Category: Yoga Blog

1. What Happens in a Yoga Class

   Posted on 8:24pm Saturday 5th Mar 2016

   At this very moment in time there will be loads of people thinking of attending a yoga class and for a 101 reasons. Their doctor might have told them to find some healthy activity that's not too taxing; they may have read about how yoga can make them feel more toned and flexible; they may be ready to try something new; they may have a health condition they believe yoga can help with or they may simply feel stressed out or full of anxiety from over work or family pressures and crave some "me time".

   Obstacles to Attending a Yoga Class

   Some pluck up the courage to book a class and throw themselves into the experience but some hold back not knowing what to expect or cry out "I'm not flexible enough to do yoga!" Well here's news for the latter, you dont have to flexible to start yoga and that can be a reason for taking up classes. In fact very few who start yoga are flexible and , even if you never feel that flexible which you probably will, it doesn't matter because there are many bye products on the yoga journey that can often be more beneficial than mere flexibility.

   What to expect at your first class

   For those who don't know what to expect here's a suggestion: ring up the studio, ask to speak to the teacher and ask him/her exactly what to expect if you attend one of their classes. What you want to hear apart from time, place, cost and what to wear etc is what happens at the start of the class, throughout the class and at the end. How much effort will you be expected to put in. You may want to know if the teacher delivers a style that could run you ragged or just gently challenge you. If they give you information using unpronouncable words ask them what they mean! Will you get the chance to stretch yourself even if only a little and will you have the chance to cultivate your powers of relaxation. Are there beginners classes and how are they different? What other yoga styles are available? In fact ask what ever you want so you get a good idea of what your experience is likely to be well before you attend.

   Yoga and Exercise

   It's important to remember that while yoga can tone, flex and strengthen you it is not like other exercise. In fact one of the chief benefits of yoga is in its subtle elements of cultivating a sense of physical and mental awareness,  greater awareness and uses of the breath and  calming of the mind. One of the great things about yoga is that it is not really about personal development atall such as learning a foreign language or landscape painting. I'm not saying that these are not useful ways of improving your life. It's just that yoga is not really about this kind of improvement. Yoga is more of a journey of self discovery. Becoming more physically, emotionally and mentally aware with a view to balancing and harmonizing the quality of those three things to bring you a greater sense of well being often without you noticing it until it just actually happens.

   Do I need to meditate

   This is a common question of beginner yogis and the answer is probably no.Even though the great sage Patanjali who wrote the Yoga Sutras around 2,500 years ago, providing us with a great framework upon which to base our practice, and claimed the aim of yoga was to calm the disturbing patterns of the human mind ultimately using meditation, practitioners can achieve a whole lot of calmness and awareness without even getting to the meditation stage. They can do it by simply practising asana (postures), breathing and calming techniques and they will achieve a lot through the "back door of yoga".

   So in conclusion give yoga a try. Not if it's just your latest fad at getting fit and personally developing. Something that might see you through the summer. But do it if you want to take up an amazing journey of self enquiry that will transform the way you feel, the way you think and the way you understand your body. Do it if you want to be more open and peaceful. You may discover that yoga is not just for a season but can be a way of life. Finally, let me finish this with a brief anecdote: a middle aged NHS matron from a large training hospital once told me she took up yoga because for years working on hospital wings she came to notice that people who practiced yoga on a regular basis coped better with illness and recovered more quickly. That realisation inspired her to take up yoga as a way of life and inspired me to continue with my practice.

    

   Barry Todd (HathaYogaMan)

    

    

2. Chester retreat pics.

   Posted on 12:49am Friday 22nd May 2015

   Some comments:

   I had the most amazing time (as did everyone I'm sure) 

   Great company ,lovely activities ,food was fab , wonderful location ,the weekend will definately stay with me for a long time 

   Thank you to both of you for organising it and all your hard work to make it a success (Yvonne)

   Ooh my room was perfect...clean warm quiet etc. (Michelle)

   Had a great chill out time with lovely  location and food. lots of varied activities that you could dip in and out of. Practi ing yoga/meditation outside in the lovely grounds was such a bonus.... Loved it (Colette)

   It was a truly fabulous weekend and throughly enjoyable.

   Everyone was so warm and friendly

   The surroundings were beautiful and the staff were very friendly and helpful. (Debbie)

    

   I really enjoyed the retreat, thank you for all the effort you put in. It is a lovely venue and I would like to go there again,  The outdoor yoga was really special and the effects of the nidra are still unfolding. And of course I've got my life all buttoned up now! The only thing that would have improved the experience for me would be an extra night.(Anne)

    

   I absolutely loved it and thank you both massively for all the thought, planning and hard work that went into the preparation and execution! (Louise)

3. Celebration as the yoga students of 2014/15 get their certificates

   Posted on 6:11pm Sunday 1st Mar 2015

   It was an emotional Sunday as tears were shed at the end of the course that for 12 months had become a part of monthly life.  It was great to see new opportunities unfolding or on the horizon for each teacher and interesting to see how individualised their aspirations were.

   Barry talked about each student and their journey on the course highlighting their individual strengths and unique aspects that they were bringing to their teaching and tears were in evidence.

   All agreed that they had not only beome great yoga teachers but had also gone through a process of personal development and felt significantly different from when the started the course.

   The surprise was then turned on Barry as he was given a gift from the group that was verrrry well wrapped.

   Certificated were presented then everyone was given a ganesha ornament and script to commemorate their success and that might be a permentant reminder of their success.  here are the pics:

   The calm before the storm

   

   Getting tucked in.

   

   Barry's summing up brings an odd little trickle

   

   

   presenting the certificates

   

   

   

4. Teaching Yoga: Navigating an Experience

   Posted on 11:44am Tuesday 26th Aug 2014

   

   Taking advantage of the sunshine with a bit of theory outside.

   When yoga teacher trainees start to teach their peer groups they often become nervous that they will fail to get it right. They want to teach a correct flow or sequence; they want to give the correct instructions; they want to teach with the right balance of tone and volume; they want to impart just the right amount of information; they want to teach within the timeframe they have set for themselves and above all they want to teach each asana safely. When cultivating their teaching style they naturally want to get all these things right and above all do it without their students necessarily noticing that they are doing it. This is because most people dont really have these things in mind when they book a class.

   While people who attend a yoga class unconsciously want knowledge, good instruction and even inspiration from their teachers, when they book a class they are really booking an experience. Most students don't want to think too much when they are in a yoga class rather they want to be conducted or navigated through a pleasant experience leaving them feeling calm, relaxed, invigorated, energized or all of these things. They want to walk out of that yoga room feeling more in tune and harmony with their physical, mental and emotional bodies that they did when they walked in.

   When trainees are learning to teach yoga and they are faced with this task they are daunted and think they will never get it.

   They discover that learning the methodology and techniqes mentioned above can be challenging and nerves and lack of confidence kick in.

   It is at this time that trainees do well to remember that at least half the skill in teaching others is gained from their own deepening practice. When trainees are submerged and absorbed into their own deep asana and pranayama practice they know they can have a very profound experience and it is this experience that they can translate on to their students in their teaching.

   It was fascinating how it came out this month during the training weekend at the Mind and Body Studio.

   This particular weekend had to be reduced to one day for various reasons and most of that day was devoted to trainees teaching a flow of some 45-50 minutes to their peer group. They all delivered a flow that they had been working on themselves for a few weeks choosing asanas for whatever personal reasons they had that month.

   I had made a particular point of mentioning last month their lack of reference to safety in their flows and this was picked up by all students who did well to incorporate safety into their instructions often deftly icluded thus keeping their flows running smoothly.

   The timing was good and while there were some things that could be improved upon with experience such as tripping over their words in instruction occasionally; showing a little nervousness; inaccuracies with breath instruction; a little unfriendly at times with tone and communication or monotone; too shorter closing relaxation etc what was beginning to shine through was a hint of them teaching from the growing depth of their own practice. They were beginning to give their peer group a better experience than in pevious months. Even the most nervous of out trainees despite some shakiness and the occasional tremble in the voice demostrated detail of instruction that was almost inspiring and in defiance of her nerves.

   Another whose playful and laid back personality may sometimes be interpreted as flippant used that playfullness to inspire her flow to full advantage making it an entertaining experience.

   Yet another gave us a well orchestrated energizing flow that left us feeling strong and invigorated with almost perfect timing on instruction handled well in that she kept up the dialogue while demonstrating a collection of often respiratory challenging asanas.

   Another student took us through a well sequenced flow that led us perfectly to an appropriate conclusion and even provided interesting asana variations and modefications some of which were new to me.

   What this also demonstrated was that each students own personality and style was beginning to peep through into their teaching

   Part of the philosophy of the Teacher Training at the Mind and Body Studio in Bury is to teach from ones own deepening learning and practice and students on the course are beginning to reveal this skill half way through the course.

   Any yoga teacher trainee graduate worth their salt does not want to merely call off postures to a class of students. All yoga teachers need technique knowledge and methodology; a sense of safety; good communication and instructional skills and empathy with student learning but their strength in teaching will more than likely come form the depths of their own deepening learning and practice that can then translate a more profound experience to their students.

   Barry Todd (HathaYogaMan)

5. A week at Mind and Body Yoga Studio

   Posted on 12:17pm Sunday 17th Aug 2014

   

   It's been an interesting week at the Mind and Body Yoga Studio in Bury with a lot of contrast and interaction in classes.

   The studio starts off the week with a Yin Yoga class on Monday evening at 7.30pm and this week the "quiet practice" was more repeated postures with shorter duration stretch. This is a contrast to Fiday's Yin and the repeated short duration theme can be very anatomically nourishing in that you get to more of the body and the stretches are briefer albeit just as satisfying.

   Many student new to Yin appreciate this kind of flow as it introduces them to Yin in a more gentle way. Long stretches are not necessarily just for "intermediate" or more experienced students but some Yin novices can sometimes throw themselsves into yin with more gusto than is needed and this can end up making them tired nd over challenged - it's a good way of discovering that Yin Yoga is not a restorative style despite its potential to be releasing and closing down and hence relaxing.

   Tuesday evening saw the Gentle Hatha class indulging in a soothing and relaxing flow using a collection of postures that could have been energizing if practiced more intently but in this flow we sank more into the poses and tried and absorb ourselves into them. It usually ends up with everyone feeling well nourished and having an experience that is a great prelude to a good nights sleep!

   Wednesdays Beginners Group is a very popular class at the moment and I spend a lot of the time working with the group  on classic yoga postures so they can grow with them as their practice evolves. We always include some elements of Wartrior Postures and The Salutations to the Sun and variations of these forms of pose as they are a great all round practice. The session is more instructional for obvious reasons and we exploded some of the poses in the Salutations this week especially the transition from Down Dog to Chatarunga and Down Dog to Lunge. Both of these can be challenging and sometimes disheartening when students struggle. The key to progress is not simply doing more Salutations but working with the body in a well rounded practice to open the hips and improve flexibility of the hip flexors and back muscles.

   Thursday's Remedial Yoga Group at 2pm is now in its 4th week. I originally set this up because there were several students on classes with health and anatomocal challenges that seemed to call for a more considered class. The conditions are varied from scoliosis to fibromyalgia but the flows we adopt attempt to accommodate everyone and it seems to be working well.

   This week we spent some time on quality breathing which is of benefit to everyone what ever their condition. If you think your breathing is erratic and ouit of step with your posturing it's sometimes a good idea to spend a little time each day quietly watching your ordinary passive breath without trying to control it. This as it suggests is passive and sometime students think it boring but with practice you come to realize that it can be quite rewarding. You quieten your mind and get to know a lot about your breathing! Having said that another way to improve your breathing capability is to cultivate synchronizing your breath with some simple yoga poses - I am a firm believer that breath with movement teaches you a lot about good breathing.

   The Thursday evening Energizing Class at 7.30 was a bit different this week. Usually, we get a bit warm in this class with some energizing flow work - we work a bit harder but don't run ourselves ragged and always finish with relaxation! - this week we looked at energy differently, by working with a progressive backbending flow to open us up more both physically and mentally. A good hour of careful backbending can leave you feeling physically and mentally stimulated and can even lift your confidence.

   I always think that every yoga pose has a psycholoical as well as a physical component to it. If you are hyper and stressed the closing down benefits of forward bends can help close this feeling down remarkably while if you are too "closed" and retiring and even a bit depressed a series of back bending can open you to the world and lift your spirits. It worked well on Thursday Night!

   Finally, on Friday we finished the week with a Chill Out Yin Yoga class at 6.30 as usual - this spot on Friday's has been running for over a decade now at the Mind and Body Studio and we will be running a Yin Workshop 10.30 till 5pm on Saturday the 4th of October with a buffet lunch in the Zen Veggie Cafe on the ground floor after popular demand.

   On Friday we added some elements to the Yin Flow that included the upper body and upper spine that can sometimes be left out in Yin as the style focuses mainly on that part of the anatomy between the knees and the chest and while the extremities of the hands, arms, lower legs and feet are mindfully protected they are not regarded as so important. This sounds uncaring but this is not really a true conclusion to take as all skeleton is important in Yin and as the style has evolved it allows for the inclusion of all the body parts.

   So we practiced some seated forward bends with Gomukasana and Garundasana Arms and this can feel truly wonderful. We also added the Hatha Puppy Dog Pose sometimes called Salaam Pose and this is great for stimulating the thoracic spine.

   So ends the round up of yoga classes at the Mind and Body Studio in Bury for another week.

    

   Namaste and Best Wishes

    

   Barry Todd

    

6. Yoga Inside Outside

   Posted on 5:24pm Friday 4th Jul 2014

   A lot of the yoga we practice in the West is associated with "asana classes" or classes for posturing and this makes it all too easy to slip into the belief that yoga is really a physical thing. On further nvestiagtion we then come to see that yoga is really about the mind and that asana practice is really working with the minds outer reaches or outer cicuitry. In other words the body is quite tuned into the mind and visa versa whether we like it or not. So even if we only spend time working with the body in asana and breathing we will still influence the mind.

   What's amazing is that most postures or asanas while they have a physical form and feeling are almost certain to have a psychological component to them. So for example if you fold or bend forward you are more than likely to close down psychologically and emotionally Alternately, if you practice a string of backbends for a while you are more likely to feel open and energized.

   One of the most neglected groups of yoga asanas are those aimed at core strength largely because they sound like hard work! To be fair they can sometimes feel like hard work if we over do them. Like all asanas however, we would do better to approach them with the same mind set that we apply to all asana. They still need to feel comfortable, almost as comfortable as sitting down.

   Core strength asanas are worth cultivating for a number of reasons.

   If you believe you have strong arms you may think that core strength can be put off but in reality even if your arms are strong a weak core can let you down. A strong and tomed core can act as a useful lever or support mechanism for the upper and lower body. In other words it is a great help when manoeuvring the upper body or the legs. This is bourne out when we look at the two most simple core strength poses: Simple Sit Ups (the core lifting the upper body) and Simple Leg Lifts (core lifts legs). If you practcie these the condition of your core will improve.

   Furthermore, as we have said above there is a psychological component to most asana and a strong core is no exception. When you are stonger on the inside you are stronger on the outside. Your psych and personality is likely to be stronger at the surface because you are stronger inside.

   What's amazing though is that simply crunching the gut will not necessarily lead to this outcome. There is a need to work psychosomatically. Releasing and absorbing into core asanas as you would with any other. Cultivating this by evolving to core asana with a greater degree of difficulty can make that all important psycholgical link - albeit you may require a teachers guidance with this. We can allow the experience of deep sensitivity that focused asana brings to translate psychosomatically into the deeper recesses of the mind. This can often only be experienced with prolonged meaningful practice. Core asanas in particular can bring a deeper sense of absorption as to maintain them we are required to bring together additional mental focus and physical strength.

   It is hardly surprising that this area of the anatomy sits with the Third Chakra behind the navel. This is the Chakra that is associated with power, individualism, energy, fearlessness, confidence, strength of will and intution.

   Never Give Up and Always Let Go!

   Barry Todd (HathaYogaMan)