WIN! A WEEKEND BREAK FOR TWO with Fire & Bliss Yoga retreats - WORTH £1,050 HfeOedTtYhOe fGirAe FEBRUARY 2023 – £5.99 8-page special report EVERYDAY WELLNESS Adopt, don't Simple daily shop tips yoga fans & Root-to-rise Əlow their furry grounding yoga sequence friends YogaValloevnteiyne's 4 special report WAYS YOGA IMPROVES MENTAL WELLBEING
OM Magazine Welcome Issue 138, February 2023 Welcome to our February issue. Inside this Published by: Prime Impact month, we’ve got everything you need to 4 Nags Corner, Wiston Road, keep you inspired, from yoga flows to cool Nayland, CO6 4LT yoga clothes. Keep your energy levels up and Tel: 44 (0) 1787 224040 your vibe high with OM. [email protected] ommagazine.com With Valentine’s Day coming up on 14th February, our special report this month looks Chief Editor: Martin D. Clark at the greatest force in the universe: love. We [email protected] won’t be offering any new insight from the Designer: realm of physics about this mysterious force (sorry, all you science Art Director: Sophie Langton geeks out there), but we will be sharing ways to connect with lovers Advertising Manager: and others through the magic of yoga. Emily Saunders We also look at hot yoga this month as well, the perfect escape Marketing from the cold weather months here in the UK. It’s a practice that has Debbie Engering 44 (0) 1787 220646 transformed countless lives for the better around the world — find out [email protected] how inside, and join them! You’ll find plenty of other goodies tucked away in this issue too, Jane Lambert including healthy new foods and recipes, as well as spiritual wisdom and lots of food for thought. You never quite know where yoga might Subscriptions & Back Issues: Hannah Irons 44 (0) 1787 224040 take you. [email protected] I met a shaman recently (as you do) who said our final frontier is not outer space, but the inner space inside. Yes, we are very clever with Publishing Director: Keith Coomber our mobile phones, technology, and space rockets, but so what if we do manage to land on Mars, what will we do then, just build apartment Managing Director: Julie Saunders blocks and then watch Netflix? It was a call to spirituality, to awaken the inner landscape within Licensing: Bruce Sawford 44 (0) 1280 860185 that may have been dormant for so long. Anything else (and yes I Accounts: [email protected] include Netflix in this) is largely a distraction. A simple yoga practice can be the start point for this inner exploration. It’s time to roll out Yolande Arnold your yoga mat and boldly go on the adventure of a lifetime, to places you never thought possible. The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing in the magazine and the opinions Have a super month, everybody — and be nice to everyone, expressed in editorial material or otherwise do not neccessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher including yourself! Use the force…the force of love. cannot accept liability for any loss arising from the later appearance or non publication of any advertisement. Information about products and services featured within the editorial content does not imply an endorsement by OM Magazine. OM Magazine is not intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor, qualified therapist, nutritionist or dietician. Always consult your doctor before undertaking any exercise programme. Every effort is made to ensure that all advertising is derived from reputable sources. OM Magazine cannot, however, accept responsibility for transactions between readers and advertisers. On the cover: facebook.com/ommagazine Yogi: Sarah Highfield Instagram.com/omyogamagazine Yogagise Yoga Photographer: Cecilia Cristolovean www.yogaandphoto.com 3
OM in 30 seconds Contributors Yoga Love: Valentine's Special Report With Valentine’s Day on Zoe Warren 14th February, we’re All you need is love exploring conscious Zoe is a qualified yoga teacher, a mother ways to connect with of three, and the founder of Peachy With Whether you’re a serial singleton, or you can’t keep your wandering hands off ‘the your partner through Zoe, a new wellness brand with a passion one’, Valentine’s is a great time to prioritise all things love — and yoga can help the power of yoga. for us all to find more joy within our From cacao ceremonies day-to-day life. Born at the intersection Love is all around us and even within us. You don’t have to feel the power and pull of a partner, it is equally and tantra through to of various wellbeing modalities, this new present in the self-love that we show ourselves from day to day. And yoga can help us feel that energetic acroyoga, sharing is wellbeing subscription service offers a fresh connection even more strongly, whether that’s with yourself or with another special person in your life. caring when it comes to way to maintain your physical, energetic love and yoga. and mental health in a fun, easygoing In this report, we explore various key themes drawn from the world of yoga that can enhance our love Yoga & Love, Page 44 and mindful way. Visit: peachywithzoe.com connection, from the blissful rituals of a cacao ceremony, where we hold sacred space for ourselves, our or connect on Instagram @peachywithzoe partner and our relationship, to the almost intuitive learnings gleaned from acroyoga, the ultimate yoga double act. Lydia Kimmerling We also draw on the realm of Tantra Yoga and its ancient wisdoms, which we can apply in a direct and Lydia is the founder and chief executive practical way to improve our everyday experience of life and our sense of place in the universe. We highlight of The Happiness Explorer. She’s also five ways to bring Tantra into your day that could transform how you live your life, turning the mundane into a master life and business coach, magic everywhere you go. motivational speaker and educator and runs an accredited 12-month, life Tantra and other yogic practices can simultaneously feed our sense of self-worth, raising our self-esteem coach training and business mentorship and fostering greater self-love. These are vital attributes if we are to honour love in all its magnificence and course, as well as other trainings. To manifestations. register your interest visit her website: thehappinessexplorer.com. For daily Above all, be open to love. If you find it, whether that’s in the arms of a new lover or in the depths of a inspiration follow her on instagram broken heart, cherish it and kindle that flame until it burns brightly. Let yoga show you the way. @lydiakimmerling 44 Louisa Flynn Ditch the winter chills Hot Yoga Special Report and immerse yourself Louisa is a wellbeing writer and a registered yoga into the warming world hot yogaFeed the fire with teacher. Her personal practice has evolved over of hot yoga. It’s the the last 10 years from a weekly meditation to a perfect tonic for those Hot yoga has the power to transform your life (but don’t moment-by-moment component of living a life cold days and nights, just take our word for it, check out Ayesha Nauth’s with more acceptance. Louisa’s writing has been plus it’s good for you remarkable story on page 60). The question is: are published both in print magazines and across too. Find out why in you ready to step into the hot room? various online platforms, such as Womankind, our special hot yoga Sanctuary and Motherdom. To find out more report this month. 56 about Louisa, visit: louisaflynn.com or find her on Hot Yoga, Page 56 Instagram @louisaflynnwriter Adopt don’t shopomactions Cute alert! Inspirational Pet rescue has become a big thing in the yoga community, stories of yoga teachers with the ability to supercharge our capacity for love, and their beloved, adopted pets. If you’re kindness and transformation. contemplating getting a cat or a dog (or even Words and photography by Wanda Bogacka-Plucinski something more exotic!) then you have the power Five years ago, while dropping him. When I arrived, the ladies at the shelter would lay on the floor speaking to him softly to change a life today. off donations with my daughter asked, “Who are you here to adopt today?” I and stroking him until my body went numb. Adopt, Don’t Shop, Madeline, at Easel Animal Rescue replied, “McGregor.” The look of total shock It was hard for him to feel safe because I Page 86 in New Jersey, she asked if we and joy came over their faces and in unison had to administer medications and bathe could look at the animals. I agreed but had they said, “McGregor is getting adopted?!” him, which he didn’t care for and cried the no intention of adopting since we already I replied with pride, “He sure is, he’s going whole time through. Even with all of that, had two cats. That’s when I met McGregor. home with me!” he was never aggressive, hissed, growled or He was in a cage, curled in a ball; there was scratched, ever! The reward of earning his urine wafting from his cage, as a result of “So often I hear from love and trust changed me forever. Not only wetting himself due to the extreme stress he people that have rescued did he get better, health-wise, he became felt. Hanging from the cage were syringes an animal that it was the social, cuddled, played with a ball that had and medical instructions. It appeared that other way around, they feel a bell in it, slept with me, and was extremely he was in very poor health but no one could kind to my other two cats, even though one really say what the problem was. I opened rescued by their pets.” of them displayed jealousy and bullied him the cage and reached in to give him a few from time to time. He taught me what true scratches behind his ears. When he lifted I won’t sugar coat it, the first few months love is; he taught me about forgiveness, his head, I noticed a pair of pale blue eyes were hard; frequent vet visits, administering patience and to look beyond the surface. staring back at me. At first, I thought, oh a variety of medications, bathing him, trying Although I love all of my kitties, I believe what pretty blue eyes you have, McGregor. to coax him to use the litter box, and eating McGregor was an angel disguised as a cat. I But quickly, I realised they were not blue, his food. Getting him to better health while didn’t know I needed McGregor in my life but he was blind! That brief moment I had trying to earn his trust was difficult, requiring sometimes, what you are looking for is not with him stole my heart. I ended up going a lot of love, patience, and time. My husband necessarily what you need, and what you home that day but couldn’t get him out of often told me, “Don’t be disappointed if he need is not necessarily what you want. my mind or heart. Secretly, the next day, will never be like our other cats.” But I didn’t before my husband got home from work, I care. I just wanted him to feel safe and know McGregor recently died of cancer but I will took the cat carrier and drove back to the that someone loves him unconditionally. never forget him and his gentle, loving heart. shelter. I didn’t want to hear all the reasons During the first month, he often hid so I He was the epitome of love and compassion. why I shouldn’t bring him home so I just got I feel privileged to have had him in my life even in the last moments of great suffering 86 Don’t miss... Subscription Regular contributors: WIN! A WEEKEND BREAK FOR TWO with Fire & Bliss Yoga retreats - WORTH £1,050 ONLY £3.95 A MONTH Claudia Brown, Paula Hines, Sarah Highfield, Lauren Bloxham, Lydia Kimmerling, Kiki Morriss, Sue Pugh HfeOedTtYhOe fGirAe • No ContractFEBRUARY2023–£5.99 8-page special report Words of wisdom EVERYDAY • Delivered to your door Adopt, WELLNESS “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole don't Simple daily • Cancel anytime world around you because the greatest secrets are always shop you want tips hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who yoga fans & don’t believe in magic will never find it.” their furry Root-to-rise Əlow The Minions, Roald Dahl friends grounding yoga sequence 4 YogaValloevnteiyne's special report WAYS YOGA IMPROVES MENTAL WELLBEING 4
February 2023 Cover Story Contents OM Regulars 8 3 Editor’s Letter 4 Contributors 8 My Secret Place 10 Letters 12 Yoga Changed My Life 13 Keep Calm And Carry On 14 The Happiness Explorer 15 Living The Teachings: Samskara 17 Find Your Dream Teacher: GuruPro App 18 Amazing Spaces: The Space To Breathe Collective 20 OM Loves: Beautiful Things For Beautiful People 22 Yoga Fashion: Colour Flow Activewear 26 Planet Yoga 83 OM Books: Great Yoga Reads 90 Yoga Is For Every Body: Your Photos. Your Community 98 OM Lite: Different Strokes For Different Folks 22 28 OM Body 42 30Cover 360° Yoga: OM’s Anatomy Academy Story Yoga At Home: Root To Rise Flow OM Meets: Vidya Heisel 34 Anytime Yoga: Three Easy Moves, Anytime 38 Everyday Wellness: Be Kind To Yourself 40Cover Yoga & Menstruation: Aligning Your Practice Story Yoga Love: Valentine’s Special Report 42 All You Need Is Love: Find It Through Yoga Fall In Love With Your Life: With Tantra Cover The 6 Learnings Of Acroyoga: Shared Wisdom - Story Couples’ Valentine’s Cacao Ceremony 44 46 48 50 6
53 OMFM 54Cover Man On The Mat: High Lunge Prayer Twist Story 4 Ways Yoga Improves Mental Wellbeing 53 Cover Hot Yoga: Special Report 62 Story Feed The Fire: With Hot Yoga 56 6 Benefits Of Sweating: Why It’s Good For You 58 The Hot Yoga Effect: Ayesha Nauth 60 The Hottest Pod In Town: Hotpod Yoga Leicester 62 OM Mind 64 66 Balance Is Dynamic: Find Your Ballast Cultivating Mindful Awareness To Thoughts & Feelings OM Spirit 68 The Art Of Spirituality: The Spiritual Arts Foundation OM Living 70 Eat Drink Yoga: Healthy Living Goodies 71 Love Vegan: Recipe Ideas For Valentine’s 74 Nutrition Zone: Good Gut Health 68 Teacher Zone 77 My Yoga Biz: Maria Fernandez-Corugedo 78 Ignorance Is Not Bliss: Anatomy & Physiology 80 Hold Your Bow Steady: Trust In Your Path 82 Teachers’ Tales: Showing Up For Yourself 84 OM Actions 86Cover How Yoga Helped One Mum’s Cancer Journey Story Adopt Don’t Shop: Pet Adoption In The Yoga Community 94 OM Travel 92 Fire Up & Bliss Out: Yoga Retreats in England 94 Red Sea Diving Safari: Egypt Yoga Retreats 96 Half A World Away: Blissful UK Escapes 16Cover Competition: Win A Fire & Bliss Yoga Retreat Story 97 Subscriptions: Join The OM Community Now 7
om beginnings My secret place Yogi: Karolina Pyrcik Photographer: Timo Wirth Location: Skälåker, Sweden The photograph shows Karolina Pyrcik, a yoga instructor, enjoying some of Sweden’s vast, natural and untouched wilderness. “When I want to wind down from my daily life as an illustration artist and yoga teacher, I leave the city to spend some time in nature,” she tells OM. Sweden has a lots of great, natural awe-inspiring places to discover, but if you want to feel like you’ve reached the end of the world, go to Skälåker, she says. “Skälåker is a hamlet in Stockholm County in a beautiful archipelago region,” she adds. “I can sit there for hours, and enjoy the feeling that just being, and doing nothing, is enough. It is a beautiful, quiet and peaceful place, and you can experience the most magnificent sunsets next to the water. When the sun goes down, it dips the whole of nature and your soul into a range of soft pastel colours.” Find Karolina Pyrcik (karolinapyrcik.de) on Instagram @happywildthing.yoga 8
om beginnings 9
N@maste WIN! A WEEKEND BREAK FOR TWO with Fire & Bliss Yoga retreats - WORTH £1,050 Love OM magazine and want to tell HfeOedTtYhOe fGirAe FEBRUARY 2023 – £5.99 the world? Here’s your chance 8-page special report EVERYDAY OM readers had plenty to say about ‘The Cultural Appropriation Debacle In Yoga” article WELLNESS featured in our December 2022 issue. Here’s a selection of messages we have received: Adopt, Simple daily don't shop tips yoga fans & Root-to-rise Əlow their furry grounding yoga sequence friends YogaValloevnteiyne's 4 special report WAYS YOGA IMPROVES MENTAL WELLBEING Teacher zone The cudletbuarcalleaipnpryoopgariation Namaste returns Uinndtheerswtaonwrdladiynogthf tyrhooeugcgauhaltnitud.rBahyloaKwpaptmoronBparovialiagtiaotne issue The December issue article about cultural appropriation your was really good. After reading it, I stopped using Namaste at the end of my classes…but have been asked to re-introduce it by my students. And I agree totally about how yoga is being portrayed in social media. You don’t see many posts of a 56-year-old bald bloke from Teesside practicing, but perhaps we should! Anyway, thanks for a great magazine. Si, by email IishcvntoahaatumvelhuteiehreebnsscwaAytne,uouostuetbeilhoigtttsmnaecheuaptnlaeebrriilieacsaranweUneafilsdrssolKtawweuoasmptdisfuhohnnptacberbrdrrnluetnyjoydhecelplt.amtueciuyhvIrntl1ietriiaedaognau9amytfrglr6rriaefdeois0iinan,vnrnesaststem.blehtthspaMahneloialataneeysserranoideUiptbrisdrinnraaKeievetitricvtysdotaehoeifnnweaemddtsth’iesnoI tImttnhahwhiaogeneyaneanfwdvindpisroteoavllrariiiuarrnaefkbemenlnletininslygotitetta?otiyosoraynNnla.bnebdneboA.reein,lowfInewtIaoumehadttgprwhoaoqcheaoyonocturluolr’ushem,tlgounadstthenhtlvth,direeaaouioyntysnpbfnekwtIceelatolIhodeownomwelinyodtrfawhetquunehseeur’tw;Iit,urnbiIwhcterrgebeeueaat.saeltnrsatWtllyiualinaotyeiaïrndfvvesgeea yatyI1fouednwnaoifm9ehrIacgpiaddygsse7yoaaaciyuihtaire0lawhmndnyerwdhbsnfais,veognaaarrocn.aaaeleoirguiliIrnvhdndrobBcwl2g,weydoddiiuecr0cshtnosma.iihsehrmttndgyasanmideiaesaegpisioebrevshadeswrsfcIoeeto-r!o.nasowb)drhsmfBmrii.naaolnseaaiIyesocninyrrgstn.exwihnseodnIlvdtaats/aegoiwlIePebinnyngstmblnduireadndcsdn(lauylnsei’uyiioentdtaacenjenohbavrgaianvasttherebtslrtiieiorlrwynoieonl.iosgiuowIsIngrtpi,ewhn.agpdwgpaaeateIggheeailhrrzsashredaetcwpeastcbastncueitorttambsvutawtoapalviyesrriycctyehf,oncoeeiihebrtnnuauenreheeohtgtsgdtdreeafaghhnndoet da HcsIwloeaoIaamlshsnteoheatittrvhniooemagw5ldeti0voasteyhipcrdeephlaeioatnraylrslstpte!nehenoeogowtUifhn,Kpegaeranfsrolds,lrosmfmonityatIeillwn,iitfbgoyeuu,iontvlfdeIwagrflayouwslelaosysws mrwtttahhhihiTnaiseinhotitntgeertogsihrptpeiyitrsnih.hicvtaeaooirilsrtfepibvcgceoueelreeilsactwpnuenerisadlaclaltliogbicavtnoopeoonupwfrttraraohdinnbpeiclgurnueirtat.iyeettIpidacaoneomynodmoiphgnpeloauest,phttioeng 86 No more preaching I’m sick of being preached at. Let people do what they want to do and stop dividing people by having a few people in a minority group act like victims all the time. How do you think naturally-thin women feel by being told that they are capitalising on yoga by being white and thin? Or how people can’t have certain tattoos because certain people get offended? Why bow down to this minority that get offended? What are people meant to do: get laser tattoo removal because a few people don’t like it? Get a grip. Lauren, by email Keep in touch OM Letters, Prime Impact Events & Media, Keep to 1 Nags Corner, Nayland, Essex, CO6 4LT the path [email protected] Thank you so much facebook.com/ommagazine that this very apt and important subject has finally been twitter.com/OMYogaMagazine addressed. I did my yoga teacher training in India back in 2014. instagram.com/omyogamagazine Sadly, I feel that yoga now has become far too pretentious. Let’s hope it find its way back on the right path. Kimberley, by email 10
om beginnings Carli Deal first experienced the healing powers of yoga during pregnancy. Now she’s helping others to discover the magic for themselves Name: Carli Deal at home we begin every day in silence followed by melodic sounds Age: 47 of Sanskrit chants on the stereo and burning incense, to which my kids joke that they have learned almost every word to every track! Occupation: Yoga teacher My home itself is not too dissimilar to a yoga studio…lots of living Yoga years: 15 plants, natural fabrics draped here and there, pillows, pillar candles. Ever since my practice began I started to change my immediate Why did you start yoga? environment and found my mindset shifting, my sense of I was pregnant with my youngest wellbeing and identity changing from old perspectives that son Elijah and began experiencing I no longer identified with. pains worse than I’d ever felt in my previous pregnancies with his Best yoga moment? siblings. After weeks of discomfort, my doctors told me I was suffering We teach to an audience of all ages and often get asked from a relatively common condition to come to secondary schools to introduce yoga to called symphysis pubis dysfunction older students towards the end of the school year. One (SPD). It felt like the weight of my son particular year we were introducing yoga to 16 year was causing severe arthritis; every step I took felt as if my hips and olds and quite a few of the males were reluctant to lower back were going to physically snap and break. I was very active take part, let alone even sit on the mat. In one day, we before my pregnancy so it was mentally and physically challenging had introduced over 150 students in a hall to the importance of to be rendered immobile. I refused to take painkillers and on a whim, breathwork, balance and several asanas, but what blew their minds decided to try pregnancy yoga at my local yoga studio to see if would was the power of Savasana, taught as guided relaxation. The kids help my achy body. It did, and more. fought hard not to fall asleep and every single one of them came back to their awareness with a gentle gaze, leaving the hall quietly Favourite yoga haunts? and exclaiming “Whoaaaaa”! Supervising teachers commented how certain students who were usually deemed as challenging, took on After the birth of my son, I continued with my practice and it an almost angelic form as they lied still on their mats, feet rested became an important part of my daily life. In 2015, I began looking high on bolsters. That left myself and my assistant teacher feeling for a school to become an instructor. Near the hustle and bustle like gold. of Kings Cross in London, I began my formal training and made some incredible friends along the way. Some of the students were Anything else? commuting as far as the north of England, others from the southern coast and the beaches of Brighton. We’d all come together for a Yoga is so much more than how it’s presented on social media; common reason and spent weekends together training, learning and the difficult, almost acrobatic poses that require years of practice. helping each other. It was a magical time, transitioning from student While there is a place for that, there’s also power in the breathwork, to teacher. the meditation, the being still, in the other seven limbs of yoga. It can change your physical health, your physique, even your way of How has yoga changed your life? thinking. My life and the experiences I’ve shared with others act as my constant reminder of its power. I’ve found that parts of my daily life embrace different limbs of yoga; Find Carli Deal on Instagram @trinity_yoga_ 12
om beginnings Keep calm and carry on Switch off the news and focus on the good stuff (i.e. you) if you want to navigate through troubled times Anew report shows that Brits huge toll that 21st century living is taking Multiple studies show that being creative are shunning mainstream on people’s mental health and emotional can increase positive emotions, reduce news in order to preserve their wellbeing,” the report states. stress, decrease anxiety, and even lessen mental health and wellbeing. depressive symptoms. The research demonstrates It also introduces a newly-coined term, Research shows that acts of self-care, the negative impact that 12 months of ‘kalmfulness’ — the state or quality of prioritising sleeping well and maintaining economic uncertainty and political upheaval being calm, peaceful and untroubled in the an active lifestyle, can help manage stress, have had, with more than a quarter of midst of daily life — as a way to counter the lower the risk of illness, and increase energy people saying their mental health and impacts of the external chaos. levels. wellbeing has significantly worsened during this time. This rises to one in four for both Wellbeing benefits for both mind and “Dedicating just a few minutes a day to women and young adults aged 18-34. body can be easily achieved through kalmfulness can maintain mental wellbeing, everyday practices, it notes: potentially reducing feelings of anxiety,” says The survey, commissioned by Kalms Gratitude journaling for five minutes a day psychologist and psychotherapist, Charlotte herbal remedies, also found that one third of can enhance long-term happiness by over Armitage. “As people spend time practicing, Brits have become ‘news shunners’, avoiding 10%. they’ll probably notice themselves feeling the news altogether. Just 40 days of daily mindfulness calmer and more patient. These shifts in meditation can help reduce depression experience are likely to generate changes in Who can blame them? Life in the UK in symptoms and lead to structural and other parts of life as well. Often, people find recent times has meant living with a cost- functional brain changes. they are better able to manage concerns of-living crisis, exacerbated by the legacy 63% of UK adults agree that when other about the future as they have better of lockdowns, Covid-19, and a conflict in people are kind it has a positive impact tolerance levels to cope with the stresses Eastern Europe, not to mention a chaotic on their mental health, with the same that are a normal part of life.” political situation at home. proportion agreeing that being kind to “With so much uncertainty in the world, it others positively enhances their own mental is vital that we take time to reflect on the health.
om beginnings The Explorer How to…tap into your own power How energetic would you feel By Lydia Kimmerling change you want in your life. if you were being who you The energy I am referring to is not the want to be and doing what to be powerful and successful. But the power you want to do? Imagine I am talking about is quite the opposite: it’s energy you need when you go for a run — having unwavering inner all about connection. you can eat an energy bar to charge on strength because you’re living your life for that type of energy. The energy we’re you. My clients sometimes resist talking about talking about here is, in fact, the essence connecting to their power. Surprisingly, of you. Think about it, if your home wasn’t The common trait that gets in the way of people fear their own power because connected to an energy source, when you people accessing this infinite energy source is powerful people are not always liked, which look out the window, you might see the the need to please others even when it sucks is at the root of the fear of being judged. flicker of light in someone else’s house, but the life out of them. Trying to please other it would be dark in yours. When your home people is exhausting because you’re always What if everyone doesn’t like and approve is connected to its own source of power, you second guessing what someone else thinks is of you? We all seek love, so the fear of being only have to flick a switch for the lights to right, instead of being true to yourself. All this judged is common, which is why we may do come on, and it’s the same for you. thinking about what works for everyone else all we can to avoid being seen as ‘too big leaves you running on empty, which leads to for our boots’ or ‘too much of a know it all’. You don’t need to wait for someone else to feeling resentful and unhappy. Staying small feels safe but fighting to stay light you up. The feeling of something being safe means that you must hide from danger, missing is the seeking outside of yourself I’m going to explain how to charge which can be exhausting. for energy and when you plug into someone yourself, and stay charged, so that you can else’s power source, you give your power be a force for good and take more positive Could you be letting your fear of being away. action to create the life you desire. judged rule your life? If so, it means you are giving your power away to others, and To power up and super charge your Let’s begin first by exploring what I mean people pleasing, just to ensure your safety. energy today, look at where you are seeking by ‘power’ because it has a negative meaning But you probably already realise it doesn’t validation and approval from others to for many people. The negative way power even feel safe! feel worthy, happy, fulfilled, successful and is represented in the media can seem as so on. though powerful people are controlling, You are extremely powerful and have the overbearing, and manipulative. It can look resources within to experience life in a more Loved this and want to live a more spiritually- as though people who gain incredible power powerful way, but first you must learn not guided life? Follow Lydia Kimmerling on live in a small world. We hear common to be afraid of your own power. Your power Instagram for more @lydiakimmerling or expressions such as, ‘It’s lonely at the top’, is not about controlling others but is about train to become a coach with her. Visit: and this can cause people to fear their ability energy. Power and energy go hand in hand — thehappinessexplorer.com and just like you charge your mobile phone by plugging it into an energy source, you possess the personal power to create the 14
om beginnings ANGEL YOGA Living the teachings — understanding yoga’s everyday spiritual meanings YOGA ALLIANCE 200HR INTERNATIONAL TEACHER TRAINING, SPAIN MAY & SEPTEMBER 2023 SAMSKARA Why is it that despite energy field that occupies our bodies and Are you looking to deepen our best intentions or minds. Every time we experience emotional your own practice or take heartfelt sankalpas we pain, a residue is left behind; it merges @45?=A-85ŋ /-@5;:@;?4->1 often self-sabotage and with all other pain or traumas from our fail to achieve what we past, including childhood pain. In the same yoga with others. set out to achieve? Our personal samskaras way that samskaras cause thinking loops may be to blame. Samskaras can be likened and habit formation, exposure to certain Our courses are held at a to little grooves in our sub-conscious minds, triggers cause us to ‘feed’ our pain body and beautiful retreat venue in grooves that have been formed as a result keep it strong. All of this is happening sub- Southern Spain, enabling of repeated behaviours or thoughts. These consciously. Awareness however, weakens you to Relax, Restore & grooves can be deeply ingrained, leading us the grip and takes what was unconscious Re-charge and delve deeper into to form habits; the stronger the habit, the into our conscious minds so we are then the healing practice of yoga. less mastery we have over our mind and the able to question our thoughts and feelings habit inevitably wins the day. They can act instead of acting them out with negative +;3-885-:/11>@5ŋ10 like unspoken mantras and reach deep into consequences. 1>@5ŋ/-@1;:/;9<81@5;: our sub-conscious mind: if negative (as they often are), they can tint the way that we see Our samskaras are our own creation, and, ourselves, the way that we think and keep us if negative, will cause pain just as long as in a loop of suffering. we allow them to. When we are aware of them, we can then begin to heal. Yoga can Freud used the metaphor of an iceberg bring our attention to these habits, ruts, to describe our conscious and unconscious or faulty ways of thinking by getting us out mind. The tip of the iceberg that extends of our heads and into our bodies. Somatic above the water represents the conscious yoga, in particular, helps by retraining mind. This conscious mind involves all the brain and the nervous system to let the things you are currently aware of and go of these patterns through small and are thinking about. Beneath the water is gentle movements. Over time, these small, the much larger bulk of the iceberg, which gentle movements allow time for rest and represents the unconscious. The things that encourage self-agency and healing. are hidden from awareness, Freud believed, exerted the greatest influence over our Are your samskaras sabotaging your personalities and behaviours. Our samskaras goals or making you live your life in a way exist here in our unconscious mind and can that doesn’t serve your best interests? have a significant impact on the way that we Head to your mat, draw inwards and see live our lives. what you can bring to your conscious mind. Remember: the truth can set you free. Yoga Spiritual author Eckhart Tolle discusses can be the tool to bring about the change. the concept of the ‘pain body’, in which there are lots of similarities to samskaras, and an Sue Pugh is a yoga teacher and understanding of both can significantly help founder of vitabonayoga.com and to set us free. The pain body is a negative yogainspecialplaces.com
WIN Competition A weekend retreat for two with Fire and Bliss Yoga Retreats — worth £1,050 This month, we’re offering readers the chance to win a fantastic weekend break for two people, courtesy of Fire and Bliss Yoga Retreats. Refresh body, mind and soul with the amazing Fire and Bliss team at one of its luxury venues in England, where you’ll be treated to the best food, company and surroundings…plus lots of yoga! To enter visit: ommagazine.com/fireandbliss Escape the busy-ness of life and join Fire and Bliss for a blissful yoga retreat which is all about you! Hosted in some truly beautiful and luxurious venues in the Cotswolds and Devon, Fire and Bliss retreats are a perfect opportunity to recharge, reconnect and dive deeper into your yoga journey. It’s time to get excited! Explore more Fire and Bliss at: fireandbliss.co.uk TERMS & CONDITIONS 5-7 May, 2023 The winner will receive two spaces for themselves and a friend/ 16-18 June, 2023 partner in a shared twin en-suite room. All meals included. Date of 29 September - 2 October 2023 the retreat to be chosen by the winner out of six retreats available 13-15 October, 2023 (subject to spaces being available): 3-5 November 2023 17-19 March, 2023 Closing date for entries: 15th February 2023 16
om beginnings Find your Yoga for hormonal health. dream teacher Teacher Training Introducing GuruPro: an app to help teachers, Support women to deal with the studios and other yoga professionals to Å\\J[\\H[PVUZVMOVYTVUHSJOHUNLZ connect and work together MYVT4LUHYJOL[V4LUVWH\\ZL Ever been to a yoga class a yoga instructor based in south-east and wondered where your London, who is featured in our Yoga 0UWLYZVUHUKVUSPULKH[LZHYLH]HPSHISL usual teacher is? Sometimes Changed My Life column this month (see it’s great to discover new page 12). -PUKV\\[TVYL]PHV\\YUL^^LIZP[L teachers…but how do instructors actually get to cover classes? “Designed to connect teachers with ZZZñRZZRPHQVZHOOQHVVFRP the perfect teaching environment, Introducing GuruPro (GuruPro. GuruPro enables users to specify their /H]LHX\\LZ[PVU&,THPS\\ZH[ co.uk), an app that’s now being put requirements, from teaching preferences OLSSV'ÅV^^VTLUZ^LSSULZZJVT together that helps yoga teachers to find and teacher’s qualifications, giving you cover slots, studios find new teachers, peace of mind that your class is in safe 6USPULJSHZZLZHUKJV\\YZLZJVTPUNZVVU and retreats and businesses to find hands,” she tells OM. instructors. “Just swipe left, swipe right and find It’s the brainchild of Trinity Yoga your dream teacher!” (trinityyoga.org) founder, Carli Deal, BETA TESTERS REQUIRED The first release of the app is expected around mid- February 2023, but you can get involved right now. Working alongside app developers XGate (xgate. io), the new app is currently looking for beta testers to provide feedback on how the service is working. Completely free to download and install, just send in your email address to take part in the testing phase — and, as a thank you, the GuruPro team are offering a one-year free trial for the first 50 testers once the app is live. To get involved, email: [email protected]
om beginnings Amazing SPACES THE SPACE TO BREATHE COLLECTIVE “The co-operative strives to make yoga, meditation and wellbeing more accessible, inclusive and participatory for the whole Clock Chambers community. The collective is a not-for-profit co-operative and is run 6 Hotel Street collectively by its members.” Leicester LE1 5AW As such, class prices are kept as low as possible and every Friday spacetobreathecollective.co.uk you can practice for just £4. The Space to Breathe Collective is a wellbeing co-operative in Leicester that offers a beautiful space to practice, with a busy and varied timetable of classes, as well as workshops and other events. It aims to create a community of care and to carry on activities which foster collective wellbeing, says yoga teacher and co-founder, Dave Rennie. 18
om beginnings The Collective has a wide range of yoga and other classes to suit all are three wellness rooms offering talking therapy, massage and abilities and all of the teachers there offer something very different. reflexology upstairs. Expect everything from dynamic vinyasa flow and ashtanga to yin yoga and kundalini. A great place to get your yoga fix and support the wellness of the local community. It’s also a very diverse community with men making up over 40% of its members, breaking down barriers and perceptions that yoga is Get The Space to Breathe Collective vibe and connect on Instagram mainly practiced by women. As well as the yoga studio itself, there @space_to_breathe_ 19
om beginnings Aphrodite Goddess Of Love Candle Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love, beauty and desire, was born from the waters of Paphos in Cyprus where flowers sprang up from her feet as she walked ashore. This candle celebrates the goddess’ birth with a fresh marine accord opening with bergamot, mandarin, elemi, nutmeg, eucalyptus and cucumber leading to a watery floral heart of ozone, waterlily, jasmine, violet, rose and gardenia, on a base of cedar, amber and musk, encapsulating desirable beauty, romance and love. £17 classicalcandleco.co.uk Cheeky Panda Bamboo Facial Wipes Pack these Cheeky Panda Bamboo Facial Wipes in your kit bag, they’re perfect for wiping sweaty faces fast after a hot yoga or gym sesh. Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world right now, making The Cheeky Panda’s 100% eco-friendly facial wipes a more sustainable and biodegradable alternative to traditional face wipes. Containing pure coconut water, these wipes are effective and refreshing and will not irritate skin. £69.99 (box of 24 packs) cheekypanda.com Beautiful things for beautiful people Personal Gratitude Journal Benecos Organic Men’s Range See the good in the little things with this limited edition New extended organic men’s range from benecos, includes two personalised gratitude journal. Handmade in the UK and sports oils (with Arnica and St John's Wort), 3-in-1 body wash packed with useful content to add a bit of positivity and gel, deodorant and hand cream. Certified organic, vegan, cruelty- happiness into your life. Designed to be easy to use and taking free, and dermatologically tested and approved, the products just three minutes day to day to fill out, gratitude journaling don’t include any synthetic dyes, fragrances, silicones, parabens, is known to improve your happiness, mental and physical phthalates, petrochemicals, microbeads or nanoparticles. The range wellbeing, self-esteem and even your sleep. Embossed on the includes: Men's Organic St John's Wort Infused SOS Sport Oil; Men's front with the uplifting phrase ‘see the good’ and a choice of Organic Arnica Infused SOS Sport Oil; Men’s 3 in 1 Sport Body Wash your initials, choose from two stylish colour options: blush Gel; Men’s Deo Stick; and Men’s Hand Cream. Men do yoga too! pink & navy or lilac grey & burgundy. Includes gratitude From £6.95 prompts to help with your daily journalling, a yearly progress benecos.uk tracker and optional monthly reflection spreads. £25.95 marthabrook.com 20
om beginnings Theenk Tea Wellness Boxes Abundance Essential Oil Blend A range of personalised wellness gift boxes from the team at Theenk Tea to elevate, hydrate and invigorate. Includes a varying Abundance is a manifesting blend that assortment of wellness items in each box such as aromatherapy helps you attract wealth and health candle, a crystal, a gratitude journal and wellness pralines, as well into your life. Eight essential oils are as an assortment of delicious Theenk Tea. combined to create an aroma that From £25.99 to £99 enhances the frequency of the energy theenk-tea.com field. When you are stimulated through aroma in your thought process, the frequency (called the electrical field or the aura) aids the law of attraction. This may bring about abundance both physically and emotionally. Great to bring joy, positivity, attraction, energy, good feelings, wealth, and wellness into your world. £53 youngliving.com Seed Pantry Micro-Pod Garden Add a little joy to your indoor spaces. This innovative pod is for getting up close with the plant growing process. Mindful and calming you get to grow happy, healthy plants inside a mini micro-climate using full spectrum LED lights and an auto-ventilation system. Sitting neatly anywhere, by your bed, on your desktop, the garden is perfect for home or the office, schools and child learning environments. With multiple settings you can use for sun-loving plants or shady micro-climate plants too. Ideal for enhancing health and wellbeing, particularly during the darker months of winter and for general working environments where light levels are lower. £42 seedpantry.co.uk Copper Round Dome Buddha Wall Lamp Add a stunning oriental flourish to your home with this beautiful Buddha wall light. You’ll love the transformative effect of the copper and enjoy a richer, warmer, quality of light; it’s an amazingly stylish piece for the home, whether switched on or off. The intricately detailed design is gorgeous, so much so that when you put the lamp on in the evening, you’ll want to gaze at it, to lose yourself in its light and detail. Dimensions: Depth 12cm. Diameter 69cm. £845 nevina.co.uk 21
Kind to the skin, kind to the planet Colour Flow Activewear is a UK-based yoga and activewear brand bringing you unique collections that feed your soul inspired by colours, nature and spirit. The garments are ethically and sustainably made in Brazil using eco-friendly, breathable, non-see-through, sun protective (UPF50+) materials. A beautiful and unique vibrant turquoise colour to improve your communication skills, self- expression, and the ability to speak your inner truth. This is the Throat Chakra tops and leggings with mesh on the sides for added twist. Tops £32, Leggings £54 22
Feel grounded and safe, with a sense of security, in the beautiful earth pattern Root Chakra leggings and Catsuits. Leggings £54, Catsuits £104 The timeless black and white Constellation design is available in one of the all time favourite twisted back catsuits and super versatile leggings. Leggings £52, Catsuits £112 23
Connect with the beauty of your creativity, tap into the divine feminine power and surrender yourself to your intuition wearing these Sacral Chakra Catsuits with an elasticated back for extra support or pair these leggings with any top or nothing. Leggings £54, Catsuits £140 Feel the pure bliss, enlightenment and connect to your higher guidance wearing these beautiful Crown Chakra leggings and tops. Tops £32, Leggings £54 www.colourflowactivewear.com Solar Plexus leggings, tops and catsuits bring the fire energy and the yellow sunshine to boost your self-esteem, sense of @colourflowactive purpose and to empower you. Tops £32, Leggings £48, Catsuits £125 24
om beginnings Stories from around the weird and wonderful world of yoga USA: Yoga heroes Boutique yoga brand YogaSix has teamed up as an ongoing sponsor of the US’ Veterans Yoga Project (VYP) to give back to America’s heroes. It will host donation- based classes for the organisation across its 160 studios across the country. VYP’s mission is to support recovery and resilience among veterans, military families and communities. “In working with the veteran community, I’ve witnessed firsthand how important yoga and meditation practice is for vets dealing with PTSD,” said Dr. Daniel Libby, a clinical psychologist, founder and CEO of VYP. “The success I’ve seen is the reason I created Veterans Yoga Project and it’s the reason why we’re on a mission to bring yoga and mindfulness to vets who need it.” USA: Mindfulness works Mindfulness-based stress reduction can be as as effective as antidepressants for patients suffering with anxiety disorders, according to a new study by Georgetown University Medical Centre. The clinical trial tested mindfulness versus the use of the gold- standard drug for anxiety sufferers, the common antidepressant, escitalopram. “A big advantage of mindfulness meditation is that it doesn’t require a clinical degree to train someone to become a mindfulness facilitator,” said Elizabeth Hoge, the study’s main author and head of the Anxiety Disorders Research Programme and associate professor of psychiatry at Georgetown. “Additionally, sessions can be done outside of a medical setting, such as at a school or community centre.” 26
Qatar: Yoga wins om beginnings The World Cup may be over but yoga as a tool Taiwan: Den Yoga to improve football fitness is here to stay. During the tournament, players and teams Despite rising tensions in the region, yoga is building embedded yoga into their programmes to bridges between Taiwan and the world. American stay in top shape and gain an edge over Betty Ford, who gained prominence as a yoga rivals. The world’s most famous players, instructor and competitive bodybuilder, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, recently opened a studio in Taipei City, the are big devotees. But it’s not just fitness, it’s also island’s capital. A women-owned and operated the mental and emotional benefits yoga brings with business, the new space is one of the first hot it, according to Sharon Heidaripour, a former player power vinyasa studios in Taiwan, with both turned yoga coach. “Players are human beings who English and Chinese spoken. Ford says the space have lives like ours that can be affected by family sickness, bereavement and other problems. That is designed to help people re-energise their lives. “I inner calm, finding your centre, is very important,” she created Den Yoga to give people a welcoming, fun respite told The Athletic in an interview. from their busy lives,” she said. “Den Yoga is available to anybody interested in reducing stress, gaining strength and flexibility, experiencing fewer aches and pains, losing weight, and improving their overall fitness.” Japan: Relax with Naomi Japanese tennis ace Naomi Osaka has partnered with wellness brand, Hyperice, to narrate a guided meditation now available in the Core app, developed by global workplace mental health platform, Modern Health. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, is a passionate advocate in all things mental health. ‘Relax with Naomi’ includes the tennis champ calmly narrating instructions and inviting meditators to breathe in concert with gentle high and low tones. “I want to be a voice in helping those who may not be as open when it comes to the topic of mental health,” she said. “I hope the meditation…can inspire those people to start a practice of their own as it has helped me so much in my mental health journey.” 27
om body A 360º overview of... Upward-Facing Dog Pose (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) With Dr Kiki Morriss Upward-Facing Dog Pose (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana) Upward-Facing Dog Pose is a back bending position that requires considerable strength from your legs and arms. It gives a strong stretch to the front of your body, opens your chest and improves the flexibility of your spine. URDHVA MUKHA SVANASANA (UPWARD-FACING DOG POSE) URDHVA = UPWARD MUKHA = FACING SVAN = DOG ASANA = POSTURE MOVING INTO THE POSE Avoid hanging from your shoulders. centre of the tops of your feet. OStart in a prone position with your legs SHOULDERS PRACTICING UPWARD-FACING straight and the tops of your feet resting DOG POSE on your mat. ORoll your shoulders back and down. OBend your elbows and place your hands ODraw your shoulder blades down your OUse Child’s Pose as a counter-pose after on the ground on either side of your upper back. practicing Upward-Facing Dog Pose. body, so they are about halfway down OCombine Upward-Facing Dog Pose with your ribcage. CHEST Downward-Facing Dog Pose, alternating OPush into your hands, straighten your the poses from one to the other. Practice arms and lift your legs and the front of OOpen your chest. rolling your feet over your toes, from one your hips off the ground. OBroaden across your collarbones pose to the other. OKeep the tops of your feet on the mat. OLift your sternum and the top of your OThen insert Chaturanga Dandasana into OLift your chest and arch back. ribs. the sequence. OLengthen the front of your body. FOCUS YOUR GAZE BENEFITS BACK OYour focal point (drishti) is your nose or OStretches the front of your body - chest, your third eye. If you prefer, gaze at a fixed OUse your rhomboids to draw your shoulders, abdomen and front of hips. point straight ahead of you, or close your shoulder blades towards the midline. OStrengthens the legs and arms. eyes and draw your focus inwards. OEngage your erector spinae to extend OImproves posture. your spine. OIncreases flexibility of the spine. HEAD & FACE OUse your gluteus maximus and gluteus OFocuses the mind. medius to extend your hips and thighs. OLift your chin and take your head back. MODIFICATIONS AND OAvoid constricting the back of your neck FEET & LEGS CONTRAINDICATIONS or straining your throat. OKeep the back of your neck long. OPosition your feet no more than hip- OIf it is too challenging to lift your legs OSoften your face and your jaw. width apart to avoid stress on your lower and hips off the floor, try placing a cushion back. or rolled up blanket under the tops of ARMS & HANDS OPress your feet onto your mat, and keep your thighs. This will help to support your your legs strong and engaged. lower back. OPress down through your hands and OUse your quadriceps to extend your OTo get a better lift, try placing your push the floor away from you. knees. hands on yoga blocks. OEngage your triceps to straighten your OPress down through your big toes and OAvoid this pose if you have a wrist or elbows. your little toes. back injury. OKeep your arms strong and engaged. OAvoid allowing the legs to roll inwards by lifting your inner legs and be on the 28
om body To see previous 360º poses, become Doctor Kiki Morriss is a medical a member of OM Magazine today. doctor, yoga teacher and author of Visit ommagazine.com ‘Nurturing Your Family With Yoga’. Visit: primrosehillyoga.com or ommagazine.com Instagram @kiki.yoga 29
om body YOGA at Root to rise flow A grounding yoga flow to help you reconnect with your forgotten feet, boost stability and give rise to lightness and spaciousness within the upper body. By Isabel Lankester E njoy this grounding practice which will help you and tendons, all working together to create the best support for our connect with your feet. Often our feet can be body. Here we can enjoy how the feet create stability and give rise to completely forgotten…we shove them into shoes, lightness and spaciousness within the upper body. constantly running about all day without realising Watch the mini session with Isabel Lankester on the OM website the pure earthiness of these incredible anatomical or app, brought to you in partnership with Isabel Lankester features. Yoga. Visit isabellankesteryoga.com for the full-length class, plus 100+ more on-demand and live stream classes. Our feet are a complex combination of joints, ligaments, muscles 1. Uttasana (Standing Forward Bend) Uttasana (Standing Forward Bend) Starting in Tadasana (mountain pose) with the hands alongside your body. Close your eyes and assess the stability rising up from the feet. Notice a lean towards the balls of the feet and then backwards onto the heals. Finally rest in your centre of gravity. Here we begin with a neutral stance. Open your eyes, take an inhale and reach your arms up, looking towards your thumbs Urdhva Hastasana (upward salute). Take a big exhale and begin to forward fold towards the floor into Uttanasana (standing forward bend). Let your hands rest either on the ground or onto blocks (to bring the earth towards you). Take a few breaths here, feeling into the sensations of your feet against the ground. Notice the areas of your feet pushing against the floor, versus areas of your feet which are slightly lifted. Draw your chin in towards your chest and take a deep sigh into gravity. Begin to heal toe your feet hip distance and now grab your elbows. Encourage your head to hang in space as you sway gently from side to side. Notice the back of your legs begin to lengthen towards the heals. Add a small bend in your knees so you’re not locking out your legs. 2. Parsvottansana (Pyramid Pose) Start to let the hands come back down towards the floor/blocks. Lean your weight into the right foot as you step the left foot half way back. Begin to straighten up the legs. Parsvottansana (pyramid pose). You can have your back foot at a slight angle to find comfort in your pelvis here. Take a long inhale as you look forward, lengthening the spine before folding deeply over the front leg. (This is where your blocks might come in handy!). Pause here for a few breaths, noticing how your body is evenly distributing weight between both feet. Parsvottansana (Pyramid Pose) 30
3. Trikonasana (Triangle) om body Start to press the right hand just above the right shin bone as we begin to open upwards and outwards Trikonasana (Triangle) towards Trikonasana (triangle pose). You will have to shift your left foot further back to make room for 4. Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge) a large external rotation of your left hip bone, as you Start to look down to your front foot and bring both start to reach your right hand high to the sky. Option hands down to frame that foot. Lower your left knee here to either look to the side or more traditionally onto the ground and being to reach both arms upwards, to your top hand. Can you feel how the downward moving into Anjaneyasana (low lunge). Press a weight pressure into your feet is creating lightness in your into your right foot, spreading the toes across the right hand and torso? Keep rotating your left rib ground to prevent a collapse into your hip socket. cage upwards and feel the scapula on the back of The fingers should feel light and weightless here, as the body come together. Take a few breaths here to you create extra support via the back knee. If you feel enjoy the pose. pinching in the back knee remember to roll up the side of your mat for extra support. Draw your belly up and Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge) in, so that the feeling of support dilates from the feet upwards towards the hips, torso and chest. Adho Mukha Shvanasana (Downward-Facing Dog) 5. Adho Mukha Shvanasana (Downward-Facing Dog) Bring your hands to the ground stepping back onto a downward-facing dog. Use your down dog to again feel into weightlessness as you press your hands and feet against the ground, noticing space and lightness within the navel area. Feel your belly button hugging into your spine, chin drawing into your chest. Notice how the muscles which hold up your neck feel soft and light as your tail rises to the sky. Lift your heals up and down to open up the back of the legs. Now find stillness and pause in this shape. 31
om body Ardha Uttanasana (Standing Half Forward Bend) Samasthiti (Mountain Pose) 6. Ardha Uttanasana (Standing Half Forward Bend) After a few breaths step forwards towards the top of your mat. Keeping the hands on the floor/blocks, inhale take a half way lift of your chest, moving into Ardha Uttanasana (standing half forward bend). Draw the belly in and lean your weight back into the heels without lifting the toes away from the ground. Exhale forward fold again into Uttanasana (standing forward bend). Pressing into the ground lift both arms up to the sky and look upwards, Urdhva Hastasana (upward salute), then bring hands to heart to finish in Samasthiti (mountain pose). Option to now repeat this sequence on your left side. WATCH THE MINI SEQUENCE WITH ISABEL LANKESTER ON THE OM WEBSITE OR APP, BROUGHT TO YOU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ISABEL LANKESTER YOGA ISABEL LANKESTER YOGA Enjoy the full yoga studio experience from the comfort of your own home with 100+ more on-demand and live-stream classes, from power yoga and vinyasa to yin, meditation and slow flows. isabellankesteryoga.com 32
om body OM meets... VIDYA HEISEL Vidya Heisel, founder of Frog Lotus Yoga and Suryalila Retreat Centre in Spain, is one of the most experienced yoga teachers around. Here, she tells OM that wisdom, both on the mat and in life, takes time, but the rewards are worth it 34
om body How did you get started in yoga? at university at the time. I wanted to find right track and to be able to piece the answers to the big existential questions jigsaw together in a truly meaningful and I started practicing yoga in India when I in life, such as ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What is liberating way. The path I follow now is was 20, in 1975, with an American yoga the purpose of life?’ I had been haunted traditional Advaita Vedanta, as taught in teacher at the Shree Rajneesh Ashram. by those questions since I was a small the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. I That's 47 years ago now. My teacher child. Western philosophy didn't really have two living teachers in this tradition. was studying with Iyengar, literally just provide me with answers, but, fortunately, One is James Swartz, an American teacher down the road! I didn't really know how I had come across many books on Eastern of Advaita Vedanta who wrote the iconic important Iyengar was in the yoga world thought and become obsessed. book, ‘The Essence of Enlightenment’ and back then. I remember my teacher told me the other is Swami Sarvapriyananda, who that Iyengar didn't particularly like women Did you eventually find answers is head of the New York Vedanta Society or students of Rajneesh. I’m not sure how to those questions? and is a prolific and highly erudite speaker. true that was but it didn't encourage me to go to study with Iyengar at the time. Yes, but only after a long and convoluted Can you share some of the Something I later regretted! journey. I lived in India for six years, back highlights of your teaching when British citizens didn't need a visa to career? I religiously attended the yoga classes at live there. I have since studied with many the ashram every day for a year. Then my spiritual teachers, lived for many years I started teaching yoga full-time in 1999. yoga teacher wanted to return to the USA in ashrams both in India and the West, Before that it was difficult to make a full- and he needed a replacement. As his most and spent countless hours meditating. time income teaching yoga. Up until then, I dedicated student, I was asked to step Everything that I learned along the way had taught more as a hobby and a service. into the role. Back then there was no such was like finding a piece in a jigsaw puzzle, In 2002, I opened a beautiful studio in the thing as 200-hour training programmes, but it took me many years to find the Berkshires in Massachusetts. At the same so my main qualification was enthusiasm. time, I designed and started to lead yoga That was the beginning of my teaching teacher training (YTT) programmes of my career and I have practiced, studied and own at my studio. I named both the studio taught yoga ever since. and the YTT programme Frog Lotus Yoga (FLY). Teaching trainings is my svadharma, What made you decide to go to or calling. It gives me the perfect platform India at such a young age? to share my love for the physical practice as well as my deep love for Eastern I had gone to India with a strong interest to philosophy. Owning and running a yoga learn more about Eastern philosophy and studio was definitely one of the first big meditation. That was and has remained highlights of my career. my passionate preoccupation my whole life. I was studying Western philosophy One of the most enjoyable parts of my career was taking the Frog Lotus YTT on Photos: Lidiya Petkova the road. I travelled around the world for 10 years, only teaching trainings. I was teaching five intensive programmes per year in various exotic locations and as the training became very popular, I was lucky enough to ride a big beautiful wave! I worked tirelessly on polishing and perfecting the content of the course and I sought out the best retreat centres in 35
om body the world, always looking for the perfect the styles of yoga that I have practitioner. I bring a wealth of knowledge container to support my trainings. After studied and practiced myself, and hard-earned wisdom to the table and, 10 years of doing this, I decided to stop such as Iyengar, Ashtanga, through much practice, I have become travelling, put down roots and open my Kundalini, and Forrest a skilled communicator. My goal is not own retreat centre. Yoga. It is everything I just to birth excellent yoga teachers, but love about the physical to guide people on a genuinely life- In 2011, I opened Suryalila Retreat practice, intelligently changing journey and provide them with Centre in Andalusia, southern Spain, woven together. It is the support and the tools they need to intending to distill all of the good important to me to warm continue on that journey. I am passionate qualities I had found in other retreat up the body systematically about sharing yoga history, philosophy centres around the world and install them and to emphasise safety and lifestyle. I think our world is so fraught under one roof. This was definitely the and longevity in practice. FLY biggest highlight of my career as a yoga has become an established teacher; to have earned the resources and comprehensive academy and gained the knowledge to be able of yoga that also offers training to do this successfully. This is our 11th in Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga and year of business now and I guess we are various other advanced modules. meant to be, as we managed to survive And at Suryalila we built the best yoga through the last few tumultuous years! studio ever…the magnificent Om Dome, Suryalila has become an oasis for so many which is our temple! people wanting to experience peace, real human warmth and what it means There are so many yoga teacher to live a yogic lifestyle. We host many trainings out there now. What different yoga retreats and holidays, as makes your programme stand well as functioning as a yoga hotel. All of out? the in-house teachers at Suryalila are FLY teachers, trained by me. Now I only run my The main thing is we have been around FLY YTT programmes at Suryalila. a long time and therefore have a ton of experience running trainings. Over time, What style of yoga is Frog Lotus the programme has become very polished, Yoga? comprehensive and refined. Yoga has been the guiding force in my life for the past 47 FLY is a type of Vinyasa Flow yoga that years, and I am a serious and dedicated artfully and intelligently combines all of 36
om body QUICK Q&A Do you have any hobbies? I love to cook and to use food as medicine and I love to create beautiful spaces. Both of these talents I put to good use at Suryalila. Favourite spiritual book? The Bhagavad Gita - The Divine Song by Rory Mackay Holistic remedy you swear by? Yin Chiao, an amazing Chinese herbal medicine that is taken at the first sign of flu or a cold and actually kills it. I never go anywhere without it. with challenges these days we all need wisdom and understanding helps one to Favourite quote? someone to shine a light for us, to help understand that yoga is not at all about us navigate through stormy waters. It is a impressing anyone else with your physical “Wisdom is knowing I am nothing, deep calling for me to share everything I ability, it's an inner attitude of feeling love is knowing I am everything, and have learned and to humbly be a vessel for completely at ease with your own body between the two my life flows” — the knowledge that has transformed my and mind. And knowing that who you are Nisargadhatta Maharaj own life. I also choose my fellow teacher is beyond the body and mind. When one trainers carefully, for their knowledge, becomes conscious of the Self, you cease trees grow! I am currently engaged in warmth, passion and skilful teaching. to be self-conscious! fundraising to build a lake, in an attempt to generate a water retention landscape. How would you characterise your “Frog Lotus Yoga is a type of Any quick yoga life hacks to share perfect student? Vinyasa Flow yoga that artfully with us? and intelligently combines all The perfect student is someone who is Wisdom isn't usually quick! One has to open and curious and has a real interest of the styles of yoga I have dedicate one's life to practice and have in what yoga is really about. I am not so studied and practiced myself, a strong desire to be free. As Patanjali interested in teaching gym-style yoga but said: “Practice has to be steady over a at the same time I don’t like to preach. such as Iyengar, Ashtanga, long period of time.” Ideally, one comes I like to encourage people to think for Kundalini, and Forrest Yoga. It to this, when one realises that everything themselves. I love teaching through is everything I love about the in the material plane comes to an end discussion, and meeting people who physical practice, intelligently and is therefore ultimately unsatisfying. are interested in thinking deeply about Then one develops an interest in the life really inspires me. I don’t care how woven together.” transcendent aspect of life from a place of good their practice is. They will definitely wisdom and love. improve and get stronger during the What else do you like to do, when training! My main goal is to teach people you are not doing yoga? If I had to say just one thing, it would how to be happy, fulfilled and empowered. be that usually we spend our whole life Well, I am running a retreat centre; looking for happiness outside of ourselves. What differences have you seen in busy trying to bring heaven to earth at But it’s important to understand, as your own practice over the years? Suryalila! That’s a huge ongoing job! quickly as possible, that we will never find Also, I am always trying to become a happiness in an external object or event, My physical practice has changed and better CEO, so I participate in leadership no matter how hard we try. Happiness can matured. Inevitably the body suffers trainings. I am also CEO of a big non- only be found in knowing our true nature. injuries and one learns to adapt. This has profit permaculture project at Suryalila, For me, the path has been long and full of helped me to become a better teacher. called Danyadara, which means Blessed obstacles, but every challenge has been When I was younger, I had a very vigorous Earth! We teach people how to become a learning and I wouldn't change a single and dynamic practice, always wanting custodians of the land and to treat the step. It's a journey back to your Self. And to improve and be able to do more land as a living, breathing organism. when you get there, you realise that you challenging poses. Whatever anyone says Through permaculture we align ourselves were always there anyway! about yoga being non-competitive is not with the rhythms of nature. We are really true. Just look at social media. busy regenerating and reforesting 50 Vidya Heisel is the director of Frog Lotus Yoga Everyone is competing to look cool and acres of what was once depleted and International Teacher Training Programmes beautiful in some mind-boggling posture! arid farmland. It’s a big project which (froglotusyogainternational.com), Suryalila Fortunately, the inevitable decline of I am passionate about. I love watching Retreat Centre (suryalila.com) and Danyadara the body and hopefully the gaining of Permaculture Project (danyadara.com) 37
om body Three easy moves anyone can do, at any time, to regain their sense of calm and composure during the craziness of the day STAND UP Tadasana, or mountain pose, in this case is more about zoning out of the madness of the daily grind and returning back to the body, your physicality, with a quiet, mindful awareness. This can be your still point when you need to root back down to the earth for some grounding; your feet are planted firmly on the ground, providing a solid base for you whatever is occurring all around you. This amazing, yet simple posture steadies the mind and body, bringing with it focus and a greater sense of inner peace and calm. SIT DOWN This is not chair pose (that requires far more effort!), but if all you’ve got with you is a chair then you can still reclaim some respite in a few mindful moments. Straighten your back, adopt a position that feels comfortable for you and slowly close your eyes. Start to tune in to the breath. Before long, you’ll be allowing the mind to settle and feel those racing thoughts beginning to clear. This is a great one for when you’re in the office, or even on the bus…even if you’re surrounded by lots of strangers! LAY DOWN Savasana, also known as corpse pose, typically the final asana at the end of a yoga class, is sometimes described as the hardest pose to achieve. But not this time! If you’re in need of some quick respite from all the hustle and bustle, then it’s hard to think of a more suitable thing to do than just laying down on your back, closing the eyes and taking a breather for five minutes or so. Again, tune into the flow of the breath, and allow that to wash over you, settling body and mind as you detach from the exterior world and journey within to a place of stillness. 38
om body # mCoonvesmcieounst Conscious movement and how to add it to your daily life So often when we move our bodies or exercise nowadays we fill the moment with other noise; perhaps we call a friend when we walk or listen to music as we exercise. With technology advancing we are rarely offline for a minute and our brains are needing to flip from one focus to another quicker and quicker each day, jamming each minute full to the brim and often overwhelming our mind and our nervous system. A lovely way of practicing mindfulness and allowing gratitude to seep in without having to sit still for hours is to simply drop into the present moment when we are moving our bodies. Whether it is a walk, a run or a cycle, can we avoid doing anything else at the same time and encourage our brain to soaking up everything about that experience? For me, this holds a lot more meaning when I am outside. I might notice the cooler air against my skin and the way my feet hit the uneven ground; I can feel my body start to warm up and my heart rate and my breath change. I immerse myself in the moment as much as possible and really notice what it feels like to move, to breathe, to be in nature and to have life. It is such a gift to have bodies that can move and yet more often than not we rush past this experience and fill it with distractions. Let’s make our movement, whether extreme or gentle, become a regular practice of #gratitude and mindfulness leaving us feeling more balanced, refreshed and connected to the present moment. Zoe Warren is the founder of Peachy With Zoe (peachywithzoe.com), a wellness brand offering a fresh way to maintain physical and mental health in a fun, easygoing and mindful way. Connect on Instagram @peachywithzoe 41
om body menstruation Why you should align your yoga with your menstrual cycle. By Anja Brierley Lange menstrual phase linear. There are positives in all our phases: Yoga during the menstrual phase we just need to change our mindset. This J ust like there are yearly seasons, is what menstrual cycle awareness and Day one of the menstrual cycle is the first and the moon changes through the ayurveda are about. In ayurveda we are day of bleeding. This is the time when the month, we are also cyclical beings. aware of our inner cycles as well as the hormones are low and perhaps we feel As humans, we have several cycles. external shifts and environmental seasons. tired and depleted. In ayurveda we say that The one we are most familiar with It is time to harness the power of the vata dosha (comprised of the air and space is the circadian rhythm, which is the changing phases of the menstrual cycle. elements) is active through apana vayu. 24-hour cycle of waking up in the Working with the body rather than against it. This is the downward direction of praṇa, or morning, having breakfast, going to work, And that is where the principles of ayurveda energy, and is responsible for menstruation. commuting home, eating dinner, resting and can guide us in life, through the menstrual It makes sense to allow this natural flow of then going to bed at night. We follow this cycle and in our yoga practice. apana vayu without any disruptions. rhythm each day, except for weekends when For some people, there is a natural we do the daily chores such as shopping and cleaning instead of going to work. follicular phase But we are also influenced by the infradian rhythms, which acknowledge the longer cycles, such as the yearly cycle, the seasons, the moon cycle and the menstrual cycle. This is something ayurveda teaches us too. However, most people are not aware of just how much the infradian rhythms influence us and these shifts are generally not taken into account in how we live our life. In this article, we will focus on the menstrual cycle which includes menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase. Even in our yoga practice, we expect to continue the same routine and practice the same poses, with the same power and strength, even when our hormones and the ayurvedic concept of the doshas tell us to slow down or adjust our practice. Because that is how we have been conditioned and are expected to be. But we are cyclical, not 42
om body ovulation phase It is the time of the month when we have the end we can feel tired or depleted moving the most testosterone in our circulation. into a very distinct premenstrual phase. inclination to rest and not practice Testosterone is often thought of as a male Progesterone increases which can have a yoga at all. Others move into more of a sex hormone but it is also part of female slight heating quality. A bit like pitta dosha contemplative or meditative practice. For physiology and health. It increases the from an ayurvedic perspective. Pitta, being others, it is a beautiful time for restorative feel-good hormone dopamine and is part the element of fire (and water), is also about or yin yoga where you hold poses for longer. of healthy libido, orgasms and sexual being sharp and focused. It is the light so we It is good to use props, bolsters, sandbags, wellbeing. It also contributes to muscular can see clearly. Excess pitta is overheating, cushions and blankets. You can also enjoy and bone health. which can manifest as perspiration and a meditative slow flow. These practices all increased body temperature, hot flushes support, rather than disturb, vata or apana. Enjoy the stronger muscle-building yoga and inflammation, but also as hot temper, you did in the follicular phase. Alternatively, irritability, anger and frustration. Many Yoga during the follicular phase we can embrace the sensual, soft and fluid premenstrual syndromes could be caused by feminine energy of fertility, oestrogen and excess or imbalanced pitta doṣa. The follicular phase is the time after kapha as the Earth Goddess. This can be a menstruation until ovulation (in some softer, creative, circular or spiralling intuitive Enjoy this phase to focus on detail, medical papers and textbooks the follicular flow. alignment, and technique. Avoiding phase includes menstruation as well). anything that is excessively heating such Both in Western medicine and from an Yoga during the luteal phase as hot power yoga or a strong ujjayi ayurvedic perspective, this is a time when praṇayama. we build up strength and energy. The The luteal phase begins after ovulation. uterine lining is growing due to oestrogen Some people sense a definite shift post- Bringing it all together and in ayurveda we can imagine kapha ovulation, although, for most people, the dosha being dominant. Kapha is the earth phases flow into each other more subtly. At Remember we are all individuals with and water element and is associated with the beginning of the luteal phase, we may unique constitutions and different strength, stamina, endurance and growth. still feel strong and focused whereas towards experiences. Using a template such as And oestrogen is shown to be part of muscle ayurveda is a perfect tool to guide us in life repair and restoration. and in our yoga practice adjusting to how we feel at a specific time in the environment we We can take advantage of these muscle- are in. This includes the menstrual cycle and building qualities when oestrogen and the different phases of the cycle. kapha dosha increase. We have more energy and maybe more confidence in this phase. Start to track your menstrual cycle This is the time for your arm-balances, to notice your own personal patterns handstands, planks and side-planks. Be physically, mentally, emotionally and even adventurous and creative in your stronger energetically. Then adjust your yoga to dynamic flow. support these patterns and your unique experience. Anja Brierley Lange is an experienced yoga teacher and ayurvedic practitioner and the author of Teaching Yoga for the Menstrual Cycle: an Ayurvedic Approach. Visit: yogaembodied. com or connect on Instagram @anja_yogini Yoga during the ovulation time luteal phase Photos: Peter Muller (petemuller.co.uk) Ovulation is the day when an egg is released from a follicle from either of the ovaries into the uterine tube. At the time around ovulation hormone levels are high and most people feel really good. There is a natural sense of confidence and energy. It’s time for a potential pregnancy, and oestrogen along with kapha dosha energy may make us feel extra juicy, sexy and sensual too. 43
Yoga Love: Valentine's Special Report All you need is love Whether you’re a serial singleton, or you can’t keep your wandering hands off ‘the one’, Valentine’s is a great time to prioritise all things love — and yoga can help Love is all around us and even within us. You don’t have to feel the power and pull of a partner, it is equally present in the self-love that we show ourselves from day to day. And yoga can help us feel that energetic connection even more strongly, whether that’s with yourself or with another special person in your life. In this report, we explore various key themes drawn from the world of yoga that can enhance our love connection, from the blissful rituals of a cacao ceremony, where we hold sacred space for ourselves, our partner and our relationship, to the almost intuitive learnings gleaned from acroyoga, the ultimate yoga double act. We also draw on the realm of Tantra Yoga and its ancient wisdoms, which we can apply in a direct and practical way to improve our everyday experience of life and our sense of place in the universe. We highlight five ways to bring Tantra into your day that could transform how you live your life, turning the mundane into magic everywhere you go. Tantra and other yogic practices can simultaneously feed our sense of self-worth, raising our self-esteem and fostering greater self-love. These are vital attributes if we are to honour love in all its magnificence and manifestations. Above all, be open to love. If you find it, whether that’s in the arms of a new lover or in the depths of a broken heart, cherish it and kindle that flame until it burns brightly. Let yoga show you the way. 44
Yoga Love: Valentine's Special Report Contents Page 46: Fall In Love With Your Life With Tantra: 5 Ways To Bring Tantra Into Your Everyday Page 48: The 6 Learnings Of Acroyoga: Six Things You May Learn Together Beyond The Poses Page 50: Couples’ Valentine’s Cacao Ceremony: Deepen Your Love Connection With Cacao 45
Yoga Love: Valentine's Special Report Fall in love with your life... with Tantra 5 keys for an ecstatic life: bringing tantra into your everyday. By Maria Porsfelt receiving a hug, the pleasure of breathing fresh air, the pleasure of witnessing a beautiful sunset, the pleasure of having a quiet moment to be with ourselves. Top Tip: You can start by making a pleasure date with yourself on a weekly basis: an hour spent without guilt, rush or agenda, on something that gives you pleasure, while giving yourself permission to be fully present, and to surrender to that feeling of pleasure. Tantra is a genuine spiritual path that offers guidelines and methods 2. Cultivate awareness that will gradually lead us to the realisation of our essential nature. Within this process, Tantra embraces the sensual and direct The extraordinary and ecstatic is born from the game between experience of life in all its nuances. the experience and the one experiencing. And what links the two is awareness. Often great parts of our lives are lived in the Life is innately spiritual, and when we have the right tools and semi-darkness of autopilot, and we barely notice the moments attitudes we discover that life is imbued with spirit. By beginning to passing as everyday life unfolds. It seems easier like that, so we bring more awareness to our life experiences, they gain a sacred and can take a break and think of something else meanwhile. But profoundly meaningful dimension. Life becomes extraordinary, and what we are taking a break from is our life! And in the semi- leads us to ever deeper states of ecstatic awakening. darkness we do not see the meaningful details that reveal the value and purpose that life holds. We can only learn and grow 1. Take pleasure seriously from that which we are aware of — and this awareness should embrace all levels of our being, from the experience itself to We often relate to pleasure as a guilty little add-on that makes the physical, emotional and mental contribution. By cultivating everyday life more bearable. Whether it is the pleasure of relaxing in awareness we grow in understanding ourselves and the world, bed at the weekend, or the delicious treat we look forward to after and we begin to perceive a new depth in our experiences. lunch, such moments are mostly perceived as highlights that make With awareness, we notice nuances in every experience, and the in-between parts easier to get through. This attitude brings two often we discover a richness in apparently banal everyday life problems. One, we greatly underestimate the real importance of occurrences that were previously unsuspected. pleasure; and two, large chunks of our lives that we do not perceive to be pleasurable just become something to ‘get through’. Top Tip: Practice meditation to train your ability to become When we experience something pleasurable, when we really present. Spend some moments each day writing in a journal, surrender to that experience, we let go of any need to protect describing your physical, emotional and mental states. This ourselves, and we can relax profoundly and expand our sense of will give you the beneficial habit of bringing awareness to your self beyond our generalised thought patterns and self-imposed whole being and to your experiences. limitations. Consciously experienced pleasure becomes a source of harmony and helps us gain new perspectives on ourselves and on our 3. Carpe Diem lives. Conscious pleasure connects us to the creative life force and makes our life more alive. Far from being just an add-on, pleasure is We tend to take tomorrow for granted — just like we did today. an important ingredient for a happy and fulfilling life. Most of our lives are in this way lost to the ordinary, and the extraordinary is a rare occasion. Seizing the day is done by We can learn to have a better relationship with pleasure, and as this seizing every moment of every day, every time we remember — relationship improves not only can we be propelled to discovering this moment is your life! Give value to every day by striving to new parts of ourselves, we also become more and more attuned to live a life of virtue and purpose. Seize every day like a piece in the little pleasures life constantly offers — the pleasure of giving or a great puzzle, in which every moment has its place in a much bigger picture. The right place is always found through the 46
Yoga Love: Valentine's Special Report heart, by giving our best, by seizing the day and giving it all we have. FIND YOUR BLISS You will discover that resisting the day takes much more energy and brings a lot less happiness than seizing it! TIFNHORENTREEULT2WARR0GKE2OEA3OYTN 4. Give love a place of importance TURKEY | SPAIN | WALES | ICELAND One of the most important and beautiful components of our life Facilitating yoga retreats for thirty years is love. We know this — we dream about love, we long for it, we Find out why people keep coming back talk about it and we sing about it. But we often forget to really cherish it. Love connects us to the essence of life, transcends any ‘The whole team is incredible, our retreat was physical limitation and exists at the very core of our being. Love brilliant from start to finish.’ is the presence of the creator in creation, it is the fundamental Bethan King May 2022 energy that sustains existence, and at the same time it is something we can feel as an emotion in our heart. Love brings a feeling of hhuuzzvvaadd@@gmmail..ccoomm |hwttwpws:./h/uhzuuzruvravdaidsis.ci.ocomm interconnectedness and a deeper sense of self. Love is essentially a choice, and therefore always a possibility. Aim to choose love at every chance you have! Top Tip: Nourish and express the feeling of love every time you feel it and whenever the opportunity presents itself, whether it is in a kind gesture to a stranger, in creating a candlelit, romantic moment for yourself or a loved one, giving a helping hand to a friend or putting all your heart into whatever you are doing in this moment. 5. Manifest a state of detachment as much as possible Too often we cling to things, perspectives, opinions, or emotional patterns out of habit or fear of the unknown. Letting go doesn’t mean throwing away, it just means stop clinging. The state of detachment brings a superior perspective. When we dare to let go of our opinions, our reactions and preconceived ideas, and at least for a moment simply let life be, it is as if we can rise and gain a new understanding from a higher level. Detachment is not indifference, but rather a ‘zooming out’. Detachment brings harmony and allows growth by freeing us from our limiting patterns and perspectives. When you feel something challenging catch you, stop for a moment and repeat to yourself: “I nurture the state of detachment and I accept with a calm and serene equanimity everything as it is: a Divine lesson.” Attitude changes everything, and by bringing these five keys to your life with perseverance, you can open more and more to the path life offers in every moment, gently guiding you home to a place of pure happiness. Maria Porsfelt began her journey of self-discovery through toga and Tantra in 2001, and is coordinating teacher at Tara Yoga Centre (tarayogacentre.co.uk) 47
Yoga Love: Valentine's Special Report The 6 learnings oaf croyoga Six additional things you may learn together in acroyoga beyond the poses. By Sergio Villena Kirchhartz Acroyoga isn't just a physical exercise that just our partners and friends, but perhaps combines yoga poses and acrobatics with a work colleagues or even institutions. It partner. As with all yoga styles (and indeed changes by culture, age or person, perhaps, many other physical practices) there are but in the end there are a set of predefined additional learnings associated with it. rules. We are used to trusting people in two These might not be as crystal clear as the key areas: time and money. For instance, we nice pictures and poses, but these skills expect that our partner will come on time for might hold even more impact in real life. the wedding anniversary dinner or that our Additionally, one of the strengths of friends will show up on time for the game acroyoga is that you will be practicing all on Sundays. Similarly, with money, we work these learnings together with someone for others because we expect to be paid at else, perhaps someone very close to you. So the end of the month as agreed; or we lend these learnings will not only have an impact money to a friend because he/she promises on yourself but in your relationship with this to pay the money back as soon as they can. person too. Acroyoga learning: In class, besides these The following six learnings aren’t sorted by importance. Depending on your own types of confidence (obviously, teachers experience and partner relationship, some and students are expected to start classes of them will have more impact on your daily on time and for the agreed exchange of the life than others. economic class value), we learn in another very important way: physical confidence. 1. Confidence In our daily lives, we rarely have the opportunity to place all our physical integrity In our daily lives, sometimes we must trust in the hands or feet of someone else. During people that we almost don't even know, not acroyoga, both partner and flyer, learn how 48
Yoga Love: Valentine's Special Report to trust one another by giving part of their and mentally. Changing points of view can body integrity to the other. be transported to real life. We are used to living in our ‘own world’, without caring too 2. Communication much about others. By placing ourselves in another’s shoes we can share together ‘both We’ve all had the experience of being a worlds’ and become just one reality, finding driver or the navigator through an unknown a new way to view the world. In acroyoga, try city and making a mess with the directions, to change roles of the flyer and base at least ending up in a stressful situation and once; in real life, make the effort each day to probably arriving later than expected at a try to understand the feelings of others. destination. Who was guilty of it? Let’s not get into that discussion! Instead, we can 4. Stress management basketball team, knows what good working learn something here from acroyoga. together can achieve on the pitch, but what Stress is often called the illness of the 21st can we learn from an acroyoga team? Acroyoga learning: During the training, century. We encounter it in many forms and in different environments. One way to Acroyoga learning: As a couple, or just communication flows at a different level face it is through yoga. With every pose, we than in real life. First of all, we put ourselves consciously place ourselves in a stressful friends, we are usually not used to playing consciously in a stressful situation; we will situation; in a headstand we are bringing as a team. In this case, acroyoga is a 100% be hanging upside down or strengthening both our body and mind to the limit, while team game; flyer and base both need to our legs to the max of our power. Secondly, the regular practice of yoga means we are work together to master all poses. There is we will have a different point of view: the better able to control the pose slowing our no place for stars on this team! Both bring to flyer’s left hand will be the base's right breath and bringing our mind to the present the mat their best version of themselves and hand, for instance, or for the base to go moment. when mistakes happen (and they will often back could mean for the flyer to bend to the happen, like falling or slipping) it is a group opposite direction. In acroyoga, we learn to Acroyoga learning: Sometimes working mistake. For example, if the flight went use the appropriate words, as well as other badly, it isn't only because the flyer's hip was tools (like touch or tricks) to cope with the together to face stressful situations can too low, but perhaps also because the base situation and perform in the best possible help. In acroyoga, we are no longer alone in was not placing their feet in the right place. way, which can require clear and sometimes performing our bow pose; we are working almost intuitive communication. with someone else to rise and do bow pose, 6. Goal orientation perhaps just centimetres from the ground. 3. Empathy Additionally, we bring to our real life an How many times have you signed up for a added ability to cope with stress in teams fitness studio or similar and stopped going Empathy runs deep through all strands of or when others are involved. We will be able after a few weeks? How many times have we life nowadays, affecting how we perform in to respond consciously instead of reacting been working so hard and blindly towards our work as well in our private relationships, unconsciously. In real-world examples, that a goal that when we achieved it, we realise from friends to the total strangers that we might mean we won’t shout in an argument, that it wasn't what we were looking for? encounter every day. and instead, we will hold our first reaction, work on our stimulus and then use a more Acroyoga learning: Acroyoga is an Acroyoga learning: Everyone starting thoughtful, appropriate response. amazing path if you have the chance to walk with acroyoga will change roles from time 5. Teamwork it with someone you love or appreciate. For to time. People love to do what they can instance, sometimes you will wait and help perform the best, but by trying other roles A couple, a group of friends, a family…these your partner to gain flexibility; other days, we can learn even more. By doing so, we all are types of teams and each with different you will be supported by another person to see what our partner needs to do so that we sets of rules. Anyone who has played gain strength. The peer/partner relationship both can succeed. Moreover, we feel more on a sports team before, like a soccer or will make you continue practicing even in connected to him/her because we see and the worst conditions, and much more so understand their position both physically than if you were to work alone towards a goal. This will be evident after the first class or practice, you will create together a strategy for achieving your goals: poses with arms, enhancing thigh flexibility, working on turns or jumping, for example. You will, as an individual and as a team, gain the patience and discipline to achieve whatever you desire on the mat. Sergio Villena Kirchhartz created Yogitos with Zlata Kobas to share their passion for Acroyoga. Based near Barcelona, they welcome students from around the globe for many different retreat styles: yoga, surf, Spanish lifestyle and, of course, Acroyoga for all levels. Visit: yogaemotion.net or connect on Instagram @yogitos_zs 49
Yoga Love: Valentine's Special Report Couples’ Valentine’s cecraemcaoony P Ceremonial grade cacao is the ultimate heart opener: there’s no better way to share Valentine’s Day than with a couples’ cacao ceremony to deepen your connection to each other. By Liam Browne Cacao is considered a via deep listening and instructions on how to make your powerful aphrodisiac and is and speaking to cacao perfectly. revered for its sensual and each other with love creative properties by all in your words and With your cacao ready, it’s time to sit those who indulge. compassion in your facing each other with a straight spine heart. ready to commence your ceremony. Hold With its heart-opening the cacao close to your hearts, close your effect (and providing Lady Cacao is eyes and breathe together. Let go of all enhanced blood flow to asking you to have your plans and lists, and simply ‘be here the sexy bits!), cacao is so fun together, laugh every day and feel love now’…nothing else exists right now other much more powerful than in all moments. You deserve it! than upgrading your relationship and conventional chocolate. It’s So what does a couples cacao ceremony connection. the only food on the planet to entail? contain the ‘bliss’ molecule, First, put on some relaxing music, Next, call in the spirit of Lady Cacao and Anandamide, and is packed prepare your sacred space, somewhere Aphrodite to open your hearts fully, and to full of mood-enhancing you can sit facing each other in a tidy, any other guides, gurus or angels you want nutrition. clean and comfortable environment. with you. Take a breath and say together: Then, it’s time to prepare your cacao. “I am grateful that my partner is here, Holding a cacao ceremony You can experiment by adding heart- willing to speak with love and listen with with your partner can opening tonics, such as rose water, find compassion”. facilitate a deeper heart- inspiration online to whet your appetite based connection with greater sensuality Feel the energy and stillness and then and sensitivity in your exploration of each take another breath saying: “I am grateful other. Ceremonial grade cacao (the best of the best) clears the mind and opens the heart…increasing the heartbeat by an extra 10-15 beats per minute so that you are open, expansive and receptive. A beautiful relationship isn't something that ‘just happens’, it's something that blossoms out of a commitment to show up and understand one another. This is done 50
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