Autumn is a time a great change, connecting to the feet helps us feel more settled and calm. It’s helpful for managing anxiety too.

Take a moment to close your eyes – become aware of your feet on the ground. Focus on the base of your big toe for a moment, then your little toe, and finally take your weight more into your heels. Now focus on all 3 parts of your feet at the same time, become really aware of all of your feet in contact with the ground. Breathe, & lengthen up through the top of your head. Notice how it feels as your body is more centered and connected to the earth. Namaste x

This half term we’ve been exploring the theme of Autumn – holding on & letting go. Autumn is the season of the exhale so when you remember, focus on a smooth exhale to let go of what you no longer need & align you with the new season. A strong exhale helps us feel calmer so your nervous system will thank you too! Namaste x

We had a really lovely Rest & Restore class this week – it was great to see some of you live at my new online Restorative Yoga class, and to have so many of you sign up to receive the recording. My next Rest & Restore will be on Weds 28th Oct at 7.45pm. Namaste x

My new monthly class Rest & Restore, starts on Wednesday 23rd September at 7.45pm to 9pm. This is a gentle, online class to help you rest (with the option to turn your camera off), so you can wear your pyjamas and go straight to bed afterwards if you want to!

Gentle, slow postures, held so the body can soften & relax. With blankets and cushions to support the body, this class is a chance to release & find some calm. The class concludes with a deep relaxation.

You can book to have to just have the recording if you don’t wish to practice live – everyone who enrols for Rest & Restore will have access to the recording for a month.

Places are £10. Message me or call 07766 562025 to receive the Zoom link. Namaste x

Today is the much awaited solar eclipse, a moment when the Moon nips in between the Sun and the Earth & steals the show.

To mark this in my drop in Summer classes this week we’ve been practising Chandra Breath – Chandra means Moon in Sanskrit. It’s a very effective simple breathing practice that is gentle and soothing for the nervous system, making it a brilliant technique for managing stress and anxiety.

To practice Chandra breath sit comfortably with a straight spine, close your eyes. Bring your right hand to rest on your nose so you can close your left nostril with your little finger & ring finger, and your thumb can close your right nostril. Take a few slow breaths here following the breath in both nostrils.

When you are ready, close the right nostril and breathe in through the left, close the left nostril and breathe out through the right. This is one round. Continue breathing in this way, inhaling slowly though the left & exhaling slowly through the right. Aim for 8 to 12 rounds. When you have finished take a moment just to sit and notice how you feel.

Enjoy the Eclipse.

Namaste x

Take a moment to stop & notice your breathing. Let your breath start to slow down. Breathe in for a count of 4, breathe out for a count of 6.  After a few rounds see if you can breathe out for 8. Carry on breathing for a few more rounds with a longer exhale.

Breathing with a longer exhale lowers your heart rate and soothes the nervous system, it’s a really effective way of reducing anxiety. The next time you remember, take a moment to stop & lengthen your exhale, Your nervous system will thank you for it. Namaste x

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August has arrived so if you’d like to get on your mat and practice some yoga with me next week, my Summer drop in classes start on Monday! Everyone is very welcome.

• Mon 3rd – 7pm to 8.30pm – Stockleigh Pomeroy Village Hall
• Tues 4th – 10am to 11.30am – Stockleigh Pomeroy Village Hall
• Thurs 6th – 10am to 11am – on Zoom

Inperson classes £8.50, Zoom £7.50. Message me to book – 07766 562025

See you on the mat!

Vivien

I will be running some Drop In Classes in August, all my in person classes are in Stockleigh Pomeroy Village Hall. Dates are:

Mon 3rd Aug – 7pm to 8.30pm, Tues 4th Aug – 10am to 11.30am, Thurs 6th Aug on Zoom – 10am to 11am

Mon 10th Aug – 7pm to 8.30pm, Tues 11th Aug – 10am to 11.30am

Mon 24th Aug – 7pm to 8.30pm, Tues 25th Aug – 10am to 11.30am, Thurs 27th Aug on Zoom – 10am to 11am

In person classes are £8.50, Zoom classes are £7.50. Please message me  yogaforlife.devon@gmail.com or call 07766 562025 to book.

Namaste.

Vivien

Sunday 21st June is the Summer Solstice, a date when here in the Northern Hemisphere we celebrate the sun and the longest day. It’s also International Yoga Day, a day when yogis around the world celebrate the remarkable gift that is yoga.

Yoga in all its forms helps us return to the self, to connect with others, and to cherish the world around us and all the possibilities it offers us. Most of all, yoga teaches us that we’re not broken or needing to be changed, sometimes all we need is a chance to breathe and a gentle steer to find ourselves again

I prayed for guidance and learnt to trust myself – Rumi

Wishing you a very happy International Yoga Day

With warmth and light.

Vivien

The date of my Summer Workshop is now confirmed as Saturday 4th July, 10am to 1pm in Stockleigh Pomeroy Village Hall.

More details to follow soon, but if you’d like to reserve your place early, please get in touch at yogaforlife.devon@gmail.com

Places are £25 for enrolled students, £30 for non enrolled which includes refreshments and homemade treats.

Namaste,

Vivien