In October of last year the British Wheel of Yoga caused controversy in the UK yoga world with the announcement that they are developing National Occupational Standards to ensure that yoga teachers in the UK are adequately and safely trained. Here Poppy Pickles delves into the stories behind the move and explores what the future […]
“If you do have the courage to speak about it, you really can make things better.” So says Prince Harry, speaking as part of a 1-minute radio message transmitted across all UK radio stations on Tuesday this week, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week (14 to 20 May 2018). Imminent groom-to-be, Prince Harry, along with
The curse of modern life. How do you physically exist in the modern world? Hunched over keyboards and steering wheels? Carrying too much weight in our bags, or on our shoulders as we battle to stay connected in this digital age. This equates into a grotesque adult imitation of the foetal position with hips flexed
Imagine yourself floating, as if weightless, through calm waters. Now imagine you’re suspended somewhere in that place of conscious recognition just before you fall asleep – that sensation of complete physical surrender and of total relaxation is what Yoga Nidra is all about. What is Yoga Nidra? Yoga Nidra (pronounced yoh-gah nee-drah) is also known as
Trying to work on your arm balances and inversions? Strong, stable, sexy shoulders are key, so we’re focussing on poses that will build them up! This week we are working on our shoulders with five simple poses that are sure to leaving you burning. If you do it right, you won’t be able to do
We might not always have to fall to stand up. We might not always have to make mistakes to learn lessons. But sometimes we do need a jolt to bring us to our senses. Sometimes we do need to burn and rise from our ashes to grow stronger and wiser. A while back, I made
I know there have been times in my life when being a woman has really been a pain, literally, but I am not alone! Over 75% of women of childbearing age are affected by PMT. Period pains, premenstrual tension (PMT), monthly water retention… and all that is before the indignities of dealing with the bleeding. It is
As my YogaLondon training wisely taught me, teaching yoga requires linguistic and physical flexibility. As a keen poet and writer, this is one of the things I love most about yoga, and when words flow seamlessly around the physicality of poses, it’s a kick like no other. However, some days vinyasas can feel like the
Buy! Buy! Buy! Black Friday! Pre-Christmas offers! The hysterical consumer frenzy begins as the month of November draws to a close. So let’s take a minute to look back at the month just gone and enjoy it for what it was: not Christmas. Yoga and Cultural Appropriation: Is Yoga Cultural Theft? The withdrawal of a
1. Pop Brixton Pop Brixton in South London is a temporary project that has turned disused land into a creative space for local, independent businesses. As part of this exciting space, yoga teacher Hayley Shoesmith is offering a series of free Kundalini yoga classes, rounded off with a gong bath. Kundalini yoga is an ancient
