1 November 2022
Hello November
While it’s a little warmer than we would normally expect at this time of year, the Autumn is in full swing. Leaves are falling, pumpkins are everywhere and the cold darker nights make a hot yoga studio even more inviting.
The yoga practice teaches us that each season has an energetic direction and quality that can be clearly seen throughout nature. Theres a system of yoga that encourages us to balance our lifestyle and behaviours to align with the the energies in season, and in doing so we feel more connected to our lives on a day-to-day basis.
The Autumn is filled with change and movement and in our culture it seems as though everyone is racing towards the year end trying desperately to hold things together and finish off those last few important tasks. This can take its toll on our wellbeing so it’s important to remember it is our responsibility to manage our physical and mental health to avoid burn-out, anxiety and stress related illnesses.
Looking after yourself isn’t a luxury, its a necessity.
Before you take the appropriate actions to create greater balance, you must first become aware of what you need. Stress is complex and its causes are diverse, however Dr Andrew Huberman says that we can categorise stresses into 2 streams. He says “one type of stress is when you’re too activated, alert, and agitated. This is what we usually experience when we’re in physical pain or emotionally bothered. Then, there’s another side of stress, wherein you’re feeling another shutdown or when you’re feeling exhausted and you can’t get mobilized and alert enough. This is the stress that gives us the feeling of fatigue.”
Both categories of stress are managed in different ways so it’s important to know what you are feeling. One stress management technique comes directly from the yoga practice, we call it pranayama, the rest of the world calls it breathing exercises. By changing the way you breathe you can learn to control your heart rate, your nervous system response and therefore your mind.
Heres a simple tool for you to explore.
When you inhale more vigorously or longer, you’re speeding up your heart rate. When you exhale, the diaphragm moves up, signalling the brain to tell the heart that it needs to slow. This knowledge is not enough – you must practice the techniques to build a stronger relationship with the stress signals and your response to them. Then at will, you can shift your state of being.
Another great tip is to try a different style of yoga. If you are feeling hyped up, then try a Restorative Flow or Yin class. If you feel low on energy or have been picking up the seasonal coughs and bugs then trying something more physically challenging such as a Vinyasa Flow, Power or HIIT yoga is a must!
You know a change is going to be good for you, but your monkey mind plays its tricks and tells you that you won’t like it or that you can’t do it. So, lets get that money put back in its place! Our team are basically super humans trained in mind-zoology. They will make you feel at ease, support you, challenge you, motivate you and most importantly help you recognise that you CAN do anything at Yogalife. If you are feeling nervous about a class or sitting on the fence about booking – then drop me an email (stuart@yogalifeuk.com) and I’ll give you a pep talk or even better I’ll get on the mat with you because this month I’m making big shifts in my yoga too. I practice daily but its always on my own in a kind of indulgent “I have the keys to a yoga studio” kind of way. I know I’m missing out on that Yogalife vibe and being on the mat next to you all instead of at the front. So, I’ll be more than happy to be your yoga buddy this November – just holla!
Here’s my recommendations for November classes:
Calming classes
Mondays & Wednesdays 19:30-20:30 Yin Yoga with Rachel
Thursdays 19:30 Nourishing Yoga with Emma
Uplifting Classes
Mondays 6:45-7:30 HIIT Yoga with Gareth
Thursdays 18:00-19:00 Power Yoga with Jules
Sundays 10:15-11:15 Shake It Up with Jen