The union of mind, body and spirit.  The spirit means different things to different people.  It is not bound to any religion. It is a sense of who we are at our core, our true nature. Who we have always been and always will be. Some call it the soul, some call it “the observer”.

The practice of Asana or physical practice, Pranayama or breath practice and meditation helps us to awaken this connection, this union of mind body and soul.

We become more aware of our bodies, our breath, our thoughts and this place of the observer.

Yoga provides you with the tools to maintain this connection and recognize what you need in any given moment. It empowers you to make better choices for your mind, body and spirit.

It is not just what happens on the mat, take it off the mat and into your daily life. Stay connected to your needs. Treat yourself with loving kindness and watch it spread to those around you.

Many students wonder about the meaning of the term Namaste.  Often used to close a class Namaste simply means "I honour you". It is used as a respectful greeting in India and used in yoga to acknowledge the place inside us where we are all one.

"I..... honour the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells. 
I honour the place in you which is of Love, of truth, of light and of peace.
 I honour that place in you which is the same as that place in me.
 We are one....."

This breathing technique, also known as alternate nostril breathing, helps to balance our central nervous system and is very centering and calming. It is great preparation for meditation.

• Sit in a comfortable position
• Extend your right arm, with your palm up, close your index and middle finger and then bring your hand up to your nose placing the thumb lightly without too much pressure over your right nostril and your ring finger lightly over the left nostril. You can hold your elbow for support.
• Exhale through both nostrils to start.
• Then cover right and slowly and evenly exhale through the left nostril. Inhale through the left nostril, then cover left, exhale through the right.
• Inhale through the right, cover right, exhale left.
• Inhale left, cover left, exhale right.

When you get into the rhythm you can begin to count the length of your exhalation and inhalation, taking a moment to pause briefly at the top of your inhale and the end of your exhale. Complete a few rounds in your own time continuing to focus on the breath. Then allow your breath to return to its natural rhythm.

This technique is great to begin your day, even before you get out of bed.  The right side is more energizing and the left is calming.  So you could try breathing more on the left side when you need calming or on the right side if you need a pick me up. 

We live in a world that has forgotten how to breathe. You can weeks without food, days without water but only minutes without air.

Breath provides energy. Air is more than just oxygen. When we breathe we are providing life giving energy to every cell in the body.

By beginning to breathe more fully you can help your body to heal, increase the clarity of the mind, become more energetic and connect to the present moment.

When you practice unconscious shallow breathing patterns your nervous system goes into flight or fight mode. This makes it difficult to find peace within.  Your breath is directly related to the creation of balance in your body and mind.

When you slow down and deepen your breathing patterns, it triggers the relaxation response in your nervous system and helps you to slow your thought patterns.

5-10 minutes of breathing practice everyday will help you to learn to unwind and give you a better appreciation of just how perfect this moment is.

• Take time to be silent and be with your breath everyday

• Deep breathing will help to cleanse your body, increase your health, raise your energy and connect you to the spirit of life.
• When you consciously connect to this life giving energy you naturally feel a deeper sense of appreciation for the preciousness of life, which can increase your levels of happiness.