Have a Hatha New Year!
/Dear Yogis.
Happy New Year! How’s it going? Are you doing Dry January or Veganury? Or another resolution. Something I learnt back when I was training to be a personal trainer was that goals should be SMART! It stands for; specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. I’ve signed up for my teacher, Valentina’s, Pure Nutrition Challenge. Honest-to-goodness, I find it easier if someone else does the SMART for me! She also has weight-loss plans if you fancy having a go.
My New Year Resolutions tend to come in the form of courses and classes. I did a meditation session with Carolyn Cowan over the Christmas period and, as a result, signed up for her 6 weeks of 6am Cores – to build core strength - which starts on February 15th. What’s not to like! Join me!
I thought, for a new year treat, we could take a class outing! The British Museum has an online exhibition of Tantra. Enlightenment to Revolution. I attended a lecture yesterday linked to this exhibition called Hatha Yoga and its links to Tantra. If you’re interested in yoga history, it’s a nice way to spend an hour. The exhibition is about the revolution that Tantra caused in Indian culture, transforming religious tradition and political direction… and has some nice pictures! Because I like handing over SMART responsibility, here’s a tour of the exhibition by the curator! (scroll down!) I had never heard of Tantric Buddhism. I didn’t realise that when Chakras originated they were something to visualise and not part of the body. I didn’t know that the Raja Yogis ruled monasteries and functioned like kings, even collecting taxes. Yes… there’s erotic stuff too!!! Sting is not in the exhibition! Mick Jagger is.
Zoom Classes
Well, that was a pretty good two weeks of yoga over the Christmas and New Year period. We only stopped for Christmas Day. Yogis insisted on a New Year’s Day class. Some corporates carried straight on through. I’m so impressed and happy. Don’t forget the 4.30 class today. You can book classes here.
Magical Kapsali Yoga Retreat
Fancy planning a yoga retreat for next September? Will we all be vaccinated by then? Can I only take octogenarians? Won’t we need a treat by September? Pop me a line! I think all we can do at the moment is Save The Date! If you don’t fancy a full yoga retreat, you can do a half yoga retreat and enjoy trekking or diving. There’s plenty to do on the small island of Kythera.
Yoga in the news
The Independent has: Meditation at home: Everything you need for mindful reflection in 2021. It’s not just about how much you should spend to start a successful meditation practice! It’s interesting to see the countless apps to help and the range of meditation offerings: ‘from beginners’ flows to sessions focused on self-love, better relationships and conquering addictions’. Portal has a sleep app. In fact, this article covers everything but meditation stools or cushions!
HELLO! has: 11 mindfulness and yoga tips for children to help during lockdown. If you want to be a yoga teacher to your young kids, this article has the postures and the meditation guide!
