November Newsletter 2017

Mind Yoga

As well as practicing the physical exercises or asanas I am adding 5 - 15 minutes of MIND YOGA or other Healing Therapies to my classes, making them more interesting and broadening your knowledge of Yoga and Ayurveda. I sent out a text on Monday with the class focus and students have asked me to send them once a week. If you did not receive one let me know and I will add your name  to my Yoga Group also if you prefer not to be contacted I can easily remove you from group texts. I will send them on Sunday Evening.

One of my new yoga students who has practiced lots of different yoga types and classes on the coast commented at the retreat on how amazing you all look as you practice and how lovely it was to walk into a group of students who are supportive and friendly. I know I keep mentioning how much you have improved, often we are critical of ourselves and always wanting to be better but I look around and I can see how strong and confident you have become as well as hear the sighs and soft ocean breaths as you relax….

Ayurveda - Marma Therapy

I think everyone enjoyed the Monday Morning/Evening Class on yoga for stress and insomnia and I taught a Marma Point (similar to Chinese acupressure point) on the foot.

I thought I would tell you a little bit more about them in this newsletter. I will also have books and other information in class.

Yoga opens the flow of energy in the body. In Yoga/Ayurveda this is called Prana similar to chi in Chinese medicine. In the West our closest descriptions are strength, tingling and warmth. As you become more experienced at focusing on your body sensations as you practice you can begin to feel channels in which Prana flows, similar to meridians in Chinese Medicine. These ancient Indian teachings have been made accessible to us in a new book by Andrew Frawly Ayurveda and Marma Therapy. It is so interesting. I read and experimented on the aeroplane to England and back and will slowly teach you some of them. In the yoga for stress class on Monday I taught Talahridaya Foot Marma because it is an important Marma for meditation, creating grounding, calming Vata and drawing healing energy from the earth into the body and circulatory system. It also helps to release negative energy and stress into the earth. If you missed the class I will be teaching it again or ask me about it, This marma also controls the respiratory system, circulation and heat reception on the skin. Essential oils can be used to encourage the healing benefits, these need to be added to a carrier oil, usually 5 to 10 drops to 10 mls or 2 - 5 drops to a tablespoon. For the feet Sesame Oil is recommended to strengthen the feet and calm the nerves.

To improve circulation in the legs, diuretic oils such as cedar, juniper and parsley will enhance the therapeutic benefits, especially swollen ankles and aromatic oils like cinnamon, cardamom, saffron and ginger help to stimulate the heart.

FOOD THERAPY

Yoga has 5 moral codes. The 4th Yama, Brahmacharya  means moderation or control of the senses in all aspects of life. Don’t feel guilty about what you eat but practice moderation. I eat mainly vegetarian home grown or organic food but I do have a sweet tooth and a few addictions! I love chocolate in the afternoon but only eat 2 strips of the bar. I have only 1 coffee a day, home baked or a café cake. After singing on Thursday at the moment I have a huge apple turnover with my coffee. A glass of wine at the weekend. I enjoy them but I also enjoy my lovely wholesome vegetarian food and it is the balance that is important I believe. If you wish to add a few more healthy  meals to your diet do so gradually, if  you change your diet in a big way chances are you will only swing back to your old ways and feel guilt. Letting go of guilt is going to be another of my classes.

Eating mindfully- Ritual is truly important with food. Be thankful. Take a few seconds to really look at your food, think about where it came from and enjoy the colours, smells and textures. Don’t watch TV or look at a screen while you eat be in the present moment. And enjoy every mouthful..         Namaste   Julie

Namaste   Julie