No Yoga Block? No Worries!

 We hope you enjoyed our last blog posts featuring our trusted companion Mr Yoga Block. But what if we dont have a block in our lives, are we doomed to be sad, alone and  unsupported forever?

Not to worry! There are many more fish in the sea! After your intital heart break is over you will soon come to realise, as we did, that almost anything can be used as a replacement. Mr Block although handsome and strong may not be the one for you!


What to use instead of a block.
So Aya and I have some tried and tested suggestions for you, but always remember to keep an open mind and do whats best for you in your practice.

1. A rolled up Yoga mat.
One of our favourite options as it is so versitile. Can be rolled less or more depending on what you need.

2. Blankets or Towels
Fold up and use your towels as you need and stack. Towels will of course provide more cushioning than yoga blocks and offer more comfortable support. If towels are not big enough for your needs, try blankets

3. Wood
With some basic tools or a clever boyfriend you can make your own wooden yoga block to save money. Use a scrap of wood and cut it into a block shape with a saw to measure approximately 5 inches in width, 3 inches in height and 9 inches in length. Sand it down to make it smooth, especially around the corners and edges.

Now lets think....... what else can we use?........

4. Books!
Preferably Yoga books! Ahhhhh so thats what they are for ;)! If you stack books, be aware that they may shift once you place body weight on them. In general, stacked books should work fine for any sitting pose, or under your head in relaxation. In fact, under your head is a favourite with the old school Alexander Technique crew! I have also heard that sleeping with books under your head makes you more intelligent, I wonder if this works if you sit on them too?

Anyway, hope you found this helpful! see you in class soon!

lots of love

Hana and Aya xx

Commonly used terminolgy in a Yoga class (part 1)

Ever been to a Yoga class and wondered what on earth are they talking about?!!! Feeling confused? Here are a few translations on the most commonly used terminology to help get you started.....

Yoga - The practice of Yoga can be traced back to as early 200 BCE in India.The name yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj which can be translated to unite, to join or to connect. Yoga aims to connect your mind, body and spirit through awareness by the physical practice of asana (posture), breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation. Yoga is non competitive, the focus is on your own the journey, making this a suitable form of exercise for people of all ages and abilites. A regular Yoga practice can greatly improve your health and overall wellbeing

Hatha- The word Hatha means wilful or forceful but can also be translated as Ha meaning sun and Tha meaning moon. This refers to a balance of masculine (hot,active,sun) to feminine (receptive,cool,moon). These aspects can be found in all of us. Hatha Yoga is a method that strives to create balance in uniting these opposites. In practicing Yoga we work with our mind and body to balance strength with flexibilty and effort with surrender. 

Asana- The poses taught in a Yoga class are called Asanas. The word Asana can be translated as posture, seat or manner of sitting.

Pranayama- Pranayama are breathing exercises often taught in Hatha Yoga classes. The word can be divided into two syllables, Prana and Yama. Prana means life source or energy, Yama means control, hence Pranayama means the conrol of life energy.

Aum (Om) - Aum is mantra that is traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of a Yoga session. It is a sound vibration that represents everything in the universe and expresses ultimate reality.

Shanti - Simply means peace.

Namaste- Namaste is a gesture performed at the end of a class..Nama means bow, as means I, te means you. This gesture is an acknowledgement of the soul in one, to the soul of another.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali- The Yoga Sutras can be translated as thread (Sutras) of Union (Union). The Yoga Sutras are said to be greatest classical text from the yoga school of Indian philosophy.  Patanjali, said to have been half man, half snake was said to have created this book around 200 BC, because of this he is refered to by many as the founder of Yoga.

Yamas and Niyamas - Yama (sanskit) यम, explained in the Yoga Sutras , means self-restraint, self-control and discipline. Niyama (sanskrit) नियम represent a series of right living or ethical rules. There are 10 traditional Yamas and Niyamas explained in the Sutras where it suggests you intergrate these values into your practice of Yoga and day to day life.

Hope you find this useful peeps! We realise that there is probably more than just a few so, look out for part 2 of this subject very soon... and any questions, just ask!

See you in class soon ;)

Hana and Aya xxx

 

To Block or Not? How to use a Yoga Block.

Yoga Blocks!

During the 20th century Yoga blocks were first introduced by the great Mr Iyengar the master of all yoga props but now days blocks are used my most Yoga teachers and practitioners.

 For both beginners and more advanced yogis, blocks function as an aid either for experiencing the asanas more easily or allowing challenging poses to be attempted more safely. They can be an ideal way to improve your alignment and help protect you against injury.

Ways to use your Yoga Block

There are many ways to use a block to assist your yoga practice not all ways will be suitable for you, as we are all different. Aya and I will share with you our favourite and most basic way to use your block........ 

Sit on it!

For many of us sitting comfortably on the floor is easier said than done. If you find you are unable to sit up from the base of your spine, you lower back rounded and pelvis tucked under you may need the help of a block. Checkout the picture below!

 Tight hamstrings and hips can cause alot of strain and discomfort on the lower back, making it very difficult to sit on your sits bones and lengthen the spine. Why suffer this when all you need is a block! Our trusted friend, the block will support the sacrum and lift the pelvis off the ground, making all your seated poses beautiful, effective and comfortable.

 

 

The Sanskrit word Asana can be translated as "sitting comfortably". Using a block to allow us to sit comfortably helps us to achieve Asanas and safe and enjoyable practice of Yoga.

 

Watch this space for more ways to use blocks plus some fantastic tips for you Yoga coming soon!! 

 

love from Hana and Aya xxx

 

 

 

 

 

Yoga and The Parkland Walk

After one of the many Yoga classes in Finsbury Park, I went with Joao on a lovely walk to Highgate Woods via the Parkland Walk. What an adventure!

The Parkland Walk is a four and a half mile walk in 'parkland' between Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. Also known as the Northern Heights, the walk passes through Islington and Haringey and is a designated nature reserve.

I can highly recommend this walk for anyone who lives along this path as a perfect way to get to and from Finsbury Park, especially if its come to our Yoga class. As well as being full of singing birds, wild flowers and butterfiles there are also a few interesting surprises along the way.

There is some amazing Graffiti under the bridge at Crouch End!

And also the legandary spooky Spriggan hidden under one of arches! What on earth is a Spriggan?......

Spriggans are lengendary fairy like creatures commonly know in the folk stories of Cornwall.

They are depicted as grotesquely ugly, and were said to be found at old ruins to guard buried treasure, they were also said to be busy thieves! Though usually small, they had the ability to swell to enormous size (they were sometimes speculated to be the ghosts of the old giants).

 Watch out because they also cause mischief to those who offended them!

So the brave Joao climbed up to check him out, of course being very careful not to offend him.

We ended our journey in the even more beautiful Highgate Woods with a lovely cup of tea and plum muffins, mmmmmm....So next time you come to Yoga in finsbury park why not try the Parkland Walk?

www.parkland-walk.co.uk

Hope to see in class soon!

Hana, Aya and Joao xxx

 

Kakasana Crow pose

Kakasana

Sharing a morning coffee and Kakasana with the skillful Joao!

Kakasana or Crow Pose improves our mental equilibrium, and concentration, giving us sense of calm. Physical benefits include the stretching and strengthening of the shoulders,arms, forearms, wrists and fingers as well as improving balance. It can be especially beneficial for repetitive stress injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, and for people who spend a lot of time on the computer. So remember a kakasana a day can keep the doctor away! :/

Congratulations to Aya our new Zumba Gold Instructor!!!!

Congratulations to the beautiful Aya for getting her Zumba Gold certificate today!!!!

Zumba Gold comes from Zumba (a latino aerobic dance workout!) Zumba Gold is a fun and invigorating workout for people of all levels of fitness, including older adults and beginner participants. Aya is now able to teach you chair based Zumba and exciting and dynamic low impact routines! (as well as her usual fantastic hyperactive zumba classes for crazy people!!) So remember to let us know if you need some Zumba Gold ;) 

Happy Easter and well done to all our Yogis!!!

Thankyou to all the Yogis who came along to our fantastic Easter Egg hunt on Saturday!!! Congratulations to the winners!!!! And a big thankyou to all our Yoga in the park students for braving the cold and keeping our classes ticking over the winter/spring months! Fingers crossed we will have our lovely outdoor classes back very soon, cant wait!! ;) xxx

Also well done to all our mini Yogis who have been doing some wonderful and impressive yoga asanas at our Yoga for Kids courses!

So lets hope for sunny weather and for some more magical new things to grow this Sping!

lots of love from

Hana and Aya! xx