Om Yoga | Balance vs Burnout

In our modern day lives, with work, education, health, family and other commitments all vying for our time, it is hardly surprising that many of us describe ourselves as frequently stressed. Whilst stress can be a good thing -it motivates us and stems from the burst of adrenalin that removes us from unsafe situations -over a long period of time, stress build up can cause havoc. Combined with fatigue and a build up of negativity such as frustration or irritability, this can lead to a burn out. According to one study, stress-related illness contributes to a massive 43% of all sickness leave at work.

Source

We all know that mental and physical health are linked, with cortisol affecting the ways that our body functions and how even fundamental things such as digestion can be affected. However, it can be hard to recognise where to draw the line between productiveness and stress overload -surely cracking on with work over taking a break is a positive thing? Unfortunately, according to this month's Om Yoga author and life coach Janice Haddon, the brain is then forced to seek pleasure and coping mechanisms in the form of caffeine, alcohol, sugar or cigarettes. These substances provide us with a temporary hit, but do not provide us with essential nutrients to bolster energy and in some cases (think sugar, alcohol and cigarettes) also load our bodies with a dose of toxins that needs further energy to be cleared.

Another article by Jill Lawson focused more particularly on how to deal with hunger. In particular, she focused on meditation and mindfulness to separate emotions from the physical self. This awareness allows us to make more rational choices and be less swayed by fleeting emotions and impulses.

By Aaron Santoro

A more tangible method to avoiding burnout and balancing stress is also simple: exercise. Admittedly HIIT workouts and other high intensities exercise may exaggerate stress by raising cortisol, but resistance training, cardio and yoga will all provide endorphins that promote wellbeing. Of course, sometimes we need to leave the gym or hot yoga studio behind and engage in a slow mentality. Taking the time to relax, indulge and just switch off can be easily pushed aside or marred by guilt, but will help to replenish your energy -literally and metaphorically -and can actually boost performance and productivity. When stress can slowly build up upon us without us noticing, taking the time to restore ourselves is pretty vital to avoid a crash and burn.

Also in this month's issue is an interview with seriously inspirational yogi Eleanora Zampatti, who embraced her own vulnerability and strength through yoga -definitely worth a read!

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. 

Om Yoga | The Flexibility Myth

With Instagram and other social media accounts, it can seem like to be a yogi worth your salt, you should be able to contort you limbs into a variety of improbable shapes. But is achieving impressive flexibility really the be all and end all? The opposite, in fact, may be true. Yoga teacher and author of The Flexibility Myth in this month's Om Yoga magazine has found herself at the receiving end of injury caused by stretching stress.

When is stretching good?
Stretched muscle and taut myofacial tissue (connective tissue that runs through and encases your muscles, helping to hold bundles of muscle fibres in place) improves circulation and so helps to keep joints comfortable and loose. Often loaded with neurons and nerve endings, the myofacial tissue has important communication links to the brain. Additionally, supple and lengthened muscles are likely to  be better balanced, especially for those who run, weight train or do another exercise that can lead to a shortening of the muscles. Having a full range of muscular movement can make you feel much more comfortable in your body (healthy myofacial tissue is a key part of this), although this doesn't require being able to do standing splits!

When is stretching bad?
Every time we work our muscles, micro tears occur. These are normal, repaired quickly and are essential for the regrowth and building of muscles. The ache you get after a good workout or stretch is due to these tears. However, there is a difference between a temporary ache of rebuilding muscles and that from a more serious injury. Tears in ligaments and tendons are more serious and require rehabilitation and time to heal. Here, stretching weak or damaged areas can result in further tearing and potentially scar tissue. The Yoga Blog has a great article on hamstring tears and why stretching may not be the right thing for your apparently stiff hamstrings. Similarly, the emphasis of heart openers and back bends in yoga can be too much more many people -my pilates teacher thinks that as many as 1 in 5 people should be wary of backbends because if the strain it can put on the lower back. As a guide, a bearable muscular ache is a good stretch, but anything painful or a crunching "bone-on-bone" sensation is bad and should be avoided.

Staying in balance and flexible.
A takeaway message here is to take stretching slowly. Be warmed up and practice some preparatory exercises before attempting a deep stretch. Hold for at least seven whole breaths to allow the muscles to relax (where poses are held longer, such as in yin yoga, the fascia is targeted) and repeat three or four times. When in poses such as triangle pose, don't "lock" the knee joint, which places stress upon the joint and connective structures. Instead, keep the knee soft with a tiny bend and use your muscles to hold the leg in place. This has the added benefit of strengthening your muscles whilst you stretch.

Liked this? In this month's issue of Om Yoga there is a special on teacher training. If you are looking to further your studies in yoga, these tips really are a must read and are really helpful. You can pick up a paper copy in newsagents, or download a copy for a lower price using the link below.

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

Learn to Fall in Love with Yoga (Again)

Are you the kind of person to fall head-over-heels in love with a new class, hobby or TV series (Netflix bingers, I'm looking at you!) only to quickly get bored? Or maybe you have just simply pushed yourself too hard into something new and have run smack into a mental -or physical - barrier. If this is you and yoga, read on. In this month's Om Yoga Magazine, Phoenix Fenegan addressed the key issues that many yogi's come up against, and how to effectively manoeuvre around them to reconnect with your practice again.

Over-enthusiasm's consequences
Whilst being passionate is a fantastic thing, it can push you too hard and too fast before you are ready. Overcommitting yourself to several challenging, expensive yoga classes week in, week out is a sure-fire way to create a burnout. On top of this, creating unrealistic expectations for your progress in new asanas, flexibility or weight loss will only frustrate you and disconnect you from the yoga that you love.

Yoga is too difficult
Similar to setting hard goals, expecting yourself to be a master of yoga because you "should" brings you down in just the same way comparison does. Phoenix describes 'should' as "a regular mental beating" that builds rock hard barriers that lead to "I'll never" that can spoil your practice.

Yoga has got in my head!
Few people enter in to yoga with any expectations other than that of another fitness class. So when mental and emotional change occurs as well as physical, it can be a shock. Although usually the greater clarity of thoughts and calmness is a good thing, emotional release can be less expected or wanted. Think of how emotions are thought to be locked up within the hips, or vulnerability in opening the heart. Experiencing these emotional "surges" for the first time can be an unnerving sensation. Speak to your teacher if you have any concerns.

When the going gets tough, think about why you started! This will help bolster your enthusiasm. However, this time, manage it by not overcommitting yourself, or expecting too much. Look at your yoga practice for enjoyment, nothing more initially. Build in physical goals if you wish, but be flexible and relaxed about these. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings and know that it is okay to suddenly feel sad, or excited for no apparent reason!

Sometimes, to fall back in love with yoga, you simply need to drop demands or expectations, and just lose yourself in the practice.

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

Om Yoga Magazine: Yoga Travel

So you've upped you're weekly yoga class to two or three and a home practice. Your legging collection has growing somewhat exponentially and so it seems the next step is to go on a yoga retreat. This month's special feature in Om Yoga magazine is all about yoga holidays. A yoga retreat is definitely up there on my list (if perhaps not my student budget!) and so I thought I would share my  personal favourites.

For pure luxury ~ Breath of Life Sanctuary £1400-£2500 for 7-14 days respectively.
Based in Rekawa, Sri Lanka, the Breath of Life Sanctuary offers tailored packages with variable yoga styles, with an emphasis on Kundalini. There is also the option for ayurvedic consultation, wildlife trips, excursions to local temples and opportunities to try different activities like cooking lessons

For active escapes ~ Freespirit Holidays from £500 per week.
To mix up yoga with surf and SUP, head to Sagres in Portugal. With the option of morning pranayama and meditation or family yoga alongside the Anurasana yoga offered

For mini breaks ~ Lime House Yoga Studio, from £325
Taught by Helen Clare in the gorgeous Cornwall studio, a blend of energising Vinyasa and calming restorative. There is also plenty of time for a surf or simply to enjoy the local beaches.

For beach holidaying ~ Lotus Retreat, €735 for a week
Wake up to Vinyasa beach classes on Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, whilst enjoying pilates and a full body massage over the course of the week. This holiday will leave you with lots of time for activities, such as exploring the island, going surfing, horse riding or cycling.

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

Om Yoga Magazine: Restorative Yoga

In our busy lives, there is a lot of focus on high-energy activities, leading us rushing from college or work to Insanity classes whilst trying to squeeze in a hundred tasks inbetween. Although pushing ourselves can be good mentally and physically -see here for some key benefits of HIIT workouts -all that yang energy can leave us imbalanced or even injured. This is where restorative yoga comes in.

Often advertised towards those with injuries or health problems, restorative yoga is a gentle practice focusing on long, slow stretches that are well-supported and aim to bring practitioners back to full health. With many of us suffering from niggles -ranging from post-workout DOMS to chronic injury -adding in a restorative yoga session can reap real benefits. In Om Yoga Magazine, Carole Mortiz explains the four main points of restorative yoga's approach to practice:

• Aligning the bones so as to draw in towards the body's core.
• Simple postures held for prolonged periods to achieve deep relaxation.
• The use of props to protect and correctly align the body comfortably.
• Focus upon the breath to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and relax.

Sounds great; but what if you're in good health and still want a restorative-style class? That's where Yin yoga comes in. There is a fair bit of overlap and confusion between the two forms, with both being focused on holding postures for extended periods. In essence, (according to YinYoga.com) restorative yoga helps to make an unhealthy body healthy, whereas Yin yoga takes a healthy body and provides it with the tools to achieve optimum health. Yin yoga is also more of a general practice, whereas restorative is likely to focus on specific issues based on the class.

In each case, the slower practice can activate deep connective tissue, promoting greater flexibility. Compared to the larger muscle groups, which break down and grow following short duration, high intensity exercise such as weights, the deep muscle needs to be held before it can relax and change. Particularly if you are already doing high intensity exercise classes, a restorative or Yin class once a week instead of a flowing Vinyasa can aid in improving performance.

Mentally, taking the time out just to be still brings it's own rewards. As your muscles can't relax properly without steady breathing, concentrating on your breath and subsequently your Pranayama really slows the mind. In fact, Yin classes are jokingly said to leave students "yoga stoned" because of the deep sense of relaxation. I have to say; I agree! Coming out of a Pigeon pose after a few minutes can be almost a surreal experience as your heart rate falls to resting rate and you relax.

That being said, Mortiz warns of restorative yoga bringing emotions to the mat, with unexpected tears falling, or feelings of elation emerge. It goes to show how much our brains and bodies can connect!

For the benefits of restorative yoga with less emphasis on asanas, lighting a candle and laying in Shavasana or massaging in a soothing body oil (or moisturiser) will allow the mental quietness to surface. Either way, it is your practice, and your chance to offer up some self love and healing.

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

Om Yoga Magazine: Free Teen Yoga

Over the last year or so, you may have read about, or seen advertised, yoga classes for teenagers. In actual fact it is an accreditation that has been around for over ten years in the form of the TeenYoga foundation, set up by Charlotta Martinus. This year, supported by Sport England, Marks and Spencer and This Girl Can, TeenYoga has been able to set up a number of yoga spaces in pink tents and university teaching spaces, all for free. Although aimed at young women in further education colleges and universities, the classes are open to the boys as well. The classes, which can be found on the campus of Bath University also have the added incentive of USB yoga classes and free yoga mats for those who attend regularly. It is all part of the The Girl Can campaign to get the 75% of women that are not active to start moving and sweating.

There has been lots of positive responses, with girls attending daily who previously exercised very little and an estimated 500 young women accessing the classes in the south west region, with that figure likely to have doubled by the end of the 6 month campaign.

I was so pleased to read the report about this in this month's Om Yoga magazine. I have seen the growth in confidence in my housemates as the gym-newbies have joined in our group workouts, and also that of my friends as they have discovered yoga. I really do think that the initial step into a class or studio is the most daunting part of the process, and that campaigns such as these can help women to have the courage to make the first move into a healthier lifestyle. The amount of my university colleagues that have admitted to overeating, under-eating, not exercising and generally living in an unhealthy way during their teens really does shock me. Charlotte Martinus really does have her finger on the pulse in working with girls from school age up to university to bring them the self confidence, health and mindfulness that yoga teachers. University can be stressful and overwhelming at times, from first year friendships to third year dissertations. For yoga to be offered specifically to students as a management system for this stress, and an introduction to healthy living is something that I hope will reach more universities to come.

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

Om Yoga Magazine: How Yoga Ruined My Life

When I first read the title of this article, in a yoga magazine of all places, I have to say, I was worried. Fortunately, the piece was written by Liz Frances Hobbs, a comedian and yoga teacher, who clearly excels in sarcasm. Although, to be fair, the title is a fair warning. Liz explains how yoga slowly took over her life, both on and off the mat, although fortunately in a positive way! Many of us come into yoga purely for the physical reasons. A chance to gently improve one's fitness, flexibility or all-round health. Few of us enter into a practice thinking of the further reaches of yoga. However, as yoga has much further reaching implications, particularly with it's sister science Ayurveda, and with the principle of non-harming, ahimsa.

As Liz's yoga practice developed from the discovery of it whilst on holiday, she began to appreciate the wider influence of yoga. A girl from a family that hunted, Liz found herself becoming vegetarian, and swapping gossip magazines for being concerned about global warming and homelessness. In short, she became a more compassionate individual.

Juxtaposed against the witty article, Liz summarises yoga in a new, and yet totally appropriate way. Perhaps it is the natural tendency of those drawn to yoga, or the influence of the practice itself, but yoga and caring about people, animals, the environment seem to go hand in hand. A few issues ago, Om Yoga reported that yogi's were more likely to be members of the green party than other social groups. I myself consider working to conserve the oceans and thereby the planet from pollution, climate change and other anthropogenic ills the most important thing that I can do with my life. I have just been reading about the yoga teacher Adam Husler who left a potential career in law to work with under privileged young people.

So really, the question is, does yoga really ruins one's life? The burden of guilt and responsibility may be an unexpected one, but a feeling that I think benefits us more than we can imagine. Has yoga changed your wider perspective?

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

Om Yoga Magazine: Yoga Strong

Usually when I receive the new month's issue of Om Yoga Magazine, I read through at least a couple of times before choosing which theme or article to base my post on. This time, however, I knew exactly what to talk about when I flipped the (virtual) page over and saw the stunning title page for Yoga Strong. Recently, I have really begun to appreciate the importance of yoga in building my own strength up, to the point that I value it just as much as weightlifting, if not more. Most, if not all experienced yogis, male or female, often have noticeable arm muscles, and even though their physique is not as ripped as body builders, they have a core strength that few can match. So, it was fantastic to read Lynsey Riach explaining exactly how useful yoga is for building strength.

Yoga uses bodyweight to build strength; no equipment other than assisting blocks and straps are used. However, it isn't just Chaturanga push ups and holding chair pose that build strength. Next time, look to your balances. By reducing the stability of your base -say, by balancing on one leg in dancer's pose, or on your hands in crane pose, you force your muscles to work to hold you upright. These work lots of muscles rather than just one or two major ones. The result of this is that your maximum "power" increases. Lynsey uses a good example of shot put athletes, who train using a bench press. Maximum ability on the bench press is limited by how much the scapulas can be stabilised. Athletes who practiced yoga poses such as handstands strengthened these stabilising muscles and were able to bench much heavier weights. The result? Further shot put distances.

Another key element of strength is flexibility. It is very easy to get these two imbalanced -at gymnastics, we were taught that we were inherently either flexible or strong and needed to train to correct this. Someone with poor core strength and a naturally bendy back is at risk of straining the lower back by not properly engaging the muscles associated with the pelvis, subsequently risking injury. Likewise, strength without flexibility also has it's risks. Traditional strengthening exercises have a focus on creating contractions in the muscles. Without proper complimentary stretching, these contractions can lead to shortening of muscles, and a limited range of movement, meaning that exercises cannot be performed properly, or safely.

Lynsey recommends a selection of six strength-building poses to add to your yoga routine. These poses reduce you stability for maximum benefit, such as the gorgeous plank variation and wild thing poses above. To see the rest of the poses and find out how to get yoga strong, grab yourself an issue! By following the my link below, you can purchase an issue of Om Yoga magazine for £1.99, or start a subscription at a discounted price!

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

Om Yoga Magazine: Get Outdoors

One of the things that I love about yoga is that it pairs so well with a host of other activities. Whilst other sports and hobbies tend to promote themselves, yoga can be both a standalone activity, or used to support others. For example, runners benefit from yoga as it opens up stiff hips and works the arms that are utilised less on runs. Anxiety and stress disorders can be relieved by the meditative aspect of yoga. So, I was really pleased to see the Ordnance Survey's #GetOutside campaign being mentioned.

I love going on walks and being outside. Despite practicing yoga, going running and lifting weights at the gym, it is often when on a run that I feel my strongest and healthiest. There's something about conquering hills and scrambling down rocks that makes me feel alive. And, it seems, I'm not the only one.

TV presenter and wildlife expert Steve Backshall is an OS Champion, and is helping to front the #GetOutside campaign, which aims to encourage the British public to become more active in the great outdoors. With cars becoming increasingly relied upon, it is thought that most people in the UK won't walk anywhere that takes over 15 minutes, and 70% of us won't walk to the shops.

If you are really keen, there is also a competition being run: if you love being outside and want to encourage others to do so, send a 250 word piece to getoutside@os.uk explaining why you should become an OS Champion. Include any social media links, and two photos of yourself; one head and shoulders shot; one activity shot. The winners will take part in a photoshoot and a range of activities for the next year. On top of that, you could have access to a selection of OS products and cash sponsorship.

Walking is so basic to humans, and brings so many benefits. Even a brief walk around the park helps to clear the mind, and loosen up any stiffness from a day sat down at a desk. If you haven't already seen it, read my post here about moorland walks and see just how beautiful your local patch can be.

Next time you're going from A to B try this: mindful walking. Just like when meditating or in Shavasana, stay in the present moment. Acknowledge thoughts as they come into your head, and then let them go. Be aware of the sights, smells and breeze as you move. You may notice things that you have previously walked straight past.

By following the my link below, you can purchase an issue of Om Yoga magazine for £1.99, or start a subscription at a discounted price!

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

Om Yoga Magazine: September

With my interest in a holistic approach to nutrition, I have been reading about Ayurveda a fair bit recently. Yoga and Ayurveda are often described as "sister" disciplines, having come about from the same area at similar times to one another. In this month's edition of Om Yoga Magazine, Faye Hart and Dr Brennan touched on how to incorporate Ayurvedic principles into day-today yoga practice.

For those of you unfamiliar to the science of Ayurveda, an important part is that we are all made up of three groups of characteristics, and that one of these usually dominates. These are called doshas but could also be thought of as imbalances. So, for example, the Vata dosha can result in anxious, erratic and forgetful behaviour when out of balance, and so opposites are required to rebalance. If you would like to find out your dosha, I would recommend trying a couple of different tests online and comparing results.

Tailoring a yoga practice to your dosha is a great way to attune breathwork and pace to your needs. For Vata, slow breathing and steady movements are ideal. Try Iyengar yoga and practice Ujjayi breath. Pitta needs to release competitiveness, and a relaxed practice is ideal for this. Alongside more flowing classes, add in some yin yoga. In contrast, Kapha benefits from an energetic practice, balanced with steady breathing. Vinyasa yoga is dynamic and so works perfectly for this.

This article provided an interesting introduction to Ayurveda and how it can fit in with yoga. Would you adjust your practice to suit your dosha?

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

Om Yoga Magazine: Summer

The new issue of Om Yoga Magazine has arrived; rather appropriately in the middle of this heat as this month's is a rather summery issue. There was lots that caught my attention in the issue, from heart opening sequences, to "yogging", a blend of running and yoga, alongside a collection of quotation from major figures in the yogic communities.

I am always quite taken by the Natural Born Beauty section that talks about the benefits of seasonal changes, and how you can incorporate the fruits of these as a part of your natural beauty routine. This month focused on the lure of the sea, so I of course had to include it in this month's post. In the UK, we have a fairly narrow window in which to enjoy the coast in warmer conditions, so the author, Denise, encourages you to make use of the benefits of seawater by taking a dip. In yoga, a common breathing technique is called ocean breathing, and so it seems only fitting to sit meditatively at the edge of a beach and breath in and out in time with the crashing waves. One thing that can be enjoyed almost all year round is taking beach front walks, particularly in morning or evening when the shoreline is a little quieter.

To receive the energy boosting benefits of the sea when inland, Denise recommends using marine-based beauty products, and eating Dulse, a form of red seaweed. I thought that I would share some seaweed derived products with you today.

1. Seaweed salt scrub, £12.95 | Neals Yard Remedies
2. Seanik solid shampoo, £5.95 | Lush
3. Bath and shower gel, £35.00 | Darphin 
4. Seaweed and Sage body wash, £15.00 | REN
5. Deep cleansing facial wash, £8.50 | The Body Shop

I love how many of these products use a variety of seaweed varieties, or incorporate other natural ingredients such as sea salt and lemon. Do you use any seaweed products or natural skin and body care? Comment below; I'd love to know!

Om Yoga Magazine: SUP Yoga

I remember trying my first bit of stand up paddle boarding (SUP), quite a few years ago now, on a sunny canal in Wiltshire. I instantly loved it; more steady and versatile than a surfboard, and have often grabbed at the opportunity to try more, either during a surfing session or on a calm day. Whilst I have yet to experience a formal SUP yoga class, I can never help but hold a few asanas on the water.

In this issue of Om Yoga magazine wellness consultant and yoga instructor Helen Cloots demonstrates ten poses to start you off with some SUP yoga, with Austin Cox talking you through them all.

I love how practicing yoga on the unstable surface of a board really changes your perspective -in more ways than one! Firstly, balances that you may normally be comfortable with, such as tree pose, can be really challenging, whereas others, particularly wheel pose and headstand, are still as accessible as before. Plus, you'll get a few whoops from your fellow surfers and swimmers as it looks pretty impressive! Secondly, SUP yoga really changes your perspective of the water. You find yourself floating on the surface, either working on poses or just taking the time to breath. When a pose changes your orientation, the world looks so different. I am sure that I am not alone in loving wheel pose for this. My best memory is of balancing in wheel pose on a gentle swell, watching the horizon slowly rise and fall away. Plus, if you feel like it (or a wobble dictates it!) jumping and falling into the water is so fun and really get the arms going!

On another note, if you have any interest in yoga teacher training, then I would really recommend this issue of Om Magazine! It is chock-full of advice, courses, and there's even an interview with the awesome Anne-Marie Newland, who founded Sun Power yoga, which I practice when staying in Yorkshire. By following the my link below, you can purchase an issue of Om Yoga magazine for £1.99, or start a subscription at a discounted price!

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

Om Yoga Magazine: Small Spaces

In my day dreams about the future after university, I like to think of yoga being firmly embedded in wherever it is that life takes me. As a marine biology student, I really want to make a career out of researching and protecting the oceans and environment. But at the same time, I wish to continue my practice in yoga further, ideally eventually taking on a teacher training course so that I can lead classes of my own. To be able to balance the two would actually be ideal; fulfilling both of my interests while also keeping myself working even when between biology projects.

In this month's issue of Om Yoga magazine, we get to see Eve Menezes Cunningham's yoga studio -a studio so small only four students can attend any one class. Rather than seeing this space confinement as an issue, Eve has embraced it to create yoga as a flexible part of the Feel Better Every Day consultation clinic. By not having to worry about having enough students to cover the lease, and being able to organise additional classes, the small space has been worked to Eve's advantage.

For someone considering being a part-time teacher, this piece really got my juices flowing. I remember seeing an article in an architecture magazine about a build that incorporated a yoga studio space, and I have always loved George Clarke's Small Spaces program. Being able to have my own mini-studio, perhaps in the form of an outbuilding, would be amazing. Or, hiring a small-scale space in an unusual setting brings a different aspect to learning yoga. Eve's students praised the cottagey feel of the studio that is full of character, with original beams finding a use for balancing postures.

Lots of photos of yoga are in big, open outdoor spaces, or top-of-the-range studios. I think that in presenting ourselves with new, unusual places to practice, we become more open to new experiences. Have a look on my Pinterest board for some of my inspiration for inspiring small-scale yoga spaces!

P.S. -there is still time to enter my competition to win a pair of tickets to the Om Yoga Show in Manchester next month worth £40. It is a fantastic event with free classes and workshops, lots of brands, yummy food and lovely people!

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine. 

GIVEAWAY: Om Yoga Show Manchester Tickets

Last year, I attended the Om Yoga Show in London, and had an absolutely wonderful, busy, fulfilling day. You can read my blog post about everything that I got up to here. To give all you yogi's in the North a more accessible event, the Om Yoga Show is in Manchester on the 15th-17th of May. Here's what Om Yoga has to say about the weekend:

"Join 7000 fellow yoginis and yogis for a totally unique yoga experience. With three days of open classes, workshops, advice, performances andshopping, the OM Yoga Show is the perfect place to enjoy a weekendof yoga.
Free classes take place throughout the weekend, andthere’s a huge range of yoga styles to suit everyone, no matter what your ability level. Hatha, Iyengar, vinyasa, ashtanga – there really is something for everyone!

For those looking for a slightly more intensive experience, workshops are available, during which teachers will leadlonger sessions.
Andwhen it’s time to take a break from practicing yoga, a showcase of over 100 exhibitors will be offering a fantastic range of yoga accessories, clothing, jewellery, super food, retreats, andso much more. Everything you needfor the ultimate yogic lifestyle is available at the OM Yoga Show." 

I am really pleased to be able to give away two pairs of tickets to you, each worth £40. Sadly, I'll be in the middle of exams so can't attend, but if you win, or already have tickets, please tweet or instagram me photos of your day; I'd love to see what you all get up to! The event is a fantastic opportunities to try new yoga styles, products, foods, and talk to others who share your passion. Whether you are an experienced yogi looking for teacher training courses, or a yoga newbie, there is so much to absorb and discover. I couldn't recommend a better day. For all you health bloggers, look out on Facebook to see who else is attending if you want to organise a meet up. I loved meeting Fab, Laura and Katie last year. 

To enter, simply fill in the Rafflecopter widget below and good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Om Yoga Magazine: Spring Detox

Om Yoga Magazine is 50 issues old! In that time, it has become the UK's best-selling yoga magazine, branching out to a wide audience of women, men, parents, students and teachers of all sizes and abilities.

With April around the corner comes the cleaning up of diets and lifestyles. In Chinese Traditional Medicine (CTM), springtime is associated with the detoxification of the liver. Detox is definitely a buzzword at the moment, in terms of diet, environment and emotional health. One way to detox the liver is to increase bile production, which is crucial for digestion, and try to consume more alkalising foods. The liver takes up a lot of the body's stresses, especially emotional and dietary. Fatty, greasy foods, alcohol and stress can all make the liver congested and overworked, affecting its performance. Luckily, the liver is well-known for its rejuvenating characters and so a relatively short period of adjustment can make a difference to the liver's effect on your overall health.

Holistic nutritional therapist, Elizabeth Montgomery recommended her five tips to support liver health:

1. Get to sleep early, as key liver detoxing occurs between 1-3am each night.
2. Clean up your diet, as natural foods stress the liver far less than processed.
3. Reduce stress -yoga, of course, is perfect for this, as is mindfulness practice and meditation. See my post on my mindfulness March challenge here.
4. Don't bottle up and talk or process emotions. Exercise is a great way to release endorphins and clear your head.
5. Limit environmental toxins. Synthesised chemicals are often necessary, but using as many natural cleaning products as possible, where appropriate, reduces your exposure to toxins that could harm you and the environment.

Elizabeth also shared her key foods to support liver health, as well as a few to avoid:

For my takes on clean eating, click on my Food category in the header, or follow my Clean Eating Pinterest board. The foods listed above aren't just good for your liver; they're great for your whole body, so make sure that your cupboards are well stocked throughout the year, and not just spring.

Disclaimer: I am an Affiliated Blogger with Om Yoga Magazine. Each issue I will write a post on an article from the magazine and share it with you. Have a look here to find about the other lovely affiliated bloggers. All photos in this post taken from the Om Yoga magazine.