Yoga and the mind

“Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life”

How many times have you looked at a yoga class and wondered about the flexibility and ease with which those taking part move gracefully from posture to posture, rhythmically shape shifting into seemingly impossible stances and gracefully withdrawing from the stresses and strains of the outside world? For many this can be an off-putting aspect to yoga practice. When you’re unable to touch your own toes how can a basic downward dog be within reach?  But yoga isn’t about the person practising next to you.  It’s not about standing on your head but it is all about learning how to stand on your own two feet and understand we are all at different stages on our journey. Whilst the asanas are a large part of yoga practice, this is only one element. Yoga and the mind, truly intertwine – one without the other is not a true yoga practice.


The mind/body connection in yoga is perhaps the most important aspect.  Dealing with stress is a natural part of life.  Yoga gives an opportunity to switch off from stress and return to your inner being.  Yoga is time set aside spent focusing on relaxation, inner peace and a calmer mindset.  Yoga is about meditation.  It’s about sitting still and being grounded.  The mind and body work in harmony concentrating on deep breathing whilst practicing a variety of poses.  It may take a while.  It may take years to achieve a degree of mindfulness but that is all a part of the journey. Challenging yet beautiful.  The benefits will accumulate naturally.  Better breathing, stress-free sleep, reduced blood pressure, the ability to handle stressful situations, stronger immune system, and……..increased flexibility over time.  We are all born as flexible creatures and the body and mind simply need to relearn over time. When you allow your mind and body to work together the ability to open up to deeper feelings becomes apparent. Quite often the body knows more than the mind so when we
say listen to your body we really need to read its message and zone in on the insights and often gentle warnings.  Yoga facilitates this in many ways.  Tap into the energy of mind and body working together.  Visualisation is key.  Living in the present tense and trying to just acknowledge your place in space and time becomes a key part of your yoga practice.

BKS Iyengar is one of the foremost yogis and considered one of the most important teachers of yoga in the world, included an hour of pranayama (breathing) into his yoga practice each day.

“Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life” – BKS Iyengar


With all that is going on in the world, we need a place or activity where refuge and trust can
flourish.   The very fact that you’re giving yoga time and attention proves that you’re ready for enhanced spirituality as well as physical benefits.  With yoga, however you practice, whichever discipline you select or whichever discipline selects you it’s likely that the learning process and journey for mind and body will bring out the best in you.

Top 4 Benefits of Couples Yoga

Did you know yoga means ‘union’ in Sanskrit and is used to signify any form of connection? This definition is exactly what couples yoga or ‘partner yoga’ is all about. Not only does this medium enhance your physical relationship, but your mental relationship as well. Julia Lehram, a psychotherapist and certified yoga instructor, says the following: A couples yoga experience can serve as a kind of mini ‘retreat’ or ‘workshop’ to strengthen a relationship.

Couples yoga requires partners to really be in the moment, pay attention to each other and work together toward common goals. This practice truly brings people together and we’re here to let you in on the exclusive top benefits.

Photo Credit: @meliniseri 

Strong Communication

Throughout a session of couples yoga, you must rely on one another, constantly communicating through touch and eye contact. This constant communication requires the undivided attention from both partners and a strong level of trust. Physical touch is a language in itself, with the power of touch being able to convey a strong sense of emotion. A strong component of couples yoga is mimicry, the act of being able to match your partner’s mood. Movement like mimicry can greatly help increase bonding with your partner, according to a study done by The British Psychological Study. The verbal and nonverbal movements displayed in couples yoga is extremely beneficial for creating a deeper level of connection and communication skills.

Photo Credit: @desertswanblog 

Letting Go

Couples yoga is all about the art of learning to let go and enjoy life to the fullest without any unnecessary stress. After a stressful day at work, it’s normal to want to take out some of your frustration on your partner. This energy can easily be converted into positive energy. By taking part in couples yoga, you are learning to let go of unwanted stress and approach the world with fresh, new eyes. One of the biggest parts of learning to let go is having total trust in your partner. Let your guard down, and don’t be afraid to try something new! Your partner will be with you every step of the way, helping to uplift you and take away any anxiety you may have.

Photo Credit: @moderntarzan 

Embracing Laughter

Did you know laughing together as a couple is a sign that you are on a path to lasting love? Jeffrey Hall, from University of Kansas, conducted his studies around the importance of humour in a relationship, and his research shows that laughing is a true sign of a “spark.” Couples yoga creates a great deal of fun, allowing for a carefree and safe sanctuary. You will find some poses difficult and oftentimes humorous, allowing for a relaxed and enjoyable environment. It is not just about the outcome, but about the journey and what you learn along the way.

Photo Credit: @moderntarzan 

Creating Balance

In couples yoga, there is never a giver or receiver in a certain yoga pose. Both partners are equally engaged and have one common goal in mind: to support one another. This helps create the perfect sense of balance in a couples yoga session. This not only helps you in a session, but benefits your relationship outside of yoga. Every relationship is unique in its own way and has many different points of balance. Taking time to stay true to yourself, each other, and your values will help you create a balance that works for you and your partner.

Photo Credit: @moderntarzan 

Now it’s time to get your partner and roll out a mat! Looking for the perfect yoga instructor in a private environment? We got you! Book a session with us and you can add your partner to your session in any desired location. See you soon!

Your TruBe Team

Introducing Elisa L – Passionate Yogi

Elisa is one of our OM-tastic new yogis! She is a dedicated Vinyasa yoga teacher who is a strong believer in smiles, positive attitude and mindful practice. She always ensures a relaxing and positive environment to practice yoga through creative and mindful sequences.

What is it you love most about teaching yoga?

The possibility to make a difference in someone’s day, maybe someone’s life. I am able to spread the joy that yoga has given me and pass on the benefits of yoga whilst helping my students to reconnect in the present moment, relax and feel energised at the same time.

How do you de-stress after a long week?

The best way to recharge is to spend time with the ones that you love, doing simple things and enjoying time together.

How do you keep on top of your fitness whilst travelling?

I keep my yoga practice with me, yoga it’s a lifestyle and I always feel much better after a good yoga class.

What’s your top tip for a yoga newbie?

Yoga for beginners may be scary because they’re worried about not being able to do certain yoga positions. It is different for everyone and you are your own master who is in control of your body and mind and the teacher is there to guide you. Being flexible or being cool in the Asana (yoga poses) is not the aim of the practice. The aim is to find your space where you feel your body lengthening, creating more space for the Prana (energy) and releasing any tightness so the Prana can flow more freely.

Favourite yoga position?

I love inversions like headstand (Salamba Sirsasana) or tripod headstand (Sirsasana 2) as they relax and energise the mind, strengthens the whole body.

Don’t forget that our TruBe trainers can come to you right in the comfort of your own home!

To book a session with Elisa, download the app and find her as one of our featured trainers.

 

5 Ways That Yoga Can Help Runners

Runners have a tremendous amount to gain from adding yoga to their fitness regimes. Due to its repetitive nature, running may lead to injuries and musculoskeletal imbalances which can be uncomfortable and disrupt your day to day life. Yoga can complement the discipline of running as it can restore balance and symmetry to the body.

In particular, through Yoga, runners can improve:

  1. FLEXIBILITY

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Yoga stretches the muscles that are tight, which in turn increases the range of motion in related joints. Increased flexibility decreases stiffness, results in greater ease of movement and the reduction of aches and pains.

2.  STRENGTH 

Running mostly strengthens the lower body, therefore certain muscles become strong while others are underused and remain weak. A balanced yoga practice involves the entire body which allows the unused muscles to be strengthened—specifically in the arms, upper torso, abdominals, and back. Strengthening the upper body and core helps improve posture during daily activities and also while running. A strong core allows the arms and legs to move more efficiently and results in less fatigue. Additionally it allows for less weight impact on the legs which reduces the risk of injury. It is also essential for runners to strengthen the muscles in their lower body for a healthy range of motion.

3.  BALANCE

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Overusing some muscles while underusing others creates muscular imbalances, which affect the entire musculoskeletal balance and impairs biomechanical efficiency. For runners, biomechanical imbalances eventually lead to pain and injury. Through Yoga, runners can become stronger by improving their balance through the focus of their energy and mind thus reducing the chance of injury.

    4.  BREATHING

Lung capacity is of prime importance for runners, because it creates the ability to maintain an even breathing pattern through all phases of running. The better the lung capacity is, the more oxygen is circulated through the system, which is most helpful for general running. However, the breathing pattern used in running and other forms of aerobic exercise involves quick and shallow inhalations and exhalations. This uses only the top portion of the lungs, leaving the middle and lower portions untouched. Yogic breathing involves slow, deep inhalations and long exhalations, making use of the upper, middle, and lower portions of the lungs. Yogic breathing has been shown to increase lung capacity, and greater lung capacity increases endurance and improves overall athletic performance.

5.  AN ENERGISED BODY

Many forms of exercise deplete the body of its energy stores. Yet a yoga practice oxygenates the blood and creates more energy, leaving the body and mind feeling restored and energized. Yoga provides a vehicle through which the body can actively recover from the physical demands of running.

By Gandha Savio

If running is included in your regular exercise routine, why not unwind and try a TruBe yoga session to replenish your energy. You can search Gandha’s Profile in the TruBe trainers page.

You can also view our wide range of expert trainers who specialise in various other workout disciplines.

Click here to book a session

TruBe are proud to announce that we are an official partner of the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon taking place on the 8th October 2017! We will be running the half marathon workshops which are held in July and September and will host the complimentary assisted cool down area on race day for all runners! Click here to find out more

 

Try these 5 Yoga poses before bed time

The importance of sleep surpasses the obvious involving lifting your mood and physically looking less tired. When you have difficulty sleeping at night, it affects your day to day life, wellbeing and even your weight. TruBe trainer Dipa Trivedi, who specialises in yoga, explains the different effects of sleep and how yoga can be a simple and effective solution to aid a peaceful night’s sleep.

I get a lot of feedback from most students saying “some days I can sleep and others I just wake up and cannot go back to sleep”… When I ask them why, the answer is ‘I am stressed or I feel hot or I don’t know why’

Usually, having a good night’s sleep is a combination of several factors:

  • Physical fatigue
  • Mental state
  • Emotional wellbeing
  • Routine
  • Nutrition
  • Overall hormonal health

All of these factors are interconnected and getting the right balance is vital to having a continuous good night sleep.

Now it is different for everyone, so we cannot apply the same principles for all, however there is a baseline. Having a good night’s sleep is key to living a life with minimal illnesses. You might be in your 20’s or 30’s and think that it is okay to have 4 hours sleep and then catch up on sleep on weekend. However, as you are building a gap, this can be difficult to fill over time which may result in various health issues. If you observe a child, for example, they would sleep at least 10 hours a night. A working adult (from 22) should sleep an average of 7 hours a night to live long and well. Sleeping helps with memory recovery, focus, immunity and mental stability. Plus, it allows for muscle recovery and growth after sport and exercise. 

There are various yoga sequences you can try to improve your general sleep.

MY 5 FAVOURITE RESTORATIVE POSES YOU CAN TRY:

1. Supta Badcharakan Asana 

This works to improve the digestive system and blood circulation to the brain.

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2. Supported Child Pose

This helps you let go of your day – as you are energetically turning your back to the world; as well as releasing tension from your shoulders to the lower back.

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3. Legs Up the Wall 

helps the circulation of both blood and lymphatic fluid.

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4. Siddhasana – Simple Crossed Leg Pose

Focus on your breathing as this helps to stop the mind from wondering

 

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5. Savasana

Lie down, start to let go of each limb and drift into relaxation

 

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Performing these quietly, restorative poses can help calm your body and mind whilst relieving stress and anxiety.

Have a good night,

Dipa

Want more advice and fitness tips? Download the TruBe App and check out our expert trainers where you can book a session today! 

Don’t forget that our TruBe trainers  can come to you right in the comfort of your own home!