Ahimsa Yoga seasonal Newsletter

Hi all

Welcome to the Spring Newsletter

We live in strange times! Currently all classes, workshops and courses are suspended because of the Corona Virus. While we wait for this situation to pass there will be recorded online classes for all my current students. Please message me for details.

Meanwhile…Spring is a time of new beginnings & growth. It is governed by the Wood element in Chinese medicine.

At this time of year it’s natural to feel a surge of energy and vigour after the hibernation of Winter…we are keen to start new projects or move forward in new directions. If you are stuck at home, this may feel frustrating, so remember to include lots of breathing in your practice to calm yourself.

The organ pair associated with the Wood element are the Liver and Gallbladder. The Liver is often said to be the most active of the organs…loving to be busy. The Liver is also considered to be about planning ahead and the gallbladder about making good decisions…fundamental to this time of year.

In our practice we stretch out of the most Yin time of the year, Winter: making sure we put down strong roots first! Our practice increases in intensity with the rising Yang.

Yours in Yoga

Rachel

Foundation Course news

By the time you read this we will be just over half way through our Seasonal Yoga Elemental Foundation Course in Letchworth, which is exciting to me to teach…especially seeing the changes in everyone as we move through our journey together. Here’s what of the current students recently said about the course:

"I am really enjoying the Seasonal Yoga Foundation Course and would encourage anybody interested in dedicating some time and practice to self care to sign up. Rachel is a very knowledgeable and experienced teacher. She delivers the course well and explains clearly the benefit of regular posture work, meditation and healthy home practices all of which combine beautifully. The emphasis on the 5 elements makes complete sense and is very interesting. It has been wonderful getting to know some like-minded people, we have had some engaging conversation and by sharing our personal experience have learnt a lot from each other."

SK, Hitchin

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“The course is really holistic. With Rachel’s guidance and course materials I gained the confidence and knowledge to practice asanas at home. My mobility has also improved through more regular physical practice. In the group meetings, we explore personal aspects of wellbeing such as healthy eating habits, meditation and self -care. I enjoy sharing and learning with the group. I would thoroughly recommend this course to anyone with a keen interest in leading a more wholesome lifestyle and bringing yoga into your day to day living.. You’ll learn a lot.”

RH, Letchworth

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“The foundation course with Rachel has completely shifted my yoga practice, confidence and mindset. I have moved from having to follow a teacher to being able to plan and practice my own sequences at home, something I really struggled with. I feel much more in touch with my physical and emotional needs and have a much better understanding of the seasonal elements. “

EW, Letchworth.

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“I have attended Rachel’s classes for a few years and got to a point where I felt I needed more. Having struggled to develop a meaningful home practice as well as being ready to learn more, the Foundation Course has been the perfect way to progress my personal journey. I love Rachel’s style of teaching and am enjoying learning alongside such an amazing, diverse and supportive group of students.”

TP, Letchworth

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Because it has been so effective and exciting, I’m very much hoping to run this course again, possibly later this year. Do contact me if you want more information or might be interested.

The course teaches you what you need to know to build a solid home practice and integrate yoga into your life. The emphasis is on self-development through practising at home what has been discussed in the sessions. The course will include Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama, Anatomy and lifestyle.

Read more about the course HERE.

In the longer term I will be bringing Seasonal Yoga Teacher Training to Letchworth. Details Here... contact me if teaching in this way appeals to you.

Things to do in Spring

Get out in nature more – enjoy the rising energy!
Clean up your diet – try and have a few days at least eating good fresh foods – avoid processed stuff.
Eat plenty of greens – especially young vegetables
Start to plan your year ahead
Look after your Liver by watching your alcohol intake

Body Clock Flow

Some of you may remember us practising the chi gung Body Clock Flow occasionally in our classes. This is a great way of encouraging smooth energy circulation in the body, warming the joints and helping us to feel “in synch”. We practice it especially at the times of year when the clocks are changed, but at other times too. For example when we are on the “cusp” between seasons.

The Body Clock Flow is based on the premise in Chinese Medicine that different organs are high or low in energy at certain times of the day.

This article gives a nice summary of the organs, their activities and the order in which the energy flows through them:

https://foreverconscious.com/traditional-chinese-organ-body-clock

Diary Dates

2020 - Seasonal Yoga Elemental Foundation Course starts – dates TBA

If you are interested in the next Foundation course I run and want to be kept up to date on developments contact me.

Fri 23 to Sun 25 October 2020 – Yoga Retreat with me at Highgate House in Northants

2021 – Seasonal Yoga Teacher Training. For the first time in Hertfordshire. For budding teachers and those wanting to take their practice to the next level. Further details of the course on this page here: contact me to register your interest.

“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