Shiva Shambho: Calling to Shiva, remover of ignorance - the aspect of ourself that calls in remembrance of our pertinence to the bigger picture of existence and nature, when we maybe forget or feel small and lost. Maha (great) deva (god) and Shambho is another name for shiva. I learned this melody from Stephanie Snyder. Enjoy!
Sita Ram Melody variation: A beautiful and simple melody that I first heard from the wonderful Naomi Absalom. Chanting the names Sita and Ram. Sita and Ram, queen and king of the universe, masculine and feminine; the integration of both within us. Deeply in love, and many stories of losing each other and finding each other, just as we forget and then remember ourselves. A call to the deepest remembrance of who we are, a call to trust and faith and perseverance.
Integrating Flow - Vyana Vayu: A practice that explores a sense of integration and wholeness via the energetic flow known as vyana vayu. This is said to be the subtle movement of prana through our system that organises and connects, and can be sensed most clearly via the vascular system, the flow of our blood. This practice focuses on finding a sense of balance, and begins on the ground with supported bridge variations, supine tree pose and builds towards a strong and steady flow that cultivates a felt sense of continuity and inner spaciousness. Options to play with a variety of balancing postures including tree, half moon, standing splits and handstand should that tickle your fancy. Opens and closes with mantra and stillness. Enjoy!
Core Explore: A movement practice exploring the feeling of whole body core, the integration of our limbs to our centre and the movement principle of navel radiation. Starts with a brief seated breath awareness practice and moves into a flowing and playful sequence to find strength, buoyancy, coherence and integration through the whole body.
Spiral Flow - udana vayu: Exploring the spiral flow of energy in the body known as Udana Vayu, through the spiralling emergence, growth and articulation of our limbs. Udana vayu is said to also spiral up into our organs of perception, and thus connect the inner with the outer world. The practice starts slowly with a restorative posture while we cultivate awareness of Udana’s pathways and moves steadily into a flow practice with hip and shoulder explorations as preparations for inversion practice towards the end.
Radial Flow - Samana Vayu: Exploring the integration of the downward and the upward flows of energy on the body that give rise to the radial flow, and support coordination between our centre and our limbs. Begins with a somatic meditation practice that we then build our movement from, and progresses into a strong and fluid vinyasa practice to support a sense of integration, strength and cohesiveness through our whole body.
Upward Flow - prana vayu: A class exploring the upward flow of energy that is offered referred to as prana vayu. An exploration of how downward becomes the upward movement, a somatic exploration of ascending energy through touch, movement, breath, bandha and imagination. We start slow and subtle and move into a flow to explore how we can find harmonious movement and tone in the body-mind as we lean into ground force reaction/levity/that which ascends.
Cosy & Quiet pregnancy practice: A very gentle and restful practice for days when you want to rest a lot and move a little. Stays close to the ground and I recommend gathering cosy things - blankets, rugs, bolsters, warm clothes etc to make this moment of your day massively nurturing and cosy.
Downward Flow - apana vayu: A class exploring the downward flow of energy in our body, otherwise known as apana vayu. This class supports slowness, and will massively allow your nervous system to down regulate and sink into rest and digest mode. We start slowly with some somatic meditation, continue into a long floor based hip release sequence and eventually find our way into some more dynamic movements to find strength and support in the legs and hips which will also support our sense of connection to ground. Ends with a yummy rest and some chanting. Enjoy :)
Pregnancy practice - call in your power: A practice to call in your power. We begin with a brief meditation and chanting before moving into a movement practice that takes us through a variety of explorations from the ground to standing postures, with a focus on finding space through the lower back, side body and hips. Closes with a deep relaxation, mantra and cultivating intention.
The Vayus - exploring the energy body: This was a Monthly Gathering talk, and is a dive into the vayus- otherwise known as the pranic winds or energetic flows in the body. The map of the vayus offered to us by the Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a wonderful spring board to explore our felt sense of our inner state of being. This talk breaks down what the vayus are, how the 5 main directions relate to our experience of moving, breathing and experiencing, and how all of this relates to our day to day experiences living in the world. Begins with a short meditation practice and moves into lecture/discussion format. Feel free to write to me with any questions or insights ;).
Neck and shoulder release to wake up or wind down: Roll out of bed and onto your mat with this practice that will slowly transition you from stillness into movement with a focus on releasing and finding space through neck and shoulders. Can also be wonderful as a pre bed practice to slow down and settle before sleep.
Pregnancy practice to settle and ground: A slow and steady practice that supports settling, grounding and moving in a steady way through a whole body sequence to find release and space. This practice can be especially helpful if you are currently experiencing anxiety or agitation. Move from the ground into a hands and knees sequence and come up to standing for some side body release work before returning to the ground to close with relaxation and sound.
Unfurl into spring: A practice to support our unfurling into spring, tending to the transition from the curled up-ness of winter into the expansiveness of lighter days. We move slowly and steadily, attuning and processing, and making our way into a softly strong, heart centred flow practice. Embodied philosophy explorations woven throughout as we play with spinal extension in a variety of contexts, dolphin and forearm balance variations and half moon.
Bond with Babe: A practice to bond with your babe as you move, breathe and rest together. We start slowly meditative movement and sound, and unfurl into a gentle flow that stays close to the ground but brings movement through the whole body. Finishes with a long relaxation and chanting practice. A lovely way to bond with your baby as you practice.
Balm for your hips: Nourishment to release hips that feel sore or tight. This class starts with micro movements in the hip joints and slowly plays with mainly floor based explorations to coax movement and space through the tissues while finding the sweet spot between healthy constraint and flexibility. Could be a great practice after a long day of sitting or standing, after a run or if you are feeling a little stagnant through your hips. Props: a yoga strap or tie.
