What The Class Members say.......Part 6

1. How long have you been practicing yoga?

Most recently for 3 years.  I had previously practiced yoga for a period of 5 years.

2.       What do you feel you get out of your yoga practice? 

I learn the art of relaxation so in times of stress or anxiety I can call upon the techniques.  I also learn to control my breathing which helps me to maintain the postures.  I enjoy the small improvements I have made particularly in posture and suppleness.
 

3.       How do you feel your life has changed since you have been doing a regular yoga practice?

A sense of wellbeing because I am aware of my improving ability to relax and keep supple.
 

4.       What is your favourite posture and why?
 

My favourite posture is warrior as I feel strong, grounded and well stretched.  My second favourite is sphinx which is a great back stretch.
 

5.       What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending yoga for the first time and a little afraid to take that first step?

Come along and try it.  Everyone works to their own level.  There is no competition to reach a particular standard.  There are lots of variations of postures for varying abilities.  You will find you are better at some postures than others.  Give it a good few weeks or months before you decide if it is for you as each week is different.

 

Questions kindly answered by another one of our regular class attendees who hardly ever misses a session!  Thanks to Katy Wride x

 

 

www.yogiclaire.com

No Time For Yoga....Think Again.....

December has been a really busy month - I think it is for everyone.  School plays to attend, things to do for school fairs, presents to buy, house to decorate etc. I also had my first workshop to plan for which included hand making 25 eye pillows, oh and my youngest child became ill with chickenpox, so that kept me rather busy making sure he was happy and comfortable.  This is in addition to all my regular class plans and usual day to day stuff.  I love being busy and thrive on it but sometimes you can be tipped over the edge and feel completely snowed under.  This can be when your yoga practice can fall by the wayside and be forgotten for a while.  But this year I was determined that I would keep up with my daily practice however busy I found myself to be.

There was one particular afternoon when I thought I just had to leave my yoga practice and get on with the other 'stuff' but after some thought I decided to do a short 20 minute practice.  After doing my practice I was energised, bubbling with ideas and creativity and seemed to get everything done in about half the time it would normally take me.  That 20 minutes commitment to keep on with the daily practice really paid off, if I hadn't have done that, then maybe I would have been flitting about from one job to the next without completing anything.

So doing your yoga practice is NEVER EVER a waste of time, apart from all the physical and mental benefits, it can actually make you more effective with your time management, can focus the brain and tease your creativity back to life!  I seriously believe it to be true.  It is a commitment, but you and all those around you are sure to benefit from a refreshed and revitalised YOU - full of energy, ideas and FUN!!! 

My advice would be to schedule in your yoga practice, don't feel you have to do a full-on long session of practice.  This can end up demotivating you if you don't get time to do the amount of yoga you had planned - keep it flexible and remember ANY yoga is better than NO yoga.........

www.yogiclaire.com

What The Class Members Say.....part 5

1. How long have you been practicing yoga?

I first started practicing about 40 years ago.  I took it up again about 3 years ago and now practice regularly.

2.       What do you feel you get out of your yoga practice? 

Practicing yoga always helps in coping with stressful situations.  I always feel better (calmer) after my regular yoga class - especially after a hectic day.

 

3.       How do you feel your life has changed since you have been doing a regular yoga practice?

I feel much fitter and stronger.  My outlook is more positive.

 

4.       What is your favourite posture and why?

I love doing wide-leg forward bend - it is a lovely stretch.

 

5.       What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending yoga for the first time and a little afraid to take that first step?

Because yoga is not competitive, it is easy to go at your own pace.  You start benefitting right away.  It's a great way to deal with stress.

 

 

Questions kindly answered by one of our regular class attendees who hardly ever misses a session!  Thanks to Marjorie Kilbey x

 

 

www.yogiclaire.com

What the class members say.....part 4

1. How long have you been practicing yoga?

4 months

2.       What do you feel you get out of your yoga practice? 

Relaxation, it removes tension from every part of your body! 

 

3.       How do you feel your life has changed since you have been doing a regular yoga practice?

I feel like I'm more level-headed in all aspects of my life and I now understand how to deal with stress. 

 

4.       What is your favourite posture and why?

Child's pose, I feel safe and protected and it allows me to focus my mind so that it doesn't wander.

 

5.       What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending yoga for the first time and a little afraid to take that first step?

There is no need to feel apprehensive, my life has improved dramatically since starting yoga.  It gives you some time to focus on yourself and allows you to carry the level-headed and relaxed mind into other aspects of your life.

 

 

Questions kindly answered by one of our youngest class members, but someone who shows great maturity and obviously understands yoga completely even in the short time she has been practicing.  A joy to read - thank you April Quinn x 

 

 

www.yogiclaire.com

What the class members say.....by Mary aged 95!

Mary - aged 95 doing her spinal balance pose - Upavista Konasana B



1. How long have you been practicing yoga? 

Since Autumn 1976.  So 37 years!!

2.       What do you feel you get out of your yoga practice? 

It has heightened my awareness of everything, mainly health and diet.  It eases tension especially when driving (yes I still drive).  I have made some valuable friendships in the classes.

3.       How do you feel your life has changed since you have been doing a regular yoga practice?

I have enjoyed yoga in so many different classes and locations in the UK and abroad - the highlight being named student of the year in 2006 at Alston Hall on one of the yoga days run by Lancashire Adult Learning.

4.       What is your favourite posture and why?

I love spinal balance - although it's not very elegant!!  It takes strength, balance and flexibility.

5.       What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending yoga for the first time and a little afraid to take that first step?

Start and then never stop doing yoga!  It helps maintain a good posture which is so important - there are far too many 'humpy backs' around - not a pretty sight!!  Yoga is such a marvellous thing, even if you are incapacitated, just do the movements in a chair.

 

(questions kindly answered by my dear, lovely friend and class member, Mary Brewer Aged 95) who continues to inspire me and the other class members :)
 

www.yogiclaire.com

 

What the class members say.......part 2

1.       How long have you been practicing yoga? 

Almost 2 years

2.       What do you feel you get out of your yoga practice? 

It's helping to keep me mobile and it's challenging me to attempt postures and exercises that I wouldn't do at home on my own

3.       How do you feel your life has changed since you have been doing a regular yoga practice?

I now have strategies for dealing with the stresses and strains of everyday life - breathing exercises, shoulder and neck exercises.

4.       What is your favourite posture and why?

I like forward bends because I have discovered I can do them!  Also because I can really see myself improving with practice.

5.       What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending yoga for the first time and a little afraid to take that first step?

Be brave and do it!  It doesn't matter how little you feel you can do at the beginning, you will improve.  You have nothing to lose and lots to gain.  I always feel better after class and miss it if I can't go.

 

 

(questions kindly answered by one of my Friday morning class members)

www.yogiclaire.com

 

What the class members say.......Part 1

I am hoping to provide some of you with some inspiration to get back to a yoga class or to begin your yoga journey.  I am going to be publishing some answers to a questionnaire I gave out to my lovely class members about their yoga practice and what it means to them.  Here is the first one - enjoy!!

 

 

 

 

1.       How long have you been practicing yoga?

On and off for 40 years. Gaps in years when my children were younger or when I’ve had too many commitments to go to classes. About 20 years in all.

2.       What do you feel you get out of your yoga practice?

I feel relaxed yet energized. I feel good about myself. Probably because I feel I’m taking responsibility for my own health and fitness. I think I can sum it up better how I feel when I don’t do weekly classes for a long period. Sluggish, lazy, a bit de-motivated and definitely creaky

3.       How do you feel your life has changed since you have been doing a regular yoga practice?

 Well, I’ve always been healthy and have no medical issues really, but now I’m getting older (62) I notice that I can’t join in conversations with people my age about medical problems or compare medication. Is that a downside? Don’t think so.

4.       What is your favourite posture and why?

Rag doll and forward bends. They just keep your back so supple. Also, any poses that make you stand up straight. This forces you to think about your posture.

 Also the warrior. This makes me feel strong

5.       What would you say to someone who is thinking about attending yoga for the first time and a little afraid to take that first step?

Maybe try a few classes and see how you get on with the level taught in each one. Also, teachers have different approaches, and you need to find a teacher that you respect and want to emulate.

(E.g. a teacher who bullies you into poses because they think it’s good for you although you may be capable, may not really be your style)

Also, you can pick up yoga on holiday, say in a local class or on a beach (sorry that sounds a bit superstar-ish but hey, why not)

You can pick it up any age. It’s never too late. You can’t do that with a competitive or speed based sport, so you would never feel at a disadvantage,  classes are almost always sociable and friendly.

You don’t need any expensive equipment. Very little initial outlay at all

The very best thing is that you can arrive at a class with the weight of the world on your shoulders. Well that’s how is seems, and afterwards think…. Now, what was I worrying about?

Eleanor Hamer  (Friday morning class member)

 

www.yogiclaire.com