Hello and hope you are all well.
I had a really busy weekend teaching on the Dru Yoga Teacher Training course in Leeds, where we welcomed our newest in take of “under graduates”. The energy on these weekends is always amazing and the enthusiasm and commitment of these guys was no exception. We can’t wait to share all the wonderful Dru practises with our students but module 1 is all about setting down firm foundations and I think this is so important for us all.
One of the poses I taught on the weekend was the grounding Mountain Posture (Tadasana) and as always it served as a reminder to myself to take time out to settle and be still, to find my calm, still point – so important when the world around just seems to get busier! Sometimes there seems to be so much going on that it is easy to be swept up in the high, fast paced energy but continuing like that can lead to burn out.
So, I would like to invite you take a couple of minutes out of your busy day to find some stillness for yourself and I promise you will feel refreshed, calm and focussed, ready to face the world again!
Find Some Stillness
Finding a still point in a busy day
Stand with your feet hip width apart, knees are just a little bit soft (not locked back or bent), try to find a neutral position for your pelvis. Gently draw in your low abdomen and pelvic floor in and away from your pants as you lengthen your spine. Check your shoulders are relaxed (you may to need to roll your shoulders up back and down to help them relax). Try to lengthen the back of your neck so that your chin is very slightly tucked in.
Close Your Eyes
If it’s convenient to do so, now close your eyes. Feel the firm connection of your feet make with the earth and focus on the gentle flow of your breath…in through your nose, out through your nose…with each out breath allowing yourself to relax a little bit deeper, strengthening the connection you make with the earth. With each in breath feel your spine lengthen and expand…Beautiful!
Take a Deep Breath
When you are ready take a deeper breath in and a deeper breath out and slowly move out of the position. Now I bet you feel much calmer! Practise this whenever you feel yourself spiralling off or you need to create space for calm and focus.
Hope to see you all at a class this week (for many more relaxation tips!), have good weeks and take care. Ix