Blog

Last week in class we practiced Naikan meditation……here is a “How To” guide from the ToDo Institite (www.todoinstitute.org) How to Practice Naikan Reflection The Three Questions Naikan reflection is based on three questions: What have I received from __________ ? What have I given to __________ ? What troubles and difficulties have I caused __________… Continue reading Naikan meditation

In class we have been looking at the upper back and opening the chest, with reference to anahata chakra the heart centre. Dwelling on the heart centre led to contemplation of  what we have to be grateful for, and the practice of Naikan, the art of staying grounded in gratitude. Here is an article by… Continue reading Gratitude

…for the next few weeks we will be focusing on the upper back, and looking at how our Yoga can help prevent a rounded upper back—and the depression, shallow breathing, tension, and headaches that often go with it. Here is an article by Julie Gudmestad on the topic……enjoy! “My middle back is tense and hurts… Continue reading Break out of your slump

every so often I talk in class about the importance of establishing a yoga practice at home…..this is when teh transformational power of yoga really starts to make its presence felt in your life…so here are my top tips for how to get started xx Michelle Why is it that all the things in life… Continue reading How to establish your Home Practice

…continuing with our theme of “Joy is within us” here is an article by Timothy McCall that may be of interest to you x Michelle Yoga to cultivate compassion, gratitude and joy One reason yoga is a powerful means to build mental health is because its aim is higher than traditional psychology’s. Psychology, like its… Continue reading Yoga to cultivate compassion, gratitude and joy

…as we come into March and a new theme we will be focusing on joy…….here is an article by Sally Kempton on the subject….. The Joyful Truth There are certain core teachings that can forever shift the way you see the world. “Joy is within you” is one of them. Even if you hear it… Continue reading Joy

I have been following the articles in the press about how yoga can harm, with a particular focus on inversions, and I have to say I welcome this debate. Many people are being taught inversions such as shoudlerstand plough and headstand in beginners classes, and these are not beginner level asanas. I wrote in to… Continue reading My letter to Yoga Journal Magazine

There has been a lot of activity in the press of late about the harm yoga can do. And I am not going to refute this. Yoga, when taught by inexperienced or inadequately trained teachers can and does harm people. (Although we are all at risk of hurting ourselves in a class if we push… Continue reading Looking after you neck

…here is some food for thought…. “Yoga practice is like an obstacle race; many obstructions are purposefully put in the way for us to pass through. They are there to make us understand and express your own capacities. We all have that strength, but we don’t seem to know it. We seem to need to… Continue reading Overcoming obstacles

Below is an article by Phillip Moffitt that gives some interesting insights into our desire to change aspects of our life. This is the focus of this months classes, have a read…… The Dharma of Life Changes – how the coming of winter heralds the desire for personal transformation The shorter day light hours herald… Continue reading The Dharma of Life Changes