Winter solstice and New Years - the end and the beginning!

I love new beginnings and always see the end of the year as the start of the next. It's a time that I look back on what has passed and reflect, whilst using this to look forward and think about what I want for the coming year. Learning from what I have done, I am able to move forward with far more confidence and openness. It's an exciting time of year, marked for me by winter solstice and the beginning of longer evenings, with life quietly growing under the surface, waiting to blossom again. Plans are hatched, seeds have been sewn, the future seems to stretch out in front of us. 

I'm a believer in letting life happen organically, but I also feel that it's necessary to have a focus. If you try to practice Vriksasana (tree pose) with your eyes closed you will wobble and undoubtedly fall. Focus keeps you balanced and gives you a direction in which to move. Knowing when to switch focus, change direction, make new plans and let things go is fundamental to keeping moving, flowing and not stagnating. This is why reflecting and setting new goals is so important. 

Making New Year's resolutions can feel a bit like 'I want I want I want', so I try to have gratitude for what I've already received. Acknowledging everything we have helps us to welcome more in gently, rather than grasping for it. With Yoga and the Yamas in mind, we are reminded of Asteya (non stealing) and Aparigraha (non possessiveness). When you set resolutions or goals, think about accepting where you are at and not holding on to where you want to be - letting things go if they no longer fit. 

We will be running a special 'Intentions setting Yoga workshop' in Amberley on 22nd January, open to all. It will be an opportunity to look ahead, with a deep releasing yoga practice to create space for the new. As the trees shed their leaves before growing new ones, so to must we let go before we can grow. A chance to move, connect and open up again after the hectic festive period! Contact Nathalie@liveloveyoga.co.uk for info and booking or click here for more information. 

Wishing you all a wonderful end to 2016 and prosperous beginning to 2017! 

Nathalie X 

12 day #dailygratitude challenge!

A few weeks ago I set myself the challenge of posting something on social media every day that I was grateful for. The results didn't surprise me too much, but it was a great way to look for the positives each day! Finding things to be grateful for is a sure-fire way to turn your emotions around, by looking at the world through positive eyes. 

As the year comes to a close I often look back and reflect on the past 12 months. What were the highlights? What did I achieve that I set out to? What awesome, unexpected things happened? What do I want for next year? I'm a firm believer in setting goals, but I also think it's important to recognise what you have right now. 

During our last Youth Yoga teacher training we went through a number of 'gratitude' exercises to use with young people, although they are great for any age! Why not pick one and give it a go... I'm pretty sure you will feel more positive. 

#DailyGratitude - If you like taking photos and using social media, why not set yourself a challenge. Whether you choose to post for a week or a month, see if you can find one thing each day that you are grateful for and post a photo of it. This is a lovely way to visually track your gratitude. 

Gratitude jar - Find a jar that you like, you can even decorate it. Each day write down one thing (or more) that you are grateful for and pop it in the jar. At the end of the week/month take them all out and  read through them. 

Gratitude diary - If you like writing, why not keep a diary so that you can write down everything you are grateful for each day. You can go into more depth with this than just writing down a word. 

10 finger gratitude - count the things you are grateful for on your fingers. You can do this whenever you feel a bit over whelmed, or just not so positive. 

Our minds tend to go where our thoughts go. This works both ways - positive and negative - and gratitude is a simple habit-hack that can create more positivity, contentment and happiness. In the lead up to Christmas, as we are bombarded with all the things we are told we need or want, why not take our 12 day (or any length of time!!) gratitude challenge and remind yourselves of all the things you already have. Share your gratitude on social media and tag #liveloveyoga so we can see what makes you all happy too! 

Easing the kids back into school

After weeks of lazy days, playing outside, fun and no pressure (for them!) the children are heading back to school. For some this can be a stressful time, especially when transitioning into a new class or even a new school, beginning to think about applying for college or university. We thought we'd share a few techniques that our young students have found helpful!

The Breath: One of the best ways to calm the nervous system is to slow down and deepen the breath. There are lots of ways to do this, but we have found the best way is to simply use your hands to bring awareness to it. Sitting or lying comfortable, place your hands on your lower belly so your finger tips are touching. Take a few deep breaths, noticing how your hands move apart slightly as you breathe in and come back together as you breathe out. Repeat with hands on the ribcage and then on the collar bones, just following the movement of the breathe. For younger children you can also try placing a favourite teddy on the belly and just watch it moving, breathing with the teddy. 

The Body: Getting the body moving is a great way to reduce stress. Our students love the Sun Salutations, which help to connect the body with the breath in a simple, flowing sequence. There are a few variations, but this is nice and gentle. Start at the top and go clockwise, inhaling to lift the arms up, exhaling to fold... with each movement being an in or exhale.

The Mind: Mindfulness is a common phrase at the moment, however it is not a new thing! The focus of yoga is to calm the fluctuations of the mind, and in this way it is a 'mindfull' practice. As well as doing yoga, we encourage students to take a 'mindful moment' at set times during the day, such as when brushing their teeth. Taking a mundane activity and really focusing on it, feeling the brush against the mouth, the taste of the toothpaste, the sensations on the tongue can help to bring the mind back to the present, something really important in a fast paced, instant messenger driven world. 

We love working with young people and being able to set them up with tools to make life easier. Our Youth Yoga teacher training courses allow us to share all of this and more with others. Past students have included Youth Workers, Teachers, Mental Health Support Workers, Parents and Yoga Teachers. If you would like to find out more, why not join us on one of our next training courses   and learn how to inspire and empower the next generation! 

How to let life bloom!

It's no secret that flowers are one of my favourite things! In fact, 'flower' was the first word I said (according to my mum). I get so much satisfaction from watching all of my plants and flowers blossom. Every day I water them, talk to them, clean the leaves, inspect them for shoots and admire them patiently as they grow, bit by bit. So... why can't I do this with my life?! 

When it comes to growing flowers, plants, vegetables, whatever you choose, you have to have patience. You know it's not going to happen over night and you enjoy the moments watching them grow as much as the final product, tending your garden is therapeutic! This is common knowledge and one of the reasons community gardens and allotments are so popular.

In contrast, when it comes to life we rarely just observe as it grows, blossoms and fades, grows again, blossoms again.... It can be hard to let life take it's course. We often want to see the 'flowers' constantly without acknowledging that those flowers have a life cycle of their own. When I look at nature I'm always reminded that this is life. All the extra stuff we do is our human addition - the clothes, cars, jobs, houses, but when you break it down to the bare bones it is simply about growing, blossoming, dying, maybe growing again. Much like the tides ebb and flow, sometimes with a bigger tide, sometimes with choppier waves. 

When you remind yourself that our lives are just part of this cycle it can be easier to accept it. It does take time, you do have to be patient, cut off the dead-heads and wait for the new buds. And you have to nurture it, feed it, give it water and sunlight. Try it, just for today, imagine your life as a plant and nurture it. Notice the difference! 

#ThisGirlCan

This week, as part of a This Girl Can day, I was invited to Shoreham Academy to teach yoga to all the girls in year 7, 8, 9 AND 10! The day gave them an opportunity to try something new in a fun and informal way and I was amazed at how well they all engaged!  

This Girl Can is a national campaign developed by Sport England to get girls and women moving. The message is fun, friendly and inclusive, aiming to help us overcome the growing trend of inactivity among adults and young people, especially women.

I hated PE when I was at school. Whilst I am extremely driven, I am not a fan of competitive sport and would often make excuses to avoid the lessons. It wasn't until I reached my early 20's that I really found my love of exercise, fueled by a passion for the sea and eventually a sanctuary in my yoga mat. Events such as this, put on by a wonderful team of teachers at the Academy, are so important for young people. Even if just one of those participants finds an affinity with yoga or any of the other activities that were on offer, then it is a success.

Unfortunately it seems that the GCSE PE curriculum is changing next year, yet again, with the re-introduction of all the traditional team games. I hope that schools continue to value the importance of fitness and alternative sports that simply get young people active and enjoying it!