Special Event - Morning Yoga on The Boundary Roof Terrace

Please join me for some awakening rooftop yoga and complimentary breakfast in Shoreditch this Friday morning!

More dates coming up on my Facebook page Yoga & Pilates with Adele.

Please check in on my teaching timetable from time to time as there will be some changes happening in the next few months.

The latest news being that I am now a Framette teaching yoga at Frame Shoreditch on Mondays 7.15am & 1pm and Wednesdays 7.15am.

I will also be covering yoga classes there on Tuesday 21 May 8am and Tuesday 28 May 8am as well as Thu 20 June 8am and then every Thu including 18 July.

Yes, it's all about (early) rising and shining these days – a lot easier this time of year for sure! And you can spend the rest of the day feeling a little smug that you've made the most of your waking hours.

Good To Know Yoga on Facebook and Twitter!

I'm sooo excited about this new joint venture with my friend, I must share:

Visit Good To Know Yoga on Facebook to find out more. Don't forget to like us! We're also on Twitter so follow us and get tweeting!

And here's our website: www.goodtoknowyoga.com  

Glorious beginnings AGAIN!

New class in Walthamstow Village!

The venue is walkable from Walthamstow Central tube station. And bus 48 goes up Hoe Street from Hackney.

San Francisco International airport gets a yoga room

San Francisco International has opened a yoga room for its passengers to enjoy free of charge. 

Director John Martin, a yoga practitioner of 18 years, got the idea from his customers and thanks to them there is now a chilled out space in which you can stretch and relax before a long flight.

Now they just need to get yoga studios on board airplanes. Or they could just give seats some more leg room...

The yoga studio is located at SFO's terminal 2, which serves American Airlines and Virgin.

Have you been to San Francisco International recently? Did you visit the studio? Tell me about it by leaving a comment below.

Upcoming pilates and yoga cover

Just wanted to let you know of some cover work I've got lined up in December and beginning of next year.

Pilates @ Sequinpark, Upper Street, N1

Mon 5 Dec 16.30-17.30
Mon 12 Dec 16.30-17.30
Mon 19 Dec 16.30-17.30

Yoga @ Highbury Pool, Highbury Crescent, N5

Sat 7 Jan 08.45-09.40 & 09.45-10.55
Sat 21 Jan 08.45-09.40 & 09.45-10.55
Sat 11 Feb 08.45-09.40 & 09.45-10.55
Sat 10 March 08.45-09.40 & 09.45-10.55
Sat 21 April 08.45-09.40 & 09.45-10.55

I look forward to seeing some familiar faces on the mats!

Back pain - Yoga versus conventional treatment

Did you know that 80% of us will suffer from back pain at some point in our lives?

The Guardian recently published an interesting article about a study that suggests yoga can work better than conventional methods in dealing with back pain. As if you needed a reason to get on your mat...

Here is the complete article

Looking back at sunnier times - Al fresco yoga

Autumn is definitely here so I thought you might enjoy looking at the photos I took during yoga in the park in August, just to help you remember that we did have a summer. Well, sort of...

 

     

Thought for the Day - Cultivate love towards the things you dislike

'Vitarka badhane pratipaksha bhavanam'

When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite [positive] ones

should be thought of. This is pratipaksha bhavana.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - 2.33

This quote comes from the second chapter of the Sutras - an important work on yoga philosophy and practice.

'Sutra' means thread and Patanjali's short statements certainly come across as fragmental when you read them. But the idea is to enrich these threads with interpretation, weaving them 'into a garland of pearls of wisdom' (Light on the Yoga Sutras by BKS Iyengar).

Several translations and interpretations have already been published by famous yoga teachers and they can differ a fair bit because there are disagreements on the exact translation of the original sanskrit wording. (By following the top link, you can see which version I am reading from.)

So, what Patanjali might be saying here is simply to cultivate love towards the things you dislike. Alright, so maybe it's not so simple to be loving towards that work colleague that always pushes your buttons, but that is the idea here.

On your yoga mat, you can cultivate love towards the asanas you are not very good at/can't do as they are probably the ones you dislike, and most likely the poses you need to work on. It is when we come up against these challenging poses that we tend to either apply (too much) force or give up (by making an excuse we can live with).

The next time you step onto your sticky mat, take a moment to analyse your pre-existing negative attitude towards a difficult asana, then try to better yourself as well as the pose.

Yoga Unveiled showing Sunday 17 April at Screen on the Green, Upper Street

If you have been practicing yoga for a while, I'm sure you have also become curious about the history of this rich, ancient spiritual tradition.

I get students asking me for advice on where to begin, what to read first etc.

I'd say the documentary Yoga Unveiled is a very good start that will give you a comprehensive overview as well as introduce you to some big names in yoga.

5000 years worth of history isn't particularly easy to sum up, but Yoga Unveiled does an excellent job in explaining yoga's beginnings, its many branches and how the tradition came to the West.

The 2-disc DVD runs 3 hours and 15 mins but Screen on the Green is showing a 2 hour abridged version, which will be followed by a Q&A with the film's director/producer, Gita Desai.

Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy this on the big screen in company of fellow (local) yogis and yoginis.

You can buy tickets here. And feel free to email me if you're coming so we can meet up before or after the screening, which runs from 10am til noon.

This event is organised by Yogamatters to celebrate their 15th birthday. Read what I have to say about the yoga shop.

See you there!

Yoga workshop Saturday 16 April in Stoke Newington

The 'Asana and Anatomy' workshop is back on popular demand!

Jane Bowyer and I are running this again since so many of you didn't get a place on the first one.

Here's the workshop info:

A workshop ideal for anyone who wishes to take their understanding of asana and their own body in asana further than what can be achieved in a normal yoga class setting.

Come and explore in depth some of the most common asanas taught in your regular class. It may be the poses you can take ‘on autopilot’ but lack a true understanding of, or it may be the asanas that still elude you but you don’t know why.

We will teach you the basic anatomical and mechanical functions of a pose to give you an idea of the building blocks that make each asana work. The emotional and spiritual significance of each pose will also be covered. Once you have this knowledge, you will know better how to approach and deepen a pose safely and with ease. You will also know when to hold back and the reasons why.

The emphasis is on learning in order to apply what you have learned immediately to your practice because, as Sri K Pattabhi Jois once said, “Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory”!

All levels welcome and catered for. Beginners need to have attended a minimum of five yoga classes prior to this workshop. Yoga mats, blocks and straps are provided.

About your teachers:

Jane Bowyer is a REPs Level 3 yoga teacher. She describes herself as a spiritual being with over 16 years of yoga practice. A teacher since 2004. Because she was never a naturally flexible person, she feels she is living proof that everyone can acquire supple body through yoga. Her influences are Sivananda, Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Yin yoga, Iyengar and Hatha.

Adèle Craciun is a REPs Level 3 yoga teacher, who began practicing 12 years ago to help her combat stressrelated illness. She has been teaching since 2007, finding solace and inspiration in many different yoga styles. She has a particular interest in anatomy and kinesiology. Adèle is also a REPs Level 3 Pilates Instructor.

Cost: £30 in advance
To book, email adele.craciun@gmail.com or jane.bowyer@gmail.com

Time: 15.30-18.30

Place: One Life Studio, 9-20 Barn Street, Stoke Newington, London N16 0JT

We look forward to hearing from you!

Silly Yoga Advert

It's late this sunny Sunday morning and I'm about to head out on my first outdoor run in... a while. But I've been sort of stuck on the internet.

Some of you may feel that aimlessly surfing the net is simply a way of putting off the slightly daunting task of a first run, which will only make me realise how much my cardio fitness has slipped.

But I'm sure you'll agree that it's when you're not supposed to be on the internet that you stumble upon the best (and most random) stuff. Here's what I found:

Right! Fav (but dusty) running shoes - check. iPod loaded with awesome tunes - check. Mobile phone and money for potential cab ride home - check.

Thought for the Day - Change

What a lovely farewell yoga session at King's Hall today!

I was very touched by all the kind words afterwards and feel blessed to have met so many beautiful people there. It's a privilege to have been a small part of each individual's yoga journey.

As many of the students are still adjusting to the idea that I'm no longer teaching on the Saturday, I wanted to remind them of the positive side to change and read out this anonymous quote:

"Change is something that we shouldn't fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they are meant to be."

Post-yoga Pogo Party 22 January

As some of you may already know, 22 January will be my last regular Saturday yoga lesson at King's Hall as the brilliant and lovely Ann Pidcock will be taking over thereafter and I can finally allow myself to have one day off in the week. Knowing me though, it will no doubt still be filled with yoga and pilates as I hope to attend more classes and workshops to benefit my personal practice but of course also my teaching and my students.

So, I thought we should have a little social to mark this occasion. Join me after class to celebrate or commiserate but, more importantly, eat a lot of cake at the vegan Pogo Café on Clarence Road.

Oh, and if you're not a student of the class, you are very welcome anyway to come mingle with like-minded yogis and yoginis!

Also want to let you know that this is not the end of my days at GLL. I am taking on a yoga class at Clissold LC from Monday 17 Jan (20.30-21.45), which will be a long stint of cover that finishes in April.

I have also been given the ok for a yoga class at King's Hall Mondays. Looks like it will be at 10.30am, but it has still not been decided whether it'll be a 60, 75 or 90 min session.

Keep checking in on the blog as I will update my teaching time table as soon as I know.

See you on and off the mat!

Yoga Workshop 29 January in Hoxton

A workshop ideal for anyone who wishes to take their understanding of asana and their own body in asana further than what can be achieved in a normal yoga class setting.

Come and explore in depth some of the most common asanas taught in your regular class. It may be the poses you can take ‘on autopilot’ but lack a true understanding of, or it may be the asanas that still elude you but you don’t know why.

We will teach you the basic anatomical and mechanical functions of a pose to give you an idea of the building blocks that make each asana work. The emotional and spiritual significance of each pose will also be covered. Once you have this knowledge, you will know better how to approach and deepen a pose safely and with ease. You will also know when to hold back and the reasons why.

The emphasis is on learning in order to apply what you have learned immediately to your practice because, as Sri K Pattabhi Jois once said, “Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory”!

All levels welcome and catered for. Beginners need to have attended a minimum of five yoga classes prior to this workshop. Yoga mats, blocks and straps are provided.

About your teachers:

Jane Bowyer is a REPs Level 3 yoga teacher. She describes herself as a spiritual being with over 16 years of yoga practice. A teacher since 2004. Because she was never a naturally flexible person, she feels she is living proof that everyone can acquire supple body through yoga. Her influences are Sivananda, Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Yin yoga, Iyengar and Hatha.

Adèle Craciun is a REPs Level 3 yoga teacher, who began practicing 12 years ago to help her combat stressrelated illness. She has been teaching since 2007, finding solace and inspiration in many different yoga styles. She has a particular interest in anatomy and kinesiology. Adèle is also a REPs Level 3 Pilates Instructor.

Cost: £30 in advance or £35 on the day
Contact: adele.craciun@gmail.com or jane.bowyer@gmail.com

Latin American Elderly Project - Chair Yoga without the chair!

I'm so proud, I just had to share this pic of my LAEP students at Claremont Project in Angel.

I've been teaching them chair-based yoga in Spanish for almost a year now and look how they've progressed - Virabhadrasana I without a chair. They do a mean Utkatasana too!

This was earlier today and the last lesson of the year. I hope the group can find new funding for the project cos I'd love to be part of their yoga journey a little longer. And to improve my appalling Spanish tambien!

Seven days for £7 at Sequinpark Women's Gym, Upper Street, N1

This is one of the friendliest gyms in town, and I'm not just saying that because I'm nice and happen to teach there!

But don't take my word for it, try it out! The gym is doing a special deal up until Monday 17 January - seven days membership for £7. That includes all classes, use of the gym and the steam room for that much-needed post work-out pamper. Bargain!

There's a special Christmas time table if you're itching to get going. Otherwise, I look forward to catching up with you in the New Year for Restorative Yoga (Wed 20.00-21.00) and Pilates (Fri 17.30-18.30).

See you on and off the mat!

Pop Up Yoga studio - a hidden gem on Upper Street, N1

On Wednesday, I was doing my usual pit-stop at Euphorium Bakery on Upper Street (after 8pm it's buy-one-get-one-free and their Muesli Bread is out of this world) when I noticed this sign literally next door:

I thought I'd try the place out the following night when I unexpectedly had a class cancellation, hence a night off - it's like the universe was sorting it all out for me!

The studio didn't look like much from the outside, but once I walked in and off the busy high street, I was met by the most welcoming and tranquil, candle-lit space, and by one of the teachers, Wendy:

She took me through a well-paced Hatha Yoga session (I mentioned I'd had a tough day in the office and was feeling stiff and tired) with just the right balance of work and relaxation. Wendy trained with TriYoga and is keen on precision and alignment and, as you know, so am I so it was just perfect.

Afterwards I felt utterly relaxed and ready for bed. I just could not believe that I was on my own in there - not enough people know about this fab little studio and I feel it's my obligation to spread the word.

Wendy and her business partner/fellow teacher Kerry have created a very elegant yet functional space, offering a generous timetable and you won't be packed into a massive room like sardines - this is a small place where the teacher has time to give your practice individual attention.

In case you're still looking for a reason to check it out, Pop Up Yoga are doing a special November deal of bring a friend for free - that makes it a measly £5 per class - so not only can you get a quality yoga session for an absolute bargain, you can buy artisan bread on the way out.

Enjoy this before it's gone - it ain't called pop-up for nothing - and tell your friends.

If you don't like it, I'll eat my mat!

Yoga in the Park goes indoors Sunday 7 November

It's time for another yoga session, courtesy of North London Yoga Meetup Group.

But as autumn has well and truly arrived, it makes practicing in the great outdoors a little more tricky since, even on a sunny day, the ground tends to be wet and cold.

So Meetup organiser Denyse has instead found us a marvellous indoor venue (very near the place where we did the outdoor sessions) - Christ Church Highbury - where we will do a 75 min practice followed by nibbles and chatting.

For those who might feel a bit intimidated by coming along on their own, thinking we're a bunch of cliquey Cirque du Soleil acrobats, have no fear. We have a healthy addiction to all things yoga and are a really friendly bunch of mixed ability yogis and yoginis.

See you Sunday 7 November at 2.15pm for a 2.30pm start.

Free tickets to the yoga show!

Moneysavingexpert.com has got 5000 free tickets to The Yoga Show to give away. I'm sure there's a catch - like you will be getting emails from third parties - but hey, nothing is completely for free...