August Newsletter 2018

Yoga is part of Ayurveda (The Science of Life) a holistic system of health and wellbeing.

 TREATMENT OF OUR MOST COMMON ILLNESS

Colds and flu can be treated with yoga and Ayurveda. They are a sign that our immune system is compromised. To prevent or help us recover we can use specific Yoga Postures, Pranayama (Breathing Exercises), Herbs, Food, Marma Point Massage with Essential Oils and Lifestyle changes

There are 5 energies that influence us and every living thing. EARTH, WATER, FIRE, AIR, ETHER

In Winter the energies EARTH and WATER are dominant. (KAPHA) These are “cold” and damp in nature.

Water and Earth, Cold and Damp effect the respiratory system which may increase phlegm and can cause the body to hold more water in winter

=bronchitis=running noses=sinusitis=pneumonia=asthma=lung disease.

YOGA THERAPY

It is important to stay active in Winter the earth is a non movement, heavy energy and we lose our get up and go in winter.

More vinyasa or movement based yoga classes that flow (stagnant water is unhealthy water)

Salute to the Sun and practice heating, standing postures much more.

Don’t forget the power of inversion (upside down) Like the down dog to drain the chest.

Legs Up the Wall - come along to a dancing on air meditation to learn how to flush (water element) the lymphatic and venous system of the body. The lymphatic system in particular helps fight disease.

Yoga is much more powerful for the Lymphatic System than a lymphatic drainage massage especially practiced daily

LIFESTYLE

Use the other energies to stay balanced.

Increase the fire element. Sit in the winter sunshine.

Increase the air element (movement energy) with daily walks

THE IMPORTANCE OF MARMA POINTS (Yoga acupressure points )AND SELF MASSAGE

For colds and flu the main marma points are Phana Marma next to the nostrils and Nila Marma in the throat. These points can be massaged gently using essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus and orange . This is my kapha Essential Oil Blend. Mix 3 drops each of the oils in a base of sesame or coconut oil. I use this blend a lot and I haven't had a cold or flu since I started teaching yoga.

NADI SHODANA - ALTERNATE NOSTRIL BREATHING

This is an important breathing technique in yoga to balance  prana energy in the body. I often teach Nadi Shodana as a visualisation laying down and some of you have been moving into the more intermediate practice of sitting and blocking the nostrils. The right nostril brings energy into your body and the left is calming. A study by the Medical University of South Carolina found that a group who practiced Nadi Shodana for 10 minutes a day had reduced levels of pro-inflammatory molecules called interleukins and higher levels of immunoglobulins, which are key to fighting germs, viruses and bacteria.

HERBS

Lemon Tea, half a lemon with skin - chopped and put into a cup add boiling water, ginger and  honey

FOOD

Light, warm and simple. Wholegrains, steamed vegetables and spices. Avoid dairy, meat, nuts, pastries and processed foods.

I  will run the immune system yoga class starting at the end of the month for all 5 classes although postures will be slightly different. Come along to one a week and get to know the routine. I shall bring in my oils and demonstrate the Marma Points as part of a meditation at the end of the class.

THIS IS A SPECIAL CLASS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR HEALTH.

Yoga’s ethical and moral codes

—called the yamas and the niyamas—can get lost amidst the popularity of asana. But they may be the missing keys to finding true yogic strength, power, and transformation, on and off the mat.

Long before the West embraced sweaty asana classes and tight-fitting yoga pants, yoga infiltrated culture in a much bigger, deeper way, providing practitioners with a fundamental philosophy for how to make their way through the world.

The five yamas ask practitioners to avoid violence, lying, stealing, wasting energy, and possessiveness, while the five niyamas ask us to embrace cleanliness and contentment, to purify ourselves, to continually study and observe our habits, and to surrender to something greater than ourselves. ( Extract from the Australian Yoga Journal )

I will write a little about how we can bring these into our modern lives to help us live better and be happier in my coming newsletters.

Enjoy August it is a wonderful month. I used to buy freesia at a train station in London, they are my favourite flower. They brought the smell and beauty of nature into my busy, concrete, inner city life. I still remember my amazement when I found them growing wild on the side of roads here, the smell of spring.                  

The simple things in life are the best.         Namaste  Julie