Peace of Mind

I teach a lovely Friday morning Hatha Yoga class in a local church.  It's a class I took over from another local teacher about 5 or 6 years ago when she retired.  The class has been going since 1976, so it's a bit special.  I have blogged before about our lovely class member Mary who will celebrate her 99th Birthday in June but this post is about one of the other members of the class, prompted by a short conversation I had with her today.

She is a lovely, bubbly, confident lady with dark hair and twinkly eyes who I had assumed was in her mid 60s.  She had a hip replacement a few years ago and took a short time off from yoga but came back stronger and fitter as soon as she could.  After todays conversation I now know she is actually a very spritely 82 years young!  She also wanted to tell me why she started yoga twenty years ago.

She told me she had had PTSD and depression from a bad car accident in which she was not physically hurt but emotionally scarred from.   It left her completely full of fear - not even able to venture along the small cul-de-sac where she lived.  She was depressed and it was all triggered by this terrible accident in which the car had rolled over and over and had ended up in a field. 

So this morning she quite matter of factly told me that this was the reason she started yoga all those years ago, managing to get herself to a class and noticing that immediately there was something that helped her to find some peace of mind.  Something I had talked about in my introduction today had resonated with her and she felt she wanted me to know why she had begun her yoga practice.

We sometimes get so bogged down with different types of yoga, what IS yoga, what ISN'T yoga? What types of yoga are best?  Which class should we choose?  Which teacher? How often should we practice? 

Sometimes that first step of going to a class can lead us into places of great healing.  If the first class you attend is not quite the right fit for you - then don't be afraid to try other classes.  Message the teacher to ask questions, have a good read of their blog or website and see if anything they write resonates with you.  It could be the start of something really special that will last you a lifetime (or perhaps many lifetimes....)

For details of Claire's Classes in Sale see www.yogiclaire.com 

2017 New Year Newsletter

Well here we find ourselves in 2017 - that does not even sound like a year!  Just some random number. 

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and is feeling eager to get back to the normality of every day life (or maybe start planning a holiday!)

A few little changes in my pricing structure to inform you of.  It will only affect the Parent and Toddler class members and the Tuesday lunchtime group.

Since I started the Parent and Toddler class there has been a facility to book a block of 6 classes and only pay for five.  I have decided however to make the block booking price £30 instead of £25 so you will not get the 6th class for free.  You can still use up your prepaid sessions any time before the end of the academic year (July) so it is still super flexible.  I have never actually increased the class price for this class since I started nearly 5 years ago so I am hoping this adjustment won't impact anyone too much.

The Tuesday lunchtime class at Red Sky is going to change from £5.50 per session to £6 - this is due to the change in arrangements of how I pay for the room hire and also due to last minute cancellations and finding the slots difficult to fill at the last minute.  As the room does not fit many people in, it does have a big impact if a couple of people cancel as I still have all my overheads to pay.

On the plus side - my other classes are all staying the same price and Tuesday and Thursday evenings remain as 'drop in' so you can attend as and when is practical for you.  I have always tried my hardest to provide classes which are reasonably priced so as never to preclude any groups of people from practicing yoga. 

Don't forget the Detox and Revive Workshop this coming Saturday 7th - it is fully booked and I'm hoping it is going to be a fun and lively session with some lovely relaxation at the end (and a few healthy treats and teas after)

Many thanks to you all for your continued support of my classes and workshops.


For all details of my classes see www.yogiclaire.com

Winter Newsletter

Now we are settling into the colder months I thought it timely to issue a newsletter to keep you all up to date on Yogi Claire Hatha Yoga news.

The Yin & Flow workshop in October was a great success with everyone enjoying the contrasts of the two styles of yoga.  As my classes and workshops attract a whole range of different abilities it was quite a task planning the sequences to ensure everyone felt included and empowered by finding variations of postures to suit them.  The feed back was good so I am sure I will run this type of workshop again in the future.  My experimental bakes and the different herbal teas seemed to go down well too!

The next workshop will be in January 2017, at the risk of being predictable it will be my "Detox and Revive Workshop" as it usually is at this time of year!  I think we all need a kick start after the festive season.  It's definitely not about making you feel guilty or bad about indulgences - just balancing them out and empowering you to carry on into 2017 with a regular yoga practice.

Speaking of Christmas please note there will be no classes during the week between Christmas and New Year - remember you can always double check the calendar schedule on my Yoga Trail profile.  There is a link to this from my website Class Schedule

The Monday morning Parent & Toddler class has been doing really well, I am pleased to say, very well attended most weeks, with the little yogis having a fabulous time with Meddy Teddy - my new little friend who helps me out.  The block booking system will change slightly in the New Year.  I will keep all the class members informed of that.

I'm still collecting old and broken jewellery for the Alzheimer's Society, so please keep on bringing in all that bling that you don't need or want anymore - costume jewellery is fine!

As usual I will not be giving out Christmas cards to my class members but will be donating the money to charity instead.  In past years I have donated to local charities but this year I will be sending a little extra money over to the little boy I sponsor in India - his name is Vijay.  We sponsor him through Plan UK - a fantastic charity.  Please ask me if you are interested in doing the same, they do great work in Africa too.

I'll leave you with a lovely Wintry Poem, I really love the imagery in this one.....

Winter Time by Robert Louis Stevenson

Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.

Before the stars have left the skies,
At morning in the dark I rise;
And shivering in my nakedness,
By the cold candle, bathe and dress.

Close by the jolly fire I sit
To warm my frozen bones a bit;
Or with a reindeer-sled, explore
The colder countries round the door.

When to go out, my nurse doth wrap
Me in my comforter and cap;
The cold wind burns my face, and blows
Its frosty pepper up my nose.

Black are my steps on silver sod;
Thick blows my frosty breath abroad;
And tree and house, and hill and lake,
Are frosted like a wedding cake. 


                        
For details of Claire's classes see www.yogiclaire.com                                  

 

Don't Hide Behind the Beans....

Another ridiculous blog post title - I make no apology!

On one or two occasions I have been casually doing my weekly shop and I'll see a familiar face on another aisle and just as I try to bring their name to mind and where I know them from,  they've gone, scuttled out of sight - behind the baked beans no doubt.  Then I realise it is someone who used to come to one of my yoga classes.

I feel sad that they feel the need to scuttle - please don't feel you have to scuttle.  I'm the least scary person ever!  I'd like to hear how you are getting on.  How you may have found another yoga class which fits in better with your schedule, or you've found a teacher that teaches in a different way to me that you really enjoy, just a better 'fit' for you.  I'm not everyone's cup of tea - a very honest lady once told me that I laugh too much in class, I'm hoping she went on and joined a more appropriate class for her!

Or maybe you learnt all you could from me and decided to delve deeper into another style of yoga - again this is wonderful news!  Or perhaps you have developed a home practice and you are loving the beauty and solitude that a self practice brings.

Perhaps you decided to try Tai Chi, Pilates or Qi Gong and found this resonated with you more than yoga - it's fabulous that you have found a movement practice you really love.


Or maybe....you felt it has just been a little bit too long to make a return...this will never be the case.  Even if you haven't been to class for 5 years or more, but you feel you want to come back, just come back - there will be no judgment!  Just don't scuttle and hide behind the baked beans - come and say hello and let me know how you are.

On a more serious note it could be there was an injury, a private health issue or personal problem you don't wish to discuss with me over the avocados.  It is none of my business - I get that.  But just a nod and a wave is fine, just so I know you are ok....

For details of Claire's classes in Sale - see www.yogiclaire.com

Sound Healing with Tibetan Singing Bowls

Sound Healing Relaxation - An Ancient Practice

 

 

Since qualifying as a yoga teacher in 2007 I have consistently continued my studies.  It has mostly been a continuation of yoga, anatomy and career development courses, closely related to the practice of yoga and meditation.

In 2012 I purchased a Tibetan Singing Bowl as I’d been curious about them for a while.  I found it to be very relaxing to use as part of my regular meditation practice, in fact it had a very profound effect on me - more so than I ever could have imagined.  It inspired me to read a fantastic book called “The Sounds of Healing” by Mitchell L. Gaynor and I watched many webinars about the subject of sound healing and sound therapy.

Shortly after, I attended a workshop on the subject with local yoga teacher and sound relaxation expert Szilivia Gardian.  I had the opportunity to play some of her bowls and to take part in a sound healing relaxation.  It had a very powerful effect on me and piqued my interest even further.  I have continued to use the bowls in my own practice over several years and I have completed a Sound Healing Therapy course and have attended a full weekends intensive training using the bowls in Oct 2016 with Szilvia to gain more practical experience.

My collection of bowls has increased and I have a total of 6 now in varying sizes and continue to use them at the end of my yoga classes and workshops as a sound healing relaxation.  I have added Tingsha bells, a tuned windchime and a rainstick to my collection for more of a soundscape effect.  This has proved a very popular part of my classes and workshops.  It also works especially well in my one to one therapeutic yoga sessions.

The feedback so far has been truly amazing, showing how powerful the effects of the vibrations of these bowls are.  The following are some of the comments I have received about this practice:

“It feels like my brain has been cleaned out!”

“When you play the bowls in relaxation it feels like a real treat”

“When I have had a sound relaxation I have the best nights sleep ever”

“Things feel like they have been reset somehow – I can’t believe how powerful the effect was, as I was sceptical that they would have any effect at all, but it was amazing”

So how does it work?   

Putting it simply – “the bowls create a range of sounds to restore the normal vibratory frequencies of dis-eased and out-of-harmony parts of the body, mind and soul.

The sounds generated by Tibetan Singing Bowls are a type of energy medicine that can promote healing from stress disorders, pain, depression, and many forms of dis-ease.

Healing processes are initiated through entraining our brainwaves to synchronise with the perfect resonance of the bowls. Unique tones create the perfect state for deep meditation, creative thinking and intuitive messages.

The pure sonic waves that ring from Tibetan Singing Bowls wake up our ability to hear with more than our ears. We feel the sound of Tibetan Singing Bowls as much as we take it in with our ears." (Excerpt from Jevon Danjeli’s website)

In addition to this I think we are so used to hearing a cacophony of electronic sounds, traffic sounds – sounds of all kinds, all day long.  The bowls have such a pure tone that it is so beautifully calming and it's a real relief to feel and hear a sound so pure, we instantly start to relax.  Our being moves into ‘rest and digest’ and out of ‘fight/flight/freeze’ and our spirit becomes soothed.

As mentioned above, I use the bowls occasionally at the end of my yoga classes (see my website for schedule details) and I  also offer a Sound Relaxation with the bowls as part of my one to one yoga sessions (£40 per 60 minute session), or a half hour guided and sound relaxation only for £25.

Its benefits may include, but are not limited to:

·         Physical and emotional healing

·         Restored Energy Circulation

·         Improved Self Confidence and self esteem

·         Improved sleep and relaxation

·         Increased focus and productivity

*Sound healing is a useful complimentary treatment to have alongside conventional medical treatments for various ailments - it is NOT a substitute for medical treatment and does not claim to 'cure'*

Click these links for a couple of demos of me playing the singing bowls:
 
Demo 1

Demo 2


For a full schedule of Claire's classes in Sale please see the website:  www.yogiclaire.com

Yogi Claire Newsletter - Summer 2016

I thought I would try a little experiment and use my blog page as a way to get news about my classes out to everyone in a concise and effective way.  Goodness we've come a long way since I used to do a real life newsletter printed on paper!  (Not very environmentally friendly I'll admit!)

The Summer months see a few changes to my schedule but I don't stop teaching altogether.  We settle into a different rhythm in the summer months so it is good to honour this and have a little change.  If the class you usually come to is not on, then maybe think about coming to one of the other classes or contact me if you think you would like a one to one yoga session (see website for full details)  Click for link  (this is ladies only)

Monday: Parent & Toddler yoga - last class was on 18th July - returns 5th September.  Please let me know if you would like your name putting down for this.   See more details here: Click for link


Tuesday: Red Sky Yoga Studio Lunchtime Class 12-1pm - Last class on 19th July - returning on 6th September.  I have a couple of regular spaces come up for this class so email me if you would like to put your name down.

Tuesday evenings: 6.15-7.15pm & 7.45-9pm These 2 sessions which are usually at Sale United Reformed Church, Montague Rd are to be held at Sale Moor Methodist Church, Northenden Rd just over the summer until Sept 6th - this is due to the usual venue being painted.  This is run as a drop in class.

**Note that on Tues 2nd Aug I am scheduled to teach the outdoor session at Walkden Gardens in Sale (weather permitting) please note that this session will start at the slightly earlier time of 6pm-7pm.  If it is wet we will be at Sale Moor Methodist Church and will start at 6.15pm. My Mum's class at 7.45 remains unaffected on this day.

Thursday evening class is unaffected - everything remains as normal, see website for details: Click for link  this is also a drop in class.

Friday morning: 10-11.30am at The Avenue Methodist Church is NOT on over the summer - but we will return to a revamped room on the 9th September.


*Please note my DW Fitness classes remain unaffected over the summer - I will be teaching both of those as normal, remember these are for DW Fitness members only.


If I don't see you over the Summer please have a really wonderful time, spend lots of time with your family and friends and get outside, enjoy nature and try to do a little yoga each day!!



I've included one of my favourite poems for you to enjoy too, I've found it very comforting on many occasions recently, so I hope you enjoy it too.

Namaste.

If you like the flower photos be sure to connect with me on Instagram - my profile is @yogiclaire99 









Claire Pickin is a Hatha Yoga teacher, teaching classes in Sale.  For all details see website:
www.yogiclaire.com

 

 
 
 
 
 

Full Moon Toddler Yoga!

Yesterday we were hovering around full moon time.  It was also a Monday which is the day I teach my toddler yoga class.  Now usually around full moon, it's a lively, hectic, high energy class.  But yesterday was really calm, the toddlers were keen to get back to their yoga after a 3 week break and we welcomed a couple of very enthusiastic new little yogis.

We did our usual warm up songs, bending, stretching and singing our hearts out - with everyone joining in and having fun.  I talked the toddlers through the story, a simple affair involving a lonely scarecrow being befriended by a large, noisy crow.  We moved our bodies, breathed deeply in and out and danced around the room being excited scarecrows.  As I usually do, we did the relaxation at the end of the story as the characters lie down to relax and reflect - then I take Tommy the Turtle around the room to visit each child in turn whilst his music is softly playing, each child gets the chance to spot the crescent moon on his shell.  We then usually jump up once again to get moving and singing, but yesterday the children lay quite still and quiet - almost reflective, not keen to leap up for more songs just yet.....  Perhaps the moon's energy was a little too strong and they needed a little extra time to relax!

Anyway we eventually got up and used my breathing ball toys to open and close with our breath - again the toddlers were concentrating well and really understood what I was asking them to do (some of them are not even 2 years old yet so I was amazed at how focussed they were)

We then had our usual healthy snack which was rice cakes this week - mindfully eaten by smelling first, listening to the crunch and then closed eyes whilst chewing!  We then sang some more songs and did accompanying yoga moves.  We played 'Who is in the bag?' each child taking a toy animal out and then we all do the pose for that animal before the next animal can be retrieved from the bag.

Next we rolled the mats up and lined them end to end to practice balancing and to practice turn taking.  Each child walking along, tight-rope style with arms out to the side - it's always a winner!
Finally we all sat down together and chanted Om three times, this is usually a favourite part of the class for the children (and for me) they all joined in with hands pressed earnestly together in Anjali Mudra. Then we all said Namaste.

So for Full Moon, Summer Solstice and the eve of International Yoga day - my toddler group did superbly well and I think for the first time in almost 5 years of teaching toddlers - I almost stuck to the class plan!  It really goes to show you how you just cannot predict how things will turn out.  Next week could be a whole different story.....

Happy International Yoga Day!

For details of Claire's teaching schedule and further information on Toddler Yoga see www.yogiclaire.com