The beauty of yoga is it has something for everyone. Its lineage is vast. Some of you may purely wish to reap the rewards from the physical asana, enjoying a firmer more open body. Some may be interested in the spiritual journey, and focus their energies towards stilling the mind through breathing (pranayama) techniques and meditation. For me, (Type A personality at your service!) I love and need it all. So, when someone offers me a product to aid me on my path, I am all grace and gratitude! Mio’s new Liquid Yoga products are a beautiful blend of essential oils delivered to you as a space spray in a handy 150ml spritz bottle, or as a bath soak with Epsom salts.
I’ve been using both products for the past week for a variety of reasons:
- Little tiff with the hubby: 3-4 spritzes followed by equalising and balancing nadi shadhana breathing (see below for details)
- Tense, tight and tetchy after an 11 hour August bank holiday drive home from Cornwall: 6-8 spritzes followed by a little back, shoulder and neck loving on my mat and a l..o..n..g soak in Liquid Yoga
- Adding sensory appeal to the studio for my Sunday morning workshop…10-15 spritzes (it’s a large studio!), giving the morning yogis that blissed out feel before they even begin.
My Verdict: Thumbs up! I’m getting good vibes from these products, and so are my fellow yogis; especially the space spray. Its powerful blend of oils give an instant lift, clearing the space for a mindful and embodied practice. The bath soak has a similar effect, and the aroma lasts longer, but you do need a little douche down afterwards as I found my skin had a coating of salt grains.
So, dispel that urban myth that yogis have all the answers when it comes to finding inner calm. We are human! We too stray from time to time towards the dark side…suffering from self-doubt, anxiety, tension and family tiffs! In fact, I’d be so bold as to say most yogis suffer these ailments more …and that is why they practice yoga. They NEED the inner nourishment and open hearted teachings of yoga to find balance; to find Union. We all have an inner teacher; our Sadguru, guiding us towards the light; the good; the just; that silent, calm space we wish to experience, but a little help from liquid yoga can’t do any harm at all!
Check out my workshops and classes (Liquid Yoga spray included) at www.hotyogaleeds.com
Alternate nostril breathing may sound a little wacky but it is easy to incorporate into your routine and has proven calming effects. Research has begun to bear out this belief by showing that this breath can reduce blood pressure. If you a cold, put these instructions to one side, until both nostrils are clear.
Instructions
- You can practice this breath in any seated position. Make yourself comfortable in easy cross legged or sitting in a chair. You will be sitting for several minutes, so use props as necessary so you can maintain your posture.
- Position your right hand in Vishnu mudraby folding your pointer and middle fingers into your palm, leaving your thumb, ring finger, and pinky sticking up.
- Bring your thumb to the right side of your nose and your ring finger to the left side.
- Close your eyes or take a soft gaze downward. Inhale and exhale once to prepare.
- Close off your right nostril with your thumb.
- Inhale through your left nostril.
- Close off your left nostril with your ring finger.
- Open and exhale through your right nostril.
- Inhale through your right nostril.
- Close off your right nostril with your thumb.
- Open and exhale through your left nostril.
- Inhale through your left nostril.
- At first, you might only make it through a few rounds of this breath. Try to work up to doing at least 10 rounds. You can also take a break and then resume the exercise.
- If you mind begins to wander, focus on counting the length of your inhales and exhales or on the sensation of your breath on the skin under your nose. It may feel cool as you inhale and warm as you exhale.
- If you ever begin to feel light headed, release both nostrils and breathe normally.
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