'No yoga....No peace. Know yoga….Know peace.'
Bikram
Begin where you are right now. Yoga can be practiced by anyone, irrespective of age, sex, culture or religion. You don’t need to be thin, flexible, strong or spiritual to practice yoga. Yoga is seen as the union of mind, body and spirit. Come to yoga with an open mind, a willingness to learn and a real sense of purpose and you will find a balance in all aspects of your being – emotional, physical, mental. Renewed energy and strength, tone and flexibility and calmness of mind will eventually grow within you. Through regular Asana (posture) practice yoga will help to re-shape your body, tone and strengthen muscles, increase balance and co-ordination. Through Pranayama (breathing) and Meditation practice stress levels are reduced, the mind becomes clear and calm helping you to become more present and aware. Live up to your full potential by practicing yoga and experiencing harmony in mind, body and soul.
‘Now Yoga is revealed. Yoga is stillness of mind, then awareness of our essential nature is established.’
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1 (1-3)
'Don't look at your feet to see if you are doing it right ……. just dance.'
Kobi Yamada
Vinyasa means ‘ to flow’ – connecting breath and movement, linking postures in a dynamic flowing sequence. Joanna places emphasis on connecting with the breath as a constant point of reference. The practice is relaxed yet alert, focusing on the present moment and moving in and out of Asanas in a graceful and grounded way.
'Peace comes from within Do not seek it without'
Buddha
A gentle yoga practice beginning with Pranayama and moving through Asanas in a soft flow to keep the link with the breath, warm up the body and relax the mind. A slow down at the end in Savasana for deep relaxation to soothe the spirit and renew the body.
'In your body is the garden of flowers. Take your seat on the thousand petals of the lotus. And there gaze on the infinite beauty.'
Kabir
Seated
Asanas are held for 3 – 5 minutes to enable the connective tissue and the joints to strengthen and re-vitalise. Emphasis is placed on the breath and nurturing inner awareness with mindfulness and integrity in the postures. Deep Savasana is a perfect ending to this slow, steady yoga practice.
Are you stuck in your yoga practice? Having trouble with certain postures? Would you like to learn more about Pranayama and Meditation? Or simply cannot attend regular classes? Yoga One-to-One may be for you. Taking a series of private lessons can dramatically improve your practice.
JOANNA HAS BEEN ASKED TO BECOME AN ‘OMNITOM ANGEL’ - AN AMBASSADOR FOR OMNITOM, A NEW COMPANY SUPPLYING BEAUTIFUL YOGA CLOTHES! OMNITOM IS A LINE OF YOGA WEAR BORN OUT OF THE DESIRE TO WEAR CLOTHES FOR PRACTICE THAT FEEL SOFT, FIT COMFORTABLY AND GET YOU IN THE MOOD FOR YOUR BEST PRACTICE. JOANNA WILL BE WEARING THESE BEAUTIFUL CLOTHES AT HER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS SO YOU CAN SEE THEM FIRST HAND.
The designs and colors are inspired by the array of emotions, moods, sensations and feelings that arise during the practice.
The outfits incorporate the needs of a yogi:
• security and stability at the chest area without limiting your breath
• freedom of movement for arms and shoulders with our especially designed armpit shape
• a soft and natural organic fabric that breathes with your skin
• the clothing feels as if it wasn’t there, so that you can focus on your practice.
All the clothes are designed, knitted, organically, dyed and sown with the utmost care by people who love their work. The organic fabrics used are carefully selected and tested, so that the garments can be enjoyed for a long period of time. All sewing is done with the utmost attention and eye to detail, giving you comfort and security.
Please visit www.omnitom.com to see the beautiful collections – Prana Power, Chakra Chic and Embrace – and to receive your 5% Discount quoting the code UKJN1 at the checkout.
5% of all sales goes to ‘Yoga Gives Back -’ www.yogagivesback.org - a charity organisation that helps people in India with micro-credits to set up their own business. These small loans make a huge difference to the lives of so many families
'Your body is precious. It is your vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.' Buddha
At times our yoga practice may not allow us to go deeper in to areas we wish to improve on. Workshops, holidays and retreats are ideal to inspire and motivate us. They fill this gap and give us the opportunity to take the time to channel our focus and energy into improving certain aspects of our practice. Visit this page regularly to see what is coming up:
LIZ LARK
CREATIVE SEQUENCING WORKSHOP
Liz's sequencing follows creative safe steps to peak challenging poses, with counterposes to revitalise, encouraging modifications where appropriate. Her teaching reaches all levels.
DURGA DEVI
JIVAMUKTI YOGA WORKSHOP
During this 3 hour workshop you will experience chanting, poetry, music, sankalpa (intention of awareness), and simple, flowing asana including back bending, arm balances and inversions, plus a deeper understanding of all the chakras.
CLAIRE MISSINGHAM
VINYASA FLOW YOGA WORKSHOP
Fresh ideas on practicing vinyasa with devotion, laughter and the finger on the universal pulse of yoga.
DAVID SYE YOGABEATS
The Yogabeats Experience is a full day experiential journey into the depths of one's own core being and Spirit, through a Celebratory and Joyful environment of Yoga Moves and Music Grooves. This workshop is open to all levels from Beginner to Advanced
La Dolce Vita
27 July – 3 August 2013
La Locanda Quercia Calante is a perfect location for a
tranquil and restful yoga retreat. The farmhouse has a spacious and fully equipped yoga studio, two swimming pools, a
whirlpool, elegant rooms, and a restaurant serving local Umbrian cuisine.....
My Big Fat Greek Yoga Holiday!
1st - 8th October 2013
Kissamos, also known as Kastelli, is a small rural town surrounded by local farms. There are lovely tavernas along the seaside on a beautiful promenade, looking over the clear turquoise waters of the bay. Our yoga venue is on the very outskirts of the small town. Here the sea is clean, warm and shallow making for easy swimming with a long quiet strand of golden sandy beach with occasional shingle. Our beach is called Mavros Molos and the yoga space is above the beach looking out to sea!
Autumn Yoga Weekend
Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th November 2013
Another opportunity to unwind and relax and practice yoga at our lovely retreat in the Lakes! Haybergill Centre www.haybergill.co.uk is purpose built and situated in 3 acres of woodland in the lovely Upper Eden valley in Cumbria with breathtaking views all around and close to the Lake District.
We will have a Vinyasa Flow practice in the mornings and Yin Yoga practice in the evenings, with relaxing Yoga Nidra after dinner.