Spotlight on Yoga

We have had plenty of weather to talk about recently. Normally we are exchanging stories about hour to hour changes but this week has been a mixture of ‘how hot?’ and ‘we mustn’t grumble’. I personally prefer to hide under a rock when the summer sun is dominating our skies. Today it seems we are back to early summer and will hopefully have a more gradual return to heat as we approach the solstice.

When I write the term yoga practice, I am mindful of Ayurvedic lifestyle concepts associated with the season, the elements and the breath and their impact energetically, physically and mentally. Summer is a time when the pitta doṣa is dominant (an elemental combination of fire and water). In balance this is a positive force, with high energy, strength and mental acuity. We want to ‘do’ stuff and enjoy being challenged and being goal oriented. However, doṣas are dynamic and we have to be mindful to avoid an imbalance. When we go full-Pitta, we can be intense, controlling and competitive. Others will find us exhausting to be around or we might just burn up and burn out.

What does this mean for practice? We need to stay connected to ourselves, to know when to push and when to rest, when to challenge and when to accept. The first two niyama can be useful for self care practice and I like to focus on these when I lead retreats:

• Śauca – cleanliness, cultivating lightness and clarity
  • caring for oneself as if for another’ (Peter Hersnack)
• Saṃtoṣa – being content with what is
  • ‘we develop the attitude of being with what is, on and off the mat’ (PH)

When we practice śauca and saṃtoṣa we might ‘establish the foundation for independence from unhelpful habits’ (PH).

The practices this term have some challenges but they are mindful and slow with a connection to our internal space and digestive processes; they will honour the energy of the year but also allow us to look after ourselves.

Yoga Terms

There are two online lessons each week starting tomorrow:

• Mondays1000-1100 & Fridays 0945-1045 (if you cannot make your usual class you can come to the other class that week)
• Recordings available every week
• More information: embodied yoga

Also available

• Individual Yoga Lessons
• Quarterly In Person Lessons in Avonmouth – these are available to students attending online classes and individual lessons