Harmonise Blog
- Revisiting Downward Facing Dog: A Deeper Dive into Yoga Foundations
At the tender age of 24, I found myself grappling with Downward Facing Dog in a bustling yoga class at Gold’s Gym in London. At the time, I was working as a full-time gym instructor, personal trainer and studio co-ordinator. I was young, fit, healthy and body aware, so accessing downward facing dog during this class must have been a breeze, right? WRONG!!! Despite my background in fitness and body awareness, the simplicity of this pose proved deceptive. As I persevered, strained and shook, my muscles beginning to tire and sore if not scream(!) the teacher casually mentioned we were… Read more: Revisiting Downward Facing Dog: A Deeper Dive into Yoga Foundations - Ageing Strong: Slowing Down the Clock with Yoga and Pilates
“If exercise was a pill, we’d all be taking it” – Dr Mary Hendersen (The Hovarian Magazine, Feb 2024) How much you can benefit both yourself and others by taking part in, or teaching accessible Yoga and Pilates classes, even whilst embracing change? Thankfully, an increasing number of medically qualified people seem to be promoting the more recently branded term ‘lifestyle medicine’. This is a category into which Yoga and Pilates fit very nicely. As we age, our bodies undergo natural changes that can impact our overall health and well-being. A decline in muscle mass (strength) flexibility, tissue hydration,… Read more: Ageing Strong: Slowing Down the Clock with Yoga and Pilates - Choosing In-Person Yoga or Pilates Training: 8 Compelling Reasons and the Power of Personalized Guidance
Time and time again I witness the transformative journey of like-minded individuals in our courses, where growth is exponential… and I am in awe. I always reassure individuals who express nervousness or self-criticism with these words: “Give that burden to me – trust the process, trust me, and, by the end of the course, you’ll find trust in yourself.” Yoga and Pilates are timeless forms of functional movement suitable for any age, shape, or starting point. Breath is a movement practice—you can do it lying in bed. We need more teachers offering inclusive classes and accessible classes and you could… Read more: Choosing In-Person Yoga or Pilates Training: 8 Compelling Reasons and the Power of Personalized Guidance - Yoga Nidra: My journey finding peace from pain & navigating perimenopause (+ 5 favourite benefits)
I discovered Yoga Nidra over a decade ago upon moving to Brighton and launching my career as a Yoga Teacher. As a new teacher without any other income, life was quite up and down back then. I knew I had to keep the faith and determination in what I was doing, but naturally it was a bit scary. I found Yoga Nidra would help me switch off, let go of any concerns, and find some peace. Finding peace from pain & navigating perimenopause Over 20 years ago, I suffered a back injury that persisted for years afterwards (and sometimes even… Read more: Yoga Nidra: My journey finding peace from pain & navigating perimenopause (+ 5 favourite benefits) - 12 Teaching Tips for Empowering Pelvic Health: Understanding the core and pelvic floor
Pelvic health is crucial, especially for women. It is estimated that 50% of women over the age of 50 have some form of a prolapse; and over a third have some form of incontinence.* Although pelvic health issues are not exclusive to women, factors such as pregnancies, hormonal changes during menopause, aging, medications, posture, stress, and lifestyle choices frequently act as catalysts. Like many chronic health conditions, these issues rarely stem from a single factor but rather result from a combination of various elements. * Did you know? There are 3 types of prolapse: bladder, uterine and colon, and 4… Read more: 12 Teaching Tips for Empowering Pelvic Health: Understanding the core and pelvic floor - Reconnecting with Self and Nature: A transformative retreat experience
When I embarked on planning my recent retreat to the enchanting sacred venue at St Nectan’s Glen, I knew it was going to be extraordinary. Set against the backdrop of a healing waterfall and surrounded by an abundance of nutritious negative ion-charged air, the retreat coincided with a powerful super full moon. It was the start of a new 12 month cycle, a time for release, forgiveness, embracing new beginnings, personal power and calling in abundance under the fiery energy of Aries. Each day was themed accordingly with optional associated journal questions. As an intuitive leader, to ensure a personalised… Read more: Reconnecting with Self and Nature: A transformative retreat experience - Cultivating the Relaxation Response: Self-awareness and mindful practices to enhance well-being
I have noticed a distinctive shift in my energy over the past few days, aligning with the super blue full moon and changing seasons; a time for letting go, turning within and coming home to self. Initially, I planned to work on my book at a friend’s place this weekend, however when the time approached, it didn’t feel in my alignment. Instead of frustration, I sat with the realisation that I didn’t have to go, that I had choices. It felt empowering after many years lacking this awareness in my life. I allowed myself to tune into my current needs,… Read more: Cultivating the Relaxation Response: Self-awareness and mindful practices to enhance well-being - From Mats to Milestones: Inspiring journeys of success from our Teacher Training graduates
I just loved the energy and atmosphere at the recent Brighton Yoga Foundation’s 10th Brighton Yoga festival; a gathering of like-minded teachers, entrepreneurs and volunteers came together to create a buzzing charity event. The festival not only showcased the holistic benefits of yoga and other wellness practices but also told the stories of those whose lives have been transformed by the activities of the BYF. From trauma survivors, addicts and the homeless, to ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ groups, witnessing these narratives firsthand was a profound experience. It underscores the far-reaching benefits of all styles of yoga as well as other… Read more: From Mats to Milestones: Inspiring journeys of success from our Teacher Training graduates - How well are you breathing? 10 Top Tips for better balanced breath
Hands up who suffers from summer allergies? Winter sniffles? Or other seasonal, environment or health-related sinus issues? – Breathe easy! Breath is central to both teaching and participating in an effective Pilates or Yoga class. Everything begins with the breath – including the very first thing we do when we are born into the world – we take an inhalation. Breath and the nervous system Inhalation is associated with the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) – which is motivating, uplifting and energising. I don’t see it as any accident that another word for it is ‘inspiration’. It is the SNS that… Read more: How well are you breathing? 10 Top Tips for better balanced breath - The magic of union and sharing yoga
When people ask me how I came to yoga, I reply that it wasn’t something I found. It’s very simple. Yoga found me. My yoga story As the saying goes ‘when the student is ready, the teacher will appear’. I had dipped in and out of many classes over the years and can even remember buying a book on sun salutations in 1997 when I was travelling, and practicing on the roof tops of hostels. However, it wasn’t until I embarked on my 200hr yoga teacher training, almost 10 years ago, that I realised the full depth and breadth the… Read more: The magic of union and sharing yoga - From Myofascia to Mental health; Pilates from a body-mind perspective
A regular Pilates practice may help with physical fitness and body contouring, both flattening the abs and toning the whole body – a sure-fire motivational factor to attend class for many. However, there is a much, much bigger picture at play. I believe we are in the midst of extremely exciting times for mind-body movement. - Are you your own best friend? Yoga practices to help you find your inner light.
Every time I deliver a yoga teacher training course, students are surprised at how much MORE there is to the practice of yoga. They experience how much yoga can enhance our quality of lives on a day-to-day basis – physically, mentally, energetically, emotionally and spiritually. Hence the increasingly popular phrase ‘transformational yoga’. It can help us to make decisions; it influences the way we communicate; the words we choose; how we may respond to ‘difficult’ e-mails, people and situations; the food we eat; how we spend our time; the way we choose to think and feel; and ultimately, how we… Read more: Are you your own best friend? Yoga practices to help you find your inner light. - Discovering Your Inner Energy: A journey to Chakra opening through awareness in yoga
“Where awareness goes, energy flows.“ During a practical class, one of the students on our 200hr yoga teacher training course shared that she saw an image of her chakras and the related colours on the wall opposite her! It was during bow pose (Dhanurasana), a deep heart opener*. “Was that my chakras opening up?” she asked. I gave this some consideration. We had practiced some supine hands-free alternate nostril breathing at the start of the class, progressing to breathing up and down the left and right sides of the body, then bringing our awareness into the central energy channel with… Read more: Discovering Your Inner Energy: A journey to Chakra opening through awareness in yoga - Unlocking the power of healing: The potential for transformation through yoga and meditation
“You can only heal others when you yourself have TRULY healed.“ I have been feeling a draw to run yoga and wellbeing retreats for many years. Last year I ran my first 2 successful retreats and witnessed some profound shifts amongst the participants who joined. At the end of my last retreat, I understood for the first time what it truly meant to hold space, to shine your light and to share your vibrational frequency with others. During the closing circle, I led with a spontaneous short chakra meditation that I hadn’t planned. The words ‘came to me’ as I… Read more: Unlocking the power of healing: The potential for transformation through yoga and meditation - Discovering the Potential of Simple Postures: Delving into Meditation and Breathwork
Meditation and pranayama are powerful tools for reducing stress, improving mental clarity, and increasing overall well-being. But you don’t need to be able to access advanced postures to reap the benefits! During the recent history of yoga workshop I delivered, I shared that there are 84 yoga Asana (postures) identifed in the Hatha Yoga Pradapika. In a series of workshops, Yoga Master Marcel Andres Hopegen stated that, of these, 4 were considered the most significant: Siddhasana – Accomplished pose Padmasana – Lotus pose Bhadrasana – Gracious / Butterfly / Auspicious Simhasana – Lion’s breath Of these, he deemed Siddhasana as… Read more: Discovering the Potential of Simple Postures: Delving into Meditation and Breathwork
