The Warrior Dance

I trust you have embodied some of the strength and assertiveness of the Goddess Warrior Durga during your practice of the Warrior pose sequence discussed in the previous blog entry.

Maybe you want to experience the flow, instructions and creative sequences with other yogis and yoginis? You can join my classes in Streatham on Tuesdays and Thurdays at 8pm and they are for all levels. Pregnant yoginis can join the prenatal classes at 6.30pm or Fridays at 1pm in Chelsea... There are more classes in the near future, including in the Parson Green area, so do look on my website (www.yogaembodied.com) and sign up for the newsletter.

Now, we will continue with the openness and strength which we felt in our Warrior Pose Two and play a little. Revisit the description for this pose and feel proper grounded and strong.

Have your right knee bend and your toes pointing in the same direction as your knee. Left leg is straight and strong. Hips are squared and spine lifting out of your pelvis - arms radiating to the side. Take a few breathes.

Come into Extended Side Angle Pose by bringing your right forearm to the right thigh. Stretch all the way from your left outer edge of your foot to the left fingertips reaching your left arm above your head. Create lots of space in your ribcage to breathe. The Extended Side Angle Pose needs as much power as your Warrior Poses. Keep your legs as a support for your torso. Be very aware that your do not collapse into your right shoulder try instead to lift and rotate your chest upwards towards the sky. This is a beautiful pose which opens the hips with your own strength, it creates space in your ribcage to breathe better and requires firm and strong legs. When you are ready inhale back into your Warrior Two.

From Warrior Two slide your left hand down your left thigh as your lift your right arm upwards into Side Warrior. Once again your legs are strong and supportive allowing a lift through your chest. Let your shoulders relax and encourage your heart to face upwards. There is no pressure in your left hand - it is just guiding the movement and openness of the pose. Come out of this pose back into your Warrior Two.

Now dance your warrior dance. Either enjoy a few breathes in each pose or proceed with continuous movements co-ordinated with your slow and relaxed breath. Exhale to Extended Side Angle Pose and inhale lift into your Side Warrior then let your out-breath move you to Extended Side Angle and continue this flow of movement and breath. When your are ready change sides.

Gently warm up before this sequence and familiarise yourself with the yoga practice by joining a few classes or see a qualified teacher. Maybe start with some Sun Salutations, lunges and do your Warrior sequence and finish by resting in Shavasana or Childs Pose. If you have any health concerns please speak to your medical adviser or your yoga teacher.

You can also follow my blogs on Families Online!

Flexible Body - Calm Mind

Yoga may benefit you in many ways:

Reduce stress - yoga postures and awareness of breath may help to reduce stress and anxiety.

Increase your flexibility and fitness - yoga is stretching as well as improving stamina and strength.

Join a yoga class or practise in the comfort of your own space - either one-to-one or with family, friends or colleagues!

A practice for strength and flexibility in body and mind.

Yoga Schedule

Yoga classes at FITNESS FIRST, Streatham High Road, are open classes for all levels. Please contact the club on 0870 898 06 29 for membership and prices.

Have a look at http://beyoga.webeden.co.uk for updates and timetable or send an email to anjayoga@tiscali.co.uk to receive further details.

Yoga Teaching

Anja is using a fusion of various yoga traditions to create a unique practice for your needs and goals.

Classes are inspiring and safe with attention to correct alignment, flowing movements (vinyasa) and resting in asanas.

Teaching style include a combination of HathaYoga and Flow Yoga. Classes cover some pranayama, or breath awareness, and relaxation.

Anja qualified with BodyPrimo/Cambridge School of Yoga in London and The Sivananda School in Kerala, India. Both Yoga Alliance certified. She is an Ayurveda student and a qualified massage therapist.

About your yoga session

Yoga Classes in your home or office

Your yoga instructor will bring mats and other equipment. You just need to wear comfortable clothes and provide the space! For your own comfort please don’t eat just before a yoga class.

Sessions lasting 60 minutes costs £50
longer 90 minutes sessions are £70.

For UPDATES on new classes and workshops send an email to anjayoga@tiscali.co.uk and you will get news regarding my classes.

Massage and Aromatherapy

Massage and Aromatherapy

A great experience for tense muscles and minds a massage may help to relax and de-stress.

Essential oils are chosen for their specific effect to suit your needs whether it is muscle warming or calming oils. These are then added to your base massage oil.

Using various techniques a massage therapist will work into your muscles easing tension and stress.

Anja qualified with Essentials For Health in Massage (ITEC) and with the Clare Maxwell Hudson School in Clinical Aromatherapy (IFPA). She has since trained in Advanced Aromatherapy in Pregnancy with Neal’s Yard Remedies. She is a member of Massage Therapy Institute of Great Britain and is registered with General Council for Massage Therapy.

Pregnancy treatments

Pregnancy massage aromatherapy for mums-to-be
Massage can be beneficial through all stages of pregnancy and a wonderful support during the changes that take place. We use techniques which are comfortable for the mother-to-be and use only safe essential oils which will be chosen during your consultation.
Aims may be to relax and de-stress or ease tense muscles, improve lymph and blood circulation and relieve structural stress. Blends of essential oils can be used daily to improve the skin and others specifically for labour.

Post Natal Massage - aromatherapy for new mums
A wonderful time-out for new mums needing a bit of pampering. Massage will address muscular tension post labour and by the new routines of holding and feeding your new baby. Let the essential oils help to facilitate healing and restore energy levels. Specific abdominal massage can be incorporated, when comfortable, using connective tissue and circulatory techniques.

Anja RYT, ITECdip, IFPAdip, MCThA
07963820702
anjayoga@tiscali.co.uk
www.anjayoga.blogspot.com