As you might have read recently in the Cambridge News (read article here), Camyoga are teaming up with Woodlands Surgery on Bateman Street to offer Mindfulness sessions to the general public. After GPs at the surgery tried Mindfulness with Camyoga they simply had to get behind these sessions and offer their support. The first session, an Introduction to Mindfulness workshop, costs just £20 and is open to everyone. Click here to find out more and to book your place.

This week we met up with Dr Emma Tiffin, of Woodlands Surgery, to ask her a few questions about her experiences of mindfulness. Here's what she had to say!

1. Hi Emma! How long have you worked for NHS?

23 years.

2. What is the surgery's main aim and what makes it so special compared to other surgeries?

To promote the health and wellbeing of all our patients and our local community. We have a beautiful, spacious new building which enables us to host an extended range of health and wellbeing service.

3. Why offer Mindfulness in surgery?

We believe that the mental health of our patients is as important as their physical health and that both influence each other. We see the effects of the pressure of modern life and value therapeutic strategies based on relaxation and dealing with stress.

4. How do you keep fit?

Yoga, gardening, using stairs instead of the lift at work, smiling and maintaining a positive attitude!

5. What's the biggest challenge of surgery?

Increased workload, more demands on the health service, shrinking financial NHS pot

6. What do you think is the biggest misconception general public have about GP's?

During the working day (averages 11 hours probably for most of us) and between clinics, GPs are relaxing, playing golf!

Actually we are catching up on administration (hospital letters, blood test results, home visits, phoning patients to answer queries etc) and having to run a business (GPs are independent contractors, ie. mini businesses that have to be financially viable.

7. Based on your experience, what are the 2 main potential benefits of doing Mindfulness?

Managing personal stress during the working day better. This facilitates better team working and a positive attitude with others.

8. If you didn't work for NHS where would your dream job be?

The NHS is my dream job, I live, breathe, sleep medicine. However I am also enjoying my regular radio slot on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and being a PR girl!

9. Tell us in 1 sentence 2 simple things the general public can do to help them maintain good health.

Think positive, eat a balanced diet.

Click here to find out more about Camyoga's Introduction to Mindfulness Workshop at Woodlands.

What Is Mindfulness?

Do you keep hearing the word 'mindfulness' and wonder what the heck everyone's on about? It'd be hard to ignore all of the press attention that mindfulness is getting right now, with recent articles in The Guardian, Huffington Post and The Times. You've no doubt heard about initiatives promoting mindfulness in schools, mindfulness in the workplace, mindful eating... even mindfulness for pets (no kidding)!

So what is all the fuss about? What actually is mindfulness, and why should you be doing it? Here is our simple guide to get you started.

1. Yes, mindfulness is meditation! Mindfulness is a secular (non-religious) form of meditation which can be used by everyone. But don't worry, you don't have to sit on the floor cross-legged if you don't want to - mindfulness practice can happen anytime, anywhere.

2. How does mindfulness work? Most of us don’t realise that our daily lives are dominated by distraction and mind chatter. And that distraction and mind chatter winds up being the force that drives us much of the day in terms of what we do, what we react to, and how we feel. Mindfulness teaches us simple practices to move beyond this, bringing calmness, focus, clarity and inspiration.

3. What do mindfulness practices involve? A typical exercise might involve mindfully eating a square of chocolate or a single raisin. Other exercises involve focussing fully on your breath as it enters and leaves your body, observing thoughts as they arise and practising letting them come and go with ease, without engaging with them.

4. Will mindfulness stop my life from being so stressful? Mindfulness won't get rid of life's stresses and pressures. It will, however, radically alter the way you handle them! It helps us to recognise and move away from our habitual reactions, enabling us to respond to events with calmness and ease.

5. Where's the proof that it works? Mindfulness has been subject to over 600 scientific studies, such has been the academic community's interest in figuring it out. Due to its track record it is now widely used in the NHS as an effective treatment for depression and anxiety. Click here to find out more about the science of mindfulness.

6. Ok, I'm convinced. How can I get started? If you'd like to dip your toe into mindfulness our 4 week Mindfulness ABC course is a great place to start. Or if you want to really get stuck into this practice we're running the acclaimed 8 week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course later this month. We also work with companies looking to incorporate mindfulness into their wellbeing programmes. Email sam.t@camyoga.co.uk to find out more about mindfulness can benefit your organisation.

Top 5 Habits of Healthy, Happy Mums

How often are you left feeling frazzled as a mother? Torn between  your kids, your job, your partner and a hectic social life? Sometimes it just feels like there aren't nearly enough hours in the day, let alone the possibility of a little "me time" - what a luxury that would be, right? Well, we have some great news for you! There is time. It's simply a case of taking time to make a little time. Discover a way of being in the world that is a little less stressful, a little more luxurious, and you'll soon find that by being good to yourself, you're much more able to fulfil all of your duties and obligations to others, with ease and a genuine smile! Here's how:

1. Practice mindfulness.

Most of us don’t realise that our daily lives are dominated by distraction and mind chatter. And that distraction and mind chatter winds up being the force that drives us much of the day in terms of what we do, what we react to, and how we feel. Mindfulness teaches us simple practices to move beyond this, bringing calmness, focus, clarity and inspiration. Find out more about Mindfulness here.

2. Ask for help when you need it.

Sometimes we worry that by asking for help we're sending out signals that we can't cope, or that we're not fully independent. Healthy, happy mums are confident in just how nonsensical a notion this is! Developing a healthy interdependence with those around you can be challenging as when we ask for something, we put ourselves in a position of vulnerability. According to Brene Brown our ability to be vulnerable requires courage and forms the basis for our connection with others, a connection that is critical if we are to inspire others and live healthy, happy lives.

3. Practice acceptance.

Stop being at war with yourself. If heavy traffic is making you late, think how much more stressful the situation is because you are angry about the fact that heavy traffic is making you late. Accept that which you cannot change. By doing so, you are accepting reality.

4. Remember to breathe.

The next time you find pulling your hair out stop, step back from the situation and take 3 deep breaths. It's amazing how we have our own "reset" buttons right at our fingertips yet rarely do we fully utilise the power of the breath to change the way we think and feel. Learn more here

5. "Me time" is not a luxury!

Healthy, happy mums recognise that "me time" is not a luxury but an absolute essential. By taking time out to recharge your batteries you're not only helping yourself but everyone around you too. We're all a lot more fun to be around and more productive, after a little pampering. It needn't break the bank either. Why not take a bath, head to yoga class, try something you've never done before or simply put your feet up with a good book? You absolutely deserve it, remember that.

Mother's Day is just around the corner...

Bring your mum (or mum-in-law) along to Camyoga for free from Mon 24 March to Sun 30 March. Call us on 0223 847930 to book her in! "Health is the greatest gift", said the Buddha. So forget the flowers and chocolates this year and give your deserving Mum the enduring gift of yoga. We've a wide selection of Gift Cards available to suit all budgets. How about a month's pass to get her started? Learn more... 

Julian Huppert MP Gets Mindful at Camyoga

The beauty of a mindfulness practice is that it simply just works. Increasing clinical evidence for its efficacy and the wider availability of mindfulness courses (such as this one) mean that mindfulness is no longer the preserve of progressive NHS services, Google execs and those working in the wellbeing industry. If greater proof were needed that mindfulness has finally gone mainstream, then it has certainly arrived in the revelation that even our MPs are practising it , with over 50 of them signed up to sessions provided in Westminster.

With this in mind, our very own Julian Huppert MP was keen to join us at Camyoga for a session! Here's what he had to say: “It was great to have a chance to pause and focus on what’s happening now rather than all the business there normally is to deal with. I’m constantly having to look at email and Twitter so it will be good to do some mindfulness practice I do that.”

But you don't need to be involved with running the country to benefit from mindfulness practices. Click here to find out about our Mindfulness ABC course, starting on 7th February and get ready to live a more stress free life!

Facing Fear

“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.” - Japanese Proverb

It was a while ago that I promised to write about fear for the Camyoga blog, at which point I was hit with a case of writer’s block; yoga has helped me face my fears in so many ways I struggled to know where to begin. 459 steps later, at the top of the Campanile tower in Florence I found my inspiration. As I came out of the door at the top of the tower a wash of vertigo swept over me; all of sudden I felt dizzy, heart pounding and my first instinct was to run right back through the door I’d just exited. As I stood there frozen, the words of my teacher Ana Forrest popped into my head; “Rosalind, breathe”. I realized I was indeed holding my breath, that I was totally stuck in my head with the stories of my fear weaving a vicious web around me. As I deepened my breathing and connected with my feet and hands I was able to plug myself back into my body and the reality of the present moment. My heartbeat slowed down and I was able to actually allow myself to enjoy the amazing view I had gone up there to enjoy. I even managed to get upside down for day 161 of my 365-day handstand challenge – my highest handstand yet!

Deep breathing and active hands and feet are two of the fundamental aspects of Forrest Yoga; you’re taught them from the very start and use them in every single class. These are also two of the vital tools which help us to overcome fear both on and off the yoga mat. The next time you feel fearful check-in: are you holding your breath? Can you feel your feet and hands? Deepen your breath (and yes, full on ujayi is acceptable if it’s what you need!) and take a moment to feel the energy it brings to you. Spread your fingers and hand bones open, spread your toes and pull up on your foot arches. Notice that you can feel your feet/legs supporting you, and the energy moving from your lungs and heart through your arms to the tips of your fingers. Now you are connected back into your body, ask yourself which part of this can I do? How can I work with this fear rather than be beaten by it?

Use your time on your yoga mat as a mini laboratory; a safe place where you can experiment with facing smaller scale fears- whether it be going upside down, trying a new pose or even just doing something in a non-habitual way. Then make a warrior’s choice to transfer what you learn off your mat and into the rest of your life. And before you know it, the fierce lion facing you will have become a purring kitten! Rosalind Southward

Rosalind Southward teaches Yoga Flow at Camyoga. Rosalind teaches Forrest, Vinyasa, Hot, Yin Yoga and is also a CranioSacral therapist. She has taught yoga in Malaysia, Scotland and is now based in Peterborough. To view her classes at Camyoga click here

Mindfulness, But What Can it Do for My Business?

Mindfulness is going mainstream. This week came the public announcement that parliament have just finished their first 8 week mindfulness course for politicians. Mindfulness too is on Capitol Hill and apparently there to stay with an ever growing number of subscribers.

For my part, i went to the excellent Mindfulness in Schools project conference this summer. That is when the wonderful Jon Kabat Zinn the previous day had run the first led mindfulness session in the House of Commons which led to the subsequent introduction of mindfulness into Parliament. The last day of the conference he was whisked away to the policy unit of Number 10 to discuss the matter further, and to discuss the introduction of mindfulness training into the PGCE curriculum (so that all our teachers will be mindfully trained).

So why is this suddenly happening?

A large part of the acceptance of mindfulness surely has to be that it's ambassadors, headed up by Kabat Zinn himself are SO plausible. So organised, clear headed, and well lets face it the embodiment of their teachings. And did I mention that these are 'normal' people? Not a robe or a bindi in sight. Credible working people in suits and with top jobs.

At the Mindfulness in Schools Project conference there were not one, not two but THREE serving politicians involved in the conference. And these are people with a long term meditation practice. Chris Ruane, a former teacher and 4th term serving politician, who gave the closing speech at the conference: "People are far from their natures. The whole pace of life has speeded up. We are all on a hedonic treadmill. You get on it in the morning and you're on it all day long. How fast do you want to go on a treadmill? Have you got the means and mechanisms to slow yourself down or step off? I think mindfulness can help. It's helped for me. And those MPs and Lords speak about rebalancing their lives, re-prioritising, deciding what's important." Huffington Post

Apparently companies have been using mindfulness under wraps for some time. And now GlaxoSmithKline, Transport for London, the Home Office, the NHS, Ebay, Google, Barclays Bank, the Prudential and Mills and Reeve have all come out of the closet and are now willing to share their experiences.

The news that this work is now in parliament will hopefully give confidence to other businesses, schools and medical practitioners to use mindfulness to promote the wellbeing and growth of their staff and their organisations.

But what does it mean for my business?

When we first began our corporate work at Camyoga the need and challenge was very clear - how do we teach people to use mindfulness techniques practically in the workplace?

Our entire mindful business programme is dedicated to this method - teaching effective, simple, clinically proven mindfulness techniques, and the methods to integrate them into the workplace.

Read the nuts and bolts of what this work can do for you here.

Whatever is your personal or company vision, mindfulness can take you there.

This Wednesday is National Stress Awareness Day, at Camyoga we have renamed this day National Stressless Day and will be bringing you some simple mindfulness techniques each day that you can use in your daily life.

Meditation at Work: So Good We've Made it Compulsory!

Here at Camyoga we don't just teach yoga, and teach teachers how to teach yoga, we also go into businesses to help them discover how they can better help their employees to live happy, full lives. This is great for companies in terms of productivity and profit and importantly, it's fantastic for employees' wellbeing. Those of you who are regular visitors to Camyoga will know that our own staff are pretty enthusiastic and knowledgable when it comes to yoga, mindfulness and meditation practices. What you might not know is that as well as attending any yoga classes we like for free, Camyoga's staff also get together on Tuesday mornings to meditate as a group. We jokingly refer to this as "compulsory meditation" but, let's face it, we're all so glad to be doing it!

By taking twenty minutes out of our day, no matter what we are doing or how busy we are at our desks, we tune in with the present moment and with each other. And you know what? It feels great. No matter what kind of morning we've been having, meditating together enables us to press the 'reset' button, to momentarily step back from the reactive behaviour which dominates so many workplaces ("Everything is urgent! Hurry, hurry, hurry! High stakes! Go go go!") and to act (or not act) from a considerate place, always mindfulness of our ultimate goal - to help more people do more yoga.

The amazing thing about meditation is that, like yoga, it just works! Set aside ten, twenty, thirty minutes for practice, and you will see the benefits. It's setting the time aside that's usually the stumbling block, right? Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, is someone who understands just how vital and effective setting aside this time can be:

It's not just the number of hours we sit at a desk in that determines the value we generate. It's the energy we bring to the hours we work. Human beings are designed to pulse rhythmically between spending and renewing energy. That's how we operate at our best. Maintaining a steady reservoir of energy -- physically, mentally, emotionally and even spiritually -- requires refueling it intermittently. - Arianna Huffington

Does your workplace offer a wellbeing programme? What are the key stress factors at play where you work? We'd love to hear what you think, so please leave your comments below!

To find out more about Camyoga's Mindfulness in the Workplace programmes, training and events, please click here. Call us on 01223 847930 to have a chat about how we can help you today.

Are You Master of Your Own Mind?

"Distracted? Angry? Envious? There's growing evidence that attention, emotion regulation—even love—are skills that can be trained through the practice of meditation. Perhaps it's time for you to become a high-performance user of your own brain." - Katherine Ellison, Psychology Today.

It's being used by KPMG, GlaxoSmithKline, PWC, Google, Apple and The Home Office. It helped Transport for London reduce absenteeism caused by stress by 71%. Clinical studies show that mindfulness techniques can reduce anxiety by a staggering 70%, whilst research supports that companies with mindfulness programmes, such as Google, have happier employees. This leads to greater harmony, focus and success in their workplace. Learn more about the proven effects of mindfulness on productivity here.

But what is Mindfulness and how does it work? Despite its status as the latest buzzword, especially in the world of business (with famous advocates such as Arianna Huffington) Mindfulness is nothing new. In fact, it has its roots in the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment in the form of awareness. So successful is this form of awareness in generating compassion and, ultimately, happiness, it has been adopted by modern psychologists as an ideal practice for the stress-ridden world in which we live today.

Mindfulness is about conscious awareness of your surroundings - put simply, it's a process of thinking about the way you think. With practice this will enable you to guide your thoughts to fine-tune your state of mind. Whether you're in a high-stress situation and need to find a state of calm, or you're in a state of procrastination and need to conjure up some focussed energy, Mindfulness can enable you to become master of your own mind. Whilst the techniques used are themselves very simple and can be learned by anyone, putting them into practice requires - you got it - a lot of patience and practice. This is one of the reasons why Mindfulness is best learned from a dedicated teacher, and over a period of weeks.

The effort will definitely pay off. As athlete Christopher Bergland notes:

"We all get stuck in mental ruts and have patterns of habitual thinking and behavior that can be counterproductive. Mindfulness is a chance to snap out of it, push the reset button and have a fresh start. The next time you find yourself dwelling on something that makes you feel resentful, negative or hopeless. Stop. Breathe. Think about your thinking. And then guide your attention and thoughts towards something positive."

Take part in Mindfulness Month this September at Camyoga! Carolyn Pallon's 4 week Introduction to Mindfulness Course runs on Tuesday evenings from 10th September. Learn more here. If you're a business person, we have limited spaces available for our FREE Mindfulness Event on Fri 13th September. Call 01223 847930 to book now.

Our Top 10 Yoga Books: Part Two

We recently asked you to share your favourite yoga books with us. Here's part two of the results. Read the first part here. Is your favourite missing from the list? Add your own recommendations using the comments form at the bottom of the page... happy reading!

6. Bringing Yoga to Life (Donna Farhi)

Donna Farhi is a world renowned yoga teacher and reading this book, it is very clear to see why. Laced with real life examples and personal vignettes, this book is a wonderful guide to applying what happens on your mat to the rest of your life too. Inspiring, heartwarming and evocative, Donna's style is both down to earth and refreshingly honest. She encourages the reader to take a long, hard look at their lives, their minds and their practice. A great book to turn to now and again when you need a strong pick-me-up! Our very own Beverley Nolan studies annually with Donna. (And Donna herself will be visiting Camyoga in July next year!)

7. Yoga Anatomy (Leslie Kaminoff & Amy Matthews)

Ever wondered what your psoas is or how breathing works? This popular guide to anatomy is one of the best available, revealing the inner workings of the human body asana by asana.  Whether you're studying to be a yoga teacher, looking to improve your knowledge of anatomy or simply just plain curious, this book is a wonderful reference and great for dipping in and out of.

8. Bihar School of Yoga Books

 The Bihar School of Yoga was founded in 1964 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and they have been publishing books and articles on all aspects of yoga for over 40 years through their publishing house, Yoga Publications Trust. All of the books in the series act as wonderfully detailed guides to specific aspects of yoga. Mark Stevens, our Jivamukti teacher, says "If you see a Bihar School of Yoga book in a second hand bookshop, buy it and read it. If you don't like it, I'll buy it off you." Now that certainly is a recommendation!

9. Yoga: Immortality & Freedom (Mircea Eliade)

This book certainly doesn't make for light reading but readers' efforts are rewarded - a staggering and colourful ride through the history of yogic traditions and philosophy. Discover the origins of what we know today as yoga and uncover the social, political and spiritual contexts in which the practice has developed, splintered and expanded. Eliade presents yoga in all of its glorious complexity, diversity and richness.

10. The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy & Practice (Georg Feurstein)

This mammoth 720-page book contains a wealth of information on all aspects of yoga. Covering the links between yoga and major religions, yogic cults, literature, philosophy and practice, this truly is a comprehensive guide. The book also contains full and part translations of key yogic texts, including the Sutras and parts of the Bhagavad Gita.

5 Ways A Yoga Retreat Can Change Your Life

1. You will deepen your yoga practice

We all wish we could make it to class more often, or practice more regularly at home. Somehow life always seems to get in the way of our very best intentions! Imagine how much your practice and the way you feel about your practice could develop if it was allowed to be the full focus of your attentions for a whole week or more! Retreats offer the perfect opportunity to deepen your practice through absolute immersion in yoga. Distraction free!

2. You will make new friends

One of the great things about yoga treats is the huge variety of people who go on them. Get to know people outside of your usual social circle, new friends who you automatically share a deep connection with through yoga. This deep connection and the sheer amount of time you will spend together will ensure that these new friendships survive.

3. Restore balance to your body & your life

Left unattended to, our everyday stresses, strains and anxieties can begin to take their toll on both our bodies and minds. A retreat is the perfect opportunity to reboot your mind and body systems through deep relaxation and restorative practices. Healthy and delicious food, a staple of all yoga retreats, will also help with rejuvenation and building new and better lifestyle habits. Retreats also a great backdrop to work through addictive and negative behaviour patterns.

4. Let go of what is holding you back

We've all got baggage, and usually plenty of it! Learn to let go, leave things behind and move into the future whilst living firmly in the present. Soak up your inspirational surroundings and contemplate all that is beautiful and good in the world RIGHT NOW.

5. Have an amazing time!

Does this one really need a description? Put that spring back into your step and indulge in the luxury that YOU deserve! Happy retreating...

Like the look of the photos illustrating this blog post? They were all taken at Molino Del Rey in Spain - one of the world's leading retreat centres set in the beautiful Andalucian Hills. Camyoga will be leading a retreat there from 25th August-1st September 2013. Join us for inpiring yoga, hillwalking, massages and stunning caves! More info here.

The Benefits of Combining Yoga & Chiropractic

"I have been lucky enough to learn the combined healing forces of regular yoga practice with chiropractic treatment." - Mary Young

Chiropractic is a straight forward method of adjusting the bones of your body to improve the alignment of your skeleton, and through this process help the nervous system to work more efficiently. The purpose of chiropractic care is to realign and rebalance your body to relieve pain and discomfort, and increase mobility.

The McTimoney method of chiropractic was developed by the late John McTimoney over 50 years ago and is well known for being a precise, whole body approach to chiropractic care. The gentle nature of the McTimoney method makes it especially suitable for people of all ages.

Mary Young will be offering McTimoney chiropractic from our Camyoga South studios on Friday mornings, with appointments available between 9am and noon.

"After a road accident left me unbroken but bruised and torn for months, I have been lucky enough to learn the combined healing forces of regular yoga practice with chiropractic treatment.

Yoga is a fantastic way to support and strengthen the body's healing process and chiropractic is the perfect addition at the moments when the body just needs some extra help. Whether after a trauma or simply to relieve the impacts of a demanding life, the combination is amazing."

If you haven't had chiropractic before, why not book in for a free spine check and find out how it might work for you? It's called a spine check, but be also sure to mention your headaches, your achilles pain, and the fact that your left pinkie doesn't straighten! You'll be surprised by how many problems chiropractics can help you with!

 To book an appointment, a spine check or just to find out more about the benefits of chiropractic and how it can help you, email Mary at mary@blueskychiropractic.co.uk. You can also find out more on her website: www.blueskychiropractic.co.uk

What Is Metta Bhavana Meditation?

Metta-bhavana, from the Pali language, means "cultivating loving kindness". So Metta Bhavana meditation is a practice whereby we actively cultivate positive emotional states towards others, as well as to ourselves, enabling us to be more open to others, thus developing a sense of harmony both with those we love and also with those towards whom we harbour more negative feelings.

Through doing this we are able to let go of resentment, anger, impatience and ill feelings - often by holding onto negative feelings in relation to others we are hurting mainly ourselves! Therefore loving kindness is a practice of learning to treat ourselves better, to give ourselves less of a "hard time".

It's so easy to slip through life, chastising ourselves daily for the things we haven't done, that extra slice of cheesecake we ate, that job we didn't get. Sometimes we forget to pat ourselves on the back now and again, to make friends with ourselves. It is only when we treat ourselves well that we are able to be fully present for our loved ones and to extend our loving kindness to those who need it most.

Want to learn more? Camyoga's founder, Louise Palmer-Masterton, will be leading a FREE Metta Bhavana Meditation in the Dance Tent at The Big Weekend on Parker's Piece this Sunday. Satisfy your curiosity - you deserve it! Learn more.

Why You Deserve A Massage

"It is not a luxury to take care of ourselves, it is as essential as eating, sleeping and breathing" - Wendy Gaisford

Practitioners of yoga are well aware that the mind and body are closely linked. Over-work and prolonged mental or physical stress can have significant detrimental effect on the body; when we ignore our body's needs we also miss out on a healthy mind and general life balance.

Tension, discomfort and pain are our body's way of telling us something is wrong. Excessive stress on both the body and mind, whether as a result of exercise or general life, may result in muscular tension and soreness resulting in decreased energy levels, mental clarity or poor sleep. By allowing our body and mind time  to relax and recover, both are then in a better position to heal and stay healthy.

Holistic Massage

A great way of relieving muscular tension is through holistic massage - this practice also improves circulation, lymphatic drainage and releases toxins to relieve pain, encourage concentration, relaxed breathing and a better quality of sleep.

Vitally, holisitic massage also provides the opportunity to allow the mind to slow down and switch off from every day stresses and problems. Mental clarity and energy can be increased, lifting the spirit, providing an effective method of rebalancing you both physically and mentally.

Sports & Remedial Massage

Sports massage is a style of deep tissue massage concerned with injury prevention and the maintenance of optimum sporting activity, allowing you to train to your full potential and recover optimally.

Sports therapy massage aims to reduce muscular tension and knots to increase circulation and encourage the removal of toxic waste products, such as lactic acid, built up within the muscles during exercise. By employing neuromuscular and myofascial release and massage techniques it is possible to promote healing and enhance the rate of recovery between training sessions.

Regular sports and remedial massage has been shown to be effective at preventing and treating niggling injuries before they become chronic. Sports massage therapy is also suitable for anyone who is experiencing everyday levels of stress and strain. For those who focus on  achieving the best out of themselves, regular sports massage is an essential part of your training routine.

Wendy Gaisford will be offering Holistic & Remedial Massage, Indian Head Massage and Deep Tissue Massage from Camyoga Shelford on Mondays and Wednesdays. Appointments are available between 10am-4pm at an introductory rate of £42 per hour. Click here to book an appointment online.

Breathe Well: Use the Force!

"Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor" - Thich Nhat Hanh

What is it that makes us tick? I'm not talking hobbies and fantasies here, I'm talking literally. What is it that makes us tick, makes us tock, keeps us going, makes us human, assures us that we're still alive?

"Well, my heart, it's beating", you might say.

Ok, sure. What else?

"I'm breathing", you might say.

Yes, you're reading this article after all, so that's true too.

Now of these two rather essential bodily functions (functions which we often use to define creatures as living rather than not living) which one do we have control over?

That's right, the breath. You see, breathing is the only autonomous system of the body that we can  also control. We can change the length of the breath, the quality and depth of it. We can choose to breath through the mouth, the nose, through alternate nostrils. We can direct the flow of our breath into any part of our bodies for whatever purpose we desire. We can use the breath to ground ourselves, to energise our bodies and minds, to calm our nerves.

According to Alan Dolan, 80% of our energy comes in through our breath. Now that's a lot of fuel. He also claims that 75% of detoxification takes place via the breath. That's a lot of purifying!

Why then, do so many of us leave our breathing apparatus to function on autopilot? If we possess the tools for calming and energising our bodies, for increasing our longevity, and they're right here inside our very own bodies, why do we choose to ignore them?

Perhaps we just feel like we don't have enough time to sit around doing breathing exercises. Perhaps we're just too busy to breathe properly. Perhaps we're too restless and anxious or distracted to even begin to think about sitting down and consciously breathing, exhale, inhale, exhale, inhale...

Ancient yogis believed we only have so many breaths for our life and that by taking slower and deeper breaths we can live for longer, in greater health. If this is the case, then why not take a little time to make a little time? By connecting our minds with our bodies and breath we are better able to feel connected to the world and our place in it. Even if you set aside just five minutes of your day for a breathing practice, it might well just slow your life down enough to make you feel like you've got a few extra hours in the week.

Still not sure? Then I'll hand over to the rather convincing Max Strom, author of A Life Worth Breathing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGZFdKxOzmw

Why Mindfulness Works by Mrs Grumpy

The temperature has dropped and I can feel the inner Mrs Grumpy surface as the prospect of getting soaked again on my bike is not that thrilling. Time to wheel in some Mindfulness.  I check in with a brief body scan and note hunched up shoulders, upper chest breathing , a tight jaw and wrists at 45 degrees.  Just by noting what is happening my shoulders and breath start to relax. Realistically it is only a few rain drops and actually I do have waterproofs on and ask myself what is the actual sensation of the rain rather than my snazzle frazzle perception.

It is light and quite warm and I start to smile as I remember that I too am actually waterproof and hopefully won’t be dissolving like the Wicked Witch of the West and isn’t this a lucky way to travel?  I start to climb out of Mrs Grumpy and into Ms Curious, what is happening around me?

Going under Elizabeth Way bridge there is a small boy at the top of the stairs and at the bottom is what looks like his Grandma. She is wrapped up and holding a bright umbrella and is fully engaged with the little boys’ game.  There is metal hand rail with a perfect groove for his toy cars and he is letting them go from the top and Grandma evaluates their progress ‘yes, this is working well, now let go of the blue car.’ They are totally engrossed in their adventure, the smile gets bigger.

Around the corner I wait at a crossing and the heavens are now open. A van pulls up and it is an Anglian Water van and on its bonnet it proclaims:

‘Love every drop’!

How could I do any-thing else but laugh. It is an enchanting world and Mindfulness helps to reveal beautiful precious moments. The little moments become the big moments. This month is Mindfulness month at Camyoga starting with a day retreat on Saturday and then Carolyn Pallon is running a Mindfulness Introduction course from the 11^th June for four weeks.

 

Breathe Well: An Introduction

"Imagine owning the most high specification TV in existence, keeping it plugged in on standby and then living with it for years and years without ever actually turning it on. Sadly most of us live in 'standby mode' most of the time." - Alan Dolan, Breathguru.com

Anyone who has attended a class at Camyoga will be aware of the importance of breathing well - it's a concept which is common to all styles of yoga. The term we use to describe breath control - pranayama  -  translates literally as "life force extension". I think you'll agree that's no small claim!

The power of the breath, however, should not be underestimated. The simple act of infusing our bodies with oxygen has the ability to transform the way we think, feel and even live. Think about the last time you were nervous, or excited, or worried - did you hold your breath? We often use this mechanism to prevent ourselves from becoming overwhelmed by such powerful feelings. However by restricting our breath in such a way we are actually hindering the very system which has the potential to calm the fluctuations of our minds. When holding our breath in this way becomes habitual, which it often does, we can be more prone to physical illness and mental disturbances such as feeling upset or anxious.

We all know how relaxed we feel after class. It's important to remember that asana alone will not create this sensation of ease - integrating mind, breath and body is the key to unleashing all that yoga has to offer. Here's a short video about the possibilities unleashed by transformational breathing from the world's leading Breath therapist, Alan Dolan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRG8TaOO9Ck

Chakras: An Introduction

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:

Crown (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

How "Us & Them" Disappears Through the Eight Limbs

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

Yoga for 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.

 

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

Educating the Heart