Wholistic Health and Wellness Practicer

Yogic Breathing techniques: I wanted to share this brilliant breathing technique that I learnt from one of my yoga teachers some time ago. I’m not sure if it’s a classical Tibetan breathing technique, as I’ve never come across this anywhere else but it’s a great introduction to alternative nostril breathing or Nadi Shodhana.   Nadi Shodhana means ‘purifying the channels’ and balances the pranic energies by controlling the airflow through the nostrils. This technique is excellent for beginners as it’s simple and easy to follow. Similar to Anuloma Ujjayi (another simple alternative nostril breathing), this technique is excellent for beginners as it’s simple and easy to follow. You don’t even need to be able to do Ujjayi pranayama or know how to hold Vishnu mudra, a hand gesture used in alternative nostril breathing. If you are new to pranayama (yogic breathing techniques), it’s worth reading my previous posts on breathing technique and seated postures. To gain the most benefi...

Fowing and holding poses in a heated room isn’t your thing. Fair enough. But don’t give up on yoga quite yet. Did you know that there’s a style of yoga that just involves relaxing on a mat, blanket or even your bed? Interested now? Keep reading. The best part about this style of yoga is that a 45-minute session could leave you feeling like you indulged in a peaceful three-hour nap. If you’re ready for an easy, pose-free way to slow down and recover from the stressors in your life, read on to discover how yoga nidra could be the answer. How yoga nidra differs from meditation Yoga nidra involves slowing down and chilling out. So does meditation. While some people tend to lump them together, they really are two different practices. “Yoga nidra is like meditation, but yet it’s not,” says yoga therapist and yoga program manager, Christine English. “There are overlaps, but there also are key differences. With yoga nidra, you are lying down and the goal is to move into a deep state of conscio...

Many people began meditating during lockdown, seeking inner peace and harmony, and as lockdown restrictions lift, they intend to continue. At both the religious and secular heart of meditation is a focus on breath, which is particularly poignant during the Covid-19 pandemic. Focusing attention on breathing is common to Hindu and Buddhist practices and to Jewish, Christian, and Sufi traditions. They all offer different meditative techniques, including chanting, meditating on visual artforms and sitting in silence, alone or in groups. Religions have their different approaches to prayers and worship, but meditation illustrates that there are also significant commonalities. It is sometimes assumed that meditation only exists in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, but meditation also is rooted in the Abrahamic faiths. In Judaism Abraham Maimonides commented that the biblical prophets “did not prophesy at will. Rather they focused their minds and sat joyfully and contentedly in a state of medita...

What is yoga and how does it work? Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy. It began as a spiritual practice but has become popular as a way of promoting physical and mental well-being. Although classical yoga also includes other elements, yoga as practiced in the United States typically emphasizes physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dyana).  There are many different yoga styles, ranging from gentle practices to physically demanding ones. Differences in the types of yoga used in research studies may affect study results. This makes it challenging to evaluate research on the health effects of yoga. Yoga and two practices of Chinese origin—tai chi and qi gong—are sometimes called “meditative movement” practices. All three practices include both meditative elements and physical ones. What are the health benefits of yoga? Research suggests that yoga may: Help improve general wellness by relieving stress, supporting ...

  The debate between book learning versus experience has been an age old debate. While there is still no clear ‘right’ answer, there is overwhelming evidence that experience gives us very vital skills that book learning cannot. It is a debate as old as higher education itself: What is your greatest ally when it comes to getting grounded in work, business or life itself? Do certification and accreditation guarantee a persons skill and competency, or does hands-on experience count for more? And beyond securing a job or becoming established in a chose vocation, will it be experience or further education that serves you better in terms of remaining employed, developing in your career, and making a healthy living for decades to come? Confucius once wisely said; “By three methods we may learn: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” Here are four very good reasons why experience might be your greate...