October 2019 Newsletter

YOGA FOR THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

This month we are focusing on yoga for the digestive system. This is the area around your belly and works on your core muscles and back. Emotionally the solar plexus builds confidence, self esteem and will power.

There is so much to teach and so much to learn. I will video the 4 classes for digestion this month and they can be purchased as 4 DVDs for $60 or 1 hour class for $20. Let me know if you would like a copy.

In Ayurveda, agni, which means digestive fire, is an important aspect of good health. When your digestion and metabolism are properly functioning, you absorb the nutrients you eat. You also expel toxins that otherwise accumulate into ama, or toxic sludge, that slows down your mind and body. Agni can be improved by diet, herbs, yoga, pranayama, mudras and much more. Cooling herbs for inflammatory conditions such as cumin, coriander and fennel and pepper to warm and stimulate for sluggish conditions. I haven’t enough space in this newsletter but I will also include a talk on Ayurveda in the first video.

FLOW YOGA

Firstly flow yoga working on the 6 directions is wonderful for digestion by moving and gently stimulating your stomach and bowels and secondly by using your slow calm breath with movement activates the parasympathetic nervous system. REST AND DIGEST rather than FIGHT OR FLIGHT.

Advances in science have proven the brain/belly connection through the vagus nerve. But we don’t need science, we need to pay attention to what our body is telling us. How does stress effect your digestion? Symptoms such as an irritable bowel, irritable because of the poor diet it is getting perhaps? Lack of appetite, over eating, nausea, bloating are all signals that it is time to focus on the health of our digestive system.

YIN YOGA

Holding asana for longer than 2 1/2 minutes has huge benefits for the digestive system.. REST AND DIGEST , SAY NO MORE! We will be learning some of the most beneficial...but we are spoilt for choice really because all Yin Postures have a benefit either physically by gently twisting for example but also Meridians and Marma Points are activated and the longer the hold the more beneficial.

PRANAYAMA - SPECIFIC BREATHING EXERCISES

To further enhance assimilation and absorption of nutrients slow down and focus on Samana Pranayama or Nourishing Breath which we will be learning in class.

HATHA YOGA

There are many yoga asana that improve digestion and it is recommended that 10 minutes after every meal be spent kneeling or legs up the wall improving the blood flow to the organs of digestion by reducing blood flow in the legs and increasing it in the belly.

Building muscular strength in the abdomen and most importantly diaphragm. We will be talking about Uddiyana Bandha and how to activate it in the strengthening postures

We have a new Mudra or hand position to  learn. Giver of Good Health or PUshan Mudra. This nourishing Mudra helps to maintain equilibrium in the solar plexus for better absorption of nutrients from food, prana from the air you breathe and new ideas. Diet, herbs, essential oils, marma massage and a sensory meditation. Hope you enjoy and absorb it all!

A MEDITATION FOR BOOSTING DIGESTION.

-Sit in the morning sunshine. Kneeling is best but you can sit in a chair if you wish. Have the suns warmth on your back.

-Place your hands on your belly or Pushan Mudra.

-Slow down your breathing as much as is comfortable. Focus on the breath in your belly. Energy in the form of oxygen and warmth being draw in and this energy circulating around your belly as you breathe out.

-Feel the sun being absorbed into your body nourishing you.

-You may like to imagine you are drawing in sparkling golden light into your abdomen.

-If you wish you can repeat the Mantra RAM silently as you exhale

I am slowly working on a collection of Yoga and Meditation Videos. They are available on DVD only at the moment.. If you have a class you would particularly like me to record let me know. The more you practice the more the benefits!

Available now  

Introduction to Ayurveda & Yoga. Cost $15 (Free when you purchase another of my DVDs)

30 minutes Yoga Nidra. Cost $15

Traditional Hatha Foundation Class $20

Gentle/Relax Class $20

Relax, Relax, Relax - Restorative Yin Class for flexibility in the spine. Cost $20

A gift set containing:

Introduction to Ayurveda & Yoga

Yoga Nidra Meditation

Gentle Yoga or Traditional Hatha Yoga

Restorative Yin Class is $60

 Namaste Julie