What is an intention?
As I begin writing my thoughts on setting an intention the sun is setting and I can see this straight through my bedroom window. I think about the day just gone and go back to how I started this morning. During my meditation this morning I felt strongly connected to my feet. I felt them positively heavy an steady. So my intention was to stay with that grounded feeling during the day. Did I manage? Most of the time yes, but sometimes my thoughts were a little unstable. But as I end this day I am back to that solid grounded feeling as the sun sinks into the earth.
Why you should do Yoga!
From my own journey yoga is one of the most liberating experiences.
If you are considering starting your yoga practice here are just a few reasons why you should do Yoga!
IT FEELS GOOD TO MOVE YOUR BODY. The reason why it feels good to move your body is that during most people's daily lives, the body doesn’t fully get used. To move and connect to parts of the body that feel disconnected allows you to feel better as a whole.
Mountain pose – Tadasana
The foundation of all standing poses is Tadasana.
Mountain pose is a pose that brings you back to neutral. Standing at the top of your mat, feet together doesn’t seem too challenging right?
But this basic pose is one to get right, to practice your awareness in, to remind yourself to breathe in and to really feel your body being present.
Holistic Facials by Ellie Gill
I started doing facials almost by accident. I have been working as a freelance makeup artist for ten years and shortly after trained as a massage therapist.
Discovering Kundalini Yoga by Ellie Gill
I have been doing yoga on and off now for the past ten years. During this time I’ve tried hot yoga, vinyasa, hatha, restorative, yin and acroyoga, the list goes on and on… I’ve enjoyed all of these styles but I’ve something was always missing for me and I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
January - The Month of Detox by Kate Sewell
Many people hear the word 'detox' being banded around, especially at this time of year when our bodies are suffering after all the indulgences of the Christmas season, but what does 'detox' actually mean?
Communal Yoga Poem by Mel Parks
Yoga brings us back together.
Sharing the time on the mat
stops the clutter in my head.
Writing Yoga - Guest post by Mel Parks
One cold, grey day in February, when I couldn’t get warm in my own house, I walked into Yard Yoga and immediately started stripping off my layers. It felt so comfortable, welcoming and nurturing. I wanted to spend more time there, so I approached Sarah and Daphne about becoming their writer in residence at part of my MA in Creative Writing.
During the Full Moon I fell in love with the Alps
As most of you know, I went to teach a yoga retreat in the French Alps. It was a truly amazing and nourishing experience, one that I truly hope to repeat again next year!
Full Moon Retreat with Sarah at The Wellbeing Chalet
So now I’m super excited about my next Yoga adventure this summer in the Alps. And am writing because I would love to share the experience with you. I’m teaching Yoga at this amazing Yoga retreat in the French Alps. We will do yoga, hike and celebrate the full moon.
Standing on your own two feet with the muscles of the soul
Within our deepest core lie three long complex muscles that stretch along both sides of the spine, span laterally from the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12) to each of the 5 lumbar vertebra and flow down through the abdominal core, the pelvis, to attach to the top of the femur (thigh) bone
Lift Reach Twist Arch
"Lift, reach, twist, arch" bellows my teacher Shy Sayar's smiling voice from the back of the class room to try and be heard over the screaming cicadas outside. Parivrtta Parsvakonasana, Revolved Side-Angle Pose. I feel a bead of sweat run down across the inside of my lower ribs, watch it splash onto the purple mat, leaving a darker speck: I must be working hard.
Showing up
Feel the body. What does it say? We are this incredibly unique life enclosed by flesh and bone and neural pathways whizzing across endless grids and with each turn the mind unfolds into different sensations, different thoughts and different emotions.
Note from Sarah: What is Vinyasa Flow Yoga?
This practice is rooted in how you synchronise your breathing with flowing movement. The ultimate benefit is that you will arrive at a harmonious, balanced, and mindful state.
Come fly with me...
Did I forget to breathe? I step into the familiar hustle of Heathrow Terminal 4 departure lounge. My life once more on my back just the way I like it, alone, Birkenstocks with warm cashmere socks on, a yoga matt strapped to my bag, no make-up, ready to fly. For those that want to join me on my journey to becoming a Yoga Teacher, come fly with me! Over the next six weeks I will write and share with you some of my experiences on this amazing path that I have found myself on.