Yoga – Stand by Your Mat

Heated 26 and 2

The hatha yoga series I teach comprises of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. It is designed in a unique therapeutic sequence, to warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons, in the order in which they should be stretched. The postures are practised in heat to increase circulation and allow the muscles to stretch more easily.

The sequence is a beginner’s class, completely accessible to everybody and every body. It is designed to work through all the major systems of the body.

The series of postures begins with a breathing to oxygenate the body. Throughout the sequence the spine compressed, stretched and bent in all four directions. The benefits of this are immense. As all of the nerve endings coming off of the spine go to the organs, these organs can regain optimal functioning. The spine regains full mobility, recovers proper alignment and the whole body is rejuvenated as more space is created between the vertebrae. Furthermore, as all of the nerve endings coming off of the spine go to the organs, these organs can again function at their optimal capacity

There are very short savasanas (dead body pose) or periods of stillness, between the standing postures and longer ones between the postures in the floor series. So after stretching, compressing and holding in the postures, you stand in stillness to allow fresh oxygenated blood to flood through you like a high-speed irrigation system. Savasana encourages self-discipline and calmness and allows the body to process what is going on. This enables the body to reset, reorganise and reap the benefits of the postures whilst also allowing greater self-awareness through connection and meditation.

This mental component to the practice helps us to be at peace. Even though we don’t like what we see in the mirror in the first class, there is nowhere to hide and we learn to love out amazing bodies again. We resist less and eventually the heat, the reflection and the monkey-mind are longer a distraction to the practice, the inner peace.

The benefits of the practice are vast. It helps heal everything from chronic disease to arthritis, depression, spinal problems, digestive problems, weight loss, poor concentration, to name but a few.

But don’t just take my word for it.

Come and stand by your mat.