Matsyasana - Fish Pose

                                       Matsyasana 

The yoga tradition is one that brings the practitioner close to nature.

The story of the fish pose tells us, the very first yogi was Shiva. Shiva is said to be the originator of the yoga tradition . Matsya over heard Shiva talk about the nature of life and the universe to Parvati and the words sounded important. He was enlightened by the words and became the first student of  yoga. It is important to have an inspiring relationship with a teacher, the listening and the connection from within, therefore a student can follow the footsteps of  Matsya.

Matsyasana opens our heart and most of us struggle to open ourselves to the outside world. This is why back bends can be challenging. We learn to fully open to the outside world and to be in the moment. When fear grips us, we want to contract and turn ourselves inwards.

Benefits:

• Strengthens the back
• Opens the heart
• Stretches the abdomen and the intercostal muscles in the ribs. Increasing lung capacity 
• Stimulates the thyroid

Contraindications: Always be mindful there are modifications 

• Neck injury
• Low-back injury
• Headache

Wordless Wednesday

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

                                                                                             

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WORDLESS WEDNSDAY

 

Boys Of Yoga

                                                     Men and their yoga practise

                                                               

                                                                 YOGA    

                                  AN HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WELL BEING.

After having had treatment for chronic back problem my physiotherapist introduced me yoga because he believed that that would be a positive way forward. I was indeed baffled at his suggestion and could not understand how sitting down and meditating had any thing to do with my medical problem.

Any how I joined yoga classes with the intention of attending classes a couple of times only to tell him that yoga was not for me as the whole idea seemed a bit bizarre. My knowledge of yoga at that point was that it was something done by Swamis on mountain tops in India who had nothing to do whereas I was a businessman busy running my own business.

After attending classes a few times I realised how unfit I was and that the weak muscles in my back was indeed the cause of my problem.

I have now been attending yoga classes regularly ( only once a week ) for the past 12 years and benefits achieved during that time are: 

                         1) My muscles are more supple and stronger.

                         2) My stamina has improved.

                         3) I have lost weight and kept it off.

                         4) I feel much calmer although this could be mellowing through age.

                         5 ) Receiving one to one attention from the teacher makes the classes so much enjoyable.

These benefits became so apparent that my wife decided to join in and she has now been attending classes for the past 5 years. Life has certainly become richer and I do not mean in a materialistic way either.

I joined yoga classes in my fifties with a chronic back problem and I have benefited immensely. Any one can start yoga at any age. However, my advice would be to start early. If you stick to it the benefits are guaranteed.

Day in the life of a Toddler's Yoga Mat

I spent so many years in the fashion industry and it felt good to move in the direction of yoga, the Yin to the Yang industry. However I still have wonderful dreams of the fun times.

A few years ago G (The Boyfriend) mentioned it would be good to have a Baby Yogi Mat for the post natal classes. Two hours later I came back to him and showed G the range that I had designed. He said “ I only mentioned a mat”   Baby Yogi was born and nurtured within 2 hours.

Four years down the line I regular exhibit at “Om Yoga Show”. The range has spread all around the world, USA , Canada , Australia, Russia, Europe etc and yet I find it difficult to tell my community. 

Why is that? 

 

A day in the life of our Yogi Mats!

Day 1: James arrives home from nursery to find an orange and a purple yogi mat!

Excitement enthuses as he tries out both for size, firmness and of course durability!

Let's try the exercises drawn on the mat first. The tree is easily accomplished. (After some wobbling and giggling!) The frog is executed beautifully first time! (And second and third and.... You get my drift!) Finally the Lion! James gets into position and bellows out a roar! The orange mat is a roaring success!

Only thing left to do is relax....!

- Gill Waterhouse, Baby Yogi Mum