When Kilted Yoga hit YouTube in February this year, life changed for Finlay Wilson, the 30-year-old yoga teacher whose idea it was, and whose tartan-clad buttocks it stars.Besides almost instant internet fame – views hit 17million within a day, and are currently over 52million – the video has spawned some exciting new developments for Wilson. He […]
Looking for a 5 min sequence when time is short or something to add some fun to your classes – look no further, the warrior mini-sequence will be perfect! I love the strength I find through the first 2 poses than the fun of the last one as I let my imagination run wild! I
Christmas – that wonderful season when even the most dedicated yogi struggles to get quality time on their mat. But what can be done when events conspire to disturb a yogi’s path to inner peace? Maybe it is time to take practice off the mat and into the glorious chaos that is the festive season.
Sit comfortably. Close your eyes and breathe consciously. Breathe in and out through your nose. Now, slowly deepen each breath, experiencing the way air moves in and out of your body! Connect yourself with each breath, leaving little time for your thoughts. Allow yourself to drift into this cyclic breathing process. Feeling better? Feeling relaxed? That’s
Yoga asana practised without breath awareness is dangerously close to a gymnastics class. Pranayama literally and metaphorically brings oxygen – and energy – into the body, as it flows from posture to posture. In life, breathing without thinking about it is taken for granted, but when giving birth it’s important to pay attention to the
Yoga is a fantastic way to tune back into yourself, especially over the Christmas period when over-indulgence and stress can run high. Here Poppy Pickles delves into some yoga techniques for self-care at Christmas. As the darkness of midwinter encroaches, the barometer plunges and the trees have shed all but a few leaves. We start
My first class at a new studio, and my heart leapt to my throat when the teacher began by saying, “Let’s begin the class with eight rounds of Sun Salutations, the Sivananda style.” Apparently, there are several kinds of Sun Salutation! I had been practising yoga for about four years when I joined this new
Chair yoga seems to be the next in vogue at the moment! And why not when it gives you the same benefits of a pose without exerting too much stress on the body? While many people think this style of yoga has been designed for senior citizens, I would strongly object. You need to practice
Twists are integral to most yoga classes. There are obvious twists: ardha matsyendrāsana (seated spinal twist) and twisted lunge. Then there are hidden twists: trikonāsana (triangle) and side crane. With preparation and focus, your twists can be a thing of beauty. Here’s how: Firm Foundations A good twist needs a solid base. A base that
Diabetes affects millions of people worldwide. Diabetes is estimated to have resulted in 1.5 to 4.9 million deaths a year. It is being hailed as the next health time bomb. There is growing body of evidence showing that yoga can help to prevent and manage some forms of the disease. The Many Faces Of Diabetes Diabetes mellitis is
