Yoga in Manchester Gift Vouchers

Looking for an unusual gift or a bit of inspiration for a present for a friend or loved one then why not buy them a course of classes with my useful gift vouchers.

The gift vouchers can be bought for 3 or 6 discounted classes for either my Monday Reddish class, Wednesday Manchester City Centre or Thursday Chorlton class, you can view the times here, (and you never know I might add more classes throughout the year).   The vouchers can be used any time throughout the year to suit the person receiving them, the classes don’t have to be taken consecutively and can be mixed between available classes.

Vouchers are valid for 1 year from purchase.  However, I am really ‘flexible’ about how you use the voucher, (excuse the pun), I just want you or the person who receives the voucher to get the most out of it, so don’t hesitate to contact me with any queries.

You can buy a voucher by contacting me, email, text, call or tweet and I will post to you with a timetable of classes whilst you either send a cheque or electronically transfer the £15 or £30 (3 or 6 classes).  Along with the timetable I will send you a hand made card with an inspirational yoga drawing and quote to help encourage the recipient to jump on their mat.  I can send the pack to you or the recipient directly.  Last first class Royal Mail postal date is Friday 19th December, unless you are local and I will hand deliver until 2pm on the 22rd Dec.

Iyengar yoga benefits

There are many benefits of Iyengar yoga, one if which is that it can just make you happy.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-11-07/health/28062843_1_iyengar-yoga-moods-loving-feeling

Yoga for lower back pain

Those who practice Iyengar yoga will always be ready to promote the many benefits of the method, however a study has now been published confirming the benefits for those with chronic lower back pain.  This is particularly exciting for me as I am chance to assist a teacher involved in these trials and assist those in his class.

Between 60-80% of the population suffer from some lower back pain at some point in their lives, such a huge number, so it’s great that the benefits of Iyengar yoga are officially recognised in this study.

You can read the study here

Want to join a class, click on the classes page, or use the Iyengar Yoga Association of the UK website, www.iyengaryoga.org.uk to find an insured teacher in your area.

Yoga in the work place

If you sit at a desk or computer all day you may be aware of the aches and pains and rounded shoulders or stiff back that can occur.

Why not club together, or even persuade your boss or HR department to pay for a yoga class in your workplace.  You don’t need much space, maybe you could move some furniture in a meeting room and let me come to you.  I’ll teach you some great postures, asanas, to help with your posture at work and in day to day life.  Holding a class at work is the perfect solution to fitting in your excercise with your daily life. 

Remember that Iyengar yoga can help protect you from future injury and excercise in the day can boost productivity, you can read a study here.

BKS Iyengar in China

This year saw Guruji, BKS Iyengar, travel to China in his 93rd year.  Although Mr Iyengar has expressed that he no longer wants to travel to teach as he still teaches and coaches his granddaughter in Pune India, the summit was seen as a historical event.

The rise of interest of Iyengar yoga in China has been quite phenomenal and My Iyengar taught and met many thousands of yoga students during the 3 day summit.  He himself was an amazing example of the power of yoga, on his feet for days, meeting, greeting and teaching so many.  A true inspiration.

You can read more about the summit here on his very own website.

http://bksiyengar.com/pdf/ChinaJune2011.pdf

Do try this at home!

As you may know many yogis chant the ‘om’ sounding a-u-m, at the beginning of a class.  It’s thought that chanting the om is a great way to calm the nerves and slow the breathing, however many teachers do not start the class in this way, so do try this at home:

I found this web site where you can ‘Do as one’ chant the om simultaneously with people from around the world chanting at the same time! Its great, practice at home to feel and hear the sound and loose those inhibitions!

Click here to chant the om with people around the world.

Yoga Bear practising upavistha konasana

Who could resist this beautiful bear practising a 15 minute stretching yoga sequence including upavistha konasana and variations.

The bear pictured at a Finnish zoo woke from a nap to stretch and balance effortly on her seat bones.

A lesson to us all!

Yoga Bear article