Restorative Yoga Workshops: May 31st & June 21st BOOKED OUT

Restorative Yoga Workshops

May 31st & June 21st both FULL
Stay tuned for Winter workshops....

Habitual rushing, multitasking, and dealing with information overloads of modern life can have significant impacts on mind, body and spirit for example, fatigue, insomnia, irregular menstrual cycles, indigestion, and unwelcome weight gain. Reducing stress and mental over-activity is perhaps the most important element to assist us in moving towards wellness and health.
Restorative yoga is a therapeutic practice that gives us the opportunity each day to relax and renew.

Autumn Restorative Yoga

May 31st, 2014

Settle and soften into the deepness of the autumn season in this healing afternoon beginning with gentle flowing movements followed by nourishing restorative yoga (supported long held poses) and ending with the gentle, upright presence of meditation. see more

Women's Restorative Yoga

June 21st, 2014

To defend ourselves against challenging physical and emotional times we draw inwards, rounding our shoulders and closing down our chest. This can happens before our monthly cycle when we want to climb into bed and pull the covers over your head, or during the transition through menopause as we surf the shifts in hormone levels. see more

Bookings essential as places are limited.
To book contact Margot Porter
prasannayoga@hotmail.com

Margot Porter is a Level 1 Registered Teacher with Yoga Australia.  
Those with Private Health Insurance may be able to claim yoga classes on their insurance.

An Autumn approach to yoga

 Autumn

 Approaches for your yoga practice in Autumn.

A useful yoga practice in Autumn is one that calms, warms and strengthens. A supportive practice is consistent, grounding and a takes on a meditative quality throughout.
We will be looking at these principles in class this term along with an emphasis on back and core strength. Autumn is the prefect time for introducing a gentle pranayama and meditation practice. Focusing here on drawing inwards, nourishing mind, body and spirit.

Photo by Helga Ruffles

Thoughts for practice

· Practice at a slow, smooth and steady pace with a thorough warm up to prevent injury (Vata predominance or aggravation can make the body stiff and more prone to injury).  Imagine you are moving through warm water or making your way through the heat on a hot summer's day

· Keep the breath quiet, deep and calm. Ujjayi (Victory breath) is an effective means to achieving this, and it also has the benefit of being a warming and quietening breath. By staying focused on the breath in our practice we can ensure we stay within our bodies range of movement. Be mindful: moving meditation.

Mala beads photo by M.Porter

· Focus on the foundation of the pose for stability, grounding through big toes, and the sides of the feet so you feel fully grounded. Feel the breath in each pose stabilising and grounding:breathe into the centre of the chest, feel a sense of openness and spaciousness. Notice the diaphragm moving down. Draw the lower abdomen in slightly and breathe out - thoughts dropping away - as you return to centre. 

Enjoy, stay fluid, move in spirals....

 Fern Frond by M.Porter

Relax, stay calm, move in circles....

 Mandala by M.Porter

Om shanti,

Margot

Ayurveda: An introduction to doshas

Ayurveda: An introduction to doshas

http://www.jyotipeople.com/yoga-ayurveda-doshas-1.html

Ayurveda is the principle medical system of India and is over 5,000 years old. This science is considered the art of living in harmony and in connection with nature. The science was developed from the ancient text of the Vedas. Ayurvedic philosophy believes that health problems result when these relationships are out of balance. Ayurveda aims to integrate and balance body, mind, and spirit. This is thought to help prevent illness and promote wellness.
Ayurveda views the human body as a holistic universe regulated by the balance between three primordial humors, call dosha.

There are three doshas in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha is made up of two of the five basic elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth and has a particular relationship to body functions that can be upset for different reasons. Doshas are constantly being formed and reformed by food, activity, and bodily processes. This means a person can use this knowledge about themselves to choose the right  food, exercise, and lifestyle to suit them.

An individual has his or her own unique balance of the three doshas, although one dosha usually is prominent. It is also possible to be bi-dosha and less frequently tri-dosha. Each dosha is associated with a certain body type, personality type, and a greater chance of certain types of health problems.
   
Find out which dosha you are with this self test.

Have fun,

Margot

Bairnsdale and Bruthen Yoga Classes: Term 2, 2014

Yoga Classes: Term 2, 2014

Unwind, embrace freedom in movement and bring stillness to the mind. Yoga the quiet art of minding the mind. Find out more details on classes page.

See you on the mat,

Light and laughter, Margot

Thank you: Autumn Retreat, 2014

What an amazing weekend! Thank you everyone for making this a marvelous experience.

       Serious group photo

Fun group photo

Ahhh savasana...the end of restorative yoga after the nature walk.

 Happy Buddha

 At the outlook on the nature walk.

   

Afternoon tea...amazing thank you Nicole and all the volunteers in the kitchen at SIBA.

Ruth Kelly (yoga teacher: teaching at SIBA Easter retreat) and my wonderful partner Marc who took the guided walk, supported me and assisted in many ways.