Yoga news from the Season... a roundup of what's happening
Newsletter
Winter
Hello lovely people
Welcome to the Winter Newsletter!
I hope you feel ready to settle into the most Yin months of the year. In Chinese Five Element Theory Winter is associated with the Water element – an element which is situated at both the beginning and the end of the cycle. The organs are the Kidneys and Bladder. The Bladder is the longest meridian, with 67 points - starting in the eye socket and ending in the little toe! Water represents downward energy…stillness and depth; it’s also all about our ability to change course and to flow around any obstacles that are in our way. Think about how water can be still, deep, flexible and yet tremendously powerful. It can also take many forms from ice to mist. The natural energy of the Water element is resting and still…this is the time to hibernate, cozy up and restore/recharge your batteries so you have plenty of energy for the more Yang months of the year. Your attention is likely to be drawn inwards at this time and you may appreciate this slower pace of life as an opportunity to reflect. You might also feel a little more sensitive, so be kind to yourself and make allowances. Most of all make sure you listen to your body and mind’s deep need for REST at this time of year.
Warm wishes
Rachel
Reflecting on 2024
Maybe it’s me ageing, but it seems like it’s been a challenging decade! - instability and strife in our world, at home and abroad. I remind myself that we need the practices of Yoga even more than ever so that we can attempt to stay grounded and centred when all around us appears to be flying out of control. I also like to remember that despite the bad news, most people in our world are good, and want the best for their fellow beings, and the beautiful Earth, as well as themselves.
Yoga actually comes into its own when our lives are at their most challenging, though sometimes we feel devoting time to our own wellbeing is "selfish" when in fact we instinctively know that no-one can pour from an empty cup. Those wellbeing practices enable us to support and service others without becoming completely depleted.
Yoga also gives us stability of mind, which allows more thoughtful and considered decision-making rather than knee jerk reactions.
Are you devoting enough time to looking after yourself? Maybe something to reflect on for the coming year...
Things to do in the Winter
- Get plenty of REST – early nights and late mornings
- Take short naps during the day (around 3 is good) to restore energy. Research suggests up to 30 mins is a good duration, after that we start feeling groggy when we wake up
- Take up a meditation practice – even just 10 minutes a day will make a difference!
- Keep your kidneys warm (the area around the back of your waist & lower back) – you can even buy special kidney “warmers” if this is a place you feel the chill in
- Drink plenty of water (or other clear non alcoholic liquids like herbal tea)– aim for a glass every hour or two through the day, and 8 glasses overall
- “Rubbing the Kidneys” is a Qigong exercise perfect for Winter and said to increase longevity
- Use the Winter break to take stock of where you are in your life
- Take walks outside (wrapped up warm) but don’t overtire yourself
- Gentle Yoga – high energy practices are not recommended at this time, unless you are very cold and need warming up. Yin Yoga is great.
- Work on releasing fear – the emotion associated with out of balance Kidney energy
- Try and “go with the flow” more rather than feeling like you’re moving against the tide
- Take this time to reflect on where you are in life…no hasty decisions, but re-evaluation. How might you change things in 2025…can you plant the seeds now?
Winter Nutrition
- Warm foods at this time of year!
- Black, blue and purple foods are said to support the Kidneys – black beans, kidney beans, red onions, red cabbage, blueberries, blackberries.
- Seaweeds and foods that are rich in minerals like seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, hemp, flax) are great.
- Celery is highly recommended for its mineral content**
- Use warming spices like ginger in soups, stews and curries, especially if you feel the cold.
- Think slow-cooked nourishing foods rather than quickly prepared or raw ones – roasting and grilling are especially good;
- Always look at what vegetables and fruits are in season in your area and make their use a priority.
** you can make great soups with celery. My favourite has cashew nuts added to give it a creamy texture…you can also use sunflower seeds for a slightly different flavour.
Elemental Foundation Course – March to July 2025
This course is for you if....
- You want to handle the daily stress and strains of life in a calm efficient way.
- You want to know how to execute postures and pranayama safely and effectively.
- You want to develop a yoga self practice and integrate yoga into your life.
- You'd like to learn how to meditate or develop your meditation practice.
- You'd like to spend 5 months improving your lifestyle, health and wellbeing in a fun and safe environment.
Seasonal Yoga Teacher Training Course
As I write we are nearly half way through our latest Immersive/Teacher Training course with 8 lovely students. This is our third time running the course and Melissa and I are really getting into our stride now…and loving sharing these teachings and practices.
We have decided to start our next course on 13 September 2025 (all the dates are on the Teacher Training page )…so if you’ve been thinking of joining us for this “joyful, demanding learning experience” (Thank you Alison!) make contact now!
It's an amazing course which dives deep into every aspect of Yoga, as well as the Chinese 5 Elements. You don’t have to want to teach, you may just want to have a year of personal evolution, devoted to you and your wellbeing. Either way we’ll support and nurture you through the year and you will have an amazing time with us.
If you want a no obligation chat about whether this course is for you, just message me.
Some YouTube videos...
Course promo - 1 min
End of course - 1 min
Interviews with graduates - 12 mins
Seasonal Sundays – treat yourself!
Seasonal Sundays will continue to run monthly through 2025 – I now have a dedicated page with all the dates on, as not all will fall on the last Sunday of the month.
These Sundays are a chance to spend more time marinating a little in Seasonal practices – they will always include Yin and Yang Yoga, breathwork and meditation or Yoga Nidra.
Pricing will change slightly in 2025 – so the investment for my regular weekly students will continue to be £15. Everyone else will pay £18. Still a very fair price for 2 hours.
Message me to book in!
Online Classes
The Wednesday morning “gentle” class is “hybrid” which means it happens both online and in person, in Letchworth
The Thursday evening class remains largely online though we meet in person once per season in Letchworth which is always lovely.
From Jan 2025 – Seasonal Yin Yoga will be moving from Friday to Wednesday evenings…once per season. The first class – a Winter/Water element one - will be on Weds 29 January – starting at the new time of 7pm. I will be offering these sessions now for £10 to my weekly regulars, and £12 to everyone else. Yin is a beautiful slow practice and can be made suitable for everyone. If you’ve not tried it before but would like to, please come and join us in January.
** There is always space for more people in these classes, so do take advantage of my “Recommend a Friend” offer which I’ll be emailing you details of soon.
The Online Studio, with a variety of Seasonal classes including Yang Yoga, Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidras, is FREE to everyone who registers for 2 classes per week with me; and only £10 per month if you register for 1 weekly class. Access to this resource enables you to take a class with a familiar teacher (me!) as and when you want, at a time that suits you. I am regularly adding classes to the library to keep it fresh.
Students tell me they find it especially useful when they have missed their usual class for whatever reason and also if they want to practice more than once a week. Research shows that shorter more frequent yoga sessions are more beneficial than for example a 3 hour workshop once a fortnight…
“The success of Yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships.” TKV Desikachar