feeds the ego. Attachment (raga): an addiction to starvation out of an attachment to fear. Avers
Jun 10, 20152 minAshtanga; Food is NourishmentAll experiences leave an energetic trace named ‘samskara’ like a mental scar determining our future actions (karma). Let these samskara settle and build up and they can become emotional knots ‘granthis’ which block our whole esoteric system and cause numerous psychological conflicts. Most people who suffer body image disorders, low self-esteem or depression have suffered such a traumatic experience that they feel they can’t cope. The emotions are too much to bear and they wan
Jun 9, 20153 minAshtanga; Niyama 2nd PetalSelf-disciplines; how we should act to ourselves. Saucha: purity. We are what we absorb. The protein, minerals and vitamins we eat literally become the building blocks of who we are. Learning how to eat a pure, wholegrain diet can be of great benefit to everyone. Food is medicinal in itself. Ayurveda (Indian medicine) and Yoga itself places a huge emphasis on how important food is. Yogis believe there are three states that all beings (including plant life) encompass: Tamasic:
Jun 6, 20152 minAshtanga; Yama 1st PetalAshtanga; Yama (1st) Universal rules of conduct; how we should behave toward one another (including ourselves) for optimal universal happiness. We are all linked by an inner divinity or atman and we share this planet so our individual actions affect everyone universally. Ahimsa is non-violence. Food is nourishment and provides our energy. To abstain from food is to neglect our bodies of carrying out their purpose in a harmful way. An anorexic body will start to eat its own mu
Jun 1, 20152 minAshtanga; Yoga Nourishes My SoulYoga; Bliss. We write so much about descending; diving deep within, letting go, getting grounded and sinking into the soul. In return, there is a balance. As you descend your consciousness, you soul, spirit or subsconciousness begins to ascend; to rise, to float and to become more accessible. Yoga is the path to ascension. The more we practice Yoga, the more our soul lifts. We can recalibrate and ascend to new, dizzying heights and possibilities. At the beginning of my first
play; february 21 'A physical or mental leisure activity that is undertaken purely for enjoyment or amusement and has no other objective'. Our intention th...
