We’re super excited here at Red Hot Yoga & Pilates to be hosting a series of three Dosha workshops with Denise Marlow. Here Denise gives us a sneaky peak of what to expect!: In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science of Life”. There is focus on prevention and healthy habits to encourage balance in the body…
As a Yoga teacher of a certain age [cough, 48], a couple of years ago I started to notice differences – not only to my monthly cycle, but my hands started to hurt….my knuckles in particular…and my left thumb would ache when it was due to rain…great, I thought, arthritis. Then, wanting to be…
Did you know that over 60 students have now graduated from our Yoga Alliance certified 200 hour Teacher Training course? If you’ve ever been curious about what makes our training different from the rest then read on as four of those students share their experiences! ‘RHY Teacher Training course delivered exactly what it promised, it…
Red Hot Yoga Teacher Training graduate, Charlotte Constable Fernandez, on how yoga can support your training and help a great cause! Every type of runner – whether you do the occasional park run or are a seasoned marathoner – can benefit from yoga. Practising yoga can help develop strength in the ankles, core, quads, hamstrings…
1. Describe your yoga journey. Why; who; how? My yoga journey started when l was about 10 years old. I was fascinated with my own body and how l could move it in different shapes. At that time there was not much yoga around and so l was exploring on my own in my room…
1. Describe your yoga journey. Why; who; how?I first started my ‘serious’ yoga journey in 2013 practising Ashtanga with Omar Baluch to help find balance in a stressful, international corporate career and manage a recurring injury. After a few years of practice, and exploring various styles of yoga, and with the ever increasing demands of…
1. Describe your yoga journey. Why; who; how? I found yoga in 2002 whilst living in San Francisco. I was looking for a more subtle way to exercise after a running injury. Something that would be low impact, but also strengthen the body. Blown away by how amazing I felt after my first class, I…
1. Describe your yoga journey. I first tried yoga over 20 years ago when I was living in San Francisco, but I didn’t regularly practice then as I was still caught up in the weight lifting and cardio machine craze without much awareness for what was going on with my body. It wasn’t until I…
Over the past few months, I’ve been weaving scientific-based mobility techniques into many of the classes I teach and the feedback from the students is illuminating. From a purely physical perspective, there pervades a common myth that we are either strong, or flexible, or that one must be at the sacrifice of another. We talk…
Ever considered becoming a yoga teacher? Jo Atkins recently graduated from Red Hot Yoga’s 200-hour Anusara® Yoga Teacher Training course with Sarah Powell. Here she shares her experiences: What made you want to teach? I love my yoga practice. I unfortunately recently lost a very close friend who had also been my yoga buddy for…
Chakras are energy centres that connect to the physical body. A chakra is a chamber in the temple of the body that receives, assimilates and transmits life force energy – Prana. The first of the main chakras is located in the base of the spine, the Root Chakra – in Sanskrit it’s called Muladhara. The…
If you’re a regular at the studio you’ll probably have noticed that two of our popular Ashtanga teachers take two months off each year. But is it really two months ‘off’? In this blog Clive and Mark explain the importance of Sadhana: Sadhana means ‘daily devotional practice’ or ‘individual effort to achieve your purpose in…
Red Hot Yoga’s Jane Beevers talks stretching ahead of her Kinesiological Stretching Posture Clinic. There are many different ways we can develop flexibility in soft tissue of muscle: static stretching, ballistic (dynamic) and PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation – more commonly known as the “contract and release” or “contract and relax” technique). Other soft tissues, including…
We all love a holiday. A bit of sun, time away from work and indulgence in our favourite activities is always an appealing idea and we expect to come home refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to take on everyday life again. And generally, we do – for about a day. Then Monday morning comes around again,…
Red Hot Yoga now runs regular pregnancy yoga classes so you can still practise during your pregnancy. Here pregnancy yoga teacher Eve Mackie talks you through the best poses to help you get the most from this exciting time: Child’s Pose (Mudhasana) One of the most enjoyable poses and beneficial to practice in pregnancy. Benefits:…
Meet Grant Hughes. Some of you may have already met Grant in the studio, where he has attended classes for the last few years, encouraged by Fiona (his wife) who trained as a teacher here and comes regularly to classes. For his day job, Grant works as a local independent Financial Adviser for a long…
Curious to learn more about our Hot 26 class? Read on! The Hot 26 class is inspired by the original hot Bikram Yoga method, which consists of a powerful 26 posture series practised for 60 or 90 minutes in a room heated to 40 degrees and 40% humidity. The 26 posture series is designed to warm…
As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, we move toward the season of Winter. Nature has gone to ground, and the Earth’s energy is buried deep into the very heart of itself. The quality and length of daylight invites withdrawal and turning inward and we too as “human animals” feel this pull…
1. Describe your Pilates journey. Why; who; how? I was introduced to Pilates by a mummy friend as something we could do with our small babies. It was a wonderful way to get back into exercise post-birth and a good way to meet other new mums near me and of course always an excuse to…
Osteopath Tim Goullet explores and explains the long term benefits of a regular yoga practice. The therapeutic effects that yoga creates in us are far reaching and in proportion to the quality and consistency of practice. From a holistic perspective, yoga offers a complete mind body discipline which includes many of the following features: Bandha…
A healthy abdomen, on the inside as well as the outside, is a hallmark of health Well toned abdominal muscles usually go hand in hand with healthy abdominal organs and vice versa, the body’s internal condition being reflected in its external appearance. The skin, the eyes and the hair are also good examples of this….
We’re always super excited to launch a new class and Red Hot Align promises to ignite the body and work deep into your fascia. Denise Marlow tells all: What is Red Hot Align? This contemporary yoga class combines 35-40 minutes of hot yoga practice blended with core work to strengthen intrinsic core and postural muscles. There…
Think yoga is all about stillness and stretch? Think again. Sarah Spear explains how to get your heart pumping and your pulse racing in her guide to Yin, Yang & HIIT Yoga. 1. What is Yin yoga? Yin yoga is, unsurprisingly, the opposite to Yang yoga. Simply put, Yang is anything cardiovascular – hot yoga,…
1. Why did you become a yoga instructor? Easy! To share my love of yoga and in particular work with runners as I know first hand just how beneficial it is for us! Being a running coach too I can offer more to my athletes. 2. What is your favourite pose/exercise? Oooooh, I have lots! Plank…
Melanie Crowther shares her experience of going on Red Hot Yoga retreats: 1. Which retreats have you been on? I’ve been to Molino Dey Rey in Southern Spain with Clarissa for the last two years. Before that I’ve been on retreats at La Rosa dei 4 Venti in Puglia, Italy and Silver Island in Greece….
Clive Bratchell left his first Mysore class exhilarated: “I felt so alive when I finished I wanted more. 8 years on, the more I practice the more faith I have in the method. This is something special and there’s no wonder it’s so popular around the world, it sells itself really once you have started.” Here Clive…
Lisa graduated as a Yoga Teacher from the 12 Month RHY Teacher Training Course in 2016. Straight after graduating, how did you get your first class and work it around your ‘day job’? Straight after graduating I decided to bring yoga to my ‘day job’ and put the feelers out to see if anyone was…
Julie graduated as a Yoga Teacher from the 12 Month RHY Teacher Training Course in 2016. Straight after graduating, how did you get your first class and work it around your ‘day job’? After graduating I took a little time to go away and find my feet! It had been quite a journey and then…
Janis graduated as a Yoga Teacher from the 12 Month RHY Teacher Training Course in 2016. Straight after graduating, how did you get your first class and work it around your ‘day job’? I found my first official teaching class no different to what I was used to, as I’d already clocked up approximately 150 hours…
Sarah Powell shares her passion for Anusara® and her motivation for bringing Anusara® Teacher Training to Red Hot Yoga: I’ve been practising yoga for 14 years now and it’s been a huge help to me as I raised my 3 boys against the back drop of running a busy home and small business. Like everybody, I’ve…
Stressed? Anxious? Can’t sleep? Meditation can help! Mandy Penalver explains how… Maybe you’ve heard about the benefits of meditation but you aren’t convinced. Perhaps you have some doubts or reservations. There is now considerable clinical evidence to prove that meditation is good for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. A 2014 study¹ showed that mindfulness-based…
Keith Graham came to Rolfing via Osteopathy and is now just one of 42 certified Rolfers in the UK. Here he tells us more about this holistic approach that embraces manipulation and movement: 1. What is Rolfing Structural Integration Rolfing Structural Integration is a hands-on manipulation and movement re-education system which was developed by American…
1. Tell us about your yoga journey? I first started yoga (Bikram) as an antidote to the demands of my job. I was working as an IT Consultant, working really long hours and it was beginning to get me very stressed. I soon found I was enjoying the yoga a lot more than the work,…
There are no experts or owners of philosophy. Yoga enables you to think clearly, to begin to know yourself. Philosophy is the point and it is everywhere, ‘smile and the world smiles with you’, even your granny knows stuff. Every era claims tenure on philosophy, you will hear that it is from Greek φιλοσοφία, philosophia,…
1. Describe your yoga journey. Why; who; how? Self exploration is what got me hooked on yoga, I love how it has transformed the way I live, think and behave. The beauty of yoga is that it enables the individual to become the best version of themselves. It has enabled me to start this journey,…
Julie Fastiggi shares her experiences of RHY’s Yoga Alliance Accredited Teacher Training Course & how her career as a yoga teacher has taken off: 1. What was your motivation for embarking on the course? Ultimately to change direction in my life! Being on my yoga mat has become so important to me and has opened…
1. Describe your yoga journey. Why; who; how? I first discovered yoga when I was pregnant with my daughter, who is now nearly 18. As my pregnancy progressed, classes had to be put on hold for a while but after she was born I got to a class as soon as I could! My first…
Michelle Berrange shares her reflections on embracing Hatha yoga to restore balance: From an early age we are conditioned into action, ‘doing’, achieving and competition. It’s integrated into modern society, our schools, universities, careers and in the media. No wonder it is often so difficult for us to learn to relax consciously and to let…
1. Describe your yoga journey. Why; who; how? It was while working as a horticulturalist that I discovered yoga – I joined a local Ashtanga class to help me heal back twinges from all the digging & weeding. After practising many led classes I started to explore this traditional yoga in more depth, developing my…
Red Hot Yoga’s Clive Bratchell shares his passion for chanting: “I love to chant, it sounds nice. When a group of people get together it feels ace, so why not!? The language is Sanskrit. I understand that this is the oldest of the Aryan languages, yes, that’s what English and the other European tongues derive…
1. Describe your yoga journey. Why; who; how? In 1999, I was advised to do some yoga to help with my back & knee pain sustained from a sports injury. I was 27, so was a late starter to yoga. At the time, yoga was starting to boom but it looked very different from the…
1. What is Myofascial Release? Myofascial Release (MFR) is about free restrictions in the whole body. Traditional massage looks at the body as a series of muscles in isolation whereas, in fascial work, the body is seen and treated as one. Everything is connected to everything else, a restriction in one part of your body,…
1. What are the origins of Yin yoga? Yin yoga’s teaching in the Western world, beginning in the late 1970s, was founded by martial arts expert and Taoist yoga teacher Paulie Zink. Yin yoga is now being taught worldwide due in large part to the teaching activities of Yin yoga teachers and developers Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers. 2. How did you…
The human spine is quite a miraculous construction of vertebrae, muscles and discs, all precisely stacked to create both the strength to support us and the flexibility to allow us a huge range of motion. With over use, repetitive actions or simply gentle ageing, it is very common for us to pull our spine out…
1. Describe your yoga journey. Why, who, how? I was a competitive gymnast for over 10 years & have had a life long passion for sport, training as an aerobics instructor, personal trainer & sports massage therapist. However, it wasn’t until I was pregnant with my son 20 years ago that I first discovered yoga…
1. Describe your Pilates journey – why; who; how? I decided to train as a teacher of mat Pilates in 2010 which was one of the best decisions that I have made so far during my 25 year fitness career. I can safely and effectively train my body every day using the Pilates method without…
Red Hot Yoga teacher and therapist Tracey Reilly explains the benefits of Arvigo®, an ancient, holistic Maya method of abdominal therapy. 1. What is Arvigo®? Arvigo® is an ancient Maya therapeutic technique of non invasive abdominal massage which stimulates circulation in the abdomen, supporting the body for optimum function of the digestive and reproductive systems….
What is Quantum Therapeutical Massage (QTM)? QTM treatment combines three types of massages plus acupressure and Reiki. The first is Lomi Lomi Nui massage which incorporates long flowing strokes along the body using the forearms. Secondly, Deep Tissue massage as used in Liou Chin Vietnamese martial arts. This form of massage is superb for releasing…
Red Hot Yoga & Pilates is delighted to be sponsoring one of our students Paola Tello Guerrero in Homeward Bound, an exciting global initiative that aims to encourage women’s participation in science. Read on to find out more about how yoga has helped her mentally and physically prepare for her forthcoming expedition to Antarctica! 1….
1. Describe your yoga journey – why, who, how? I have had a love for yoga for over 18 years now, I started Hatha yoga in my twenties with my mum at a local class. We both loved it and have never looked back. As the years went on I felt more and more inspired to…
International sportsman George Skuodas describes the journey that inspired him to put down the weights for good and embrace the strength, control and mobility that is Animal Flow. Movement is one of THE lifestyle buzzwords right now. I use the word lifestyle rather than fitness industry as for some it is a total lifestyle obsession…
As a fan of cross-county skiing and a trained Nordic walker, I know just how strong and fit you need to be no matter what your preference of ski style is. Put simply, the better prepared you are for your time on the slopes, the more fun you’re going to have! Whether you’re a season…
1. Why did you become a yoga instructor? Working for a futures trading analyst at the time, I took my first hot yoga class and was blown away. It was like someone had just turned the lights on and I knew this was something that would change my life. Taking the leap from working in…
The benefits of massage are well known – releasing the muscles, promoting blood circulation, relaxation of body & mind. But what is Lomi Lomi and how is it different? The shamanistic traditions & techniques of Lomi Lomi Lomi Lomi massage therapy was first practised by Kahunas, (Hawaiian priests and shamans) and kept within their own…
Most teachers have experienced problems with their voice at some point. Gabi Markham is a yoga teacher and trained singer/actor so she understands the importance of keeping the voice in tip top condition. Here are her 5 top tips to keep those tired sore throats at bay: 1. Hydration – it’s very important to keep…
Not sure of the difference between attending a course or a class? RHY’s Dawn McCarron explains the benefits. Often you will find a class has students of varying levels of ability and experience. This means there is a limited amount of time available for any professional teacher to ensure every client is satisfied that they…
Here Dawn McCarron explains the ABC of Pilates and its importance in your Pilates practice. Alignment of the spine and pelvis. Being out of alignment places strain on joints, ligaments and muscles and has a detrimental impact on your movement and muscle imbalance. It is optimum to have joints in the right position and…
With so many different classes & levels to choose from, it can sometimes be hard knowing where to begin – try our fun quiz & discover whether you’re a Happy Baby, Dancer or Warrior! 1.How long have you been practising yoga? A. Once or twice. OK, never. B. Six months or more. C. I was…
1. Why did you become a yoga instructor? I started practicing yoga about 20 years ago when I first came down to London to work. There was so much more choice for me to explore. Yoga helped me to unwind and cope with the demands of working in central government. 2. What is your favourite…
1. Why did you become a yoga instructor? Having discovered yoga when I was living in Singapore, I was very soon an addict! It healed my aches and pains, but was also making me a calmer mum and kinder human being! So when the time came to go back to work, rather than go back…
1. Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? I badly injured my back while training for a national athletics competition when I was a teenager and Pilates was the main thing that helped me rehabilitate. I couldn’t go a week without it, and so my passion for Pilates was born. 2. What is your favourite…
1. Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? I teach yoga to enable my students to connect with their true self & to help them become more aware of how they are feeling & where they are at in their bodies & in their minds, to then work with it through the practice of yoga. At the same time…
1. Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? I started practicing yoga and pilates several years ago and it had a positive effect on my life within the first week of practice – both my mind and body felt incredible! I noticed the same change in everyone I introduced to pilates and yoga…
1. Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? I fell in love with Yoga and how it made me feel, how I started to change my lifestyle, and the wonderful people I kept on and on meeting through Yoga!! So I thought I just really want to share this discovery of mine with as many…
1. Why did you become a yoga teacher? Yoga brought me immense health, freedom and happiness. I am totally inspired to share my experiences and help others to feel & find it for themselves. 2. What is your favourite pose? Supta Virasana & Shoulder Stand 3. Which classes do you teach at RHY? Yin or Red…
It won’t take long after joining a class to see and feel the benefit of Pilates. Walk taller, feel stronger and more aligned, not to mention a flatter, more toned abdominal area. The reason for this is because Joseph Pilates’ method devised at the turn of the 20th century is just as applicable now for…
The poses within the Ashtanga second series, Nadi Shodhana, fall into 4 categories: animal forms, lifeless forms, human and divine. I love a bit of mythology, and find that when I understand both the form of the posture and the mythology behind the pose I can explore the posture in a more subtle way, for…
1. Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? With a long career spanning 25 years in the fitness industry as a PT and aerobics instructor I wanted to find something that I could teach or practise every day for the rest of my life, injury free and body strong! 2. What is your favourite pose/exercise?…
Normally these words invoke three types of response in class. I either see excitement, or fear, or a kind of blank expression – I read the thoughts as “ok, but why??” If it excites you, yay! I don’t have to convince you to try it and you probably already know its benefits. If you are…
Calling all Guildford & Surrey Ashtanga lovers! If you’ve ever thought ‘I’m not sure what Mysore really is’, then read on. Mysore is the traditional way to practise your Ashtanga sequence. The classes are not led by the teacher, instead allowing you to practise in your own time and pace. Using Ashtanga Series cards (if required), you…
If you already practise Mysore you will know it is a unique way to enjoy your Yoga. Practising at your own pace has many benefits, including more individual attention and more flexibility in how you practise. Once you have attended led Ashtanga classes long enough to know the sequence well, Mysore is the next step. Your regular practise…
We are absolutely thrilled to have Dawn join our teaching team, you already know how awesome a teacher she is! As a big welcome to Dawn’s current students, we are going to be sending out a very special, exclusive offer to you next week – all you need to do to receive the offer is…
It was my physio who suggested that I take up yoga. That was nearly 3 years ago, and at the time I had such limited movement in my lower back and thoracic spine I was visiting him at least once a week. Even with this intensity of visits I was incredibly unsupple & in pain…
Yoga asana practice is very much a moving meditation. It is a way to connect to that stillness within that yogis call bliss: the state from which life originated, that is within each and everyone of us. Just as there are many layers in our thoughts, so too are there many layers of experiencing our…
Sankalpa is the yoga practice of focusing your mind and energy to fulfil your heartfelt desires (or dharma) It is similar to the new year’s resolution except that it starts from the assumption that you already are who you need to be to fulfil this. One of my teachers, Rod Stryker (Para Yoga founder) explains…
Yoga today is practiced by just about anyone from overweight and out of shape to runners and cyclists, dancers and athletes. Male, Female, black & white, it is a truly cosmopolitan practice but… Often the hardest single goal that you will ever achieve in yoga is actually turning up to your first class! Although many…
Contracting a chronic lung condition and losing a wife to cancer is not a recipe for feeling good. It is hard to keep in condition mentally or physically and for some time I drifted aimlessly. A new yoga centre, Red Hot Yoga, opened locally and, having previously done some yoga with my wife, I decided…
It’s normal to experience a certain amount of frustration when you first start to meditate. This is extremely common and not a sign that there is something wrong with either you or the meditation. Frustration arises because we have been so conditioned in our culture to succeed and achieve through making an effort. Have you noticed…
Mudras are physical gestures that have an effect on the energy flow of the body. Often associated with hand gestures, mudras are also full body gestures and even eye gestures. This is a deep, mindful, continuously flowing practice that works on circulating energy in the body to bring harmony between the mind and body. Each…
When did you first start to practice yoga? I first practiced yoga when I was about 18 years old. It was in a church hall in Hamilton, New Zealand. I don’t remember much about it, except for that the teacher was really old, the rain was crashing down on the corrugated iron roof, and that…
1. Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? I was looking for a new career path but had no idea what I wanted to do, it then dawned on me that I could give back to others what Yoga had done for me. 2.What is your favourite pose/exercise? Eka Pada Rajakapotasana – Pigeon Pose. Such…
Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? I became a yoga seeker by accident when accompanying a friend to a class 10 years ago. Yoga took me over. My teacher told me I should teach, (it’s an Ashtanga tradition of parampara) so now I do. What is your favourite pose/exercise? Ashtanga is a 24/7 practice…
1. Brian is one of the UK’s leading and most respected yoga and Thai massage teachers, who has trained hundreds of teachers at home and abroad. 2. Brian has spent 40 years in the remarkable, exciting and amazing practice of Hatha Yoga. 3. Brian founded Yoga Alliance, with the vision of setting high standards for training schools and…
Pranayama is very popular these days, and, I suspect, often wrongly taught. Although many teachers use that famous quote from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika: “Just as lions, elephants and tigers are controlled by and by, so the breath is controlled by slow degrees, otherwise it kills the practitioner himself”, It seems that they disregard –…
Mike is a registered nurse who has taught First Aid for most of his 40-year career. Mike was a National Trainer with the British Army, a regional trainer for the Prison Service and at present teaches for his local Primary Care Trust. He regularly teaches Anatomy and Physiology on the British Wheel of Yoga Diploma course…
Is it time to plan your 2017 escape? We’re so excited to be staying at Molino Del Rey Luxury Yoga Resort for both our retreats next year. Join Clarissa Robertson in July and Clive Bratchell in August for the chance to be totally immersed in Yoga. The numerous benefits of resting from your normal routine and…
Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? I wanted to share the amazing benefits I had enjoyed from my own practice with others. What is your favourite pose/exercise? Savasana! Which classes do you teach at RHY? Sivananda Yoga @ 6pm & True Rest Meditation @ 8pm on Sunday evenings. How long have you been an…
Mudras are energetic gestures. They are also sometimes described as seals or symbols. Most mudras are hand positions, also known as hasta (hand) mudra but mudras are also body postures, eye postures or breathing techniques. So you can say, every yoga posture is also a mudra. These gestures are a way of directing current into or through our bodies….
As Young as your Spine is Flexible? Mat Pilates gets to your core, your deep centre. 1. It improves your breathing Breathing is important in Mat Pilates. Pilates breathing is described as lateral breathing, or diaphragmatic breathing meaning that the practitioner is instructed to breathe deep into the back and sides of their rib cage. When…
Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? My main goal when I took my 1st 200hour TT was to deepen my practice and my understanding of Yoga. With my practice evolving and following the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga method and seeing how it had healed my body I decided take John Scotts teacher training so…
What really appealed to me as a teacher embarking on the Rocket teacher training course with Amber Gean (who trained under Larry Shultz), was its emphasis on three things: The Rocket is playful in nature. You are encouraged to tune out your inner critic. You are encouraged to tune in to your own inner teacher…
Pranayama is very popular these days, and, I suspect, often wrongly taught. Although many teachers use that famous quote from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika: “Just as lions, elephants and tigers are controlled by and by, so the breath is controlled by slow degrees, otherwise it kills the practitioner himself”, It seems that they disregard –…
Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? One of the first reasons I wanted to teach yoga is due to my obsession about how good yoga was for everybody. I say obsession as I talk about it all the time as I see everyday how amazing the practise is for everyone who walks through our doors. Whether you…
Once Upon a Time in the East, if you were lucky, you got adjusted. And I mean ADJUSTED. During my 5 month stay at Pattabhi Jois’s old Shala, I was adjusted at least three times each morning, and always in the drop back to Urdhva Dhanurasana. Some mornings I hoped I’d get away with a…
When did you start practicing yoga? I have been a student of yoga since 1996. How would you describe your teaching style? I teach as I like to practice, a breath-led, alignment based practice to build strength and flexibility. I teach yoga as a means of encouraging fluid movement in the body; guiding students to work their body…
Clive and Mark are very proud to have started the first regular Self Practice Mysore Style Ashtanga yoga in Guildford here at Red Hot Yoga in early 2013. They started with one day a week…. building slowly…. and thanks to the students commitment, they are now pleased to announce that from September they will be…
Why did you become a yoga/Pilates teacher? Pilates – I was drawn to Pilates for the rehabilitation benefits after several years of lower back pain. I had always pushed my body to work harder and it was telling me I needed to slow down. I chose to train in Clinical Pilates to understand the rehabilitation…
Asana and meditation both work on eradicating physical and mental boundaries and impurities and things that limit one from living a blissful, happy life. Through the discipline of yoga practice we start to identify and consciously remove these obstacles. The process of dropping and letting go is the same, but we first have to see…
Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? I became a Yoga teacher because people asked me to teach them…. it kinda snowballed from there. What is your favourite pose/exercise? My practice is Ashtanga Yoga, working on that is plenty of exercise for me and it has plenty of poses to practice. Picking a favourite one…
Jambo grew up in a Buddhist & Taoist household. The native Shamanic path of the Medicine People of South East Asia. The word ‘Shaman’ is referred to an individual who practises ceremonies to maintain connection to the guidance of nature. He has apprenticed with Senior Shaman, Esther Lim for 13 years and has engaged in…
Handstands and Elbow balance both grow from having the correct foundation in the hands, action in the fingers and awareness in the feet. The right foundation creates the right effect and benefits. Two wonderful poses to learn to dissolve conditioned fear, encourage new perceptions and boost you with energy: ‘A yogic coffee!’ Come and have…
What is your main tip for new trainees starting their teacher training? My tips for new Teacher trainees would be to have no expectations, try out as many other teachers’ classes to figure out what you like and dislike and then find your own rhythm and style. Be true to yourself and believe in your…
Why did you become a yoga/pilates instructor? When I first did my training I wasn’t sure if I would actually end up teaching but I really enjoy guiding students through their practice and sharing my knowledge. I still and will always consider myself a student too …there is so much to learn, re learn and…
Shoulder stand is also known as the Queen of all the asanas. This is due to its numerous all over physical and energetic benefits. It works primarily on regulating the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and development, cell tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep…
Jambo frequently travels teaching workshops based on Forrest Yoga, Functional Anatomy and Native practises of the Medicine People. When he is not teaching workshops he stays close to the workshop location to deliver private sessions for bodywork based on his multi-disciplinary practise of structural alignment, muscles testing and classical East Asian medicine. As a Forrest…
The Biceps Femoris: Where is the biceps femoris muscle? The biceps femoris is in the back of the thigh and connects the pelvis (ischial tuberosity – your “sit bones”) to the head of the shin bone (fibula) of the lower leg. It is one of the 3 hamstring muscles. What movements do the biceps femoris muscle control? Bends…
Earlier this year, in March to be precise, Guildford’s Red Hot Yoga celebrated its fifth birthday. The York Street studio was founded in 2011 by Clarissa Robertson & Nick Ord who had the vision to create a dedicated Yoga venue in the heart of Surrey that offered somewhere for people of any ability and experience…
If your practice is causing you to feel contracted If your practice is causing you to feel unworthy, small, bad… If your practice is taking something away from you It is a milestone we sometimes meet If it is really calling for your inner inquiry, just take a step back and examine if something needs…
I grew up with a feeling of profound connection to these magnificent beasts, as I am sure many of us do. They are mammals, they live in family communities and they seem to understand us. Whenever I visited a zoo I would be transfixed by the majesty and beauty of something so enormous and yet…
What is your main tip for new trainees starting their teacher training? Teaching is about sharing what you know. We all have something unique to offer as we all have our own experiences of the practices and obstacles encountered. At the start of your teaching journey you will probably attract beginner students, so it’s less intimidating. Just relax and enjoy!…
Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 20 mins Total time: 30 mins Serves: 6 servings Top with Dumplings or Creme Fresh and a few ribbons of wild garlic. INGREDIENTS 2 pounds startchy Potatoes, peeled and quartered Sea Salt and Pepper 2 large Leeks, sliced and washed 6-8 cups Veggie Broth large handful of Wild Garlic Leaves…
In a general sense, a mudra is translated as a gesture but another meaning of the word is attitude. In yoga, mudra’s are usually associated with hand gestures, but mudra’s are also whole body gestures. Many will agree that mudra’s are not something invented by the Indians but rather something that has been seen and…
What is your main tip for new trainees starting their teacher training? Be prepared to work hard! It is important to understand that you are making the transition from practitioner to teacher, whilst forever remaining a student of Yoga. Yoga is an amazing subject to study and to teach. There is more information on the…
Restorative yoga encourages us to slow down as we open the body in passive stretches. Each pose is held for 5 minutes upwards with the use of props to help you relax. Restorative yoga promotes the relaxation response activating the parasympathetic nervous system – lowering heart rate and blood pressure, decreasing respiratory rate and promoting…
Whenever I make Big Salad, it reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Elaine is desperately seeking a Big Salad in New York City. I love a Big Salad because it is so versatile, healthy and fast, fast, fast if you do d little prep work. Everyone in the family can make a version they…
What is your main tip for new trainees starting their teacher training? Try not to panic and just accept that you know relatively little. Set yourself small, bitesize goals with your study. Don’t try and read the Bhagavad Gita in one sitting. These are books that will stay with you for the rest of your life, so there’s no…
Friday nights at our house are all about having it your own way. We often have kids coming and going at different times so I make the pizza crusts in the morning, making some thick and some thin for flatbreads. In the evening I set out all the toppings for make it yourself pizza using…
What is your main tip for new trainees starting their teacher training? Teach from the heart, and you can’t go wrong. How has teaching affected your personal practice? Every class I teach deepens my personal practice. How would you describe your Teaching Style? My teaching style draws upon the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, and the teachings…
When I was growing up as a Buddhist/Taoist, my mother used to always guide me to make decisions based on the kindest, the one that would bring more lightness and in line with purifying karma. As I grew into an adult, especially by the time I got to my mid-20’s, I had been hurt enough…
1) How long have you been practicing at RHY, and in general? I started at RHY May 2011, before that I ‘practiced’ yoga on my living room carpet accompanied by DVDs with instructors on beaches and tropical places. I prefer my mat at RHY. 2) How has your yoga practice affected other aspects of your life?…
I have always been intrigued by the legend that the ancients told that if you were gonged for 10 days you would be cured of any ailment. This was the story I was told by my own Yogi and Gong Master, and having seen the results of playing much shorter Gong baths I can well…
What would you say to someone who has never tried yoga before? Be open to exploring what comes up for you on the mat – be it physical, emotional, or mental. Give yourself time and don’t give yourself a hard time if you don’t “get” something straight away. From a physical perspective, if your body and…
Wow…. some of the yoga practices out there are just…. mind blowing beautiful. I try to imagine what it feels like to be able to have all that strength, flexibility and fluidity. I question; is it still fun when you can just about do everything? I can only conclude- YES! it must be super fun!…
Grilled Vegetable and Polenta Stacks are a healthy take on traditional, heavy lasagna. I like to make this when I want the flavor and feel of fresh garden veggies but need a hearty, satisfying dish. You can grill or broil all the veggies together, making it fast to prep. Prepared pesto and a bit of…
One of my favourite practice is reciting mantra’s (preferably with a group of people) or singing kirtan. Whilst I have sung at school choirs and plays, singing is not my forte. For this reason, I never ever thought I would enjoy kirtan but after my first experience, I was hooked! I grew up reciting sutra’s….
Dinner comes together super fast with some precut Asian Veggies. You can cook up some rice or noodles to serve it. I leave a note on the fridge for the first person home to start the rice in the rice cooker. Stir Fry for just a few minutes and choose a healthy bottled Stir Fry Sauce…
In response to an enquiry from a golfer for a Yogic perspective on his “golfing issues”.… …What is it that draws us to the hobbies we pursue and love? Usually, what we are ultimately seeking in most of the activities we undertake is to be happy or at peace. However, we make a mistake when…
Biscotti is one of my all time favorite cookies. They are fairly low in sugar, low in fat, kinda hight in protein (for a cookie) and can be crispy to dunk into tea or less crispy to eat on their own. Since I am such a horrible baker (all that measuring is just sooooo tedious)…
Do you remember your first yoga class? Or even those first few months or years of yoga practice? As cliché as it may sound, I guess I would describe it as the beginning of a journey of discovery. Feeling your body in a different way- in fact feeling every part of your body- some parts…
After the big Thanksgiving Gorge, I don’t think there is anyone out there who carries the love of cooking torch into the next week. The internet is inundated with leftover recipes, but honestly who has energy to make them? It works to pick at the leftovers (especially the pie) for a few days but eventually people…
To surrender a posture is to simply recognise and know oneself as the conscious presence in and as which all postures, both on and off the mat, appear to arise. True surrender is effortless when it is recognised that it is what we already only and ever are, not something that we do. In this…
Cupboard Chili is one of my go to recipes when I just don’t feel like shopping or cooking. It is also my go to for using up leftover Pinto Pot Beans. The seasoning in the leftover beans makes for really good Chili without a lot of experimenting with spices. Chili Sin Carne is equally good…
I immediately fell in love with Yoga Nidra when I first encountered it over 14 years ago and I knew straight away that it was something I wanted to study in depth and share with others. Yoga Nidra is commonly described as ‘conscious deep sleep’, and I have always had a deep desire to know…
First of all, I like the yang aspect of this type of yoga. That is the strong, active part of the class. We hold our arms in the air for a long time when we work on the heart or the lungs. We hold a plank with breath of fire for a few minutes to…
Hearty, thick and creamy, this healthy coconut lentil soup tastes fattening and decadent but isn’t. It is super easy to prepare especially if you use leftover Indian Dal. Coconut milk adds depth and healthy anti-inflamatory fighting turmeric make this soup a powerhouse of goodness. It is great in lunch boxes with some pita or leftover…
Take the plunge from your led vinyasa class to a Mysore Ashtanga self-practice, a practice for life, transportable around the world, it is yours to own if you take the challenge of the first step … Here are some questions I am asked regularly that may help you decide if it’s right for you. Why…
This is an ingeniously clever short cut meal trick that I just stumbled on. I know I say Pasta is not really a healthy option but I also know that cooking for a family night after night is hard and I make a few concessions. I keep Organic Pasta in my cupboard for those can’t…
1. When and why did you start practising yoga? I took my first yoga class at university in 1994. I was not inspired to practice it regularly right away as I was distracted by student life and a lot of activities new to me. I only started to practice regularly when my best friend took me…
Carrot and Coriander Soup is almost a staple menu item in the Pubs here in the UK in the fall. It is amazingly creamy and sweet but has no dairy and no refined sugar. I have tried several different versions of my own as well as on the ground research at many of the pubs….
Before I discovered the many descriptions of om, I never questioned its origins or its meanings. It was just something I picked up as a part of my life in a Buddhist home. My first yoga teachers taught me OM as AUM (I will use aum and om in this blog just because neither is right…
Homemade Gnocchi may sound like a ton of work but it is really easy if you make it ahead of time. It takes a good quality food processor to handle the dough, but it comes together quickly and can be topped with Red Wine or Pesto for a really good, elegant dinner without a lot…
Working with the Gong as a meditative and sound healing tool has been a constant source of wonder for me. I’m still learning something new about its amazing abilities every day of my life. It’s funny, although this is a very ancient instrument and It’s powers are so very diverse it hasn’t been that well…
One of the most common question that I am asked is if my class is suitable for beginners. I understand that stepping into a room as the newbie is daunting. I always try to put myself into the other persons shoes – if I had to step into another type of class I might be…
These polenta fries are fast, easy and oh so good. They taste fattening and indulgent, but are relatively healthy (ok…so just not un-healthy). You can grate in a bit of parmesan cheese if you like for a bit more calories and flavor. You can make these ahead of time, refrigerate and bake just before serving….
I am really good at overdoing yoga. Usually it’s when I’m showing my yoga skills. Patanjali and Swatmarama both caution against practising in public, I think for the same reason Christ recommends fasting and praying in private – do not be as the hypocrites, smearing your face with ash and wailing in a loud voice….
I generally have an aversion to drinking something that looks like Shrek puked up, but this drink rocks. I ordered a smoothie at Whole Foods and when my daughter saw the look on my face when I saw the color, she said “try it Mom, could be life changing”. I love that girl and her…
Mention ‘Mysore practice’ to most yogi’s and you see a sprinkle of fear cross their eyes, then the excuses start… ‘It’s not a good time’, ‘I don’t know the sequence’, ‘I really need someone to guide me’… I am not here to sell mysore style classes to you, but I will share my experience. After…
The ability to see your practice…. Fresh …. Every day…. Without judgment.. is it possible? Why refreshing your practice is important Looking back on my own yoga journey, with a daily practice, I have noticed that my asana practice goes in waves of enthusiasm and lethargy. I think this is inevitable given the pushes and…
What does it mean to be free? Why is it so important to find freedom so we can live in harmony with ourselves and others? Freedom in the physical body is felt when there is a feeling of unending space, comfort, balance and ease. Freedom in the mind is silence, stillness and complete connection to…
Learn to take your practice deeper through the Vinyasa Krama method. These 4 class series will help you focus on building your practice in a systematic, mindful way and to incorporate more challenging postures into your practice. You will learn to use your unique building blocks to move into “peak” postures in an intelligent, systematic way for both the physical…
Do things carry karma? I ask because a curious incident occurred to me in Clitheroe the other day in a tea shop. We had gone to Clitheroe because it is one of the places where the dragon lines swarming up the spine of England are meant to cross. We had gone to the tea shop…
Every teacher has a different way of sharing and presenting ideas, and information and every student has a unique way of absorbing and materializing these ideas. As a student, you tune in to the ideas that resonate and make sense to you and let go of the ideas that don’t. I have “tuned out” a lot of yoga jargon…
Our busy lives seem to occur because of a concerted effort to ‘make it happen’. Instead of allowing the day to unfold we constantly ‘plan ahead’, with little or no trust in the present moment. We feel the need to DO something if anything is to happen. The mind and the body are so intimately…
Like most parents who feed their kids, I struggle with keeping food healthy but keeping the calorie and protein content high enough to fuel my super active bunch. My bike racing son needs a hit of protein and calories right after a workout, but the other kids (and parents) need a healthy snack too. I…
“The practice of yoga is the practice of meditation”, Erich Schiffman In our monthly meditation class we will begin with a gentle yoga practice to release stored tightness and free up blocked energy making it easier to sit before moving into our pranayama (breath practice) and meditation. This week’s mindfulness meditation class will focus on…
I don’t know where I found this recipe but the Three Bean Taco Salad is one of my go to cupboard dinners. You can use this as taco meat for traditional tex mex tacos or put it into salad form. It is great hot or cold or mash it up a bit for a yummy…
In this social media filled world that we find ourselves, with images of perfect postures and perfect yogis, it can be difficult to see the real picture. The struggle that preceded the perfect photo and the story behind it. So here is part of my story with backbends… just ‘part’… as my journey is, and…
All of us, at some point, will realise some postures are easier than others! Coming to the practice of Yoga, what our Asana practice often reveals is where there are imbalances in the body, be it the shoulders, the hips or spine. Or maybe we come to yoga with an injury, requiring we practice with…
Thai fish cakes are on all the pub menus here in the UK. Usually they are deep fried, greasy little balls of fish with a few Thai spices thrown in, served with a sickly sweet dipping sauce, making for a gut bomb party in the belly. My son asked for something fishy for dinner, like…
My teacher Ruth White always recommends starting each pose at the bottom, where you connect with the ground, and working your way up. For a good proportion of poses, starting on the ground means starting with your feet. Last week I was teaching yoga to some teenagers at a youth club and some guides in…
Here’s a question: why eat cacao? Well historically, the Mayans, Aztecs and Spanish conquistadors have always considered cacao as a very powerful aphrodisiac, exotic food and medicine. Cacao literally means ‘to drink together” suggestive by its very nature that it works well to be taken as a group! It is through cacao that we are able to reconnect with…
I am so tired of packaged performance food. It is filled with questionable things and is very expensive. I came up with these Fruit and Nut Power Balls for my bicycle racing son to take on long training rides. They have a hit of protein but are easily digestible. They are good for training, snacks…
‘Supta’ translated into English from Sanskrit is “reclined or supine” and ‘Virasana’ translated means “hero’s pose”. Reclined hero’s posture can be described as a passive backbend or a classic front-opening pose. Sitting comfortably between the heels allows the front of the ankles, shins and lower legs to feel a stretch. As you lie back, the…
This is a great twist on the traditional Falafel. Using left over Pot Beans make this so fast to prepare. All the seasoning is already in the beans. Serve these over lettuce or in pita bread or tortillas slathered with Sweet Pea, Lime Guac and Salsa. To make a kickin’ sauce, add chopped chipotle in…
This morning I woke up with a piece of sandpaper lodged in the back of my throat. It had been threatening to settle for a few days, but I was sticking my head in the sand hoping it would go away. It didn’t. What’s an Ashtangi to do when you feel like rubbish? Well I…
Every time I stop to hear someone’s story, it touches me so deeply how strong some of us have to be in life. Super strength is in fact, human strength: the strength of the heart and soul. One theme runs throughout these stories though… We all have our battles, great and small but we also…
My kids have decided Greek food is back on the menu. This Make it Your Way Greek Mezze Board is a great way to use up leftover Veg. You can make Hummus and Tzatziki or buy good quality ready made versions. Greece and Italy are so close I often get confused and toss in some Italian…
Ever experience how when someone plants an idea in your head- even if you did not agree with it, this idea starts to take shape in your thoughts? For example, if someone says something not-so-nice about another person whom you thought was quite lovely to begin with. Soon, you find yourself starting to notice things…
These Mediterranean Patties are a quick way to add some protein to a salad meal. The flavors are light but the patties are filling and flavorful. I keep a little jar of Baharat on hand to flavor all things Middle Eastern.You can buy it but it is simple to make and worth taking the time…
1) The slow pace of Yin Yoga and the use of supportive props where necessary allows you to make micro-adjustments and take the time to absorb the feedback from your body to these adjustments. Every tiny movement focuses the mind on being in the present moment with your breath. 2) Yin Yoga is a more…
From an early age we are conditioned into action, ‘doing’, achieving and competition. It’s integrated into modern society, our schools, universities, careers and in the media. No wonder it is often so difficult for us to learn to relax consciously and to let go. Our minds tell us this isn’t productive and we will be considered ‘lazy’….
If someone had said to me three years ago that I wouldn’t just be working at RHY behind the desk, I would be teaching yoga myself one day, I would have thought them to be totally batty, passed them a coconut water with a benevolent smile and had a good inward chuckle to myself. However, here I am,…
I was wondering what to blog about, thinking my life lacked anything of interest, when I remembered last week I went to a funeral. This happens so very rarely and is such a defining feature of life that I wondered at myself and how Annalise’s funeral could have failed to register on my schedule of…
Patterns in the body, patterns in the mind… Each time we step onto the mat and allow the practice to unfold we start to create little neurological pathways that shape the way we move. These pathways influence the next practice, and the next and so forth, allowing movements to become familiar, to become patterns, and…
‘Painter and sculptor George Braque once said, “Art disturbs, science reassures”. The idea is that art takes one out of a comfort zone and into new experiences. Science provides grounding and stability. Yoga poses are like physical sculptures that take you out of your comfort zone. Scientific techniques are the sculpting tools that allow you to do this with intelligence…
Try this easy to make Berry, Nut and Yoghurt Smoothie for a tasty little treat (pre and post practice). Perfect to make with the peanut butter chips! Just 3 Ingredients: 1. Generous handful mixed berries 2. Small handful mixed nuts 3. Yoghurt of choice (smoothie shown is bio live organic raspberry) quantity to suit Instructions: Blend Enjoy 🙂
Planning I’m getting quite excited about the workshop I’m going to be running at RHY on Saturday ‘An Introduction to Karuna Yoga’. I’ve been secretly planning it, which means I’ve been doing a lot of the poses for the workshop to see what I could discover. I will do my best to pass on these…
Often I hear students tell me they don’t like to eat too soon before class, yet feel lacking in energy before practice and need something to give them a little boost. Often a low blood glucose level can contribute to feeling weak, or a little shakey when we practice, particularly in the hot room or…
“Love is not patronising and charity isn’t about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same — with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand instead.” ― Mother Teresa When I first planted the seed to become a yoga teacher, the one thing that was super clear for me…
“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” ~Upanishads Words have power. In Sanskrit, this power is ‘Matrika shakti’, the creative energy behind the letters that make…
Well, it seems Sammi could usefully use a blog a week. OK. I rise to the challenge. It means, thinks I, that when stumped for bloggable material I shall be forced to do some yoga. Then whatever happens is what I write about. OK. Let’s see where this goes. Today, I’m doing my practise. What’s…
Tomorrow night our meditation class is suitable for all levels of practice. It will be a space for experienced yogis/meditation students, a welcoming space for those new to meditation as well as those who want to deepen their practice. The focus will be on the practice of meditation, keeping it simple – helping to build…
Quite rightly so, we give a lot of attention to the breath in our practice. We also spend a lot of time looking at our postures and trying to ‘perfect’ them. What about our drishti though? Drishti refers to your looking place or point of focus. In Ashtanga yoga we refer to Tristana, which means…
My teacher Ellie wears beautiful yoga clothes (it helps that she is beautiful too). I wondered where Ellie obtained her marvellous merchandise, but of course I never asked her. As a chap, it is embarrassing to admit to designs on my yoga teacher’s attire, but it’s also hard to find beautiful yoga clothes for men….
This is a recipe for Healthy Apple Crumble! I made this healthier version up myself, it has no sugar, no wheat flour, no dairy, full of natural goodness.For the crumble:8 tbsp organic oats3 tbsp coconut flour 3 tbsp raw organic honey 3 tbsp coconut oil (melted) 1 tsp cinnamon For the filling:4 apples peeled &…
स्थिरसुखमासनम् sthira-sukham-āsanam sthira (strong, steady, stable) sukham (comfortable, easeful, joyful) asanam (asana, posture) The practice of yoga should be steady, stable as well as comfortable -Patanjali, Yoga Sutra 2.46 I remember a time when not much of my practice was sthira or sukham! When I first stepped onto a yoga mat, I could barely sit upright,…
“We are practising being watchful of the ways in which we are enslaved to outworn beliefs, assumptions and opinions. And there must be a longing, a deep need to break down these tensions in our body, so that we can really be present and awake rather than enslaved to our habits and tendencies.” Elena Brower…
Sages of old speak of the mythical sound that lies within every being. In Sanskrit, this sound is OM or Nadam. One theory is that life began with a vibration. And the yogis say, that vibration is OM and it still resonates today and it is the source of all sounds, so all sounds are sacred….
When you are struggling to fall asleep, or stay asleep, it’s often the result of a chattering mind. Incorporating a few simple yoga exercises into your day can be hugely beneficial for calming the mind and its constant chatter. One of the simplest poses – and in my opinion one of the loveliest too –…
I’m so excited about Red Hot Yoga’s first Kundalini Yoga Sadhana this Sunday, 19 April. Sadhana in Kundalini Yoga refers to a two and a half hour practice of yoga and chanting before sunrise. These two and a half hours, from 5 – 7:30 am, are described in yoga scriptures as the Amrit Vela or…
The more I understand about people the more I understand why they do what they do. And why they look how they look. Abraham Lincoln said no man should be held accountable for his face until he passes the age of forty. I’m sure he didn’t mean ugly people ergo are bad, or beautiful people…
Our resident sports writer Tayler Willson made a flippant remark about Red Hot Yoga. We knew what to expect. He didn’t. We laughed. He didn’t… “Yoga? That thing that women do because they can’t lift really heavy weights like all us men do? Yeah, I’ve heard of it, why? Oh I’m doing it? Easy” –…
A quote from Ken Wilber: “In addition to learning how to take control and assume responsibility, a person also needs to learn when and how to let go, to surrender, to go with the flow and not resist or fight it. Letting go versus taking control – this is, of course, just another version of…
When I first met my husband he was tall, muscular and as stiff as a board. His hamstrings were like steel girders, more useful as bridge supports and his shoulders, although beautifully toned, had very little movement, apart from the repetitive movement needed to lift weights in a gym to build strength. His hips were…
This week in my class we were sitting in dandasana, and that reminded me about over-straightening legs, so I thought I’d blog about it. Actually “over-straighten” is a misnomer. Beyond straight is a better way of putting it. If you sit in dandasana and your heels can lift off the floor, that’s an indication you…
I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one at Red Hot Yoga who brings the principles of Pilates onto their yoga mat! There are several Yogis at the studio that are starting to see the many benefits of the 85 year old exercise system (developed by Joseph Pilates) as a fantastic way to compliment any…
This Saturday Charlie Anderson will be teaching the first of our Pose of the Month Class and the Warrior Poses are the focus! Warriors 1, 2 and 3 are known in the three studios at Red Hot Yoga as strong poses – they are invigorating, strengthen our legs and core and provide a strong foundation…
Arm balance! Inversions! Normally these words invoke three types of response in class. I either see excitement, fear or a kind of blank expression – I read the thoughts as “no, yeah, OK, but why??” If it excites you, yay! I don’t have to convince you to try it and you probably already know its…
‘Star wars’, ‘The Matrix Trilogy’ or more recently ‘Lucy’ – All these films describe a handing down of knowledge from teacher to student. This is really the essence of the Mysore style yoga class and how yoga has been taught for 1,000 of years. So what is this Mysore class that everyone is talking about? Are…
Next Tuesday is Saint Patrick’s Day and throughout the UK we will celebrate the life of the man who travelled throughout Roman Britain as a Christian missionary, introducing the shamrock to the pagan Irish in the fourth century CE as a way to explain the Holy Trinity. However, this year I find myself wondering, aside…
Another beautiful sunny day and I’m getting ready for my ‘Mindful Eating: a matter of identity’ workshop at Red Hot Yoga on the 15th of March. I have been collecting my material for a while now and putting everything together for it. I just spent an awesome meditation weekend retreat at the Global Retreat Centre…
We’re in that time where challenges have been set and the goal is in sight; marathon season is upon us. With many half marathons already happening and those in training for the full event starting to hit their peak pre-event distances, it’s time to think about looking after those legs. So here are a couple…
This morning whilst teaching a flow class, I instructed the class to come into a gentle supine spinal twist as we started winding down. This is such a restorative twist, which is best described as ‘yummy’. I love to give students an adjustment in this pose as it’s one of those poses that when you…
Many people ask me what goes on in my music meditation sessions. Is it just a bunch of people lying down in a dimly lit room with their eyes closed listening to me playing a variety of strange musical instruments? The short answer is yes but allow me to elucidate further. The meditation begins with…
Years ago, I took a workshop where the instructor had us move organically around an imaginary fire and “toss” in what no longer served us. Uncomfortable at first, I moved stiffly and looked to my fellow yogis for guidance. We all seemed to be a bit restrained in our movements but after one circle of…
1. Have fun in your yoga class! Yoga is one of the good things in life – it makes you look and feel great! Have fun getting to know your body again and enjoy the sensations of trying something you may not have tried since you were 5 years old. 2. Don’t worry about what…
To surrender a posture is to simply recognise and know oneself as the conscious presence in and as which all postures, both on and off the mat, appear to arise. True surrender is effortless when it is recognised that it is what we already only and ever are, not something that we do. In this…
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