Flow with Alexia on the beach

So refreshing to practice and flow with Alexia on a very similar looking slightly grey day, of which are so fond here in the UK 🙂 A much needed wake and up and get moving encouragement from the ever energetic and motivating lady that she is.

I am just about to make my way to London to prepare for the Yoga Show this weekend and I will be continuing my 30 day challenge – probably mostly on my iPad which is so super handy.  I stay at my sisters so will try to time my practice so her housemates don’t have to clamber over the yogi on the floor on the way to get coffee in the morning!

Have a great day! xx

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Relaxation with …. myself!

There was going to come a time when I practiced with one of my own videos, as in a video that I am featuring in and teaching.  It has intrigued me as a couple of my teachers have recommended following your own practice as a very good way to learn and grow as a teacher.

I started small with a 15 minute relaxation, called Savasana with Gemma.  It was interesting and a couple times my mind did wander to judgement of myself, but to be honest I was so wrapped up in the relaxation that 90% of the time I completely forgot it was me!  The practice originated with the Sivananda tradition and is very effective at encouraging deep relaxation in a short period time.  In a Sivananda class savasana is at least 15 minutes long to give the body and the mind time to rest and restore, which is easily overlooked in many asana classes.

My experience of the practice today was so effective that I fell deeply asleep for a whole hour, luckily waking up with some time to spare before I need to head to my next class.  It was the kind of sleep my whole being so desperately needed, when I awoke I was a good colour, all my muscles felt like they had been reset and my skin feels smooth and soft.  I didn’t realise how exhausted I was until I tool the time to properly and deeply relax – I must I recommend it!

Love xxxx

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Flowing in the morning with Alexia

A balanced and energetic way to start the day with Alexia.  I have not practiced very much with Alexia in the flesh as she is based and teaches in London, however I found the start of her morning practice is very similar to mine – which is lovely!

It was a challenge to get up at 6am to practice before my morning class at 8am, but oh it was so worth it!  I love how vinyasa can start slowly getting you in the flow and then before you know it you are moving and breathing and opening up.  It also takes acceptance to really listen to your body in the morning with all it’s stiff areas and maybe even a few creaks!

I love Alexia’s light and bright voice which makes you feel like you can do anything and no amount of warriors is too many 🙂 Her very clear and concise alignment cues are so helpful to feel more space and grounding in the poses.  Having set my intention, as she suggests, not to take life so seriously, I am ready for my day and my week.

xx

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Sunday evening free flow

This has been a stunning Sunday here in Cornwall; the sun shining, the sea pumping (surfers loving it!) and warmth in the air.  I have been doing chores and cleaning my house, which is very much in line with the autumnal spring clean and the clearing of the inner and the outer of the Navaratri festival.

This evening after a long and physical day I chose to be inspired by Nat’s wind down sequence.  And I found, as I’m sure we all do sometimes, that my body wanted to move in ways different from Nat’s sequence, in some cases different even from classical yoga poses.  So I allowed my body move in what ever way felt and releasing and relaxing.  It was so sweet to have Nat’s gentle and encouraging voice in the background.  It made me feel like I wasn’t practicing alone, even though I was not following her instructions the whole time, it was still like were hanging out.  A very supportive experience and I love that we don’t always have to do everything the teacher says, the teacher is there to open you up and inspire you get on your mat – job done!

Hope you all had a lovely weekend and are ready and looking forward to the week ahead.

Love xxxx

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Shoulders and Cats

As you can see my cat Max was just as enthralled by Rhoda’s shoulder opening class as I was!

I left my practice right till the very last minute today, partly because I did my run as my morning practice, and partly because my mind is very convincing as it’s telling me that I won’t enjoy my class today, I don’t need to do it, I should have a cup of tea instead etc etc.  Whereas as soon as I get on my mat I feel so better already!

I learnt from my practice with Kirsty earlier in the week that my shoulders and upper back are very tight at the moment so I decided to stay with the shoulder focus this evening with Rhoda.  I love that on the day of filming, and maybe generally, Rhoda has tight shoulders and really finds some of the stretches very painful, but she is comfortable enough with herself to admit that and teach the class anyway.  I think it’s very easy for a teacher to stick to what you know you can do so you look good at all times and leave what you find challenging – the ego loves it!  Respect to Rhoda for her openness and a good lesson for me as a teacher.

On a personal note, you wouldn’t believe it by watching that video, but Rhoda is just about to give birth to her second child which is so exciting!  As you can see she is warm and gentle and such a lovely mama – wishing her all the love in the world.

Happy Weekend xxx

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Day 4 – Seated Neck and Shoulders with Kirsty

Oh I love Kirsty!  This little 8 minute video is EXACTLY what I needed after a long day at my computer, and driving around in my car.  I took a nice gentle jog around the headland where I live in Cornwall and on my return sat down to this video to cool down and relieve the tension.

I often have the dilemma of what exercise to do that day, as well as my meditation practice – I love to go running and do core strengthening work at home and I like to do my asana practice and my meditation – where am I going to fit in everything else on my list?  So this was a really sweet way to do my exercise, get grounded, present and release tension all ready for my Navratri meditation this evening.

Kirsty says she holds tension in her neck and shoulders and oh boy so do I!  The neck circles and stretches felt so good, just bringing my awareness to those parts of my body already they feel better and more relaxed.  Kirsty says that hunching up your shoulders and then releasing them down stops you feeling grumpy – haha – I am definitely going to use that at times when I feel my bratty side come out to play 🙂

Thanks so much Kirsty – a sweet, refreshing and nurturing moment in my day.

Love Gemma xxx

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Day 3 – Autumnal Cleansing with Lucinda

This is the second time I have written out the whole post with so much detail and love and it has deleted before I have posted it!!  A few words come to mind – none of them very yogic!!

So all I am going say is I did it – I am on track for Day 3 – Lucinda is awesome and I have learned I need to slow down – in my practice and in my life.  Click here to practice with Lucinda…

Looking forward to tomorrow xx

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Day 2 – Meditation with Clare

For my Day 2 video I chose Clare’s lovely simple meditation as I am teaching 4 yoga classes today and a physical practice would be a little much!  I know Clare well and she is an exceptional and hugely inspirational person with a wealth of experience in all aspects of meditation.

I found the 20 minute video really helped me to stay with the meditation, as I often struggle with sitting for longer than 5 minutes!  I find my mind goes into overdrive and the minutes drag by, so Clare’s consistent voice was perfect to keep me present and engaged.  I feel calm, refreshed and grounded afterwards – ready to go and teach my last class of the day!

Love Gemma xx

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