YOGA BLOG

It has been argued that Yoga is the most comprehensive approach to fighting stress ever invented because many yoga practices lead to mental relaxation and help digestion, absorption and healing take place. Stress is a normal part of life, but the complexity of modern life, especially when faced with massive … Read more >

Navasana is a great pose for strengthening your hip flexors, these can become weak when we sit for long periods so Boat pose (Navasana) is great for counteracting the sitting position. Instructions for Boat Pose (Navasana) Begin seated with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Inhale: Keeping … Read more >

Warrior 1 (Virabhadrasana I) is another great pose (asana) for counteracting the sitting position. This asana opens the hip flexors and strengthens the legs. Instructions for Warrior 1 (Virabhadrasana I) Begin in Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Savasana). Inhale: Step your foot forward between your hands dropping the back heal of … Read more >

This pose is a great preparation for Warrior 1, it is also an intense hip flexor stretch. Crescent lunge allows you to go as deep into the hip-flexor stretch as you feel comfortable. Having your hands overhead also gives you the added benefit of opening the heart and chest – … Read more >

If like me you are winding down from the weekend and preparing for Monday morning and another week sat at your desk then maybe, like me, you also have lower back issues. The BAD NEWS is it may be your desk job causing these issues… the GOOD NEWS is you … Read more >

Twelve years ago I was an uptight stress-head waiting to explode at any moment. I was ‘happy’ that way – it was familiar and comfortable. But friends and family were staying away and my home was a hive of stress and negativity. I had to change. But how…? I found … Read more >

How to do Bakasana Begin in a squat position with your feet together and your heels slightly lifted. Inhale. Exhale: Widen your knees and place your hands on the floor at shoulder width ensuring your fingers are well spread. Lift you buttocks, come onto your tip toes and place your … Read more >

The Monk’s Tale by Nathan Tamblyn The Monk’s Tale is a really sweet self-published collection of original readings, fables and meditations told from the perspective of a monk as he seeks to understand the nature of life and happiness. It gives an extraordinary insight into how we can avoid unhappiness … Read more >

How to do Marichyasana C Begin in Dandasana (seated with your legs straight out in front). Inhale: Bend your right leg and place the foot flat on the floor as close to the buttocks as possible. Exhale: Turn the body about 90 degrees to the left so the chest comes … Read more >

This was my first homemade granola recipe courtesy of the wonderful Virginia Compton at Holistic Yoga Sangha and I love it. This tastes great with coconut milk but even better with coconut yogurt – but beware mix this with coconut yogurt and you won’t want to eat again for a … Read more >

Hatha Yoga, the report of a personal experience by Theos Bernard This is a fascinating book recounting a personal experience of the practices within the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP). Theos Bernard explores the bredth of yogic practices from asana (posture), kriyas (purification), pranayama (breathing), mudras (gestures) to Samadhi (bliss). Some … Read more >

The first time I read sloka 2-48 in the Bhagavad Gita it resonated. Firstly because it felt like the objective of my yoga practice, but also, for me, it contains many of the teachings of yoga within. For me yoga is the realisation that I am not my mind, coupled … Read more >

This is a really simple recipe that doesn’t involve any cooking (well, not much!) and it tastes great. I love to call this crack because it can be incredibly addictive! My friends love this recipe. I make this in bulk and freeze it. It can be eaten stright from the … Read more >

This chocolate freezer fudge takes minutes to make, is gluten, dairy and refined sugar free and best of all tastes delicious. I gave these to some of my yoga students and they all asked for the recipe… I like to make this in bulk and keep it in the freezer … Read more >

Yoga Girl: Finding Happiness, Cultivating Balance and Living With Your Heart Open Wide by Rachel Brathen I loved this book. I picked it up shortly before boarding a flight from Canada and by the time I reached the UK I had finished it. I was glued to Rachel’s inspiring story, … Read more >