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Chakras

Posted on May 18, 2013 by karolina

Chakras

The origins of Chakra system comes from yoga traditions of India around 500 – 1000 AD. It is for this reason that yoga is a practice that was designed to not only train your mind and body but to also access your chakras. The word yoga means yoke or union and we can see how the chakra systems represents the structural aspect of that yoke, meaning that through which mind and body, mortal an divine, connect. Yoga thus becomes the main tool for accessing this sacred architecture of the soul.

It is believed that there is over hundred of chakras in our body and that they are the key of our existence. They draw-in coded information from our surroundings, such as another person’s aura, health of our environment, which has an effect on our moods. In addition, our chakras also radiate an energy of vibration.

Although we have numbers of chakras it is the seven following main chakras which this article focuses on. It is important to keep these chakras balanced for our overall good health. These seven main chakra centres are connected to our being on several different levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

The seven main energy centres (chakras) of the body are:

ChakrasCrown (Violet) – Personal identification with infinite. Oneness with God. Peace, Wisdom.

Third eye (Indigo) – Indigo-clearing subconscious to channel intuition. Purple-balanced state of mind. See Divine perfection in all things. Devotion

Throat (Blue) – Ability to verbalise. Expressing truth through power of the spoken word.

Heart (Green) – Release emotionally suppressed trauma. Soul / heart consciousness. Expressing love in action.

Solar Plexus (Yellow) – Assimilation experience. Digestion. Positive use of personal power. Manifest goals.

Sacral (Orange) – Utilisation of creative forces into all aspects of begin. High soul procreation. Direct self toward devotion.

Base (Red) – Ground spirit forces in body. Gain ability to work lovingly on the physical plane. (source)

If you’d like to incorporate the knowledge of chakras into your yoga practice come to Andrea Kwiatkowski extended Jivamukti Masterclass which has its focus in Chakras. Saturday 25th May, 11.00-13.30, Great Shelford  Learn more

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Electrolytes 4 – Chloride and Calcium

Posted on May 17, 2013 by karolina

Seaweed

Chloride

The major anion (negatively charged ion) outside cells. Chloride also maintains a normal level of fluids in the body.

Chloride is obtained primarily from salt, such as standard table salt or sea salt. It is also contained in most foods, especially the vegetables. Seaweeds (such as dulse and kelp), olives, rye, lettuce, tomatoes, and celery are some examples of good chloride-containing foods.

Read more: http://www.healthy.net

Calcium

Calcium is essential for the normal growth and maintenance of bones and teeth, and calcium requirements must be met throughout life. Requirements are greatest during periods of growth, such as childhood, during pregnancy and when breast-feeding. Long-term calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, in which the bone deteriorates and there is an increased risk of fractures.

Foods you will find calcium in are most dairy products, cheese, fish, broccoli, soya, eggs.

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Electrolytes 3 – Potassium

Posted on May 13, 2013 by karolina

Potassium

Part 3 of series of articles on electrolytes by our Hot Yoga teacher Jozef Wievel!

Potassium is the major positive ion found inside cells. Among many other functions it regulates the heartbeat and the muscle function. Potassium reduces the amount of lactic acid in your muscles and keeps your bones healthy. Lactic acid is present in your muscles during exertion, which eventually tires your muscles out and reduces your strength and endurance. Therefore, if you ingest potassium, your muscular strength and endurance will maintain at higher level for a longer time. It also reduces how sore your muscles feel the next morning.

Foods you will find potassium in are raisins, prunes, apricots, dates, strawberries, bananas, watermelon, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, beets, greens, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, soy, products, peas, beans, turkey, fish, beef, salmon, cod.

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How ‘Us and Them’ disappears through the 8 Limbs

Posted on May 9, 2013 by anna

8-limbs-of-yoga-

Patanjali is said to be the Father of Yoga writing down the Yoga Sutra’s around 2000 years ago.  Before that it was handed down by mouth from one teacher to one student and was largely a secret.  Now freely available the 8 limbs are laid out and working through them we see ‘us and them’ dissolve into peace, bliss and oneness. Being human we may dip in and out but knowing it is there encourages back onto the path.

To understand a little more of what is on the chart click on this link

The 8 Limbs of Yoga by Patanjali or take a foundation course or diploma course with Camyoga

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Yoga for women’s health

Posted on May 5, 2013 by karolina

Women's health

There hasn’t been much of an emphasis on heart problems in women, but in fact, women are sometimes more affected by heart diseases than men. According to doctors, this is in some extend due to their exposure to some rare diseases, such as coronary artery dissection, where around eight out of ten cases are women.  source

But according to new research, yoga has a great benefits for people with cardiovascular diseases due to its combination of stretching, breathing techniques and mindfulness and it is also believed that it can help prevent heart attack.

According to the Harvard Medical study, “getting into the various postures during a yoga session gently exercises the muscles. Anything that works your muscles is good for your heart and blood vessels. Activity also helps muscles become more sensitive to insulin, which is important for controlling blood sugar. The deep-breathing exercises help slow the breathing rate. Taking fewer but deeper breaths each minute temporarily lowers blood pressure and calms the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for generating stress hormones. The postures and deep breathing offer a kind of physical meditation that focuses and clears the mind. Meditation and the mindfulness of yoga have both been shown to help people with cardiovascular disease.” source

It Does Your Heart Good.

Thus it is believed that yoga may;

  • reduce high blood pressure
  • improve symptoms of heart failure
  • ease palpitations
  • enhance cardiac rehabilitation
  • lower cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and stress hormones
  •  improve balance, reduce falls, ease arthritis, and improve breathing for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

If you are a yoga teacher and would like to learn more about Women’s Health and about in which ways Yoga positively impacts women’s body then you will be interested in our next teaching course ‘Yoga for Women’s Health’.

YOGA FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH with Beverley Nolan

Thursday 16th May – Friday 17th May, 09.30-17.30 – Great Shelford

£190 / Camyoga graduates 10% off

An in-depth review of feminine anatomy and physiology including the menstrual cycle and peri-menopause and their associated health problems, urinary tract infections and incontinence, breast health, and osteoporosis. Examination of the benefits of both Energising and Restorative yoga practice. Application of modifications, alternatives and sequencing of asanas. Pranayama and relaxation techniques

Learn more about course here.

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His Royal Holiness the Dalai Lama in Cambridge, Educating the Heart

Posted on April 24, 2013 by anna

HH Dalai Lama

 

Webcast of HH Dalia Lama in Cambridge, to see the beautiful talk click on the link below

Educating the Heart

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DATE SLICE recipe

Posted on April 22, 2013 by karolina

Date slice

 

Many of you asked for it so here you have it :) ! The infamous date slice recipe as made here at Camyoga. Enjoy and let us know how your first attempt goes.

You will need:

500ml water
400g dates
350g flour
1tbsp bicarb soda
350g light brown sugar
200g porridge oats
good pinch of salt
350g butter, sliced

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Line the baking tray with baking paper. Place the water and chopped dates in a medium sized saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook for approx. 10 minutes uncovered on low-medium heat, until the date mixture is soft and thick. Stir occasionally. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.

Sift the flour and bicarb soda into a large bowl. Add the sugar, oats and salt and mix it well. Add the butter using your fingers, working into the oat mixture. Combine it thoroughly.

Press half of the oat mixture evenly into the baking tray. Spread the cooked date mixture over this, then sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture. Press gently with palm of your hand into the top.

Bake for approx. 40 minutes or until golden brown at the edges. Let cool down before removing and cutting into pieces.

Enjoy :) !

 

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Electrolytes 2 – Sodium

Posted on April 19, 2013 by karolina

Sodium

Sodium is the major positive ion in fluid outside cells. The transmission of sodium is a critical body function especially in brain, nervous system and muscles which all require electrical signals for communication. Sodium is an important electrolyte that helps maintain the balance of fluid in a person’s body. This means that sodium helps to regulate the amount of water in and around your body’s cells. If the fluid levels in your body are not balanced, your cells will swell and medical issues may occur.

Without appropriate amounts of sodium, your body may have a difficult time cooling down after intense exercise or activity. When the body is hot, you sweat. If you do not have enough sodium, your body may not sweat as much and you may then become overheated. This could then result in a stroke, exhaustion and dehydration. Sodium is also important because it plays a major role in the regulation of your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too high, it places you at risk for such illnesses as heart disease. Too much sodium can result in high blood pressure and could spark a heart attack and too little sodium could make you feel weak and exhausted all of the time.

This electrolyte plays an important role in ensuring that nutrients are passed into the body’s cells. Similarly, if you want your nervous system to operate correctly, then you will definitely need the right amount of sodium in your diet. If you do not have enough sodium in your diet, you could even experience seizures.

Foods you will find sodium in are meats, grains, dairy, nuts, fruits and vegetables in modest amounts. Salt can be used in moderation to enhance sodium levels, but should not be overused.

It is said healthy adults should consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day.

High-sodium cheeses include cheddar, parmesan.

Many fast-food items contain high levels of sodium

Other high-sodium baked goods include biscuits, muffins, baked pie crust and sweet rolls.

Canned goods contain salt, which preserves the vegetables and prevents them from spoiling quickly. Salt also adds flavor to canned goods. High-sodium canned foods include canned kidney beans, pickled vegetables and sauerkraut.

Salted nuts, pretzels, tortilla chips and potato chips add sodium to your daily diet.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com

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Mindfulness – an instant improvement to mind and body

Posted on April 17, 2013 by karolina

Mindfulness

If our last article didn’t persuade you about the importance of mindfulness then what has been discovered in the following study might do the trick: ‘In just eight weeks of training in mindfulness and mindfulness meditation, studies show that the brain and the way it processes emotion under stress can be changed. At the end of eight weeks, the immune system is more robust, people feel calmer, and they feel more comfortable with their bodies. Their risk of injury is dramatically reduced.’ Tamara Mitchell This shows that Mindfulness has an instant effect if one is willing to stick to it on regular bases. You can learn about Mindfulness and about how to build your own practice in one of our following courses.

Mindfulness Day Retreat with Anna Jackson
Saturday 1st June 2013
10.00 to 16.30 £75 | £65 concs

With everything going on it can be so easy for the mantra to be ‘I am so stressed’ or ‘I am so Busy’.

This day retreat will include yoga asana, pranayama and meditation that will help with creating awareness of what is happening, reducing stress and increasing the joy of being in the moment. More info here.

Mindfulness – An Introduction with Carolyn Pallon
Tue 11th June 2013 to Tue 2nd July 2013
18.00 to 19.45 £80 | £65 Gold & Silver Members and concs

Over the 4 weeks we will introduce simple, clinically proven skills aimed at building a mindfulness practice that can flow easily into everyday life. Quite simply mindfulness is a way of training one’s mind. We will learn how to become more familiar with the workings of our minds through bringing a friendly curiosity to what is unfolding in our bodies, and our thinking. More info here.

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Electrolytes – What, why and where.

Posted on April 9, 2013 by karolina


sports-drinkarticle by Jozef Wiewel

Our Hot Yoga teacher Jozef Wiewel prepared series of articles about Electrolytes and its importance. His first articles will explain why we should care about electrolytes when doing Hot Yoga…

Electrolytes are charged particles (minerals) that become ions in fluid which conducts electricity.

The most common known electrolytes are Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Magnesium and Calcium.

When you do Hot Yoga you sweat a lot. You sweat to remove excess heat from your body. When the sweat evaporates off your skin it cools the skin, the blood which circulates closest to and in the skin is subsequently cooled and transports this coolness deeper into your body to keep the core temperature at an acceptable level.

Sweating is a vital function of your body, it is the way it thermo-regulates itself.

This outpore of fluid also means that we risk dehydrating and with that losing also valuable electrolytes. If you have ever had a bead of sweat drip on to your tongue or mouth you will have noticed that, because it is salty. The reason for this is because our sweat is an ionic solution. These ions are collectively known as electrolytes and they can be found in certain sports drinks and in certain foods as mentioned below.  There are also supplements on the market from which ‘elete water’ is one of them (www.eletewater.co.uk) which requires just a few drops in a liter of water to give you the required amount of electrolytes back. Or you can make it yourself, there is lots of info on the web on how to.

….

Next article in the series will be about Sodium.

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