After a short run I always include lots of hip openers as running tends to stress out the gluteus, all hip and bum muscles, hamstrings & the lower back. Hip openers are the focus for most of this week in class as they are a great way to release any physical tension in these areas.  It is also an area that we hold a lot of emotional tension. Do you know that the gluteus is the densest muscle in the body?  Now can you imagine the years of all kinds of emotions we could be storing there such as sadness, stress, anger, pain.

When we work on the hips the breath naturally begins to deepen.  The exhale becomes much longer and softer.  Focusing on the exhale is a great way to focus letting go. Doesn’t it seem natural to you? The simple action of the breath leaving the body is getting rid of the air we don’t need.  It’s so gentle and so warming to focus on letting go while you exhale.   You don’t have to name what you are letting go of simply have the sense of letting go as you exhale.   When we include hip openers with this technique we can really get deep into our core and shift some old stuff out of our body.

The meditation technique of letting go as we exhale is taken from one of my favourite books, The Wisdom Of No Escape, by Pema Chadron. It is a Buddhist technique.  I have simply incorporated this practice to enhance the benefit of the physical yoga practice.  I love this book and keep it beside my bed. Sometimes I pick it up and read whatever chapter opens up before I go to sleep.

What book do you keep by your bedside? And why?

Enjoy your Saturday.

Om peace, Om love, Om let go!

Sinead.

This is our new blog & it is all about keeping you updated on the latest on yoga in Ireland & around the world.

We do Anusara, Vinyasa Flow, Hatha & Ashtanga yoga in our bright & spacious studio situated along the Grand Canal, Herbert Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. Try out some of our great offers at the moment for July & August classes here.

You can connect with us at our Facebook page & get real time updates on Twitter @hushyoga. Here you will be able to get regular updates about the renowned yogi Sri Dharma Mittra who visits Dublin for the first time ever bringing the best of his 50 years of yoga practice. Hush Yoga are both honoured & delighted to be hosting this event.

So please stay, have a look around & let us know what you think.

Sinead