Yoga is often described as both an art and a science and I would agree. The link below goes some way to explaining what is meant by that statement.  If you are a yogi, or thinking about becoming one then you this will be of interest to you.

Yoga is a transformative practice and this film will tell you how and why that is: http://upliftconnect.com/watch-science-behind-yoga/

Enjoy!

With Sarah and Nikki

On Saturday, 21^st May 2016, From 9:30am-12:30pm

At the Umbrella Centre, Westlode Street, Spalding

The aim of this experiential workshop is to explore ways in which yoga can improve overall wellbeing in both the mind and body and throughout the workshop we will use a variety of practices:

• Asana (posture-work)
• Pranayama (breath-work)
• Pratyahara (mindfulness)
• Svadhyaya (self-reflection)
• Relaxation

The cost of the workshop is £20.00.

For more information, or to book your place, telephone or text Sarah on 07817623330, email: [email protected], or see me in class!

A morning of Yin Yoga with Sarah and Nikki on Saturday, 28^th November 2015 at the Umbrella Centre, Westlode Street, Spalding.  From 9:30am – 12.30pm.

The aim of this experiential workshop is to deepen your understanding and experience of the calming and healing practice that is yin yoga.

Throughout the workshop we will employ a variety of practices:

•  Asana (posture-work)
•  Pranayama (breath-work)
•  Pratyahara (mindfulness)
•  Svadhyaya (self-reflection)
•  Relaxation

The cost of the workshop is £20.00.

For more information, or to book your place: Telephone or text Sarah on 07817623330, email: [email protected],  contact me, or see me in class!

So wonderful to see Irene from Agape, co-ordinator of our local food bank, and Helen and Elaine from Spots looking quite stunned, and then excited, when they received their cheques from the first Spalding Yogathon, which raised a total of £1,920.00.

When we asked Helen what their money might be spent on, she said that the committee would need to decide, although some of it may well go towards a trip to the theatre for some of their children and young people.

I asked Irene the same question, and she explained that more money in the pot will give them more buying power.  Irene said that now they would be able to order food online in bulk, and get free delivery, as well as saving money on bulk buying.

So a huge thank you to everybody who has been involved in the event: participants, sponsors, donors. You have all made a great difference to two very worthy local charities!

… So who wants to do it all again next year!

For more information or to contact either of the charities go to:

Agape: (http://www.agapecare.org.uk/), and Spots: (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Umbrella/584004308285288).

I am very excited about my yoga workshops this year because they are all about how yoga can help us to aspire to greater health and wellbeing.  Each workshop will reflect a different aspect of yoga philosophy and, whilst they are separate subjects, throughout the year we will discover how many of the different pieces of the yoga jigsaw fit together.

Although each workshop will include asana (posture practice), there will be so much more to consider, such as pranayama (energy work), the subtle body, and the ancient teachings of Patanjali.  Through discussion, reflection, mindfulness, meditation, visualisation, breathing, working in pairs and groups, and (of course) asana, we will explore the integration of yoga practice as a whole and discover how it can promote greatly improved health and wellbeing within each and every one of us.

If you would like to know more, click here for the Saturday Yoga Workshops webpage.  If you would like to book a place at one of the forthcoming workshops, you can click here to contact me, email me at [email protected] or text/telephone me on 07817623330.

A huge thank you to the 40 students and two other teachers who made this amazing experience possible … Well done all of you!

Threading the Needle in wide-legged child pose

Hi Everybody, a date for your diary:

24th January 2015 will see the first sponsored Yogathon in Spalding.  The day will begin with refreshments from 9:00am, followed by three hours of yoga, and then a shared lunch.

The event will take place at the  Umbrella Centre in Spalding.  Entry cost is £10 and all proceeds will be split between two local charities: Spots, which gives disadvantaged children the opportunity to participate in experiences they would otherwise not be able to take part in, and the Agape food bank which supports families who find themselves in financial crisis.

Our yoga practice will be in the form of three sessions taught by Carole Tovell, Nikki Griffin and myself. Each session will be different from the last as the aim is to give participants a broad experience of yoga asana and it’s many facets.

Places are limited, due to space, so if you would like more information, or to register your place, please contact me.

As winter draws near, we naturally become more introverted, less energetic and more accustomed to snuggling up by a warm fire, or under a cosy blanket.  Gone for now are the long summer evenings when we linger in the garden for as long as possible.  Now we find outselves dashing home, anticipating shutting the door and being cocooned in our home, protected from the cold and the dark outside.

In keeping with our natural tendancies to wind down over the winter months, this November’s workshop is all about reducing stress and finding calm.  The day will incorporate various tools and techniques that we can use in everyday life to promote relaxation, ease tension and lessen the stress that we encounter.

Through yoga postures, breath control, mindful practices and relaxation methods we will spend the day in a bubble of peace and calm.

Learn how to relax and stay calm … just in time for Christmas!

For more information about this workshop please click on the Saturday Workshops link.

Let’s stay chilled over winter!