Thought for the Day - People never forget how you made them feel

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Maya Angelou

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

New Pilates class in Stoke Newington

"A body freed from nervous tension and over-fatigue is the ideal shelter provided by nature for housing a well-balanced mind that is always fully capable of successfully meeting all of the complex problems of modern living."
                            Joseph Pilates

I won't be wearing just a pair of white knickers like Mr Pilates, but would still like to welcome you to One Life Studio in Stoke Newington where I will be teaching an all levels Pilates class starting Monday 3 October, 8.30-9.30pm..

The studio is small (only fits 10 people) so call ahead and book to avoid disappointment: 0207 249 4441. Please note that there is a £4 cancellation fee if you cancel on the day of the class.

Look forward to seeing you there!

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...

 

     

Yoga in the great outdoors Saturday 13 August

After last summer's outdoor yoga adventures, I thought I'd do a repeat this year and host a yoga class in a London park. For you. For free. For the love of it.

I'll be joined by fellow teacher friend Alina, which means you'll get double the attention as we'll take turns to teach and to go around and assist participants.

Expect a nicely paced hatha yoga class, alongside like-minded yogis and yoginis, not to mention all that space to breathe!

Give yourself some extra time after the session when we turn our mats into picnic blankets! Just bring along some nibbles and drinks.

This event will take place as long as it is not raining. Please check the weather beforehand and dress appropriately.

Day: Saturday 13 August

Time: 2pm start

Place: Rosemary Gardens, N1

Bring: yoga mat (alt. blanket or large towel), water, snacks

To do: email adele.craciun@gmail.com to let us know you're attending and, obviously, spread the word!

Come along and feel the wind in your hair in Warrior, the sun on your back in Down Dog and the freedom of movement in the great outdoors.

Join us. For the love of it.

Students practice entirely at their own risk. If unsure, ask your GP for advice and let your teacher know on the day of any medical conditions (including pregnancy) or injuries before you participate.

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.