Yoga is Never Virtual

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COVID19 yoga, daily yoga, digital yoga, London yoga classes, London yoga teacher, online yoga class, online yoga community, quarantine yoga, Yoga With Paul

Moving to entirely online teaching was a big change for me (and thousands of yoga teachers all over the world, no doubt).

One of my questions as I began teaching through digital media, was ‘what happens to the group bond, the vibe?’ Would that wonderful connection created in yoga class be lost?

Photo by Anupam Mahapatra on Unsplash

During the first days of teaching I was pretty focused on the technical aspects — making sure the lights were right, hitting the right angles and distances so students could see me  clearly, learning to give feedback without being able to do corrections.

But once things got into a flow something amazing happened. Classes started to be social — just like in the studio. Students log on early to chat and hang out afterwards. They ask questions and tell stories about the joys and frustrations of daily life. We share tips for staying patient, strong and sane. We laugh. We swap series recommendations.

I’m realising that yoga is never virtual. The unity, the bond, the energy is always real — whether we are 20 people in one room or one person each in 20 rooms. The logistics are far less important than the spirit, and the spirit is strong.

Every time we step onto the yoga mat, whether for solo practice or an online class, we are entering the global yoga community. This is real. Our bodies and minds are real. The ground beneath our feet and the air we breathe.

It is easy to feel a little isolated or overwhelmed by quarantine; it is normal to miss physical contact and routines; but we are truly not alone.

Yoga reminds us of the precious reality of our lives and surroundings. Let’s use this practice to stay connected, stay energised, and stay focused on the positive.

To join a class email yogawithpaul@gmail.com or Tweet @YogaWithPaul

Yoga, Breathe, Love, Repeat

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London yoga teacher, mindfulness, online yoga class, online yoga teacher, self-care, yoga coronavirus, yoga healing, yoga isolation, Yoga With Paul

You may have noticed that yesterday was the first Tuesday in a few years without a new Yoga With Paul post. What gives?

Socially distancing, before it was popular

We’ve all spent the past few weeks trying to adjust to a totally new, unexpected, scary reality. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling like, wow — where does this end?

Nor in feeling like time has taken on strange characteristics.

Instead of having loads of extra time the changes in my routine seem to swallow up hours and even though I’m happily teaching online it hasn’t freed up hours.

So, rather than obsess about doing I’ve decided to use this enforced change of lifestyle and pace to focus on the essentials of my life and practice.

This means taking a step back from the usual to-do lists and expectations and make time to practice yoga with extra mindfulness and compassion — both self-compassion and compassion for others.

It means consciously breathing my way through the day, grateful for this capacity to  and aware of the importance of the breath in managing my thoughts and emotions.

Photo by Andrew Seaman on Unsplash

Not least, it means focusing on people and relationships. Gravity makes the world go ’round, but love makes it worth being on this planet. Right now, it’s easy to get caught up in obsessing about what’s happening around us. Let’s take a moment to remember what really controls the quality of our life is what happens inside us.

We need love and positive energy right now, more than ever. Let’s cherish and appreciate those nearest us and make an extra effort to reach out to those around us — we could all use some extra support and care right now, so let’s share with each other.

For the next few weeks, as part of my self-care, I’ll be posting less frequently. It’s a time for me to recharge and a chance for you to browse through the wonderful older posts you might have missed.

Namaste.

 

 

Scary Good Halloween Yoga Looks

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Halloween, Halloween yoga, Halloween yoga costumes, hot yoga outfits, London yoga teacher, Warm Flow Yoga, yoga clothing, yoga gear, Yoga With Paul

Yoga shouldn’t be too serious. So why not get into the spirit of Halloween and dress up?

There is a fun post over on Popsugar about costumes you can create using black yoga leggings — my favourites from the list are pirate, ninja, burglar, and one of the Pink Ladies from Grease. 

Of course, it’s a bit difficult to do Pranayama with a cutlass clinched in your teeth, and the pink satin jackets would really ramp up the sweat so… I got to thinking about slightly more user-friendly yoga looks based on different asanas.

Tree

Hop into brown leggings/shorts and a green sport bra or tee and et voila, you’ve got the perfect tree costume to help you connect with nature on Halloween.

Bridge

Dress in all grey to practice your Bridge Pose this holiday!

Crow

An all-black yoga outfit will help you soar (ahem!) into crow pose on the 31st.

 

Cobra

Snakeskin leggings and a coordinating top will add flair to your Cobra Pose!

Sun

Bright yellow or orange will lift your mood and brighten the studio as you practice your Sun Salutations.

Moon

Opt for shimmery silver or soft white to capture a slice of lunar magic in Half-Moon pose.

Add your suggestions in the comments!

Do Yogis Make Better Lovers?

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London yoga teacher, love yoga, yoga, yoga benefits, yoga relationships, yoga sex, yoga Valentine's Day, Yoga With Paul

On the eve of Valentine’s Day we’re bombarded with images that equate romance with chocolate, roses, champagne and satin sheets. There is nothing wrong with any of these but I doubt they make us better lovers in either the physical or emotional sense.

Yoga, on the other hand, may be the key to being a fantastic lover.

The Yoga Journal interviewed a range of experts and most agreed: yoga has the capacity to make people better lovers.

How?

First, by energising the body. Regular yoga practice tones the muscles, increases flexibility, builds stamina, cleanses the organs, and stimulates the endocrine system. This adds up to a supple, healthy body that can fully give and experience pleasure.

Second, by cultivating openness and mindfulness. This allows us to connect with lovers with greater passion and intimacy. We become more aware of their needs and desires, and more receptive and accepting of our own.

Third, by showing us the path to unity. Yoga means “unity” and what is love but a quest for profound unity with out loved one? To practice yoga is to break down the divisions between mind, body, and spirit, allowing us to be fully present in the moment

Has yoga changed your relationships? Share in the comments!

photo credit: Strelka Institute photo SPORTS TRAINING. YOGA (SPORTS) via photopin (license)

#YWP November Newsletter

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Bikram yoga, hot yoga, London yoga teacher, mindfulness, yoga, Yoga Holiday With Paul, yoga lifestyle, yoga newsletter, yoga tips, Yoga With Paul

Extra! Extra! It’s the Yoga With Paul November newsletter.

Read. Enjoy. Share.

Yoga With Paul newsletter NOV 2017

Yoga for Lawyers (and Everyone)

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Bikram yoga, calming yoga, City Solicitor, clean eating, hot yoga, London yoga studios, London yoga teacher, vinyasa yoga, wellness, Yoga Holiday With Paul, yoga lawyers, yoga professionals, yoga stress, Yoga With Paul

Journalist and yoga regular Maroulla Paul wrote a piece about YogaWithPaul for City Solicitor — a magazine for lawyers.

In it, I talked about how yoga teaches us to focus and helps clear our mind.

I see daily the positive impact yoga has on those who practise it. It seems really beneficial for lawyers. It gives them greater clarity, a quality that is essential in their work. In the time they are in a class they have to focus on listening to me, and doing their practice. They can’t think about anything else other than being in the room on the mat. And that means cutting off from their cases and all the decisions they have to make. But they come out strong, refreshed, and more capable of clear thinking.

This is true no matter what you do. Whether arguing legal cases or chasing kids around the house, we all have stress and strain in our lives. Yoga is a healing, energising tool that helps put things in perspective and keep us in balance.

You can read the whole article online at City Solicitor.

How does yoga help you cope with work? Share your thoughts in the comments!

3 Strength Poses for Handstand

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headstand postures, how to do inversions, London yoga teacher, strength yoga, yoga handstands, yoga inversions, yoga postures, yoga practice, Yoga With Paul

Handstands, like headstands, are a powerful, energising part of yoga practice. They enable us to literally see the world from a different perspective, while building tremendous strength through core, arms, legs and shoulders.

Handstands are also a playful pose that many of us enjoyed as kids. They’re a light-hearted way to defy gravity, a chance to have some fun.

For a lot of us, though, getting our adult bodies into inversions — especially handstands — is a challenge. Here are three yoga poses to help you develop the strength, balance and confidence that lead to headstand.

Downward-facing dog

Downward dog is an essential introduction to your handstand practice as it builds tremendous strength in your arms and shoulders. To get the maximum benefit ensure that when you are in the full expression you contract your outer arms and press the bases of the index fingers actively into the floor. From these two points lift along your inner arms from the wrists to the tops of the shoulders. Firm your shoulder blades against your back, then widen them and draw them toward the tailbone. This creates correct muscle alignment and builds strength.

Plank

Core strength is vital in order to have the power you need to kick into handstand and the control to maintain your balance. Practice plank pose regularly, working up from one minute to three, four or even five. When you are in plank continuously check in with yourself to ensure your belly is tight, your back firm, and your body aligned evenly over your hands. Add side plank to your practice for greater power and balance.

L-shaped handstand

Practicing L-shaped handstands against the wall prepares your body for the final expression of a full handstand. To begin, kneel on all fours with your feet flat against a wall and your shoulders stacked over your wrists. Rise into a shortened downward dog,  then bring one leg up at a time so your foot is in line with your hips and your knees  are bent. Gradually straighten your legs until your upper body is balanced on your arms. Remember to engage your abs and lift your shoulders up away from your ears. As you begin to feel confident, you can experiment with lifting alternate legs off the wall.

Questions about handstand? Ask in the comments or Tweet @YogaWithPaul

Standing Bow Pulling Pose Tips

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Bikram yoga poses, Dandayamana Dhanurasana, London yoga teacher, standing bow pulling pose, yoga asanas, yoga back bends, Yoga With Paul

Standing bow pulling pose (Dandayamana Dhanurasana) is a posture that requires balance, strength, flexibility and concentration. One particular challenge is keeping the correct alignment throughout the posture. A student recently asked about this, saying the hip of her kicking leg tends to go up, instead of staying level.

In order to keep the hips level you have to be aware of each part of the posture, and remember — standing bow is a back bend! These five steps will help keep you on track.

1. Begin square to the mirror, with your right hand clasping your right ankle from the inside and left arm straight up, palm forward.
2. As you kick back your body naturally tilts forward. There should be a twist in the upper body, with your two shoulders coming in to one line as you look in the mirror.
3. Kick into the hand until you can see your foot in the mirror at the centre of your head.
4. Keep the hips level to the ground. You will find that most people who have a good standing bow can not extend the leg fully. To achieve this you let your hip turn slightly out. This will depend on the  structure of the skeletal system and your range of motion.
5. Keeping the hips level is a challenge even for me. You have to be persistent, patient and have compassion. Some days can be amazing and other days you wonder why you even bothered!

This is the yoga practice, observing yourself and not letting the ego take over.

Standing bow pulling pose benefits:

• Develops concentration, patience, and determination.
• Transfers circulation from one side of the body to the other, bringing fresh blood to each internal organ and gland, keeping them healthy.
• Firms abdominal wall and upper thighs.
• Tightens upper arms, hips, and buttocks.
• Increases the size and elasticity of the rib cage and the lungs.
• Improves the flexibility and strength of the lower spine.

Questions? Ask in the comments or Tweet @YogaWithPaul

4 Tips for Side Plank Pose

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#YWP tips, London yoga teacher, side plank pose, Vasisthasana, yoga poses, yoga postures, Yoga With Paul

Side plank pose (Vasisthasana) is a terrific way to build arm, wrist, shoulder, core and leg strength. As a balancing pose, it challenges you to develop greater stability and confidence while strengthening major muscle groups.

You can move into side plank from plank pose. You want to glue your legs together and roll onto the outer edge of your right foot, stacking your left leg and foot on top. Then press down through the inner edge of your right hand and inhale your left arm up, stacking the shoulders and hips.

These four tips will help you perform the pose correctly for maximum benefit:

Lay a firm foundation

Your hand is the foundation to this pose. Press down into the floor through the inner edge of your hand, with your index finger is pointing forward.

Check your alignment

Your supporting hand should be just in front of its shoulder, so your arm is slightly angled relative to the floor. Straighten the arm by firming the triceps muscle, and press the base of the index finger firmly against the floor.

Activate each muscle group

The first and most important thing is to engage your muscles. Start with your core to ensure you are keeping your body in a straight line. Activating your legs grounds you through your feet and aids the balance, while your arms provide support and stability.

Keep a level head

When you extend your arm above your head to the ceiling keep it parallel to the line of your shoulders. Your head should stay level in a neutral position, or you can gently turn it to look up past your fingertips. However, this can challenge your balance at first though, so be sure you are confident in the pose before shifting your gaze.

Advanced tip

Once you are comfortable holding side plank for 20-30 seconds with your legs together you can increase the difficulty by raising your top leg so it is perpendicular to the floor.

Questions? Ask in the comments or Tweet @YogaWithPaul

#YWP April Newsletter

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clean eating, learn yoga, London yoga teacher, vegan recipes, yoga events, yoga newsletter, yoga nutrition, yoga postures, Yoga With Paul

Don’t miss your round-up of the best of the blog from April!

Yoga With Paul newsletter APR 2017

Revolved abdomen pose