yoga classes w/c 10 September

Make your own sunshine

I love the saying ‘when life gives you lemons, make margaritas’. I know it’s a cliché, but it always makes me smile. It’s a cute reminder to look for the blessings in every situation no matter how sharp or sour they are. 

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that there are times when I find this easier than others. When I feel strong, confident and happy it’s easier to see blessings than times when I feel sad or unwell. 

My classes this week are about helping us build our inner strength and personal power so we feel better equipped to deal with all of life’s challenges. We’ll activate Manipura chakra, which is situated in the solar plexus. Its colour is yellow and its symbol is fire, which is why its often known as the sun centre. Energising Manipura Chakra helps us stimulate our qualities of self-confidence, self-assurance, clarity, wisdom and the ability to make correct decisions. Manipura is the centre of vitality and helps us control energy balance to strengthen our health.

To invite energy into Manipura we’ll flow through asanas that activate core strength. You can look forward to navasana, boat pose, in a couple of different guises. We’ll also focus on phalakasana, plank pose, in both the traditional and side plank variations. Throughout class I’ll invite you to explore Anjali mudra with the fingers spread wide to represent the rays of the sun. This mudra creates unity, bringing together left and right sides of the body and brain. It’s both beautiful and powerful. 

We are moving quickly towards the equinox on 23 September; when we move into the winter months and the hours of light are outnumbered by the hours of darkness. I hope that by building up our reserves of inner sunshine we’ll better cope with winter’s gloom.

I look forward to flowing with you … 

Tuesday, 8.15pm, ClaphamSpace, 1 Landor Road, SW9 

Friday, 9.30am, Stillpoint Yoga, 41 Acre Lane, SW2

Namaste, Claire