be kind to yourself...

In yoga we practice Ahimsa, meaning that we observe a state of non-harming towards everything around us. For many this results in a vegetarian diet and peaceful and kind approach to others, respect for the environment - living a 'good' life. However, do we always reflect this in the way we are with ourselves? 

Having taught in numerous establishments with young people, both as a teacher and yoga teacher, I have been overwhelmed by the number  who self-harm. As we always do, I initially thought 'it wasn't like that when I was younger' but actually I'm sure it was, just in different ways. This attitude carries forward, less drastically, into adult life. We harm our bodies with alcohol, drugs, unhealthy food, unhealthy relationships, stressful jobs, stressful thoughts. Some of these things may be a necessity but it seems that even self-care can become a system of punishment and reward - does the 5km run following the cake for tea sound familiar?

A very good friend of mine said to me a few years ago 'Don't be so hard on yourself, Nat' and it's always resonated. One of the things that drew me into yoga was the concept of Ahimsa, but I instantly saw it as a way to be kind to myself because, for years, I hadn't been. As I folded forward into Paschimotanasana I'd give my legs a little kiss. It was a funny ritual, but it worked. Slowly I found a way to love myself and even more slowly found someone who loved me too. As I find myself working more and more with young people I'm reminded of this. Ahimsa is about non-harming to everyone and everything, including ourselves. 

So take a moment, straighten your legs out and fold over them and then slowly give your legs or your arms (wherever you can reach) a little kiss. Remind yourself that you love you. Trust me, it works! 

Calm in the Christmas Chaos

This time of year can be stressful for many of us, as I was reminded yesterday whilst seeking solitude in the quiet, empty, warm sauna!! This is when we need to find calm the most and, as always, we can find this in yoga. 

For some switching off work for a few days is worrying - what if something goes wrong while you're not there. For others the noise and bustle of everyone around at Christmas can be overwhelming. Or perhaps the silence of having no one around can be lonely. Expectations are high regardless because Christmas is built up to be such a significant time of year for so many. Added to that it's also a full moon and the longest day of the year. Whilst Winter Solstice is a time of re-birth and awakening the prospect of leaping into the new year can also be daunting! There are so many reasons why it's important to take some time out, often forgotten in the rush to get everything done. 

Restorative Yoga and slowing down has it's place on all our mats, and I've found I go to it more at this time of year than ever. When we are stressed, excited, nervous we quicken our pace, but often we need to do the opposite in order to bring balance back into our lives - the main focus of Ayurveda. Releasing into props such as cushions, bolsters and blankets allows the body to completely let go as it is supported. The quiet space along with physical response helps the mind to let go. 

As we move into a new year this is the perfect time to slow down, take stock and set intentions for the next phase from a place of calm. So, in the midst of the Christmas Choas take some time out, lie with your legs up the wall, a hot water bottle on your belly and give yourself some peace for 5 minutes. 

Satya - Truthfulness

A few days ago I was messing around and somehow found myself in this yoga pose - Mayurasana, Peacock.

It wasn't hard, I just balanced and lifted my legs up

and then eventually...

I fell!! 

My partner captured my graceful moment and I decided to share it on social media. Not because I want everyone to see me doing an almost impossible yoga pose but because I want everyone to see me do it like a normal human being, fall over and make an idiot out of myself! 

One of the 5 Yamas in the eight limbs of Yoga is 'Satya' - truthfulness. The Yamas are a series of commitments to our relationship with others (how we act to others) making up one of the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Satya, in my opinion, is one of the most important. Being honest means that we don't deceive others. It means that other people respect us because they trust us. It is the basis of any solid relationship, whether this be with a friend, partner, colleague, client. If you don't have honesty you don't have trust and if you don't have trust you have no relationship! 

I'm constantly aware of the way that things are portrayed in the world today. Social media makes it impossible to escape this desire to show other people our lives, and consequently to be shown other people's lives all the time. However, we all know that what we see is not always the truth. In an attempt to live more closely in line with Satya, whilst still living in the modern world running a business that relies on social media, I have chosen to show the reality of my 'advanced yoga practice'. I try new poses to challenge my body and my focus. Sometimes I manage them, but guaranteed, for every pose I can do there are 100's of attempts where I've landed in a heap on the floor.  

I hope that this inspires others to give it a go! 

Workplace Wellness

It's common knowledge that a healthy, happy workforce results in fewer sick days, increased productivity, increased staff resilience and morale and a better functioning business. 

We have been lucky enough to team up with Active Sussex's Workplace Challenge and recently taught a class for the awesome guys at The Student Room. The session reminded us that there is always time to switch off at work, clear some space and move, breathe, unwind and get some perspective.

As well as being great for individuals, wellness sessions give staff something to share helping with team cohesion. They are a reason not to run out of the door at 5.30 which can really boost a sense of enjoyment in the workplace. If you see it as a place to do something enjoyable it's no longer just associated with 'work' (although hopefully we all love our work!) 

Workplace wellbeing is a buzz word at the moment, and rightly so. A simple gesture from employers that they care about their staff  can greatly increase a sense of value. If we feel valued we want to honour that. It may not be possible to offer a pay rise to all staff every year, but a one hour session to improve their health and wellbeing is a small investment that shows an employer cares. 

In a survey carried out for Britain's Healthiest Companies 87% of the participants had a Vitality Health Age older than their actual age. That's a vast majority and something that really needs to be addressed! From high blood pressure to stress to postural issues, the workplace is proving to take it's toll on it's staff. However, according to the Stress Management Society, for every £1 spent on workplace wellness initiatives a company will see £3 return. Surely that's incentive for businesses if they're staff's health is not! 

We currently run regular sessions for the NHS South East Commissioning Unit and have delivered Wellbeing Days in schools, colleges and businesses across the county. For more information on how we can help your business just get in touch, or head over to our Corporate page. 

Where you look you go

I'm a firm believer that we create our reality in a sense that the things we focus on are the things that happen, whether we are focusing on what we do or don't want.

Where we send our gaze is where our attention goes.

On a workshop this weekend I learnt more about Drishti (the gazing point) in Ashtanga yoga and how each pose has a Drishti associated with it. When you practice following this your mind is not allowed to wander off around the room because it is following your gaze, focused on these set points.The movement of yoga becomes more meditative as your awareness turns inwards. Being reminded of this has led me on to think about our gaze in a broader sense. 

I recently returned from a surf trip to Portugal where my partner and I spent most of the time messing around in the waves near the surf schools (because it was too big for us out back!). The one thing we could continuously hear the instructors saying was 'you go where you look!'. I have been told this countless times when surfing. I've also told my yoga students this, especially when trying poses like Crow - you know that if you look down you'll fall on your face! The exact same words were repeated in the yoga studio during the workshop on the Drishti.

The significance with this in all aspects of our lives are huge. From a physical perspective, your body will move in the direction of your gaze. When practicing sport whether weight lifting or shooting a hoop, you keep your gaze up and on the target otherwise you will fall over or not know where to aim for. So how do we forget this fact in day to day life? 

It's taken me a long time to realise that the thoughts that occupy our minds are the ones that become the reality, because these are the thoughts we are living. I guess this is where mindfulness / meditation / focus can help you to clear your mind, but I think it requires real understanding in order to conquer the power of our attention. It also requires strength - dragging your awareness away from the things that scare you is hard as it is natural to keep your eye on the enemy! But as with all things in life, there has to be balance. 

On the flip side, being able to focus on what you do want and really, truly believe in it happening... maybe that's where the magic begins...?!!