Yoga Wirral Blog

School's Out For Summer!

2011-07-21T17:53:00.001+01:00

I've now finished teaching for the summer. Classes will resume on Tuesday 6th September 2011 with some new classes and amendments as follows:

Tuesdays 6pm-7pm - *NEW* Bollywood Workout
Tuesdays 7pm-8:15pm - Mixed Ability Yoga
Thursdays 9:30am-11am - Women's Yoga
Thursdays 7:15pm-8:15pm - *NEW* Yoga for Blokes

Provisional date for next Karmatime Children's Yoga Teacher Training - Sat 10th and Sun 11th September.

Have a great summer!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

No Class this Wednesday!

2011-03-14T11:56:00.000Z

Just a reminder that I'm making my stage debut (otherwise known as my one and only appearance) at the Royal Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, singing with a 'Contemporary Supersing' choir!

Those who've been attending recently will know that due to rehersals and then the performance on Wednesday, my evening classes this week have been cancelled. For those who've missed a few weeks, hopefully this will avoid anyone showing up to an empty room.

I'll be back for our last Wednesday night class on 23rd March before we go back to our usual Tuesday night slot on 29th March.

xxx

New Term Timetable

2010-09-02T10:56:00.003+01:00

Hope you've all enjoyed your summer and are now basking in the September sunshine!

The Autumn term starts for me on Tuesday 14th September although I am limiting my timetable to allow time to develop my new children's yoga teacher training course.

My former Wednesday night class is moving to a Tuesday (a quieter night in the Community Centre) and will be from 7pm until 8:15pm for mixed ability.
Read more »

Multiple Fake Personalities???

2010-07-11T10:23:00.003+01:00

I had an interesting experience the other day. I came downstairs to find two friends in my hall. Two friends who had never met and who represent two different aspects of my life. One was a mum from school with children the same age as mine, the other was a Yoga teacher.

I found myself in the garden slightly freeking out trying to find the part of myself that could relate to both of these people (both these aspects of my life) at the same time. I had an awareness, almost like an out-of-body observation of myself, faking personalities to suit different people.
Read more »

my little children's yoga kit

2010-06-23T20:39:00.004+01:00

I made this little Yoga kit,

There is but only one,

For parents, teachers, kids (and pets!)

It's seriously fun!

There's music, pictures, fun and games,
All bursting from inside,
To see my kit has taken shape,
It fills me with such pride.

I've used it for the past few years,
My kids have had great fun,
But now my kit must be set free,
It's journey's just begun.

So if you feel a yearning,
A calling deep within,
To share your love of Yoga,
Then let your dream begin.

No need to go out shopping,
Or call or fax or phone,
Just click this little poem
And give my kit a hOMe!

Today sees the culmination of about 5 years work as I have finally released my 'Teach Children Yoga' resource kit. I created the Magical Moves Yoga cards for my kids yoga classes and then developed them into larger visual aids. The CD was recorded about a year ago but I haven't got round to promoting it yet! Too busy teaching!

My aim is to give Yogis tools to help them share Yoga with the next generation. Children are in dire need of Yoga! So, I hope that this kit reaches those who will benefit from it.

Included in the download are:

45 Magical Moves Yoga cards with illustrations, instructions and benefits
45 A4 square visual aids (large versions of above with Sanskrit translations)
The 'Relax... It's Karmatime - Magical Meditations for Children' CD
2 Folding Yoga games
'Sharing Yoga with your Child' E-booklet

I really need help promoting this kit so am looking for affiliates who might add a banner to their website or even a link on their facebook page. Please visit www.teachchildrenyoga.com/yoga_resource_kit.html for details xxx

enCHANTing Yoga Retreat

2010-05-10T17:48:00.007+01:00

I've just come back from running my first ever weekend yoga retreat at a thoroughly magical location in Snowdonia. I'm pleased to say that everything went to plan and the joint forces of yoga, Narayani and Jason Kalidas's kirtan and the stunning location combined to create an incredible experience for all of us.

I feel like we've all been let in on a secret having been at Cae Mabon this weekend! With the sap rising and the blossom blooming, our eyes feasted and our spirits absorbed all the elements

FREE Yoga tonight - an introduction for newcomers

2010-04-14T14:05:00.003+01:00

It's the start of a new term and I am offering FREE yoga classes tonight at Hoylake Community Centre from 6-7pm for beginners and 7:15-8:30pm for improvers. With this in mind, I have once again, been re-evaluating just what Yoga means to me and how to put that across to people who have never encountered it before. The article that follows is a hand-out for all the people who will try Yoga for the first time this evening - I hope it does Yoga justice, let me know what you think...

Mantra

2010-02-11T13:52:00.002Z

I have just uploaded a new essay to my website about Mantra, here's a snippet...

What is Mantra?
Yoga aims to increase the flow of prana or life force energy through the human system and one way of doing this is through the use of sound vibrations. This is known as Mantra Yoga.

Some believe the word ‘mantra’ comes from two Sanskrit terms, ‘man’, meaning mind and ‘tra’, meaning to liberate. Hence, a mantra is a repeated word or sound which aims to liberate the mind. Another interpretation of the definition is that ‘man’ comes from ‘manas’, meaning ‘mind’ and ‘tra’ comes from ‘trana’, meaning to protect, so mantra could be defined as something which protects the mind.

This is based on the premise that most people have some internal chatter or thoughts in their minds which are causing them distress. If you take some time to examine your thought processes for a few minutes, you may notice a tendency to either replay past events (with the hope of processing or resolving them) or plan/dream about future events (with the desire to attain). Remembering unpleasant events in the past and feeling the frustration of an unfulfilled desire creates psychological and physical stress.

In its simplest form, a mantra, when repeated, offers a helpful diversion from these thought patterns and encourages the mind’s ability to focus on the present moment, where there is usually less to be worried about.

In “Mantra Yoga and Ashram Chants”, Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati states,
“Mantras are sacred vibrations expressing the perfection of underlying Reality. They are one of the most potent means available of opening up the unknown spheres of our Being.”

He believes that when the mind bypasses its usual inner noise, a doorway is opened to higher realms of consciousness. It is logical to assume that our brain wave frequency could be changed by sounds with a different vibration. This is especially convincing when you consider that, according to quantum scientists, all atoms (i.e. objects that we perceive as solid, liquid and gas) are composed mainly of empty space. Sound travels through the medium of space or air therefore its effects have the potential to alter any space it encounters.

There is a belief in yogic philosophy that our core nature is essentially blissful and that chanting sacred mantras which have been intuited in a state of bliss, can reveal that state in us.

History of Mantra
Mantras have been used for thousands of years in many world cultures. In fact, modern science is discovering that ancient people probably had a greater awareness of sound and its effects than we do today.

A new branch of archaeology known as ‘Acoustic Archaeology’ has found that certain megalithic sites in Europe have a natural acoustic resonance which can induce meditative states of consciousness. It is also believed that the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Mayans built their amphitheatres, pyramids and temples with acoustics in mind.

In ancient India, knowledge and use of sound was so developed that it became a science known as ‘Mantra Vidya’ – the knowledge of mantras and their effects. The main yogic practice or sadhana thousands of years ago was chanting the Vedas – spiritual texts which defined the Vedic era from the second and first millennia BCE to the 6th century BCE.

Sanskrit Mantras
Sanskrit is thought to be the oldest known language and is considered sacred in India. It is thought to have been intuited by the ancient sages as ‘shruti’ or divine inspiration. Each sound is synonymous with a universal force and each word has a specific vibrational effect upon the human system....

for the rest of the essay, visit www.yogawirral.co.uk/mantra.html

Please leave your feedback

p.s. since writing that essay a year ago I have been immersing myself in mantra! I'm happy to have found some kindred spirits to sing with and am part of a thriving Kirtan chanting group. If you're interested in using sound within your yoga sadhana I have a one day retreat this Saturday at Burton Manor entitled, Yoga Song and Dance, visit www.yogawirral.co.uk/yoga_events.html where you'll also see details of my magical forthcoming weekend retreat at Cae Mabon in Snowdonia with Kirtan artists Narayani and Jason Kalidas (N.B. this retreat is almost full so contact me on 0700 580 1124 asap if you're interested!)

Yoga Teachers UK

2010-01-26T22:02:00.003Z

Yoga Teachers UK is a new social networking site that I have created in the hope that it might unify (the definition of yoga!) various groups, schools and teaching traditions across the yoga community.

It is a free resource for all yoga teachers regardless of background, perceived experience or status and gives us a level netPLAYing field on which to present our highest selves for interaction with like-minded collegues.

It is also an opportunity to create the UKs largest free and inclusive database of yoga teachers and offers so many amazing features which we can all use to raise awareness of the work we are doing.

If you are a yoga teacher, join here and spread the word to your yogini friends!
yogateachersuk.ning.com

Children's Meditation CD

2010-01-06T22:27:00.004Z

Happy New Year!

At long last I am mastering the technology required to share my children's music CD and enable people to instantly download it! It has been a slow process and even though the image isn't showing on the cdbaby link (left) just now, I have faith that it will miraculously correct itself shortly!

More details will follow but in the meantime, put yourself back into the frame of mind of a 3-11 year old and have a listen!

are YOU a yoga school dropout???

2009-12-02T20:42:00.004Z

go easy on yourself... we all are, at some time or other. In fact, it's pretty hard to find a teacher to suit your philosophy and style. So, if you have a teacher whose lessons you have enjoyed - STICK WITH THEM!!! And if you haven't found the perfect teacher for you... STICK WITH THEM ANYWAY!!! any yoga is better than none ;)

This is especially true for yoga teachers. I think that when we begin differentiating ourselves from other teachers' styles and training schools, we can sometimes struggle to continue our own practice! YES, that's right, all the while you have been beating yourself up for missing a yoga class, when your teacher has done the same thing!

... oh gawd, must go and put my kids into bed, they sound like a box of frogs downstairs....

where was I? So, this time of year is a challenge for all of us. Dark, rainy (how much rain has there been?!), windy conditions triggering the instinct to hibernate but you've paid for a course of classes.... hmmmm, losing a bit of money (and the bliss of yoga of course) or night in, bottle of wine and 'I'm a celebrity'? Tough choice!

In the beginning stages of your yoga practice you may not have developed enough self-awareness to realise when you have experienced a benefit or when you are feeling different. This is the challenge of being a beginner to yoga. The benefits of yoga have to out-weigh the benefits of the bottle of wine and the TV... tricky...

Even if you're commited to your yoga practice, I bet you've been in stage where you haven't wanted to go. When the TV and cosy company of your family (which probably wouldn't miss you for just one night btw!) were just too alluring.

In my opinion, that's fine. Skip a class, skip two if you feel like it.... just don't beat yourself up about it! That's a fine art to develop - non-judgement of yourself AND others.

Missing a class is one thing but feeling such shame and guilt that you forever more avoid the teacher and miss out on the amazingly beneficial effects of yoga is another.

The primary emotion can be dealt with, it's the secondary judging emotion that causes limitations in our potential for peace and happiness....

anyway, gotta go, I'm a celebrity has just started... : ) xx

Who are you?

2009-11-04T13:06:00.006Z

Who are you?

I am Justine. I am a yoga teacher. A mother. A wife. A daughter. A sister. A design graduate. A former secondary school teacher. A member of the British Wheel of Yoga. A helper at my kid's school.

Yes, but without all that, who are you?

I am a woman. I am a housewife. I am a singer in the shower. A business woman. An aspiring authouress. A former mural artist / wedding stationer / fashion show dresser / web designer / barmaid / summer camp counsellor. A perpetual student. A tribal belly dancer.

Yes, but without all that, who are you?

I am an over-thinker. An artist. I am an ideas person. I am a yogini. I am trying to improve.

But who are you?

I am a child grown-up. A crone-in-the-making. I am a body, a mind and a heap of emotion that I am trying to understand.

Who are you?

I am confused. I am mysterious. Unknowable. Boundless. Connected. I have no idea. I know nothing. I am fizzy. Light. I am Yoga.

Sometimes, our intelligence, personality traits and lifestyle habits become a smoke-screen obscuring the simple truth of who we are. The labels that we give ourselves and that our friends, families and enemies have given us contribute to our illusion.

These labels often describe our human-ness but say nothing about our being-ness. We are all human beings, not just solid, finite, differentiated human forms but invisible, infinite, undifferentiated and formless beings - otherwise what is the difference between being dead and alive? My being-ness is the same as yours and it can't be created or destroyed!

The difference between the truth of who we are and our expectations of who we should be is where stress lies and as well as being a psycho-emotional issue, stress sits in the muscles of the body, restricting breathing and affecting our moods.

When we suffer these human limitations, we forget that we are still beings and identify soley with the frustration, the pain, the injury etc. of our human selves. We think we are just the wrapping paper and forget that we are in fact the present!

I am a human being on a journey of involution, that is a journey of returning to the source of who I am.

I see this as a lifelong process of clearing away the false judgements and labels I've allowed myself to identify with.

Yoga asanas expose us to these physical and psychological limitations in a controlled, safe environment with the aim of forging our bodies and characters. Can we face up to our limitations with compassion, contentedness and truthfulness on the mat? If so, how can anything worry us off the mat!

The guidance that the philosophy of yoga has offered me, keeps me (sometimes) on the path I have chosen. Plenty of times, at this stage of my journey, I stray, neglect myself and suffer! I become absorbed in my imperfections and illusions - the fact that I am not naturally flexible, I don't look like those bendy models in the yoga magazines and that I still get really ratty sometimes! Then, I get back on my mat, take a deep breath and stretch it all away. Yoga helps me find equanimity and it shuts up my inner bitch!

Practicing yoga hasn't made me super-human. There is no magic pill for achieving blissful enlightenment. There is a very disciplined moment by moment battle required to stay on the path of yoga. With the guidance of my being and those who've trodden the path before me... I hope my human makes it!

The search for Raja Yoga

2009-10-14T13:22:00.005+01:00

I spent a luxurious weekend in Oxford at the beginning of October at the Global Retreat Centre of the Brahma Kumaris. This organisation had been recommended to me by my yoga teacher and I was impressed and intrigued by the fact that the entire stay would be free of charge! They teach Raja Yoga, which is meditation with the aim of gaining mastery of the mind. Raja means Royal and is considered to be the highest form of Yoga.

... two nights, my own room and en suite, no cooking, cleaning, picking up dog poo, refereeing kids bickering matches... er, yes please!

I began meditating about 8 years ago (Transcendental Meditation) to help with my sleep deprivation when the afore mentioned kids were brand new but my practice slipped when the kids went to school and I began teaching yoga (ironic I know!). Having learnt more about the theory during my BWY course, I was keen to refresh my experience. I wanted to walk my talk!

I was really blown away by the weekend and came back feeling inspired and uplifted both by the almost medicinal quality of the meditations but also by the beautiful surroundings. I couldn't quite believe I was staying in a stately home (in pristine condition) set in 55 acres of the Oxfordshire countryside on the River Thames.

The cynic in me (or is that the part of me conditioned by society?) wondered why and how they could offer all this - they must want something in return and yet the innocent in me so desperately wanted to believe that these people really might be challenging our rather greedy and selfish society by nurturing us unconditionally. They said that they knew if they gave freely that we would want to pass the good feeling on to others and that was their purpose, to spread a bit of love and peace around the world.

With over 8000 centres worldwide and links with UNICEF and the UN, they are obviously having quite an impact but still I had to consider both my reactions...

Isn't this how cults lure you in after all, by giving you something you need, brainwashing you and then getting you to hand over all your family silver?! This suspicion must have been rife in the group as during the first few sessions there had been a whispering sound at the back of the room which some decided could have been subliminal messaging. It turned out that the maintenance man's Polish father was attending the course and he was very quietly translating for him!

Phew! Safe for now...!

On the whole, I found that everything said during the weekend resonated with me and this made the experience very comforting. There were a couple of philosophies that jarred with me though. Firstly, the fact that those who had devoted themselves to the BKs felt the need to be celibate. From what I've learnt about Yoga, it seems to me that the ancient texts recommend a return to the natural functioning of us as 'human beings'. I.e. 'Human' - solid forms, part of nature and 'beings' - invisible, formless life force, part of ....(now that's the question!). So how can it be natural to deny the one aspect of our physical functioning that is most vital to the continuance of the species?

I was also glad to hear them say that the BKs are not religious but rather spiritual. They even had a painting similar to one that I have done of a tree displaying the many religions on different branches with a glowing light representing a spiritual essence on the trunk of the tree. When asked what religion I am I say I am a tree hugger - hugging the spiritual trunk rather than a religious branch! However, I noticed that although they said all that, they still had devotional pictures of their leader, Brahma Baba all over the walls.... hmmmmm

I enjoyed the meditation and had some rather unusual visual experiences as a result of meditating with my eyes open. One of the teachers in particular, Sister Manda seemed to morph into different people from different eras in front of my eyes - that was different! Perhaps my mind sabotaging my efforts to quieten it down, or maybe psychic past life visions, or could be just be what happens when you stare at someone - not sure, give it a go and check for yourself!

There's no doubt in my mind that when we begin to explore our own consciousness we are entering into unchartered territories and that that throws up all kinds of suspicions and fears for those taking part and their families.

When I came back with this renewed energy and effervescence those around me were immediately suspicious because 'there's no such thing as a free lunch' and even though I'm generally quite happy, to be on a natural high for over a week is just unnatural - isn't it?!

Are we all so used to experiencing happiness and peace as mere glimpses that when we encounter it for a longer period, we feel it's wrong? Had I been brainwashed into happiness?

Well, bring it on! The way I look at it we've all been brainwashed every second of the day since we were born! By parents, siblings, friends, collegues, advertising, television... the list goes on and the brainwashing isn't at all helpful. I am not what other people have told me I am! I am a mystery even to myself and if a bit of positive programming can improve my quality of life then I'm all for it - brainwash away!

I suppose I hope that I can navigate my way through any ulterior motives from those guiding me and have faith that when done properly, meditation itself leads you to your own truth.

So, whilst the weekend and the BKs have thrown up all sorts of questions for me and presented me with their truth, I hope my own practice will guide me towards my own.

ooooh, the sea, the sand, the sun

2009-09-29T14:06:00.006+01:00

I went on holiday to St. Ives over the summer and as I used to live there (and still have a hankering after going back,) I thought I would get some yoga photos done whilst there. The pics on my previous site were a bit lame (taken at bro's Christmas party!) and it was to be a bit of a treat for completing my British Wheel of Yoga diploma.

I hoped that the sun, sea and sky would carry on inspiring me after my weeks break, when I returned to my usual routine - and they do! The photographer, Ricky Vitulli is some kind of magician I think (or well versed in photo editing!). If you're ever in St. Ives his company is called Kiss Photography http://www.kissphotography.co.uk/

Anyways, I hadn't expected a death defying scramble over the rocks at the back of the island or kneeling on barnacles but went with the flow! It was surprisingly hard to stand on one leg on a sloping surface with the sea refusing to keep still as well! But I'm really pleased with the results. The pics are just what I wanted, not particularly of me with cheesy grin, but more capturing a beautiful landscape and mood - with some yoga shapes thrown in.

Of course, when I saw the photos I then realised I would have to totally re-design my website to go with them (did I really of I am just OCD? the verdict's still out).

So, the new website is no longer pink mendhi patterns and hindu font, it's fresh sea blues and greens. When I look at it, it reminds me of walking round the back of the island on a very bright but blustery day and watching a seal bob up and down in the frothy waves with as much awe and wonder as my two kids! The air was so fresh, I could pratically feel every cell getting a new zingy shot of oxygen and that energy or 'prana' is what I hope to convey with the new site design.

I find St. Ives really uplifting and hope to keep that feeling in all surroundings at all times and if I can't, well I can always look to the photos and remember!

I've also added a new page about me. Hmmmm, feel a bit weird about that but there it is out there anyway and there's also the new gallery with the photos Ricky took.

And if you're curious to know what 'prana' is, there's also an essay that may make this mysterious concept a little clearer.

no need to read - just checking my blog feed!

2009-09-29T12:12:00.001+01:00

this is just a test to see where this blog ends up - it should not be going to my personal facebook page!!! : (

What a week!

2009-07-09T14:18:00.003+01:00

Having restructured my timetable so that it works really efficiently, not too much travelling from job to job, time to run the kids to their busy social events (!) etc... this week has gone bonkers! Well, 10 days really...

It started on the 30th June when I spent the day teaching every class in a primary school 30 minutes yoga. I did 8 classes back-to-back for their sports day, with the aim that they would learn some relaxation skills.

It went really well, we funked up Surya Namaskar with music from MC Yogi before bathing in a rainbow during the relaxation with lavender eye bags.

On the 2nd July, I presented a yoga session for parents and their toddlers to the Family Learning Centre in Leasowe. The parents really enjoyed trying Nadi Sodhana, alternate nostril breathing and of course, no one complained when they had to lie down without the kids for a few minutes!

Two days later, I ran my first yoga retreat day at Burton Manor. Thank you to everyone who attended, you left such great feedback, here's just a few comments...

"Thanks Justine. What a lovely introduction to yoga philosophy and practice. Loved the variety of practice and techniques today. Especially the physical yoga and the focussed meditation using sight and sound at the end. Thanks again. Will see you at the next course."

" - Well balanced experience of Yoga
- Relaxation and breathing techniques will be useful
- The deep breathing taught at the beginning was useful throughout
- One day is not enough!!!
- I really enjoyed the last session, the chanting, Bee Breathing"

"Thoroughly enjoyed the day. Very interesting - good explanations of what Yoga actually is. Feel I want to do more. Very informative and very relaxed - there is a lot more to Yoga than I realised. Thank you, Allison."

"Thanks Justine for a great day. It went too quick, even though I have been to your class, I learnt new things. Shelley"

"Really enjoyable - enjoyed every minute. Beverley"

"Really enjoyed the day - very friendly and relaxed. Very glad I came despite the bad shoulder! Hadn't realised that I already do many of the physical exercises at my 'bums and tums' class. Hadn't done the breathing stuff before though - felt great benefit from the nostril 'thing' (!) and it's so easy to remember - nor had I done the meditative stuff which I found really helpful. Hope to get the shoulder fixed so I can come to other sessions. Thank you!" (Ann)

What a fantastic venue for a yoga retreat, I'll definately be going back. In fact, I've been asked to do more events and I know that next time I'll be offering a beginners introductory day and then a variety of theme based events for the more experienced.

The next beginners day is Saturday 16th January 2010 and for those with more than 3 months practice, I'll be running, "Yoga Song and Dance" on February 13th 2010. This will explore the free flowing movements of Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga Trance Dance along with some kirtan chanting and mantra meditation.

Anyway, after that I had 4 days normal timetable and homework time before my FCA, Final Class Assessment for my British Wheel of Yoga 3 year Diploma which completes next month.

I'm pleased to say that I passed and got some lovely comments from my assessor Rosemary.

Meanwhile, my husband has been climbing Mont Blanc and should have been summitting just as I was being assessed this morning! This has added to my anxiety levels somewhat and although I'm pleased and relieved to have had such positive feedback from one of the 'Big Cahuna's' within the Wheel, I still have a little knot in my stomach until I get that phone call that he's down safely... maybe I should try Garudasana (my peak posture this morning) - a great stress reliever and take a bit of my own medicine!

All that's left now is my last course assessment at the penultimate meeting with the BWY this Sunday where I'm teaching headstand to the class. Then next week, my Karmatime kids have their end of term certificate - Yoga Trance Dancing to Nataraja, then a funky vinyasa dance to Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire and then.......

IT'S THE SUMMER HOLIDAY!!!!!

No work for 6 weeks! Looking forward to it x

Serendipity

2009-04-24T12:57:00.004+01:00

My word for the day is serendipity. It's dictionary meaning is

- noun
1. an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident
2. good fortune; luck: the serendipity of getting the first job she applied for
(from www.dictionary.com)

I had a meeting today with the workshop co-ordinator at Burton Manor to discuss my forthcoming yoga retreat day on Saturday 4th July and to plan some future events.

The venue is fantastic, if a little frayed around the edges but full of potential which doesn't seem to have been exploited yet (maybe that's whats nice about it). The grounds are stunning and overlook the Dee Estuary and Wales beyond.

The room I'm hoping to run the retreat in is amazing with intricately painted plaster-work on the ceiling and enormous windows and doors opening onto the Dee view and gardens.

I was having a lovely time being given the guided tour (I love noseying round places!) when we came across the atelier, or artists studios. In the first studio there was a lady specializing in stained glass.

What a co-incidence! (I don't believe in co-incidence btw) I was just talking to my husband last night whilst watching Kirsty Allsops programme, "Kirsty Makes Totally Twee-but-lovely Stuff for Her Brand New Irritatingly Perfect Cottage by the Sea in Devon" - I think that's the name of the programme anyway... (green-eyed monster alert!).

She goes round hand making items for her new home and last night made a stained glass panel for the bathroom. Jim (hubby) said he'd like to learn about stained glass as a hobby and I said, "I bet they do that at Burton Manor".

No sooner said than done, the artist in question is running a course this Sunday! (Day before my anniversary, might make nice present?) What serendipity - it's not every day that you get that word into a conversation... I even slipped in the even bigger word 'serendipitous' whilst talking with George (bloke from Burton Manor) - I was quite pleased with myself, although I think he just thought I had a bit of a stutter and I'm not entirely sure if that is a real word.

Anyway, in the next studio was an artist and when we had been introduced her and her friend said that they'd really like to come on the yoga retreat. I spotted her business card and realised that I had phoned her just the night before, leaving a message on her machine about tutoring (her side-line) ... world of the strange...

Then, after chatting for a while and looking round the grounds I had a brainwave. I have been trying to get the 'Fairy Fair' (magical fantastic eccentricty rolled into a weekend) to come to the North West for over 2 years now and have wondered about a suitable venue. This place has 15 acres and could be just the spot... I don't know if anything will come of it yet but I've put the two in touch and am hoping I can get involved in someway.

The Fairyland Trust is a charity set up to educate and inspire children (and parents) about nature and conservation. I went to their Fair last year in Norfolk and it was probably the best event I've been to (since having kids!). It really rekindles the wonder of childhood through magical workshops, teaching you how to make REAL magic potions, fairy crowns, houses, wands, you can learn cookery from trolls, hear stories from travelling wizards and receive wisdom from the Electro-Gliding Angels. It's random, surreal and fabulous!

If I could play even a small part in bringing this event to this region, I would be really happy and it will help me in my endeavour to become fully eccentric by the time I'm old (not sure when that will be but plan to dye hair pink and ride motorbike).

So, that's where yoga has lead me today! To a number of serendipitous possibilities...

By the way, for details about my yoga retreat, visit www.yogawirral.co.uk/yoga_events.html

Yoga Trance Dance hit St. Helens!

2009-04-23T13:32:00.002+01:00

I had two groups of 30 children dancing wildly to 'Nataraja' yesterday at a primary school in St. Helens. I don't think they knew what hit them!

I've been teaching at this school for about 18 months so they're used to hearing about new and perhaps unusual ideas. The staff are really forward thinking and have had me teach the whole school yoga and peer massage already.

This time I'm focussing on partner yoga with years 3 & 4 (ages 7-9) to help the pupils develop a bit more respect and compassion for one another.

I began by talking about prison and asked if it might be possible for many people to become metaphorically imprisoned by their own minds and bodies (without the big words tho!). Are there any thoughts that we have that hold us back in life and become like prison bars around us? If we are trying something new do our thoughts help or hinder us?

The general consensus was that thoughts like, "I can't do it" and "what will my friends think of me?" and "I'm scared" hold us back from feeling free to do what we want and limit us inside.

Our bodies can sometimes hold us back too. Most of us know people who have neglected themselves physically, avoiding exercise and moving as little as possible. The resulting stiffness, illness and degeneration then restricts what they can do in life. Their bodies become like prisons around them.

so, I themed the class around freedom. Feeling free in the body and mind. The song I was using mentions Natajara and Shiva, Hindu Gods, so I talked a bit about how Hindus sing their names to help dissolve all the silly thoughts that hold them back in life.

Then we started the dance! I knew that if I was even slightly embarrassed about dancing in front of teachers and pupils or if I was half-hearted, it just wouldn't work, so I went for it! Have a look at the video on youtube of Shiva Rea doing this dance.

Once the kids realised that they were free to go wild (albeit within the confines of this simple dance) they went for it to. The music was pumping and everyone was prancing up and down. Smiles and laughter all around. My arms were flying off up into the air and I was leaping as high as I could, then my turquoise bead bracelet exploded all around the hall so the kids went chasing after them laughing their heads off!

Everyone was so enlivened and high afterwards but not in a distracted way, they really focussed on the rest of the class after that.

The second group were a year older and I could immediately feel the difference. They weren't totally inhibited but they were on the turn. This must be the age when this worrying and self-consciousness begins perhaps.

I asked them to dance like no-one was watching and really go for it and most did. Just one or two stood looking bemused. The majority were really enjoying themselves, some a little too much as I realised that a couple of the girls and boys were staring at my boobs joggling up and down!!!

I felt a bit inhibited (for a millisecond!) and then just started shouting, "do we care what people say about us?" "No!!!" etc... this was exactly the point of the exercise. Body consciousness can really put kids off exercise all together.

I remember when I was at school I did ballet from the age of 2 until I hit puberty. Then my ballet teacher would bring this cane thing she had and tap my hips and comment that I'd never be a professional ballet dancer with hips! Ur, not a lot I can do about that luv! I was in good shape too, just getting curves but I suddenly wanted the floor to open up and I hated the changes that were happening to my body - it was so out of my control! I gave up ballet when I was about 15 I think, in fact I gave up all physical exercise. I'd scive off PE (permanent period or asthma attack) and gave up the gym team too.

So yesterday I just let them wobble! So what! And my inhibition was infectious. The teachers were amazed at the 'cool' boys hopping around like a tribe. Although when some of them requested we do the dance again, I did wonder what their motives were!? Perhaps a support bra might be in order next time?

Yoga Song and Dance

2009-04-21T11:58:00.004+01:00

A couple of months ago, my yoga teacher Sarah Beck introduced me to the kirtan (devotional chanting) of Jai Uttal. We were learning about mantra at the time as part of the third unit of the British Wheel of Yoga diploma.

We sang 'Ganesha Sharanam' and I began investigating his music as I thought he had a really compelling voice and the music was catchy!

I've been quite obsessed (in a good way!) with Sanskrit mantras for about 18 months now, in fact a few years if you include just listening to Deva Premal. In my adult classes I only play westernised or fusion mantra music. Having learnt a little about the effects of these sounds I decided that my students might as well have the subliminal benefits of yoga as well as the more obvious physical ones from asana practice.

I've enjoyed singing (most recently whilst packing the dishwasher to stop myself rebelling!) since I was a child so progressing from listening to mantras to singing them was natural.

This is taking the yoga philosophy a step further though and I wonder where the line is drawn between yoga practice and becoming a Hindu. Certainly devotional chanting is a form Bhakti Yoga or worship known as bhajan in the Hindu culture - does singing the names of the Hindu Gods and Goddesses make me a Hindu? I'm not sure! (For more about Bhakti Yoga read my article at http://www.yogawirral.co.uk/bhakti_yoga.html)

I don't affiliate myself with any particular religion but just enjoy the effects of singing in this way. Mantra is sometimes described as being the mind's protection. When so much of life's stress is caused by the mind, it is logical to see how repeating a certain positive word or sound could stop the mind from focussing on negative thoughts. It might even re-programme the mind into positive ways of thinking and change the habit of stress altogether.

Anyway, having looked up Jai Uttal I discovered that he was on Facebook. (That's a whole other distraction!) and having linked up with him, I found Shiva Rea (another teacher I admire) and MC Yogi. (All those names link to their websites.)

Jai Uttal has worked with MC Yogi and Bhagavan Das on some brilliant fusion music, sort of a mix between hip hop and kirtan and I've been using their songs in my kids classes. They love lyrics like, "When I say Jai you say Ganesh, jai, ganesh, jai ganesh" and "Ganesh is fresh... Ganesh is fresh!" It's funny but it works!

We've been practicing physical yoga to these up tempo tunes which has lead me into researching yoga dance and discovering Shiva Rea's Yoga Trance Dance - look it up on YouTube. The song she uses on that video is brilliant. So, I looked it up (you can guess I spend too much time on the internet!). It's a song featuring Bhagavan Das by The Dum Dum Project which is called 'Nataraja' - I have been playing and jumping up and down to it ever since!

And like a giant winding path of music and dance I've been lead to Bhagavan Das and am currently reading his memoirs, a book entitled, "It's Here Now (Are You?)" I LOVE THIS BOOK! I can't put it down. It appeals in a really temping way to the part of me that just wants to totally drop out of society and follow the trail he led to India, gurus, intense practices etc... He was one of the original hippies and part of the Allen Ginsberg, Timothy Leary psychedelic crew.

I wrote a thesis during my degree about the influence LSD had on art in the 60s/70s and seem to have this affinity with this whole era despite having been born a little too late. (I do get called a hippie and take it as a compliment!).

So, this term in my children's classes I'm focussing on Yoga songs and dance. My daughter is now 10 years old and suddenly becoming more self-conscious and worried about what people think of her. She finds the relaxation part of yoga 'boring' (hmmm, there go my buttons getting pushed!) so I'm trying to find a way to access this age group, a way to get them into a place of freedom from their own egos which seem to be strengthening by the day. Her and her friends are still just about at an age where they will dance without too much embarrassment but it's borderline.

I've no idea yet how I'll go about getting a load of 4-10 year olds to dance like nobody's watching but I'm going to give it a go! Now, I must start my planning...

The Monk who Sold his Ferrari

2009-04-20T10:12:00.004+01:00

I have just finished reading "The Monk who Sold his Ferrari" by Robin S. Sharma. It's not a book I probably would have read had someone not recommended it as I am quite jaded with 'self-help' manuals (having overdosed on them for many years!).

However, I've folded over a surprising number of pages to return to as much of this book presents yogic wisdom albeit in a re-packaged way. Here are a few pearls of wisdom I will be hoping to remember!

On the Past
A fictional character, Yogi Krishnan states, "Every event has a purpose and every setback its lesson. I have realized that failure, whether of a personal, professional or even spiritual kind is essential to personal expansion. It brings inner growth and a whole host of psychic rewards. Never regret your past. Rather, embrace it as the teacher that it is."

This is a comforting thought but one that requires great faith. To believe that everything is happening just as it should for our individual personal growth implies that there is a higher force at work pre-planning events in our lives.

That higher force can be interpreted in many ways regardless of philosophy or religion but the bottom line is that we can experience psychological relief from believing that quotation.

On Oppositional Thinking
This advice recommends that should you be feeling an uncomfortable emotion, you simply begin thinking about the opposite feeling. For instance, if you feel unhappy, begin imagining you are happy, even laugh out loud! Change how you are breathing too as I've heard that for every feeling there is a different breath so to change your breathing is to change your mood.

On Visualisation
Next, the author quotes Einstein, "imagination is more important than knowledge" and recommends visualisation as a daily practice. From my research into Yoga, Brain Gym and the nature of the mind, I support the theory that you are what you think you are. Imagining yourself as you wish to be on a daily basis actually draws you closer to being that person. He also quoted Carl Jung who said, "who looks outside dreams; who looks inside, awakens."

On Simplicity
Another fictitious character, Yogi Raman states, "you must never live in the thick of thin things." He proposed that to be truly happy we must simplify our lives. This supports the Buddhist principal that, the more you have, the more you have to worry about.

As I look around me now I see so much STUFF which I am trying to recycle, sell or give away just to create more space in the house. It is so easy to surround ourselves with things especially if we get a thrill out of purchasing. So many times I've bought something and then only used or worn it once! Then it becomes another thing to clutter up my environment.

I do believe that our surroundings affect our minds as I quite often feel overwhelmed by mess! I am hoping to reduce the clutter in the house (and my mind!) but then to also reduce what new items enter the house too.

On Discipline
This point is probably the one that I will remember the most from this book as it has changed my perception about discipline.

I have previously decided that I had little discipline. This belief has been based on my upbringing and the fact that until I gave up dieting (in my teens!) I believed that if you didn't continue a diet you lacked discipline. I thought that this was an inherent part of my personality which was unlikely to change. Incidentally, I gave up dieting early on in life as I realised that the resulting guilt from failing to stick to it was more likely to make me fat than the food! Since then I haven't really had much problem with my self-image or weight.

When I read this book, however, my belief started to change. The author presents discipline or willpower as something to be cultivated over time - not something you either have or don't have! He writes, "decide to do the things you know you should be doing rather than walking the path of least resistance. Start to fight the gravitational force of your bad habits and weaker impulses just as a rocket rises above the force of gravity to enter the realm of the heavens."

The author recommends a mantra to help embed willpower. "I am more than I appear to be, all the world's strength and power rests inside me."

On Kaisen
This Japanese concept means to constantly improve oneself and is based on the premise that to improve your outer world, you must first improve your inner world. Sharma recommends that we, "take daily incremental action to improve your character. Strengthening your character affects the way you see yourself and the actions you take. The actions you take come together to form your habits and this is important, your habits lead you to your destiny."

"You sow a thought you reap an action.
Reap an action, you sow a habit.
Sow a habit you reap a character.
Sow a character you reap your destiny."

The whole book is based upon ancient texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali along with some inspiration from Buddhism and presents this wisdom through a loose storyline which nonetheless encouraged me to read it.

I've just proved to myself that I do have some discipline by writing this blog! Although I may be taking the path of least resistance by writing on the computer when there's so much to do! Now for the de-cluttering...

Following this Blog

2009-04-08T10:17:00.001+01:00

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xxx

My Gym Yoga Classes - Bye Bye JJB Fitness!

2009-04-02T11:53:00.004+01:00

I was really touched yesterday when at the end of my last class at JJB Fitness in Bromborough, the students presented me with a card and gift!

I made the hard decision to leave as I've been wanting to set up some classes closer to home and a great venue just became available at the end of my road.

It was fun working at JJB, the Ki Studio is really conducive to relaxation. The acoustics are fantastic, some people even asked me if I was doing something special with my voice as Savasana was so relaxing. I'll certainly miss the soft lighting and clean wooden floor when I start teaching at the local Community Centre (although the floor is clean here too!).

Although driving an hour for an hour long class isn't that far to communte, I've been trying for 3 years now to make my timetable more efficient with the aim of working less in the evenings but as most demand is for evening classes I'm conceeding by teaching 3 classes back-to-back on a Wednesday in my home town.

The challenge will be publicising these classes myself - not one of my favourite passtimes! I do have an advert going in the local press next week, so with good luck I'll have some full classes shortly!

xxx

Easter Yoga with 2-4 year olds

2009-03-31T13:58:00.003+01:00

This is always a fun week as we near the end of the Spring term. I have my childrens classes focus on an Easter theme and bring along my Easter basket filled with chocolate eggs! Today, we stretched as we pretended to go on an egg hunt, then found the magic chicken which lays chocolate eggs.

I have a group of 2-4 year olds who continue to amaze me when they lie down for their relaxation, they put on their lavender eye bags and really concentrate on the guided visualisation. We warmed up with Surya Namaskar which we practice to musical accompaniment by Kira Willey ( www.firefliesyoga.com - well worth a visit!). One little boy surprised my by asking if we were doing the Sun Salutation! Now that's a mouthful for a 3 year old!!!

Later today, I'll be preparing certificates as my school pupils complete their Spring Term certification, we're showing their parents a display of partner yoga which should prove interesting! As long as they can keep their minds off the chocolate, they'll be fine.

Their ability to respect and care for each other during our practice sessions has made the occasional bouts of near chaos worthwhile!

xxx

Good Vibrations!

2009-03-30T10:06:00.000+01:00

I've just moved my home office to another room after having the house dowsed for geopathic stress. If you've never heard of this then look up www.dulwichhealth.co.uk . It takes a leap of faith to accept the possibility that someone can remotely detect underground fault lines, stress lines, ley lines or 'black water' (I'm already confused!) BUT once the free survey came back showing that our house had them, I had to move a few things around anyway, just in case!

It could be a load of mumbo-jumbo but my son's bed was directly over an intersection of two very negative lines. Scientists (mainly in Germany) have researched this and discovered a link to serious illnesses such as cancer when people spend time around geopathic stress. Needless to say, his bed has been moved.

I feel a bit daft telling people about this as I'm new to the subject and don't explain it very well. I just have to trust that most people are intelligent enough to keep an open-mind - in fact it is said that open-mindedness is a sign of intelligence! Personally, I'd much rather be gullible that cynical and this reminds me of a great quote I heard yesterday on a trailer for a new yoga film called 'Enlighten Up'. A new student comments that they feel out of their depth as they're only a beginner and the teacher says,

"A beginner's mind is full of many possibilities but an experts mind has few, let's all approach new experiences like beginners" (or words to that effect!)

If you are interested, the film has it's own page on Facebook, so look it up!

Anyway, I'm sitting at my desk in what will be my new yoga studio/office, looking out of the window (yes I can do that and type!) at the lovely garden and am feeling the good vibrations already. I love moving things around, it feels so fresh, new and full of potential!

xxx

New to Blogging

2009-01-15T15:20:00.000Z

So this is my first venture into blogging! I'm really just trying this thing out to see if it works and if it's useful for letting people know about Yoga in my local area, Wirral. More to follow...