Lizzie for Free : a yogi's blog
The Free State of LizArchive for marylebone
Move the body and mind with music (on May 17th)
Nadam, the sanskrit word for deep listening, is described as the super-conscious sound current that manifests all of life. The seed word Nad means to flow, and Nada yoga unites inner and outer sound through flowing vibration. All of matter is made from energy, and sound creates energy. It follows, then, that everything seen, felt and heard has a sound quality.
In a sense, all movement starts with sound vibration, which is why practicing asana to music, particularly certain kinds of music, is so potent. Indian ragas ground and stabilize the body due to their calming nature, but also their rhythmic cycle and tonal quality. Chants invoking the names of the divine are also beneficial in regulating the breath and inviting fluid, meditative movement. This type of chanting can even unblock and open the heart.
Whereas practicing asana to music that helps to support a steady breath or reinforce a class theme is powerful, there is nothing as visceral as practicing asana to live music. The sound waves are electric and melodies are able to penetrate even the most blocked areas of the body.
This Thursday, come practice at Indaba Yoga Studio from 6 to 7:15pm with LIVE MUSIC. Luc Acke will join us from Belgium,playing harmonium and chanting while I lead a Jivamukti open class. Pre-booking may be a good idea as space is limited.
lululemon trunk show and FREE class at Indaba
Come for a free yoga class at Indaba Yoga Studio on April 28th from 2-3pm, and stay for some retail therapy! lululemon athletica will be hosting a trunk sale after the class. For more information, contact Indaba Yoga Studio or Aoife Kane from lululemon athletica. Hope to see you on the mat!
Customise your ride: practice safe, practice smart
how to strengthen your practice in any yoga class
In the midst of the yoga backlash of articles that mention the many ways yoga can harm your body, one of the key elements of the practice seems to be overlooked. Yoga is ultimately about empowerment and self-responsibility. Being with yourself on your mat, not concerned with the person next to you or what the teacher may be pushing you to ‘do’ with your body, is a big challenge for the ego, but an endeavor with large rewards. The truth is, only you know what is safe and available for your body on any given day, so developing skillful listening, listening to your breath, to your inner teacher, is essential to a safe practice.
This workshop will be challenging for any practitioner, perhaps physically, perhaps mentally, as we look at the role of habit patterns and the ego . We will deconstruct postures into their building block components to ensure that any class you go to is a chance to feel energized, positive and well balanced.
Investigation of standing postures, twists, balances, backbends and inversions will ensure that whatever practice space or class level you may find yourself in, you not only survive, but thrive.
3 hrs, 30£, early bird special price until 1 week before workshop.
April 1, 1-4pm
www.indabayoga.com
Lizzie’s Class Schedule February 2012
CLASS SCHEDULE(see below for restorative class dates at Indaba)
PREBOOK: WORKSHOP MARCH 4
Aversion to Inversions at Indaba Yoga Studio 1-4pm (postponed from February 5th due to snow)
FEBRUARY 2012
Monday:
6:30-7:45pm Life Centre, Islington
Tuesday:
12:45-2:00pm Life Centre, Notting Hill
Wednesday:
9:30-11am Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
8:15-9:30pm Life Centre, Notting Hill
Thursday:
6-7:15pm Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
Friday:
9:30-11:00 Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
4-5:30pm Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
Saturday:
9:30-11:00am Indaba Yoga Studio, Marylebone
Restorative Sundays at Indaba (covering for Netta Imber):
10:00-11:30am
Sunday, February 26
Sunday, March 11
Day 27, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
The universe has been sending me signals this week, and I’m receiving them…maybe unable to interpret them fully, but receiving them nonetheless.
First, the two classes earlier in the week that focused heavily on pranayama. Then yesterday at my regular Rolfing appointment when I showed up very eager for deep bodywork, and my rolfer decided it was the time to instead have a somatic experience session that left my body largely untouched. The idea behind somatic experiencing is that trauma that isn’t fully dealt with emotionally gets left behind in the body, building up over time, even being the catalyst for illness and other physical, mental or emotional problems. Through somatic experiencing one becomes more aware of the physical sensations in the body, ultimately aiding in the letting go of the held traumas.
Today when I was late for the class I planned to take at Triyoga, Leila Sadahee’s class was right under my nose at Indaba – lucky me! Leila, fresh from her trip to Peru, spoke about her time with a shaman in the jungle who sees the human form as a series of shapes based on energetic flow and blockage rather than at face value (no pun intended). The class was focused on yoga as a healing medicine, with the theory that when engaging specific areas of the body this can lead to a shape of health rather than disease. Billed as a hip opening class, it was not immensely challenging physically and not obviously hip-opening, but certainly strengthening with great alignment instruction. To add to this, Leila is a passionate and compassionate teacher who is captivating and charismatic. If you love Anusara but haven’t been to Leila’s class, make the time – this is a special and gifted teacher.
Having said this, of my handful of Anusara classes and workshops I’ve attended so far, none has resonated with me on a deep personal level, despite enjoying the practice. I am planning to go to Zhenja De Rosa’s workshop tomorrow and have heard wonderful things about her, so maybe tomorrow my world will get rocked by Anusara. At the very least, I expect another hint from Ms. Universe soon…
Day 21, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
And on the 21st day there was rest. Feeling quite run down, I opted for a two hour nap today instead of rushing out to an afternoon class after teaching this morning followed by giving a 2 hr. Thai massage. I have to admit, I am a little let down as its the first day without a practice, and that was one of the points of the challenge. On the other hand, we all need sleep, and it’s something I often deprive myself of as I feel that nighttime is the only time I can get anything done! With Louis sick this past week and Xavier and I on the verge, we’ve been laying low this afternoon.
I have to admit that where my practice is concerned I feel a little leashed to the family, especially on the weekends. I adore my son and husband, but I would love to take more of the weekend workshops offered around town and feel more a part of the larger yoga community. Zhenja La Rosa is in town at Indaba Yoga Studios the next couple of weeks, and there are always some incredible teachers in town in various studios. In fact, I will be putting together my workshop wish list for winter/early spring in the next week.
Tomorrow I’m considering a couple of classes but will wait until morning to decide on which one. Husband has offered to watch Louis, so I want the class time to work for him….it’s a delicate balance.
I have heard stories of women leaving their husbands and children to follow their sadhana, their spiritual path, and while I don’t agree with the level of selfishness one must have to act upon that instinct (and love both too much to ever want to go that far), I sometimes dream of escaping off to India or South America or Africa for some self discovery through travel as I used to do. But then I remember, self discovery is happening right now, right here. I have a responsibility to my family, and that fuels my self discovery….even while sometimes impeding on my asana practice (and sleep). Lights out.
Day 17, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
For the first time since the 30 Day Yoga Challenge began, my energy levels today were lower than normal. My son has been fighting a cold, so maybe that’s taking a toll on me, or maybe it’s the busy work schedule made busier trying to fit in classes that aren’t in my regular practice schedule. Ohh, that sounds like a bit of a moan! Bottom line is today I had to make a choice to do a self practice or to return to Nita’s Iyengar class at Indaba Yoga Studio, where I had just finished giving a Thai massage. Based on the tweaked knee from yesterday’s short stint into ballet (and my fatigue), I went to Nita’s class. It was just what I needed at the time. So, no new teacher, no new studio today, but even more of a reason to get to Kate Walker’s class tomorrow at Triyoga Primrose Hill! Let’s hope the parking Gods are on my side!
And now, here’s to hoping Louis stays asleep tonight.
Day 14, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
“Ciao Bella!”
The voice and accent is unmistakably Claudia’s as she enters the studio with laughter that is contagious and ongoing throughout the class; unusual for an Iyengar teacher to say the least. She’s personable, charismatic and funny, but can she teach?
I’ve been to countless classes with Claudia, and I always take away something new. She is precise with her instruction, and while not always easy to follow, sometimes even chaotic, this is in part because Claudia is so tuned in to the students; she is like an eagle constantly reassessing her flight to keep everyone on track. She often uses the students to keep things going, both in demonstrating postural alignment dos and don’ts, and in working together (“Help each other, help each other!”).
Claudia gives all of herself to the students who seem to not only have fun in her class, but to learn a lot along the way. From time to time Claudia shares great, important insights into the Iyengar method of yoga; if only she would repeat these and slow down her speech so the words would be heard and remembered..
Tomorrow I’m going Yin with Norman Blair, who is holding an afternoon workshop at Indaba- a great way to finish week two and begin week three of the challenge. Insights and next week’s schedule coming tomorrow, including visits to a few studios I’ve been dodging the bullet on. Time to own up and really get out of my comfort zone!
Day 13, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
My practice schedule changed today as I was unable to attend Elinore Burke’s Astanga class at the Life Centre, Notting Hill. I did make it to Bridget Stacey Luff’s class at Indaba Yoga Studio where she has been covering Leila Sadahee’s 1:30-3pm class for several weeks.
A small, mixed-level class, Stacey introduced the theme of Saraswati, the goddess of Flow (and knowledge, arts, music, science and technology). She suggested we use the breath to keep flowing throughout the class, and offered us a lovely flowing asana sequence based on her theme.
To accomodate the range of student’s abilities, Stacey gave the class lots of variations and options to increase or decrease the class’ challenge, and we practiced a variety postures such as vrksasana, parsvabakasana, parivtti utkatasana and parivritta hasta padangusthasana.
During savasana Stacey chanted the Anusara invocation, and i was convinced there was an angel in the room. She has an A M A Z I N G voice.
Tomorrow I hope you can join join me for Claudia Dossena’s class at Indaba from 11:15-1:15pm. Happy Friday the Magic 13th!
Day 10, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
It was great to get in an Iyengar class in today at Indaba Yoga Studio. Located around the corner from Marylebone Station, the studios are spacious, the staff easygoing and gregarious. The space is modern and warm, and where it lacks any blatant spiritual images or objects, the teachers and students more than compensate – there is a quality about the people who work and practice here that is genuinely unifying.
My class with Nita Shah at 4-5:30pm was a great general Iyengar class. Nita has a calm presence, at the same time knows how to use her voice to get everyone working. She gave very clear instruction, offered options for those more advanced and more beginner, and was patient, repeating herself as many times as necessary until everyone was listening. We did a few partner exercises that got the group interacting, and she engaged us by posing questions and welcoming comments. What’s more is that she knew the names of all of the students.
Tomorrow I’m off to Triyoga in Primrose Hill for Lara Gate-Eastley’s class, 2-3:30pm. If you’re there, come say hello!
