Namaste beautiful yogi/nis, Days are getting shorter, evenings getting colder and it’s so easy to want to go into hibernation – but we need our time on the mat even more at this time of year. Regular yoga practice generates an internal heat that shifts our Immune and circulatory system into higher gears, enriching us with more energy and preventing us from cold and flu. Asanas ( poses ) that incorporate the application of Jalandhara Banhda, also known as the Cloud-catching Lock or Neck Lock are particularly designed to strengthen, renew and rejuvenate the thymus gland which is closely associated with the Immune system. In the practice of bandhas, the energy flow to a particular area of the body is momentarily blocked. When the bandha is released, this causes the energy to flow more strongly through the body with an increased pressure, which flushes away old, dead cells. More on bandhas in class….. So far this term, we have been flowing through our vinyasa every Monday evening to an impeccable degree, especially since some of you are dropping the knees down through your transition. This isolation strengthens the triceps, shoulders and muscles of your back, making your transitions a lot smoother and safer. I know some of you are keen to go upside down….the practice of Headstand ( Sirsasana ), also known as the king of all asanas. This posture requires a huge amount of shoulder and core strength which we will work to create for the rest of this term, but for yogis with neck and back problems, Hare Pose ( Sasankasana ) is a good alternative. Wednesday evening Restoration has been very quiet since the start of term, prompting me to throw more active poses into the mix. So from next Wednesday, this will be a Hatha yoga class with a few Restorative poses to find a deep inner stillness in both body & mind. Thursday morning class opens with a series of shoulder and chest openers for increase mobility in the shoulder joint and lung capacity. This is a wonderful compliment to the slumping we do all day long and helps to break down calcium deposits in the neck and shoulders. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’d like to leave you with something I read in a children’s book. It was the colourful cover of the book and title that caught my eye. The book: Oh The Places I’ll go. He wrote: ” Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite. Or waiting around for Friday night or waiting perhaps for their uncle Jake or a pot to boil or a better break or a string of pearls or a pair of pants or a wig with curls or another chance. Everyone is just waiting.” -Dr Seuss Joyce Meyer wrote: ” Patience is not simply the ability to wait – It’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” As always…., Om Shanti