Blog posts from the ‘yoga’ Category

Yoga Cats Christmas

With Doga becoming a hit this year what could anyone else expect? The Yoga Wellbeing team usually like to add a bit of festive fun to our blog. So we set about our research and found The Yoga Cats Christmas Calender. Stretching into all kinds of bendy shapes these festive felines have been a hit for 2010.

Created by professional photographer Dan Borris and his wife Alejandra, the calendar combines real photographs with a whisker (excuse the pun) of Photoshop magic. Using real cats borrowed from friends and family, Mrs Borris, a former yoga teacher-turned-animal practitioner, uses her skills to coax the cats into the yoga positions.

‘Alejandra works with the animals in getting them into the positions we need as I set up the lights and take the photographs,’ said Mr Borris.

‘The cats get as close as they can with the yoga moves but some of those positions in the calendar are anatomically impossible. There is no forcing the animal to do anything. We will get the cat in a general position but each cat that I photograph is well looked after.We discovered that the best way to work with the cats was through inventing games and playing.’

Once he has the shot he wants, Mr Borris then spends hours in front of his computer to get the the final results.

‘Some of these poses would be physically impossible for them to achieve although I have to say, that after shooting cats I have a whole new respect for their agility.’

What do you think about Yoga Cats Christmas Calender? A bit of harmless festive fun or is it taking things to far?

Laura Watson 22 December 2010 Wellbeing, yoga Wellbeing, yoga No Comments

Karma Christmas

The original Christmas holidays were designed to focus attention on our deepest emotions and spiritual feelings. But in the current swirl of commercial and social pressures, it’s easy to forget all that meaningfulness and just bull through the season, head down and teeth gritted, until it’s done.

Every year in just about every town, unique individuals tap right into the core message of the holidays and create their own traditions—whether that means giving back to their community, reversing the tide of over-consumption, reaching out to those in need, or celebrating the gifts of life and love. Here are a couple of Yoga Wellbeing ideas on how to lead a Karma Christmas.

Giving Back

If you feel like you would like to give back then why not put some towards a brilliant cause. We have raised money for the Tibetan Children’s Village in the last couple of years. If would like to know more then click here.

Connect to your local community

If this means helping out in your local Salvation Army for a couple of hours or adopting a Granny/Grandad for a day it will all add to bringing back positivity to your community.

Spend time

Take time to have a chat and re connect with family. You may only see some extended family once a year make the most of your time.

Laura Watson 20 December 2010 Relax, Retreat, Wellbeing, yoga Relax, retreat, Wellbeing, yoga No Comments

Have a Green Christmas

Christmas! A time of goodwill and celebration, often accompanied by seasonal increases in eating, drinking and spending. If all goes well this combination should result in a lot of fun, but unfortunately it will also result in an estimated 3 million tonnes of waste. But you can have the best of both worlds. With a bit of thought you can limit the impact you have on the environment this Christmas and still have a great time.

A feast of waste

* Overflowing dustbins and extra bags of rubbish are a common sight in the streets after Christmas. We all create more waste over the holiday period.

* The Royal Mail delivers around 150 million cards and packets each day during the pre-Christmas period. It is estimated that up to 1 billion Christmas cards (17 for every man, woman and child) could end up in bins across the UK.

* 7.5 million Christmas trees were bought in 2001. Some councils reported their Christmas tree recycling activities for early 2001 to EnCams. The total number of Christmas trees reported to be recycled was nearly 1.2 million.

* It is estimated that over Christmas as much as 83 square km of wrapping paper will end up in UK rubbish bins, enough to cover an area larger than Guernsey.

* We could use an extra 750 million bottles and glass containers, and 500 million drinks cans. About 20% to 30% more glass and cans are collected each year over the Christmas period.

Food and drink

* When shopping, avoid goods which involve unnecessary packaging or complicated mixed material packaging which can make recycling difficult.

* Try to buy food and drink packaged in materials that can be recycled in your area, such as paper and glass.

* Order any extra milk in returnable bottles from the milkman to avoid plastic bottles or cartons from the supermarket.

* Buy drinks, like lemonade or beer, in large containers, rather than in a lot of small ones. One large bottle results in less waste than a lot of small cans and it’s more economical. Alternatively, buy drinks concentrates that can be diluted.

* SNUB – Say No to Unwanted Bags! Always use a reusable shopping bag or reuse plastic bags. Don’t accept bags that you don’t need.

The amount of waste we produce and our main methods of disposal are currently not sustainable. The production, treatment and disposal of waste can all harm the environment. This is not just because of the problems with landfill, incineration or other disposal options – it is also because we use new resources to replace ones we have thrown out. It is estimated that for every tonne of waste produced in our homes, five tonnes has already been produced in manufacturing and 10 tonnes at the point where the raw material was extracted. About 600 million tonnes of raw resources are used in the UK per year, 570 million tonnes of which end up as waste losses through energy, water, solid wastes and other emissions.

As a result of our lifestyles, on average every household in the UK throws away 1.2 tonnes of waste every year. This amounts to a staggering 30 million tonnes in total. Having a green Christmas doesn’t mean being a Scrooge! Just follow these simple action points for cutting down on Christmas waste.

Laura Watson 19 December 2010 Enviroment, Food, Wellbeing, yoga environment, Food, Wellbeing, yoga No Comments

Food for Christmas

We have tried and tested this vegetarian extravaganza and it really did put a smile on all of the Yoga Wellbeing team. It’s a great idea for a meat free alternative for your main course this Christmas. I would go as far as saying that this makes up for the absence of stuffing on your plate. Enjoy!

Whole baked Squash with Spiced Cous Cous

Ingredients

2 acorn squash or other small squash , tops sliced off, or 1 butternut squash, halved, seeds scooped out and brushed inside with olive oil

1 teacup couscous soaked in 1 teacup of boiling water with a few saffron threads

4 tbsp pistachios

3 tbsp parsley , chopped

1 tsp harissa , depending on how hot you like it

1 tsp ras-el-hanout (optional) available from seasonedpioneers.co.uk

butter , melted to serve

2 tbsp dried sour cherries or dried cranberries

pomegranate molasses (optional) available from Middle Eastern shops or Sainsbury’s Special Selection

Method

Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Roast the squash for 30-40 minutes or until tender.

Mix the rest of the ingredients together, stuff the squash and bake for a further 10 minutes.

Serve with extra melted butter and pomegranate molasses (if using) spooned over.

Mmmm festive goodness.

Laura Watson 17 December 2010 Food, Wellbeing, health, yoga Food, health, Wellbeing, yoga No Comments

Yoga for Christmas

As well as buying presents, sending out cards and stocking up on decorations and most importantly good food. At Yoga Wellbeing we try and get our bodies and minds ready to cope with the huge intake of minced pies and mulled wine. At least before our Christmas Party.

With only a couple of weeks left until Little Saint Nick arrives, it helps to get the “detoxification organs” in tip top shape.

These days, there are a range of colourful things available that are there to help. A detox works by ‘resting’ the organs that eliminate waste – liver, kidneys, gut, lungs and skin. No need to get to worried; I’m not going to suggest that you drink fruit and vegetable juice for a week straight while sitting cross-legged on your yoga mat.

A detoxification plan does not have to be restrictive and boring, but can be fun and tasty. It can help your body rebalance, release built-up congestion and restore itself to strength and health.

Yoga Wellbeing Inspiration

Restorative Yoga
Try drinking lemon and ginger
Try a superfood vege soup
Treat yourself to herbal face steam
Meditate for 20 minutes

The wonderful thing about the festive time is that you have a chance to step away from your usual routine in everyway. Bringing about balance is what yoga teaches us. So if you have had large festive night of fun give yourself some time the next day to bring about balance.

Laura Watson 16 December 2010 Retreat, Wellbeing, health, yoga retreat, Wellbeing, yoga No Comments

Balance for Christmas

December involves shopping, decorating, traveling, and other high-energy activity. Yet instead of having fun, we often end up feeling ill or even anxious. The reason, according to Taoist philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine, is that the action-packed schedules we keep at this time of year fall out of sync with the earth’s natural cycles.

We naturally have less energy to burn during the winter. So when we engage in behaviors more appropriate for summer—staying up late and dashing around town—it’s no wonder that the forced cheer of the holiday season can wear a bit thin.

Taoist philosophy conceptualizes universal balance in terms of yin and yang, complementary forces that govern the universe. Yin characteristics are cool, wet, slow, feminine, and quiet, whereas yang is the opposite: warm, dry, fast, masculine, extroverted. Winter, the yin season, is a time for storing and conserving energy in the way a bear retains fat by hibernating, or a farmer stores food for the cold months ahead.

In agrarian cultures, people spend the shortest, darkest days indoors by the fire, eating warm, slow-cooked, nourishing food and sharing stories with their families. The incongruity between winter’s restful, introspective, yin nature and the frenetic way many people spend their Christmas can contribute to seasonal affective disorder.

To stay balanced during winter be good to yourself. Try some restorative yoga, meditation and walking are best suited for yin season, as they safeguard your energy reserves.

Eating cooked, spicy yang foods provides another good way to replenish energy. Prepare yang-strengthening soups, slow-simmered stews, beans, roasted root vegetables, and warm drinks. Add yang spices such as garlic, ginger, black pepper, cloves, and basil to increase the warming effect.

Bring balance and you will have more energy to spend with close friends and family. The important part of Christmas.

Laura Watson 15 December 2010 Relax, Wellbeing, health, meditation, yoga health, restorative yoga, yoga No Comments

Peace for Christmas

It’s starting. The exciting buzz of Christmas time, where everything speeds up, and the festive season can end up feeling like it’s gone by in a flash.

During my meditation yesterday. I ended up asking myself the question.”What brings me peace? The question pointed me toward the simple realized that I have been putting my energy toward too many things that deplete me and not enough things that feed me.

So, I decided to make a list. From now on, when faced with a decision I’m going to ask myself: Does this bring me peace? If the answer is no (it’s not absolutely necessary), I’m going to do my best to change the situation.

What bring me peace

1. sunshine

2. meditation

3. connecting with people

4. restorative yoga

5. talking to my family

What depletes me

1. guilt

2. lack of sleep

3. too much socializing without quiet time to balance it out

4. saying yes when I really want to say no

5. Worrying about things outside my control

We want to know: What will bring you peace at Christmas time?

Laura Watson 14 December 2010 One to one session, Private yoga session, Relax, Wellbeing, yoga meditation, Relax, yoga No Comments

Yoga Travel

Establishing a rhythm can be easy at home. But when you’re travelling, that rhythm will change, which can alter your whole yoga practice. To set yourself at ease on any journey, learn how to ground yourself.

Staying grounded away from home really comes down to being mindful and centered regardless of changing environments. When you’re grounded, you breathe well, digest well, and concentrate on the present well.

In other words, you enjoy each moment to its fullest. While that can be tough on the road, the beautiful thing is you don’t have stick to your routine. Why not try a couple of these ideas out?

Create a harmonious space. Cluttered surroundings can make you feel unbalanced and anxious. Unpack your belongings as soon as you arrive and take the time to arrange your room so it feels comfortable.

Invigorate with oil. Like candles, essential oils stimulate the sense of smell, which can influence how you feel. Add two drops to a bath or mix a few drops with almond, olive, or sunflower oil and massage into your skin.

Detach from results. It’s natural to harbor dreams of perfection when you travel, because you’ve invested time, money, and effort. But when a mishap does occur—like missing a connecting flight or getting sick — just take a break

Modify Your usual Yoga Routine. You may not have the time, space, or energy for your full yoga practice, but sticking to some form of it will make you feel better. Try to meditate for a few minutes, and practice mostly standing yoga poses.

Most of all enjoy every moment of your travelling adventure. Even the moments in between the big tourist sites, sharing a cup of tea or simply meditating, they can be the most magical and memorable times.

Laura Watson 10 December 2010 Retreat, Wellbeing, yoga retreat, Wellbeing, yoga No Comments

Yoga Holidays – Being a responsible tourist

When we jet off to our yoga holidays with our enviromental mat in hand do we really consider how to be a responsible tourist? If you would like some ideas on how to be a green traveller then read on.

Responsible Tourism – the challenge

1. Responsible tourism still continues to engage only a niche audience of travellers passionate about the big issues

2. Misconception that Responsible Tourism is only about the serious issues, and is not also an enjoyable way to travel

3. Post-Copenhagen apathy has lead to confusion over what Responsible Tourism is and how to take enjoyable responsible holidays

Yoga Wellbeing’s Intention

1. Engage a new audience of travellers bored with prescription travel and bland holiday experiences

2. Remind travellers that rebellion and enjoyment are at the heart of Responsible Tourism

Say no to offsets, yes to reduction – The challenge

1. Carbon offsetting provides a dangerous distraction from the real need to reduce our carbon emissions

2. Lack of acceptance in the industry that we need to reduce our carbon emissions and fly less, rather than offsetting

Yoga Wellbeing’s Intention

1. Encourage travellers to say no to offsetting, yes to reduction

2. Inform travellers about the importance of flying less as a key element of a lower carbon lifestyle

3. Remind travellers that when they do fly, to ‘make it count’, by using our carbon comparison flight search, and promoting travel experiences that benefit local communities and the environment

Find out about aviation and our carbon caution – The challenge

Increasingly, travellers are concerned about the impacts of their holidays, and want practical advice about how to travel responsibly.

Yoga Wellbeing’s Intention

Advise travellers on how to get more from their travel experiences while being able to give something back to local communities and the environment.

Let us know if you have any colouful ideas or stories about your yoga holidays and how you travelled responsibly.

Laura Watson 8 December 2010 Retreat, Wellbeing, yoga Wellbeing, yoga, Yoga retreat No Comments

Yoga Retreat

You’ve been to a few yoga classes and have done some yoga workshops, and now you would like to delve a little deeper into the yoga world. The decision is made, for your next holiday, you are going away on a yoga course. You have been to see the Eat, Pray, Love at the cinema and may not be able to go on a spiritual journey all over the world but two weeks is a good start.

Yoga holiday or yoga retreat?

While the distinction between a yoga holiday and a yoga retreat is not always clear, (sometimes, even the organisers have not thought enough about how to accurately name their course), there is quite a difference in terms of focus and general feel or atmosphere. Generally speaking, a yoga holiday is primarily an activity holiday. The time devoted daily to yoga usually won’t exceed four hours, in one, or possibly two daily classes, and you will have time for other activities or just to relax and chill out. The location should reflect this, with a beach or other notable attractions nearby. The atmosphere is often relaxed, and it is usually a great opportunity to meet other like-minded people. On a retreat, on the other hand, the yoga schedule is likely to be a bit more intense. Retreats should be fully residential, the food vegetarian, and meal times carefully thought out to fit smoothly within the daily yoga routine. So it’s up to you yoga holiday or yoga retreat?

Go alone, or take a friend?

Going alone is not a problem. In fact, the vast majority of people going on yoga course go on their own. The downside to going on your own is that you might have to share a room with one or more complete strangers, but at least, you will know that, like you, they have a keen interest in yoga, and great friendships are formed on yoga courses. A few yoga centres will welcome guests who don’t do yoga, but in most cases, and certainly in the case of a retreat, yoga should be a shared interest, so if you don’t want to go alone, a yoga pal is a far better choice than your new boyfriend (unless, of course, you met him on a yoga weekend!)

What style, what teacher?

Perhaps more important than the location is the teacher and the style of yoga. You might find some useful information on the Internet, as most established teachers now have websites. This should at least give you an idea of who they are and of whether their style of teaching (and style of yoga) will suit you. If nothing else, don’t be afraid to ask the teacher such questions as who they studied with, how long they have been practising and how long they have been teaching yoga. Tell the teacher about your yoga experience, level of fitness. It is also recommended to try the style of yoga that will be taught as part of the holiday/retreat by taking a few classes in your area.

What to bring?

Check whether you’ll need a yoga mat. Bring some reading, yogic or not, and don’t forget your practice clothes.