Do you ever get stressed out on your commute? Rush hour traffic, delays, packed out trains, platforms, tourist and people walking too slow! At times just getting to work can be unpleasant and doesn't exactly help us get our day off to a great start. 
So what can we do? If leaving before or after rush hour isn't an option and we must navigate through the dreaded tube or subway system we can try our best not be reactive to all the stress and energy around us. One of the simplest things we can do is breath awareness and infact this simple exercise is great for all stressful situations whether we are stuck in traffic or having  heated debate. Both external stressors and our emotions and state of mind affect our breath.

Breath awareness exercises can be refined over time. After a while you may start slipping it into your daily routine, allowing you to stay calm and centered. 
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Until Next time.. Happy Commuting

We all have different patterns and relationships with our Yoga practice. Maybe we practice once or twice a week. Maybe we go through periods of practicing and going to class or self practice everyday and then go through a time of yoga drought for long periods of time. What if it gradually becomes harder to motivate yourself to get on the mat? All of these things are normal. The question is how can we ensure we build a loving, rational, steady and long lasting relationship with our Yoga practice? Below are a few attitudes we can be taking during our Yoga practice, that are sure to keep you in a great and loving relationship with your practice, your body and yourself.

Congratulate Yourself
Congratulate yourself for getting on to your mat, whether it be at home or in a class. Showing up to practice is the most important step you can take. Sometimes it's not easy. A million things on the 'to do list', feeling tired, feeling unmotivated, there can be so many physical and phycological hurdles to jump over until we finally arrive on our Yoga mat. Then from the moment you begin, give yourself a big and wholehearted 'well done', after all what could be more important than taking time for you to look after your body and soul.

Unconditinally listen, appreciate and love your body
Listen and appreciate your body as it is today. Maybe it feels tired, tight or sore. Maybe it feels great. Either way do not expect, demand, ignore or judge your body during your class. Yoga aims to firstly connect, become aware and accept. After this, a way to transform into the expression of the posture will surely arrive.  Image if one day you can easily touch your toes, then the next day you can not. The most loving and Yogic way to go about this is to simply accept that today you are in a different place. Enjoy that new place and the different stretch. Don't ignore the facts and force yourself to go further which could leave you feeling like a failure which certainly is not achieving anything good. Love, accept and enjoy your body in each posture, no matter what. This is surely key to a loving, long lasting and fruitful relationship to your Yoga practice.

Smile, shine and be happy!
Yoga can seem oh so serious at times! You know it is absolutely ok and fantastic to smile and even have a giggle at yourself. Allow yourself to feel good in a pose, breath deeply and express the pose to your full potential, which includes your whole wonderful being. No need to shy away and shrink your body in the corner, you are here now and you are wonderful. Send yourself love, approval and positive vibes during your practice and you will feel how your body responds in amazing ways. If you notice any negative thoughts, congratulate yourself for noticing and replace with far more useful self approval and love!

There are so many benefits of going to a regular Yoga class but sometimes life happens and we can't make it. As we practice more regularly we become more aware of how we are feeling and reacting to things. In a home practice we can choose what our body needs in that particular day or moment. Here are a few tips to getting started and staying consistent in your home practice.  

The third Chakra (energy centre) known as the Manipuri Chakra relates to our willpower, ambition and ability to take action.  It is located just below the rib cage and above the navel. Manipuri is also the place of our intuition, it is our 'gut instinct'. When something is wrong we often feel the tension in our guts or when things are just right we feel warm and fusy inside. With the Manipuri Chakra out of balance we may have low energy, doubts, feel out of control of our lives, worry what others think or be overly critical towards others.

In a physical yoga practice core work, spinal twists and warrior poses help to ignite the inner fire (also known as Agni), helping us to access the energy within our Manipuri Chakra. We get a great workout and burn off impurities in the body and also in the mind. Next time you do a warrior pose, focus your on your solar plexus and see if you can feel the power within you. Doing this can simply remind us we already have  the ability, strength and knowing inside us to live a life true to ourselves.

Here are some tips to get create vitality, energy, action and balance the Manpuri Chakra.

• Work that core. Take a dynamic yoga class, do some Pilates exercises or simple hold a plank and feel that fire in your belly!
• Try positive affirmations. Focus on knowing you have the ability within you to make positive choices and live a life you love.
• Be good to your gut. Stay well hydrated and make sure everything is moving smoothly. 
• Trust your instinct. If something isn't right it probably isn't. Listen to your inner guidance. It knows!
• Stand tall. Good posture can instantly make you feel much better and improve energy! Instead of slouching down and hiding your wonderful self from the world, stand proud and feel empowered.

Thanks for reading.Until next time.
Lots of Love
Hana & Aya x

There are seven main energy points (Chakras) in the body which run run vertically upwards along the spine.  Muladhara is the first chakra, located at the base of the spine and is also known as  the root chakra. This chakra harnesses our ability to feel safe, steady and grounded. It connects us to our physical bodies, environment and the Earth. Our root chakra can be out of balance when we don't have this sense of stability in our bodies or our lives we may feel as if we are slipping and sliding all over the place, we may feel unsafe or fearful. ​

So lovelies, trust and love your beautiful bodies and feel the earth supporting you in all you do! 
Om Shanti xoxox

Until next time. Happy Balancing. 

1. Renew your passion  and get specific
Yoga workshops are a fantastic way to renew your passion or get really specific about certain elements of your Yoga practice. Regular drop in classes are usually open level and work to give a general all round practice, rather than focusing on a particular theme or posture. If there is certain element of your practice, pose or area of the body you want to work on, a Yoga workshop could be ideal. Getting specific and taking a workshop on something you are interested in or might need some help with could open the doors to new solutions and insights. Yoga philosophy, anatomy, specific asanas, backbending, inversions, hamstrings, partner workshops, detoxing, the options are endless! If you have an idea yourself or have a few friends or Yoga buddies that would like to work on a specific thing, why not ask your teacher or studio if they could set up a workshop? ​

Benefits of Savasana (Corpse Pose)
Despite its grim name, Savasana can be one of the most uplifting and feel good postures there is. Yes it is an actual Asana (Yoga posture) rather than just lying on the floor! Here are some benefits;

Stress Relief- The body holds stress in the form of muscle contraction. As you lie on the floor and relax, the body can begin to let go of this tension. No need to hold yourself, or hold anything at all, let the floor hold you. This can leave the body and mind feeling safe, calm and free.

Decompress the spine - Gravity is pushing down and compressing our spine everyday. Sitting at a desk for long hours and carrying heavy bags (especially on one shoulder) can really take its tole. The poor body needs to be decompressed. When you lie down, gravity will be pressing down on the whole body in your favour (spreading you out, rather than squashing you down from the top of your head), making space in the spine and your joints. 

Self Acceptance - After working so hard in your Yoga class, or your day at work, savasana is a moment where you can just be. No need to do more or do anything at all. Just be in your body, in this moment and breathe. 

Top tips
*Keep the back on the neck long, lightly tuck the chin towards the chest.If this is too difficult you may need a block or pillow behind your head.
*If you have a bad lower back, you maybe more comfy with the knees up, or an extra mat under the knees. See the picture above.
*When coming out of the posture roll to the side first and use your hands to help you up. See below.

So why not add a little savasana into your daily life? Its so simple, easy and so worth it. When you have 3-5 minutes to spare, simply stop, drop and Savasana. It can leave you refreshed, rejuvenated and ready for anything! ​

Plank, also known as a high Chaturanga is one of the simplest and best core and whole body strengtheners and we love it! Here is why;

• Intensely strengthens the deep abdominal muscles, toning the belly. It also works the hamstrings and buttocks.
• Great for improving your posture and preventing bad backs.
• Opens and gently stretches the muscles around the shoulders and upper back, hamstrings and even your toes.
• Leaves you feeling great. Gets the blood pumping,  and endorphins racing.
• There are endless exciting variations on this pose

 
Alignment is very important to do  pose safely and effectively. As in all dynamic Yoga postures direction is key. Checkout Aya in the picture below.We are lifting away from the floor are thinking about a horizontal direction. These directions can transform your plank from feeling like heavy lump to feeling long, strong and light.

Aparigraha is one of the Yamas (morals of Yoga) from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. It can be transalated as,“non-hoarding”, “non-possessiveness” and “non-attachment” This Yama can be related to so many situations in its meaning. Anything from hoarding to many shoes, clothes and lovely things to being over possessive in our relationships, or too attached to our status or jobs. The one phrase I would say best describes Aparigraha is to 'let go'. We can remind ourselves to practice Aparigraha in our physical Yoga class by letting go. Whenever we remember to stop clenching our jaw when balancing, or holding on for dear life by crunching up those toes, and stop holding our breath, we are practicing Aparigraha. 

When we learn to phyically let go of what is not needed in our yoga practice, we can stop trying too hard. We can get out of our own way and just let it happen with ease and enjoyment. This concept can be seen in our daily lives too. Have you ever struggled with the following? We certainly have at times!

• Holding on to negative feelings about people and situations that happened in the past
• Striving for a goal, but instead finding that you are clinging on to a never ending rollercoaster
• Being who you are not because you have a fixed idea of who you should be
• Resisting and feeling threatened by change

When we can let go of ideas, thoughts and situations that no longer serve us, we can unblock, unleash and empower all your natural greatness. In practicing Aparigraha both on and off the mat, whatever is needed to live an abundant and peaceful life will surely flow to you with ease. ​