Going with the Flow

I have just finished a pre/post natal yoga training course with two amazingly inspiring teachers, Bridget Woods Kramer and Gillian Nevin, and have begun to contemplate the prospect of teaching such a beautiful subject. The training made me appreciate just how clever nature is, and how much we have to learn from the ability to just go with the flow, relax and let nature takes it's course. 

The flow seems to come into everything though, not just pregnancy. A friend of mine remarked a few weeks ago how amazing he finds it when life flows, and how this usually happens when you are completely open to it. For those of you who have ever travelled, especially alone, you have probably experienced the helping hand just when you need it. The person sitting next to you on the plane, who is not only from the tiny village you are headed to, but who offers you a meal and a place to stay when you get there. Why is this not happening every day, wherever we are? 

When we worry it creates a negative block, so that instead of emanating the thoughts "I can do this, this is going to happen" we emanate "I dont think this will happen, I don't think I will  ever be able to do this". It is then pretty inevitable that it will never happen. However, when we have no worries, no expectations and no fears it is a lot easier to feel positive and open, and for life to flow. So, how do we manage to flow without ditching our stressful 'real' lives, jetting of to a hot country with a back pack and a guide book? Yoga, of course! Learning about pregnancy and teaching yoga for pregnancy has reminded me how important yoga is in connecting us back to ourselves, to the true rhythm of our body and our breath. 


When we feel connected we feel happy. When we feel happy good things happen. So next time you feel a little stressed, lost, disconnected, out of sorts stop for a second and listen to what your body is trying to tell you - because it is very clever and will always try to tell you - and breathe. Listen to and feel your breath, its length, depth, smoothness. Stretch a little and feel any tightness in your body. Breathe into this tightness, and as you exhale let your muscles relax. Think of a positive mantra to repeat to yourself throughout, so that it becomes ingrained in your thoughts. Give thanks, because there is always something to be thankful for. And just let it flow.


Namaste
 

Yoga for health@Eden and Bodmin Hospital

Well today saw the first in a string of taster sessions I will be running across Cornwall, teaching yoga and pranayama to people with mental health and learning disabilities. This is one of my passions, and so I wanted to share what I have learned with you all! Yoga is not just for the tanned, toned and beautiful, it is an ancient system that helps to stretch and tone muscles, increase flexibility and posture, and improve mental stability, clarity and ease.  


So, here are a few poses and techniques my students today have found enjoyable. I hope you do to....

Warm up

Sit comfortably.

As you inhale sit tall, lengthening through the spine.

As you exhale feel your shoulders and body relaxing.

Bring your hands out by your side, fingertips touching the ground.

As you inhale move your arms with your breath so that your fingertips touch above your head as your inhalation ends.

Then exhale, again moving your arms in time with your breath so that your fingertips reach the ground as your exhalation ends.

Continue this movement for a few breaths, bringing your awareness to the length of your breath.

Tree pose

Stand on your right foot and focus on a fixed point in front of you.

Lift the left leg, bending it and bringing the foot in towards your right thigh, calf or ankle. Keep your hips facing forwards and slowly lift your arms up. Repeat on the other leg.

Then try this in a circle. As you lift your arms hold the hand of the person next to you, helping to support each other in the pose.

Take a moment to recognise the difference it made to have somebody help to support you. 

Where do you breathe from?

Bring one hand to you chest and one to your belly.

Close your eyes and focus on your breathing, feeling your hands move as you breathe.

Which hand moves more – the one on your chest or your belly?

Keeping your hands where they are, now breathe only into your chest, trying to not let your belly move at all.

How does this feel? Is it comfortable?

Now breathe only into your belly, trying to keep your chest completely still?

How does this feel?

Most of us breathe in our chest, which means that we are not filling our lungs up completely with air. When we breathe deeply in to our lower belly it encourages the breathing to become slower, and allows us to bring more oxygen in to our lungs and remove more toxic carbon dioxide. This is more comfortable and healthy, and helps the body to feel more relaxed.

Our breathing is linked to our nervous system, and as we are faced with any type of perceived danger the nervous system goes in to fight or flight mode. This makes us breathe faster and more shallow, and can result in hyperventilating. Techniques like this help us to gain control of our breathing patterns, and to relax.

 
Give them a go, and look out for more to follow xxx