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Name:  Ali Cellini

Hometown:  this should be a short answer question but it never is for me! I grew up in Kenya – a small town called Malindi, though now my family is all in Nairobi. That is home, but England has also always felt like home as I grew up partially (on and off) here!

Training background:  I trained at a school called Purusha Yoga in San Francisco, where we studied in the Raja Yoga tradition – focused on Hatha, stemming into versions like Vinyasa, Yin, Restorative. Studying at Purusha was amazing as Joy Ravelli, the head instructor and owner of the studio, has been training teachers for more than 20 years, and the breadth of her experience, and that of the other teachers there, gave us a really in-depth well-rounded view on teaching, anatomy and the history and philosophy of yoga – enough to know that we were only scratching the surface and there is always so much more to learn!

What is your favourite yoga pose and why:  Downward dog. Well there are a few... but I'm going to stick with downward dog. I love it. It is essential. It is place where you don't have a reason to forget any part of the body – in it I can be aware of all things, and the connection between all things, and simultaneously it is a place of great surrender. I can feel the ground. I can feel my spine's length. It is hard work and then also shifts into almost feeling restorative at times. In those moments it feels like home. The place to return to and feel like everything is right in the world. 

What is your least favourite yoga pose and why:  Hmmm, well I'd say that I actually kind of love my least favourite poses! For example, gomukhasana – cow face pose – is so very uncomfortable in my body, but it offers me the special practice of finding ease in a place of difficulty... and afterwards I always feel better for it. It's also part of becoming more self-aware, and noticing the things you really need (sometimes not what you're naturally drawn to). It's not about feeling good right now, but about the health and benefits (and perhaps good feelings in those) that come over time.

What is one of your mantras?  Something like "Let what comes, come." I think often , in some form, about releasing the hold on things and the idea of control. And letting what is going to be, be. We do what we can, but we cannot control everything. It's about being decisive and also flexible – committed, but fluid. Being here with what is right now.

Do you have a go-to practice to get you through busy or challenging times?  Music. In any form. I sing, so singing really helps me. But listening to music, being surrounded and engulfed by it, and singing – besides yoga, that has helped me through the most difficult moments and feelings. I could sit and do that for hours in times of sadness. I put the music on and am driven by it in times of busyness. With the right music on, I feel like I can do anything. And tea. And long showers. I find that anything that is a "pause," or that helps to slow down time, helps you in the long run because you realise that everything that needs to get done will, and everything else won't matter.

What can students expect from your yoga classes?  In yoga, I found the ability to clear the space, to not feel surrounded, to release – I strive to channel this experience to others. To me yoga is like a dance; it is an expressive bodily language, and in it we move and search for the "sweet spots". My practice and my classes exist around this opportunity for clarity and expression – they are focused, challenging but accessible to all, but above all they are fun and inclusive. You will hear a lot of music – mostly unexpected! – and you will be provided with a place where you can come as you are (intentional Nirvana reference...). I believe in hard work and creating heat (tapas) where it counts and has purpose, but balancing this with softness and ease.

Where did you last go on holiday? Did you take your mat? My last holiday was in December and was actually my honeymoon! It was in Malta, was barely planned and was a beautiful, unexpected surprise of a place. I admit I did not take my mat as I was specifically there to have a break from EVERYTHING – we walked, ate, explored, and slept 10 hours every night! My practice in that period was to fully restore, and I'd say it was a massive success!

Something we may not know about you…   Well, there are so many things... I am a big Trekkie. A Star Trek fan. Very big. I love stories in general, fantasy and science fiction above all. And I do not watch TV. But Star Trek is something I will always watch. Next Generation is my number 1. But is followed very closely by the Original Series and DS9. And yes, I have related many, many things from Star Trek to yoga ...and used them in classes.

Live long and prosper.

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Catch Ali teaching at CAMYOGA:

Monday nights 20.00 at Mitcham's Corner. Click here to book.

Find out more about Ali on her website here.

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You might have been wondering what a couple of our new classes are all about - Literary Vinyasa Flow and Literary Yin Restorative.... We are very excited to announce brand new classes with one of our most popular teachers, Jessica Lawrence, find out more below...

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NEW
Literary Yoga Classes

with JEssicA LAWRENCE

"Growing up I could never quite contain myself to single areas of learning; I was a certified bookworm with a love of foreign linguistics and a penchant for dissection and astronomy, with an intense sideline in ballet. I studied Classical Greek at university so that I could understand myths and verbal morphology better and then went to work in publishing so that I could read other people’s ideas on everything from Baedecker to bike couriering.

What I am trying to say is that I have always found the world to be too huge to avoid being multi disciplinary.

So I decided as soon as I knew that I wanted to be a yoga teacher that I would want some help along the way from voices far more eloquent than mine. Combining my lifelong love of literature with my classes made complete sense to me from the beginning; the basic principles of yoga and a yogic life are a blueprint for making the most of human nature - and human nature is what almost every piece of literature deals with. Bringing two of my disciplines together has expanded both for me and aids in communicating complex and subtle lessons to my students, with the help of the beautiful words of the world’s best and wisest authors and the greatest tool any of us has - our bodies. 

In my classes students can expect to explore elements of yoga philosophy, using novels or meditative non fiction as a thematic framework and the ancient wisdom of yoga and the physical manifestations of this in asana as a practical method of application.

The first of my Tuesday evening classes - Literary Vinyasa Flow is all of the above with dynamic, creative, dance-like flows and more than a bit of levity, because one thing I take from my multi-disciplinary approach to life is that nothing should be taken too seriously.

The second class - Literary Yin Restorative will use its slower pace and quieter mood to explore one short story or poem within each 75 minutes. Working somewhere between yin and restorative and building up to and down from one single vinyasa we’ll have the time and the space to follow and absorb a simple philosophy from a short piece of literature, using the words as a metronome for peaceful sequences of poses. 

My aim in life has always been to expand my understanding in every direction and I hope you’ll join me in my classes for the ride."

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Join Jessica for her NEW regular classes at Great Shelford

Literary Vinyasa Flow
Tuesdays 18:30
Book here

Literary Yin Restorative
Tuesdays 20:00
Book here

Can't make Tuesdays?
Jessica teaches a flow class every Sunday at Great Shelford. 18.30 Book here.

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CAMYOGA Bursary Student Leads Fight Against Eating Disorders

- by James Downs

I started attending CAMYOGA in November 2016, after a long time of telling myself that “I really ought to go back to yoga soon”. Although I had tried yoga years ago - at a very different point in my life - I would be the first to admit that my knowledge of yoga at this point was quite limited. In this sense, coming to CAMYOGA was the beginning of a whole new journey for me. At the same time however, it came with a feeling of ‘coming home’, returning to something I had a profound sense of connection with. 

Despite not really seeing myself as a yogi back then, I somehow had a sense of confidence and trust in the process of becoming a yoga teacher. As I started to go regularly to classes at CAMYOGA, it seemed as though something was slowly being revealed in me that had been there all along. With every pose I learnt, I was uncovering a greater sense of knowing that yoga was something that simply had to be a part of my life. 

Of course, the idea of becoming a teacher was a scary and uncertain one - would I be any good? Was my practice good enough? Would anyone come to my classes? These anxieties however paled into insignificance when I reminded myself of my long recovery from severe anorexia and bulimia since my mid-teens. My life-threatening struggle with eating disorders showed me that if I could cope with that, I could cope with almost anything. For many years, my eating disorder had ground me down and taken away opportunities, time and health. Now however, I took a sense of confidence from tackling such a difficult condition that I (and even the doctors who treated me) thought I would never recover from. Now I was ready.

I already had so many ideas of what I could do with my teacher training: so many ways in which I  could use yoga for the good of others. I had a strong background as a mental health campaigner, having organised events to raise awareness and funds for mental health. From charity concerts and vegan cake sales to political hustings and speaking in Parliament, it seems natural to me to use and share personal talents to make a difference. In the same way, I had benefitted from yoga myself, and so I wanted to share it with others, hoping that they might find it useful for their own wellbeing or even as part of recovery from an eating disorder. 

The CAMYOGA Bursary has helped make my dream of using yoga to help other people experiencing eating disorders a reality. All of the plans and ideas I had, as wonderful as they may have been, would simply not have happened without the financial support of the teacher training Bursary. Soon after qualifying, I organised a “Yoga Against Eating Disorders” fundraising event, where I taught a class in my home city of Cardiff, raising funds for the Service for High Risk Eating Disorders in South East Wales. They had saved my life, and ever since being discharged I have worked with them to improve the support for other people going through similar difficulties. Having seen first-hand the level of pressure on their resources, I know that the £1000 that was raised at the yoga event will make a huge difference. 

I believe that there is so much potential for yoga to help people experiencing all kinds of mental and emotional difficulties - especially where these relate to the relationship between mind and body and anxieties around body image. Of course, yoga can be used unhelpfully and we can punish ourselves by pushing into pain, comparing ourselves to perfect Instagram photos and reinforcing unhelpful patterns of behaviour. This was certainly how I encountered yoga for the first time, when I would push my emaciated body in intense yoga classes to the point of passing out or being asked to leave the class. Because of this, I am especially passionate about promoting ways of practicing yoga that are beneficial for our mental health. Practicing yoga in a very compassionate way is what has given me the confidence to use my own body to help others to learn, and helped changed the way I think about my body from something I once wanted to destroy to something worth nurturing and celebrating.

To try and help promote yoga as a therapeutic rather than competitive or punitive practice, I’m trying to take my own personal experience and beliefs about yoga into my campaigning and academic work. On November 17th I gave a presentation and lead a workshop on the benefits of yoga at a national eating disorders conference in Brighton, exploring issues such a self image, body dissatisfaction and exercise in relation to eating problems. This builds upon outreach events I have already done with the wider student body at Cambridge University, at my own college here, and through teaching at NHS England on World Mental Health Day. As a psychology student, I am hoping to further my connection with the Service for High Risk Eating Disorders as part of my Masters thesis, and have set up an honorary contract with the service to teach yoga on a 1-1 basis with patients. Watch this space!

What strikes me most when I look back on my journey into teaching yoga is how much I’ve relied on the support not just of myself, but of so many people around me. Yoga is all about connection, union, joining. I have been so lucky to have everything fall into place at the right time, and all the necessary dots join together to make becoming a yoga teacher happen. A fundamental part of this was the CAMYOGA bursary, which enabled me to learn from inspiring teachers during an amazing teacher training. It helped me to find the support of tutors and fellow trainees, and I have continued to be supported by CAMYOGA as a graduate. Of course, I continue to learn from my students every time I teach. 

The generosity of the Bursary scheme motivates me to be generous with what I’ve learnt. Having the chance to use my skills towards making a real difference to others - especially for those struggling with eating disorders - has been hugely rewarding. For me, this is an example of what yoga is all about. 

Namaste!

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Find out more about our Teacher Training Diplomas here.

Want to have a chat about Teacher Training at CAMYOGA? Give us a call on 01223 840700 or email tt@camyoga.co.uk

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Follow James
Facebook Yoga with James
Instagram @Jamesldowns
Twitter @Jamesldowns
Huffington Post James Downs

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Emily, CAMYOGA graduate teacher decided to split her intensive training over two courses - she completed her first week on the July 2016 Intensive, and her second week (of the two weeks) was on the January 2017 Intensive. Here is her post-graduation story...

Emily, teaching her first cover class at our Shelford studio

If you’re thinking about splitting the intensive over six months, perhaps there’s a couple of things that might encourage you to do so.

Firstly, you get to know two groups of people who are there for the same reason you are; they are passionate about yoga and totally ready to delve into it with open minds, and that’s such an excellent way to bond with people. Obviously, if you have positive connections with these people, there’s lots of potential with the budding relationships; initiatives, shared sessions.

The other huge positive is that you have longer to marinade in the concepts that are introduced via the reading list. These concepts are embedded in really nice translations of classical texts, and to have longer to read and enjoy these is a pleasure.

Thirdly, you get longer to absorb what you have learned in the first part. For example, longer to think about what you want to do with your qualifications.  

There’s also the advantage of having longer to set up the business side of things; the taxes, setting up the company, the website. 

It’s a little over a year since starting training. 

Thankfully since qualifying in May, it’s been possible (though challenging) to re-organise things so that growing the yoga is a priority. Especially when transitioning from a profession such as teaching, this takes quite some determination and strength to stick with, as it’s a less reliable income (to start with only, hopefully) and with the added challenges of being a freelancer. If you are really passionate about it, it may be challenging, yet it doesn’t feel wrong, and that’s a very motivating place to act from.

The CAMYOGA faculty have been really supportive; offering the opportunity to divulge some of the concepts learned during the training to other trainees (allowing me to explore these concepts in even further depth and use skills from my previous profession, easing the path between the two).  It’s so refreshing to discuss moral codes, the sense of something bigger than ourselves, as adults. We are all too often confined to instructional, organisational dialogue.  Discussions about the spiritual philosophy of yoga enable me to verbalise what it is about it that is so meaningful. 

Cover sessions are gradually building up in the CAMYOGA studios; it’s a true blessing to be instructing alongside such fantastic role-models of the yoga community there. Setting up sessions independently of the studios takes a little extra in up-front fees, yet hopefully at it proves worth it; watch this space! There are certain niches arising; for example, offering yoga to those who are unable to attend regular sessions, particularly kids who need special medical or physical adaptations.  It’s a case now of keeping my personal commitments to a minimum in order to take up opportunities; practicing simplicity and keeping an open mind about when, where and how to instruct. 

On a physical level, it seems important to look after my health even more than ever. This equally means knowing when to have a rest, as much as when to practice asana. If it feels right, it may be appropriate to read rather than get on the mat. My focus has shifted from how many sessions I can attend, to broadening my vision; spending an hour on planning, or reading, or connecting with the yoga community. Taking vitamins, regular fitness sessions, meditating and avoiding alcohol (it seems way less appealing than ever!) keep me feeling bolstered.

Of course, I’d adore to go on further trainings, for example, the level four or Ashtanga training. I practice patience and in best faith that all this will come when it’s meant to; it took 15 years of practicing yoga to train as an instructor, so I’m sure another few months to save and go further with studies won’t hurt! What’s so nice is that I am able to keep the learning going independently; with the amazing instructors I already know and also through avenues such as websites and literature. It’s so nice to dip into books on the reading list still, and beyond; such as David Swenson’s Ashtanga Yoga, Ana Forrest’s Fierce Medicine. They are a financially viable way to access some of the best wisdom without having to disrupt a schedule or dip out of instructing opportunities by attending CPD courses. 

The business element is a learning curve. Invoicing, promoting, innovating; these are all part and parcel of the instructing line of duty. I recommend asking for advice from the best places; it’s really important to look after your interests, as nobody else is going to do it for you! Among my favourite parts of this process was building a website. Please do check it out; www.emilyaliceyoga.com and let me know what you think! 

- Emily Leslie, 200hr TT Graduate 2017

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For more information about our teacher training courses click here or drop an email to tt@camyoga.co.uk

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Connecting with your unborn child
by Louise Palmer-Masterton

In 2006 I had the very good fortune to spend some one-one time with Frederick Leboyer, author of the seminal text ‘Birth Without Violence’ his 1974 book that changed the face of obstetric practice.

Monsieur Leboyer, who sadly passed away earlier this year at the age of 98, was a former obstetrician who ultimately eschewed modern obstetric practice and turned to writing the story of birth from the child’s perspective. In Birth Without Violence, for the first time in history, he painted the infant's view of birth - coming from the quiet, calm womb into bright lights, noise, stress and separation (when immediately after birth the child would be taken from its mother to be prodded and ‘tested’).

Before Leboyer childbirth had always been about the mother, the procedures, the hospitals - everything but the infant, and whilst his book was initially opposed by his fellow obstetricians, midwives and mothers themselves did take notice, and slowly but surely things began to change. It is now commonplace that delivery rooms are quiet, low lit places, infants are now allowed to rest with their mothers immediately after birth. These and many more changes can be directly attributed to Leboyer’s book.

Back to my meeting Leboyer. It was even more fortunate for me that at the time of our meeting I was myself 5 months pregnant, and because of this he rather took me under his wing.

He was in his late eighties when we met, and a rather wonderful, slightly stroppy french man, with a very big twinkle in his eye.

He taught me something which went on to become the basis of what we teach at CAMYOGA in pregnancy yoga, pregnancy trainings, and our active birth workshops.

He said..

“Every day, from when you are 6 months pregnant, take 15 mins out of your day. Find a quiet place to sit and meditate. Once you are settled and focussed, take your attention to your baby. Really bring all of your focus to your baby.

Then let your baby know that you are there, and that you are listening.

Then you simply spend some time ‘listening’ to your baby.”

He told me that if I did this every day from 6 months my baby would know me, and be connected to me, and feel safe in being born. He told me she would not cry when she was born. And guess what? She did not, and she has scarcely cried since. She was the most chilled, relaxed baby who has grown into a remarkable child. 

This article was originally written for the September 2017 issue of OM Yoga Magazine

Congratulations to our newly qualified pregnancy yoga teachers! Here are some images and impressions from the 4 day course. We run this course once a year and is open to 200hr qualified yoga teachers wanting to advance their teaching, PLUS it can also be part of the 500hr diploma!

Our 2018 dates will be announced shortly, keep an eye on the Teaching Pregnancy Yoga page for more info. Otherwise, just drop us a line to register your interest.

Love from CAMYOGA xx

“I learnt SO much more than I thought I would. We not only learnt about yoga poses, but also about stages of pregnancy, stages of birth, the anatomy of the pelvis etc. This gave me knowledge to explain WHY we teach certain things.”

— L.L

Officially a qualified Pregnancy Yoga Teacher!! 🙌🏼 #pregnancyyoga #prenatalyoga #baby #pregnancy #pregnant

A post shared by Lorna Lowe (@lo_yoga) on Apr 10, 2017 at 1:07am PDT

A very young (16 years ago!!!!) and very pregnant me (32 weeks) with my second gorgeous girl @_daisymoore when I was lucky enough to feature in the amazing Francoise Freedman book 'Prenatal Yoga for conception, pregnancy and birth' book To think I now teach yoga to mummas the beautiful gift of Prenatal yoga and also training yoga teachers Pregnancy yoga still sometimes stops me in my tracks!! How bloody lucky am I that I get to share this wondrous, empowering practice 🙏✨✨✨✨🙏 #pregnancyyoga #prenatalyoga #yoginis #empoweringwomen #nourish #yogamum #yogastudent #yogateacher #yogateachertraining

A post shared by Ray🙏🏼 (@rachaelyogaflow) on Apr 7, 2017 at 11:22pm PDT

“I am very pleased that I chose to do the course, and I feel a lot more informed now. I won’t panic if a pregnant lady turns up in class!! ”

— A.D

✨ D A Y 3 ✨ #teachertraining #yogateachertraining #teacher #yoga #training #pregnancyyoga #pregnancy #yogateacher #yogateacherlife #inhaleexhale #inhaleexhalerepeat #camyoga #tara #whitetara #ukyoga #ukyogis #yogagirl #yogaeverydamnday #yogastudent #inspire #inspired #inspiredyogi #inspiredaily #instayoga #igyoga

A post shared by ⚜️ K A Y L E A L O U I S E ⚜️ (@kayleasutcliffe) on Apr 8, 2017 at 1:46pm PDT

D A Y 4 P A S S ✨So this happened today ✨#teachertraining #yogateachertraining #teacher #yoga #training #pregnancyyoga #pregnancy #yogateacher #yogateacherlife #inhaleexhale #inhaleexhalerepeat #camyoga #ukyoga #ukyogis #yogagirl #yogaeverydamnday #yogastudent #inspire #inspired #inspiredyogi #inspiredaily #instayoga #igyoga

A post shared by ⚜️ K A Y L E A L O U I S E ⚜️ (@kayleasutcliffe) on Apr 9, 2017 at 10:55am PDT

“Thank you Rachael! You were fantastic at teaching us all your pearls of wisdom. I loved every second of it and I feel so confident to safely teach pregnant women yoga and how to ease their labour!
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You learn so much more than just yoga poses. This course sets you up with the knowledge and expertise to safely teach yoga to pregnant women safely”

— L.L.

Enjoying the sunshine at the Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training 😘 #nourish #pregnancyyoga #pregnancy #yoga #camyogis #cambridgeyoga #camyoga #

A post shared by CAMYOGA (@camyoga) on Apr 7, 2017 at 8:14am PDT

Day 2 of 4 of my Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training. Already been to the gym for an early morning session now for some learning and relaxation. Happy Friday!! 🙌🏼 #pregnancyyoga #yoga #yogi

A post shared by Lorna (@girl_on_fitness) on Apr 7, 2017 at 1:30am PDT

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Before reading this blog post, wherever you are, breathe in and breathe out. Concentrate on the inhale where the cool air moves through your nostrils, the chest and belly expands, and then exhale fully. Do this twice more, observing the breath and the sensations that come. Well done, you have just breathed mindfully. Simple huh?

Breathing is something that we all do, all of the time. By bringing our focus onto the breath we can work on being present in the moment.

You can do the following exercise for just a few minutes, or for longer, it’s up to you. During this you may find your mind drifting, this is ok and totally normal (even for seasoned practitioners). When you notice thoughts coming into your mind, gently but firmly bring your attention back to the breath. This practice of breathing mindfully is a great first step for developing a pranayama practice.

Preparation

Sit or lay in a comfortable position. You may close the eyes or keep them open with a soft gaze, you may want to rest your hands on the stomach and help you connect to your breath and feel it in a more physical way.

The Breath

Inhale, notice the feeling of the cool air moving through the nostrils into the lungs. The chest and belly expand at the top of the inhale. Exhale through the nose, the chest and belly contract, navel to spine. Continue the breath, feel what it is really like to breathe. Notice the calming effect it has on the body and the mind, observe the sensations without judgement.

You may find that the mind wanders from time to time - this is normal. Acknowledge the thought, and then come back to the breath - it can help to imagine your thoughts as books: allow yourself to look at the cover, read the title and then consciously put it on the shelf to read later.

Reflect

Once you have finished the exercise, take a few moments to notice how you feel. Enjoy the experience you’ve just had connecting to yourself and your breath, body and the space around you and within you. Know that you can always come back to this practice at anytime and anywhere (even in the queue at the supermarket!).

Next Steps

Take this mindful breath and apply it throughout your yoga practice, keep focused on the breath for the duration and observe how it affects your practice.

Tried it? Let us know how you get on. You can share your experience on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook using #camyogis

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Many of us know Rachael Moore as our resident Vinyasa flow guru, but not as many know about her love for restorative yoga. It's all about nourishing the body and mind while taking time for oneself amidst the cloud of our busy, and often hectic lives. We spoke to Rachael about her new class Flow + Restore which combines two very different, but very compatible styles of yoga. Read on to find out more.

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What is the Flow + Restore Class?

Flow and Restore is something that i will often do in my own practice when i need to slow down, nourish myself and restore my energy levels. It is a slow mindful practice where i am able to coax my often tight body and busy mind into a state of relaxation through rhythmic, often circular movements before settling into supported stillness where your body is held and supported with props.

How does it differ from a regular Restorative or Flow class?

Although the postures that we explore in the restore aspect of the class will be very similar to those in a regular restorative class, the way we enter the posture is a little different. It is as if we are using the flow aspect the practice, to prepare and limber the body (and mind) for the longer-held restorative posture. You may find that it is then easier to settle into the posture once you have had chance to ease into it though movement. In a regular flow class, there is very much an emphasis on dynamic movement with the breath to create strength, flexibility and stability. Although there remains a strong awareness of the breath during Flow and Restore, it is more about tuning into the quality of our breath and the quiet sensations that we so often fail to notice in a faster paced, movement focused practice.  

Is the class suitable for all levels?

A photo posted by Ray🙏🏼 (@rachaelyogaflow) on Nov 9, 2016 at 12:56pm PST

Yes! Students newer to the practice may appreciate the slower, less demanding pace just as much as the more "advanced" student may appreciate the opportunity to explore different aspects of their practice. Regardless of where a student is in their practice, or in their life, it can be a revelation to be able to simply move with gentle undulations before coming to a place of rest.

What can students expect from the class?

You can expect gentle guided movements and explorations of the body, tapping into your internal compass of how your body needs to move, be moved and be nourished. While resting and being held in the restorative postures, I offer students the opportunity to have simple, gentle hands on assists with therapeutic grade essential oils, matched to the theme of the practice. This adds another layer and potency to this practice and compliment a restorative practice beautifully.

A photo posted by Ray🙏🏼 (@rachaelyogaflow) on Nov 3, 2016 at 3:03am PDT

What are the benefits of a restorative practice for students who usually attend more yang/dynamic classes?

I think regardless of what style of yoga you normally practice, and actually even if you normally aren’t a yoga practitioner, we can all benefit from a little re-callibration through our nervous system. We all increasingly live in such fast forward moving society that the opportunity to drop back and yield with no expectation other than to rest, restore and replenish are few and far between. This practice gives our nervous system a much needed opportunity to move from our Sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) towards the Para-sympathetic NS (Rest and Digest). As we begin to soften and yield, we may notice the breath becoming freer, more naturally flowing un-obstructed through the body giving rise to feelings of increased energy, vitality and general well being.

Can you recommend any books etc for students that wish to find out more about this style?

Judith Hanson Lasater - Relax and Renew Book is the bible of restorative yoga and is one that I regularly refer back too. I actually have not found many good books out there in this area, so if anyone else has some good recommendations I would love to hear about them. Please comment down below!

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Rachael is teaching a brand new weekly Flow + Restore class at Mitcham's Corner Student on Thursdays at 11am. Click here to book.

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We are overfunding!

07/Sep/2016

As I am sure you are aware :) We surpassed our target in just 7 days, and are now over funding! 

All funds over and above the original target come to us directly now, so we are home and dry :)

We cannot thank you enough for your amazing support :)

It will be a remarkable success if with your help we can fund this project just by people power!

The more we can raise this way, the less dependant we are on any other source of funding.

To give you an idea:

An extra £10,000 will enable us to purchase our new Rational oven and extraction equipment outright without having to lease.

Another £15,000 will enable us to purchase our fridges, freezers and other kitchen equipment outright.

Another £15,000 will enable us to purchase our servery area equipment outright

As the campaign has been so successful, we have shortened the end date of the campaign to 19th Sept. so we now have 12 days left! This will enable us to open as soon as possible!

The works are well underway at the unit, here is the partition wall going in 

Once the partition is in we will start to build the kitchen. 

We cannot wait to show you round  :)

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Check out our Crowdfunding page for information, videos, updates + much more. Click here.

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OH WOW! WE EXCEEDED OUR TARGET YESTERDAY! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

We are currently the third most successful project on Crowdfunder, and the most successful rewards based project over all! GO CAMBRIDGE!

We are now in what is called 'over funding', this is where we set a 'stretch' target and keep taking pledges.

As you can imagine fitting out a cafe and studio is an expensive business, and the more we can raise from crowd funding, the less we have to reply on banks, lease purchase or any other kind of funding.

All funds over and above the original target come to us directly now, so we are home and dry :)

This campaign has gone beyond our wildest dreams! It will be a remarkable success if with your help we can fund this project just by people power!

To give you an idea:

• An extra £10,000 will enable us to purchase our new Rational oven and extraction equipment outright without having to lease purchase.
• Another £15,000 will enable us to purchase our fridges, freezers and other kitchen equipment outright.
• Another £15,000 will enable us to purchase our servery area equipment outright.

These are the works we have to complete:
Cafe fit out, decoration and furnishing; commercial kitchen installation; sound proof partition, studio furbishment, studio equipment, AV equipment.

Lets make this one of the most amazing crowdfunding projects ever :)

We know lots of people haven't managed to pledge yet, so you have time and we are adding new rewards all the time. We still have a couple of GOLD packages left, and one teacher training place....

We will probably stop the campaign before the 28 day original time line - so go for it! PLEDGE NOW! Help us to build this space beautiful.

With love and Gratitude
Louise and the team at CAMYOGA XX

Day 3 and they are coming in thick and fast!

01/Sep/2016

 It would be great end to the week to reach 50% funding! So please please share with your friends, we will be so so happy to reach our target before the scheduled end date, then we can open really really quickly :)

Today we finished the floor in the Stem + glory cafe area. It looks great!

Just been choosing paint colours. Hmm decisions decisions..... any ideas?

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Any ideas for paint colours?!

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Check out our Crowdfunding page for information, videos, updates + much more. Click here.

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Day 1 Over!

30/Aug/2016

It was quite a day! 

We are already 11% funded, thank you so much to everyone that already made a pledge!

Today we start work on the unit with the cafe floor going in

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Wow what a day it's been!

31/Aug/2016

Thank you all so much for your support! We went well past £10,000 today AND we started the work on site by starting to lay our lovely cafe floor!

We still got lots more excellent rewards for you so please share with your friends and lets make this project beautiful :) Getting to target quickly and easily will open our doors swiftly and going over target will mean we can build better, stronger and even more beautiful!

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Check out our Crowdfunding page for more information, videos and more. Click here.

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What is yoga, if not an attitude of mind? A mind that cultivates attention. When we are attentive to something it changes our experience and how we relate to ourselves in the world. The interconnectedness of our bodies, energies, our breath form the opposites of our daily experiences. They are the yin/yang aspects of life. Most people come to yoga through the doorway of the tangible, the body. Overtime they may develop a keen interest in the heart/mind/emotion states, the more yin side of life!

Yang energy and practice are dynamic flowing heating.  Yin energy  and practice  are passive static and cooling. Yin moves us inside. It is simple but mentally stimulating and challenging. It can give us many insights that can provoke changes in our lives. We can experience opening up, yet cultivate acceptance of what is. Above all the practice of yoga is a healing practice. Yin yoga can offer a student a way inside their body/mind complex.

Yin Qualities

• Dark
• Cold
• Inside
• Solid
• Slow
• Dim

Yang Qualities

• Light
• Hot
• Outside
• Hollow
• Rapid
• Bright

Like two sides of a coin one cannot exist without the other. There is no absolute yin or absolute yang. It is all about balance. For yoga purposes yang tissues relate to the muscles, skin yin tissues to our bones, joints, and ligaments. Muscles relate well to rhythmic, repetitive movements, ligaments to gentler pressure for longer periods of time. If there is too much stress on a joint the muscles around it will tear first, then the ligament and then the joint may become damaged. Yang yoga therefore is designed to not stress joints. Yin yoga is designed to affect the ligaments and to regain space and strength to the joints.

Test this with your finger – Hold your right hand out in front of you and stiffen the muscles and fingers, now try to lift your index finger upwards to the ceiling. Relax your arm, shake out your hand and try again this time stay relaxed in the muscles, see how you can lift your finger up.

Up to 30% of our muscles are made of fascia anyway ,  but as we age after our mid- thirties and upwards these tissues become more brittle, joints more un mobile and we stiffen up. The optimum time for balance of a yang/ yin practice is between 20’s and 30’s.

Stretching - Applying a stress in muscles that results in a stretch

Stressing - Tension placed around a tissue

Yin yoga is designed to stress the tissue not stretch them.

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Andrea K - Shoelace Pose

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Andrea K - Swan Pose

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Influences and further training - www.sarahpowers.com,  www.paulgrilley.com,  www.pauliezink.com

Books - Yin yoga by Paul Grilley, Insight yoga by Sarah Powers, Theories of the Chakras by Hiroshi Motoyama

Andy's Class Schedule:

Shelford:

Tuesdays @ 18.30 Jivamukti

Buckden:

Saturdays @ 10.00 Jivamukti

You can also catch Andy teaching some Friday Nights at Shelford & at our monthly Kirtan at Central

Andy Nathan

I'm a 300 Hour Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher based in the beautiful medieval market town of Saffron Walden - close to Cambridge and less than an hour from London.

My classes have a strong, playful dynamic with attention paid to meaningful connection with students, disciplined practice and positive intention. I teach a number of regular weekly public classes, co-host kirtans in and around Cambridge, offer private tuition to individuals, groups and businesses and assist my teachers both locally and in London.

I'm also proud to be part of the Yoga for Syria team with some hugely inspiring beings, which puts on a yoga festival regularly and donates all the proceeds to an amazing grassroots organisation which takes aid direct to the mothers and children in need.

Find out more about Andy here.

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Gemma's Class Schedule:

Shelford:

Tuesdays @ 13.00 Yoga Flow Open

Buckden:

Mondays @ 10.00 Yoga Open

Wednesdays @ 18.30 Yoga Open                                  @  20.00 Yoga Beginners

Gemma Skells

I was a keen fitness enthusiast. Weight lifting was a large part of my regimen. I tried my first yoga class in 2008 after reading an article in a fitness magazine called stretch for strength. I wanted to improve my Olympic lifts, flexibility and reduce muscle hardening so I began attending one hatha class per week at my local leisure centre.

Little did I know that four years later I would have almost completely swapped the gym for the yoga mat. Like many other people, I started to notice the "feel good" feeling. Not just the physical benefits of a regular yoga practice but also the more subtle (and not at first obvious) improvements to my health, well being and sense of self worth. These are just a few of the many beneficial aspects which have fed my interest and love for yoga ever since. So much so that I began my journey of becoming a teacher in November 2013 with the British Wheel of Yoga. My goal is not only to deepen my own understanding, but more importantly to help others facilitate their own "feel good" feeling.

Find out more about Gemma here.

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Julie Davies

Julie's Class Schedule:

Central:

Fridays @ 13.00 Yoga Flow Open

From a very young age I have found solace and enjoyment in physical activity.  For most of my younger life this need was met by high impact aerobic type exercise and many gym memberships. I came to yoga in my late thirties when I found an amazing teacher and over time have developed an abiding love of the practice.

I discovered through the regular practice of yoga a strength and agility of body and mind that had been elusive.  As the years have passed I have been inspired to share the practice of yoga by the many excellent teachers I have had the pleasure to work with.

My personal style is eclectic.  Some days I need a highly energetic and dynamic yoga and will look to a strong flow practice.  On other days I find joy in a gentler approach. My desire to teach arose spontaneously from the pleasure I found in my personal practice and my wish to share this with others.  My teaching style therefore aims, as far as possible,  to be specific to the students on any given day.

Find out more about Julie here.

Hello. I am the person sitting on a purple block who checks her watch pointedly when you come in late. 

I’m American. Cambridge is strange and I don’t always love it.  I’m grateful to CAMYOGA. Thank God for that hour and fifteen minutes two or three times a week when I can be a tree, a dog, a pigeon. I started at CAMYOGA because my gym sucked. Of course the door I opened was to my soul, not really to toned triceps and a sufficiently elevated heart rate. 

I sort of have the triceps, but more importantly, I make friends with my mortality in savasana. Sometimes I remember the principle of non-harm and stop internally yelling at myself for five minutes. I wonder what I must do to serve myself. My body and mind have a sanctuary on Union Road. 

As I write, I have a strange melancholy ache just in my jaw, at the back of my neck, descending to my heart. My aunt died last week, the same day as Prince and as I buzz through life linearly, rationally, efficiently - my heart is stationary. It honours the dead. The truth that everything is fleeting is somehow situated in my own body. Thank you yoga, I guess. 

I joined CAMYOGA in 2011 primarily to take Hot Yoga during the day. Those were the days of Shyan Bliss. There would be about four people in the class and he would talk about using fire breath to reach an altered state on public transport and having to be helped off the bus. I loved grave Tom at reception and the bouncy joy of Anna Jackson and the fluidity of the odd class with Louise PM herself. Then came Janine Tandy, who I used to examine quite closely during classes because she was so perfect I suspected she was a cyborg. I started Ashtanga on Sunday mornings with Howard and laughed. It was like a Cirque du Soleil rehearsal.  

I settled into the magnificent and powerful groove of Andrea Price’s Tues and Thurs 10 am class 2012 and 2013. I cried my way through restorative yoga at 11:30 on Friday, Beverley Nolan’s infinitely patient hand on my chest, teaching me to follow my breath. I know that my practice at Camyoga has made me a better writer because it has made me kinder to myself and braver about leaving my comfort zone. That was all Andrea ever talked about! There we all were, exiled from our comfort zone and growing so much as people. And sometimes crying in the changing room, which was awkward but kind of ok. Andrea’s class in 2013 was something very special.  When do women feel themselves in a room full of empathy? When indeed? 

And now I am grooving on all the gifts of Rachael Moore’s class, her own connection to her own feminine energy is an electric inspiration on Wednesday. And somehow I have been in Ashtanga for five years with the gentle and lovely Emma Lindsay and I totally think of myself as a beginner.  

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Bill Clinton Hercules: Thursday 12 May 7.30pm at The Junction, Cambridge

You’re invited to come see my play. It may be on its surface about the doings of the 42nd President of the United States but it’s really about love, peace and heroes.  And it is more about what is to be found on the mat than what is to be found at the White House.

On Thursday 12 May 2016, Bill Clinton Hercules is in Cambridge for one night only. Everyone from CAMYOGA is warmly invited.

In fact, Camyogis can get 10% off their ticket using the code CLINTON10 at the checkout.

Thursday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Junction

http://www.junction.co.uk/bill-clinton-hercules

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Rachel Mariner

Our guest blogger Rachel Mariner is an American attorney and playwright living in Cambridge. She has been a member of CAMYOGA since 2011. 

https://twitter.com/rachelmariner

http://libertyandowain.blogspot.co.uk/

We are often told during class how important the breath is in yoga, and will usually practice pranayama exercises during class especially at the beginning and end. But what is pranayama and why do we do it?

During this series of blog posts we will be exploring the most commonly practiced pranayama (breathing) exercises - the ones that are most likely to pop-up in your classes. We will discover how, what and why, contraindications and benefits of these practices.

Prana = Life force/Energy

Yama = Regulate/Lengthen

Prana translates into “life force energy” and Yama translates into “control or mastery of.” Thus, Pranayama is used to control, cultivate, and modify the Prana in the body.

Prana is taken in through the air we breathe, and since the pranayama exercises increase the amount of air we take in, they also increase our intake of Prana.

Look out for the series of blog posts coming soon. Let us know if there is a particular pranayama practice that you’d like us to cover.

Note: When learning new breathing techniques, it is common for people to feel light headed or dizzy. If this happens, stop for a few moments and then resume. After your body becomes accustomed to the change in flow of oxygen, the dizziness will no longer occur.

iir prihatinawati http://asianjasmine.yoga/

When I signed myself up for a free taster of Broga® at CAMYOGA, I didn’t even read which type of yoga I was about to take. I am new in Cambridge - I moved here from Indonesia in August. I have practiced yoga since I was a child - I am a registered vinyasa teacher, and mostly practice yoga at home - so I was excited to get to the studio and have a guided practice.

When I arrived, and a lady told me in the changing room what class I was about to take, I wasn’t sure what to expect...

You know, surprises always come to greet you in the most unexpected corners... I loved it!

Yes, it was mostly men in the class, yes we did heck of a load of high/low planks, either into or from chaturanga or downward facing dog, and yes I was sweating. A lot!

I know what you think, this yoga might be only suitable for the very athletic or experienced practitioners, but to be honest it is not! Let me explain why.

Firstly, the poses were dead simple. Having practiced yoga for over half of my life, I’ve had my time of working to get into the 'fancy poses' - undervaluing these simple poses. But more recently, I’ve started to take notice of the simple things, to find the grace in anything and everything. This was the beauty of the practice.

So, if the poses were dead simple, how did I get my kick from the practice?

These simple poses were repeated over and over again with controlled ujjayi breath throughout - once you’ve done 7 or 8 repetitions of a low and slow chaturanga you start feeling muscles you never knew you had.

The practice really prompted me to be mindful of my own body and muscles. For example: try to come to downward dog, then plank, slide slowly into your low chaturanga and press up to plank and downward dog again, repeat 8 times slowly. Now try it again with one legged dog, one legged plank and so on... Now you know what I mean!

I think I may have read your mind - it sounds scary right?! Don’t worry the teacher, Liz, is very nice and knowledgable and will offer options and modifications for you to work with at at your stage, wherever you are in your yoga journey.

I know you will feel that there are eyes watching what you are doing, pressuring you to do the full pose although deep down you feel that you are not ready yet. Hang on a minute. No one is watching you as each of us is sweating like crazy and trying to keep doing what we are doing with our own perfection, we don’t have time to watch other people! Moreover yoga is not about comparing yourself with other people! Yoga is your journey within. No judgement. Every body is different! Do what is best for you, enjoy the learning, focus within.

Happy practicing and Namaste!

- Iir Prihatinawati

About the Author

Iir Prihatinawati is a registered yoga teacher (RYT200) at Yoga Alliance UK and has just moved to Cambridge from Indonesia. She has been learning yoga since childhood but it became a regular practice for her after her first pregnancy, and has been hooked on vinyasa and ashtanga ever since. You can find out more about Iir on her website.

Broga® classes are held on Tuesday evenings, 17.00 at the CAMYOGA Cambridge Central Studio.

Check out our schedule to book.

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Name:  Liz Smith

Hometown: Cambridge

Training Background:

I have over 21 years experience in the fitness industry. I first qualified as a YMCA group exercise instructor in 1994. This led to a diploma in personal in training as well as many other group exercise and fitness qualifications. I began teaching yoga in 2001. I am a Viniyoga practitioner and therapist, a Vinyasa Krama Yoga teacher and most recently a Broga® teacher.

Occupation:

I’ve been involved in teacher training since 2002. As well as teaching yoga classes in Cambridge, I am a cYs Introductory Yoga Studies tutor and a YMCA Awards Diploma in Teaching Yoga tutor and assessor. I’m also a freelance internal course verifier.

What is your favourite yoga pose and why?

For the cooling and releasing effects of the posture, it has to be flank forward bend – I’d be happy to stay for a long time in this posture! To be energised and empowered, my favourite’s a handstand.

What is your least favourite yoga pose and why?

I love them all.

What is Broga®?

Broga® is designed for a male sensibility (women are ALWAYS welcome!). It's a strong, intense and physically challenging workout with accessible postures that challenge the body to increase performance and capability. 

This is not a relaxing chill out class. You will work and sweat hard as well as make significant strides in opening up traditionally tight areas such as the shoulders, chest, hamstrings and hips. It’s a seriously tough but VERY fun class that will push you to your limits.

What can someone expect from a Broga® class?

There are 6 main classes. Each class focuses on a specific body part, starting with the chest, and then working towards the back, legs, arms, shoulders and inversions. The “sizzle” workout is a full body extravaganza!

What are the benefits from attending Broga®?

It’s the perfect complement to other sport or exercise training. It increases performance and capability in sport and reduces the possibility of injury. It develops strength, power, flexibility, mobility and cardio fitness from the very first class.

Does you have to be super fit to come to Broga®?

Being an athlete is not a requirement, just the mindset to be one!

Are women welcome?

Yes! While Broga® is a yoga practice engineered for the male athlete, it's also a killer workout for women!

You can catch Liz teaching Broga®  on Tuesday evenings, 17.00 at our Cambridge Central Studio.

Check out our schedule to book.

Maca, spirulina, cacao, Lucama – someone should really invent a “how many superfoods can you name?” game. With all these different coloured powders popping up in health food stores, supermarkets and recipes online, it’s safe to say your curiosity is totally normal. Superfoods can sometimes be rather controversial; some say go for it, whack in all the superfoods for a nutritious kick and some say just go for the wholefoods to get your vits ‘n’ mins in, so let’s discuss this matter – what’s the hype on superfoods?

Superfoods, in my opinion, can be a great way sneak in extra nutrients without noticing, and sometimes they taste pretty amazing too. Take maca, for example, it is a root from the radish family (doesn’t sound too appetizing yet, does it?). It’s rich in vitamins B, C and E and contains zinc, amino acids, magnesium and, one for the vegans, iron and calcium. Accompanied by a slightly malty burnt caramel flavor, maca is my favourite thing to add into a smoothie for just a little bit more of a nutrient dense drink. And spirulina, oh spirulina! Spirulina is literally packed full of goodies and choc-a-pock full of vitamin B12, and essential vitamin that’s tricky to find. Despite the off-putting colour, flavor, and price tag it’s a fab little powder (1/4-1/2 a teaspoon will do the trick if you’re not used to it).

The only thing is, I try not to use these powders to supplement fresh fruit and veg. Yes, acai powder is an incredible antioxidant packed ingredient, but why not combine that with some fresh berries, a banana and a handful (or two) of fresh, organic greens for a healthy and delicious smoothie? Although mixed greens powders are amazing for adding sneaky nutrients you wouldn’t find elsewhere, also try to include the real, whole, deal.

Both CAMYOGA studios offer fresh, homemade smoothies full of healthy fruits, vegetables and superfoods so why not grab one after a class? Or get inventive at home with some devilishly green spirulina protein balls? Try them out and have fun.