JANUARY 2017 - 4.

50

21 PAGE SPECIAL REPORT

HOME YOGA
Create the perfect home practice
RELEASE YOUR
INNER CHILD
why we should all
embrace Child Pose
Starting over
re-write YOGA
your story REFRESH
in 2017 12 pos
kickstartes to
new yeayrour

ROCK & SOUL

music to ignite your practice
Gong
for good
healing
sounds that
transform

OM Meets Julie Montagu

Vegan! Never! Oh, hang on.
Teacher zone the way of Santosa
Nutrition zone detox for life
 Restore your
inner glow

With incredible organic

herbal teas and supplements
Discover more at pukkaherbs.com
 Welcome
OM Magazine
Issue 68, January 2017
Published by: Prime Impact, Park House,
The Business Centre
Earls Colne Business Park Welcome to our January issue. This is the
Earls Colne, Colchester opening chapter of a perfectly brilliant new year
Essex. CO6 2NS and one that we hope to share with you every
Tel: 44 (0) 1787 224040 step of the way. Stick with us, folks, and lets
Fax: 44 (0) 1787 223535
rock this 2017 thing together.
e: info@primeimpact.co.uk
ommagazine.com Whatever your plans, keep it all going with
regular yoga. Its the best way to keep things
Chief Editor: Martin D. Clark on track when life throws you a few tricky curve
e: martin@ommagazine.com
balls. If youve got big plans this year, then yoga
Designer: Tom Sanderson and meditation will help see you through it, like
e: tom@primeimpact.co.uk good buddies or companions on a lonely trail.
Art Director: Emily Saunders And for all you executive stress heads out there, youll never regret an
e: emily@primeimpact.co.uk hour (or even two minutes) on the mat no matter how busy you get. Just
when you think you dont have time for a bit of relaxation or exercise,
Advertising Manager: Sara Stant 44 (0) 1787 224040
e: sara@ommagazine.com that really is when you need it the most.
To help out, weve compiled a guide to starting and maintaining a
Subscriptions and Hannah Allen 44 (0) 1787 224040 home yoga practice (page 55) filled with tips and advice from experts on
Back Issues: e: hannah.allen@primeimpact.co.uk
how to make this beautiful practice a standard feature of your life. You
Promotions and Blogger Jane Lambert 44 (0) 1787 224040 dont need to go to an expensive studio, or buy lots of kit, its free and
Community Manager: e: promotions@primeimpact.co.uk available on demand in your living room right now.
Marketing/Press: Hannah Irons 44 (0) 1787 224040 Weve also got a guide to creating the life of your dreams in 2017
e: hannah@ommagazine.com (page 92). With simple psychology tips on creating good habits and
breaking old ones, like taking responsibility for how you live and eat
Publishing Director: Keith Coomber
e: keith@primeimpact.co.uk day-to-day, ending addictive behaviours and even delving into yoga
teacher training this is the place for people who really want go for it
Managing Director: Julie Saunders
big time this year.
e: julie@primeimpact.co.uk
Oh, and youll also find plenty of other great things this month too,
Licensing: Bruce Sawford 44 (0) 1280 860185 including our own anatomy academy, 360 Yoga (page 38), plus lots of
e: Bruce@BruceSawfordLicensing.com
inspirational people with some amazing stories to tell. Remember, its
Accounts: Yolande Arnold 44 (0) 1787 224040 not just about doing yoga its about living yoga.
e: accounts@primeimpact.co.uk Its a new year and a new start for us as well. Weve got a few plans
COVER: Randalle Love (facebook.com/ of our own shaping up and youll get to hear about those soon. Dont
studioloveyoga) photographed for the cover
forget there are three OM Yoga Shows taking place in 2017 (Glasgow,
of OM Yoga and Lifestyle magazine by
Manchester and London) as well, so theres a chance to meet the OM
team throughout the year. Come along and share your yoga story
Ashley Brooks (ashleybrooks.photography)
with us.
The Publisher accepts no responsibility in respect of advertisements appearing
in the magazine and the opinions expressed in editorial material or otherwise do From all of us here at OM HQ we hope that this is the beginning of
not neccessarily represent the views of the Publisher. The Publisher cannot accept your best yoga year ever. Big love to you all, you amazing people.
liability for any loss arising from the later appearance or non publication of any
advertisement. Information about products and services featured within the editorial
content does not imply an endorsement by OM Magazine. OM Magazine is not
intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment
of a doctor, qualified therapist, nutritionist or dietician. Always consult your doctor facebook.com/ommagazine
before undertaking any exercise programme.

Every effort is made to ensure that all advertising is derived from reputable sources. twitter.com/omyogamagazine
OM Magazine cannot, however, accept responsibility for transactions between
readers and advertisers.
 OM in 30 seconds
Cobra Pose is a back bend that
allows us to create more movement
in our thoracic spine while
strengthening our lumbar spine.
360 Yoga (Page 38)
I have always preferred to practice
on my own than to attend a class. I
am freer to experiment, to move at
my own pace and to really feel what
I need mentally and physically on a
day-to-day basis. Dan Peppiatt
Finding Your Flow (Page 51)
Imagine a world where anything
is possible. For children, that
world already exists, so lets
meet them there.
Let your imagination soar
(Page 110)
Contributors
Gilda Giannoni
Yoga therapy expert, Gilda has been practicing yoga since 1992
and teaching since 1999. She founded her school YogaMarga
(yogamarga.it) in Verona, Italy in 2005 and since then she has
been working on several teacher training courses, conferences
and seminars all over Italy. Her first book, Yoga, dallArmonia
alla Gioia was published in Italy in 2012 and in Spain in 2016.
She has released two more books about yoga and sexuality
(2015) and anxiety and depression (2016).
Jo De Rosa
With over 15 years of yoga teaching experience, Jo now
runs one of the UKs most magical retreat centres based
in Lavenham, Suffolk (innerguidance.co.uk). She is also the
founder of Quantum Sobriety. This revolutionary addiction
programme gives you permission to drop the story and create
a new reality as if youd never been addicted; something Jo
explores further in her article this month. Find out more at:
quantumsobriety.com
Chantal Di Donato
A yoga teacher, author, holistic health coach and plant-based

This months competition nutrition and diet advisor, Chantal graduated from the Institute
for Integrative Nutrition, New York, and Aditya Yoga School.

& subscription She is currently studying biomedicine in London. Her journey

began 18 years ago after a battle with anorexia and a 16-year
destructive relationship with food. Now a healthy vegan, food
activist, speaker and author, her new book, Innocently Sweet,
a heathy plant-based guilt-free recipe book is out now. Find out
more at: liveleanhealth.com

Competition
Win a place on
Regular contributors:
the RainbowLight Siri Arti; Conscious Parenting
Yoga Teacher Claudia Brown; My Yoga Biz
Training in France Paula Hines; Teachers Tales
(worth 2,700) Meg Jackson; Real Life Yoga
Victoria Jackson; OM Lite
See page 82 Jill Lawson; Meditation Of The Month
Deb Mac; Whats Your Affirmation
Andrew McGonigle; 360 with Doctor Yogi
Sarah Swindlehurst; Yoga Therapy
Charlotte Watts; De-stress: Yoga Off The Mat

Subscription Julia White; Yoga & Aromatherapy

SUBSCRIBE TODAY
and save over 35%
WORDS OF WIDSOM
Receive 12 issues (1 year) Take the first step in faith. You dont
for 36 instead of 54. have to see the whole staircase, just
See page 32 take the first step.
Martin Luther King, Jr
4
ARE YOU A YOGA TEACHER
OR A CORPORATE BODY?

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A STUDIO TO

OFFER TRAINING OR WORKSHOPS?

WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU,

COME AND VISIT US!
A PURPOSE BUILT YOGA CENTRE WITH ALL THE FACILITIES:
3 STUDIOS CAF CHANGING ROOMS LOCKERS SHOWERS EASY ACCESS

We are a piece of heaven built in Crewe,

Cheshire and our genuine purpose is to
share the message of yoga as a lifestyle.
Our space is ready for your use, please
feel free to discuss your ideas with us!

www.ministryofyoga.org T: 01270 256633

 January 2017

OM Regulars
3 Editors Letter
8 My Secret Place
10 Letters
12 Yoga Changed My Life
14 The Office Of The Future
15 Whats Your Affirmation
16 Night At The Musi-Om
17 Yoga & Aromatherapy:
18 Amazing Spaces
Contents
OM FM
51 Finding Your Flow: Meet Dan Peppiatt
54 Man On The Mat: Revolved Half Moon
Cover
Story SPECIAL Home Yoga
56 No Place Like Home: The Best Way To
Start Is Just To Start
58 Live Show: 5 reasons why you should join
a live yoga class
Clary Sage
60 Starting A Home Yoga Practice: 10
Tips For Beginners

20 OM Loves: Beautiful Things 62 The Best Intentions: Dont

For Beautiful People Underestimate The Power Of Intention

22 Fashion: Become One With The Planet
26 Planet Yoga
121 OM Books: Great Yoga Reads
122 Yoga Is For Every Body: Your Photos.
Your Community
130 OM Lite: Happy New Year
64 Yoga 24/7: The Best Online Yoga Sites
66 Mats Entertainment: Yoga Mats For
Your Home
68 Home Delivery: Bring The Yoga Teacher
To You
70 Secrets To Making A Home Practice
Space: Home Studio Advice

OM Body OM Mind
Cover
Story 30 Yoga At Home: Yoga Refresh
80 Meditation Of The Month: Love &
Cover
Story 34 OM MeetsJulie Montagu Kindness
Cover
38 360 Yoga: OMs Anatomy Academy Story 84 Release Your Inner Child: Embracing
Childs Pose
40 Bending & Burping: Yoga Moves To
Aid Digestion
Cover
Story 44 Rock & Soul: Making Yoga More Fun OM Spirit
With Music Cover
Story 86 Gong For Good: The Transformational
48 Yoga Therapy: Neuropathic Pain Healing Of Gongs

90 One Minute Of Calm: Enjoy A

Silent Moment

6
 See page 76

100 22 travel guide

2017

Cover
Story SPECIAL Starting Over
92 Starting Over: Re-Write Your Story in 2017

94 Ditch Your Old Story: Break Free From

Addictive Patterns

96 A Life Less Ordinary: Choosing A

Yoga Career

34
98 Taking Responsibility: A Daring New
Paradigm For Health

OM Living

112
Cover
Story 100 Eat Drink Yoga: Healthy Eating Goodies
102 Vegan! Never! Oh, Hang On

44
Cover
Story 106 Nutrition Zone: Detox For Life

OM Family
110 Conscious Parenting: Let Your
Imagination Soar

OM Actions
112 Breathe, Just Breathe: Michle Barocchis
Courageous Journey

OM Teacher Zone
116 My Yoga Biz: Tips From The Experts
Cover
Story 118 The Way Of Santosa: Facing Loneliness
With Contentment

120 Teachers Tales: No Comfort Zone

OM Travel

126 124 OM Travel News: Awe Inspiring Retreats &

Ideas For Yoga Explorers

126 Arctic Yoga: Swedish Lapland Retreats

7
 om beginnings

My secret
place
Location Oregon, U.S.A
Yogi Heather Fenske
Photo Tom Fenske
The photo shows yoga practitioner Heather
Fenske balancing in the wilderness of Oregon,
the state where she grew up. It remains an
important space for her, especially in the woods
or mountains. Climbing barefoot through the
moss and finding a place to balance makes
practicing interesting and adds challenges
you dont face in the studio, she says. It adds
adventure for the photographer as well, in this
case her father, Tom, who has to coordinate the
yoga pose with the many elements of a well-
balanced landscape image. It is a combination
that gives artists of different mediums a chance
for collaboration and exploration.

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N@maste Love OM magazine and want to tell

the world? Heres your chance

Life changing
I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed reading OM What you said about
magazine. I had long thought about getting a magazine on us on social media
yoga and then stumbled across OM one day. Ever since then Ive been
scanning and searching my local shops to find the next issue in the hope Post gym morning tea
that it would be there! It is the first time Ive bought it and it has helped break! Snowboards and
me in so many ways. I am a busy school teacher and find OM and your sun salutations, my kind of
articles interesting and insightful, helping me to stay grounded and centred combo... #yoga
throughout the week and to manage stress levels effectively. I often @omyogamagazine
dont have time to get to a class so using your Yoga@Home sequence #lecruset #teacup #slippers
(Embodying The Warrior, Issue 66, November 2016) has enabled me to @katiesilvs
practice at home using my past experience and widening my practice. I
never thought a magazine could have such a life changing effect on me. So
thank you!
Michelle, by email Just me, bump
& the bear on this
Ethical beauty birthday morning... tea
My OM magazine (Issue 67, December 2016) arrived this in hand, yoga mag and
morning and Im really pleased with it. Thank you! Its a great a cozy duvet
magazine with great content. I really enjoyed the ethical beauty report. @breatheyogach
Lindsey, by email

Happy new year to you

I wanted to write in to say happy new year to all the OM team.
#selfcaresunday
I love your magazine (I have been a subscriber for many years)
and really appreciate the kindness and positivity you generate with your with the latest issue
words each and every month for all your readers. So I wanted to send the of #omyogamagazine
love back for once. Happy new year to you, OM! #yogacalm
Sarah, by email @htowsey

Keep in touch
OM Letters, Prime Impact Events & Media,
Park House, The Business Centre, Earls Colne instagram.com/omyogamagazine
Business Park, Colchester CO6 2NS

editor@ommagazine.com snapchat.com/add/omyogamagazine

facebook.com/ommagazine periscope.tv/omyogamagazine

You can also find us on

twitter.com/OMYogaMagazine uk.pinterest.com and
youtube.com

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Seriously. A product,
crme fraiche it has done
without the nothing less
crme, which than revoluti-
means that for onise the lives
the first time of our veggie,
ever, everyone vegan and
can enjoy it. lactose-
You might be thin- averse friends
king: No crme? How can because not only is it
it be a crme fraiche? completely dairy-free, it
Which is exactly why you performs just like fraiche,
should consider putting which is pretty fraiche if
this ad down and picking you think about it. Oh, one
up a carton to try your- more thing. Youll find it
self. In Sweden, where in the chilled section at
we make this amazing Tesco. Enjoy.
 200hr Yoga
Teacher Training
with Sally Parkes BSc
Author of
The Students Manual of Yoga Anatomy
Yoga Asana
Anatomy & Physiology
Subtle Anatomy
Yoga Philosophy
The Basics of Ayurveda
Teaching Methods & Ethics
The Business of Yoga
Home Study & Self-Practice
Training held in UK & Spain
New 7 Day
Advanced
Yoga TT Module
Coming Soon!
Pregnancy Yoga
Teacher Training
Certified by FEDANT and
Yoga Alliance US & UK
This 6 day course includes:
Pregnancy Yoga
Post-Natal Yoga
Mother and Baby Yoga
Courses in the UK and Dubai
www.sallyparkesyoga.com
info@sallyparkesyoga.com
+44 (0)7983 508018
om beginnings
YOGA
CHANGED
MY LIFE NAME: Lindsey Orr
AGE: 44
Iyengar Yoga helped
OCCUPATION: Freelance
Lindsey Orr manage her graphic designer
bad back condition YOGA YEARS: 3
Why did you start yoga
I suffered a really bad back injury: two ruptured
discs in my thoracic region. I went to see a surgeon
and he told me if I could stand the pain, that would be his
recommended course of action. The other alternative was surgery. I decided to live with
the ongoing chronic pain. This meant I was taking painkillers full time, but they were only
just taking the edge off the pain. I felt like an old lady, I couldnt even do the 10 minute
walk into town without stopping for a rest on the bench on the way in. And when in town
I was afraid people would bump into me; I felt so fragile. I knew Id have to find a way to
strengthen my body.
Favourite yoga haunts
In January 2014 I emailed Bath Iyengar Yoga centre for advice. I was lucky, Id hit on just
the right place. I started on January 4, a memorable date for me. This January will be my
three year anniversary of working with the very experienced teachers there. Asanas were
adapted or supported with props at different stages of my recovery. I put my complete
trust in my teachers, Richard and Kirsten, as they have so much knowledge. I cant thank
them enough for the help theyve given me.
How has yoga changed your life
Seeing me now, you wouldnt know how hard it was - how physically immobilised I was.
I plan to practice yoga for the rest of my life. Im 44 now, my body and mind need this
practice. Ive also hung ropes at home so I can do all sorts of great poses that weve
done in class that were helping so much (Yoga Kuranti). Theres nothing like doing a
Rope Sirsasana to take all the weight off your upper back, just where my injury is. Im still
very stiff in my upper back, the discs were very damaged and have worn away and my
spine has fused in that area, but I dont let that stop me. Mobility is so precious.
Best yoga moment
Within four or five months of going to yoga, I decided to come off the full-time painkillers
Id been using. It wasnt easy, but it was a real breakthrough. Within a year of going to
classes, I went from Level 1 to Level 2. My body slowly recovered and began to awaken
again. Strength and flexibility grew. But yoga offers so much more than that: moments of
peace and tranquility, and a means of dealing with the ups and downs of life.
Anything else
The beauty of the Iyengar process is the ability to use props to support asanas as strength
and recovery is underway. Restorative yoga is also a real gem to know, especially when
you are recovering from injury or illness. I try to maintain a home practice.
Weve been trying to bring this
amazing product to you since we
introduced it in Sweden and saw
how it changed peoples lives.
Whats so amazing about it?
Its a single cream that performs
exactly like regular cream but
is completely free from dairy
making it perfect for our veggie,
vegan and lactose-averse friends.
What about the taste? Perhaps you
should answer that yourself by
picking up a carton and trying
it out rather than relying on
the writer of this ad. You know
writers of ads, they always try
to make things so positive.
Oh yeah, for your convenience,
you will find it in the chilled
section at your favourite Tesco
from now on.
 om beginnings

The office of the future

What makes a place great to work in? Yoga, of course!
Introducing Shoreditch Platform, a new co-working
space where every day begins with an asana

W
hat better way to get
ready for the working
day than a yoga
session? A new shared
work space recently
opened in a trendy part of London offering
not only space to rock up with your laptop,
but also morning yoga classes as well.
Shoreditch Platform (shoreditch-platform.
cobot.me) is a brand new multi-purpose
venue, cocktail bar and co-work space
which kicks off every day with sessions to
get the energy flowing. Take your pick from
yoga, Pilates and even boxing if youre
looking to release a bit of anger ahead of a
difficult meeting.
Located at the junction between Old
Street and Shoreditch High Street, and
occupying the building that was previously
Shoreditchs station building, its now a
funky destination for work and play.
Serving breakfast, lunch and light
dinner throughout the day, theres an
evening programme that includes lectures
and workshops, galleries, live music and
DJs - perfect for afterwork and even
weekend drinks.
A short walk away is Googles London
campus where you can also grab a quick
morning yoga class before the day
begins, another great local hangout for
flexi-workers.
One day we hope all offices will be
equipped and enlightened enough for a
quick morning vinyasa to get the creativity
flowing.

14
 om beginnings

WHATS
YOUR
AFFIRMATION?
BWY accredited school, Yoga Alliance US registered school,
Yoga Alliance Professionals UK registered school

Yoga Academy Teacher Training Course 2017

BWY accredited, Yoga Alliance UK and Yoga Alliance US
registered teacher training course
An affirmation for new experiences; Commences in the UK in November 2017, limited to 20 students
for doors closing and doors opening.
Yin & Yang Yoga Teacher Training and Study Immersion
Yoga Alliance (US) and Yoga Alliance Professionals (UK) registration
27 January25 February, 2017, Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui, Thailand

Ongoing Training and Study Immersions

Options for BWY and Yoga Alliance Professionals (UK) CPD and
Yoga Alliance US 500-hour upgrade
50-hour immersion, 1118 March, Samahita Retreat, Koh Samui, Thailand
I am 20-hour immersion, 2123 April, Bore Place, UK Yin/Restorative training

adventurous, www.theyogaacademy.org info@theyogaacademy.org

life excites and

theyogaacademy YogaAcademyUK yogaacademyuk

delights me with
all its twists
BRITISH WHEEL
OF YOGA

ACCREDITED
GROUP

and turns

Are you secretly wanting to get out and explore more? Are you wanting
to live life with more zest and a playfulness?
Dont be held back by your fear or someone elses ideal of how life
should be.
Live life on your terms. Life is only as boring, as dull, or as stagnant
as you allow it to be.
Open your mind to the endless possibilities that life has to offer you.
Are you ready to venture out of your comfort zone and let yourself
be curious and in awe of the bountiful beauty of life?
Routine and order serve a purpose although spontaneity is good for
the soul. A change of routine, of pace and of scenery, may be just what yoga with
we all need at times.
Let your mind expand to the beautiful, bountiful vistas just waiting to
be experienced by your eyes, your heart and your soul.
Adventure is walking towards an uncertain outcome with an inner
simon low
zing and an inner certainty of excitement. Let life love you.
Retreats, weekends and workshops 2017
RESIDENTIAL YOGA YOGA RETREATS 2017
RETREAT WEEKENDS 714 January: Samahita Retreat,
By Deb Mac Koh Samui, Thailand
1417 April 2017
(contentedlittlesoles.com) Easter Retreat 1421 January: Praiwan Rafthouse,
Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
2830 April 2017 1421 May: Santilln, Spain
Bore Place, Kent, UK 26 June 3 July: Huzur Vadisi, Turkey
815 July: Santilln, Spain

www.simonlow.com yoga@simonlow.com
simonlowuk yogawithsimonlow yogasimonlow yogasimonlow
 om beginnings
Night at the musi-om
New York arts museum to launch OM Lab recording booth
T
he Rubin Museum of Art (RMA) in New York
is to turn its sixth floor into an Om Lab for
three months starting in February, where
visitors will be able to record their own
sacred Om chant in a small recording studio.
It describes the lab as a participatory space where
visitors can step into a recording booth and offer their
chant of the Sanskrit mantra OM.
Om is a Sanskrit syllable derived from Hindu scriptures.
It is deemed the most mystical and powerful Sanskrit
seed syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism
has been used to introduce and conclude religious work.
Today, it is commonly used in opening and closing yoga
classes throughout the world.
The intention is for visitors to learn about the lasting
importance of this sacred syllable, and then become a
16
part of its history by offering their voices to the collective
chant, the museum said in a statement.
The collected recordings will later be remixed by
acoustic consultants and featured in the RMAs upcoming
exhibition The World Is Sound, which opens in June.
After the OM Lab closes on May 8, the recorded voices
will be joined together to form a single chant and played
back to visitors within the upcoming exhibition, The World
Is Sound, the museum said.
RMA will also host several events and programmes
in the OM Lab, including a two-day OM-In on February
24 and 25, with music, performances, art-making and
meditations.
Naturally, we think its a brilliant idea.
Find out more at: rubinmuseum.org
 om beginnings

Yoga & Aromatherapy

Clary Sage
Insurance
(Salvia Sclarea)
New Years
A new year is a time of setting intentions and looking forwards. To help shed light on your
path and pave your way for the year ahead, use Clary Sage, Salvia Sclarea essential oil. Clary
Sage comes from the Latin clarus meaning clear - the oil will help give you a clear vision
Special
for the future. Take some time this month to sit quietly in meditation and think about what
you want to achieve over the year ahead. Place a couple of drops of Clary Sage on a tissue
before beginning and breathe deeply. The essential oil will help enhance your meditation and New policies taken out
help you connect to your true self.
Clary Sage is also a wonderful oil to use in wintertime as it lifts the spirit and helps with before Jan 25th will get
winter blues and depression. Place a couple of drops in some rosewater and use a facial
cleanser and toner for a cheerful start to the morning.
FREE
It is a warming oil as well, so put a couple of drops in a carrier oil, massage into the skin
to keep warm and uplifted all day. Massage specifically into the Solar Plexus area if you are
membership to the IYN,
feeling low and need a boost. To help soothe aching and inflamed muscles, place a couple
of drops in the bath. Mix with a couple of drops of Rose Oil if you are exhausted. Using Clary
subject to a satisfactory
Sage this month will help you start the new year with a sense of clarity and empowerment. application form
Do not use if pregnant or are drinking alcohol.

Intro code: OMIYN16

By Julia White
(beautifulmindbeautifulbody.co.uk)

We think about
insurance so that you
dont need to!
 om beginnings

Amazing spaces
Stylish and inspiring studio
design ideas and interiors
Ministry Of Yoga, Ash-Tec House, 277 Walthall St, Crewe, CW2 7LE
ministryofyoga.org

Welcome to The Ministry of Yoga. No, not a new government department,

but a little piece of yoga heaven built in the heart of Crewe in Cheshire. Its a
great new destination for the yoga community. Whatever you do make sure
you visit the quirky roof garden with its wonderful vibrant colours and picnic
tables; a fun hangout before or after class and the perfect spot to catch up
with friends.
Theres plenty of yoga going on downstairs though to keep you busy. With a
packed programme of classes throughout the week theres always something
going on, whatever your ability level or style preference. Here, youll find
everything from Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga and Iyengar through to Pilates.
For early risers, enjoy some breakfast yoga each and every morning
through the week or (if you like a lie in!) sign up for the Mid-Morning Yoga
Club. Later, there are lunchtime express classes plus a varied mix of evening
classes on offer, so theres always something going on. Or sign up for one
of the monthly workshops to explore an area of interest in greater detail,
such as the Ashtanga Yoga & Pranayama Workshop. One-to-one lessons,
community classes, group and corporate sessions are also available.
The Ministry of Yoga is all about creating what it calls a space of growing,
offering the best quality of teachings from experienced instructors through
different events and workshops. There are three studio spaces available and
teachers are invited to get in touch if theyre keen to get involved in the project.
Now thats a Ministry that we can really get behind!

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lovesY
Beautiful things for beautiful people

Lemon Detox
The Lemon Detox has

Yoga Espaa! launched a new sponsored

fasting initiative called Fasting

8-15 April 17
4 Charity, enabling people to
simultaneously raise funds
for their favourite cause while
following the programme. Try
it this new year and see the
results for yourself - raising
vital cash for good causes at
the same time.
lemondetox.com/
fasting4chairty

Train as a TeenYoga teacher on

this special annual sunlit retreat,
young people will join us in a
Spanish mountain farmhouse.
Pro-X-Walker Training Device
Innovative new training device enables total
950 incl accom and all meals body workout without any vibrations in the
shoulders and elbows. Tests have shown that
www.teenyoga.com/spain the muscle activity in the upper body is more
intensive during Pro-X-Walking than during
Phone or email to book:
info@teenyoga.co.uk
conventional walking. Visit the website to
watch inspirational videos.
01761 470 658 pro-x-walker.co.uk

This is a life-changing course.

If you have any interest
in helping the youth of today
become balanced adults
of tomorrow, do this course!
Samantha Hare, Met. Police
 om beginnings

How To Be A Yoga Rockstar Book - 12.99

200 Hour Yoga
This beautiful book, dubbed the yoga careers bible
and written by OM magazine editor Martin D. Clark, is Teacher Training
the ultimate guide to making a living teaching yoga.
Includes thousands of tips on all aspects of yoga Intensives
in Spain
teaching, from marketing, video and social media, to
teacher training and even teaching celebrities. Dozens
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Loosening Movements to Relieve Anxiety; Jun 24 Jul 15, 2017
Restorative Sequence With Mindfulness; and Oct 07 Oct 28, 2017
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 om beginnings

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 om beginnings

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 om beginnings
Planet yoga
Stories from around the weird and
wonderful world of yoga
USA
USA
Dating advice
Pole dancing, cooking and you
guessed it yoga.the hobbies women
wish men were more into, according to a
recent discussion on internet site Reddit.
Although yoga is becoming increasingly
popular for both guys and girls, it still
remains very much a niche activity for
men, at least here in the UK (in India,
yoga was originally practiced mainly by
men). So, what else made the list, you
ask? Sewing, skincare, cross-stitching,
dancing and musical theatre. Boys, if you
want to impress the ladies you now know
what to do.
26
Balls up
Vegans, look away now: a yoga mat
made of leather. LA-based Baller
Yoga says its mat comes from the
same premium leather from which NFL
footballs are made. And at $1,000, its
certainly not cheap. Unsurprisingly, its
also drawn a lot of flak from vegans,
animal lovers and yogis who argue that
it runs contrary to the ethos of the
practice. It was devised by Baller Yogas
founder Cedric Yau, a self-proclaimed
guru who had the idea on a Bali yoga
retreat. He says the leather is sourced
as a by-product of the meat industry,
which would otherwise be discarded.
Hmmm, still not sure thatll wash with the
vegans...or us yogis.
UK
Model behaviour
Want to know some supermodel keep fit
tips? Do yoga! Abbey Clancy was spotted
in tropical Cape Verde recently doing a
few beach asanas during a break from
filming the next series of Britains Next
Top Model. The mother-of-two, 30, who is
married to ex-England football player Peter
Crouch, says her love of all things yoga
helps her stay in shape. She was papped
by photographers on the beach doing an
impromptu yoga session alongside fellow
crew members and friends. The show is
due to return to TV screens in the UK early
this year.
 om beginnings

Kung Fu Yoga
It might not be to everyones taste, but Jackie Chans new yoga and martial arts
inspired movie Kung Fu Yoga is expected to be released later this month. A joint
Chinese and Indian production, also starring Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, the movie
cost an estimated $65 million to make. Directed by Hong Kongs Stanley Tong, it marks
martial arts guru Jackie Chans first Indian film foray since 2005s The Myth. Expect to
see plenty of high kicking Kung Fu, of course, andummm, yoga. Its only likely to be on
limited release in the UK so keep your eyes peeled for it if youre interested.
A World Class Yoga
Retreat Centre
in Southern Spain

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Japan Join one of our retreats

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Bring your own group
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Record breakers
The people of Japan are no strangers to breaking strange world records - now their pets
are at it as well. Some 136 dogs and their owners gathered at Toshimaen amusement
park, Tokyo recently for a what is believed to be a record breaking dog yoga or Doga
event. The get together, a partnership between Groupon Japan and Dog Yoga, also
helped mark the first day of Japans annual family week. Local yoga instructor, Noriko Suryalila.com
Onuma, who is also head of Japans dog yoga society, said she hoped to spread the love
between humans and dogs through simple light exercise out in nature. info@suryalila.com
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 om body

Yoga refresh
New Year refreshing sequence by Mimi Kuo-Deemer.
YOGA @ HOME Twelve poses to kickstart 2017

1 2a

Supine Twist (Jathara Parivartanasana) Seated Cat/Cow x 3

To twist out the old and let in the new. Start lying on your back, knees
bent. Shift your hips to the right of the mat. Inhale, bring your knees
into your chest. Exhale, twist your knees to the left side of your body,
keeping the knees close to your chest. Inhale the right arm out to the
side, and exhale draw your right shoulder down. Stay here for 3 5
breaths, wringing out your spine.
With arms extended and hands interlaced. This pose moves the body
with the breath. You can be inhaling the new and exhaling the old,
releasing old tension in the shoulders and back and bring in new space
to the chest and heart area; also prepares the wrists. Come up to a
comfortable cross-legged seat. Interlace your fingers, turning your
palms away from your chest. On an inhale lift your arms and palms
overhead, lifting your chest and rolling toward the fronts of your sitting
bones. Exhale reverse, rolling to the backs of your sitting bones while
you round your back and bring your arms and hands forward away
from your chest. Repeat this 3 times with your breath.

2b 2c

30

3 4
Downward Facing Dog
(Adho Mukha Svanasana)
A downdog a day keeps the doctor away. This pose stretches out
everything and gets the spine lengthened, arms strengthened and
shoulders open. Come onto all fours, then inhale tuck your toes
under, and exhale lift your hips up and back until your head, arms and
spine all click into a straight line. You can keep the knees bent and
heels lifted, and then gradually work toward lengthening the legs and
extending the heels back. Breathe in this pose for 3 5 breaths.
5 6
Revolving Lunge Twist
(Parivrtta Anjanyasana)
This helps twist out the old to feel increased space and renewal. From
your low lunge, inhale and lift your right hand up for a twist. Your back
knee can stay on the mat or come up off the ground. Exhale deepen
your twist. Be here for two or three breaths.
TRY THE COMPLETE VIDEO NOW ITS FREE!
Visit the website: www.ommagazine.com
om body
Low Lunge (Anjanyasana)
This lunge and backbend opens up the spine, hips, lets in fresh blood
through the legs and whole body. From downward facing dog exhale
and step your right leg forward inside your right hand and then lower
the back knee down to the mat. Inhale your arms up by your ears,
keeping the shoulders relaxed and open. Exhale scissor your inner legs
while you invite the pelvis to move toward your front heel. Remember
to lengthen out of your lower back by lifting the front hip bones up.
Inhale and open your chest, exhale then release your arms down.
Gate Pose (Parigasana)
This side bend helps open the side body and chest, bringing in lots of
good circulation to the lungs and heart. From your lunge twist, inhale
and lower the back knee down to the mat. Exhale and pivot on that back
knee, stepping your front foot back. Inhale and lift your torso up and
bring your hands to your hips; youll be facing the long side of the mat.
On your next breath in, raise your left arm up, and exhale your right hand
to your hip or down your leg. Youll be in a side bend. You can keep the
bottom hand on the hip or leg, or lift it up to take hold of the top wrist.
Be here for a few breaths.
Continue sequence >>
31
 om body

7 8

Side Angle Pose (Vasistasana) Downward Facing Dog

This arm balance strengthens the arms and heart while toning the core (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
muscles of the abdomen and back. From Parigasana, exhale your left
After releasing from your Vasistasana, step back into Adho Mukha
hand back toward the front of the mat. Inhale your right arm up. At
Svanasana and repeat the series from pose 4 to pose 7 on the other leg.
this point you can keep your left knee on the mat, or straighten your
bottom leg and stack the bottom foot under the top foot.

9 Camel Pose (Ustrasana)

This backbend opens the chest and lungs.
After you finish pose 4 to pose 7 on both
sides, lower your knees down from Adho
Mukha Svanasana onto the mat. Inhale and lift
your body upright to kneeling, toes optionally
tucked under or extended straight. You can
double fold the mat if it helps your knees feel
more comfortable. Exhale and bring your
hands to your lower back for support. Inhale,
extending your chest forward into a backbend.
Exhale keep your chin in toward your chest, or
optionally elongate it upward and backward
to stretch the throat. Only do this if you have
no neck injury. Keep breathing, and optionally
keep your hands on your lower back or bring
them to your heels or feet. Remember not
to compress in your lower back, but keep
lifting out of the lumbar region to extend the
curve of your backbend into the whole spine.
Exhale to lift your torso back upright, coming
out of the backbend with the strength and
support of your abdominal centre.

32

10
Sage Twist (Bharadvajasana)
This twists out the backbend and releases new blood into the organs and
spine. After Ustrasana, inhale your feet to the left and stack the left toes
or ankle onto the arch of your right foot. Exhale lower the hips down to
the ground. Inhale start to twist toward the right, placing your left hand
outside the right thigh with your palm facing away from your leg. Bring
your right hand behind you, fingertips turned away from you to help
open your chest. Exhale and twist. After two or three breaths you can
switch sides.
12
Corpse Pose (Savasana)
The final pose relaxes and refreshes the body and spirit. Extend your legs
forward from Ananda Balasana to rest on your mat. Extend your arms by
your sides. Make the alignment of your body just right. Relax.
Be consciously still and let go. Be here as long as youd like.
Yogi: Mimi Kuo-Deemer
Images courtesy of: Movement For Modern
Life (movementformodernlife.com)
Visit the website for more online yoga
classes from the best teachers
om body
11
Happy Baby (Ananda Balasana )
This finishing pose relaxes the hips and back. After your twist, release
onto your back and bend your knees in toward your chest. Inhale and
take hold of either the backs of your knees, the ankles or your outer feet.
Your shins should be perpendicular to your thighs at right angles, like
your feet were in upside down stirriups. Where you hold your hands isnt
so important you want to make sure your spine is lengthening from the
tailbone to the crown. If your shoulders are tensing and pulling up off the
ground, hold lower on your legs. Also if your tailbone and sacrum curl off
the ground, hold lower on your legs. Be here for a few breaths.
GET YOUR YOGA FIX AT HOME
Try the complete video now
its FREE!
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Or download the Digital version
 om body

OM meets...

Julie Montagu

34
 om body

OM chats to American yoga teacher, nutrition expert and reality TV star Julie Montagu
about her crazy yoga style and on finding self love. Now living in the UK and married
with four children, she wants to share her passion for yoga with anyone wholl listen
How did you first get into yoga Any key transformational yoga moments
After my fourth child was born I was exhausted both mentally and I remember the first time I got into Crow Pose (Bakasana) and, as
physically and I knew I needed to do somethingand fast. So, I went crazy as this sounds, I must have smiled from ear to ear for a month.
to my first Bikram yoga class and in one day became obsessed with Obviously it wasnt so much about the pose itself, but about what the
it. From Bikram, I started to then explore other types of yoga and fell pose did for me on an emotional level. My body was stronger, so was
madly in love with Vinyasa flow yoga. And really, once I started on my mind and my heart, and so getting into Crow for the first time made
the yoga path, I became obsessed with how much energy yoga could me realise that if I put my mind to something - whether its a goal, or a
give me, boost my mood and just make me feel better overall. Im dream or following my passions - I could do it.
so passionate about yoga and all that it can do for you physically,
mentally and spiritually. How would you describe your own teaching style
One word: crazy. Crazy fast, crazy fun, crazy hot. But after my crazy
What inspired you in those early days class, I see my students smiling in Savasana - so I think me and crazy
When I get asked why I decided to teach yoga, this is my honest yoga work well together.
answer: I never want anyone to feel as bad about themselves as Ive felt
about myself in the past. And that is what inspired me to teach. Yoga How do you want people to feel during your classes
- all of yoga: physical, mental, spiritual - helped me to learn to love I want them to feel a release. Whether thats a physical one or a mental
myself again and I wanted to share what I experienced with others. one or emotional one, I want them to feel safe in my classes so that
they can let go and not be afraid to just let it all dissolve and melt into
Any favourite teachers or studios the mat.
I teach mostly at triyoga in Chelsea and Soho, but triyoga isnt my
favourite studio just because I teach there. I love triyoga because What are your own plans going forward
the energy at the studio is so uplifting and positive and its a real I actually get asked that a lot Julie, when are you going to open
community - full of smiles, people creating long-lasting friendships. As your own studio? And Im afraid the answer is: Never! Im really happy
far as teachers? Well, I love Sarah Thompson, Lelia Sadaghee, Amme teaching in other studios, I do just love it. But Ive got so many other
Poulton and Marcus Veda just to name a few. things on my plate that Ive just finally learned how to balance them

35
 om body

When I get asked why I decided to
teach yoga, this is my honest answer:
I never want anyone to feel as bad
about themselves as Ive felt about
myself in the past.
all well, I just dont want to tip the balance that took me years to
finally get right! However, my husband and I run his family estate down
in Dorset called Mapperton. Its considered Englands Finest Manor
House and the entire estate is open to the public. So, we are in the
process of renovating one of the stable blocks to make it into a yoga
studio for yoga retreats. We plan on having the students stay the night
in the 17th century manor house, cook healthy meals in our on-site
cafe, long walks on the estate (its 2,500 acres) and lots of yoga in the
new studio. So that will all be happening in 2018.
Truly Julie (truly-julie.com) and its all about getting what I call those
small moments of self-care into your daily routine. Each month has
its own theme such as Managing Stress or Mastering your Inner Critic
or Learning to Let Go and within each themed month there are a
host of yoga videos, healthy eating recipes and videos, affirmations,
downloadable podcasts and meditations plus a Truly Julie private
Facebook page where 100s of women support and motivate each
other. Im super proud of it and super excited to see how its growing
and reaching the masses.
Any personal motto to keep you going during tough times
Yup. Ive been wearing it on my wrist bracelet for three years now. She
needed a hero, so thats what she became.
Find out more about Julie Montagu at: juliemontagu.com

How would you reassure someone new to yoga

I tell them that the students they see staying in the poses the longest
are the ones who have fallen out the most. We all had to start where
they are now.

What do you do when youre not doing yoga

Very bizarrely, Im on an American TV show called Ladies of London
which is currently on its third season. We finished filming last summer
(it was all shot in England) and the 12 episodes aired in the USA back
in November 2016. So, when Im filming for 15+ weeks out of the year,
it sort of takes over my life if Im honest. It is full on but super fun. Ive
also just launched my Membership Wellness Site for Women called

36
 om body

presents... An overview of...

360 Cobra Pose
yoga
with
Doctor
(Bhujangasana)
yogi This classic asana is seen in most yoga classes and
often forms part of the Sun Salutation.

S
Detailed alignment
cues for Cobra Pose imilar to Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana), this posture is a
back bend that allows us to create more movement in our thoracic spine while
strengthening our lumbar spine.
Back bends tend to elevate our mood and are invigorating and stimulating to
our nervous system.

EXTERNALLY ROTATE
YOUR SHOULDERS
l Step your hands
shoulder width and have
your index fingers parallel
l Gently bend your elbows
OPEN YOUR CHEST
l Lengthen up through all four sides of your
and energetically draw your
waist to create more space between your hip
hands towards each other
bones and your lower ribs
l Roll your shoulders
l Send your breast bone (sternum) forward
back maintaining the space
towards the front of the room
at the front of your chest
l Soften your front, lower ribs towards your
spine and breathe into your back lower ribs
to create space in the back of your chest
l Keeping this space, widen across your
collar bones (clavicles) to stabilise this space

LENGTHEN YOUR LEGS

l Lift one foot at a time off the ground,
reach it behind you and lower it
l Press each of your ten toe nails into
the ground

38
 om body

The benefits of Cobra Pose Variations

l Cobra Pose creates space in the front of our body opening our
chest and lengthening our abdominal muscles and hip flexors
l I
t builds strength in our arms and shoulders
l Cobra Pose can improve the quality of our breath by expanding the
ribcage at the front and sides of our body
l I
t builds strength and support in our lower back
l Cobra Pose firms and tones our Rhomboids and Gluteal muscles
l Elevates our mood and improves focus and concentration
Contraindications
l I
t is suggested that Cobra Pose may not be an appropriate asana
to practice if you have a headache, carpal tunnel syndrome,
undiagnosed lower back pain or are pregnant
There are many variations of Cobra Pose that you may have come
across:
l B
aby Cobra Pose involves bending your elbows deeper and only
lifting your chest a few inches off the ground
l Y
 ou can take this version a step further by putting so much weight
into your toe nails and pubic bone that you can glide your hands
off the mat
l T
 o open the chest further practice Baby Cobra and clasp your
hands behind your back with your knuckles pointing back and
the palm of your hands together. If your shoulders feel tight use
a yoga strap and have your palms pointing down to keep your
chest open.

FOCUS YOUR GAZE

l Your focal point (drishti) is towards the tip
of your nose
l If this doesnt feel comfortable, soften your
gaze and look at a fixed point in front of you

FEET HIP DISTANCE APART AND PARALLEL

l Find the bony points at the front of your
pelvis (these are known as the ASIS, Anterior
Superior Iliac Spines) and line these up with
the mid-point of each of your ankles
l Line the mid-point of each ankle up with
the base of your second toe

STACK YOUR HEAD DIRECTLY

ON TOP OF YOUR SPINE
l Gently slide the sides of your
throat back and then lower your
chin a couple of millimetres
towards your chest and feel the
back of your neck lengthen
LENGTHEN YOUR LOWER BACK
l Roll your upper, inner thighs
back to create space at the back of
your pelvis
l Lower your sacrum (the flat part
of your lower spine) and tailbone
(coccyx) down towards your heels

For the full, exclusive 360 detailed and interactive version download our App now

39
 om body

Bending & burping Give your festive digestive system a helping hand this year with
some simple yoga moves at home. By Meg Jackson

AFTER 1a

BEFORE

T
he party season is over. No longer does a chocolate
orange count as one of your five a day, and you begin 1b
to wonder how you functioned without an elasticated
waistband as your go-to fashion item.
Safe to say that energy levels arent exactly at an
all-time high in January. The days are short, the weather is cold,
and the comfort food that was your friend over Christmas is now
taking its toll. Of course, its all totally fine, because you enjoy every
moment mindfully, totally guilt-free and full of gratitude.
Trouble is, gratitude isnt whats given you a belly to rival Buddhas.
As tempting as it is to roll yourself onto the closest soft furnishing,
resolving to stay there until Spring, there are a few yoga poses you
might like to try.
By gently moving the body you can give the digestive organs a
bit of stimulation and help them to do what they do best. When you
hold these poses for 1 or 2 minutes, you also help the body to settle
into its natural rest and digest state. Your parasympathetic nervous
system kicks in, allowing your whole body to know its safe, secure
and can relax.
And the more you can move, increase circulation, and create
Squished and twisted
Lie down. Bring both knees up into your chest. Take a little roll around
space in your abdomen, the more room you have to put more
from side to side. (Health warning: This one is known as wind relieving
gorgeous goodies in.
pose. Just saying.) Pause there. Let both knees drop down to the left.
Before you start gently go through a couple of rounds of your
Take your arms up into a cactus shape. Look to the right. Let gravity do
favourite type of sun salutation. But remember that this is all about
the work as you rest there and breathe. Repeat on the other side or as
being slow and steady!
often as you feel is.*ahem* needed.

Meg Jackson is the founder of Real Life Yoga (reallifeyoga.net), a

movement to help people bring a little (or a lot) of yoga into their real
lives and an ambassador for Samanata Yogi (samanatayogi.com)

40

2 3
Happy (food) baby
Still lying on the floor, bend your knees up into your chest but this
time take them further apart so theyre moving more towards your
armpits than your chest. Either stay in this version, or bend the knees
and turn the feet up to the ceiling. Reach up and hold each foot, gently
drawing the knees further down towards the armpits. Its not glamorous
but its good!
4 5
Chocolates on the floor;
chocolates on the shelf
Rest your right knee on the floor and step your left foot forwards. Place
your right hand down on the floor inside your left foot. Think of twisting
from behind your food baby (around your belly button), push down
through your hand and feel how that opens you up across your chest.
Reach the left hand up, imagining your favourite chocolate hanging just
out of reach. Repeat on the other side.
om body
Sniffing out the treats
Come to rest on your knees. Bring the big toes together but take the
knees apart. Lower yourself down onto the floor, allowing your belly to
rest between the knees. Reach your arms out towards the front of the
mat. If thats not comfortable, rest your forehead on a block or stack
your hands and use them as a pillow. Pause here; breathe. And maybe
have a little think about what your next snack should be (just kidding!).
Poised for pooping
Take yourself into a squatting position. If your heels cant comfortably
reach the floor, rest them on a rolled-up yoga mat, or prop with a
folded blanket. Keep your spine as long as possible. Bring the hands
into prayer and gently use the backs of the elbows to keep the knees
rolling apart. Think of lifting your heart and allowing your tail bone
to drop down towards the earth. You might like to know that this is
the favoured position for pooping in many parts of the world, so its
obviously a good one to get stuff.ummmoving.
41
 om body
6 7
Keeping an eye on the kitchen
Come to sit. Keep the left leg straight, bend the right and place the foot
flat on the floor. Place your left hand behind you and try to rest lightly
on the finger tips. Use the back of your right elbow against the inside
of your right knee to gently encourage the torso to twist. By twisting
this way, instead of the usual version of twisting towards the bent leg,
theres plenty of space for the food baby. You can also keep an eye on
the kitchen in case someone else goes for the best snacks.
8 9
The rib un-sticker
This one takes a bit of preparation. Ive used a rolled-up yoga mat with
a cushion over it, but a tightly-rolled blanket would also work (even
better is a real bolster!). Kneel down and put whatever youre using up
against your tail-bone. Slowly lower yourself down so that the bolster is
lying along your spine. You can either take the arms up over your head,
or let them rest down by your sides. Be very kind to your knees; try and
keep the thighs in parallel lines. Stay there and breathe.
42
Belly stretcher
Rest both knees on the floor, hip width apart. Prop your feet up on your
toes. Start with your hands on your lower back. Inhale and lift up and
lengthen through your spine. Exhale, push your belly button forward
and let your head gently drop back. If you can, reach down and place
your hands on your heels. Keep the feeling of pushing your beautiful
full belly forward, as you feel long through the front and back lines of
your body.
Food coma with cushions
Youll need the bolster from the previous pose for this one too, and
another pillow. Lie down and bring the soles of the feet together,
with legs bent. Position a pillow under each knee so the legs are
comfortable. Take your rolled up yoga mat (or blanket) and position it
so that its across your back, lying just at the bottom of your shoulder
blades. Drape yourself over it, either with arms up over your head or
down by your side if thats uncomfortable. Relax, breathe, smile and be
grateful.
Lendrick Lodge is also a world-renowned centre for Reiki, Shamanism, Detox, Personal Development, Breathwork & Firewalking

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Awaken your heart of yoga in The Loch Lomond
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Blossom your yoga practice in a world-renowned centre

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Happy, loving environment for your groups to shine
Yoga space for large groups
Beautiful en-suite accommodation
Only one hours drive from two international airports
Stunning location, with walks, waterfalls and sunrises to enjoy
Delicious vegetarian and vegan food

Love Your Body Detox

7pm Friday 10 2pm Sunday 12 March
A rejuvenating weekend to experience
different therapies and healing. This highly
enjoyable weekend will revitalise your
body, emotionally and physically.
You can attend individual and group
sessions with a variety of professional
therapists.
Enjoy sessions that can add life to your
years and years to your life! And, have
some well deserved time to yourself.

Receptivity The Necessity of an Empty Mind

with Sandra Sabatini & Michal Havkin
4pm Thursday 20 2pm Monday 24 July
Join Sandra Sabatini, who was Vanda
Scaravellis primary student. Vanda
Scaravellis legacy is a constant
encouragement towards exploration and
inventiveness. During the five days in
Lendrick Lodge Sandra Sabatini and her
co-teacher Michal Havkin will offer five
hours of practice a day and an evening
meditation. The sessions will incorporate
some Feldenkries movements towards
facilitating a playful and different experience
of yoga positions. The unfolding of the body
will go along with the unfolding of the
breath supported by a slow and meditative
approach. For committed students and
teachers of the yoga path, drawing from the
very essence of Vanda Scaravellis lineage,
within the beauty of Lendick Lodge.
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Supporting your success in the heart of wilderness

Lendrick Lodge,
Brig OTurk, Callander, FK17 8HR
Tel: 0044 (0) 1877 376 263
email: info@lendricklodge.com
Join us on Facebook www.lendricklodge.com
 om mind

Rock
&
Making yoga more fun with music. This months OM cover model
Soul
Randalle Love from Greeneville, Tennessee in the USA talks about how music
can really ignite your practice and mark your own personal style

M
usic has always been a huge part of my life. As
a baby, my mother remembers holding me while
listening to her radio, and whenever The Rolling
Stones song, Beast of Burden came on, I would
move my little premature body to the beat.
When I opened my yoga studio, Love Yoga, three years ago, I
started playing the typical, quiet, Zen-like music that Id heard at
other studios in the past.
But I soon grew bored of this and decided to only play music that I
loved - music that takes me to another place, music to make me feel
true emotion. And I figured that if I do what felt right to me, it would
attract students who were also looking for something a little different.
I was right! Students regularly comment after a class on how they
love the music. To me, atmosphere is everything. I prefer low lighting,
loose, flowing transitions in poses, and of course, lots of good tunes.
I love to incorporate and mix together music from artists such as
Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead, Mazzy Star, Bob Marley, Zero 7, The
Beatles, Thievery Corporation, Cake, just to name a fewalong with
more yoga-ish artists such as Krishna Das, Jai Jagdeesh, Snataum
Kaur, Wah!, and DJ Drez. If its a rainy, dreary day, its nice to have
a slow, introspective playlist, or on a sunny, cheerful day, to have a
more upbeat, energising soundtrack.

44
om mind

45
 om body

Boost your yoga

Here are some ways in which music accentuates my yoga practice:
n Movement: Moving with the music, in and out of poses, allows
grace and ease in the body, and also helps to push me through
the more challenging poses.
n Releasing of the mind: When I hear beautiful music, my busy
mind is calm, I am purely in the moment.
n Healing: Music has a way of bringing me back to times when I
first heard a song. Whether those times were good or bad, this
is a way to acknowledge those memories and feelings, and allow
Randalle and friends myself to move forward.
n Less distractions: I know this sounds counter intuitive, but for
many people, silence is distracting. Have you ever been in a
very quiet yoga class and heard someones stomach rumbling,
someone clearing their throat, heavy breathing, or other bodily
sounds? Yes, the goal, I suppose, is to be so focused that these
outside influences do not disturb us, but we are not all at that
point. Music provides a buffer to free you from these distractions
and to not feel conspicuous with your own sounds.

So, whether you are a yoga teacher, or just like to break out your
mat at home from time to time, go with your intuition, and dont be
afraid to think outside the typical yoga box when it comes to music
and other sounds. And, most importantly, have fun.

Discover more about Randalle Love and her passion for all things
yoga and music at: facebook.com/studioloveyoga

RANDALLES PLAYLISTS
Here are two of Randalle Loves own favourite playlists
for her yoga practice. One is more energising, the other
slower and more calming. These are for an hour practice,
starting off slow, building to the peak, then winding down
until Savasana. Enjoy!

ENERGISING
1. Pink Floyd - Shine on You Crazy Diamond
2. DJ Drez - Krishnas Dub
3. Led Zeppelin - No Quarter
4. DJ Drez - Om Hrim
5. The Beatles - Love You To
6. Krishna Das - Narayana
7. DJ Drez - Narayana
8. Glass Animals - Toes
9. Mazzy Star - Into Dust
10. 
Jonathan Goldman - Anahata
4th Chakra (Savasana)

Randalle with husband, Paul
and her boys Liam and Colin
CALMING
1. Desert Dwellers - The Dub Sutras
2. Bad Company - Seagull
3. Mazzy Star - Into Dust
4. Wah! - Ganesh Mantra
5. Wah! - Is it love?
6. The Grateful Dead - Ripple
7. Zero 7 - Waiting Line
8. Jai Jagdeesh - Sarovar
9. Marconi Union - Weightless (Savasana)

46
 om body

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47
 om body

YOGA THERAPY
Neuropathic pain
Practical yoga therapy The Problem
Neuropathic pain is a complex, chronic and numbness around the area of complaint.
techniques to start you pain state that is usually accompanied by This article is focused on someone who
on the road to health: tissue injury. With neuropathic pain, the might have tissue damage and/or nerve
nerve fibres themselves may be damaged, injury around the base of the spine. Yoga and
physically, mentally, dysfunctional, or injured. These damaged physical therapy, breathing techniques and

emotionally and spiritually. nerve fibres send incorrect signals to other

pain centres. The impact of nerve fibre injury
mindfulness can ease any pain associated
with this condition.
By Sarah Swindlehurst includes a change in nerve function both at It is important not to aggravate all the
the site of injury and areas around the injury. spine and to move slowly with the breathing.
The breath will bring healing Prana to the less
The Solution strong areas and, with a focused mind, will
Symptoms of neuropathic pain may incude help the body to heal.
a shooting and burning pain, or a tingling

48

Yoga
Crocodile Pose
(Makarasana)
Lie on the front of your body. Inhale and
come onto your elbows. Cup your head/
chin with your hands. The wrists are under
the chin, and the palms are facing upwards
with the fingers coming up and over the
sides of the face. Lift your chest up and
lengthen through the body. Transfer your
weight evenly through your body. Hold in
this posture for up to five breaths and then
exhale release down. Rest for a couple of
breaths and then repeat.
Affirmation: I am mindful in all I do
(inhale/exhale).
Yoga
Lion Pose (Simhasana)
Starting in a kneeling position with the
hands held in fists in front of you. Inhale
through the nose (if you can!) and then
exhale out through the mouth making a
roar sound (like a lion), whilst sticking your
tongue out and opening your fingers into a
claw shape. Also as you exhale, look at the
tip of your nose (crossing the eyes). Do this
as many times as you like.
Affirmation: I release all fears and pains
from my whole being (exhale) and bring
in complete goodness (inhale).
Yoga
Eagle Pose
(Garudasana)
From standing, place your weight
on to the left foot and bend the
knee slightly. Then bend the right
knee a little and bring the right
foot in front and around the left
lower leg, so that the right foot
hooks around the left calf area
(or place it to the side of the leg
instead). Balance here as you bring
both arms out to the sides of the
body parallel to the floor. Inhale,
and then exhale as you bring both
arms in front and cross the right arm
over the left at the elbows (palms
are facing upwards at this point).
Next, wrap the right forearm under
the left and turn the hands around
to face with palms together.
Thumbs are in front of face and
the gaze is forwards or upwards
towards third eye (forehead).
Eagle Pose (Garudasana)
om body
Lion Pose
(Simhasana)
Breathe here for three breaths and then
inhale up, and exhale release the pose.
have been shown to provide for decreased
cell death from injury and may offer
Repeat on the other side. significant protection against future damage.
Affirmation: I follow my inner knowing Supplement your diet if necessary with a
and guidance with trust (inhale/exhale). multi-vitamin, vitamin D drops, fish oil, and
super-greens.
Pranayama
Alternate Nostril Breathing What your body is saying
(Nadi Shonana) This symptom suggests that the person
is tired, worn out and possibly stressed
Begin sitting with your back straight. Close
or anxious. The lower back relates to
your eyes and focus on your breath. Now,
the sacral chakra and a little in the solar
position you hand over your nose, have
plexus chakra, so the energy here may not
the thumb over the right nostril, the first
be functioning as it could be. The second
two fingers over the third eye (centre of
forehead) and the last two fingers over
chakra (Svadhishthana Sacral) is quite an
emotional centre and so if you are feeling
the left nostril. Start by closing the right
things emotionally then this is the area to
nostril and breathing in through the
left. Then close the left nostril and
look at. The third chakra (Manipura Solar)
is a more masculine centre and a mental
breathe out through the right nostril.
power centre so if you are feeling a lack of
After the exhalation, breathe in
control also, then I would suggest you focus
through the same nostril (right)
here. Overwhelm and feeling out of control
and then close that nostril and
at times with situations in your life have
breathe out through the left.
possibly over time being getting on your
Repeat as above. Breathe like
nerves and irritating you subconsciously (or
this for up to nine rounds
consciously) and you now need to let your
starting and finishing on the left.
feelings be known and to let negativity go.
Affirmation: So (inhale) ham
These feelings could be related to family,
(exhale).
business or another sensitive area in your
life but with some quiet restorative yoga the
Nutrition answers to your questions will come. Less
Firstly, avoid if possible all refined working out, and more working ininside
sugars and grain foods, as well as you, that is.
processed foods. Cook whole foods
like vegetables and steamed proteins Sarah Swindlehurst is the founder of The
and use anti-inflammatory extras Yogic Prescription. Should you wish for her to
such as turmeric, ginger, garlic, cloves write about any ailment or issue, please email
and rosemary which will help if there her at: sarah@theyogicprescription.com
is any inflammation. Eat Omega-3 fats
from food sources including sardines,
salmon, walnuts and flax seeds as these
49
 OMFM
OM FOR MEN

Inside:
Page 51: Finding your flow
Page 54: Man on the mat

50
 FM

Finding your flow

Yoga helped Dan Peppiatt manage anxiety
and navigate some of lifes other challenges.
Here, the yoga teacher, martial arts fan and
surf junkie, based in Devon, talks about
his approach to helping students find their
own unique voice through his Yoga Like
Water teacher training

L
ike most people I am the sum of
many contradictions, it has just
taken me a long time to come to
terms with that.
I am very risk averse but have
created some of the UKs most cutting edge
pyrotechnic effects.
I was born, bred and still love rowdiest
Essex but am forever torn between the
buzzing energy of urban life and the isolated
tranquility of rural living.
I was the school phobic child that
confusingly grew up to be a (school phobic)
school teacher.
And I am still the anxiety sufferer who
loves to climb without ropes, surf stormy
Atlantic waves in the middle of winter and
spent years full contact kickboxing. It makes
no sense!
Sometimes when I tell people what I have
done I see them trying to work out if this is
all possible in the time I have been alive or if
I am a compulsive liar spinning an elaborate
tale. My life has been a non-stop adventure,
thats for sure: from time studying at medical
school, working as an archaeologist, blowing
things up, building giant sculptures and
stages at festivals and getting paid for it,
teaching A level chemistry and biology as well
as nursery and reception classes, growing
up in Essex and London, moving to a derelict
smallholding in rural France and rebuilding it
alone, moving to the very north of Scotland
and bringing our children up for five years
on a canal boat. For someone with life-long

51
 FM
anxiety I have constantly pushed my limits.
Aside from my family and my anxiety the
only constant has been my practice of yoga.
My journey began with an Indian locum, in an
Essex doctors surgery in the mid-nineties.
My mum had been ill when I was young
and from the very first day when I had to
leave her I had been irrationally terrified of
school, of being trapped in the building all
day, of not knowing if my mum was safe
while I was in class, of worrying if I had
forgotten to turn off the light switches and
the house had burnt down. I felt helpless at
school, disempowered. Even very early on
I felt terrified whenever I contemplated
that I couldnt just get up and walk out
when I wanted.
My anxieties soon turned into a multitude
of physical complaints a constant feeling
of sickness and by the time I was in my mid
to late teens I was suffering from terrible
back spasms that would leave me laid out
on the floor barely able to breath.
Yogic prescription
So one more trip to the doctors for
anti-inflammatories (anxiety was never
mentionedI dont think that I or anyone
else ever considered that my tendency to
I have always preferred to
practice on my own than to
attend a class. I am freer to
experiment, to move at my own
pace and to really feel what I
need mentally and physically
on a day-to-day basis.
52
worry might be the source of my problems)
but this time I was confronted by a new
doctor, who with that reassuring head
waggle of the sub-continent, simply informed
me, Mr Daniel, you really should do
some yoga.
It took me some time to take this on
board. After all, the pills seemed to work
well enough and at the time yoga was very
much the preserve of church halls and blue
rinsed ladies of a certain age. But then my
girlfriend (now my wife), decided to start
attending a yoga class with a young teacher
who had just returned from training in Kerala
and I decided to tag along.
After years of martial arts I really thought
I was the man. My first class and I was able
to do all of the poses; I was super stretchy
and gung-ho enough to play with the
inversions. I had cracked yoga already
after just an hour!
Of course it took me time to realise
that I was actually far less yogic than
probably anyone in that class - my anxiety
was apparently only rivalled by my ego -
but, over time, the postures helped with
the physical ailments and eventually the
meditation and relaxation started to help
with the root cause.
My kind of yoga
I have always preferred to practice on my
own than to attend a class. I am freer to
experiment, to move at my own pace and
to really feel what I need mentally and
physically on a day-to-day basis.
I borrow elements of asana from any style:
Dharma to Sivananda, Vinyasa to Rocket,
movement patterns from surfing, martial
arts and climbing. Movement is movement;
somebody made up every asana, they
werent suddenly delivered to us from above.
I am just continuing that organic process
without the imaginary boundaries of there
being a right or wrong way to practice.
My breathing practice is inspired just
as much by my lifelong relationship with
asthma and free-diving techniques as it is by
traditional yogic Pranayama practices, whilst I
draw my philosophical musings as much from
Krishnamurti, The Matrix and Bruce Lee as I
do from Patanjali, Buddhism and the Vedas.
I am lucky enough now to live in North
Devon, sandwiched between Exmoor
national park and the wild Atlantic Ocean.
If there are waves, large or small, rain, wind
or snow, summer or the middle of winter, Ill
be out at first light and in the water on my
surfboard. That might well be my asana for
 FM

the day. I dont feel the need to spend three

hours paddling around in the sea, away
from the world getting my mind clear, doing
lots of breath holding and stretching and
then come back to do another two hours
of asana, pranayama and meditation. Im
no spring chicken anymore and my body
certainly wouldnt be up for that.
For me, there is genuinely no separation
from yoga and the rest of life. The last thing
I want from yoga is to inadvertently put
up entirely new walls in a misguided effort
to liberate myself from other things that I
perceive to be trapping me.
I have never felt at all comfortable with
any regimented style or practice; it conjures
up exactly the same discomfort as being
imprisoned in the classroom. For me, yoga
is all about feeling, about being intuitive,
authentic and true to yourself. I cant take
someone elses coat and think that I will ever
be truly comfortable by squeezing myself
into it. I prefer to rip up the best bits of all
the coats that I like and tailor them into an
absolutely perfect fit for myself. That is how I
practice and that is how I teach. I encourage
everyone to make their own coatsI dont
want them to try and wear mine but Im
happy to give them a needle, thread and
some fabric if it helps.

Yoga Like Water

My dad was a senior Ju-Jitsu instructor and
I grew up in the late 70s explosion or martial
arts films that I was probably too young to
be watching! As a result, I was a huge fan
of Bruce Lee as a kid, he was certainly my
childhood hero. Not just his films but his
entire philosophy on life. He was a really
deep guy, his amazing energy and focus
went way beyond Kung Fu; he was even
the Hong Kong Cha Cha Cha champion!
He used this lovely analogy of being like
water, flowing formless and shapeless; the
ability to be strong and powerful like a wave
or soft and gentle like a stream. A lot of it
was influenced by Taoism, Buddhism and
by Krishnamurti - he drew from everything,
even from yoga. In his most famous book,
the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, he introduces
various recognisable yoga postures through
the medium of Indian wrestling exercises. He
was totally unapologetic about his approach
to the very purist martial arts world of
the era. I guess, more than anything, I
respected the logical route that he chose:
it was intelligent, strong and confident, yet
totally non-confrontational. Thats where
Yoga Like Water grew from, I wanted to pick
and choose the most effective and efficient
way of understanding and practicing yoga,
whatever that might be and wherever that
came from; of course the fact that I spend
an awful lot of my time in the ocean only
lends a deeper feel for this very natural way
of experiencing yoga.
Vive la difference
I am passionate about spreading this slightly
odd philosophy of mine, not in pushing it out
there, but in supporting other people to know
that its okay to find your own yoga - you
dont have to subscribe to anything special
to be yogic. Many will certainly disagree
with me, believing that I have moved way too
far from what yoga is - it isnt my place to
persuade anyone that I am correct or they
are wrong and Im not especially interested
in doing so, chances are that their path is
perfect for them, right now at least.
But for those that are inclined to walk a
path of their own I am happy to share.
I teach workshops in wonderful studios
all over the country, meeting thousands of
different yogis. No matter what the topic
is that Im teaching, the experiential method
is the same: self-guided investigation,
me doing 40% of the work via questioning
and the students doing 60% themselves
by discovering and exploring.
I have been in the fortunate position
to take this much further with a team of
the most amazing yogis from around the
country and together we have created an
entirely organic, style-less, system-less, 200
hour immersive teacher training (though I
really hate that term as it is so much more
than that). We have facilitators from an
enormous range of styles and backgrounds.
They include: Mimi Kuo Deemer teaching
Qigong inspired flow and energetic
movement; Toni Roberts covering all things
related to the mind and the psychotherapy
of yoga; Lolo Lam extending her years
of anatomical knowledge in intensive
care nursing in the most experiential way
possible; and Jambo Truong working on
advanced and intuitive teaching skills. I fill
in the gaps and make sure that everyone is
being true to themselves and not trying to
emulate their favourite tutor.
The next Yoga Like Water teacher training
courses commence: London Light Centre
(April 2017). Devon & Shrewsbury (March
2017) Scholarship places also available. Find
out more at: yogalikewater.com

53
 FM
MAN ON THE MAT: WITH JUAN VILLEGAS
Revolved Half Moon
(Parivrtta Adha Chandrasana)
Benefits
This pose is a great combination of lengthening, balancing and
twisting. The extension of the arms in opposite directions creates
elongation across the muscles of the chest and spaciousness
in the cavity where the heart resides. This is the perfect pose for
strengthening the bones and muscles of the standing leg, improving
balance. The twisting action in the torso stimulates the digestive
system as well as the vertebral discs keeping them flexible and
healthy. Somatically, the spinal rotation stimulates Manipura Chakra
responsible for cultivating qualities such as self-control, personal
power and humour. It also stimulates Muladhara Chakra which creates
a sense of grounding, security and patience.
Common Mistakes
If there is a lack of flexibility in the hips and the hamstring muscles
of the standing leg, the spine will tend to flex forward and round
creating unhealthy compression on the vertebral discs. On the other
hand if the hamstring muscles of the floating leg are not engaged
properly the leg will not fully extend and it will feel extra heavy and
this will also collapse the hip which is supporting that floating leg.
Tightness in the chest muscles will create internal rotation of the
top shoulder. The back of the neck tends to compress so be aware
of the neck and keep it in one line with the spine. Finally watch for
knee hyperextension of the standing leg and micro bend the knee to
protect the back ligaments of this joint.
54
Tips
n T
he principles behind this pose are hip opening, arm extension,
balance and spinal rotation so Warrior 2 (Virabhadrasana II) is
an accessible yet challenging pose which warms up the hips,
grounds the legs and brings awareness to spinal and arms
extension.
n T
ree pose (Vrksasana), Warrior 3 (Virabhadrasana III) and Half
Moon (Ardha Chandrasana) are great poses to create awareness
in the bones of the legs and muscles that aid in one leg
balancing and they also serve as hip openers.
n A
fter creating awareness in the legs, hips and arms, the spine
can be warmed up for rotation with poses such as Revolved
Chair (Parivrtta Utkatasana), Revolved Lunge (Parivrtta
Anjaneyasana), and Revolved Triangle (Parivrtta Trikonasana). Be
mindful of lengthening the spine with each exhalation to avoid
vertebral disc compression. Use a block under the grounding
hand to aid in the lengthening of the spine.
Awareness
Use caution when practicing this asana if you have any knee or
ankle injuries, shoulder or neck injuries. Finally watch for lower back
compression: if it hurts, reduce the amount of spinal rotation. You want
to keep your body young, healthy and injury free by listening to it.
Juan Villegas (yogateachertrainingyogacara.com)
 home yoga
21-page special report
Everything you need to start your own home yoga practice today

55
 home yoga special report
No place like home
The best way to start doing yoga is simply to start
T
heres no better way to get your new year off to a flying
start and make any healthy living changes stick long-
term than a regular yoga practice. Yoga is good for
your mind, body and soul its a total life workout.
If youre new to yoga then its great if you can book
yourself onto a course at a nearby studio, but if youre short of time,
or cash, or you live in the countryside, then dont be afraid to get
things going at home.
The most important thing is just to begin. At first, take it easy,
listen to your body and stay on the safe side to prevent injury, but
apart from that youre good to go.
You dont really need anything to start your practice although a
nice grippy mat will help you once you do get down to business. And
once you know that yoga is definitely for you then you might want
to think about investing in other bits of kit, like blocks and bolsters,
maybe even some striking new yoga pants to reward yourself for all
your positive efforts.
Initially, just create a nice comfortable spot where you can stretch
out fully, and enjoy spending time knowing that you are investing in
your better self. Explore some of the free yoga content on YouTube
or check out some of the trial offers with the specialist online yoga
56
providers. Look around and find a teacher, style or routine that you
enjoy, something thats pitched at your level, and go for it. Who
needs expensive class fees?
Above all, enjoy your practice in the comfort of your own home.
This is time for you, for your physical and mental health and
wellbeing, and it will pay dividends later on probably sooner than
you think. Take time for some relaxation, or Savasana, at the end of
your practice too to fully reap the benefits.
If youre still unsure about what youre doing, then just try sitting
quietly in a meditative mood, to enjoy a moment of calm, or type
in Yoga Nidra on your laptop for a gentle but truly powerful healing
experience. There are free ones online.
Of course, when time allows, make your way to an actual
studio class to connect with others, meet like-minded people and
experience yoga under the watchful eye of a trained teacher. This is
a great way to elevate your practice and spur you on.
But the real gold in yoga is the daily practice, or the routine. Dip
into an oasis of calm and meditation, or test yourself physically
whenever you can for the best results and this is typically only
possible if you can start to integrate yoga into your day-to-day life.
Remember: theres no place like home.
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 home yoga special report

Live Show

5 reasons why you should join a live yoga class

1. Correct your form
Do you ever feel pain in your knees or lower back during your
practice? When you switch your live camera on during your yoga
class, youll be in safer hands as yoga teachers will aim to ensure
you find the right movements and asanas for your body. If you
have any questions about the exercise, you can ask for tips from
instructors directly by chat. And if the idea of being seen publicly is
troubling you, dont panic - only the yoga instructor can see you, no
one else in the class. Plus they are only interested in making sure
you have a fun and safe class, not how clean your house is.
2. We all stretch together
Do you ever find yourself trying to get out of the inconvenience
and discomfort of stretching? We know the feeling - especially when
you havent stretched for a while it can be uncomfortable. So, when
instructors see that look on your face - they may encourage you to
stay strong. Although you wont be able to see the other participants
struggling too, the energy from the instructors will definitely keep
you going through those difficult yoga movements. Smiling makes
everything easier.
4. 21 days is key
Research shows that adoption of a new habit takes 21 days to stick.
So, if getting to your class is a struggle then use the advantage
of your calendar to schedule your live classes. When you start to
book your classes on a regular basis at certain times youll find that
your flow comes naturally and that your yoga regime will always be
included in your day-to-day life.
5. Contribute
When you become comfortable and familiar with your instructor tell
them about your needs and wants for the class. The more they know
about you the better they can teach you. Teachers love feedback
and are always looking for new ideas to take into their next class. So,
be proactive and tell the them what you think. It benefits everyone!
Get 30 free days of unlimited live online classes with Yogaia.
(yogaia.com/omyoga)

3. Learn something new

When a small child is learning to walk, they stumble to the ground
and get back up time and time again - until one day the falling
stops and the steps continue. Learning new things is amazing, but
sometimes frustrating. During a live class, expert teachers are on
hand to give tips that will help you move forward with your practice.
A small change in your hand position could be key to making your
yoga easier.

58
 ITS COLD OUTSIDE!
Stay cosy indoors and practice with your favourite teachers. We believe that life without
Movement goes Nowhere. We believe in 4am sessions in Dodgy tracksuit bottoms.
Class Starts When You Say For Yogis, By Yogis
In the Comfort of Your Own Home or Garden Classes from 2 minutes - 90 minutes
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Handpicked Selection of the Top Teachers Monthly or Annual Subscriptions
Made in Britain The Top Teachers and Studios Count You In

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Use Code subscription plus free
OMWINTER 14-day trial
 home yoga special report

Starting a
home yoga
practice
If youd like to start a home yoga
practice but dont know where
to begin, here are 10 tips.
By Kirsty Tomlinson from
EkhartYoga.com

1 Buy a mat and grab some props
One of the best things about yoga is that
you dont need much equipment. However,
a sticky mat and props can help your
alignment and make some poses more
comfortable.
2 Make space
If possible, try and find a peaceful place to
practice with space for you to stretch out.
You could personalise your space with things
like candles and incense, or a photograph
that inspires you.
3 Commit to an achievable time
Are you a morning or evening person? Could
you squeeze in a bit of yoga into your lunch
break? As for the ideal length of time to
practice, go with what works best for you.

60

4 Beware of the 3 Ps
Honour your bodys boundaries. Avoid pain,
pinching and pushing. Pain feels hot and
sharp, whereas discomfort is more of a dull,
nagging sensation. Stop if its inside the joint
structure and be mindful in transitions.
5 A little planning may save
a lot of time
If youre doing an online class and your time
is really stretched, you can decide which
class youre going to do the day before. Just
press play and away you go!
6 Make it fun
When youre starting out, practice poses
that you enjoy so youll have an incentive
to roll out your mat. What about doing
yoga to your favourite music or practicing
with friends?
7 Follow your bodys lead
If youre used to following an online class,
once a week, get on your mat and do your
own thing. Any time that you take to tune
in and truly listen to your body and let it
rather than your mind lead the way,
is yoga.
8 Meditation and pranayama
A home practice is a great opportunity to
build a meditation and pranayama practice.
Even five minutes of breathing incorporated
into your asana practice will leave you
feeling centred and relaxed.
9 Stick with it
If youre one of those people who seek the
perfect practice, know that it doesnt exist.
Unless theres a genuine reason to stop
practicing, try and see it through. Its the
nature of the monkey mind to search for
perfection but whatever unfolds, you will
learn something from what you do.
10 Cut yourself some slack
If squeezing in your home practice between
work and family commitments causes you
more stress than going to a class, thats
okay. The key thing is that you show up
on your mat, open, present, accepting
and curious.
Join EkhartYoga.com this January for a
guided online yoga programme and enjoy
a balanced home practice for 21 days:
Balanced Boost: Mindful Fit Flows.
EkhartYoga.com is a vibrant online
community where like-minded people share
their love, experience and knowledge for
yoga and meditation. With over 2,000 videos
taught by an eclectic mix of international
teachers, it has something for everyone.
Become a member for just 1 for the
first month.
 home yoga special report

The best
intentions
Dont underestimate the power of
intention in making a home-based
practice a regular part of your life

E
ven if youre lucky enough to have built your own
incredible studio at home, thats no guarantee youll
ever step on the mat. It all boils down to you and your
commitment. The yogas all in the doing - whether thats
a short meditation, or an hours sweaty workout - so set
an intention to make it happen.
Like signing up to a set of New Years resolutions, by setting an
intention before you begin youre creating the right environment
to become more of the person you want to be. Its also a little like
typing the coordinates into your SatNav.
On a practical level, dont make it too tough for yourself. If youre
struggling for time, just commit to one or two minutes on your
mat each day; even that will offer some respite from your hectic
schedule. Many people find that one or two minutes can easily lead
to five minutes, though, or more, as theyre enjoying themselves
so much. And once you get to that stage then yoga is starting
to become a part of your life. Youll soon be allocating half an
hour (or more) for your class.
Setting an intention to do a short yoga session each day
might also have a profound impact on other areas of your life.
A regular yoga practice can be a powerful tool in identifying limiting
beliefs, to drive you on to better things, enabling you to live a
cleaner, more compassionate and healthful life.
Deploy mindfulness into your day, so that you can practice yoga
wherever you go - at work, at home or on the bus even. As soon as
you start to integrate yoga into your life, on a regular and sustained
basis, the transformation begins.
And it all starts with an intention, a choice to go for it. Try it, or
youll never know.

62
 home yoga special report

Yoga 24/7
Weve scanned the
web for some fab online
yoga providers

Yogaia Movement For

With over 40 world-class Modern Life
teachers, Yogaia live streams For busy lives, find room to
and records over 100 new breathe and space to grow
yoga, meditation, and fitness with Movement For Modern
classes for all levels to its Life. A handpicked selection
10,000+ members, every of the very best teachers,
week. Also offers interactive classes, allowing students to turn on this is yoga in your own time. Brit-based yoga site with stacks of
their webcam to receive real-time feedback and alignment tips from super high quality videos from just two minutes to full 90 minute
teachers all through their laptop and in the comfort of their own classes. Join the Movement!
home. OM readers get an exclusive 30 days free! movementformodernlife.com
yogaia.com/omyoga
Yagavar
Ekhart Yoga Interactive yoga classes
A huge depository of ultra from the comfort of your
high quality online yoga and living room. One of the new
meditation classes. Created kids on the block, Yagavar
in 2011 by the inspirational is not a video service - the
Esther Ekhart, a renowned teachers are live and see
international teacher you in the lesson to adjust your yoga practice via your webcam.
from the Netherlands, the site has flourished ever since and is an yagavar.com
excellent resource for practicing yoga at home.
ekhartyoga.com
Image courtesy of ekhartyoga.com

Kundalini Lounge
If Kundalini Yoga is what
youre after then this is the
place for you. With classes
ranging from two minutes
to two hours, and featuring
instructors from across the
world, its the perfect online venue for those seeking to advance
their practice at home, whatever level youre at.
kundalinilounge.com

64
 Private Yoga
wherever you are
20% OFF
use code: OMYOGATPY

www.theprivateyogi.com

Download the Free App Now Book your class on-the-go

*Offer ends 31/03/2017 redeemable for Single and Duo Private Classes.
 home yoga special report
Mats Entertainment
Pick your companion for your home yoga adventure
Eco Yoga Mats - 27.50 (4mm), 30.90 (6mm)
The Stretch Now Eco Yoga Mat has a patterned soft surface
that provides superb traction to ensure you are grounded in
your postures without slipping. Made from newly developed
and patented TPE (Thermal Plastic Elastomer) foam, the mats
contain no latex, PVC or rubber, and use no toxic materials
in production; theyre also bio-degradable once discarded.
Available in a variety of colours and two different thicknesses.
stretchnow.com
JadeYoga Two Tone Lavender / Purple
The new Jade two tone Lavender over Purple yoga mat is
available for a limited time. Two colours on one mat - choose
your colour for your practice. Jade Lavender over Purple is
3/16 (5mm) - the same thickness as the popular Harmony
Professional Mat and is available in 71 (180cm) long.
jadeyogashop.eu
66
Grip Dot Yoga Towel - 25.00
The super-absorbent Grip Dot Yoga Towel is highly versatile.
Use it with the dots down for an anti-slip yoga mat on its own
or use it with the dots up on top of a class mat for hygiene
or extra grip - ideal for use in hot or power yoga. The towel
also makes a great travel yoga mat as it folds up to fit in your
suitcase.
yoga-mad.com
Organic Cotton Yoga Bolster, Printed - 38.70
The Stretch Now Yoga Bolster is a premium bolster made to
the highest standards for both individual and studio use. A
wide variety of colours and prints to suit all tastes and specific
interior decors. The covers are made from zippered, washable
100% organic cotton that will withstand years of yoga practice.
The filling is natural kapok which provides firm density and
at the same time makes the bolster light and easy to carry.
Length: 75 cm Diameter: 22 cm Weight: 1.9 kg
stretchnow.com
 Mad
about
yoga?
Whatever your goals
ar e this year,
yoga-Mad equipMent
can help you achieve

4 theM!

YOGA MATS | YOGA PROPS | MEDITATION | YOGA ACCESSORIES | TOESOX

www.Yoga-Mad.com

67
 home yoga special report

Home delivery
Just because youre not going to the studio doesnt mean
the yoga teacher cant come to you

G
ood news if you live in the capital. The Private Yogi or office - now thats what home yoga is all about! And, of course,
(theprivateyogi.com) specialises in private and private yoga classes offer something different to a group class.
business yoga classes in homes, offices or hotel You get the privacy and a personalised experience with a teachers
rooms, with equipment provided with the best yoga undivided attention - and without the apprehension of how good
teachers London has to offer. you are if youre a beginner, says Morse.
Design your own yoga class at your fingertips, whilst enjoying a She says students have the chance to have a class tailored
cup of tea at home. Simply download The Private Yogi app on your around their needs every time they book: one week they might
smartphone to book on-the-go need more balance in their life,
or visit the website. Choose your
desired yoga style and preferred
The Private Yogi is a family. the next some flexibility, the choice
in endless.
teacher, select a date and time that Our teachers nurture their students It really allows both the teacher
is convenient for you and hit the and practice traditional yoga with and the student to learn from one
button Book.
Although the service currently
them as it was taught 5,000 years another, without any distractions,
she adds. We encourage
covers the London area the goal is ago, on a 1-2-1 basis. development of one another and
to roll coverage out nationally soon. every one of our teachers leads
Offering yoga styles from Vinyasa to Yin and teachers specialising workshops and retreats to clients and staff. We really are unique, we
in different areas such as yoga for depression, running, pregnancy dont just offer classes, we offer a journey of physical and spiritual
and injuries theres something for everyone. development for everyone.
The Private Yogi is a family. Our teachers nurture their students And if practicing yoga on your own at home with a teacher seems
and practice traditional yoga with them as it was taught 5,000 a little daunting at first, dont worry; The Private Yogi also offers duo
years ago, on a 1-2-1 basis, says the companys founder and yoga private classes to help you find your yogi feet with a friend or loved
teacher Charlotte Morse. one, spreading the cost as you go. Private classes start from 75
It means you get the luxury of your own teacher in your own home with 20% off for first time customers.

68
 home yoga special report

Secrets to making a
home practice space
OM spoke to Kat Farrants, founder of online yoga provider Movement For Modern
Life, to find out how she creates her perfect home yoga space

I
often get asked about how to create a home yoga space. Its
a really important question. For me, the creation of a space
at home that feels as sacred, welcoming and beautiful as a
studio is key for my daily home practice.
I dont think that theres a certain feng shui thatll make your
practice more meaningful and transformative. But it is important
to have somewhere thats an inspiring and safe space for you to
move and breathe deeply; a space where, if just for five minutes, is
yours to inhabit fully and move freely. We all have our own feeling
about feng shui and intentions for making yoga your own, and it is
important that you follow your heart your teacher in creating
your space as well as in your practice.
As a busy and practical person, the most important thing for me
is that it must be somewhere accessible. I just want to get on and
do it, somewhere I will actually roll out my mat and get moving every
single day.
Location, location
I dont actually have a room that I always practice in. But what is
really important to me is breaking down the barriers, so that theres
no hard in yoga.
As I love to do yoga before bed, I create a little space right next
to my bed by the wall, which is great for nighttime poses. Its not
a big space, but its enough for some supine twists, quiet Yin and

70
 It is important to have somewhere
thats an inspiring and safe space for
you to move and breathe deeply; a
space where, if just for five minutes, is
yours to inhabit fully and move freely.
Restorative yoga and legs up the wall. I make it cosy and inspiring
by putting meaningful pictures next to some tea lights. Its simple,
welcoming, cosy and the important thing is that its a space that I
want to dive into to get relaxed before bed.
For my daytime yoga space, because I work from home, I often
have a mat rolled out in my living room, so theres no excuse not to
just dive onto the mat for a break during the day. I love to do bursts
of yoga in the day to keep my body moving and my mind focused
and creative. I live in a cottage with a low ceiling, and folks ask
how I practice, but lifes all about being creative with what we have!
Although I cant stretch up with my arms above my head, I make the
space work for me by extending elbows overhead. Yoga is all about
flexibility in body and mind. Dont let physical limitations hinder your
practice, but be creative with it. Although many keep pets, children,
partners, locked out during practice, personally, I like to keep yoga
as part of my everyday living and welcome all to my space.
Making it evocative
The beauty of practicing yoga at home is that yoga can be
revelled in as a sacred inner practice, not a workout or a public
show of bendiness.
Keep your practice space inspiring and evocative, for example,
creating a little altar near your mat to remind you of your higher
intentions. I have an altar that I place in the front of my mat in the
living room. It has some photos and meaningful objects on it, as
well as a candle. It reminds me of a higher purpose and to practice
for others, as well as for myself. If you like intention-setting at the
start of your practice, make it really easy in your home practice.
Intention-setting cards or angel cards can be wonderful for creating
the right tone for you practice.
Candlelight seems to magically create the right space for yoga,
so I can put down my phone and make the intention to not respond
to distractions.
71
 home yoga special report
You might also want to keep some lovely scent by your mat. Scent
seems to be particularly evocative for setting a certain tone. Take
time to choose something you really like and pick a lovely scent or
yoga oils to keep by your mat to evoke your sense of intention in
your yoga practice.

Dont stress about fashion

The joy of a home practice is you dont have to change in any
sense of the word. You dont have to pretend to be a young, hip
thing, or more bendy than you are. Be exactly as you are and wear
just what youre wearing. Fabrics that are lovely and touchable,
organic, comfortable, I think, are so much more tempting to move in
at home. I often practice in PJs or wear nothing at all. Well, isnt that
the joy of practicing in the comfort of your own home?
The trick to your own practice space is bespokingthat is, to think
deeply about what motivates you in an initial set up of what you love
in terms of sounds, scents and styles, so you dont need to think
about it again when youre ready to move, its all ready to go just
when you are. Thats what makes for a great home yoga space.

Kat Farrants is the founder of online yoga platform Movement For

Modern Life (movementformodernlife.com)

72
100% Natural Rubber & Jute Yoga Mats

Excellent Grip !

Made in the UK

If Yoga holds the potential to

transform the Body-Mind
landscape, why not complement
your practice: Embrace the health
of the Earths landscape too !

www.ecoyoga.co.uk
ecoYoga t: 0131 220 0999
registered trademark to Ecoyoga Ltd
 home yoga special report

Homewares
Everything you need to turn your
home into your yoga sanctuary

ToeSox Full Toe Bellarina in Groove - 13.00

Bellarina struts her stuff with a heel tab that provides extra comfort and
protection to the Achilles tendon. She rocks an arch band for graceful lift
and support. Wear Bellarina for all barefoot activities like barre, Pilates,
yoga, and dance. Stick To Your Practice.
toesox.biz

Deluxe Yoga Prop Bag - 25.00

Made from high quality jute with cotton liner fabric
in India. The perfect size for carrying your yoga
mat, props and accessories to and from your class
as well as storing all your props at home in one tidy
and stylish solution. The pattern is available in two
colours: soothing green or uplifting orange
yoga-mad.com

Yoga Workbooks by Looxa - 10

Practical notebooks with pre-sketched postures
serve as progress journals or for taking notes
during the learning process. A5 format on recycled
paper and with soft covers.
looxa.net

Orange Blossom Candle For Higher Energy - 40

Uplift the soul with this intoxicating orange blossom candle
that gives energy and balance as well as an exquisite aroma.
Made of 100% natural ingredients including jojoba oil, eco-
soya wax, beeswax and essential oils and 100% petroleum and
chemical free. Burning Time: 50 hours.
ila-spa.com

74
 Liberation Prison Yoga
New York, NY
With: Yael Stone, Anika Absar, Anneke Lucas,
Oneika Mays
Mission: Bring yoga and meditation to US
prisons, moving towards integration instead
of isolation, healing instead of punishment,
Natures Best Yoga Mat
and peace amid unrest - inside ourselves, and
inside the prisons.
Get Involved: www.liberationprisonyoga.com
Mat: Jade

Great grip. Earth friendly.

www.jadeyogashop.eu
Official European Distributon by YO|YOGA AG.
Visit us at www.jadeyogashop.eu
 travel guide 2017

travel guide
Fantastic yoga holidays to inspire you this year
2017

N
EW
A new retreat IN
BA
every Sunday in Bali LI
Ayurvedic Healing Centre
Yoga, meditation, spa, ONEWORLD ayurveda
detox, discoveries & more. offers 7/10/14/21/28 days
Over 50 retreats every Ayurvedic Panchakarma
year with amazing local
healing programs.
and international leaders.

www.oneworldretreats.com www.oneworldayurveda.com

The new OM Yoga Travel Guide 2017

OM Magazine Yoga & Lifestyle

travel guide
available to download FREE at
2017
OM Yoga Travel Guide 2017

BodyYoga is the culmination of many

years gathering expertise and knowledge
at the BodyHoliday in order to create
a Yoga programme to suit a wide range
of needs.
BodyYoga is about the pursuit of optimal
wellness. Our aim is to find the right
Yoga
style for you and combine with sensible
nutrition, therapies, relaxation and meditation.
www.ommagazine.com

To learn more call 0203 096 1676

or visit www.thebodyholid ay.com/om-yoga

Over 50 incredible yoga retreats from around the world

OM_TRAVEL2017_cover.indd 1

30/09/2016 11:35:57

76
 travel guide 2017

ENERGISING AND RELAXING YOGA BY THE BEACH AT

FABULOUS 4-STAR HOTELS IN SARDINIA, MAJORCA AND CROATIA
Open from 1 April to 4 November,
for short breaks or week-long yoga
holidays. Hatha and Vinyasa flow yoga
classes every morning overlooking the
beach and then the rest of the day free
to enjoy the beaches and fabulous local
area (sailing trips to the fabulous local
islands, tennis, cycling, local markets,
agriturismo, wineries, spa treatments
and many other activities - or relaxing by
the pool or on the beach). Beginners,
experienced yogis, solo travelers,
couples and groups all welcome.

www.sardiniayoga.com

77
 travel guide 2017

YOGA
TURKEY
Liberating yoga retreats in
Gltrkbk, Bodrum - the
Turkish riviera
May-June, Sept-Oct
Famous vegetarian and living
foods

www.yogaturkey.co.uk
info@yogaturkey.co.uk
020 8699 1900 (London)
0090 542 681 8009

Established in 2007,
we run 40 UK weekend retreats
and 10 yoga holidays a year.

SPAIN | NORWAY | WALES | TURKEY

FIND YOUR BLISS

Facilitating yoga retreats and
is calling holidays for nearly 25 years
Find out why people keep coming back

SNOW
SURF
HIKE
WELLBEING
AY U R V E D A
DETOX
BEACH
My favourite yoga holiday destination Simon Low
adventureyogi.com huzvad@gmail.com | www.huzurvadisi.com

78
 *Price based on two sharing. Single supplement of 49 applies.

Enjoy a two day yoga retreat in the Thursday 23rd & Friday
heart of the Lancashire countryside. 24th February 2017
Enter a world of calm & wellbeing for two days of Yoga
practice at the award-winning Spa Hotel, situated
within the grounds of our five-star holiday village.

To find out more call 01772 671111

or visit ribbyhall.co.uk/yoga-retreat
 om mind

Meditation of the month

Love&kindness

80
 om mind

In a world of great uncertainty, let love

and kindness guide your thoughts.
By Jill Lawson

W
hat does it mean to be kind? In a world fraught
with uncertainties, fear and anger can easily
dominate our state of being. When we have no
motivation for gentle, loving thoughts toward
those who disagree with us, stress levels rise,
and violent acts may ensue. Showing love for someone who upsets
or hurts us may seem impossible, but, kindness is necessary if we
want our human race to survive.
The following meditation is helpful whenever your mind
becomes turbulent or agitated. Practice during times of
disagreements and arguments, so you can readily retreat to
the calm ocean of your soul.

Do it now
Lie down in a comfortable position, free from external distractions.
Take several deep breaths to start letting go of your anger. Bring
your awareness to sensations throughout your body. Once youve
begun to calm the flames of rage, notice subtle changes that are
taking place in your body. Perhaps you are no longer clenching
your teeth. Maybe your chest softens, and you feel your heartbeat
slowing down.
Next, place your right hand on your belly, and your left hand
over your heart. Feel under both hands, the gentle rising and
falling motion of your breath, and your heart beating steadily. Let
the wave-like motion of your breath, and the rhythmic beat of your
heart, gently rock you to a place of peace.
Now, imagine your breath and heartbeat are sending ripple-like
waves through your entire body. See these waves much like the
ones created when you drop a rock into still water. Visualise these
waves continuing to travel, beyond the boundaries of your physical
body, and then out into the world around you.

Imagine these waves are sending healing light, love, and

compassion to all people on the planet. Send them to someone
who makes you feel angry. Send them to someone with whom you
just had an argument. Send them to all human beings in your field
of imagination.
When you radiate waves of love and compassion from your
heart, it becomes an act of kindness. Trust that it works.
On some level, those who have upset you are reaping the
healing benefits of your kindness meditation. It is not used to
change someones opinion, it is simply a method to help you
dampen the awful ugliness that arises when people misunderstand,
hurt, or disagree with each other.
Practice as often as necessary, because as it helps you, it will
indeed soften the hearts of everyone around you.

Jill Lawson is a writer and yoga teacher in Colorado, USA

(jilllawsonyoga.com)
 Competition Win a place on the RainbowLight Yoga Teacher
Training (YTT200) in France* (May 6-30, 2017)
To enter please go to
ommagazine.com/rainbow2017
Win a place on the RainbowLight Yoga Teacher Training (YTT200) in
France. Youll enjoy a 25 day intensive teacher training experience in
magnificent countryside, surrounded by organic farmland with views
of the low undulating sweeping hills in the nations Aquitaine region.
To the west, dotted along the magnificent Atlantic Coast are
the sandy surfing beaches of Hossegor, Biarritz, Capbreton and
Saint-Jean-de-Luz; to the east, the wine growing regions of Tursan,
Madiran and Saint Mont as well as the wonderful brandy, Armagnac;
to the south, the foothills of the Pyrenees and the Basque Country,
which you can see from the venue on a bright sunny day.
RainbowLight Yoga Teacher Training (YTT200) focuses on yoga
as a holistic spiritual practice. It takes an in-depth study of yogas
ancient Indian and Tibetan roots, and balances the knowledge and
practice of the physical poses with knowledge and practices of the
inner body the channels and the chakras, as well as the practice of
meditation (raja yoga).
The Yoga Teacher Training in France is a 25-day intensive
residential course accepting a maximum of 12 students per course.
This means you get all the support and personal attention you need
when embarking on such a life-changing adventure.
During the course, youll be given a grounding in the different
aspects of yoga to enrich your life and deepen your yoga practice.
82
Worth
2,700
The teacher training course also covers asana practice and teaching
methodology. It will give you enough practical experience to feel
confident to teach your first professional class.
RainbowLight Yoga is a registered school with Yoga Alliance, the
largest international yoga registry. It runs a dedicated yoga school
in Coudures, Landes in south-western France. As a graduate of the
YTT200 Programme, you will be able to register with REPs (Register
of Exercise Professionals) as an L3 Yoga Instructor in the UK and as
a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.
For more information email: sunshine@rainbowlightyoga.com or
visit: www.rainbowlightyoga.com
Closing date: 12 January 2017
* Terms and conditions apply.
Prize is for one person. Value is 2700. Prize to be taken at RainbowLight Yoga
Retreat France, 1122 Route dEncos, 40500 Coudures from May 6-30,2017 only.
Includes 24 nights accommodation, 3 simple vegetarian meals daily, course
fees, certificate.
Not included:
Airfare to France, ground transportation (ground transfer to RainbowLight Yoga
Retreat can be arranged from Mont de Marsan train station for 30 return).
 RE R O
CR J K O
FO
UI UN N
BO

TI E LI
N 2 NE
G 0
N 17!
O
W
Bliss Teacher Training Academy
The only 200 hour Yoga Alliance UK Accredited
teacher training in the West Midlands
WHAT OUR CURRENT STUDENTS SAY:
The teacher training programme has been amazing Im really looking forward to the next weekend. - Lis
I have done teacher training courses before but none that really equip me to teach.
I already feel I just cant wait to lead a class. All my fears have gone. - JK
Spending whole weekends with like-minded people immersed in all things yoga is a dream come true.
I cant wait to pass on what I have learned. - Kelly

Discover Teacher Training Event Saturday 4th February 2017 11.30am - 2pm

Bliss Yoga is a friendly, welcoming and authentic yoga company

which has studios in Aldridge and Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. We
run retreats in Oxfordshire & Andalucia, as well as workshops and
our ever-popular Yoga Foundations Course.

www.blissyoga.org.uk 83
 om mind
spirit
De-Stress: Yoga off the mat
Release your inner child
Child Pose can bring physical and emotional release in our everyday lives,
writes Charlotte Watts
C
hild pose or Balasana is a pose featured many, many
times in most yoga sequences and for very good
reason. Its name comes from replicating the foetal
position that you evolved with in the womb. That curling
up of knees into your belly, your head in towards your
heart is the same shape you curled up before and when first born
it represents a time before you were able to sit up or stand up.
The secondary curves we develop in the first year of life the
inward curves of our lower back and neck - signify what it is to be
human, to stand upright and on two legs. These balance out the
outward curl of the primary curves at the back of our head, the
top of our back and our tail bone, cleverly stacking force to uplift
from gravity, up from the ground. The resulting S-shape is cleverly
engineered to allow us to stand up on to two legs and distribute the
weight upwards with some ease. The pay-off that comes from freeing
our arms to use when standing is that the lower back and neck tend
to be areas of weakness for humans. Looking after these and being
aware of how we use them is a crucial part of our spine health and
how we move.
We tend to create quite a lot of compression and tension in these
areas in the way that we hold stress and sit on chairs, crunching into
84
our spines to look at screens. So, in many of our yoga postures, we
lengthen our lumbar (lower) spine and neck. We practice moving into
them, stretching and twisting them, but we come back to Child Pose
to allow them to drop back into that first shape, that first setting
before they evolved into more support.
Releasing tension
When theres a patterning of holding stress or long-term physical
effects of tension, we often move into a pattern to unravel it. So,
habits that we might be holding in the lower back or the neck could
be soothed and softened by allowing those places to come back to
a rounded position that feels safe and familiar, as somewhere that
we were once fully protected.
Human beings are also unusual in the fact that the standing up
that signifies our place in the world also exposes our soft bits, our
belly and our groin, to the world and its very natural for us to feel
we need to protect those. In fact, coming into a foetal position is
somewhere that we instinctively go when we feel that we need to
feel a sense of safety and self-protection, drawing our knees up in
towards our chest.
Returning to this shape also helps cultivate a deep sense of
 om mind

safety into the whole nervous system: somewhere to come to where

we can nurture, a place to move out from again. Physically, that
curling in (flexing the thighs into the body) is initiated by the psoas
muscle, which runs up from the thighs, up through the belly and
into the diaphragm. The psoas extends to allow us to stand upright
and is often referred to as the emotional muscle as our protective
responses start from this core place.
Lots of chair sitting tends to shut this down, continually flexing the
knees up in towards the chest, which could also be collapsing down
in a less conscious foetal shape. So if weve been curling around for
a sense of safety, or just as sedentary habits, if we move too quickly
opening up the front body (e.g. lunges or back arches where we open
up the front of the thighs, groin, belly and chest) then this can seem
quite an emotionally stressful event for the body and the deep core
in the psoas.
So countering with curling into the foetal position in Balasana isnt
simply a mechanical opposition. It also allows us to open into these
patterns, without imprinting on the nervous system that when we do
a lunge it is a stressful event for the body. We open up and then we
draw back in again; cultivating a sensitive and inviting approach to
creating new patterns in the body.

Physical reset
In my classes I instruct Balasana or a version of a foetal position in
different planes, many times throughout. I like to work with a work-
rest attitude to yoga where we engage energy and then come back
to a place where we gather back in again, so that were not creating
agitation or overwhelm. We can do a foetal position, yes, in Child
Pose face down on the ground, but also often laying on the side on
our back in Apanasana with the knees drawn into the chest or even
upright onto the balls of our feet with our heels lifted and curling in,
or feet on the ground or heels on a block to curl in and rest there.
We can also use this protective space in more dynamic postures,
such as fully dropping down the front body in a lunge or standing
with bent legs, dropping the torso fully down onto the thighs and
letting the head and arms release this standing Child Pose is a
great decompressor for the spine, simply hanging to let gravity
punctuate postures where the lower back and neck hold so much
weight to stand upright.
Fully dropping the head is the benchmark of Child Pose, letting
the weight of those thoughts go and focusing on breadth, space
and release into the back of the neck and across the lower back.
This is a potent physical symbol of the power of yoga as embodied
awareness.

Charlotte Watts is a UK-based yoga instructor and the author of

The De-Stress Effect: Rebalance Your Bodys Systems for Vibrant
Health and Happiness (charlottewattshealth.com)
 om spirit

gong for good

OMs Claudia Brown explores the transformational

and healing properties of the gong meditation

G
ongs tend to provoke a
reaction in people, one way
or another.
When I say the words gong
meditation to a class, anyone
who hasnt done it before usually pulls a
faceand not a very complimentary one.
But those who have experienced the
wonder of The Gong will typically say,
Brilliant, I love the gong! Some people
even request it when they arrive to class.
My introduction to the gong was through
two private clients (Jane and Hannah). They
had come along to the OM Yoga Show in
Manchester and came running up to me
telling me all about their amazing experience
doing a gong meditation and could they do
it in the sessions with me.
I wont lie, I thought: Oh for the love of
God, seriously, what a load of hooey! Still,
Im up for trying anything once, so I started
to research all things gong meditation and
downloaded some gong tunes. And then I
was hooked. So I introduced it into some of
my yoga classes, telling everyone, You will
either love it or hate it and Im still to find
someone who hates it.
Gong bath, gong meditation, singing
bowls, tibetan singing bowlsdifferent
names but the same amazing, healing,
transformational results.
Holistic healing
So I decided to try and find a real gong
class to experience it for real, rather than
downloading one and playing it through

86
 om spirit

my iPhone speakers. After a quick internet

search, I discovered the Chiron Institute, a
place only 20 minutes from where I live (in
all places, Stoke!). I hotfooted it up there to
discover an oasis of calm and kept pinching
myself that this amazing place was on my
doorstep.
John and June Shapter who run
the Chiron Institute have a fascinating
background. John was a mainstream
clinician for 38 years and a clinical
governance consultant but also has an
understanding and experience of holistic
care and shamanic journeying. Of this
experience, he says: I found myself raised
into an extraordinary place of quiet and
serenity. I found a connection to a world of
love for fellow human beings and a feeling
of physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing
that I`d never attained before.
Through his practice of sound journeying,
he brings these benefits to other people.
A JOURNEY IN SOUND
In this new age, sound is both a means of
WE SPOKE TO JOHN AND JUNE SHAPTER TO FIND
attaining good health and promoting peace
OUT HOW GONG BATHS AND OTHER SOUND HEALING
and love across the world, he says.
THERAPIES CAN BENEFIT ALL OF US.
Over many years, June has trained in
tuning fork therapy, Reiki, EFT, reflexology,
How do you explain gong meditation to someone new?
Indian head massage, theta healing and
John: Sometimes we find it quite hard to find the words to describe what we do as
relaxation techniques. She has used her
its so experiential. We do use a wide variety of instruments to create a soundscape
skills with individuals, in a childrens hospice
which is both beautiful and relaxing. This is an ambient soundscape within a mindful
and in drug treatment and recovery settings.
protocol.The sounds of gongs, Himalayan singing bowls, drums, bells and chimes work
Shes also a qualified and experienced
together to form a complex vibrational network, which helps bring harmony to mind,
hypnotherapist and her experience as a
body and spirit.
trained counsellor is invaluable in working
with people both before and after sound
June: The gong and yoga are closely connected for us, as our first teacher was Don
sessions. It transcends all barriers, theres
Contreaux who was also one of the first teachers of Kundalini Yoga in the west. He,
nothing that gets in the way, its just about
himself, studied with Yogi Bhajan who taught both yoga and the way of the gong. Our
you and what you hear and what you feel,
space is also used for yoga classes when we are not working with sound.
she says. Sound is one of the first senses
we experience in the womb and sounds
How did you first get into gong meditation?
created with the healing intent are both
June: It was a surprise birthday gift for John, a whole day of gong and sound
beautiful and powerful.
meditation. We hadnt heard of it before but thought it sounded like an interesting
experience. It was awesome and Johns overwhelming reaction was to say, Ive got to
get a gong! That was five years ago and its simply changed our lives. This is a full time
calling for us now.

John: Since that initiation into the world of sound we have sought out and received
Photo of John and June: Julie Lou Weston

training by the best international teachers in this field. Over the last few years we have
spent time with Don Contreaux Aidan McIntyre, Jens Zygar and Mitch Nur.

Can you describe the different types of gongs and what they do?
John: We have 39 gongs in our personal sound chamber (with three more on the way
from America) which is one of the largest collections in the country. There is nowhere
else in the world, that we know of, where there are so many in one healing space and
where people can come and enjoy such an immersive experience. This is quite unique.
Photos: Beth Orton

We use gongs and instruments from all sorts of cultures and from countries across
the world, from China to Poland. However, the centre of the collection is a full set of
Planet Gongs made by Paiste in Germany with which we can take you on a journey
through the solar system and back. It is quite a profound experience, which we call
Cosmic Journeying. >>

87
 om spirit

MAKING A
DIFFERENCE
JOHN SHAPTER, CO-FOUNDER OF THE
CHIRON INSTITUTE, EXPLAINS HOW THE
CENTRE IS RAISING THE VIBRATION OF
THE AREA IT SERVES, FUELLING A MORE
CREATIVE, ENERGETIC COMMUNITY

We see the Chiron Institute as a

central location to promote and
support healing sound work, meditation
Some gongs are made with a specific healing purpose either through intent or by and peace studies. Its such an amazing
being tuned to notes such as the Solfeggio tones. Some gongs are made to reflect the space and the main Sound Chamber
energies of the fundamental elements. We have two gongs commissioned by us from lies on two intersecting ley lines which
a master gong maker to reflect our own individual energies whilst working with sound; creates an extraordinarily peaceful, yet
these are our Yin and Yang gongs. energising, space.
We have begun to make gongs too. Our Butterfly Gong is intended to facilitate change We are already attracting world
and transformation and the feedback so far is that it is a powerful energy that has leaders in our field to teach here which,
touched many people. Gongs that are made with intent by their maker have the most in turn, is bringing in students from
powerful effects. across Europe. We love that we can
The gongs themselves are beautiful objects, shimmering and sparkling in the sunlight contribute positively to the growth of
that floods through our windows. We feel blessed every day to be surrounded by these in knowledge and facilitate training at
our place of work. this level.
The numbers of people attending
What are the main benefits of a gong meditation? our daily group sessions are gradually
John: Sound is a very powerful tool and can be used for the benefits of mind, body increasing and wed love to attract
and spirit in a number of ways. Some people come to purely enjoy the sounds and find people who have never experienced,
a place of relaxation, some to journey to find a place of self-healing and some to find or even thought about experiencing,
clarity and spiritual enlightenment. healing sounds. This is not just for
Although sound is quite often used in a clinical setting, such as ultra-sound, we people already switched on to the
use it in a broader healing way by tapping into ancient traditions and beliefs such as alternative and complementary use
Shamanism and Buddhism. Sound is a simple and powerful way of achieving a mindful or of sound.
meditative state. Energetically, this is having such a
Vibrations and rhythms can entrain and alter brainwaves. More than this, sound profound effect on the area around us.
can create an altered state of consciousness which we believe can make change and Stoke-on-Trent is our home and has
transformation possible. Our experience indicates that sound can also help with anxiety, sadly been affected by the decline of
depression, behavioural change, physical pain, insomnia the list is becoming endless. the pottery industry with high levels
of deprivation. However, this is how
June: Some hospitals and other healthcare institutions with an open outlook are vibration works and by raising the
beginning to use ambient sound to aid anxiety and promote healing. Mainstream frequency in our centre we are subtly
medicine is beginning to wake up to the benefits of sound in this way. sending out positive vibes that alter
The yoga groups here all report a positive and relaxing energy to the space which can the energies around us. We are not
only come from it being awash with beautiful harmonics most of the day. In fact, the surprised that there has been a gradual
overwhelming sense of calm and safety one feels on entering can be enjoyed without us rise in creative endeavours in the area
even striking a gong. of the Chiron Institute since we started
and feel that we have contributed to
Is there any research to back this up? this change in energy.
June: Although past research appears to confirm what we feel, further and more
detailed research is required to provide a solid backbone of evidence. We have initiated Find out more about The Chiron
our own projects and early results indicate a greater sense of physical and emotional Institute at: chironuk.com
wellbeing by people experiencing our sound immersions. One test compared this with
listening to favourite music and shows a profound difference in favour of a gong bath,
with enhanced feelings of peace and wellbeing.
In the meantime, we rely on ongoing feedback from clients to reassure ourselves of
the positive benefits of what we do. We have collected stories of how the use of sound
has positively affected the lives of people attending group and personal sessions at our
institute. These keep us going on our own journey, in following our own path, in seeking
Claudia Brown is a yoga teacher and writer
new knowledge and experiences with which we can help other people.
(yogabyclaudia.com)

88
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 om spirit

One minute of calm

Today. For a moment. Just for a moment...
I shall allow myself
to dissolve, into the space
that holds me, in the palms of its hands And I shall let go of everything completely
I shall let go of all my worries
and I shall let go of all my cares
And in so doing, just settle into the stillness...
Nothing to do
Nothing to be
Just letting go completely and resting in the stillness
And in time, I shall begin to feel the stillness
as it begins to rise and expand within me
And with that, I shall be at peace...
I shall be at peace with myself
I shall be at peace with the world And I shall rest in this peace just till all is well
And in time, I shall begin to be aware of the goodness that exists at the core
of this experience
And I shall hold on to it
Holding on to the goodness Feeling at one with the stillness and imbued with peace
I shall be ready...
I shall be ready
to begin the day ahead Just as I would
a brand new day!

By Esther Emanuel (estheremanuel.com)

90
OM9_DEC16_184X123V2_LDN:Layout 1 11/22/16 2:28 PM Page 1 om spirit

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91
 STARTING over

re-write your story

in 2017

92

Redefine yourself with the
transformative powers of yoga. There
are no quick-fix detoxes here, just life-
changing wisdom derived from an
ancient practice on breaking old habits
and re-wiring your mind to create the
life of your dreams
F
orget fad diets and quick-fix solutions, any change thats
going to be enduring and long-term must be deep-rooted,
and really owned by the individual. New Years resolutions
are a nice idea but lets be honest about it: how seriously
do you take someone when they tell you what theyre
going to do quit smoking, get fit, emigrate to Australia when
January 1 comes around? More importantly, how seriously do they
take you?
Thats where yoga can be so powerful. It has a subtle way of
shifting your perspective, allowing you to better make sense of
your outer and inner worlds, as well as all the obvious benefits like
improved fitness and a greater sense of calm.
Yogas ability to seep into areas way beyond the mat driving
positive lifestyle change in areas such as nutrition, and even career
choices is truly remarkable. Thats nothing new for experienced
practitioners, who continually draw on the ever replenishing pool of
inspiration, creativity and self-reflection that it provides, but it can
take new students by surprise.
Away from all the inner peace and bendy bodies though, its
a transformative discipline that anyone whos ever attempted a
New Year resolution would be wise to take on board. So, weve put
together this section on ways yoga can help kickstart your year and
get you off to a positive start, whatever your plans may be.
Ditch Your Old Story:
Breaking free from your addictive patterns. The three stages to
freedom in sobriety, by Jo De Rosa
A Life Less Ordinary:
Is this the year you turn yoga into a career? Michelle Nicklin
looks at how to choose a safe teacher training course
Taking Responsibility:
A daring new paradigm in health. Stefan Lehner explains how we
can improve our health and wellbeing - and other areas of our
life - by making better, more conscious choices
To make real, positive and lasting change, the best thing you can
do to get things moving this year is to roll out your yoga mat. From
specific goals like changing job or buying a new car, to less defined
areas like eliminating negative thought patterns or emotional eating,
yoga will find a way to create the mental and physical space to
help you make progress with your life. Its powerful stuff, this yoga,
though, so watch out: expect the unexpected!
93
 STARTING OVER

DITCH
your
old
story
Break free from your addictive patterns.
The three stages to freedom in sobriety. By Jo De Rosa

94
Y
ou cant experience something
that you dont believe, so to
change your current situation
you have got to have a shift
in what you believe to be true
around the subject. We tend to get tied up in
knots when it comes to our addictions, going
round and round in circles doing something
that we dont actually want to do. We end up
feeling like we are going mad because the
situation is so ridiculous, and what we are
doing is in fact pretty crazy because we are
trying to fix the outer circumstances rather
than going to the underlying cause.
Stage One: Learn
Its like putting on a plaster every night rather
than tending to the injury thats underneath,
and then wondering why the wound isnt
healing. The first step on any journey is to
have an awareness of what is truly going
on; why this is happening, and only if we are
willing to take a look without the plaster (the
substance) do we have a chance of lasting
recovery, and ultimately freedom.
Yoga and meditation is the route that
I personally took to look within and ask
questions that needed uncovering. It may not
have been easy but it was the most rewarding
act of kindness I could have shown myself. My
practice has become stronger throughout the
last 20 years; it is the very core of who I am
and continues to be my utmost priority in life.
Stage Two: Believe
In any addiction whether its to alcohol, drugs
or food etc. there are many potentials, every
potential in fact. We may know someone
who is an alcoholic and doesnt want to
help themselves; we get frustrated with the
drinker who says they want sobriety but cant
stop picking up the next glass. We all know
someone who tries so desperately hard but
keeps on stumbling when triggered. However
we also all know someone who is has done
it and is totally free. If you dont personally
then you know me. But why is it different for
each person?
Its obviously mindset. What you believe
you experience so to change you need to
shift your beliefs around sobriety. Think of it
like traffic and well slim down the countless
possibilities to just six lanes on a motorway:
1. 
A heavy drinker who doesnt even want
to change
2. 
Someone who is thinking of changing
3. 
A person who is actively looking for
a solution
4. 
This person is in a programme
5. 
Sobriety has been achieved in this lane but
the person is still hankering after a drink
6. 
Freedom: this person has totally let go of
the story
If you believe its going to be difficult then that
is what you will experience, however, if you
shift your internal clock to one of believing
that freedom is possible, guess what? That will
become your new reality; you will drive your
car into the next lane. And driving in any lane
is easy when we are 100% committed to being
there. But when we begin to weave in and out of
lanes, not in either one fully then we are going
to struggle, it makes sense that we would.
As it is with our addictions, we say we dont
want to drink/smoke/do drugs again yet find
ourselves back in the place where we are being
tugged by the urge. At this point we have one
foot in each lane and will always struggle in
this place. Here we know that we dont want to
carry on where we were, but are not yet fully
embracing where we are going.
Stage Three:
The Quantum Jump
Science tells us that on the quantum field all
potentials already exist and you are simply
coming along and choosing which one you
want to experience. So is now the time for you
to make the jump to a new reality, one where
you expand into who you were always meant
Training
with Excellence
to become? The pasts ceiling is the futures
floor and once we move beyond the old
limiting beliefs we are opening ourselves up to
a life that we could only dream about in the
past. Dont believe that to be true? Then you
cant experience it, but if you dare to dream
big then you might just get the biggest and
Meditation Teacher Training
most wonderful shock of your life: freedom... Jan 2017 | Snowdonia
That elusive state that we cant quite believe
is possible I am giving you permission right Yoga Teacher Training
now to realise. that for you are no different to
Jan 2017 | London &
me; why would I be able to achieve it and not
you? The only difference is what you believe Midlands
and whether or not you are ready to take
that quantum jump into the life you have only Yoga Therapy Diploma
dared dream of. Mar 2017 | Snowdonia
And for me I get connected through my
daily practice, plugging in to something
Ayurveda Certificate Course
that is far greater than me and sharing it
through my teaching with clients who also can Mar 2017 | Snowdonia
comprehend this quantum leap of faith into
freedom in sobriety. Ayurveda Massage Diploma
Apr 2017 | Snowdonia
Jo De Rosa is founder of Quantum Sobriety,
the revolutionary addiction programme
druyoga.com
consisting of an online course, one-
day workshops and residential retreat
(quantumsobriety.com)
 STARTING OVER

A life LESS ordinary

Is this the year you turn yoga into a career?
Michelle Nicklin looks at how to choose a safe teacher training course

H
aving lived and breathed yoga
since the age of 17 and taught
yoga for many years from my
own studio and teacher training
school, I have witnessed how
this ancient lifestyle has transformed from
the perceived life choice for those of us who
are hippy at heart to mainstream in the last
five years. Its a shift, perhaps, where those of
us chained to the corporate world were first
looking for relief from the stress of our modern
lives to then turning those yoga practices into
a career that allowed us to free ourselves from
our desks. This is a phenomenon that I predict
will only increase.
Yoga studios, teachers and styles are
popping up at an astonishing rate and it is this
sudden growth that has prompted a debate
in the media into whether we need to look
at regulating the industry in order to protect
those we teach. At the moment there are no
official qualifications needed to teach yoga
and whilst I whole-heartedly welcome those
who have found yoga, sharing their passion
on, I think it is important to understand what
is involved when passing this knowledge on to
others in a modern world.
If you are considering making the transition
from student to teacher, what should you be
looking for in a training school? How do you
make sure that you are making a safe choice Do your research
for your new career path?
How do I know Im ready?
In general terms, most teacher training
schools will ask for at least a minimum of two
years experience before you look to apply. But
ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable that I have
the knowledge to take my training further?
Do I have the time to dedicate to my new
learning? A large portion of your confidence
will develop during your teacher training but if
youre unsure of the answer, it may be wise to
wait before making an application.
Decide your path
What style of yoga speaks to you? Do you
want your teachings to be more spiritual or
appeal to those who are looking to improve
their strength or fitness? Its important to
consider this as when training gets tough you
will need this passion to pull you through.
We obviously have the most powerful search
tool in the palm of our hands but dont limit
your research to the Internet. Ask those in
your yoga community for recommendations.
Your teachers should be able help find a
suitable school for you and advise if they think
that you are ready to take that step.
Visit the school
There are more opportunities to train in the
UK now so if you are considering this route
then make sure you visit the school before
making your application. Take a few classes to

Yoga studios, teachers and styles are popping up at an

astonishing rate and it is this sudden growth that has
prompted a debate in the media into whether we need to look
at regulating the industry in order to protect those we teach.

96
make sure youre comfortable with the style.
Talk to the course tutor. How long have they
taught for? Training abroad is an option. India
is a popular country for yoga teacher training.
It may not be practical to visit your centre
of choice but still do your research. How
well known is the centre in the UK? Will my
qualification be recognised once Im back in
the UK? Will I get insurance to teach? How can
I be supported once back home? Can I speak
to former students?
Accreditation
You dont have to have an accreditation to
teach, however, that doesnt mean that it is
the safe option. By choosing a school with
accreditation you are choosing a place that
has promised in a professional capacity to
abide by terms set out by the body to train
teachers to a high standard. With some
yoga bodies you will automatically become
fully insured to teach based on satisfactory
completion of your course, although it is also
possible to arrange insurance separately.
Most studios will ask you to have insurance
before letting you teach. There are several
recognised bodies in the UK and many more
overseas. But be warned: regulation and
accreditation is still a subject that divides
the yoga community. Many devotees argue
that yoga is an ancient way of life that is over
7,000 years old and shouldnt be governed
like any other fitness activity.
The course
Minimum hours are normally 200 hours. These 12 YEARS OF EDUCATING THE
can be completed as intensive immersive INTERNATIONAL YOGA COMMUNITY
training, over several months or over several
years. You will need to work out how much
time you can dedicate to your studies to
decide which course is best for you.
Each course will have a different level of
contact with a senior yoga teacher, some
have minimal contact, others will require at
least 70% contact. An accredited course will
normally set a high minimum standard. More
time dedicated with a senior teacher will
increase your confidence in the course. Each
will also have a different assessment process
and it is wise to understand whats involved to
be able to make an informed choice.
There is so much to consider when looking
for your yoga teacher training school but
only you can decide what is right for you.
Some say that when the timing is right the
teacher will appear to you. But if youve
carefully considered the points above in your
decision, you can be confident that you have
found a course that will guide you through
your training in order for you to provide a
safe environment for your future students to
practice in.
Michelle Nicklin is a senior yoga teacher
and the founder of Bliss Yoga & Pilates
(blissyoga.org.uk)
97
 STARTING OVER
Taking responsibility
A daring new paradigm in health. Stefan Lehner explains how we
can improve our health and wellbeing and other areas of our life
by making better, more conscious choices
W
hen confronted with
a health concern
be it minor like flu
or a cold, or major
such as diabetes or
cardiovascular problems - how often do we
apportion blame? We might think (or even
say): Oh, I have bad genes, That is normal,
everybody has that, or I am just getting older.
Sometimes we might even imagine an illness
being some sort of punishment or a destiny
being laid upon us.
However, what if we looked into health issues
from a more rational point of view? Becoming ill
is always an effect of something; hence, there
must also be a cause. As the Indian sage Swmi
Prajnnpad said: For every effect, there is a
cause. The effect is what we call symptom.
Today, besides the focus on treating the effect
(the symptom), more and more we also see an
inclination towards understanding, healing and
eliminating the cause.
And yet we still tend to favour quick-fix
solutions. We live in a world where things must
be instantaneous, fast and efficient. We may
think: I take a pill, I do not think about it any
longer, it works, I am all sorted this is the
predominant logic in life. And not just with
regards to our health, but also how we begin
and end relationships, how we want to achieve
98
our objectives and ambitions, how we aspire
to succeed professionally.
The right environment
Our body has tremendous self-healing
capacity, predominantly through a strong
immune system. But, contrarily to quick-
fixing, healing does take time, perseverance
and trust. A strong and healthy body will be
more resistant in the first place and, secondly,
it will be able to fight better and more
efficiently against intruders (such as bacteria
and viruses).
So what is a good starting point for a
persons health and wellbeing? A body that
receives all macro- and micronutrients:
a) in sufficient quantities, b) in good and
clean quality (e.g. without chemical charges
and heavy metals) and c) in an absorbable
form. Of course, eating need not become
mathematical science, or a permanent
intellectual challenge. I strongly believe that
eating should remain a social and pleasurable
activity. We just need to observe and adhere
to some basic principles and have a minimal
understanding of how nutrition works.
Today, access to this is readily available;
actually to a point where the challenge is no
longer access to information, but rather the
enormous amount of it. In addition, we are
exposed to a cacophony of contradictory
statements, the power of marketing (a field
that created words such as superfood and
detox) and above all persisting obsolete
myths (such as you need to consume milk for
sufficient calcium supply or meat consumption
is required for sufficient intake of protein).
Lifestyle diseases
Even though it might cause unease among
some readers, cancer (to a vast degree),
diabetes type 2, high cholesterol, high
blood pressure, blocked arteries and some
other cardiovascular diseases are first and
foremost lifestyle diseases. We may even
call them diseases of affluence. Lifestyle
includes factors such as environmental
issues, quality of air, pollution with heavy
metals and chemicals, mental, psychological
and emotional stressors, spiritual concerns
and, of course to a very large extent our
nutritional choices.
As early as 1864 the German philosopher
and anthropologist Ludwig Feuerbach wrote
the now famous statement: You are what
you eat.
As I regularly remind my clients, food is
besides water and oxygen the only fuel
to nourish the precious machine that is our
body. We would not seriously consider putting
regular fuel into a diesel car, but we are less
careful about what we eat. Too many of us
do not think twice about what we put into our
body. We are even less considerate about the
consequences our food choices may have on
our biological systems in the long run.
The blame game
Unfortunately, we also tend to justify the
situation we are in by finding the underlying
cause in outside factors (outside the area of
our own influence), such as blaming hereditary
issues, advanced age or just bad luck.
Now, are we really coherent here? Most of
us will agree that eating well and healthily
(beware of myths that die hard, though) will
help to avoid health problems and enhance
ones resilience and wellbeing. We even ignore
sometimes the obvious link between health
and nutrition by saying, I feel good, hence I
am in good health or Eating is a pleasure,
I have to enjoy life a bit. The other way
round, though, we have a much harder time
acknowledging that an unhealthy lifestyle and
food consumption favours the development of
illnesses. Every so often we justify our health
condition by pointing mostly to external
factors (such as genes, age, fate, bad luck,
normality). From an emotional perspective
theres a good chance that we also face the
feeling of guilt more or less consciously.
Therefore, the automatic response is looking
for the culprit somewhere else.
Taking charge
I suggest that we simply take more
responsibility for our choices in life. With
regards to health, this means being
accountable and taking ownership for what
we decide to eat. There is no use in blaming
oneself for poor nutritional habits and choices
in the past. Then, we were a different person,
with a different set of habits, knowledge and
consciousness. Today though, we can start
being more responsible for what goes onto
our plate and own these choices fully.
This is not necessarily comfortable in the
first place; it opens the door to trial and error,
to deception and guilt if we give in to old
cravings. But this is all part of a transition,
and it also offers the opportunity to empower
ourselves with regards to our health and,
more broadly, our lives. The hypothesis is that
with more accountability, we will be better
able, more motivated, more curious and more
persistent on the road to transforming our
eating habits and even other behaviours.
In a way, a healing process on a
physical level is comparable to a personal
transformation process on an emotional and
psychological level when seeing a therapist or
coach. Profound transformation takes time,
perseverance, implication and action as well
as a portion of trust. Only once we take full
ownership of our actions can we lay the basis
for a real, durable transformation.
We are entering an era where awareness of
nutritional choices, challenging old beliefs and
demanding more accountability from the food
industry is shifting. We are certainly moving in
the right direction, even though I would like to
see things speed up. Yet I remain optimistic,
thinking of Arthur Schopenhauer, who said:
All truth goes through three stages. Truth will
first be ridiculed, then violently opposed and
finally accepted as self-evident.
Stefan Lehner is a nutrition coach and
educator based in Paris, available to work
worldwide. Besides nutritional education he
likes to put an emphasis on the emotional
and psychological underlying patterns of
our relationship with food. Find out more at:
thevibrantfactory.com
 om living

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100


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 om living

102
 om living

Vegan! Never! oh, hang on...

Think your family could never eat vegan food? Its time to think again

Double-Double Cheeseburgers
Serves 4 / Prep Time: 25 Minutes (not including time to make Basic Cashew
Cheese Sauce) / Active Time: 30 Minutes / Inactive Time: 20 Minutes
Basic Cashew
Cheese Sauce
You know those people who say that theres no way a simple veggie burger could satisfy
their mighty appetite? Do you know what I say to them? Nothing, actually. I just shove into
their face two lentil-mushroom burger patties, covered in cheese and cradled in a bun with
all the fixings, and make them eat that while I watch. Okay, I dont actually watch because
Im usually eating my own burger, but you get the picture.
Ingredients
75 g ( cup) raw cashews, soaked
Ingredients in warm water for at least 1 hour and
drained, water reserved
1 teaspoon olive oil teaspoon salt 5 to 6 tablespoons reserved
medium yellow onion, chopped Black pepper to taste soaking water
2 garlic cloves, minced 100 g (1 cup) rolled oats (certified 2 tablespoons lemon juice
225 g (8 ounces) cremini mushrooms gluten-free if necessary), plus more 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
(or button mushrooms), sliced if needed teaspoon white soy miso
220 g (2 cups) cooked lentils 60 g ( cup) quinoa flour (or chickpea miso)
2 tablespoons liquid aminos (or gluten- 3 tablespoons almond flour
free tamari; use coconut aminos to be 2 tablespoons flax meal Method
soy-free) 4 vegan burger buns (gluten-free
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast if necessary) 1. Combine the cashews, 60 ml ( cup) of
1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire Basic Cashew Cheese Sauce the reserved soaking water, the lemon
sauce (gluten-free and/or soy-free if Optional burger fixings: ketchup, juice, nutritional yeast, and miso in a
necessary), optional mustard (gluten-free if necessary), food processor or blender and process
1 teaspoon ground cumin vegan mayonnaise (soy-free if until smooth. Add up to 2 tablespoons
1 teaspoon dried parsley necessary), relish, lettuce, sliced more water for a thinner sauce. Store in
teaspoon smoked paprika tomatoes, sliced red onion, pickles an airtight container in the refrigerator
or up to 7 days. The cheese will thicken

Method when chilled, so you may need to add

more water to thin it back out.

1. Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a
silicone baking mat.
2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and
mushrooms and saut. until the mushrooms are tender and the onions are translucent,
4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a food processor. Add 1 cup (110
g) of the lentils, the liquid aminos, nutritional yeast, Worcestershire sauce (if using),
cumin, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pulse until fully combined and all pieces are
similar in size.
3. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the remaining lentils, the oats, quinoa flour, almond flour,
and flax meal and mix until a thick dough forms. If its too liquidy, add more oats. If
its too dry, add water by the tablespoon until its no longer crumbly. It should hold
together without crumbling when squeezed.
4. Use your hands to form the mixture into 8 patties and place them on the baking sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through to ensure even cooking. Drizzle
cheese sauce over the tops and bake for another 5 minutes.
5. To assemble, spread ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and/or relish on the top and bottom
halves of the buns. Place some lettuce on the bottom bun and stack two patties on top.
Top the patties with tomato, red onion, and/or pickles, as desired. Serve immediately.
Leftover burgers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

103
 om living

Jackfruit Crabless Cakes

with Lemon Dill Aoli
Serves 3 or 4 / Prep Time: 15 minutes (not including time to cook
brown rice) / Active Time: 20 minutes
You know those nights when you crave something a little greasy, quickly? Dont
settle for some third-rate drive-thru or restauranttreat yourself to something
delicious and, I dare say, gourmet and that comes together with very little effort!
These jackfruit-based crabless cakes are ridiculously tasty and will have you wiping
your (slightly) greasy fingers on your jeans in just 30 minutes. If you want to go a
healthier route, you can always bake these guys (see box out), and if seafood isnt
your thing, leave out the Old Bay Seasoning and kelp granules.

Ingredients
565 g (one 20-ounce) can jackfruit,
thoroughly rinsed and drained
265 g (1 cups) cooked cannellini
beans (or one 15-ounce/425 g)
can, rinsed and drained)
4 green onions, finely chopped
(green and white parts), plus more
for garnish
160 g (1 cup) cooked brown rice
2 tablespoons chickpea flour, plus
more if needed
1 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise
(soy-free if necessary)
1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
2 teaspoons liquid aminos (or
gluten-free tamari; use coconut
aminos to be soy-free)
1 teaspoon dried parsley
teaspoon kelp granules
teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
Sunflower oil (or canola oil)
for frying
Lemon Dill Aoli
165 g ( cup) vegan mayonnaise
(soy-free if necessary)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoons dried dill
teaspoon garlic powder
Salt to taste

Method
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Place the jackfruit in a food processor and pulse about five times, until broken
n A
lternatively, you can bake these crab cakes.
up into smaller pieces.
Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Leave the
3. Pour the beans into a bowl and use a potato masher to mash them until
patties on the baking sheet. Spray the tops of the
creamy but still chunky. Add the jackfruit, green onions, brown rice, chickpea
cakes lightly with olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes, flip
flour, mayonnaise, Old Bay, liquid aminos, parsley, kelp granules, garlic
them, spray with olive oil, and bake for another 10
powder, salt, and pepper and stir together until combined. The mixture should
minutes. Serve immediately.
hold together when you squeeze it. If it doesnt, add chickpea flour by the
n Y
ou can also put these cakes in a sandwich, using
tablespoon until it does.
the aoli as a spread. You will not regret it!
4. Scoop up 80 ml (/ cup) of the mixture and use your hands to shape it into a
patty. Place the patty on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
You should have about 12 patties.
5. Heat a large frying pan, preferably cast iron, over medium heat. Pour in enough
oil to coat the bottom and heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Line a plate with paper
towels. Place three or four patties in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on
each side, until crispy and browned all over. Place the cooked patties on the
plate and top with more paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Repeat with the
remaining patties, adding more oil as necessary, until all are cooked.
6. While the cakes are cooking, make the aoli: Combine all the ingredients in a
cup and stir together. Chill until ready to use.
7. Garnish the cakes with chopped green onions and serve with the aoli on the
side. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

104
 Peanut Butter
Oatmeal Cookies
Makes 30 cookies / Prep Time: 10 Minutes /
Active Time: 20 Minutes / Inactive Time: 10 Minutes
Who doesnt love a hearty, chewy, peanut-buttery oatmeal cookie,
crammed with all sorts of tasty add-ins? Nobody. Thats why these
cookies are bound to be a hit with everyone in the family. Peanut
butter (or the nut or seed butter of your choice) works together
with applesauce and coconut oil to replace eggs and butter, making
a remarkably flavorful binder that builds perfectly soft and chewy
cookies. You can make them as is, or add chocolate chips, raisins, nuts,
or all of the above. I mean, really, whos not going to like this cookie?

Ingredients
130g (1 cup) unbleached all-purpose flour (or gluten-free
flour blend,
soy-free if necessary)
100g (1 cup) rolled oats (certified gluten-free if necessary)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
teaspoon salt
teaspoon xanthan gum (exclude if using all-purpose flour or if
your gluten-free blend includes it)
teaspoon ground nutmeg
260g (1 cup ) unsalted, unsweetened natural peanut butter
120 ml ( cup) maple syrup
80 g (1/3 cup) unsweetened applesauce (or mashed banana)
60 ml ( cup) coconut oil, melted
40 g ( cup) coconut sugar, optional
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional add-ins: 60 to 90 g ( cup) raisins, chopped peanuts,
and/or vegan chocolate chips

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Line two baking sheets with
parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda,
cinnamon, salt, xanthan gum (if using), and nutmeg until fully
incorporated.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup,
applesauce, coconut oil, coconut sugar (if using), and vanilla.
Stir until combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until
combined. If youre using add-ins, fold them in.
5. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of dough out of the bowl, roll it in
your hands to make a perfect ball, and place it on the baking
sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, spacing the balls 1. Recipe from But My Family Would
inches (4 cm) apart. Use your fingers to gently flatten each ball Never Eat Vegan!: 125 Recipes to
just a bit. Win Everyone Over Kristy Turner,
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until firm and slightly golden along 2016. Reprinted by permission
the bottom. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about of the publisher, The Experiment.
5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Cool Available wherever books are sold.
completely before serving. The cookies will keep stored in an theexperimentpublishing.com
airtight container (in the fridge if the weather is warm) for
3 to 4 days. Photos: Chris Miller

105
 om living
Nutrition Zone:
E
very January, websites,
magazines, television and social
media promote one detox
after the other: the cabbage
detox, green juices, superfood
smoothies, and so on. Theres an ever-
growing list of new products, diets, fitness
plans and health regimens promising
to cleanse your body after all the food
shenanigans of the holiday season.
Although many tips and ideas being
promoted can be helpful and inspiring,
the way people detox can sometimes be
incorrect; the result means the detox might
be short lived and possibly even detrimental
to our body.
A good detox is approached holistically,
targeting the major organs, which function
to detoxify the body in the first place. It
allows them to let go of toxins through our
digestive system and even our skin. Its
important to make sure that when toxins
leave our adipose tissue (fat) and organs,
they go out of our system completely and
not circulate into the bloodstream. So its
important to help our major organs push
them out.
106
Look after you
In truth, there arent foods or exercise
routines that will ever replace the natural
purpose of our internal organs, but we can
support them with the right tools - in this
case with diet and some specific herbs, as
part of a healthy lifestyle.
During a detox we can focus on adopting
new habits, but long-term success means
those habits should remain with us to help
the body do its work all the time. But fear
not: this does not mean you will be on an
enteral diet!
The holidays are normally a time when we
are impairing the natural cleansing abilities
of our organs as we socialise more, indulging
in unhealthy, processed, sugar-laden foods
and drink more alcohol than we would
normally do, causing more inflammation and
overwork in our system.
Inflammation impairs the bodys natural
response to toxins and its ability to removing
them, reiterating that in a normal state, the
body is a perfect cleansing machine.
So January is definitively a great month
to look yourself in the mirror and say: I am
going to look after you from now!
for life
Start the year with the best
detox for your long-term
health. By Chantal di Donato
Common toxicity
symptoms
TOXICITY AND INFLAMMATION: can
manifest in different ways. Ironically, we
think that some of the symptoms may be
related to ageing and accept them as part of
our daily lives, but through a proper detox,
regaining the feeling you should be having
when healthy, you will realise that age has
nothing to do with it. So below follows a
list of signs that can relate to toxicity (and
where detoxifying will definitively help):
FATIGUE: this can relate to the kidneys and
colon being over toxic impairing elimination
and also affecting the adrenals, situated in
the kidneys.
VISION: tired or impaired vision, often
leading to wearing glasses, could be linked
to toxicity in the body, possibly the liver, as
suggested in Chinese medical charts.
COUGHING: sometimes a sign that our
lungs are toxic, especially if you dont have a
cold or chest infection. It is always advisable
 om living

to see your GP if you find yourself coughing

a lot, but there is a chance that detoxifying
can help. When it comes to the lungs things
like smoking or inhaling harsh chemicals
should be eliminated. We are unfortunately
subject to toxic air everywhere, but where
we can help it - like the types of perfumes or
cleaning products we use - we should make
the effort to make cleaner choices.
HEADACHES: headaches are often
associated as a short-term side effect of
detoxification. But suffering from chronic
headaches and migraines could be a sign of
toxicity in the body; these may be eliminated
with a proper detox.
THYROID ISSUES: a sluggish metabolism
and hypothyroidism can be linked to toxicity
and at times just cleansing the organs in our
body can rectify this.
foods targeted to a certain organ, a detox
diet will help all the organs to be clean.
In my opinion, it is essential to cleanse
3 EAT APPLES: when detoxifying the
colon, apples are very helpful as they
contain high levels of pectin (soluble fibre)
the colon first, as that is the main way of and quercetin, which is amazing to alleviate
passage for the toxins to leave the body. If food sensitivities and boost immunity.
we detox the liver first, for example, and we
are unable to purge via our colon, toxins will
remain inside our body.
4 EAT AVOCADOS: an incredibly fibre-rich
fruit but also contains high amounts of
magnesium and potassium and helps the
colon flush waste.
Gut health:
The colon is a pretty intelligent environment,
with tens of trillions of microorganisms
5 ENJOY FLAX SEEDS: these are
incredible sources of omega 3 fatty acids
with awesome added fibre, which again helps
called gut microbiota living in it and keep the colon active.
providing a balanced digestion. It is in the
colon that we absorb nutrients and let go
of waste, which is why it is key to keep the
6 SUPPLEMENT WITH TRIPHALA:
this ayurvedic herb is an actual colon
detoxifier that is a natural laxative, thereby
system clear and free. There are some allowing expulsion of toxins.
good natural tips to promote gut heath and
therefore detoxification: Liver detox:
The liver is our filtering system and keeping

ACID REFLUX: the stomach can be quite

toxic too causing acid reflux, or heartburn.
BLOATING & GAS: these symptoms can
mean the colon is suffering from over
toxicity. There is even a chance of leaky gut
syndrome causing more inflammation and
toxicity in the body as toxins leave the colon
through cracks in its wall straight to the
bloodstream. In more severe cases, ailments
like IBS and Crohns disease can be a result
of toxins accumulating in the large intestine.
INSULIN ISSUES: if our sugar levels are out
of control and we suffer from things like pre-
diabetes or hypoglycemia, we might need to
consider detoxifying, as our pancreas might
need it. Insulin is a hormone that regulates
blood sugar and the pancreas produces it,
so obviously if we are toxic, its functionality
will be impaired too.
1 ELIMINATE, OR AT LEAST REDUCE,
PROCESSED AND FAST FOODS. This
is one of the long-term tips to follow. If your
diet is rich in processed foods then this will
always overload the body with toxins and
a short detox once a year will not be very
helpful. This is therefore a major lifestyle tip!
2 ADD FERMENTED AND PROBIOTIC
RICH FOODS TO YOUR DIET. Another
awesome lifestyle tip is adding food like
sauerkraut or kefir to your diet, which can
help the colon restore its flora (microbiota)
so that the good bacteria can do their job
in retaining nutrients and letting go of
toxins. Taking a probiotic supplement is also
a good suggestion.
it clean is a must, especially after higher
amounts of alcohol and fatty or processed
foods. If you have taken the time to cleanse
the colon, and have a regular bowel
movement and no side effects from over-
toxicity, like gas or constipation, then you
are ready for the liver to start detoxing too
A good detox is
approached holistically,
targeting the major
organs, which function
to detoxify the body in
the first place.

OTHER HORMONAL ISSUES: PMS,

menopause for women, hair loss or man
boobs or moobs for men, are the most
common hormonal imbalances linked
to toxicity. Our endocrine system is
heavily affected if our major organs are
malfunctioning and unable to keep our body
clean.

How and what to detox

The key organs needing a little help during
a detox are the liver, kidneys, and colon.
The lungs are not cleansed through diet per
se, but paying attention to lifestyle and the
products we use and inhale will help them.
The key factor to understand is that,
although there are some specific herbs and

107
 om actions
so that everything can be freely flushed
through the digestive system:
1 ELIMINATE, OR AT LEAST DECREASE,
PROCESSED FOODS AND ALCOHOL.
Just like for the colon, the liver does not
need more obstacles in doing its work,
and so we should make sure we take the
time to change our habits and remove
anything that cannot really be considered
food. By just realising that not everything
that is ingestible is food, we can become
more selective about what we choose
to put into our body. Sugar falls under
this category, especially artificial and
fructose-rich sweeteners. Ideally, none of
the above should be consumed during the
detox period.
2 ADD HERBS TO YOUR DAILY
ROUTINE. There are three amazing
herbs to include in a liver detox that will
make a difference. Milk Thistle: the most
popular liver tonic known to the west.
Thanks to its content of glutathione,
a powerful antioxidant, it helps calm
inflammation and restores the livers ability
to remove toxins. Turmeric: this powerful
root gained so much popularity in the
last year and is a healing powerhouse. In
ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is one of the
most used herbs, as a powerful detoxifier
and anti-inflammatory. Dandelion: take as a
tea twice a day; it is extremely soothing.
3 PROBIOTIC RICH AND FERMENTED
FOODS. Just like for the colon, again,
the liver benefits from fermented foods to
help it fight inflammation.
4 DRINK APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND
LEMON JUICE. Both are wonderful for
liver and colon health. Have them on salads
108
or mix them in water and drink. Both are said
to cleanse the liver, especially when taken
first thing in the morning. You can easily
alternate between lemon and apple cider
vinegar day-by-day or have them at different
times on the same day.
5 EATING WHOLESOME FOODS. Another
of the long-term lifestyle tips for allowing
the body to detox. Food is key as we eat
every day, so choosing phytochemical and
micronutrient-rich foods will help your livers
performance at all times. That means lots
of vegetables and fruits, plus wholesome,
mostly gluten-free, grains like rice and
quinoa, pulses, nuts and seeds.
6 SUPERFOOD CHLORELLA IS A
CLEANSING POWERHOUSE. If you had
to choose one green to add into your diet, I
would suggest this weed.
7 EMOTIONAL DETOX. The liver is said
to be linked to anger, resentment, un-
forgiveness and frustration and affected by
those feelings, so it is important to practice
gratitude and calm each day to help this
organ stay healthy.
Kidney detox:
The kidneys are responsible for fluid
balance in our body and blood cleansing. By
detoxifying the main three organs mentioned
here we are also looking after blood health,
and the kidneys play an important role.
1 HERBAL AID. Again the power of nature
brings in some wonderful herbs to help
support kidney functions. Nettle is a great
one to have as a tea, and is relatively cheap
to buy. Rehmannia is an adrenal tonic herb,
and will help stabilise the adrenal glands in
the kidneys, which will help with fatigue and
other hormonal imbalances.
2 DARK FOOD. Fruits like cranberry,
black cherries and blueberries, as well
as vegetables like beets, are wonderful for
kidney health. They also cleanse the blood,
particularly beets, and the urinary tract,
which we expel uric acid from when the
kidneys break down purine. It is key for the
kidneys to cleanse the blood from abnormal
levels of uric acid not to face ailments such
as gout.
3 SEAWEEDS AND SPINACH. Greens that
are very helpful in helping the kidneys
detoxify. There are edible seaweeds like
nori, kelp, arame, and supplements like
chlorella (called seaweed but grown in
fresh water) or spirulina all wonderful
for any detox.
The body works as a unit to keep healthy
and let go of toxins, but we can certainly
help it too. Its easy to recognise that the
common denominator for most detoxes
is to adopt healthy eating and lifestyle
habits mostly the habit of consuming real
food from nature, with certain herbs and
medicinal plants that support particular
functions in the body. Feel free to add in
green juices, smoothies and superfoods
into your detox plan, but mostly focus on
eliminating what challenges your body and
focus on what reinvigorates it. Help your
body, dont hinder it!
Chantal di Donato is a yoga teacher,
health coach, nutritional advisor, author
and speaker. She is the founder of Live
Lean Health, which offers complete
and personalised detox plans. Visit:
liveleanhealth.com
BodyYoga is the culmination of many years gathering expertise and knowledge

at the BodyHoliday in order to create a Yoga programme to suit a wide range of needs.

BodyYoga is about the pursuit of optimal wellness. Our aim is to find the right Yoga

style for you and combine with sensible nutrition, therapies, relaxation and meditation.

To learn more call 0203 096 1676 or visit www.thebodyholiday.com/om-yoga

 om family

Concious Parenting
LET YOUR
IMAGINATION
SOAR

Imagine a world where anything is possible. For children, that world already exists,
so lets meet them there, writes Siri Arti

C
hildren need magic. Life should
contain sparkle and plenty of
wild imaginings. A childhood
without this is not a childhood
at all.
During the early years, from 0-7 years
old, it is imperative to cultivate a healthy
and productive imagination. There are many
ways to ensure that this takes place as well
as ways to hinder the process too.
Esteemed educator Maria Montessori
was a firm believer in establishing a rock
solid foundation in reality before fantasy is
introduced to the child. This is to ensure that
imagination is based on aspects of life that
are real. Once this is established, fantasy
can be explored freely, but only beyond
the age of seven. In a Montessori school,
you will find things of beauty on display,
but never from the unreal. No Disney or
movie characters exist in fantasy land. The
paintings, photographs and posters will be
of real scenes, used to inspire and cultivate
a healthy imagination. The functional
apparatus found in a classroom assist in
creating a good relationship with reality, a
springboard to imagination.
Rudolf Steiner, another pioneer, also
believed in the importance of imagination in
the early years. Joined with the cultivation

110

During the early years,
from 0-7 years old, it is
imperative to cultivate a
healthy and productive
imagination.
of imagination, fantasy holds a rich place in
any Waldorf school. These schools believe
that the magic of fantasy is alive in young
children, so they incorporate this into the
curriculum by telling stories and keeping
om family
fantasy richly woven into the classroom
and their teaching. To enhance a childs
imagination, they offer toys that are natural
and often unfinished to the child. Pieces of
wood, pinecones, shells, silk scarves, multi-
coloured pieces of cloth and dolls without
faces. This encourages and supports open-
ended imaginative play.
Here are a few simple ways you can help
to unleash the limitless imaginations of your
children:
Dare to dream with
your children
To them, play is life and for this, imagination
is key. When was the last time you sat down
with your children and played pretend?
Invisible tea in a miniature cup, talking to
friends you cant see or jumping over a river
that isnt really there. When was the last
time you imagined your reality the way you
choose it to be? If imagination and fantasy
were not part of your childhood, when you
really need it, it will be hard to bring it to
the fore. Its not too late to reconnect to the
magic, however, if you are willing to receive
the invitation.
Be a fierce protector
of childhood
Do what you can to keep imagination
alive for them. Take time to meet them in
their world by finding the freedom to be
comfortable there. Be the one who brings
magic to them and watch how their eyes
sparkle in the very presence of it. Only when
you are able to meet them in their world,
are you free to bring them into yours, but be
careful not to rush the process.
Keep it natural
Be aware of television, plastic toys or
complete concepts. These can hinder the
process of imagination. Instead, create
space to breathe, keep things natural and
inspire through beauty. If you can keep
imagining, your children will too. Remember
play is life, so step out of your adult mind
and play a little.
Siri Arti is the creator of Starchild Yoga, an
education for peace. For details of teacher
trainings and any other events please visit:
starchildyoga.com
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112
 om actions

BREATHE,
JUST BREATHE
OM talks to Michle Barocchi, the scientist yogini who re-learned to walk
after a terrible scooter accident. Words and pictures by Francesca Magnani

M
ichle Barocchi brought the Rocket a style Science is reductionist, it takes big things and divides them into
of yoga rooted in the Ashtanga practice that much smaller things so that one can find the meaning at the
developed in San Francisco during the 1980s biological, cellular, molecular, structural and even anatomical level,
to Florence, Italy back in 2004. That year she in order to understand how things work. Yoga allowed me to expand
also opened a studio, Its Yoga Firenze, and then, my inner self and connect to the something that I did not know how
in 2014, a second followed Its Yoga Loft for events, seminars to explain, but I felt was everywhere.
and private classes. OM met her to talk about one particular In Italy I started teaching yoga after work, or early in the morning
experience of hers, one in which yoga was crucial to her survival. before going to Siena. I am dedicated to serving my community, and
My name, not my essence, is Michle. I was born in Florence, this is what allowed me to keep doing both activities.
Italy although I grew up in the heart of technology, in Silicon Valley. In the beginning, around 2007-2009, I was only teaching two
My love for my father, a physicist, drew me to the sciences and classes a week at the yoga studio. I had a molecular research group
I began my career in medicine as a marine wildlife biologist in the that was incredibly organised, and independent, which allowed me to
early 1990s. continue projects on infectious diseases specifically pneumococcal
Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco at sunrise pneumonia and still have time to leave the lab at a decent hour.
sparked my fascination with nature, and its incredible power to awe. I
studied marine biology, but then moved on to human medicine after
a two-year masters in public health at Berkeley. Invited to embark on
a research project to discover the issues that led to
slum diseases, I left for Salvador in Brazil. In this two-year period
I studied infectious diseases at the Oswaldo Cruz, Ministry of
Health, and continued my research in immunology, finishing my
studies at the University of California, Berkeley in 2003 with a PhD
in immunology and infectious diseases. My longing to return to
Europe allowed me the opportunity to find work in Siena, Italy, at
the infamous Chiron, then Novartis and now GSK, Pharmaceutical
Company, where I applied my knowledge in disease biology and
medicine to discover molecules to enhance immune response
towards fighting infectious diseases.

My yoga journey
I began my yoga journey in 1998 and during my last month of
doctoral work, under pressure to finish my thesis and graduate
with several publications, I decided to embark on the YA 200 hour
registered teacher training. During my last month as a doctoral
student I trained at Its Yoga in San Francisco and committed myself
to the practice, not knowing at the time the power and strength that
the practice would one day give to me.
I was going to move to Italy, but aware of the absence of a well
defined yoga community, I felt the need to look into a training
programme that would allow me to teach and to build a community
of like-minded people.

113
 om actions
Building a community
I was the only instructor, but through the years many amazing
people have crossed my life, and supported me in helping to build
Its Yoga Firenze, Its Yoga Loft and also my Its Yoga retreats.
I am very grateful to have both of these disciplines in my life. I
have used the yoga in mediation issues at work, in calming people
down during high level meetings, and in allowing me to prepare
for international scientific talks around the world. I have used the
business and science knowledge that I have learned at leadership
meetings: on how to organise teams, make them efficient, how to
support people in executing their vision and creating goals for Its
Yoga and all of the team members.
So I run Its Yoga through a leadership and goal-oriented
organisation and I use the teaching of yoga to support me in being a
good scientist, with strong values and skills, and pranayama.
Then everything changed.
Scooter accident
The episode I am talking about took place near Matera, in the south
of Italy. I left Matera around 10 am on August 11, 2015, not knowing
what was to come. Travelling on the back of a Vespa, as a passenger,
during a warm summer day just past Miglionico, we took a turn on
a small country road. I remember the sunburnt hills and the eagles
flying overhead, as we came to a curve the stark blue colour of
the sky entered my body with a force greater than anything I had
114
ever experienced; a clash between the material and the unknown.
The pain overwhelmed my physical body, and before I knew it, I was
on the ground, face up towards the sky, screaming for my life. My
leg hurt so much I have no recollection of the pain I endured. Warm
blood drenched my body as I lay in the sun. Quick, please tie a
tourniquet around my thigh, just above the knee, I yelled. Please, I
saidI am dying.
The sky was still, above me. The driver was gone, and so was the
driver of the car both looking for help, screaming for someone to
hear them. I kept looking up at the sky, reciting the few words that
I could manage to pull out of my soulmy gaze empty and blurred
from the loss of blood from my severed femoral artery. Breathe, I
heard someone say. Breathe. My only job was now to take those
long few breaths that would keep me alive until the ambulance and
helicopter arrived. I dont recall the ride to the bare hill where the
helicopter awaited me; all I remember is the clicking sound of the
gurney and the lift off the ground into the sky.
As I lay in the operating room the nurses reassured me that
everything was going to be alright. I sensed the mask from the
anaesthesiologist as he counted down threetwoone.
Need for courage
I woke up three days later in somewhat of a dream. My leg? I
asked. Your leg is gone. I really dont remember much of that

initial conversation due to the morphine-induced trance state, but I
recall being transported down the hallway to the emergency surgery
department, where the team of surgeons were waiting for me. This
would be my new home for the next 12 days.
As I lay on the ground of that small country road, I had no idea
of the level of trauma I had endured. My eyes were fixed on one
thingthe sky. Breathe, a voice said, just breathe. I had stopped faced with such an opportunity to surrender, your only chance of
breathing for a moment, the pain was absolute, more than any one
human being could handle in a lifetime. Fix your gaze on the sky,
and focus on your breath.
I remembered the teachings of yoga: through pranayama one
could quieten their mind. My mind was in survival mode, fight-or-flight,
and here I was ready to fight, with everything that I had inside me.
Pranayama, or the regulation of breath, allowed me to focus on the
sound of my breathing, the colour of the sky, the clouds that were
passing me overhead, without falling into the panicking mind, the Vrittis,
the craziness that surrounded me. The courage to stay alive came from
the knowledge that if I followed my breath and focused my energies
to a faith, I would survive. I was dying; the loss of more than half of my
blood volume had made me weak, and my eyes were fixed on the sky. I
had become the silence around me, I had become the sky.
om actions
More than form
Yoga is not about the form, but about the process, receiving the
knowledge and understanding the level of commitment and patience
that the journey takes. I would have never been alive if it wasnt for
the practice of yoga. I now realise everyone is complaining about
something, everyone is lost in their own story, but when you are
survival is to let go of your mind.
Even though my form has changed forever, my spirit is whole and
complete, holding everything, and nothing, allowing what is to be.
Nothing real can be threatened, nothing un-real exists, there is a
greater power among us, and I invite us all to explore its infinity.
The purpose of my studio, Its Yoga Firenze, is to be grounded in
light, and supportive in love, in order to share, with authenticity, the
love of the practice, so that we may have a community based in joy,
happiness, and peace.
For more information about Michle Barocchi, her retreats and
courses, visit: itsyogafirenze.it
For details of the YA registered 200 and 500 teacher training
programme, visit: itsyoga.com
115
 om actions

MyYogaBiz
Tips from the experts to help you grow the yoga
business of your dreams.
This months mentor: Alan Elworthy, 45, Warrior Yoga, Cardiff

STARTING OUT
You only need follow a very simple business
model to make a success of teaching
yoga: get qualified, find a venue, advertise
your classes and teach your stuff. What
your typical teacher training wont cover
is: setting up a website, building a brand,
advertising, social media, controlling costs,
people management, dealing with tax
etc. If you dont already have these skills
(and more), youll need to pick them up
somewhere along the way.
BUSINESS PLANS
Ha! For me, one of the magical things about
teaching yoga is that only the vaguest of
business plans is required: Build it and they
will come. Right from the start I made a
conscious decision to approach my yoga
business with little regard to the money. Yep,
I need to cover the rent, and I charge class
fees that I would be willing to pay, but other
than that all my attention is on making my
classes the very best they can be. Sure, at
the start I ended up with the occasional
accidental one-to-one, but now classes are
full every week. Its all about the yogathe
money comes in.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media is important. It allows us
to connect with many people who are
interested in what we have to offer and is
often free of charge. The word connect is
important though. What would a potential
yoga student like to see from you? A
constant barrage of sign up for this, buy
that might be welcomed by a small number
of hardcore students, but maybe a short
teaching video with an invitation to join
your next workshop at the end will go miles
further. Giving, connecting, then receiving.
WHATS YOUR NICHE
I love dynamic yoga styles and this is what
I teach. My classes are very physical and
might not connect with some potential
yogis. It might be tempting to teach to an
audience, and theres nothing wrong with
that, its great experience to expand ones
repertoire. But, in my experience, if yin is
your thing, teach yin, and if a more dynamic
style is for you, teach that; the right students
will find you.
FUTURE TRENDS
Like in many arenas, if you want to know
where things are headed in the UK, look
to what the USA is already doing. As the
recession years fall behind us (fingers
crossed) theres huge potential for yoga in
the UK to grow in a big way. I think yoga
will continue to move away from village
halls and community centres to dedicated
studios, especially in the cities, and gyms
will offer more proper yoga, as they look
to cash in on an expanding market, and
pressure towards recognised qualifications
and regulation will increase. An ever growing
number of yoga teachers is very much
balanced at the moment by an expanding
market, but it will become increasingly
important to stand out as a truly excellent
teacher to get the work.
Compiled by Claudia Brown
(yogabyclaudia.com)

For me, one of the

magical things about
teaching yoga is that
only the vaguest of
business plans is
required: Build it and
they will come.
116
Teacher zone
A deeper understanding of yoga...
for teachers, by teachers

Inside:
Page 118: The way of Santosa
Page 120: Teachers Tales

117
 Teacher zone

The way of
SANTOSA
Facing loneliness with contentment.
Gilda Giannoni explores the concept of
Santosa (or Santosha) and how we can
use yoga, and a little practice, to master it

118

S
olitude has always been a profound issue for philosophers
and spiritual seekers. One of the highest conquests
a person can achieve on a spiritual path is a full
understanding that a human being is ultimately alone, and
consequently, to develop the ability to face this loneliness
without despair. To live alone one must be either a beast or a God,
Aristotle said. Its really a matter of extremes. Someone whos very
much depressed or profoundly misanthropic would rather live alone
than mix with anybody else. In both cases, loneliness is usually a way
to escape from society and to avoid direct comparison with others.
On the other hand, a person who has come to a deep knowledge
of himself and of human nature is absolutely comfortable in his
loneliness. Spiritually evolved people are those who are happy with
or without others; they are more or less at ease in every situation,
and they accept their solitude while still being okay with meeting
other people as well. The point is that they dont need. Need what?
They neither need to escape nor to have company. Theyre
satisfied. Always. They have fully realised the yogic principle of
Santosa, or contentment.
Practice contentment
It might sound too simplistic to claim that just by following Santosa
one can bear loneliness. Yet Santosa is a path, one that can teach
us much more than what we usually think. Contentment is something
one can exercise, like any other mental faculty. And, as happens
with all mental faculties, when skill begins to improve, the focus on
which it is exercised can grow wider and wider. Swami Yogananada
used to say something similar about willpower: start exercising your
willpower on very small and humble targets, trying simply to fulfil
what you desire. As your initial goals are not that difficult to achieve,
you will succeed, your self-esteem and determination will grow,
and then you will be able to aim for something harder, or bigger. If
you start by being content with modest achievements, you will find
yourself doing things you would have never thought possible before.
So, how can we practice contentment to the point of reaching
the state of being content with ourselves? Lets start with some
small things. My guru in India, Swami Maheshananda from Lonavla,
used to say that we are not really able to use three common and
simple words in our daily life: no, stop, and enough. We know we
shouldnt accept an invitation to go out when we were determined
to do something else, but instead, we say okay. We know a third
piece of cake wouldnt be good for our stomach, but still we take
it. We know we have had enough of an insane relationship, but
we still go on. All these acceptances are in fact renunciations:
we renounce our determination and willpower, our health, our
happiness, our own dignity. Often, accepting an immediate
pleasure reveals itself ultimately to cause a deeper frustration and
results in lower self-esteem. Without self-esteem it is impossible
to live peacefully - both alone as well as with others - because in
both cases our predominant feelings and actions are driven by
negative subconscious mantras like I am missing something or I
am inadequate or I am not good enough. The point, then, is to
reinforce determination, willpower, health and dignity. Happiness will
then arrive as a consequence.
Turning to yoga
This symbolic asana sequence can be useful on the path to improve
the qualities we need to be happy:
Teacher zone
n V
irabhadra Asana II, Warrior Pose II. The solid base of the legs,
the chest open with courage, and the gaze focused on the fingers,
make this posture an excellent exercise to increase determination.
n G
aruda Asana, Eagle Pose. The eagle is both in the world and above
the world. Its the symbol of detachment, as it is able to look out
over everything from above. At the same time, an eagle can dive
down into worldly life whenever it wants to achieve the goal it has
in mind. The eagle is clear in its intention and it is able to achieve
it with an incredible precision. Feel your willpower in this posture,
which is a preparation to fly, like a spring ready to be released.
n V
rksasana with Bija mantra, HAM, Tree Pose. The tree in Jungian
symbolism is representative of the self. It depicts the growth of
a person, their capability to stand on their own legs, and the
profound introjection of the parents. Its a posture that claims
dignity and self-affirmation. HAM is the Bija mantra for the
Vishuddha Chakra. When the yogin is able to open this chakra,
he is fond of himself, sure about who he is, what he says and
what he wants. He feels that he simply is.
n A
rdha Mastyendra Asana, spine twisting. In ancient texts, this
pose is described as incredibly effective for increasing digestive
power and destroying terrible diseases (Hatha-Yoga Pradipika,
I.27). Certainly, health is empowered with this posture. Its not
by chance that this asana was given the name of the very first
yogin, Matsyendra. Many important twisting asanas are named
after sages. Thats because of their ability to look at all sides, to
look at past, present and future, to be at ease with the masculine
and feminine aspects within themselves. All this is clear when
you assume the position: the back is twisted but upright, the
gaze is proud, and a feeling of happiness for who and what you
are comes over you.
Concentration on strong points
Relax in a comfortable, meditative position. Breathe slowly, and
practice some Ujjayi breathing if possible. When you feel that your
mind has calmed down, begin thinking about your strong points. Start
with the physical ones. Think about what your body allows you to do,
what kind of strength it has. Then go on to your mental strong points,
and finally, to your the spiritual ones. Dont judge, and dont let the
flow of thoughts deviate from your target. Just analyse one point,
considering what it allows you to do, the advantages it gives you, and
how you have used it in the past or the present, or how you can use
it in the future. Then think of another strong point. When you think
youve finished, review them all in your mind again, and then realise
how they allow you to survive and to build your dignity in this life.
When a person is fully aware of who he is, of his strengths and his
ability to survive, when hes able to attest to his own dignity in life,
then he will be fully content with himself. With this contentment, he
can find a wise way of living between being happily alone and staying
pleasantly with others, a righteous philia or friendliness, as Aristotle
would have explained in his concept of The Golden Mean, the perfect
middle way.
Gilda Giannoni is a yoga teacher and writer based in Italy
(yogamarga.it)
119
 Teacher zone
Teachers Tales:
No comfort zone
You cant be comfortable and grow at the same time. By Paula Hines
A
fter 10 minutes of Savasana, five minutes of which had
been a 61 points guided meditation around the body, we
sat up to close our practice. These words from a woman
in the studio drop-in class broke the silence: That
Savasana was too long. Too long. Make it much shorter
next time.
Did I take her words personally? Yes, in that moment, I did. And
my response was to feel very judgemental towards her though I
attempted not to show it. I explained that I varied what we did each
week to provide a different experience and that after all, everyone has
different preferences. (It was also not the first time we had spent 10
minutes in Savasana in this particular weekly class, with the intention
of providing some experience of meditation along the way.) But inside,
I was thinking, What is wrong with you that the idea of more than three
minutes in Savasana is too much? What is the matter with you that you
find it so difficult to be still?!
But for many of us it is difficult to be still.
I have found this challenging and sometimes I still do stillness
takes practice. So, I am no different. My attitude softened. As Yogi
120
Bhajan said: Recognise that the other person is you.
When we are still the space opens up for thoughts and emotions to
arise that are not always comfortable. We know this, hence we avoid
the discomfort by distracting ourselves with keeping busy, constantly
moving, or numbing with addictive habits or substances.
This reminds me of something Ive heard my teacher Judith Hanson
Lasater say often: You cant be comfortable and grow at the same time.
Many of us tend to resist embracing the things we need and those
of us who need stillness more than others often resist it the most. I
continue to practice stillness and face the discomfort because I know
the benefits I receive when I do are life enhancing.
Savasana is not described as the most difficult posture to master for
nothing. What we are teaching and practicing is not easy.
I noted that though the woman in class felt the need to complain,
she had not left before the end of the class. She stayed with the
discomfort and overcame it. I wonder if she realised she chose that.
Paula Hines is a London-based yoga teacher and writer
(ucanyoga.co.uk)
 Teacher zone
DS OF Y

books
EN

O
FRI

GA
The Dance Between Joy And Pain Friends of Yoga Society International
- A Practical Guide To Emotional
Wellbeing And Fulfilment
Mansukh Patel, Rita Goswami, Chris
Barrington, Savitri MacCuish & Louise
Rowan
14.99
Yoga Teacher
Dru Publications
Training
A revised and expanded version of an old
bestseller, this book is a brilliant guide to all
things Dru Yoga. Filled with practical, easy
Foundation Course
to learn tips, tools and techniques that have 200 hour TT
already helped thousands of people. A goldmine
of priceless knowledge to help build self-esteem,
500 hour TT
improve relationships and live a more energised, Bridging Course
creative, balanced and joyful life. Fully illustrated
in full colour its a wonderful companion for your CPD days
lifelong yoga journey.
Teach the
Further reading:
The Little Mindfulness Workbook - Everyday
you love
Techniques To Help You Combat Stress And
Enhance Your Life Tutors throughout the UK
Gary Hennessey
7.99 oering professional
Crimson Publishing training since 1972
Put mindfulness strategies into practice and improve your
life with this uniquely practical pocket guide from an expert
teacher. Contains dozens of meditations and practices to help
you combat stress, anxiety and depression, learn the value of
acceptance and improve your overall happiness and wellbeing.
The author has been practicing mindfulness for over 40 years
and teaching it for 35, so youre in good hands.

Heal Your Mind - Your Prescription

For Wholeness Through Medicine,
Affirmations and Intuition
Dr Mona Lisa Schultz with Louise Hay
12.99
Hay House

This book uses medicine, intuition and affirmations to address

common conditions and processes of the mind, from anxiety to
addiction to learning disability. Combining modern science with
compassion and ancient wisdom, discover what goes on in your www.friendsofyoga.co.uk
body when youre sad, angry or panicked, or having trouble friends@friendsofyoga.co.uk
focusing, reading or remembering. In each chapter youll also
get a virtual healing experience through case studies in the All
Is Well clinic with solutions and affirmations to restore wellbeing.
 om actions

Yoga is for every body

Your pictures. Your community

Mountain pose: Zia McClean Kim Threadgall at

at Everest Base Camp Fountains Abbey
in Yorkshire

Katy Moyes in Ambleside, Owen and Richard:

Lake District Val disere, France

Friends: Jacqui,
Jane, Debbie and
Helen in Glasgow

Karolina
Wawrzyniak

Finding stillness: Jayne Barbara and

Stocker in Cornwall baby Juliain

122
 om actions

Annely Kutsar
in Tromdheim

Big Apple: Hello world! Ingrid Herzog in her

Rashila Amin garden. South Carolina, USA.

We want your photos!

Send us happy shots, fun pics, great asana (or bad asana!), big smiley faces, anything at all and see them in OM Magazine.
It doesnt have to be you doing a yoga pose either. We want to see your yoga life: a pre-class group hug, a cup of tea after
class, what you got up to at the weekend, send them all via email to: tom@primeimpact.co.uk

123
 travel
Awe-inspiring retreats and ideas for yoga explorers

A retreat with a heart

The Yoga Garden Party goes to Kolkata, India

Join the Yoga Garden Party team (Simon Low, Vikki Stevenson and Ruth
McNeil) for a life-changing yoga retreat and experience around vibrant
Kolkata, India, in aid of the Hope Foundation. If youre looking to give
something back through yoga then this is the holiday for you and
youve got plenty of time to plan ahead. The retreat takes place a year
from now on January 6-13, 2018.
The Yoga Garden Party is now an annual event on the summer yoga
calendar in southern England and raises vital cash for street children in
Kolkata. Now, the team behind it are giving everyone the chance to join
them in India to give something back directly. FACT FILE
Enjoy twice daily yoga with three amazing teachers in the birthplace The cost of the trip is 2,500 for a single room or
of yoga itself and know that youll be helping some of Indias 1,800 for shared accommodation in a 5-star hotel.
must vulnerable and needy young people. Off the mat, therell be This includes two daily yoga sessions, breakfast, dinner,
opportunities to visit and engage in HOPEs many inspiring projects for airport transfers, daily excursion costs including
the citys street and slum children, and also time to explore one of the lunch and a 500 donation to HOPE. Find out more at:
worlds most colourful cities. Now thats what yoga is all about. thehopefoundation.org.uk

124
 om travel

Barcelona calling
Five days of blissful yoga in the Catalan capital

Next month, head to one of our favourite weekend

getaways, Barcelona, for a five-day retreat with the
inspirational Leslie Keeler Saglio. A life coach, yoga
teacher, energy healer, author, and forever-inspired globe
trotter, Saglio will guide you through this powerful full
moon journey (theres a full moon on February 11). Her
passion is helping people, especially women, find peace
and infuse balance with tools to free themselves and step
into their full potential. Escape the cold of northern Europe
and head to Spain to de-stress, relax and nourish your
body, mind and spirit.

FACT FILE
Retreat includes: healthy vegetarian brunch,
freshly prepared by private chef, morning
and evening yoga, energy healing, coaching
sessions, Hammam spa day, private city tour
and sound bath with one of Barcelonas most
sought after healers. Staying at the Yoga
Weeks Barcelona, in the heart of the city.
Airfares and transfers not included. Dates:
February 9-13, 2017. Visit:
lesliesaglio.com/barcelona-winter-retreat

Come dancing
Dance your socks off in the mountains this
month with Dru Yoga

Enjoy a weekend of fun and laughter in beautiful north

Wales if youre looking for a quick getaway this month.
Theres always something going on at the Dru Yoga
centre in Snowdonia, and with a full roster of yoga
and meditation retreats planned throughout the year,
theres something for every taste. This month, a Yoga
& Dance retreat is lined up between January 27-29.
Blending together the benefits of yoga and dance,
youll experience an energetic, stress-busting form of
Dru Yoga, with music from funk to soothing rhythms.
Get your giggle on and get on down.

FACT FILE
Price includes tuition, food and
accommodation. Ensuite room: 360
shared or 430 single
Visit: druyoga.com

125
 Arctic Yoga
Get your skates on and head for a yoga retreat on
A
Swedish Laplands frozen waters
new experience is being introduced to visitors in
Lapland this winter ice yoga and meditation on
Arctic Swedens snow covered, frozen waters.
From January, visitors can experience this as either
a three hour session at the Active North Camp on the
frozen Byske River or they join one of two dedicated four-day retreats,
staying at Aurora Safari Camp by Degerselet Lake. Both venues are
located north of Lulea and just an hour or so drive from Lulea Airport.
Surrounded by beautiful silence, pine forests and clean Swedish
Lapland air, its perfect for those looking for a yoga session with a
difference this winter but brace yourself for the cold.
The yoga sessions are run by Active Norths Rebecca Bjork, a
nature tourism specialist and Nordic Yoga Institute teacher. She
says the experience offers fresh air, a positive physiological change
associated with being outdoors and exercising. Moreover, she says
going from hot to cold increases blood circulation which helps
nourish the skin and relieve muscle tension.
When in the cold, the body works harder to stay warm, which
126
increases the amount of endorphins in the body and leaves you with
a strong sense of happiness, she says.
n Long weekend (four day) retreats at Aurora Safari Camp from
February 23-26, and March 23-26. Includes daily outdoor yoga and
mediation sessions on Degerselet Lake, group silent walk and silent
lunch, warm up sessions in the wood-fired sauna and hot tub, plus
guidance on how to unwind, find inner peace and focus on the inner
self. Cost: 1,324pp. Includes full board accommodation in authentic
Sami lavvu rooms, yoga classes and equipment, mindfulness lectures
and sauna and hot tub use.
n The one-off, three-hour experience is available between January
1 and April 29 at the Active North Camp by the Byske River. Includes
outdoor yoga and meditation, a warming cup of Chaga tea with
home-made fika and wood-fired sauna session to finish off. Costs
from 157pp.
Visit: activenorth.se
 pages
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 om lite
Happy New Year
Why Im not making a New Years resolution this year. By Victoria Jackson
I
used to be really big on New Years resolutions. I love setting
targets, making plans, measuring progress. Theres nothing
like an improvement project and of course the ultimate such
project is oneself!
On the face of it making resolutions to improve ourselves
in some way can only be a good thing. But looking at this from a
yoga perspective, New Years resolutions and such conscious self-
improvement now seem a bit ego-driven, a bit too goal-oriented,
and by definition all about the future rather than the now. None of
this fits well with how I practice my yoga, where I deliberately try to
observe and accept how things are rather than getting caught up in
shoulds, musts, and what ifs.
I could all too easily come up with a whole list of things to improve
in my yoga practice. But Im deliberately not plotting a timetable for
achieving an unsupported headstand, nor planning what hamstring-
stretching regime might help me work my legs perfectly straight in a
deep Uttanasana (standing forward fold), and Im not setting targets
for the length of my daily meditation practice.
More important than these kinds of objectives is simply to step onto
the mat or drop my bottom down onto the cushion regularly without
130
any goal or ambition. Although it can feel counter-intuitive, letting
go of the aims can be very liberating and rewarding. In fact yoga is
probably the one area of my life where I feel I have the freedom to do
whatever I want, simply to explore and be curious, without needing to
gain a particular result or reward. Why would I change that?
So if I were to set a New Years resolution it would simply be about
continuing my Sadhana, my regular practice, and to worry less about
what might happen in the future. Theres no app to help me and no
chart to show my progress. I cant tick it off as a job done, kilos lost,
pounds saved, countries visited, books read...the resolutions I used
to make. I cant measure it because yoga will always beautifully
be a work in progress. The power of the practice lies in the daily
resolve to experience it and to accept it. Change will just happen
in time.
So with the much-quoted words of Pattabhi Jois in mind -
practice and all is coming. Its time for me to roll out that mat
Happy New Year everyone!
Victoria Jackson lives and practices in Oxford. She is registered with
Yoga Alliance as a vinyasa yoga teacher.
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