Moon Sequence and Male Mula Bandha

Dear Yogis,

Tomorrow afternoon (16th April), my teacher, Valentina Candiani, is hosting a Moon Sequence Workshop in Hammersmith. I urge you to try it out. Mike Conroy, who is leading the workshop, says; “The Moon Sequence is particularly good for opening the hips and shoulders and preparing for backbends”.  Mike credits this practice for his ever increasing flexibility. You will find familiar poses (pigeon, cat/cow, camel, crescent moon) and reference to the breath, bandas and drishti. It ends with a relaxation sequence against the wall. There are no spectacular inversions, no weight bearing jump-backs, no constant repetition of chaturanga. It’s good for beginners, advanced, Ashtangis and will give new information to teachers to include in their classes. It leaves a deeper sense of peace and contentment. Here’s a link: bit.ly/1NcO6P2

Talks

I went to the British Museum for the Yoga: Austerity Passion and Peace talk last Friday. I found the first speaker, Jason Birch from the Hatha Yoga Project the most interesting and mercifully short. He showed the earliest (1159CE) bilingual yoga text – Sanskrit and Tibetan. I liked that! Yoga shared across borders through the centuries. I’m sure they didn’t worry too much about cultural appropriation. You can see his 4 minute presentation here: bit.ly/1NcOhdb

Home Studio

Hilarity overtook the class on Wednesday when we focused on the pelvic floor. Particular thanks to participants who made me use graphic description on how to engage the pelvic floor... for men!!!! I might do a You Tube on this!

Classes get booked up online now. Even technophobes are booking online. Please give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel, preferably 24 hours.

Yoga ‘n’ Chill Retreat

“Wake up with determination, go to bed with satisfaction”! I saw this quote on Facebook... and like it! This is what a yoga retreat is like. So much try or achieve as you look out over the day. So much tried or achieved as you look back on the day.

Join up! Come! You know you want to!

Helping or Hurting?

Dear Yogis

I’d like to introduce you to Lucas Rockwood and his Yoga Talk Show. It’s always a great listen. He often interviews big names in the yoga world. This week he starts his show with observations about running and yoga... Nice timing with the London Marathon coming. He always talks about nutrition. That’s his beef! He doesn’t stick to one type of diet; he talks about everything from paleo to vegan diets to genetically modified food. He asks; ‘Is your diet helping or hurting?’ He’s based in Barcelona, runs a studio and does teacher training in Thailand. He’s easy to listen to because his voice is so friendly.

Freebies

Triyoga Chelsea is celebrate World Health Day with its usual bring a friend for free from 07 to 10 April. Yes, it started yesterday! This year, the focus is to ‘Beat Diabetes’. Let’s go!

Health

I get asked about sciatica at regular intervals I’ve had it myself and, if all the medical issues I get asked about, this is the one that is clearly ahead. Here’s a nice article on the subject and if you don’t feel like reading, there are pictures!

In Our Group

This is from CaiJia and David who are yogis in my Home Studio: “Do you know anyone aged 8-14 who would enjoy being creative, making kites, drawing, and building an outdoor structure? "Artkitecture" - art, kites and architecture

“Architectural designer David Shanks and art teacher Cai Jia Eng are running a week-long art and architecture camp for 8-14 year olds from 18th-22nd July, from 9am-5pm every day. The art, design and architecture workshop is a fun and unique opportunity for children to work together to create their own paper kites, models and a pavilion in the Art Rooms and beautiful grounds of St Augustine's Priory, W5. Perfect for any budding artists or designers who want to get hands on!

“Booking information and more details available at www.artkite.tumblr.com, or email ealingmakers@gmail.com if you have any questions. “

Yoga ‘n’ Chill Retreat

Loads of you have asked for a poster to put up at work so I have attached it to this email. Thank you very much. Thank you, again, to those who posted the link on your social media. Get in touch if you want to discuss coming along. Individuals, groups and corporate groups welcome.