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This video is getting a very mixed reaction on Youtube but I think it's really beautiful, if somewhat far removed from the yoga classes I teach!
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Well, there are many....but here goes with a few:
1. Take time out from your normal routine to connect body, mind, soul, breath. It pays dividends, you know. We often forget the simple things, such as how to breathe: deeply, completely, filling the body with fresh energy (prana). Somehow life seems simpler, problems smaller when we take a lovely deep breath in and just allow the shoulders to drop, tension to release, with a long, slow exhale.
2. To get those limbs moving. Ever heard the phrase "use it or lose it?". Usually thought to apply to our brains. Well it applies to our joints as well. Unless we take our bodies through the full range of available movement everyday then the range of available movement shrinks. Do you remember being able to touch your toes as a child? Can you still do it?
3. Learn to relax. And I mean quality relaxation, not the veg out in front of the telly kind. Nothing wrong with that either but until you have tried yoga relaxation (yoga nidra) then you don't know what you are missing. Twenty minutes yoga relaxation can be the equivalent of a couple of hours good quality sleep. And we could all use a little more of that!
4. Getting to know yourself just a little bit better. Time spent on a yoga mat is time for honesty with yourself. You check in with how you are feeling on that day. Is your lower back a little bit delicate? Or maybe the knees are a little stiff. The rich and excessive food at the weekend is maybe making the whole system feel a little sluggish. Is this how I want to feel? Really?? Time spent with yoga reminds us that we need to look after ourselves. We decide to eat better and probably less food. We are more thoughtful about what we put into our bodies, the quality and volume of both food and alcohol. Being mindful and aware teaches us to listen to our bodies and educate ourselves about what is necessary. Learning to tune into your body at a yoga class is a good way to start your life long journey of becoming more aware.
5. Topical for the new year is de-tox. Our bodies are great at doing this anyway, but we will give them a little helping hand by focusing on yoga poses to ignite the inner fire and find reservoirs of energy.
6. So, January 2012. Are you going to set a New Year’s resolution that will as usual be forgotten after a week? Or are you going to start a New Year’s revolution to transform the quality of your life? |
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I could I suppose be accused of bribery. But really I just have your best interests at heart! I have bought a £25 gift voucher from the ethical consumer's shop of choice, Earth Matters http://www.earthmatters.org.uk/ . This can be won by anyone who attends a yoga class with me week commencing 9th January only. A post Christmas treat for one lucky person!
Please do get in touch for more information.
One prize only. Must be collected in person.
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Any lovely ladies interested in a pregnancy yoga class, North Berwick, Mondays 1:30 to 2:30??? Please let me know if you are. I am trying to get a new class off the ground and need just four people to get started. Please do get in touch! |
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School holidays - great news!! But sometimes it's nice to stick to the routine and have a little time to yourself. I will still be teaching most classes - Haddington general, North Berwick pregnancy and general and Longniddry pregnancy only. See the page Nicola's Yoga Classes for an up-to-date schedule.
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Sorry, all cancelled again. The road conditions are still really bad, especially at night time. Hope to see everyone again next week. Keep safe and warm. |
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Would anyone be interested in a yoga class in Prestonpans? Either a general class or a pregnancy class? I am looking at venues there and hoping to start classes in February 2011. Please let me know if you are interested! |
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Anyone for yoga in Abbeyhill??
There is a lovely little studio at Cadzow Place (opp. Meadowbank Retail Village) with space available at lunch times. I was thinking of a general yoga class from 11:30 to 12:30 and a pregnancy yoga class from 12:45 to 1:45. Would you be interested? I would need a deposit in advance to secure your place and am looking to start mid May, subject to sufficient demand.
Let me know! |
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Jeremy Vine talks about yoga after a recent report indicating that a regular yoga practice is more effective for lower back pain than medication. They discussed whether yoga should be available on the NHS, nice idea, would love to see this happening! |
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In Yoga we talk all the time about being present....in the moment...with the breath. My sister (not a Yogini!) sent me these words recently and I really liked them. I hope you do too.
“One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.” ~ Unknown |
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I have just updated the yoga clsases page with the term dates for 2012. I have decided to slightly change how I do things. Instead of having blocks of 6 starting at any time I am now going to have all blocks commencing at the start of the term. This is to help my class planning, and so I can alter the timetable if necessary. Blocks will be of either 5, 6 or 7 weeks. Any queries please get in touch! |
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Good news!! Yoga classes continue in East Lothian during the summer.
North Berwick classes will continue at the same time (Tuesday 1:30pm and Wednesday 7:45pm) but in a new location from Tuesday 20th July to Wednesday 18th August.
Haddington classes will continue if sufficient interest....let me know if you want to come to this class so that I can continue the booking. |
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Week commencing June 7th we will be starting a new series of classes (until mid July) focusing on the chakras. These are invisible energy centres within the body. We will be practising Yoga postures to ensure that each chakra is open and balanced and doing themed relaxations and meditations. I am really looking forward to teaching these classes!!
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Reasons to do yoga in 2011???
Well, there are many....but here goes with a few:
1. Take time out from your normal routine to connect body, mind, soul, breath. It pays dividends, you know. We can easily forget the simple things, such as how to breathe. Deeply, completely, filling the body with fresh energy (prana). Somehow the world seems simpler, problems smaller when we take a lovely deep breath in and just allow the shoulders to drop, tension to release, with a long, slow exhale.
2. To get those limbs moving. Ever heard the phrase "use it or lose it?". Usually thought to apply to our brains. Well it applies to our joints as well. Unless we take our bodies through the full range of available movement everyday then the range of available movement shrinks. Do you remember being able to touch your toes as a child? Can you still do it?
3. Learn to relax. And I mean quality relaxation, not the veg out in front of the telly kind. Nothing wrong with that either but until you have tried yoga relaxation (yoga nidra) then you don't know what you are missing. Twenty minutes yoga relaxation can be the equivalent of a couple of hours good quality sleep. And we could all use a little more of that!
4. Getting to know yourself just a little bit better. Time spent on a yoga mat is time for honesty with yourself. You check in with how you are feeling. Is that lower back a little twingey today. Or maybe the knees are a little stiff. The rich and excessive food at the weekend is maybe making the whole system feel a little sluggish. Is this how I want to feel? Really?? Time spent with yoga reminds us that we need to look after ourselves. We decide to eat better and probably less food. We restrict the amount of alcohol and maybe even stop altogether. And it's not because we are killjoys it's just that we learn to listen to our bodies and educate ourselves about what is necessary. It's a life long process really. Have I mentioned paying dividends???!!
5. Topical for the time of year is de-tox. The January classes will be focused on getting our sluggish digestive systems going again. We will be building our inner fire to negate any lethargy.
6. New Years Resolution??? The kind that we have forgotten after a week? Or New Years Revolution. The kind that transforms our lives, the quality of our lives, the gift to you, from you, for the rest of your lifetime.
7. Your comments?? What do you want out of a yoga practice? What does yoga give you?
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I am just back from Bristol, having started my pregnancy Yoga course with renowned teacher Uma Dinsmore-Tuli. This will complete in September 2010, but in the meantime I will get some classes started once I have secured some space. I hope to do a day time class and an evening class. Please pass onto anyone you think would be interested!
Pregnancy Yoga is all about lovely graceful flowing movements and using the breath, it is not a sweaty exercise class! It is time out for the pregnant lady to have some deep relaxation time and to bond with the new life inside her. Most ladies who do Yoga during their pregnancy report that the practice has greatly helped their childbirth experience.
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Monday, 1:30 to 3:00 at the Scout Hall, St. Baldred's Road in North Berwick. Starts Mon Aug 23rd.
Wednesday 6:00 to 7:15 in the church hall at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Law Road, North Berwick. Starts Wed Aug 25th.
Please contact me with any queries or to book a place. |
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This class, for this week only, is cancelled due to holidays. |
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Unfortunately as the Community Centre is already booked, I cannot use the space there over the Summer. I will be teaching in North Berwick (both Tuesday and Wednesday classes) on May 18th, 19th, June 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th and July 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th. I am trying to find another venue so that classes can continue (subject to sufficient demand) over the Summer period. Please keep an eye on the website for further details. Alternatively e-mail me so that I can put you on the mailing list. |
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Unfortunately at the moment there are no North Berwick pregnancy yoga classes running.
But I can organise one in the future if there is enough demand....let me know what time would suit you and maybe we can work something out.
Alternatively how about a private class for you and some of your friends in one of your homes? I would charge £25 for one hour anywhere within 10 miles radius of North Berwick. Mileage will be additional for anywhere outside this radius. |
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I have now confirmed the Wednesday North Berwick pregnancy yoga class dates up to Easter. These classes are held at the Community Centre in North Berwick, on Law Road. The dates are
Jan 12th, 26th
Feb 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd
March 2nd, 9th, 23rd, 30th
April 6th
I will continue the classes after Easter subject to sufficient interest and will update the website in due course. |
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I was delighted at the turn out to last week's free taster class. So, we will continue for a block of 5 classes before Christmas on November 2nd, 9th, 23rd, 30th and December 14th. The block of 5 will cost £30. Drop-in is also available at £7.50 per class.
The first half of the class is all about meditation, either sitting on the floor or on a chair. The second half is all about relaxation, lying on the floor unless that is uncomfortable. Please bring a yoga mat and any blankets or cushions that would enhance your comfort during the class. |
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On Feb 13th 2010 Nicola from East Lothian Yoga School taught a free two hour Yoga class at North Berwick Community Centre to raise money for the British Red Cross' work in Haiti, following the earthquake. One and a half hours of active postures was followed by a lovely Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation) for half an hour. Some attendees stayed behind to eat chocolate cake afterwards and to hear more about the British Red Cross is doing in Haiti from one of their representatives.
And the best bit? We collectively raised £160!! Fabulous effort by all. |
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Apologies for the inconvenience.
Classes will continue on Wed 14th in the Community Centre.
And from Wed 20th will move to the Scout Hall on St. Baldred's Road until the end of the summer. |