Posts In: Beginners Yoga

Pranayama to cool downIt is summer. It is hot. How can I change my yoga practice to fit the season?

Answer: slow down, breathe and be outisde if you can find a cool spot to practice.

There are a few great pranayama (breathing techniques) which can help you cool down and quiet the busy mind.

Some of them encourage breathing through the mouth which we don’t usually do in a regular yoga asana practice.

Watch the clip below and practice Lion’s breath and Sheetali.

Come to yoga classes in Woodley to practice with me.

YOGA classes Woodley and EarleyPranayama to cool down

It is so hot today in the South of England! A perfect opportunity for dropping the asana practice and instead focusing more time on breathing and meditation. Just sit, just breathe, just be.

Come to my yoga classes in Woodley to practice these techniques. All welcome including beginners.

Yoga and meditation classes

Yoga is many things, many concepts and usually something different to each practitioner.
At the start of class, I sometimes ask my yoga students to think of all the contrassts or opposing actions/sentiments/ aspirations we experience in our yoga practice. These might include strengthening and relaxing, right and left, up and down, forward and back, movement and stillness, breath in and breath out. So what does Hatha Yoga mean? The word Hatha can be broken into two parts: Ha meaning Sun and associated with our masculine, energetic side and Tha meaning Moon, associated with our feminine, passive, relaxing nature.
In yoga philosophy, the gunas encapsulate these concepts.
Rajas represents dynamic energy, effort, will. Whereas Tamas is passivity, inertia, potential energy.
We can endeavour to find a state of Satva – pure balance between the two in both our yoga practice and our life off the yoga mat.  That is, while finding just the  right amount of exertion and relaxation, we will become more open-minded, disciplined, patient, loving and authentic to our true essence.

Two wonderful yoga poses in the open air! I was in the Malvern Hills at the weekend and practiced paschimottanasana and purvottansana. This time of year is perfect for practising yoga outdoors – breathe, stretch and focus.

My classes in Woodley and Earley, Reading are open to all levels. Come and join me and learn how to do these asana (yoga poses) – stretch to the West and stretch to the East! Classes

Come along to my new Thursday evening  Yoga class in Woodley at 6pm. The class is suitable for all but is proving popular with Begtinners and people who have come to yoga as adults. The class is in a beautiful studio in vibez Dance on Woodley shopping precinct (above Iceland). Mats and props are provided by Kath, your patient and knowledgable yoga instructor.  Get in touch with any questions Contact Kath. No need to  book, just drop in, arriving 5-10 mins before start of class. Cost: £9 per class – pay by cash or card at the class.

Classes in Woodley

Yoga class for all levels in a beautiful studio with Kath Pinnick