Yogatherapy ireland - Musing on Mindfulness Clearing your Chakras Foraging and Preserving - Pam Butler Yoga
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yogatherapy
ireland
Winter 2015 ISSUE No. 64
Musing on Mindfulness
Clearing your Chakras
Foraging and Preserving
YTI Graduation 2015
The quarterly
Yoga Journal Conference 2015 magazine of Yoga
Therapy Ireland
Yoga Therapy Ireland
contents
Winter 2015 Issue 64 6 Yoga in the Airport
Registered Charity CHY 14045
Yoga Therapy Ireland
7 Virabhadrasana II
is dedicated to practising, teaching and researching by Áine Kerrigan
Yoga as a therapy for specific health-related
8
problems. Each yoga therapist/teacher has weekly
yoga classes in their own locality, which are Muladhara Chakra
suitable for all levels of practitioners. Individual
sessions are designed to meet particular needs of by Lucy Cullen & Tara O’Neill
clients whether for specific medical conditions or
for good health.
9
MS; Parkinson’s Disease; Aids Support; Senior
Citizens; Cancer Support; Addiction Support
9 Healing through
the Chakras by John Levine
yogatherapy
ireland
Cover image: Photo by
10 Supta Virasana
Winter 2015 ISSUE No. 64
Emily Greene (age 15)
Wild Irish Foragers
Musing on Mindfulness
Clearing your Chakras
by Julie Gudmestad
Foraging and Preserving
12 Prana by Georg Feuerstein
Photo by Emily Greene (age 15) Wild Irish Foragers
YTI Graduation 2015
THE QUARTERLY
Yoga Journal Conference 2015 MAGAZINE OF YOGA
THERAPY IRELAND
CHAIRPERSON:
Maureen Nightingale 14 Agni Prasana
EDITORIAL TEAM:
Moggie Douglas
Maureen Nightingale
PRODUCTION AND DESIGN:
15 15 Mensana by Pam Butler
Niamh Hodgins
WEB DESIGN:
16 Yoga Journal Conference
Ciara Kavanagh by Sylvia Ferguson
PRINTED BY:
Judita Press
e-mail: yti@eircom.net
Web: www.yogatherapyireland.com 18 Graduation 2015
YTI members of International Association of Yoga
Therapists
YTI affiliated to Institute of Complementary
Medicine and British General Council for
22 Wild Irish Foragers
Complementary Medicine by Sharon Greene
YTI members of Aontas
YTI members of International Yoga Federation
23 Harnessing the Power
16
YTI members of Yoga Federation of Ireland
YTI members International Guild of
Professional Practitioners by Keith Treacy
YTI members of the British Wheel of Yoga
Opinions expressed in articles within this magazine
are those of the authors and not necessarily of YTI.
23 Vegetarianism:
Yoga Therapy Ireland disclaims any responsibility or
liability for such material be it information, advice, The Inconvenient Truth
products or services advertised in this publication.
Information or advice is for educational purposes.
Readers are always advised to consult a medical 24 Musings on Mindfulness
practitioner before following any programme or
treatment.
by Helena Downey
Regulars:
04 Chairperson’s Letter
26-30 Reviews/Previews
24
Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015 3
Dear Yoga Friends, A very warm welcome to our for all their hard work and dedication to YTI.
YTI took part in Mind Body Spirit Festival during the
winter magazine. I hope you like and really enjoy our first elec- October Bank Holiday which this year, once again, focused
tronic version. We are changing to this format for two of the four on yoga. The show was extremely busy for the whole week-
annual issues as a trial and would appreciate your feedback. end with lots of interest in all our courses. Sincere thanks
The spring and autumn issues will be in print form, as before. to all the volunteers who helped in any way at the show,
Once again this year, we leave behind a beautiful and very mild which provides us with a wonderful showcase for all that
autumn to move into the shorter, slightly darker days of the win- YTI has to offer.
ter season, which encourage us to rest and relax in preparation
for the arrival of spring. I would like to thank all our inspirational Training with YTI: Our new Year 1 trainees have settled
contributors for sharing their talents so generously in this issue. in very well to the Teacher Training Course and are thor-
In this edition, we continue our series on the Chakras with oughly enjoying their experience. All our Year 2 train-
Lucy Cullen and Tara O’Neill and a two day Intensive workshop ees are getting great practice in developing their teaching
with YTI Patron Julie Gudmestad. YTI past pupil, Sylvia Fergu- skills as they teach small groups in their local commu-
son, shares her experiences of the Yoga Journal Conference in nities, and some have already completed their teaching
the U.S. Trainee teacher, Aine Kerrigan, offers her instructions assessments.
for Virabhadrasana II and YTI past pupil, Helena Downey, gives Our Foundation Course and Journey through the
us her musings on Mindfulness. Our centre pages are dedicated, Chakras course began in November and both are very
as always at this time of the year, to our graduation celebrations well subscribed. We will offer a new Yoga for Pregnancy
at the end of September. course at the end of January and a further Yoga for Chil-
News Update: The 2015 Grad- dren training programme later in the year. With interest
uation took place in late Sep- growing already, our next Yoga in the Classroom day
tember in the gorgeous Clontarf will take place on 7 May. Please feel free to share this
Castle Hotel. Twelve new yoga information on your Facebook/Twitter pages and among
teachers have joined our teach- your own local primary schools.
ing family together with 19 new The next Yoga for Sport training course will take place
yoga therapists -and I wish on 13, 14 & 27 February. We have now extended the
them all great success and joy course to three days and offer the opportunity to those
in their continuing yoga journey. who have already attended previous courses to come
Do check out the photographic along for the follow up day, which will take place on 27
memories from our celebrations February, and receive a certificate on completion.
in Clontarf Castle. I would like If you are a yoga teacher with a minimum of two years’
Patrons: to extend a sincere thanks to regular teaching experience and would like to enhance
our guest, Moira Harper, from your teaching skills even further and to work as a Yoga
Gerti Cull
the Yoga Fellowship of Northern Therapist with specialised groups or on a one-to-one ba-
RGN. RM. F.F.N. R.C.S.I.
Ireland, who presented all our sis, you are eligible to apply for this course. YTI will offer
Sean Collins awards. A huge thanks also to a new Yoga Therapy course in September 2017.
D.C.H. Patsy Toland for his photograph-
Olive Gentleman ic expertise. Membership: Sincere thanks to all who have paid their
2016 subscription already. For those yet to renew, it is
SRN S.C.M. Dip. IYA In relation to other YTI events,
so easy to pay your subscription now - you can log onto
Alexander Gibbs, we have had our First Aid re-
our website and pay through our PayPal scheme, which
D.O.Bsc (Hons) Ost. fresher course, which was very
is working really well for us. I know you will want to con-
Med M.I.O.A. well attended and received and
tinue to be a part of all we do in YTI, and particularly as a
Registered Osteopath two fantastic seminars with
Dagmar Khan, who facilitated a yoga teacher, to stay on our professional register.
Danielle Arin
International Yoga Teacher Roll Model”, and Sue Flamm, Forthcoming Events: YTI has a wide variety of fabu-
workshop entitled “Be your own
lous workshops and seminars on offer for the coming
Tara Fraser who led us in a wonderful Re- year. We strongly encourage you to attend a minimum
Yoga Junction, London storative Yoga day. Sue plans to of two In-Service training days each year, as an on-going
bring her 3-day training course commitment to your own self-development. You may re-
Doris Schaeffer,
to Dublin; so if you have an in- member from your autumn magazine that for 2016, we
External Relations (EUY) terest in this, do let us know. We will have workshops with Eleanor Dawson (Yoga and
Dr. Samprasad Vinod also had our AGM, which pro- Mantra), Anya Kruger (Yoga for Autistic Children), Char-
Director Maharshi Vinod vided YTI with lots of construc- lotta Martinus (Yoga for Teens), Michael Ryan (Move-
Research Foundation tive ideas for its future. I would ment Medicine) and Julie Gudmestad. Connie Walsh will
Pune, India like to welcome Roisin Jinks, facilitate another Yoga for Cancer Care course in April.
Julie Gudmestad, Director, Irene Sheedy, Keith Treacy and As the Christmas season approaches and we prepare to
Gudmestad Yoga Studio, Eddie Long on board as the new-
spend precious time with family and friends, may I wish
Portland, Oregan est members to the committee
you wellness, happiness and peace for this special time of
and look forward to working
year. May I also ask that you all send healing, light and
with them over the coming year.
support to both Linda Southgate, whose husband, Da-
Sponsors: As we welcome our new com-
mittee members, we also say a
vid, passed away recently and also to Tara O’Neill, whose
OBF Insurance Group mother passed away. For those who have been bereaved,
very fond farewell to Debbie Har-
Christmas is never quite the same, so our thoughts are
rington, Sharon Denver, Tara
Friends: O’Neill and Lesley Hughes. I
with you especially.
– Yours in yoga,
IAN CADDY would like to add my sincere and
“Caddy Publishing” Maureen Nightingale
personal thanks to each of them
4 Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015
Contributors… to this issue…
First introduced to the world of yoga in 2005, Aine looking forward to teaching the new Chakra course with Tara,
Kerrigan has since developed a consistent practice. starting in November. See www.lucycullenyoga.com or join
Her interest in yoga derived from a desire to balance Lucy on her Facebook page, Lucy Cullen Yoga.
out a busy lifestyle. Finding a level of stillness she Pam Butler arrived in Ireland fifteen years ago via
had not known existed, Aine decided to further pursue Asia and lives in a nature sanctuary and ancient
her studies and enrolled in the Foundation Course offered by woodland in Carlow Qualified to teach yoga in 2000,
Yoga Therapy Ireland. Now, with a desire to share the benefits she has instructed beginners and those establishing
yoga can bring to children and adults alike, Aine is currently in their own practice for 15 years. She holds an MBA
her 2nd year of Yoga Teacher Training with Yoga Therapy Ireland. in Professional Arts Management and is editor of Common
Excited to have discovered the path of yoga, she will continue her Sense: a book about people, planet and profit by a venture
studies by attending various workshops and retreats in an effort to capitalist (available at www.astraea. net/shop).
continuously improve her classes www.pambutleryoga.com; yoga@astraea.net.
John Levine has been creating original music
Sylvia Ferguson graduates in 2003 with a Diploma and playing piano since he was six. He graduated
in yoga teaching from Yoga Therapy Ireland, and as a composer from Sydney University, Australia
since then Sylvia has been teaching hatha yoga in and spent several successful years in commercial
various venues in Dublin and teaches Mindfulness music, recording for bands like INXS and Midnight
Meditation in corporate venues. In May 2015 Oil and writing jingles for Saatchi & Saatchi and Coca Cola.
Nationwide featured Sylvia as a teacher that ‘exudes the Throughout this period, John pursued his belief in meditation
calmness she aims to instil in her students.’ Sylvia regularly and the healing properties of music. He ultimately left the
hosts charity yoga events and contributes as a writer to the main stream to devote himself to developing his unique
Yoga Therapy Ireland Magazine. Alphamusic. Since the launch of Silence of Peace, more than
Having recently qualified for a grant to develop an online 200,000 copies of John Levine’s Alphamusic CDs have been
business as part of the Local Enterprise Board’s Online sold. Since 1984 John has released over 63 albums which
Digital Strategy, Sylvia has worked with Still Films and are being used by therapists, healers, teachers, healthcare
Avondale Studios to produce classes for the online market. workers, dentists, trainers, coaches, meditation groups,
Sylvia has limited availability for Dublin-based corporate business people, families and pets in more than 26 countries
clients for both one-off Mindfulness Meditation workshops around the world.
and weekly courses. Ongoing yoga classes in town, RTE and
Rathfarnham are suitable for all. Workshops and special
events take place in the Yoga Hub in Dublin City Centre. All
details and booking are on www.sylviayoga.com
yogatheirerapy
land
Winter 2015
ISSUE No. 64
Helena Downey has been practising yoga for over
25 years. She trained with Yoga Therapy Ireland,
started teaching in 2003 and was a tutor with YTI
from 2008-2010. She conducts on-going weekly Musing on Mindfu
lness
yoga classes and is currently studying for an MSc Clearing your Ch
akras
in Mindfulness Based Interventions at UCD.As a business
Foraging and Pre
graduate, she worked for 18 years in Change Management. serving
s
Wild Irish Forager
YTI Graduation
2015
Greene (age 15)
Tara O’Neill is a YTI yoga teacher and a licensed
Yoga Journal Con
Level 1 Antigravity Yoga Instructor. Her private
Photo by Emily
ference 2015 THE QUARTERLY
MAGAZINE OF
YOGA
THERAPY IRELA
ND
studio, Vitality, in Ratoath, holds the first Antigravity
Be a contributor
Personal Training license in Ireland. www.vitality.ie
Julie Gudmestad, PT began teaching yoga in 1970
to our next issue
when she was a student at Reed College. Introduced
to Iyengar yoga in the late 1970s, Julie became Iy
engar certified in 1988. At that time, she opened
her own studio and began to train the teachers who
currently teach there.
Submit an article, a review
Lucy Cullen is a YTI yoga teacher and therapist.
She has also completed further teacher training
or promote your business.
with the Association of Yoga Studies in the viniyoga
of yoga approach. Lucy has her own yoga studio in
Kilmacanogue where she teaches general yoga and pregnancy
classes. She also teaches yoga to TY students in a number of
Contact us by email:
schools and chair yoga in Bray, as well as a corporate class
in Dublin. Along with Tara O’Neill, she has facilitated YTI’s
yti@eircom.net
Foundation Course for the past two years and she is really
Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015 5
Features
Last-minute yoga?
At the airport? Floga?...
There is nothing like an airport security mystery and would provide a useful focus for your practice.
…and Europe follows
queue at Christmas to make your entire Inevitably, the trend has hit Europe. Forever the leaders in
all things holistic, the Scandinavians were the first to embrace
system go into spasm. the gap in the market. Helsinki Airport’s yoga area is located
It’s like all the muscles (and a few essential organs) in your in Kainuu, a very posh lounge with an open floor plan and
body are in a tangle, like strands of cheap Christmas lights, “wooden chairs made from trees blown down in storms”.
flashing alternately, endlessly, dangerously...as you clench Kainuu isn’t just for yoga but mats are provided and, yes, they
your plastic bag of tiny toiletries ever tighter and watch the do complement the green carpet perfectly, a colour meant to
opportunity for your last-minute pre-flight yoga-relaxation suggest “a mossy floor in a forest”- presumably the same one
session slip away. Yes, last-minute yoga, not duty-free that provided the trees that provided the chairs. Alternatively,
shopping and sipping over-priced skinny lattes, is the latest, if that’s all a bit too much and you just want a snooze, try the
and greatest, new airport pastime. new GoSleep pods, a recliner set in a hard-case outer shell.
The U.S.A. sets the trend… Pay your €9.00, store your valuables, plug in your phone to
It all began in the U.S. Where else? The world’s first airport recharge and fall fast asleep inside your little pod…the built-in
yoga room opened at San Francisco International in 2012. alarm is an essential feature which you are well advised to use.
Unfortunately, it is located where Terminals 1 and 2 connect, Closer to home in the U.K., a pop-up yoga studio in
which are both domestic terminals, so international passengers Heathrow's exclusive SkyTeam lounge in Terminal 4 proved
will have to find another way to prepare for the “long haul”. so popular that it is now a permanent feature and provides
Others soon followed. The yoga room at in Terminal 3 at yoga videos of pre- and post-flight stretching routines. While all
Chicago O’Hare has a bamboo floor, a mirrored wall (not very the other airport yoga rooms are free for the public to use, the
yogic) and video monitors (ditto) playing an endless loop of one at Heathrow is only available to passengers with lounge
other people doing yoga - so if you do get stuck at security, you access. However, if you are so desperate for that stretch that
can always drop in on your way to the next queue to remind you willing to mix with the hoighty-toighties, passes can be
yourself what relaxation is supposed to look like. Chicago’s purchased for £27.50 (so arrive several hours early to get
other airport, Midway, also has a yoga room, with more value for your money) and you can visit the on-site Oxygen Bar
sustainable bamboo features and tinkly relaxation music. afterwards for a quick “pre-departure energy boost” (to quote
At Dallas-Fort Worth the fully equipped yoga studio SkyTeam). They think of everything.
is secreted behind a “partial privacy screen”, so that other Not to be outdone, Gatwick Airport has recently opened
travellers will only get to admire your fabulous down-dog in its new yoga lounge for long haul passengers, which has video
silhouette, like a Balinese puppet-show. Entertainment for all. instruction devised by celebrity instructor, Shona Vertue.
Burlington Airport, Vermont provides a yoga room Fancy. I really hope all these airports with yoga videos and no
designed by a local studio, Evolution Yoga, which has created instructors have taken out serious insurance. Unsurprisingly,
an environment that is apparently so welcoming and soothing our own D.A.A has not yet seen the yoga light; although I did
that you might well consider missing your flight in favour of spot a few curious circular holes in the wall of one of the pre-
another round of the Sun Salutation. departure lounges where you can lie down and put your feet
The first airport to provide a meditation room is San Diego up, literally, to form a perfect little crescent moon of a different
International. Here, you can grab some “Om” time in the variety.
$200,000 facility. How one could possibly spend that kind Personally, I think it’s all a terrible idea.
of money on cushions and a few sticks of incense remains a MD
6 Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015
Asana
Virabhadrasana II
by Teacher Training Student, Aine Kerrigan
/ Warrior II
4. Show Safety Points
1. Establish the Foundation of the asana - Ensure that the bent knee (right) is directly over the
- Standing in Tadasana (Mountain Pose), with an ankle and does not collapse inwards or past the toes
exhalation, step or bend the knees slightly and lightly - Keep the sides of the torso equally long and the shoulders
jump feet wide apart directly over the pelvis
- Raise your arms out to the side at shoulder level, parallel
to the floor, palms facing down 5. Return to the start to complete the pose
- Lift your right foot to balance on your heel and externally - Exhale and straighten the right leg to bring yourself to an
rotating from your thigh, turn your right foot out to the upright position
right - Reverse your feet and repeat on the opposite side
- Turn your left foot inwards slightly - When both sides are completed, placing your hands on
- Align the right heel with the arch of the left foot your hips, heel/toe or step or bend your knees and lightly
jump your feet back together to the centre of your mat
2. Show an understanding of the Movement in
the asana 6. Benefits:
- Maintaining a long upright spine, hips facing forward - Strengthens and stretches the legs and ankles
and tailbone lengthening down, exhale and bend your - Stretches the groins, shoulders, chest and lungs
right knee over the right ankle, so that the shin is - Increases stamina
perpendicular to the floor
- Strengthen the left leg by pressing the outer left heel and 7. Contraindications:
side of the foot firmly to the floor
- Use caution when performing this pose if you are
- Stretch the arms away from the space between the
currently experiencing high blood pressure
shoulder blades, parallel to the floor
- If you experience neck problems, don’t
- Try not to lean the torso over the right thigh
turn your head to look over the front hand,
- Turn the head to the right and gaze out over the
continue to look straight ahead with both
fingertips
sides of the neck lengthened evenly.
3. Maintain the asana with ease
- Press strongly through
both feet
- Lengthening your tailbone down and engaging your
core muscles, keep the sides of the torso equally long
and the shoulders directly over the pelvis
- To increase the length and strength of the arms in the
pose, turn the palms and inner elbow creases to face
the ceiling while you draw the shouder blades down
the back. Then maintaing the rotation of the arms,
turn the plams from the wrists to face the floor
again
- Maintain length through the neck
- Breathe and hold for 30 seconds to
1 minute
Chakras
Asana
Journey through the
Muladhara Chakra draw up energy from the Earth and through it we can also
discharge anything negative safely into the Earth.
We start our journey through the Chakras at the root,
The energy of the root chakra provides us with the drive
Muladhara. The name Muladhara translates as “Root Support”.
to take care of ourselves and to ensure our very survival. It
This Chakra is the foundation of the chakra system, it connects
is concerned with taking care of our most basic and primitive
us to the earth and all that makes us feel safe and secure, it is
needs including food, sex and sleep. When the Root Chakra is
the source of energy that vitalizes everything else in the Chakra
working well we are grounded and develop a sense of security
system and the root from which we receive nourishment for
and belonging. It connects us to our family, our community,
our spiritual journey. Kundaliní Shakti (spiritual energy) is
and our culture and belief systems. It represents physical,
rooted in the Muladhara Chakra, but it is in a dormant state
emotional and mental stability. This chakra is
and when we awaken its slumbering potential
about creating a solid and safe base from which
we are able to work our way towards the light of
we can move out to explore and learn about the
knowledge and attain the fruit of Self-Realisation.
world and about ourselves. Without stability
The Muladhara Chakra is where our spiritual
here any growth or personal development will be
development begins.
short term. Balancing the root chakra creates the
The Muladhara Chakra is the seat of our
solid foundation for opening the chakras above,
unconscious and when we awaken the sleeping
a bit like laying good foundations is essential to
energy here we may be surprised to find qualities
building a house that will stand for many years.
that we had not suspected were within us, such
People with a healthy root chakra develop
as deep-seated anger, coming to the surface. On
confidence and a healthy sense of self-esteem.
the other hand, we may experience wonderful
They will come across as charismatic and
feelings of contentment, joy or peace.
optimistic. When the root chakra is out of balance problems
At times life presents us with opportunities to work on the
will arise. When it is weak we may feel lost, insecure, fearful
contents of our unconscious, so that feelings may be brought
or anxious and find it hard to cope. People with a deficiency
to the surface and dealt with. The choice is always ours as to
here may find themselves constantly changing from one task to
whether or not we do so, even though we may not be aware of
another without committing to any one thing properly, which
it. Yoga provides an excellent method for working through the
can lead to stress and exhaustion. On the other hand, excess
contents of our unconscious with complete awareness. Positive
energy at this Chakra may result in a sense of being slow to
and happy experiences from the past will emerge to give us
move, sluggishness, resistance to change and with a tendency
strength and inspiration, buried hurts and disappointments
to overeat.
will also come to the surface so they can finally be healed and
resolved. If we work through these issues with wisdom they may Useful Practices for Rooting and Grounding
be transformed into valuable experiences and opportunities for It is not hard to understand why walking in nature and
development. As we begin to see our experiences more clearly dancing, especially barefoot, is recommended when working
we may become more aware of our own weaknesses. If we learn with the Muladhara Chakra. Anything that connects us to the
from our mistakes and continue on our path with faith, we earth will help to establish stronger roots.
grow stronger and better able to cope with our experiences. In Yoga practice, the Asana to choose for this Chakra are
Self-reproach is not helpful and it is important that we let go the ones that help you to feel grounded. Our top 5 include
of any habitual negative thinking and instead develop and Mountain Pose, Tree Pose, Warrior II, Chair Pose and Janu
cultivate positive and beneficial ways of thinking. Sirsasana. Try following your Asana practice with some seated
The divinity associated with the Muladhara Chakra is Pranayama using full easy breathing (maybe Ujjayi if you are
Lord Shiva, “The Third-Eyed One”. Lord Shiva represents familiar with it) and focusing on the natural pause at the end
consciousness and liberation. He is the destroyer of all things of the exhalation. Finish the practice with relaxation allowing
negative or harmful and it is said that whenever he opens his the energies to settle, surrendering to gravity and experiencing
third eye whatever he gazes upon is burnt to ashes. At Shiva’s safety and stillness.
side there are two female divinities, ÁSURÍ SHAKTI and DEVÍ A simple, inexpensive crystal, charm, or piece of Chakra
SHAKTI. Ásurí Shakti represents the destructive, divisive jewellery can be useful in helping you ground yourself. Crystals
energy within us, and Deví Shakti the positive, constructive such as, hematite, labradorite, garnet, ruby, black tourmaline,
power. Through a positive lifestyle and attitude to life, being in onyx, fire agate, star ruby smoky quartz, and red jasper are
the company of good people, good thoughts and works, Ásurí helpful in Root Chakra balancing.
Shakti is gradually transformed into Deví Shakti. Using Chakra fragrance oils is a beautiful way to stay
Muladhara is located at the base of the grounded and energized. Essential oils useful for Root Chakra
spine in the area of the pelvic floor; the balance are rosemary, ylang-ylang, frankincense, myrrh,
colour associated with it is red. It may be benzoin, patchouli, sandalwood, corn and clematis.
visualized as a wheel of light about 3 inches To strengthen this Chakra we can also practice living in the
in diameter which spins horizontally present moment, tasting our food, really listening to what is
forming a funnel of red light toward the being said etc. and practice gratitude for who we are, all that
earth. Through the Root Chakra we can we have and the people in our lives.
8 Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015
Meditation
Clear your Chakras this Christmas with
Music Therapy
John Levine, a pioneer in music sound Alphamusic
John Levine, inventor of Alphamusic sound music therapy,
therapy and inventor of Alphamusic, uses a brainwave altering method in his compositions, thanks to
believes in the power of sound to his knowledge and experience in sound engineering. The principles
effect change in mood and general well-being. used when composing Alphamusic are taken from Western and
Eastern civilizations, giving it a unique quality.
Have you ever noticed that when you reminisce about something When you wake up in the morning after a good night’s sleep,
good from your past, you may catch yourself smiling? Or perhaps you wake in an alpha brainwave state. Though it can last for the
you recall something that may hurt or upset you and suddenly you entire day, in today’s busy and demanding world this is rarely
feeling drained or sad. This isn't a mere coincidence; your thoughts the case. This is where Alphamusic comes in. It transforms your
have the ability to control the energy that flows in and around you. unhealthy stressful beta brainwaves into a peaceful haven of alpha
This comes about from the energy centres and flows in your waves. You can play Alphamusic in the background all-day or just
body. The seven major energy centres, or Chakras, are located from when in a stressful, anxious or negative mood.
the base of your spine to the crown of your head and each has John’s Alphamusic has been successfully tested in many
different associations. situations, such as showing reduced anxiety for dental surgery
According to Doreen Virtue, Ph.D., the different energy centres and resolving sleep conditions. EEG tests have proved that such
correspond to certain thinking habits. For example, if you are music alters brainwaves from unhealthy to healthy ones. Doctors
always concerned with money, these thoughts will be linked to a around the globe, including Dr Fahey from Portumna Health Clinic
particular energy centre and will affect the flow of energy in your in Galway, are now using Alphamusic instead of prescribing pills
body. Often described as a spinning wheel of light, when healthy, that may have other side effects. Dr Fahey reported success rates
they spin clockwise, brightly and full of light, but when you’re as high as 100% when using the music in his therapies!
depressed, stressed or run down, they become dirty and dark and
energy struggles to flow. When you put aside worries and release
Meditation and alpha wave activity
your fears to the universe, you will help your chakras to function to Similarly, regular meditation has also been shown to increased
their full potential. But how to do this? alpha wave activity, in turn promoting a healthy immune system.
Music therapy is a great way to influence your thoughts, clear We often find ourselves more prone to illness and infection when
your chakras and can lead to improved health and a more balanced stressed – and buzzing on beta waves. So if you want help to stave
life. For hundreds of years music has been known to influence off the latest bug doing the rounds when you are tired and under
mood, brain function and health. Calm and positive music is a pressure, switching your brain to alpha waves to support your
motivator to inspire and uplift, and may bury the negative and sad immune system is a good start.
emotions that lead to illnesses. The work of experts such as John When you clear your chakras and make the energy flow easily
Levine has shown that listening to the right style of musical sounds through your body, your life can be transformed. Alphamusic by
can make significant differences in many aspects of life, including John Levine is highly recommended by health professionals and
health. experts such as Patrick Holford, so it could be just that extra help
Scientists have investigated this phenomenon and seen that you need to bring about a peaceful, healthy state of mind.
the brain’s electrical signals are strengthened or weakened in To purchase the perfect Christmas gift or for more
accordance with our mood. So altering our brain’s electrical waves information on Alphamusic, visit www.silenceofmusic.com or
through sound therapy can influence our state of mind and health. call 01-443-3861
Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015 9
Virasana Supta
Asana
– Reclining Hero Pose
Don’t let tight quadriceps Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose)
is a passive backbend and a wonderful
keep you from one of chest opener that's extremely relaxing
and restorative. It's the perfect
yoga’s most relaxing poses. antidote to an overstressed life – as
long as your knees and lower back
aren't screaming in agony. Why
do some students experience such
pleasure and others pure pain in this
By YTI Patron, Julie Gudmestad pose?
10 Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015It's likely that it has to do with the length in the muscles of each hand deep into the back of the knee, pull and hold
of your front body. Supta Virasana is a classic front-opening the flesh of the calf straight back toward the heel, and then
pose. As you sit between your heels, it stretches the fronts of move your fingers out as you sit down. Some people find it
your ankles and lower legs. As you lie back, your quadriceps helpful to gently pull the calf flesh slightly out toward the
and abdominal muscles lengthen and open. Extending your little-toe side as they pull it back. This rearranging of the calf
arms overhead adds a shoulder and chest stretch. All in all, seems to open a little more space inside the knee and helps
it's a wonderful position for spacious, relaxed breathing. avoid undue twisting of the joint.
But sometimes your lower body doesn't cooperate. If you A tight RF can also cause problems for the lower back
have knee and back pain in this pose, the culprit is often by limiting full extension at the hips. If your RF is tight and
tightness in your quadriceps, specifically the rectus femoris short, even sitting down on a block near your heels takes up
(RF). I recommend working on this muscle if you're having any slack the muscle has to offer. As you move to lie back,
difficulties in Supta Virasana. One caveat, though: If you the muscle can't lengthen any more, and your pelvis will be
have persistent pain in your lower back or knees in the pose, stuck in a forward tilt. That places your lower back in an
consult your health care provider to rule out structural exaggerated and uncomfortable arch. Worse still, if one RF
problems or injuries, then find an experienced teacher for is shorter than the other, just one side of the pelvis will tilt
guidance. If you're uncomfortable doing the pose even with forward, causing the pelvis to twist in relation to the spine
skilled supervision, substitute another supported backbend, and knees. This can strain the knees, sacroiliac joints, and
like Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose) lower back.
or supported Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose). Body Balance
The RF is one of the four muscles that form the
A good solution is to balance your stretching between
quadriceps on the front of the thigh. It sits directly under the
the fronts and backs of your legs. If you're the proud owner
skin, running right down the center of the thigh between hip
of tight, short RF muscles, be sure to stretch them just as
and knee. This muscle originates on the front pelvis above
frequently as you do your hamstrings. You'll stretch the RF
the hip socket, and then crosses the front of the hip to join
most effectively if you work on one side at a time, because the
the other three quads: the vastus lateralis, v. intermedius,
muscle is tough (containing lots of gristly connective tissue)
and v. medialis. The three vastus muscles originate on the
and potentially strong. When you try to stretch the left and
femur, and all four quadriceps converge into a common
right together in poses like Supta Virasana or Bhekasana
tendon, which attaches to the kneecap. This tendon then
(Frog Pose), they will—like two mischievous kids—simply
extends down past the knee, becoming the patellar ligament,
overpower the stretch, causing your back to overarch.
which inserts on the shinbone. All four muscles contract to
To get an effective RF stretch, you'll need to flex the knee
extend (straighten) the knee. Because RF crosses the hip, it
while you extend the hip in a position you can hold for one
also acts to flex (bend) the hip when the thigh and torso are
to two minutes. Ardha Bhekasana (Half Frog Pose) is a good
pulled toward each other.
way to stretch the RFs one at a time. Lie face-down with
Long and Strong your shoulders in line with your hips and your knees three
The joint a muscle is connected to must oppose the to four inches apart, bend your right knee and lift your right
lengthening action in order to stretch any muscle. In this foot toward your buttocks.
case, because the quads extend the knee when they contract, Use your hand or a strap to catch your foot, and before
you must flex the knee to lengthen and stretch them. you pull on the foot, press your pubic bone into the floor,
And since RF is connected to two joint muscles, you eliminating any gap between the front of your hip and the
have to position both joints properly to fully lengthen it. floor. Then, maintaining the three- to four-inch spread
That means you'll have to simultaneously flex (bend) the between your knees, gradually pull your heel toward the
knee and extend the hip (bring the thighbone in line with outer edge of your buttock (not the tailbone). Repeat on
or behind the torso). This position describes Supta Virasana the other side. Remember, don't force: Pain in your knee or
perfectly: When you sit between your heels, your knees are lower back is never a good thing, and muscle pain can cause
deeply flexed, and when you lay your torso back on the floor, the muscle to contract and resist the stretch.
your hips are fully extended. You can also work on your RF muscles at a wall. Start on
The trouble usually arises when RF doesn't lengthen your hands and knees facing away from the wall, with your
enough to allow the knees and hips their full range of motion. feet touching it. Place one shin on the wall, perpendicular
Often the muscle is too short and hasn't been stretched to the floor, foot pointing up, and the knee within two to
enough. Perhaps it's been worked hard or you've spent three inches of the wall with plenty of padding beneath it.
long periods sitting in a chair with hips and knees both at Now bring the other foot forward to stand flat on the floor
90-degree angles. And if you're like most yoga practitioners, a couple of feet from the wall, and you'll be in a modified
you probably spend much more time stretching the backs of lunge.
your thighs than the fronts. In any case, if all four quadriceps Next, put your hands on two yoga blocks or a chair seat
are short and tight, they will prevent the knee from flexing to support yourself as you gradually move your tailbone
fully, and you will have trouble lowering your hips toward down and away from the wall and into a deeper lunge. As
your heels—never mind sitting between them. the RF stretches and gradually lengthens, gently and slowly
Trying to force your pelvis down between your heels lift the hips, chest, and torso back toward the wall. If your
before the quads are long enough is counterproductive and lower back starts to hurt, ease off.
painful, and can injure your knees. Instead, sit in Virasana As you work over the weeks and months to lengthen the
on a block or other firm prop for a few minutes each day, fronts of your thighs, come back to Supta Virasana from time
and all four parts of the quads will gradually stretch out. to time to see whether you're ready to practice it comfortably.
Over time, you'll be able to reduce the size of your prop You may find that it helps to start with a bolster or stack of
until eventually you'll be able to sit comfortably on the floor folded blankets under your back and head. In the meantime,
between your heels. you'll have an opportunity to bring yoga philosophy to life:
To further protect your knees, make sure your feet and By practicing patience and compassion, you'll learn to
toes point straight back behind you and not out to the sides. breathe and relax into resistance and to persist in the face
Also, while you're kneeling before you sit, dig the fingertips of a challenge that can't be instantly resolved.
Yoga Therapy Ireland Autumn 2015 11Pranayama
The different types of Under the impact of prâna and apâna, the
psyche rushes up and down through the left and
right pathways and on account of this fickleness
breath, or life energy cannot be perceived.
As a hawk tied to a rope can be brought back
The principle types of life energy again when it has flown away, so the psyche
Wedged between the visible material realm and the bound to the qualities (guna) [of the cosmos, or
transcendental Reality is prâna (“life”) or prâna-shakti prakriti] is pulled along by prâna and apâna.
(“life energy”). This is an all-pervasive power that
sustains every material thing. In its cosmic or universal The above stanzas spell out one of the great
aspect, it is known as mukhya-prâna; in its microcosmic discoveries of Yoga, namely that mind and breath (or
or individual aspect, it is simply prâna, and the breath is life energy) are closely connected. Influencing the one
its material correlate. The term is composed of the prefix means influencing the other. When we are upset, we
pra- and the verbal root ân (“to breathe”). The word breathe faster. When we are calm, our breathing slows
prâna is widely used already in the archaic Rig-Veda. By down.
the time of the Atharva-Veda (Chapter 15), some 4,500 Yogins understood this early on and invented a
years ago, we encounter the familiar division of the life battery of techniques for controlling the breath in
energy/breath into four aspects as follows: order to control the mind. These techniques are called
prânâyâma, which is widely translated as “breath
• prâna (“in-breath”) - the life energy control.” The literal meaning of this Sanskrit term
residing in the chest and which is is “lengthening (âyâma) of the life energy.” This is
connected with inhalation accomplished through breathing rhythmically and slowly
• apâna (“out-breath”) - the life energy and through the special yogic practice of prolonged
present in the lower abdomen and which is retention of the breath, either before or after inhalation.
associated with exhalation
• udâna (“up-breath”) - the life energy Pranayama: The fourth limb of
present in the area of the throat and Patanjali’s eightfold path
head and which is associated with speech In Patanjali’s eightfold path, breath control
and, in particular, the yogic processes of constitutes the fourth limb. He did not describe or
meditation and conscious dying prescribe any specific technique, and elaboration was
• samâna (“mid-breath”) - the life energy left to the adepts of Hatha-Yoga many centuries later.
residing in the upper abdomen and navel They, like most other Tantric adepts, were eager to
area and which is responsible, among explore the prâna-maya-kosha, or the “etheric body,”
other things, for the digestive process and its subtle energetic environment. By contrast, most
contemporary Western schools of Hatha-Yoga ignore
• vyâna (“through-breath”) - the life energy prâna and prânâyâma, just as they ignore the mental
circulating throughout the body disciplines and spiritual goals, and instead promote a
The secondary types of life energy plethora of physical postures (âsana). This emphasis
In addition to the above principal types of life is problematical, as it has led to an unfortunate
force, some scriptures also know of five secondary reductionism and distortion of the traditional yogic
types (upaprâna), namely nâga (lit. “serpent”), kûrma heritage.
(“tortoise”), kri-kara (“kri-maker”), deva-datta (“God- The gradual re-inclusion of prânâyâma into
given”), and dhanam-jaya (“conquest of wealth”), which contemporary Hatha-Yoga, however, is very promising,
are respectively associated with vomiting (or eructation), because this practice sooner or later leads to an
blinking, hunger (or sneezing), sleep (or yawning), and experiential encounter with prâna, which is distinct from
decomposition of the corpse. mere oxygen.
According to Yoga, we are meant to live a full 120
Breath - the connection between mind years. Since we take 21,600 breaths every day, the total
and body number of breath in our lifetime will be 946,080,000
All these “breaths” animate the otherwise inert body. breaths. This may seem like a lot, but we also know that
Especially prâna and apâna play an important role in life goes by very quickly. Therefore it makes sense to
Yoga. As the Goraksha-Paddhati (1.38-40), a twelfth/ want our every breath to count, and Yoga makes this
thirteenth-century work on Hatha-Yoga, states: possible.
As a ball hit with a crook flies up, so the psyche
(jîva), propelled by prâna and apâna, does not
stand still. © 2003 Georg Feuerstein
12 Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015Prâna The Breath of Life OM – a poem by Parahamsa Yogananda Whence, whence this soundless roar doth come, When drowseth matter’s dreary drum? On shores of bliss, Om, booming, breaks! All earth, all heaven, all body shakes! Cords bound to flesh are broken all, Vibrations burst, meteors fall! The hustling heart, the boasting breath, No more shall cause the yogi’s death; All nature lies in darkness soft, Dimness of starlight seen aloft; Subconscious dreams have gone to bed... ‘Tis then that one doth hear Om’s tread; The bumble-bee now hums along -- Hark! Baby Om doth sing His song! From Krishna’s flute the call is sweet: ‘Tis time the Watery God to meet! Now, the God of Fire is singing! Om! Om! Om! His harp is ringing. God of Prana now is sounding -- Wondrous, breathing-bells resounding! O! Upward climb the living tree; Hark to the cosmic symphony. From Om, the soundless roar! From Om, the call for light o’er dark to roam. From Om the music of the spheres! From Om the mist of nature’s tears! All things of earth and heaven declare, Om! Om! Resounding everywhere! Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015 13
Pranayama
Agni- Pam Butler facilitates three
sessions connecting
Prasana
Breath to Movement
“Mensana” week took place in October in Carlow - a play
on the “mens sana in corpore sano” phrase from the poet
– Breath of Fire Juvenal’s Satire X, written a couple of thousand years ago. It
has come to mean that a healthy body needs a healthy mind,
or a healthy mind creates a healthy body - either way, that
What is Breath of Fire? the two are inseparable. Carlow Mental Health Association
Breath of Fire is a rhythmic breath with equal emphasis on the inhale
organises this annual week-long event to raise awareness of
and exhale, no deeper than sniffing. It’s done by pumping the naval
point towards the spine on the exhale and releasing the naval out on the mental health issues and to present various tools to deal with
inhale. It’s practiced through the nostrils with mouth and eyes closes. the challenges that arise.
When done correctly, you should feel you can go on indefinitely. Yoga is a useful tool for self-managing physical and mental
Here are 10 incentives to master Breath of Fire to elevate your mind, health - an ideal “mens sana in corpore sano” activity. I was
body and spirit: invited to lead three sessions connecting breath to movement.
1. 5-15 minutes will purify your blood and release deposits from the In yoga terms, breath carries the vital life energy (prana),
lungs. and connects the mind to the body. This isn’t hard to feel -
2. Breath of Fire is a breath that burns away disease and karma.
everyone who tried the very simple exercise of coordinating
3. It stimulates the solar plexus to generate heat and release natural
energy throughout the body. precisely their inhale with the raising of hands overhead and
4. It strengthens the magnetic field of the body, or physical aura, the exhale with pressing the palms floor-wards (or “breathing
to give you greater protection against negative forces. No more arms” for short) was immediately engaged mentally in the
absorbing the negative imprints others throw your way. You act from activity. The result of this even and focused breathing is that
your inner power. the central nervous system becomes quieter. This is a kind of
5. Helps you quickly regain control in a stressful situation by getting “flow” - that gorgeous feeling you get when you’re totally
you out of your ego and reconnecting to your higher self. absorbed in an activity, like painting or dancing or turning clay.
6. Synchronizes your entire system under one rhythm, thus promoting
The “breathing arms” exercise is highly accessible because
greater internal harmony and health. .
7. Can help overcome addictions and cleanse you of the bad effects
it is so easily and quickly done, and requires neither skill nor
of smoking, drugs, sugar, alcohol and caffeine. Start substituting equipment.
feelings of cravings with Breath of Fire and start unblocking Session 1
negative habits. Claire O’Neill of Irish TV turned up at the first session I
8. When done powerfully, the pulsating of the diaphragm massages the was leading at the Delta Centre, with her microphone and
internal organs, thus improving the digestive system.
9. Increases physical endurance when needed in exercise situations.
camerawoman, to film a segment for Irishtv.ie’s Carlow
10. Strengthens and balances your nervous system. Matters. After the brief and amusing interview, our small
group started with some breath awareness and a few simple
How to do Breath of Fire poses, ending with a relaxation - some were lying on the floor
Here is a step by step of how to do Breath of Fire:
in the classic savasana pose, some were seated in chairs.
1. Sitting up tall, with a straight spine, hands placed on knees in open
palm mudra and your eyes closed, start by feeling your belly expand Lovely.
with each inhale and contract with each exhale. Session 2
2. Breath of Fire is powered from the navel point (solar plexus) and On Tuesday, it was off to The Vault for the after-school
the diaphragm is used to pump the navel in and out with each exhale drop-in session for teens. A tough nut to crack - with teens,
and inhale, respectively.
there’s self-consciousness, coolness that must be maintained
3. Now that you understand the movements of the diaphragm during
breathing, open the mouth and pant like a dog to understand the among peers, unfamiliarity and pre-conceptions about yoga,
diaphragm pattern. Once you have a rhythm, close your mouth and a noisy atmosphere - all sorts of hurdles to conducting a
breathe through your nostrils. serene yoga session. Talking above the din, I led a group of
4. Quicken the pace of the inhale and exhale, but keep them equal. 10 teens (six of which were boys - success in itself!) through
There is a quick inhale and quick exhale with no pause between the breathing-arms exercise, then we did several yoga poses
them at the rate of approximately 2-3 cycles per second. including balances and backbends. We finished with a lie-down
5. Begin practicing for 1-3 minutes at a time. When done correctly, relaxation.
your chest will remain relaxed and slightly lifted and your hands,
We followed that with a short “mindful eating” exercise, in
feet, face and abdomen will also be relaxed.
Please Note: If you feel dizzy, giddy, or light headed, slow down your which each participant chooses a clementine and observes it
pace and ensure that both the inhale and exhale are of equal with all their senses as they slowly peel and eat it.
duration. Breath of Fire should not be done by menstruating or Afterwards, one female participant said to me, “The
pregnant women, or children younger than 16. relaxation was amazing. I felt like I was floating!” But not all
teens are so forthcoming, and out of keen curiosity to know
how young minds would react to these activities, I had drawn
14 Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015Mensana
Yoga at
Carlow Mental
Health Week
up a questionnaire. I got six anonymous replies, and they were While you might not put yourself in the “elite” category, in the
wonderful: four of six respondents were brand-new to yoga. One scheme of things we middle-class consumers are pretty elite
male participant described yoga as “good fun”. Four participants compared to billions of others. So, despite my initial misgivings of
ticked that yoga was a practice for the mind, stress management teaching yoga at a mall, in fact it was the most appropriate place
and a way to relax, which was encouraging because clearly to shine a spotlight on the chasm between what we need for our
they saw beyond the “exercise” bit. Two people ticked that their mental and spiritual well-being and what we tend to reach for
favourite part was the mindful eating practice. One commented, instead.
“Really made me think about how much we have that we take for A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body
granted”. Result. So, thank you to Carlow Mental Health Association for all
Session 3 the work the committee members and coordinators do to raise
My final Mensana foray was to the Carlow’s consumer mecca, awareness. And thank you to all the participants who turned up to
the Fairgreen Shopping Mall, which would seem at first blush to broaden their, and by extension, my horizons. I have no new advice
be an exceedingly inappropriate venue for any kind of meditative for anybody, because it’s all been said before, so I leave you with a
practice. Yet the most accomplished Buddhist monks bring their translation of Juvenal’s satire:
serenity with them wherever they go, so it is possible to maintain Satire X: Wrong Desire is the Source of Suffering
equanimity in all circumstances (with practice!). As it turned out, You should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body. Ask for a
it was a superb little group that showed up and sat on chairs in a stout heart that has no fear of death, and deems length of days the
circle right in the centre of Fairgreen, like the calm in the eye of least of Nature’s gifts that can endure any kind of toil, that knows
the storm. Having established (with much giggling) that there was neither wrath nor desire and thinks the woes and hard labours of
NO WAY we were getting down on the floor, we proceeded with a Hercules better than the loves and banquets and downy cushions
yoga practice of very simple movements to connect to the breath, of the King of Assyria.
then standing poses and finally a seated relaxation. As is often the What I commend to you, you can give to yourself;
case, that was the most popular part of the session. For assuredly, the only road to a life of peace is virtue.
The Fairgreen venue was a microcosm of one of the unhealthy
issues we face today as a society: we need spiritual nourishment (Source: Wikipedia)
but are bombarded instead with consumerist fodder, material
goods we don’t need. Fittingly, Juvenal’s Satire X was written as
Links:
a social commentary, reflecting how wrong desire is a source of
suffering. It describes perceived threats to the social continuity of Carlowmentalhealth.ie
the Roman citizens, which included excesses of the elite class. The Irishtv.ie/carlow-matters-69
Roman empire fell. Perhaps we should take that as a warning. Pambutleryoga.com
Yoga Therapy Ireland WInter 2015 15Features
It
had taken many The first thing that struck me about with a beachside morning meditation
everyone and everything that was put and go on into the evening with free
months of hard out at the conference was how normal special events, all focused on fun and
and familiar it all was; it all felt right. community.
work to save up The common thread was a love of yoga
and many months and most of us attending were teachers, Jason Crandell and
there to experience as much yoga as Tiffany Cruikshank
of planning. I was just a possible and to learn how to better share Choosing the workshops is a very
our love of yoga with our students. difficult process. I chose two teachers I
humble yoga teacher from had studied with before and regularly
Ireland. What was I thinking The numbers can be a little take classes with on Yogaglo, Jason
intimidating: 36 stories in the hotel, Crandell and Tiffany Cruikshank. The
heading thousands of miles 1,100 attendees (New York has 2,000), material was very familiar to me. They
5 full days of workshops and classes, are both very considered teachers with
to a conference with world- 40 different teachers, close to 100 a huge emphasis on safe alignment and
renowned teachers in an potential classes to choose from spread slow, steady progression in a mindful
over three floors of the hotel and the practice, and they did not disappoint.
amazing venue? adjoining conference centre. We had Like many of the other more popular
I don’t deserve this… I’m not worthy! maps and schedules and plenty of Yoga teachers, these workshops took place in
…and came back from the conference a Journal crew on hand to help. Your huge packed rooms with taped floors so
different person… oh yes I am! day could potentially begin at 7 a.m. that the mats were all neatly lined up.
16 Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 20152015 Yoga
Journal
Conference
Sylvia Ferguson
reports from
Florida…
Cyndi Lee; Rodney Yee and thoughtful about alignment and took and yoga clothing... yoga pants of every
Colleen Saidman pauses in the practice to slow us down colour, print and fabric you could
and be more considered in our actions. imagine. Yoga pants made from recycled
I chose two other teachers I had
Kiersten Mooney started her workshop, plastic, yoga pants made from organic
read or heard about. Cyndi Lee
The Wow Factor, with a philosophical cotton. Most of the suppliers were small,
took us deeper into our practice in
discussion on the power of meditation, ethical businesses using well-sourced
a way that encouraged us to meet
prayer and affirmations and then took materials and all passionate about their
each moment fully. Her workshop,
us through a powerful flow embodying products.
‘Embodied Equanimity’, was a journey
that theme. I did a community class Yoga Journal Live are passionate
of self-discovery, played out in classic
of partner yoga which was amazingly about their own ethics. They always
Hatha Yoga poses with thoughtful
strong and ended with us all on the use local teachers as well as the world-
transitions. Rodney Yee and Colleen
floor in a pile, literally crying laughing. renowned teachers. Each conference
Saidman Yee led us though a one-
Words and Music has free community classes open to
day yoga retreat encouraging skilful
all. A reduced rate on the conference
observation. The progression of poses Thoughtful language was a theme
is available if you volunteer some of
was carefully planned, taking us on that prevailed. “Be soft, open and
your time to be crew at the event and
a journey through the body using the compassionate… Let your bones sink
scholarship programmes are available.
breath. Alignment cues between various into the water of your back body
They often have participants travelling
teachers conflicted... Never, ever hug (savanasa)… As your collarbones widen
from Ireland.
knee to chest straight after wheel versus they should float…In child’s pose, turn
Attending the conference is more
come down from wheel and hug knees the volume down… Dual quality of effort
accessible than you would think but it
to chest! Don’t take your knee further and surrender.”
does require a lot of advance planning.
than your range of motion in tree vs. Thoughtful use of music was another
Once you have booked you have to
take your knee as wide as you can do theme, complete silence at times
access to a community chat room to
in tree! This just added to the flavour (pretend a sleeping baby is on your mat)
discuss sharing accommodation and
and complexities of experiencing and to dynamic, harmonious instrumentals
transport. Working part-time at the
teaching yoga. Cyndi wisely told us to linked to a vibrant flow. Classic hatha
conference is an option to keep costs
write stuff down, practice it, feel it and yoga done safely and well was a theme
down. If you are even slightly intrigued I
then decide if it suits you. If and only for all. Mr. Iyengar was frequently
would encourage you to open your mind
if it does, pass it on to your students. quoted, the sutras of Patanjali, the
to it and plant a little seed. There is so
Rodney encouraged us not to memorise nervous system, mindfulness, the
much there for you to explore, practice
instructions but to feel them and then breath. There was very little about
and connect with, so much for you to
teach what you have felt. advanced asana, often offered as
wake up to and experience.
Vinnie Marino; Kiersten options but never pushed, very little
One of his students asked Buddha,
pressure to try to make any particular
Mooney shape, very little ego. Simple, classic
“Are you the messiah?” No answered
I chose two other workshops just Buddha. “Then are you a healer?”
yoga done with full presence.
because they sounded like fun, and No, Buddha replied. “Then are you a
they were. They were in smaller rooms, The Experience teacher?” the student persisted. “No, I
a class of just 20-30 versus hundreds The conference itself could not have am not a teacher.” “Then what are you?”
in the larger workshops. Vinnie Marino been better organised and everything replied the student, exasperated. “I am
took us through a challenging level ran with such ease. There were healthy awake” Buddha replied.
2/3 vinyasa flow. He encouraged us lunches, plenty of drinking water www.anandacentre.com
to be vibrant, to move and sweat and everywhere and yoga journal crew www.restrestoreyoga.com
try difficult asana and to wobble and always on hand. The marketplace was 085 1502378
fall over and to have fun. He was also heaven- food, jewellery, books, supplies
Thoughtful use of music was another theme, complete silence at times to
dynamic, harmonious instrumentals linked to a vibrant flow
Yoga Therapy Ireland Winter 2015 17You can also read
