What Type of Yogi Are You?

Take this quiz to find out at Yoga Journal's Website!

I'm a Balanced Yogi!

A Balanced Yogi You love your friends unconditionally and accept them for who they are no matter what their yoga style preference, religious beliefs, or spending habits. You focus on the good in people and would never try to change them. Almost everyone feels comfortable in your presence. You live your yoga. You are an inspiration to yoga students everywhere!

Take the Yoga Journal Yoga Snob Quiz!

Special Offer for Yoga in Maida Vale

Hello All, 

I'm offering a special for yoga in Maida Vale this Summer - 25% off private lessons, i.e. £30 per hour.  You can choose to learn individually, or with friends, family or colleagues, where the cost is split between participants.  Lessons can be arranged at your home or place of work, if you live or work in Maida Vale, or at my studio, which is a 5 minute walk from both Maida Vale and Warwick Avenue tube stations.  The offer applies to all lessons taken during the summer, with no limit to the number of classes, subject to availability of course. 

Please contact me for further details if interested and quote "Maida 'bout Yoga"!

Hope to see you soon,

Sejel

New Website (Soon To Be Launched Officially)

I am so excited about my new website that I thought I would blog about it already!  It's fairly simple but I've been meaning to do something different for a while and am so happy that it's almost ready....have a look - it's at www.yogaharmony.net.  I like the idea of using the word harmony as it can mean a multitude of things, but at the same time it is about uniting those very same things, just like yoga.

With the new launch I will be setting up a fundraiser. I am looking for a new charity to support so if you work for a good cause then please let me know.

Hope to see you or hear from you soon,

Sejel 

Balancing Poses - Warrior III

Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III) is a great balancing pose. It strengthens the legs, abdomen, spine, and shoulders and increases concentration and balance. This is the final posture but you might want to see my steps below!

Note: For full instructions and guidance on yoga, it is advisable to practice with a teacher. E-mail sejel@yogawithsejel.co.uk to join.


Shift your weight onto the right foot, place your hands on your hips, and raise the left leg up. Focus your eyes on a point ahead. Stretch the left leg away from you and press the right foot into the ground.



When you feel stable, with even breathing, take the arms out to the sides to see how that feels.







It doesn't matter if you lose your balance and have to place your hands or foot back down. (You can always pretend you're picking something up like I did).... Just start again!

Finally, raise the arms out to the sides and bring them in front of you with the palms together. (See picture at top of page).

Note: Always practice under the guidance of a qualified teacher. These notes are only intended as an aid to learning. For yoga class information see www.yogawithsejel.co.uk.

Yoga Harmony

Sun Salutations - Surya Namaskar

1. URDHVA HASTASANA - Mountain Pose (Raised Arms): From Namaste hands at heart, inhale & raise arms. Stretches shoulders, chest, abdomen, strengthens postural muscles. Expands inhalation. Uplifting, energizing & grounding. Focus on ajna chakra at third eye for intuition.



2. UTTANASANA - Standing Forward Bend: Relaxing, stretches spine, hamstrings, gluteals, calves, increases circulation to brain. Strengthens legs, abdomen, hips. Rejuvenating, improves memory, massages internal organs, improves digestion. Focus on muladhara chakra at base of spine for grounding & svadisthana below the navel for relaxation.


3. ARDHA CHANDRASANA - Half Moon (Right foot leads/goes back): Mobilises hips, stretches spine, shoulders, ribcage & chest, ilio psoas, quadriceps, strengthens legs & feet, opens up inhalation. Uplifting, energizing, balancing & grounding. Focus on vishudhi chakra at throat for communication, anahata chakra at heart to balance compassion & love with courage & independence, & muladhara chakra at base of spine for stability.


4. ADHO MUKHA SVANASANA - Downward Facing Dog: Strengthens arms, legs, shoulders, wrists, abdomen, spine. Stretches hamstrings, calves, Achilles tendon, spine, shoulders. Improves circulation to brain & memory. Rejuvenating, relaxing & invigorating. Lengthens exhalation & improves inhalation. Focus on manipura chakra at the navel for power, vitality, strength of will, purpose & energy.


5. URDHVA MUKHA SVANASANA - Upward Facing Dog: Strengthens arms, wrists & shoulders & spine. Stretches chest, ribcage, ilio psoas. Expands inhalation. Focus on svadisthana chakra for fluidity.

Repeat 1-5 in reverse order to get back to standing (right foot leads). For full round, repeat whole sequence from 1 (left foot leads).

Benefits to be gained from combined sequence performed correctly. Do not practice without a teacher. Contra-indications: high blood pressure, glaucoma, heart/back problems, RSI, injury.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

1. Universal laws of Nature (Yama) - non violence, truthfulness, integrity, divine conduct, non attachment) - “When we are established in non attachment, the nature & purpose of existence is understood."

2. How to Live in Harmony (Niyama) - simplicity, contentment, purification, refinement, surrender to the Divine) - "From contentment, unsurpassed happiness is gained."

3. Postures (Asana) - "The physical postures should be steady & comfortable."

4. Breathing Exercises (Pranayama) - "Next come the breathing exercises, which increase the life energy."

5. Mastery of the Senses (Pratyahara) - "Once senses naturally withdraw inwards, mastery follows."

6. Concentration (Dharana) - "Dharana is when the attention is held focused on an object."

7. Meditation (Dhyana) - "Dhyana is when awareness flows evenly toward the point of attention." See more on the mind.

8. Enlightenment (Samadhi) - "Here, unbounded awareness flows toward the object, & the light of supreme knowledge dawns."

The Yoga of Patanjali are referred to as "limbs" rather than steps, as although they naturally progress in the above order, they must combine to be experienced completely.

Yoga Classes with Sejel in London

Yoga Therapy - A Life Without Yoga?

An article written by N. Raja

My childhood and teenage years were very happy. In my adulthood, I suffered from many hardships (stress, anxiety, a stiff body due to long hours and hard work for many years, supporting my own plus my fathers family of 12 for 30 years, bladder cancer and subsequent surgery than went wrong, hypertension for 8 years, blurred vision for about 5 years, a urostomy, and an ileostomy).

Despite all this, at 64, I am one of the happiest persons in the world. Partly this is due to my will power. But partly and certainly, it is due to the practice of YOGA over the last 30 years or so. The first thing I do each morning without fail is yoga for 30 to 45 minutes in a very gentle slow way where all limbs are stretched gently and slowly to the maximum until there is a tingling sensation in all of my body's cells or at least in those limbs I am stretching. I can even do the shoulderstand - I had practiced this before the operation but even now with my two bags (urostomy and ileostomy), I can still manage it. It is extremely invigorating and uplifting. Despite the fact that I have to rest every 3 hours, and that I have lost 2 stone since my operation since I only digest 50% of my food, I am still able to work up to 8 hours a day after that without getting exhausted. I have much enthusiasm for my work, run a full time business and have time for my hobbies.

Could I have come this far without my morning practice? I certainly wouldn't like to find out!

.

The Chakras

Muladhara Chakra - Physical Health, Prosperity, Grounding, Livelihood, Stability. "Your Right to Have."

When out of balance this can lead to: obesity, sciatica, digestive problems, eating disorders, frequent illness, frequent fears, inability to focus, "spaciness", inability to be still.

Svadisthana Chakra - Fluidity, Pleasure, Relaxation. "Your Right to Feel."

Svadisthana means sweetness, and the location is the area around the reproductive system, also affecting the sacrum, hips, knees and lower back. Svadisthana is concerned with pleasure, emotions, the moon, your right to feel, and the water element. When this chakra is balanced we can achieve fluidity of movement and feel a sense of connection to the world around us.

Manipura Chakra - Vitality, Strength of Will, Purpose. "Your Right to Act."

Manipura chakra, or the "City of Jewels" located at the solar plexus (between the navel and the base of the sternum) is associated with the fire element. This area of the body represents power and energy. Manipura is related to your right to act and the yogic path of karma yoga. When this area is healthy, we have a sense of purpose and are able to take action. When this area is overactive, it may be hard to slow down and relax, a need to be in control, stomach ulcers, and excess weight around the abdomen. When it is underactive this can lead to digestive problems, addiction to stimulants, low energy, feeling timid, and chronic fatigue. The colour is yellow and the planet is Mars. Foods associated foods are complex carbohydrates. The stones are topaz and amber.

Anahata Chakra - Love, Compassion, Self Acceptance, Trust, Balance. "Your Right to Love."

Anahata means "unstruck sound at the heart centre. When this area is healthy, we feel balanced in terms of love, compassion, non attachment and independence. Other qualities of the Anahata chakra are forgiveness and self acceptance, and the height of its radiance the heart centre displays the capacity for acceptance and tolerance of all beings and things. From the Anahata chakra is where our we start to evolve from the lower chakras, moving nearer towards self knowledge. As the heart opens, softening in ever increasing tenderness, it brings with it an unexpected and powerful source of strength, able to motivate the most tamasic (lethargic) of beings.

This area is represented by the colour green, venus, the Emerald and Rose Quartz stones, and the Dove and Antelope. The path of Yoga is Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of Devotion. This includes chanting. The operating principle is equilibrium and the animals are the elephant and the bull. Foods associated with this chakra being in balance are vegetables (sorry!)

Vishuddhi Chakra - Clear Communication, Creativity, Resonance. "Your Right to Speak."

The Visshudhi chakra is the chakra of sound, vibraions, rhythm and harmony. The areas of the body are the throat, neck, mouth and jaw. Using this chakra we can assess where we are in terms of our self -expression, communication and connection with the world as well as ourselves. We can use public speaking to express ourselves, or we can sing or write to communicate creatively. Notice how you feel in these areas and whether you have had any medical conditions involving these areas. The colour is bright blue, the meaning is purification, and the stone is turquoise.

Ajna Chakra - Psychic Perception, Imagination. "Your Right to See."

Ajna chakra is associated with the elements of the mind such as intuition, vision, memory, imagination, visualisation, colour, beauty and dreams. The area is around the third eye centre which is in between and behind the eyebrows in the centre of the head. When we are strong in this area we are able to recognise patterns and to see clearly. If we are deficient in this area, this can lead to headaches, nightmares, and hallucinations. The colour used to strengthen or represent this area is indigo and the planet is Neptune. The stones are Lapis Lazuli, the animals are the owl and the butterfly. Yantra yoga, i.e. meditating on visual objects strengthens this chakra. The type of person associated with this chakra is the hermit, the psychic and the dreamer.

Sahasrara Chakra - Wisdom, Knowledge, Spiritual Connection. "Your Right to Know."

Sahasrara refers to a thousand petalled lotus flower and is associated with thought, consciousness, intelligence and spirituality. The area is the mind, and the sahasrara chakra is often depicted as being just above the head. When we are healthy in this chakra we have greater understanding and expanded consciousness. An imbalance in this area can result in confusion, boredom, an inability to learn, and depression. When we are excessive in this area we can seem spaced out or overly intellectual. The colour violet, the diamond, elephant, ox, and bull are associated with the sahasrara chakra.

For more info. sign up to the newsletter by e-mailing sejel@yogawithsejel.co.uk.

Animated Film - Meditators in Competition?!

Dear Friends and Students,

.

I found a beautiful animated short film on the BBC website about two monks trying to reach enlightenment by meditating and the obstacles faced. See film and synopsis on BBC Website.
.

.

The film reminded me of a verse from the Katha Upanishad:

.

"When the five senses are stilled, when the mind is stilled, when the intellect is stilled, that is called the highest state by the wise.

They say yoga is this complete stillness in which one enters the unitive state. Never to become separate again.

If one is not established in this state, the sense of unity will come and go."

.

(Katha Upanishad 3, 10-11)

.

I like the realism of the last line - although in our Yoga practice we may be able to experience moments of this feeling of "unity", unless we are well on the way to Enlightenment, and meditating constantly, this feeling will not be constant....
.

I hope to see you all this year for some meditation!
Sejel

Yoga Harmony

Happy New Year All!

Dear Students, I hope you enjoyed the festive season and wish you a great 2008.

Here is a Sanskrit mantra from teacher to student, with a basic translation below: 

Om Saha Naavavatu

Saha Nau Bhunaktu

Saha Viryam Kara Vaavahai

Teja Svinaa Vadhita Mastu

Maa Vidvishaavahai

Om Shaanti, Shaanti, Shaanti

Translation:

Om. May That protect us both, teacher and pupil. 

May That cause both to enjoy the bliss of liberation. 

May we both endeavour to find the true meaning of the Scriptures. 

May our learning be brilliant. 

May we never quarrel with each other. 

Om, peace, peace, peace. 

Yoga Harmony