May 12th, 2010
What are you chakras and why do we go on about them in yoga?
Yoga is an energy practice, just like accupunture, tai chi, qi gong and others. We are made and sustained by energy. Yoga is a system of healthcare to maintain the energy field or ‘astral body’. The ‘chakras’ are best described as spinning wheels or energy centres through which vital energy (’prana’, ‘chi’, ‘qi’) flows. Yoga is the integration of body, mind and spirit, and the state of your ‘chakras’ play a vital role in your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. A yoga practice usually focuses on 7 chakras in the central energy pathway. These are the root chakra (red); sacral chakra (orange); naval chakra (yellow); heart chakra (green); throat chakra (turquoise); third eye chakra (indigo blue); crown chakra (violet or white). A chakra is said to be ‘balanced’ or ‘unbalanced’ according to how the energy flows, and this affects us on all levels.
The 2* course is currently running through each of the chakras so to learn more drop in to Anoushka’s Yoga.
There is a huge range of information out there about the chakras. Start with a quiz from http://www.eclecticenergies.com/chakras/chakratest.php to see which of your chakras are in balance. But please note this is not conclusive information, although in my case it seems fairly accurate!
For more information there are the following fantastic resources:-
‘The ABC’s of Chakra Therapy: A workbook’ – Deedre Diemer. This includes a more conclusive chakra quiz.
‘Theories of the chakras’ – Dr. Motoyama’
‘Chakra meditation’ – Swami Saradananda
And why do we consider the chakra system so important in a Hatha yoga practice?
Understanding the chakras helps to get to know yourself on all levels and takes us on a journey to live a life of health and happiness. As is the beauty of yoga, you can only discover through your practice whether the chakras are real or just ‘yoga talk’.
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May 12th, 2010
We are now listed on the best of wandsworth. Let people know what you feel about Anoushka’s Yoga. The world would be a great place if we all did yoga! Please leave a testimonial at http://www.thebestof.co.uk/local/wandsworth/business-guide/yoga.
Thank you for your support and enjoy your yoga journey.
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May 8th, 2010
Why do a yoga retreat?
A yoga retreat can be a life changing experience, where you can really take some time out from a busy life for reflection and transformation.
With yoga in the morning sun, either on the beach or the outdoor yoga space at former hotel, Astrikas. Then time to relax around the pool, at the beach, or exploring the wondeful environment of Crete. Finish with peaceful evening yoga to wind down or to explore yoga postures or philosphy to take you deeper in your practice.
A yoga retreat is the time to infiltrate yoga into your life and feel the incredible effects to make you a happier, healthier person. You can’t get that same effect from one or two yoga classes a week. This is doing yoga twice a day for a week. It not only brings a transformation to your practice but a complete transformation for you.
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May 8th, 2010
Drop in for £14 or sign up for regular classes at £12.50.
1* classes are for beginners. Although bear in mind that a course started 12th April so students have now done 3 classes and are not complete beginners. If you would like to drop in please contact Tish.
2* classes are for intermediate or advanced students. We run through a theme during each class. The current course theme is ‘understanding the chakras’. Each week we will run through a different chakra explaining the effects of this energetic centre and how you can balance the energies.
Classes on a Thursday 8:30pm and Saturday are mixed ability classes. Any level are welcome. Asanas (postures) are explained in detail for beginners and variations are offered for those who wish to go deeper in their practice.
P is for pregnancy classes. You can join at any time and you don’t have to have done yoga before.
MB is for Mum & Baba yoga – a fabulous class of joy for you and your baby with teacher and Doulas, Lon Gibbons and Indira Lopez.
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July 30th, 2009
So, we get a few guys coming to our yoga classes now, some dragged along by girlfriends and terrified that they will be the ‘only guy in the class’, but they soon realise that yoga is not always about lying in Savasana (corpse pose) and relaxing. An article in GQ magazine titled ‘Real men do yoga’ recently reminded us that Genghis Khan’s warriors did 1,000 sun salutations. And, trust me, that is a lot! Most guys are starting to puff out after 5, especially when they include chaturanga (classic push up as in the photo) and updog – all great for the upper body strength. And guys suffer from back pain just as much as us ladies.
So if Andy Murray is into Bikram yoga to bulk up, perhaps you should consider coming along, before you dismiss it as your girlfriend’s hobby. We don’t do yoga in 105 degrees at Anoushka’s Yoga but you will soon build up plenty of internal heat. From the start, even simple breathing exercises will help improve lung capacity and performance in other sports such as running or football, and then when we come to hamstring stretches, most guys quickly realise how tight they are in that area, and how even a little bit of loosening can really increase mobility.
So come and try it out. If you are scared you are going to be the only guy in the class….well rise up to the challenge and enjoy or check out yoga buddies united on facebook!
Oh, and we did have one guy in the class the other day shout out in ’crow’ - ”I’m doing it”……us ladies all applauded!! (you know who you are!!!!!)
Tags: yoga
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