Sun salutations handout

First of all a big well done to my student and pal Rachel who successfully completed the Berlin Marathon at the weekend. She's amazing, lots of determination and focus. I get tired just thinking of all the training she puts in, and, she does ashtanga on top of the running! See you for a well deserved pint soon R.

Well done level 2's this morning. The pace of the class is going really well, nice to see you all working so hard. As I said this morning, with the next block of level 2 I would like to make the class 90 minutes long so that I can start introducing the rest of the postures to complete the primary series. Don't worry we'll take the more advanced postures really slowly, and they are of course optional.

All levels - for the benefit of anyone who would like to try practising the sun salutations at home I will be e'mailing a handout of some pictures of the sequence which you can print out and have in front of you when you practice. Hope this helps.

See you at your next class.

Jo x

Its been a long and tiring, but very enjoyable week of yoga for me this week.  I was doing a workshop on adjustments for teachers with David Keil of Yoga Miami, a fantastic teacher who was over  teaching at the Chi Yoga Centre.   I've learned a great deal and am looking forward to sharing it with you all.

Got to be a student again this morning.  I was in my regular Friday morning yoga class with my teacher Harry at Esporta, bliss!  Incidentally if you ever have any injuries Harry's your man. Deep myofascial (i think that's how you spell it)  massage, its brilliant and has sorted me out a few times.   Check out his website at www.harrynormand.com there is a link on my blogsite under my favourite websites.

Hope you all have a great bank holiday weekend.  See you all next week.

Jo x

Am starting a  3 day post graduate course with David Keil, an american authorized ashtanga teacher today.  'Observations and Adjustments for Teachers'.  Am looking forward to sharing what I learn with you.  Am hoping its not going to be too physical as I was on a workshop with him on Sunday and am still smarting!

Thought I'd give you all a laugh ( it made me laugh and cringe) and post a picture of me a friend took on holiday in Munich twenty years ago and sent to me yesterday.  The hairdo will give you a laugh!  I can't believe I used to go around with hair like that!  All I can say is thank god for hair straighteners.  Don't laugh too much now!

Also here I am, more recently with my little lotus flowers.  Butter wouldn't melt.  Hoping to start childrens classes soon.  When I can muster up the courage!

Jo x

Marathon Girls

Just wanted to say good luck and hope all the hard training pays off to my friends and yoga students Rachel and Fiona who are both running marathons in the next couple of weeks. Hope all the ashtanga has helped!

They have both raised lots of cash for charity and I'm sure knowing how determined they both are that they will perform well. Enjoy, and hope you get pb's.

Jo x

Hi Ski Club Level 1

Well done today, by the looks of you I'd say you are starting to get the hang of it! As class is off next week do try and fit in some sun salutations at least a couple of times before the next class. Try and do 5 x A and 5 x B. Doing it first thing in the morning is best, wakes you up and get's the energy flowing, preparing your body for the rest of the day. It is normal to feel quite stiff first thing in the morning.

See you in a couple of weeks.

Jo x

Hi Everyone

Just a reminder to try and get your mats out at home at least once before attending your next class.  Try getting up 15 minutes earlier one morning and doing the sun salutations.  Five x A and Five x B if you can manage.  It's a challenge at first, particularly if your not a morning person (like me!).  However, it makes a great start to the day as it opens up the energy channels, leaving you feeling energised and ready for action.  It's also a great way to get some ujjayi breath practice in. It's only 15 minutes and once its part of your routine it becomes as normal as brushing your teeth.

You will feel stiffer in the morning, this is normal!

I look forward to hearing how you get on next week.

Jo x

Hi Strathblane Yogis

Well done last night, particularly if it was your first time!  Practice was a little quicker this week, so slightly more challenging, but balanced out I hope by starting  to become more familiar with the postures and being able to anticipate what's coming next.

If you have a yoga block remember to try watching tv sitting on the floor on your block in one of the cross legged positions I have shown you.  Try it without back support for short periods of time to begin with and then if you need to with back support for a little longer.  (If you have back problems sit with your back against a wall or the sofa to begin with but try to sit up straight.)  Build the amount of time up gradually.  This has no end of benefits, but mostly will increase your hip flexibility, lengthen out the psoas and strengthen your core muscles all of which are compromised by lounging on soft chairs.  Give it a go, it's difficult at first but if you ease yourself into you will soon grow to enjoy it and the benefits.

See you all next week

Jo x