Muse of the Month: Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge
Saraswati is represented in Hindu mythology as the divine consort of Lord Brahma: the Creator of the Universe. Since knowledge is necessary for creation and growth, Saraswati symbolizes the creative power of Brahma.
She is The Flowing One ~ Saraswati means “the one who gives the essence (Sara) of our own Self (Swa).”
Through this Goddess we reflect upon the essence of self, the part of us that can only be that and nothing else.
Connecting with our inner selves requires discipline, perseverance and creative energy; these are the qualities that Saraswati helps us bring forth.
As we move into the craziness of Christmas, I believe we all need a bit of Saraswati magic! Class numbers inevitably dwindle as we find excuses to forgo that which keeps us sane! She is the perfect muse to keep us honest; whether you yoga or whatever other personal sadhana/disciplines and practices you might have up until November, when they fall by the wayside in favour of…consumerism?! Whether you consume of media, food or material goods, we usually forgo our inner peace Christmas.
It’s so easy to let ourselves fall prey to the pull of external pressure and pursuits, so we can call on Saraswati’s qualities to remain discipline, steadfast and do our best to keep the peace when we’re in the company of friends and family that we find challenging.
Saraswati will also be the focus of my vinyasa flow classes over the next few weeks, helping me (and hopefully you too) to maintain my sadhana; connecting and committing to being our best selves no matter what this crazy time of year throws at us!
The Power of a Birth Plan
It’s YOUR birth, so rather than just hoping for the best or ‘trusting’ your care provider, take the bull by the horns and do your own research. What you discover might totally surprise you!
This is the power a birth plan gives us.
When what we planned for doesn't come to pass, then we have the know-how and the tools to explore other options or Plan B, Plan C or Plan D that will still give us the positive outcome we are planning for!
Peak Pose: Bird of Paradise
The Bird of Paradise stands strong on one lovely, long and powerful stalk, this single stalk represents the strength needed in your stationary leg and core to open up into the pose. The flower itself is a striking contrast of colour and that mimics the crests of tropical birds peeking through the leaves.
In our journey toward Bird of Paradise, we’ll flow through a Mandala Salutation to open the side body, shoulders, hamstrings and hips with binds, twists and forward folds. Usually considered to be an advanced asana, there are many ways in which to bloom for this asana; one variation we’ll explore in class this month uses the wall and a yoga belt, thus taking care of the balance and or bind element so we can focus on the boldness required of the upper body and the bind to find full bloom!
Women’s Wellness:Yoga for Menopause
Thanks to hormones and hot flushes, yoga for menopause is all about staying cool, calm, and connected. Keeping our nervous system balanced and using the practices of yoga to maintain strength without overheating the body. So it’s best to stay away from practices such as hot yoga or Bikram and instead lean into slow flow or hatha yoga classes which help to build muscle mass and increase bone density. However, even in menopause, yoga is not a one size fits all! Restorative or yin yoga is ideal for women experiencing anxiety, mood swings or fatigue.
Your Brain During Birth
One of the ways in which we can better connect to the limbic system is through self-awareness, this is THE MAIN principle of yoga and it's one of the reasons why a prenatal specific yoga practice throughout pregnancy can be of immense benefit - not just to prepare the body and connect with your baby but more so to prepare the mind! By increasing our self-awareness through practices of pregnancy yoga, pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation practices we become better attuned to our inner landscape, connecting with and becoming aware of different sensations on a deeper level and thus preparing us to move into the limbic part of the brain during the birth of our baby.
5 Qualities of a Great Yoga Teacher
Sara Evans is a long-time lover of yoga, having been introduced to the practice as a child, it’s been a mainstay in her every day for more than 30 years. Experiencing burnout as a full time yoga teacher and studio owner pre-COVID led Sara to honing her skills as a facilitator for the finer aspects of teaching. As a Senior Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist specialising in Yoga for Women, Sara now delights in sharing the practice with other trainees through her teacher training programs at Bloom Yoga, a labour of love and testament to the untapped potential within us all.
Yin Yoga + Restorative Yoga are not the same. And here’s why.
Restorative yoga and yin yoga are two styles of yoga that are often used interchangeably, when in fact they are complete opposites.
So why do the two get confused? From the outside, they appear to be similar practices because they are both floor based practices and often use props to support the body. Like most yoga practices, both Yin and Restorative Yoga can promote relaxation and stress relief.
The Dance of Shiva
Our PEAK posture this month is NATARAJASANA, more often known as Dancer’s Pose. This classical asana is both a backbend as well as a standing balance that requires focus, persistence and most of all - patience! Nataraja is a reincarnation of the Yogi God Shiva, as Nataraja, he dances as the God of Destruction; born out of liberation that comes from fear of change, he teaches us to ride the waves of change toward our own bliss.
BEGINNERS MIND
{Beginners Mind}
We all have behaviours and habits grounded in assumptions and past experiences. We label things as bad, good, easy or challenging.
Life as we know it is in a constant state of change, so how would things be different if you chose to experience each situation as though it were happening for the first time?
In the mind of a beginner, experiences are brand new, not yet formed and this can help us to be present with what is happening NOW in the present moment.
Whether or not you are a beginner is irrelevant, we can choose to see things as they are and leave space for inquiry, NEW experiences, and for growth. 💫
Yoga Classes for the Family
The ultimate goal of yoga is to unite and in doing so connect with the present moment. And nothing deserves our presence more than children, who are naturally born yogis. When families practice yoga together, the benefits are plentiful.
Each month we offer a Family workshop-style yoga class in our Kingsley Yoga Studio. A fun, interactive experience for adults and kids to interact through play, partner yoga, breathing, and mindful touch. Family Yoga is suited for kids aged 5-10 years and adults of all ages and abilities.
Tapas: An Eternal Flame
Associated with heat or fire, TAPAS is said to burn away our impurities so, through a sustained practice of discipline, we purify our bodies and more importantly, our minds. Discipline and discomfort typically go hand in hand, especially when we are looking to instigate change or do something differently, there is always an element of discomfort as we navigate the new. Tapas asks us to use the practices of yoga: to serve, to be kind, to step into our truth, and to commit to regular asana and meditation; our sadhana.
Golden Mylk Smoothie
During the colder months of the year, I live for Golden Mylk aka a Turmeric Latte just before bed - it’s a soothing way to wind down! Although I love a good smoothie - it’s actually never occurred to me to consider a summer version! Until now! In the hopes of some warmer weather, I’ve been experimenting with turmeric smoothies using golden paste and this one is my favourite so far! Behold the banana + turmeric smoothie - perfect for breakfast or as a mid-afternoon pick me up!
Practical yoga postures to turn a breech baby
Prenatal yoga postures can help to create more space and ease during your pregnancy. Some yoga postures will encourage an ‘optimal’ position for your baby. From 30 weeks onwards, you’ll want to be proactive and spend at least 30 minutes a day with your belly facing the ground, this can help modern mothers to avoid a breech baby or posterior positioning in your womb. Yoga asana and movements such as Cat/Cow, rocking, circles, or swaying on all fours are all recommended in addition to downward facing dog and baddha konasana.
Yin Yoga Sequence for Spring
Every year when spring rolls around, I have to admit it feels pretty cheesy to make reference to BLOOM and all things spring! I was drawn to Bloom was because it represents rebirth and new beginnings - and that no matter who we are, each of us has the capacity to start where we are: to begin from within, and sometimes we have to go back to the beginning to start again! And again!
So while it's spring outside, is spring in your yoga practice?
Spring is a time of renewal, transformation, and letting go of the old to make room for the new. The spring energy might lead us towards a more fiery yoga practice, however in times of transition, less can actually provide us so much more.
To help you harness the spirit of spring in your yoga practice, I've put together a short Yin yoga sequence for Spring
Kali Mudra
Kali is often depicted with a necklace of skulls and a belt made of arms - representing all the evil she has slayed! She destroys the old to make space for the new. While she may be depicted as scary, her intentions come from a place of fierce love. 🖤
Yin, Yoga Nidra + the Subtle Body
Yoga asana provides the gateway to our body through various shapes, transitions and movements - but beyond the asana we can start to peel away the layers to access the subtle body through yin, yoga nidra, pranayama and meditation practices.
An introduction to Ayurveda
By knowing and understanding your dosha, this provides valuable insight and information on how to live a more balanced lifestyle. Not only will you discover the optimal foods to nourish, but you’ll also learn which styles of yoga are best suited to your body type and what time of day is the best time to do your practice!
Roll + Release Yoga
Do you have a literal pain in the arse or the neck?
By using a combination of diaphragmatic breathing, your own body weight and our soft yoga therapy balls you can discover how self-massage or myofascial release, breaks up trigger points, and soothes tight fascia. This can not only relieve pain but also increase blood flow and circulation to the soft tissues. Together with conscious breath, it helps to relieve pain, tightness and STRESS caused by modern day living!
Oh and afterwards you’ll feel AHHHHMAZING!
Soup for the Soul
Ayurveda tells us that in order to gain the greatest amount of prana from our food, we should eat fresh, seasonal produce. So one of the best ways to do this in winter is with SOUP! Not only is it quick and easy to make, these soups in particular are packed full of bitter foods such as kale as well as root vegetables - both of which are ideal ways to pacify KAPHA DOSHA - our tendency to become sluggish according to Ayurveda during the colder months of the year. Soups are both nourishing and they warm the soul!
Is one yoga class enough? Yoga is a lifelong practice - are you ready to commit?
Consistent practice over time with commitment is a daunting concept, in today’s world we value flexibility as the ultimate freedom. TAPAS is the practice of discipline, outlined in the Yoga Sutras is one of the five Niyamas designed to build character and help us commit to our practice with a ‘burning’ enthusiasm.