Often I go for a walk in Herbert Park in Ballsbridge early in the morning. Sometimes I see a man I guess to be in his late 60′s and homeless. He has long and wild grey hair, a chubby red and friendly but distant face. Because he always wears football shorts I know one of his legs is not fully developed and he drags it a little. He has an old racing bicycle that he sometimes cycles with his good leg doing all the work and sometimes he walks with it using it lean on. His young little brown dog follows him loyally, it looks like a cross between a collie and a terrier.

Last Wednesday, the 1st of February, you might remember it was a very cold night and morning, the frost never really thawed all day. I was a little late arriving in the park, it was about 08:30 and the old man appeared and I saw him walking in his bare feet, as always, across the frozen solid grass wheeling his bike as the dog played with anything he could find and barked at the less wild dogs out for their morning walk.

The sun was coming up over the trees lighting the frosty grass as he walked towards one of the cherry blossom trees that you find in Herbert Park, I wondered where he was going. He took of his old coat and put it on the grass under the small tree and after a short pause put his head on the coat and raised himself to a perfectly still handstand. I looked on amazed as I’ve been trying to do that for a while without too much success. I continued my walk keeping an eye on this calm man holding himself upside down in his shorts, I guess it was still minus one or two degrees. I watched and watched and after half an hour I though I should take a photo to remind me of what I’d seen. I walked over to him and his dog who was sitting peacefully beside his master but as I got closer the dog came to me growling, I was only allowed to get so close. That’s when I took this photo…

I usually would have left at this stage but I wanted to see how long he was going to stay in the handstand position. After 45 minutes he dropped his legs, sat on his coat for about 5 minutes and then continued on his way, leaning on the bike as he wheeled it with the dog running in circles around him.

(Andrew only began yoga mid summer last year and is already hooked to this ancient art.  He is a valuable participant in the  Wednesday evening class.  His own goal is to be able to hold headstand comfortably.  He’s very close.! Impressive for a yoga beginner.)

Intentions fo the Heart

At the beginning of a yoga class we often set intentions.  The physical practice on the mat can be considered a creative expression of these intentions.  The themes I work with in class are broadly related to non-attachment, gratitude, giving and receiving, creative action, conscious living, conscious practice, loving kindness, open body-open mind… and many others.   As we begin the New Year I offer “setting intentions” as the intention itself.  To set intention is an important practice, whether or not you are a yoga practitioner.  It is important to tune to your body, your breath, and your heart in order to connect with your true desires, rather than the mind’s deceptions.  One must stay grounded in intentions to move forward both spiritually and emotionally.

The physical yoga practice can help us develop this process.  Setting strong foundations on the yoga mat could be viewed as a metaphor for setting strong intentions in how we live.  In standing postures we ground the feet down to the mat, we fortify the legs, and draw that power to our core centre.  The core centre is considered the emotional area of the body, so this action helps to develop a strong connection to deep emotions.  In postures such as downward dog and plank pose, we press the hands into the mat and draw energetically from both hands and feet to our spiritual heart between our shoulder blades.  This action not only softens and opens the heart, it also develops stability, strength, and confidence in the action of listening to your heart.  From the heart we extend back along the torso, out through the limbs, all the way to the foundation in the hands and feet – or metaphorically, from our heart we extend back out to the world.  The heart is where our intuition, compassion, and wisdom live, together making up the True Self.

So as the New Year begins, I encourage you to listen to your heart and begin to set strong intentions based on your true heart’s desires.  Instead of making lists of New Year’s resolutions of physical actions, make lists of how you would like to feel, how you would like to be, in the coming year.  Maybe you want to laugh more, to love more, to be stress free, to be healthier, to let go of worries.  Maybe you need to work with trusting in life more (this is a good one as we could all do with trusting in life!).

Sit in silence focusing on the flow of your breath.  Place your attention at the spiritual heart, at the centre of your chest, and set your intentions there.  The more time you can spend focusing on the heart centre, the more tuned-in you will become with the steps you could take to have a more fulfilling life.

The year ahead is the dawning of a time, according to the Myans.  An age where we begin to move from a place of truth, wisdom, and compassion, instead of a place of self centred power and self gain.  A powerful global shift in consciousness is already happening.  As long as you are being true to yourself and others, you will be fully supported in the realisation of your heart’s desires.  You don’t have to worry about how it will all manifest.  Simply trust, allowing the force of nature to carry you along the way.

The entire universe wants you to realise your True Self and will support you in doing so.  Setting the intention to work with your heart’s desires throughout 2012 is worthwhile.  It is living with the awareness of the rising of a New Age and a very positive start to the New Year.

Be Happy, Be Peaceful, Be Free.

Sinead.

While going with the flow of this temporary low I found myself grieving for the yoga studio I closed last year, realising I hadn’t allowed myself to do so at the time.  To deal with closing down my dream and vision I kept going, taking up yoga classes immediately in other local studios.  It just goes to show you how life catches up with you eventually.  Now I wonder if the minor personal challenge was a catalyst to let go and release the running of a yoga studio and other career goals I have not been able to achieve.

During this down period other parts of my life suffered.  I didn’t feel inspired to write blogs; my yoga teaching and own personal practice lacked enthusiasm.  Only yoga teachers can understand what it’s like to go through these phases.  On the outside, to everyone who comes to yoga, most classes are exactly like any normal class.  For the yoga teacher, there is concern that if one isn’t feeling inspired on their own yoga mat how can you benefit your yoga students?  Therefore the job is not being done well.  I can’t say every yoga teacher feels this way.  I certainly do and it can weigh on my mind, which doesn’t help matters.

Thankfully, a few weeks ago I felt myself come back to life.  While deep in thought one day I found myself saying in my mind “I am looking forward to being back to myself”.   As I caught myself thinking this I corrected that thought – giving recognition to the ‘not myself period’ as a very full and vital part of me.   This train of thought reminded me of a blog I had posted a few months ago: Lila’s Lotus Flower, describing the metaphoric significance of the lotus flower according to tantra philosophy. The lotus flower dips its head under water at night to travel through the murky waters of materialism, through the waters of experience, before it can once again become a thousand petals that signify the light of enlightenment.

I realised my down time had been a temporary and crucial dive underwater.  The minute I reflected on this everything shifted.  I suddenly felt excited knowing that my petals are about to appear in all their glory once again.  What was even more rewarding was the joy I felt to be back to my positive, motivated and ambitious self with new founded appreciation.  I would almost say I had a level of acknowledgment I had not previously felt.

My down time reminded me that in order to experience joy we have to experience challenging moments.   There is no light without darkness, there is no pleasure without pain.   All we can hope for is the ability to move through difficult times with relative ease, knowing there is always light at the end of the tunnel and learning in it all.   I am more reassured in this philosophy and fully believe the more we can accept life as it comes the happier we will be.  The continued practice of yoga, meditation and reflection supports and develops this very valuable peace of mind.

Be happy, Be peaceful, Be Free!

Sinead.

Juice Time!

A diet rich in antioxidants and chlorophyll is especially necessary while detoxing. Antioxidants include vitamins A, C & E, which can be taken as supplements, but are more readily absorbed from consuming a variety of colourful fruit and vegetables. Leafy vegetables are a great choice and tend to have the highest source of chlorophyll, one of the main substances in super-green foods such as spirulina and chlorella.

Juicing fruit and vegetables has a powerful anti-oxidizing effect. Admittedly, in today’s economical environment, juicing can be expensive, costing as much as €20 for fruit and vegetebables that may only last for two days. On a ten day detox it can add up!  Thankfully, there are plenty of other affordable ways to use foods. Here are some good tips:

1. Hot water with a squeeze of lemon juice is one of the most powerful anti-oxidizing drinks. Even though lemons are considered an acidic fruit, the constitution of the fruit changes when it hits the digestive system becoming alkaline. It is the best thing you can do for your digestive system first thing in the morning.

2. Green tea, rich in chlorophyll. There are many green teas now available on the market. Some can be very expensive, such as Macha, however more affordable brands are widely available. Sencha is very popular.

3. Make salads, soups or steam with these chlorophyll rich foods including chard, kale, collard, mustard, spinach, alfalfa, sea vegetables, leaf lettuce, broccoli and green beans. Use these instead of spending money on expensive supplements such as spirulina, chlorella, and green algae.

4. Add herbs and spices to your diet that have powerful anti-oxidizing benefits such as tumeric, ginger root, oregano, cyan pepper, parsley and rosemary.

5. Brown rice is powerful liver cleanser so make sure you add lots to your diet. Try brown basmati rice.

6. Oat is a powerful colon cleanser. Along with porridge in the morning time, oatcakes are great to have on your side to snack throughout your day.

Benefits Include:

• Eliminates/reduces toxins and pollutants in the body
• Purifies Blood
• Promotes healthy eating
• Cleanses mucus congestion
• Improves digestion
• Promotes weight loss.
• Increased energy
• Reforms lifestyle addictions to sugar, caffeine, alcohol
• Increases Metabolism
• Promotes clarity of mind and sharp focus
• Improves Concentration
• Improves skins complexion
• Improves general sense well-being
• Improves flexibility
• Deepens yoga practice
• Promotes ease in meditation.

Next week I’ll post a 20 minute detox yoga practice.

Hope to see you soon on the yoga mat.

Peace,

Sinead.

Sri Dharma Mittra

It is widely acknowledged that one of the best ways to keep the body looking young and toxic free is a yoga practice, be that daily or weekly.  For some inspiration, take a look at Sri Dharma Mittra, who is approaching 75.  While the picture can only illustrate the physical benefits of yoga, his mind is just as sharp, his words resonate with students worldwide who are fortunate enough to participate in one of his fully booked workshops.

Spinal Twist

Spinal twists and inversions are the two types of postures that increase the body’s natural capacity for detoxifying, which you can do from the comfort of your own living space.  A spinal twist is just that: twisting the body around the spine.  This action squeezes the liver and spleen and massages abdominal organs.  Inversions, such as headstand and shoulder-stand, turn the body upside down.  This is like a pushing the fast-forward button on how blood flows to the heart.  Here, blood is purified,  this triggers a rush of blood to the face, aiding complexion and yielding a youthful glow. Any posture that holds the hips higher than the heart is considered an inversion.  The basic yoga pose, “downward dog,” has detoxing benefits, for example.

Downward Dog

Just like beginning a new exercise regime, a substantial detox can be challenging and difficult particularly at the beginning.  A three-day detox will be powerful enough to help recharge the system, and remember that even one day is better than none.  A ten-day detox is optimum.  The first three days are generally the most difficult on both body and mind.  During this phase it is important to understand these feelings subside and make way for some of the benefits such as clarity of mind and spritely energy.

A detox sharpens mentality.  It is amazing how a simple “spring cleaning” works for the mind, allowing it to be light and present.   With this clarity of mind and ability to be present, it is easier and more enjoyable to as work, do yoga, and meditate.   For this reason, detoxing once every five months is ideal.

The body has its own, natural, detoxifying process, a robust system that works well and includes the circulatory, digestive and the lymphatic systems.  However, the demands on this intelligent, anatomical system can wear and become exhausted due to an overload of pesticides and chemicals in food, water, the atmosphere, environmental pollutants, and consumption of saturated fat.  Top this off with an increased use of toxic substances such as sugar, caffeine and alcohol, and our bodies can be put under an abnormal amount of pressure.

Committing to a 10-day detox can be of utmost benefit to aid the body’s natural detoxifying process.  Not only will a well-rounded detox give the body a chance to eliminate the excess build up of toxins, it will also recharge the natural system to once again work at its optimum level.

More next week including a detox yoga practice.

Om Shanti,

Sinead.

Wealth is often referred to only as a monetary unit, and many consider money the most important asset.  Some go to extreme lengths to gain financially, using corruption, dishonesty, and bullying to make a financial gain out of every situation.

Today’s modern world has been so driven by financial success and achievement; it has brought about stress, anxiety, and a deep sense of fear.  These initials affects all too often lead to more serious problems such as ill health.  The fear of loosing all you have is felt deeply, and the constant worry about not having enough can be soul destroying.  When we sit back and comprehend the motivation behind wealth it’s actually quite a sad way to live.  Indeed, how many times do we here songs, poems, spiritual scripts point out the opposite.  Money does not buy happiness.  In the words of Johnny Cash, “It’s hard to find one rich man in ten with a satisfied mind.”

Naturally, I am not concluding that all wealthy people are unhappy.  That would be a ridiculous statement.  Of course, there are the wealthy who are extremely happy people with a true sense of inner contentment and joy.  I think these people go about creating their wealth in a significantly different way, generated first by being rich in mind.

While in the past few hundred years we have been obsessed with creating more money, it’s now time to change the way we perceive wealth.  With the collapse of banking around the world, it seems we are now being forced to look in a different direction, in a different light.  Paradoxically, our obsession with money has made many less well off, financially and otherwise.

From my point of view, a wealthy life comes down to attitude.  While my annual income is well within the norm, I feel I have an extremely wealthy life.  My wealth is an abundance of health, friends, happiness, work, peace of mind, contentment, laughter, and joy.  When I focus on creating more abundance in my life, these are all the things I focus on.  Financial abundance comes after the long list above; however, I believe if you are completely content in all areas of your life, then money will more readily flow.

To create a life full of abundance one needs to begin from a mind that is rich.  To achieve this state, the first most important attitude is trust.  To trust we need to let go of fear and know that money is only another form of energy.  Scientifically speaking, energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another. Therefore in knowing this, we should be able to let go of the fear of not having enough.  Then, we can focus on what we have, even if you consider this to be very little.  For example out of a tiny seed grows an abundance of flowers.  If we trust in all we have and let go of fear, I am confident more abundance – in all its many forms – will enrich our lives.

The second most important attitude to creating an abundant life is gratitude.  Being grateful for all one has creates a positive mind and body.  Being grateful energetically signals a message that you are open to more, and thankful for what you receive.  Gratitude is a way of offering a gesture and showing you are aware of abundance.  Being grateful for all you have is satisfying and inevitably stirs a smile.  When we are aware of abundance, we create more abundance.

Positive focus is the third most important attitude, or as I like to say P.M.A. – Positive, Mental, Attitude.  We are all aware that being positive creates more positivity; being negative can act like a bad virus in the body, multiplying at a fast and rapid pace.  Being positive is a high road to true inward and outward success.  When we move from a place of positivity, we realise the good in everything and all beings.  Mother nature will respond in offering more positive outcomes to you.  In doing this we find peace of mind, inner contentment, and joy.

The fourth most important attitude is to always move from a place of truth.  Being true to yourself and those around you offers respect towards self and others.  Living in your own truth will guide you on a path that will serve your higher purpose.  You may experience a deep connection to your inner self and a centeredness of inner peace.

Practicing the four attitudes above will help achieve a rich mind and abundant life.  From there, the possibilities for all kinds of abundance are endless.  However, you may realise that you are truly content just as you are, having no need or want for more.

For now, I’ll leave you with one of my favourite songs, “A Satisfied Mind” by Johnny Cash.

I’d love to know your thoughts on a wealthy life so feel free to post comments or get in touch.

Om Shanti,

Sinead

Ollie in Virabhandrasana ii

Without doubt my favourite yoga pose is one of the Warrior, or Virabhadrasana, poses. These poses challenge the body’s strength and flexibility, and extend the body into striking geometric forms. I find warrior 2 particularly energizing. It demands stretch, strength and stability – legs and arms are extended yet a strong sense of grounding derives from the wide and sure stance. I guess I also can’t help but enjoy the feeling of majesty invoked by the warrior’s stance. Sinead often invites the class to hold the pose for long periods and to drop deaper at the hips, challenging us each time in the pose. I’m still working to achieve correct body alignment and especially more openess at the hips, in this and all the warrior poses.

This weeks favourite yoga pose has been chosen by Zonja Bailey.  Bakasana has been chosen before by Stephen which will show you how the challenge of this pose actually motivates people to achieve it, instead of scaring them off.  Zonja holds this posture perfectly, with strength, grace and ease.  She has now moved to the second phase which is dropping her head to the floor and moving into tripod headstand.!  When she gets back from holidaying I’ll video her doing this beautiful  sequence so keep an eye out for more.  Read her inspiring words about Bakasana below.

“I think my favorite posture changes every couple of weeks. My favorites usually mark a milestone in my personal yoga practice. The accomplishment of new poses, and improved strength & flexibility give a feeling of constant improvement.  The poses I come to love usually first present themselves to me as a big challenge -  both physically and mentally.
The first time you kick up in headstand, the first time you lift up in wheel. Your first thought is often ‘How the hell am i going to be able to ever do that?’

Having weedy little girl arms, with not much upper body strength, the idea of arm balancing my body weight on my arms seems an unobtainable feat!  Bakasana (Crow Pose) is a hands down and tail feather in the air pose. It’s a mental adventure to tell yourself go into a pose where your precious face is in danger of slamming into the ground. The first hard part of going into Bakasana is getting over our fear of falling on our face. getting over the fear of falling forward, by placing a blanket in front is a useful tip. Once you’ve fallen once or twice, you realise you’re not going to do too much damage.

Arm balances are hard because we bear our body weight on the arms, which makes them buckle. By pulling into the midline, and grounding the hands (all four corners!) you create strength to create height and balance.The first time I was able to hold it for a few seconds I felt elated! Up in the pose my mind is usually quiet and serene for those few seconds. A feeling of Wow!- check me out! usually reigns.

Arm balances are still a challenge, I have yet still to master Bakasana by trying to move into a straightened arm balance.  I’m hoping with practice of this pose, all the other balances will begin to make sense and blossom. I’m hoping it will lead to accomplishing other poses I find trouble with;  Parsva Bakasana, Astavakrasana, Tolasana and maybe even someday I will even be able to do Koundinyasana.

New and changing favorites in my personal yoga journey excite me, and keep me challenged.  With progress we feel great accomplishment.  For now, whenever I do Crow Pose, I feel like I can do anything!

Zonja”

Noeleen Maughan

Urdhva Dhanurasan has been chosen by Noeleen for this weeks favourite yoga pose.   The effort that goes into this posture always amazes me.  It seams to be the one pose that most people who come to yoga are determined to accomplish.   Many women have the back flexibility but lack the arm strength to lift up with ease while men tend to have the strength however the find lack of flexibility in arms adn back very challenging.  Yet almost everyone who comes to my yoga classes seams to approach this posture with conviction.

With practice, patience and strong determination I see this posture opening to anyone who continues to put the effort into the practice and especially into the prerequisite postures that open the body in preparation for this beautiful yoga pose.

Tips and benefits of Urdhva Danurasana blelow.  Enjoy!

Here’s Noeleens note explaining the challenge is the joy in the pose!

Urdhva Dhanurasana

“One of the things I love about yoga is that it constantly challenges you to stretch your body beyond what you thought were its limits. The pose that I experienced this process the most with was bridge pose. When I was a child I remember some of my friends being able to do this at the drop of a hat and always wanted to do it, but thought my back just wasn’t flexible enough. So returning to try and do it as an adult seemed like an impossible challenge! However, after a long time practising with the half-bridge pose, I gradually began to manage to lift myself up with my arms, just for a few seconds and then for longer. I realised that the main thing that was stopping me from doing it before was my mind and it gradually got easier and easier to get past that initial lift (I find a big deep breath helps!) Now I love the pose because it gives the spine and shoulder blades such a good stretch and squeeze, and it feels so rejuvenating and calming at the same time.”

Urdhva Dhanursana

Benefits

Detox Diet

Hello Yogi’s,

As I am off to Zurich tomorrow on my final legs of Anusara training yoga blogs are on pause this week.  So instead I thought I would leave you with information on the next Detox with Me.  I just confirmed dates, September 23rd to 25th + 10 days of online support to complete a full detox.  Below is full information including timetable and benefits.

I have to say I am really looking forward to it.  I always feel fantastic after a detox and love to support others in completing this internal cleanse.    For people who have never tired a 10 day detox, don’t worry, myself and Catherine make it manageable with nice treats thrown in.   You’ll hardly notice you are on a detox at all.! I recommend signing up soon to secure a place as the workshop has become very popular.

Autumn Detox: September 23rd, 24th & 25th + 10 days of online support to complete a full 10 day detox

Or A simple 3 day Detox if you prefer!

Detox body, mind and soul to have a healthy body, clear mind, and calm soul

ALL 3 workshops and detox support ONLY €65

Friday 2rd September,  7- 9pm: Kick Start Your Detox, Yoga and Nutrition Talk

Saturday 24th September, 11.00 – 13.30pm:  Pranayama, Twists, Hips, Meditation

Sunday 25th September, 11.00 – 13:300pm: Pranayama, Backbends, Meditation

From the 23rd September to the 2nd of October  you will have access to online support with Sinead for each day of your 10-Day Detox.  The support includes yoga tips, nutrition tips and recipes to make it easier for you to stay connected anywhere, anytime and easily achieve the 10 day detox.

With a Follow-up workshop on Saturday 9th April.  This is not a compulsory part of the program (+ €20).

Benefits of this detox workshop

• Eliminate/reduce toxins and pollutants in the body
• Purify Blood
• Promote healthy eating
• Cleanse mucus congestion
• Improve digestion
• Promote weight loss.
• Increased energy
• Reform lifestyle addictions to sugar, caffeine alcohol
• Increase Metabolism
• Promotes clarity of mind and sharp focus
• Improve Concentration
• Improves skins complexion
• Improves general sense well-being
• Improves flexibility
• Deepens yoga practice
• Meditate with ease.

Workshop Summary

The aim of Yoga & Detox Workshops is to detox the body and clear the mind

Sinead O’Connor will lead a strong dynamic flowing practice with yoga postures that fast-forward the detoxifying process of the body. This physical practice will include some pranayama (breathing) techniques as well as asana (poses).  Both will help to calm the body and the mind in preparation for a mediation practice.

With an ITEC diploma in nutrition, Sinead will also offer nutritional advice on detoxing. She has joined forces with Catherine Brien Nutrition whom will open the workshop with a short talk on detoxing and tips on how to eat throughout the 10 days.  Recipes and shopping lists will be given to each individual to allow the detox to run smoothly and effortlessly for everyone who joins in

This special workshop will also provide students with post-workshop online support.  Sinead & Catherine will address individual questions by e-mail for the full duration of the 10-day detox following the workshop. Sinead will give guidance on how to let go and release all you do not need and how to walk towards a more fulfilled life.

Speaking about the workshop, Sinead says, “If we can release from our body & mind what no longer serves us it creates room to bring more positivity into our lives.”