The ‘flexible ribbon’ – and the power of visualisation
The spine model in the Harrogate Yoga studio is currently adorned with pink tape – all along and around the front surfaces of the vertebral bodies. The pink tape represents the ALL (Anterior Longitudinal Ligament) – an important mid-line structure in the body. There are fo
February 04, 2018
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Hypermobility help – through body awareness and movement patterns
“Good alignment involves a dynamic organisation of the body that facilitates the conduit of force through the body and beyond.” Wise words from Donna Farhi. However for the hypermobile yoga practitioner, good alignment may be difficult to achieve. Hypermobile joints are a common
Knees – to lock or not to lock?
“Pull up your knee caps and thighs” my Astanga Vinyasa teacher used to say repeatedly, back in the 1990s. I dutifully did as I was told – and more. The effect in my case, was hyperextension of the knees – the very scenario the instruction was intended to preven
Slow…Slow…Quick Quick Slow..
‘This may look like a heap of bodies on the floor‘ – was how I began a post on Facebook about the first day of Yogacampus Teaching Training York. In fact we were acting out Autonomic Nervous System responses to gain some experiential understanding. The scenario for &
Yoga Blues – what to do when your practice becomes mechanical
“I feel I don’t need to do regular self-practice at the moment” a student was telling me recently. “I think I try to stay mindful and follow my breathing as much as I can. I try to be attuned to what’s going on. I do massively believe in Thich Nhat Hanh&#
May 09, 2017
The Inchworm Story – movement antics at Harrogate Yoga
The Inchworm Story – movement antics at Harrogate Yoga Is that an apple stalk on my kitchen floor I wondered? Or could it be ….ALIVE? I slid some kitchen paper under the ‘apple stalk’ and placed it on my kitchen table for a closer inspection. I gave it a little poke – this
March 22, 2017
Friendship
‘To make someone else happy, you have to understand that person’s needs, suffering, and desires and not assume you know what will make them happy.’ A few weeks ago I read these words by Thich Nhat Hanh to my students. The quote is part of a longer piece on friendship – sh
June 06, 2016
Is yoga an easy route to mindfulness?
Mindfulness seems to be a buzzword at the moment. The internet is awash with information on mindfulness and hardly a week goes by without a newspaper or magazine article on its benefits. I am bemused by the way it is often presented as a quick fix, cure-all technique. My own experienc
January 28, 2016
How to give the best hugs
Did you know that there’s an art to hugging? Some people have the ‘hugging art’ naturally. Everyone can learn skills to hug better. My first tip is that aiming to give a hug is a much more successful approach than aiming to receive one. ‘Success’ will ari
Moving Body – Quiet Mind
“Lie down on your mat and begin to check in with your breathing…” is a common instruction at the start of a yoga class but does this work for everyone? Many years ago I had a private student who would invariably arrive for class in a hyperactive, agitated state. I soon learned t
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