Posts tagged yoga
The art of surrender

Yoga is a tool of regulation. We learn to regulate our breath, we can learn to both tense and relax our bodies, we can even learn to influence the amygdala, a crucial part of the nervous system which triggers the fight-flight response whenever we perceive danger. Whilst yoga helps us learn to regulate and respond, and therefore make us more aware of our reactions and triggers, does this automatically mean we can alwayschoose how to respond? Or a convenient social media meme that feeds the illusion of total control and continues to ignore yogic teachings of surrender?

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5 steps to retreat into lockdown

Many of us spent more time at home this year than usual, or than perhaps we anticipated. And whilst 2020 hasn’t been the easier year to navigate for many, lockdown did provide the opportunity to slow down, take, stock and reflect - things we usually do on a yoga retreat. Whether or not we can all meet on retreat this year is uncertain - but read on to discover how you can take the aspects of a yoga retreat and bring them into your own home.

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In it together: 3 ways yoga can help you deal with coronavirus stress

Never more has the world felt like a global village, and whilst this can feel terrifying, the practice and philosophy of yoga can offer us practical and helpful ways to move through these times. Yoga means union, connection, One-ness, and it feels like we are constantly being reminded that we are all in this together.

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The tragedy of Michael Stone

The passing of Michael Stone acts as a wake up call to all that teach and practice yoga. In a culture where weakness is frowned upon, vulnerability is weakness, and there is no time for grief, no space for sadness, no acknowledgement of deep pain, yoga could be offering us salvation. Yoga could be building a community where we create space for weakness, for vulnerability, for grief, sadness and pain. But it isn't. Yoga (or the industry around it) is exactly the same as the other corporate bullshit we are fed #everydamnday. We all have a responsibility, to ourselves and to others. To get real - and to learn what true love really is. 

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The battle of the body

When our attitude to ourselves is one of loathing, it doesn't matter what we do to change or improve ourselves, we will always fail. Companies like Weightwatchers make most of their money from repeat customers, because if you are punishing yourself with food and exercise, you are going to run out of steam and either go on a mad binge or just burn out. The more we can bring love to everything we do, the easier it becomes to realise that you truly are beautiful. 

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Hello darkness my old friend

As we slowing start to ascend towards the light, it can be easy to try and ignore the fact that we are still in the wintery darkness. With stillness, reflection and contemplation, the darkness of winter can be a boon to our spiritual practice. Here's why it isn't always about the light.

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