#Yoga Teacher Training Portugal

[benditlikebuddhayogaalgarve]

Unwind, Uplift, and Unfold: Your Guide to Yoga Teacher Training in Portugal

Unwind, Uplift, and Unfold: Your Guide to Yoga Teacher Training in Portugal by L. Farrah Furtado Portugal, Europe’s sun-kissed retreat, offers not just pastel-colored villages and spicy piri-piri but also an enclave for yogic wisdom. If the idea of training as a yoga teacher in this Iberian paradise stirs your soul, you’re in luck. We’ve woven together a tapestry of Portugal’s most acclaimed…

[bodyawarenyc]

Yoga therapy is not physical therapy. It is a way of becoming present to the experience of the body and mind, a philosophy and an attitude. Through yoga therapy, pain can be interpreted differently. One’s attitude towards the body and its functions and abilities moves towards curiosity and acceptance along with mastery on the subtle level. There are physical and health benefits to the practice of yoga therapy, but ultimately one’s destination is beyond the body, beyond death, into the eternal Divine. 🌳 We have a YIN YOGA PRACTICE INTENSIVE coming April 21-25 at the Woodstock, NY Yoga House. We have monthly training at the Yoga house. Check them out below and in the website. Learn how to heal yourself and others. Click the link in my bio! 🙏🏻❤️ . Trainings @scienceofselfyoga ALL WELCOME 🌳 Yin Yoga Intensive : April 21-25 Woodstock NY 🌳 Yin Yoga TT with Adjustments : Woodstock : June 15-19, 2023 🌳 Meridian Yoga Technique Level 1 : Portugal : July 1-8, 2023 @cocoonportugal 🌳 SOS Advanced Yoga Teacher Training : July 22-29 (part 1) 🌳 MYT Yin Practice Intensive : Woodstock, NY : August 18-22 🌳 Meridian Yoga Technique Level 1 : Woodstock NY : Sept 22-25 💻 Yoga Sutra and Hatha Pradipika: ONLINE : October 21-22 and November 4-5 . VIDEO COURSES: (on the website) 💻 MYT 10hr Intro : self-paced Video version 💻 MYT Level 1: self-paced Video version . 📚 Books by Dr Vaughan are now on Amazon . 🆘 WEEKLY CLASSES : @scienceofselfyoga 💎WED 9:30-11 Vinyasa+Yin In-Person @spiritlab_yoga NYC - on hold until May 🎥 Youtube Yoga videos on “Science of Self Yoga” channel . #yoga #meridians #emotions #acupressure #chakras #energy #fitness #health #divine https://www.instagram.com/p/CqYPpR_gIkP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[linonataraj]

We are a complex being. We are here to evolve and to be integral with mind 🧠, body 💪🏼 and soul 👻. I’m not a half and I need other half to be complete. 🥥 I can follow many ways of religion or philosophy of life. ✝️🕉☪️🔯 That’s why we need full philosophy of life and not be closed in one way. Integral yoga is that. A philosophy that follows #SwamiAsuriKapila philosophy and we put together many styles and philosophy in the same method. Why be prisoner to a single path if we aren’t tight? 🧘🏻‍♂️ Integral yoga of Portugal taught me that every challenge has to be faced. When first lockdown came in 2 days we got an alternative to all our students and people in the yoga teachers training. All course were adapted to new ways of teach and people finished as a presencial course. Open your mind, your eyes and heart and you’ll have all world opening doors to you. #yogaintegralportugal #YouArentAHalf #YouDeserveMore #gaycouple #beardedmen (at Castelo de Beja) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSjdroejzk-/?utm_medium=tumblr

[yogalap]

Michaël Bijker Founder of "Life Awareness Project" - YogaLAP

Michaël Bijker is the best-selling course creator of QiGong, Breath-work and meditation courses on Udemy. His teachings have transformed the lives of thousands of people around the world. Michaël has practiced mind training and meditation since the age of 14 and studied QiGong and Yoga since having to recover from a severe car accident that happened in the year 2001. By the powerful methods of QiGong and Yoga and the grace of God he was able to recover from injuries of which medical professionals considered he would probably not heal. Since then he has been committed to helping others to learn these wonderful techniques as well that will not only give health, focus and strength, but makes us realize what we truly are and what our true calling is.

He has been traveling around the world encountering knowledge for his passion for body and mind work, especially Meditation, Yoga, Qi Gong and breath-work. His teachings has helped many from all over the world. Focusing on training mind and body to help each person to get to know it's real nature and essence and to free your mind. He now teaches yoga, meditation, breath work and mind training in Portugal. Michaël is a certified 800hr (certified by YogaAlliance) teacher with a yoga therapy certification from Paramanand institute of yoga sciences & research, Indore. where he studied under the loving and wise guidance of  Dr. Omanand - Guruji.

https://www.udemy.com/user/michael-bijker/

[foreverfitness-]

B A C K T O T H E G R I N D 🏃🏽‍♀️👊🏼 . After a fantastic, relaxing and wonderful 10 days in Portugal with my other half, eating wonderful food and sun bathing until my heart was content it is time to get back on it. . Crazy Fact - I only gained 3lbs 😂 No idea how I didn’t gain two or three times that because all I ate was bread and pasta but I’m not going to complain 👌🏽 . Over the next few days I plan to get a nutrition and training plan organised for myself for the next 6 weeks since I’m off work (school teacher). My training is going to involve a huge about of running mainly because I’ve signed up for Alzheimer Scotland’s 100km running challenge and also because I’ve got the Great Scottish Run in September 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️ I am also going to be going to 2-3 HIT Classes a week ( mainly metafit and fbx) and I am going to try and go along to some yoga and kettlebells classes. . Time to get to it 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzz0gWoBPM7/?igshid=59s196ru5vak

[aeroyoga]

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Areoyoga Online teacher training. 2019 / 🎉 Available in English, Portuguese and French. We are the # 1 training in the world. Europe, United States, Russia, Latin America, China, Caribbean, Australia. Friends now the training is in your hands. You can do it wherever you are. www.aeroyoga-official.com Areoyoga Online formacion de profesores . 2019 / 🎉 Disponible en Ingles, Portugues y en Frances. Somos la formación #1 en el mundo . Europa, Estados Unidos, Rusia, America Latina, China , Caribe, Australia. Amigos ahora la formacion esta en tus manos. Pueden hacerla donde quiera que esten. www.aeroyoga-official.com #yoga #aeroyoga #aerialyoga #circus #yogabrasil #yogausa #yogapuertorico #puertorico #españa #yogaportugal #portugal #francia🇫🇷 #yogafrancia @activate_yoga @rinconyogaretreat @activate_yoga @aeroblue (en New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsBmq5qhLkt/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7fjzk154zkfx

[confrontthefamiliar]

Planning Another Trip

I wonder if people will ask me how old I am as if age is a place you come from and not just the number of years you’ve been a human. A place you can be judged from. Looked down or up at. Maybe I’m reading too much into it but I didn’t start thinking about my age as much until I went abroad. That’s when everyone started asking me. I guess that’s what happens when you get out of college. No one asks your age in college, it’s what year? Senior, junior, sophomore, freshman. It’s almost been four years since I’ve been out of real school. I’m in the second semester of my senior year of adulthood. And then I guess I graduate adult school. In adult school, you’re your own teacher.

I sent myself on a plane to Thailand on my twenty-third birthday. I stayed in Southeast Asia that whole year. I spent half a year in a nascent country. I put myself through five days of silent meditation after I turned twenty-four, then ten days as I turned twenty-five. I discovered a sport that makes me feel better about being alive. I fell in love with a volcanic island near Africa. I studied yoga in India then taught it in Portugal and France. I moved to a surfer town with two hundred dollars to my name and spent my first quarter of that on a mattress. “You just go wherever the wind blows you, don’t you?” my dad asked me. Sam told me, “That was a power move.”

I applied for an MFA at Boston University: didn’t get in. I applied for the Aspire program to teach in intercity schools and get an education masters: didn’t get in. I spent a good nine months working odd jobs to make rent and pay bills. I finally landed a stint at a group home for at-risk teenage boys and then a job teaching ESL at a private Catholic school. I finally started saving money. I finally got jobs I wanted.

I work fifty-six hours a week. I work night shifts so I can plan my lessons and read and write. I’m training for a marathon as well. At twenty-six I feel the need to run twenty-six miles. My bedroom is an absolute disaster right now. I’m freakishly busy but I like it. I think it might just be the right pace for me right now. But sometimes I feel like I’m just trying to hide something from myself. Whitney told me, “Maybe you’re just a go-getter.”

I really don’t know about that, but I do know that I want to make more time for friends and not go to LA every weekend to be with my boyfriend. I know that I am overly critical of myself and others and that I need to soften but not too much because I also know that I can be too easygoing. I admire the people around me and I’d like to look at friendship in the way that they seem to do- in the way that I look at work- giving it your all, giving it one hundred percent like I tell all these teenage boys I work with all week to do.

I’m planning a trip to South America for the summer. I wonder if people will tell me what I’m like again, if they’ll ask my age all the time again. I wonder if I will get stuck hating myself for being a rich, privileged white person, using the colonial successes of my country to travel around the countries my country has exploited. Of course, that’s just one way to look at it, and I think I know how to look past it. I know I don’t have to look at the world in terms of countries, just as I don’t have to look at myself or others in terms of age. The only thing age is good for is making excuses. “He’s like that because he’s really old,” or, “She’s like that because she’s still in her twenties.” I guess that’s the same way with countries. “We’re going to do this because we’re the United States…”

Cynicism aside, my goal is to become closer to fluency in Spanish. I feel magical when I have a conversation in another language. I’m incredibly jealous of all my students that I teach English to, who usually speak at least three languages. At times I worry about whether I should be saving to buy a house instead. But I’d rather have been in South America and die without a house, than to have never been to South America and have a house.

[benditlikebuddhayogaalgarve]

Accepting applications for RYT 300Hr certification

Calling all Yoga lovers, body art healers, Life coaches and emerging Yoga Instructors   We are very excited to announce that Bend it like Buddha Yoga school is now accepting applications for the Yoga Alliance accredited RYT 300 Hr yoga training cohort starting on April 4th!    We want to personally invite you to upgrade your skills by joining the advanced 300Hr Advanced Vinyasa & Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training along the gorgeous beach coastlines of Algarve, Portugal! During this hybrid 20 days yoga program, you will go deeper into yoga philosophy, alignment, mudras, learn how to facilitate sound healing and cacao ceremonies, how to facilitate Usui Reiki healing sessions and practice daily advanced pranayama. Highlights:-Daily advanced Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga practice twice per day AM/PM or healing practice such as cacao ceremony or Tibetan bowl sound healing journey.-Traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga lessons with Intermediate series postures;-Advanced Vinyasa sequencing and postures;-Advanced accredited Yoga Alliance RYT 300 yoga teacher training course 300-hour certificate in Ashtanga and Vinyasa-Daily philosophy classes: Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Patanjali Sutras meditation, heart healing intimacy exercises, inner child shadow workshops and profound Breath Work journeys-Acro, prenatal, kids yoga, Partner yoga, sound journey, traditional Kirtan Mantras, alignment, anatomy, trauma informed yoga therapy training, daily hands-on adjustment practice-Learn and practice how to teach advanced and tailored Vinyasa and Ashtanga classes each day 6 AMAZING BONUS:-Eight-hour Ayurveda therapy massage certificate;-Four-hour workshop on trauma-informed yoga principles;-Four-hour Nada yoga workshop, sound healing facilitator training, and cacao ceremony facilitator: best tips and recommendations for beginners and seasoned practitioners of Nada yoga / sound healing and cacao ceremony and learn how to conduct and hold space during your sound healings and ceremony for your future students.-Six-hour Usui Reiki level 1 training and certificate: if you have level one or two already, you will receive the next level training and attunement for the level you are at.-Learn how to facilitate and plan a breathwork journey for groups and practice advanced pranayama imparted by the Father of Modern Yoga Krishnamacharya, a student of BNS Iyengar based in Mysore, India.-Four-week yoga business lifestyle coaching: post-graduate support, weekly live training, accountability, and implementation labs to inspire you to take massive action to launch your micro yoga-niched brand to attract your dream students. Learn how to market your workshops and retreats utilizing the effective Online Yoga Challenge model taught by Bend it like Buddha Yoga school founder L. Farrah Furtado E RYT 500.The world is in great need of incredible yoga teachers, now more than ever, and it is RYS 200/RYS 300 Bend it like Buddha's  purpose to impart the practice for sharing it, with as many people as possible to awaken, heal, and move beautiful souls into their dharma and purpose as we enter into the most pivotal spiritual transition on Earth in human history! Learning and successfully implementing this innovative and nuanced yoga challenge framework is a must for all yoga teacher entrepreneurs in order to survive and thrive in today's competitive yoga noisy world full of distractions...Together as a yoga family, in friendships, also fun, and in community support, you will thrive as you create a positive ripple effect on the planet. Through sharing yoga, you are all sowing fertile seeds of hope, good health, joy, and inner peace into a world in desperate need of hope and healing. Join this movement that is happening within the Bend it like Buddha yoga community to receive training and support while helping as many people as possible, through the profound and powerful practices of yoga, meditation, and pranayama Hurry, very limited spots!Namaste benditlikebuddhayoga@gmail.comDM for more info.....#yogateacher #yogaforlife #yogateacher300Hr #reikicourse #meditation #yogamom #yogaworkshop #Yoga #yogientrepreneur #yoginilife #yogalover #portugalretreats #healing #portugalyoga #yogateachertrainingadvanced #RYT300Hr #retreatalgarve #portugalyoga #vinyasayoga #transformation #meditationretreat #ayurvedamassage #yogaportugal #algarveretreat

[bodyawarenyc]

The latest research on chronic pain shows that ANGER, whether directed inward toward self or outward towards others, affects the intensity of pain and the level of disability associated with the pain. So, how to get rid of the anger? Forgive. Become aware of your emotions through inward observation, stillness, breath. Learn to sense how you really feel. If there is anger, work towards forgiveness of self and others. Remember the incredible grace of God and people that has been shown to you. Worry or Rumination and Anxiety were also shown to affect pain levels. (Galvez-Sanchez 2022 J Clin Med) 🌳 We have a YIN YOGA PRACTICE INTENSIVE coming April 21-25 at the Woodstock, NY Yoga House. We have monthly training at the Yoga house. Check them out below and in the website. Learn how to heal yourself and others. Click the link in my bio! 🙏🏻❤️ . Trainings @scienceofselfyoga ALL WELCOME 🌳 Yin Yoga Intensive : April 21-25 Woodstock NY 🌳 Yin Yoga TT with Adjustments : Woodstock : June 15-19, 2023 🌳 Meridian Yoga Technique Level 1 : Portugal : July 1-8, 2023 @cocoonportugal 🌳 SOS Advanced Yoga Teacher Training : July 22-29 (part 1) 🌳 MYT Yin Practice Intensive : Woodstock, NY : August 18-22 🌳 Meridian Yoga Technique Level 1 : Woodstock NY : Sept 22-25 💻 Yoga Sutra and Hatha Pradipika: ONLINE : October 21-22 and November 4-5 . VIDEO COURSES: (on the website) 💻 MYT 10hr Intro : self-paced Video version 💻 MYT Level 1: self-paced Video version . 📚 Books by Dr Vaughan are now on Amazon . 🆘 WEEKLY CLASSES : @scienceofselfyoga 💎WED 9:30-11 Vinyasa+Yin In-Person @spiritlab_yoga NYC - on hold until May 🎥 Youtube Yoga videos on “Science of Self Yoga” channel . #yoga #meridians #emotions #acupressure #chakras #energy #fitness #health #divine https://www.instagram.com/p/CqK0wB9AVgy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[indiantravelstore]

What To Know When Visiting Goa First Time?

This article originally appeared on Indian Travel Store Blog-

https://www.indiantravelstore.com/blog/things-to-know-about-goa

Goa is an Indian state lying on the southwestern coast of India, within the region known as the Konkan. It is a gold mine of architecture, heritage, and sandy beaches.

The Portugal architecture is an attraction for those who are architecture fanatics.

The white sandy beaches, nightlife, adventure sports, etc. are an experience to be treasured after visiting Goa.

Why Visit Goa

Historical And Heritage Sites In Goa

The Best Time To Visit Goa

Exploring Goa

How To Reach Goa

​Why Visit Goa (More Fun With Goa Trip Package!)

Goa boasts of a large number of domestic and international tourists.

Tourists visit Goa for its white-sand beaches, nightlife, historical places of worship, and World Heritage-listed site.

The biggest tourist attractions in Goa are water sports at the Baga and Calangute beaches.

This can’t be better when you are considering a lively vacation with Goa Honeymoon Holiday Tour Packages.

Adventure Sports like jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat rides, water scooter rides, and many more are undertaken at these beaches.

Historic Sites And Neighborhoods

Goa features two of the most famous World Heritage Sites

The Bom Jesus Basilica: It holds the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, regarded by many Catholics as the patron saint of Goa. (the patron of the Archdiocese of Goa is actually Saint Joseph Vaz).

The statue of bleeding Jesus on the Crucifix at the Santa Monica Convent, in Velha Goa.

Churches (Igorzo), like the baroque styled Nixkollounk Gorb-Sombhov Saibinnich Igorz (the Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception) in Panaji.

Historic places in Goa are the best sites to spend an awesome time with your family.

The Gothic styled, Mater Dei (Dêv Matechi Igorz/ Mother of God) church in Saligao and the various other churches having their s own style and heritage, besides Kopelam/ Irmidi (chapels), they are all a treat to the eye of an art lover.

Museums And Science Centre

There are three prominent museums,

The Goa State Museum, located near Calangute

The Naval Aviation Museum and

The National Institute of Oceanography, in Goa.

The Goa Science Centre is in Miramar, Panaji, while the National Institute of Oceanography, India (NIO) in Dona Paula. The Museum of Goa is a privately owned contemporary art gallery in Pilerne Industrial Estate, near Calangute. These all are covered in the Goa Holiday package.

Festivals

The main local festivals of Goa are Christmas, Easter, Carnival, Diwali, Shigmo, Chavoth, Samvatsar Padvo, Dasara etc.

The world famous goa Carnival (Sunburn Festival) and Christmas-New Year celebrations attract many tourists.

Best Time To Visit Goa

The best time to visit Goa is during Mid-November to Mid-February. It is during these months that the goa weather is pleasantly cool and comfortable. Also December is the time for Goa’s most popular festival, Sunburn, besides Christmas, and New Year celebrations.

The goa tour packages during this period are at premium, this being the peak season.

If one is looking for a budgeted tour package for couples in Goa, then the period from Mid-June to October is most recommended, If you love the monsoon and the lush green countryside, that the rain Gods turn Goa into. Moreover, you can get a customised Goa tour package from Delhi, Mumbai or other cities and get amazing deals on Goa trip packages.

Must Read: Baga Beach (North Goa)

Exploring And Enjoying Goa

How to explore and enjoy all the sights mentioned above. The options are many and very exciting.

You could hire a motorbike typical Royal Enfield, or a Sooty and ride pillion, while enjoying:

The enchanting contrast, between the tropical green jungles, the Portuguese colonial architecture and the misty sandy beaches, all making for an unforgettable adventure.

For the couple there are local Taxi’s available, which you could hire for going around all the places.

For the shopaholic, the local flea market (street market) is literally a dream come true.

The air is packed with fragrant spices, handmade trinkets and stylish clothes

Feast On Local Goa Cuisine

For some, a trip to Goa is a food pilgrimage. With its coastal location, Goa has access to some of India’s best seafood – a goa prawn/crab curry washed down with a Kingfisher beer is a one-way ticket to food heaven!

Make sure you try Chouriço de Goa; a nod to the region’s Indo-Portuguese heritage in the form of a cured pork sausage. It’s a unique dish that you won’t find elsewhere in India.

The mix of cultures that have made Goa their home has contributed to a vibrant food scene that knows how to excite (or set fire to) the taste buds!

Ros omelette is one of the most popular snacks and street foods in Goa, it is traditionally sold on food carts on streets.

Saturday Night Bazaar

We just can’t get enough of the markets in Goa, and every Saturday night Aguada comes to life with a massive bazaar. Not just a top shopping market, there’s a dedicated space for live shows, local bands playing and pop up bars which make for an amazing atmosphere. A few cheap beers, street food and live music here sounds like a pretty dreamy way to start any night out.

Do go chasing waterfalls, don’t just stick to the beaches, hostels and the hotels you’re used to.

If you only have time for one day of waterfall frolics, then Dudhsagar Falls is a good choice. Dudhsagar Falls (literally Sea of Milk) is a four-tiered waterfall located on the Mandovi River in the Indian state of Goa. It is 60 km from Panaji by road and is located on the Madgaon-Belagavi rail route about 46 km east of Madgaon and 80 km south of Belgaum. Dudhsagar Falls is amongst India's tallest waterfalls with a height of 310 m (1017 feet) and an average width of 30 metres (100 feet). The falls is located in the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park among the Western Ghats. The area is surrounded by deciduous forests with rich biodiversity.

One can also arrange to visit the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park.

It is a 240 square kilometres (93 sq mi) protected area located in the Western Ghats of South India, in Goa State, along the eastern border with Karnataka. It contains several important temples dating to the Kadambas of Goa, and home to waterfalls, such as Dudhsagar Falls and Tambdi Falls. The parkland is also home to a community of nomadic buffalo herders known as the Dhangar.

Must Read: Best Beaches In Goa

You can also avail of the centers where therapeutic and meditative – yoga, tai-chi, Reiki and Ayurveda (to name a few) are widely practiced. While other parts of India are great for this too, Goa has the advantage of the picturesque beaches as a backdrop and loads of wellness cafes for a healthy post-class munch. Don’t worry if you’re inexperienced – nobody cares and classes cater for all levels!

However, if you’re already a keen yogi then consider taking it up a level. You’ll find courses that are both rewarding and challenging. As well as being great for your personal wellbeing, you can become a certified yoga teacher at the end of it.

How To Reach Goa

Goa Is Accessible By Air

The Dabolim Airport lies just 29 kilometers from the state’s capital, Panjim. It is well connected by daily flights from Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Cochin, and Bangalore.

The airport caters to scheduled domestic and international air services. Goa has scheduled international connections to Doha, Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah and Kuwait in the Middle East by airlines like Air Arabia, Air India, GoAir, Indigo, Oman Air, SpiceJet and Qatar Airways

By Road

There are a number of public as well as private bus operators in Goa, which offer options for intra-city and inter-city conveyance. KSRTC, MSRTC and KTC are some of the Government undertakings that operate from Panaji, Madgaon, and Vasco Da Gama. Goa enjoys a daily bus service from important cities like Mumbai and Pune.

By Rail

The two major railheads in Goa are Madgaon and Thivim, which are well connected by trains from all over the country.

Climate

Goa features a tropical monsoon climate under the Köppen climate classification. Goa, being in the tropical zone and near the Arabian Sea, has a hot and humid climate for most of the year.

The State's Three Seasons Are

The Southwest monsoon period (June – September)

Post-monsoon period (October – January)

Fair-weather period (February – May).

[juniperpublishersjcmah]

Lovely by the Water- Reflections on the Pleasures and Benefits of Doing Qigong in Natural Surroundings

Qigong and Nature are intertwined. The image of water is omnipresent in Taoist philosophy as Taoist sages believe we are always immersed in Tao that our lives are spent in this moving river of life. Images of trees usually willows situated near water their branches moving in the gentle breeze permeate the ancient texts which guide Qigong practice. While there has been considerable research recently on Green and Blue Spaces on exercise in general however, there has been very little modern research on the health or any other benefits of practicing Qigong outside in natural surroundings. This article offers a commentary on the experience and perceived benefits of practicing Qigong in natural surroundings. It presents 20 years of teaching Qigong classes in Natural surroundings through the eyes of my students and of Qigong colleagues around the world and places these in the context of academic research. It concludes that the ancient Taoist and Buddhist master’s perceptions written many years ago are correct. The quality of the experience health benefits, and the energy accrued from Qigong is enhanced by practice in nature.

Keywords: Qigong; Health; Wellbeing; Nature; Water; Forests; Green space; Blue space;

Go to

Introduction

Context and limits

I retired from full-time University teaching 3 years ago. One day I sat down and realized I have been offering Qigong classes for over 25 years and outside in natural surroundings for more than 20 years. As I started to reflect on this. I decided to write an article about this topic. My intent was to gather personal anecdotes about my own experience and the experiences of my students and Qigong colleagues around the world about their perceived benefits of practicing Qigong in natural surroundings (by/over water amongst trees in fields on hills/mountains etc.) and to put these in context against a backdrop of academic research drawn from international studies on health benefits of Qigong and of being in Nature. I sent a brief note to my current and former students and to a few other colleagues around the world. I asked each of them:

“are you able and willing to contribute some personal anecdotes-a few lines (or more if you wish) about your own previous experiences practicing Qigong in natural surroundings. This could be about what you felt or saw and/or about any perceived benefits you experienced”. Their comments are recorded verbatim indented and in italics in the text. However, what follows is not a research paper per se but rather focusses on personal reflections on my own journey through both Qigong and research and the experience of others who engage in Qigong practice within nature Foot note.

Go to

The Road to Qigong for Healthy Adults

I have practiced Japanese and Chinese Martial Arts for over 50 years. In 1993 I met my current teacher Master George Ling Hu [1]. In 1994, Master Hu encouraged me to offer Qigong and Tai Chi classes for adults. I began very slowly but offered both Tai Chi and Qigong. I quickly realised that while Tai Chi was more recognisable and thus more popular it was also more difficult for participants especially those who attended classes only sporadically. Participants who attended only 3 of 10 classes and those who did not practice forms outside of class time were not only frustrated but also frustrating to participants who attended regularly and practiced dutifully outside of our class meetings. Qigong on the other hand was easier for students to pick up and attend classes as their schedule allowed. Also, I was drawn more and more to its benefits for health. In part this is because it is easier to begin and practice as there is less to memorise but also because in my opinion the benefits to participants were more tangible.

In the past 25 years I have offered regular weekly Qigong classes for adults in many diverse locations including among other spaces: a small pharmacy a large university gym a portable ‘Nissan Hut’ various Yoga studios and even a realtor’s office in various communities throughout Ontario Canada. In addition to my regular weekly classes I have run weekend classes and Train the Trainer workshops and programs based on these weekly classes at various locations worldwide including Australia, China, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa & the UK

Go to

Qigong in Natural Surroundings: Research as Context

While the term “Qigong” is a modern construct many of the methods that are used today are derived from age-old Chinese traditions-most notably Taoist & Buddhist longevity (so called immortality) techniques, meditations and martial arts training exercises [2]. The monasteries of Wudang (Taoist) and Shaolin (Buddhist) feature prominently in the history and practice of what has come to be known as Qigong. Wudang Temple was situated high in the Wudang mountains and Shaolin Temple high in Song Mountains. Each in their own way exemplified and in modern times inform the idea of practicing Qigong outside in Nature. In researching this article, I was initially struck by the paucity of research connecting natural surroundings and Qigong. True there are references in several ancient texts to the value of practicing amongst trees or on mountain or by lakes and there are some modern articles primarily in health blogs that follow the same line. However, I found almost no research qualitative or quantitative specifically linking the health or any other benefits of practicing Qigong outside in natural surroundings. However, the therapeutic value to Human Health and Quality of Life of “Green Spaces” (i.e. woods and natural meadows, wetlands as well as urban parks and sports fields) and “Blue Spaces” (i.e. waterfront parks, harbors, ports, marinas, rivers, open air streams, canals, lakes, ponds and fountains) and especially their inclusion within urban environments is well documented [3-7]. Research in this area is extensive and ranges from studying the effects of simply spending 5 minutes in an urban park to the practice of Shinrin-yoku (bathing in the forest atmosphere or taking in the forest through our senses) – usually referred to simply as Forest Bathing. Dr Qing Li suggests Forest Bathing can reduce your stress levels and blood pressure strengthen your immune and cardiovascular systems boost your energy, mood, creativity, and concentration even help you lose weight and live longer [3]. Other findings from research on exercising in Green and Blue spaces which are often interlinked include the following:

I. Participants who exercised outdoors expressed more restorative feelings compared to ones who exercised indoors … (they) said they felt like the activity allowed for them to escape they were fascinated by their surroundings they felt like their interest during the activity was sustained [4]. II. Compared with exercising indoors exercising in natural environments was associated with greater feelings of revitalization and positive engagement, decreases in tension, confusion, anger, and depression, and increased energy [5]. III. A positive association between greater exposure to outdoor blue spaces (with) benefits to mental health and well-being [6].

The overwhelming finding from research on exercising in Green and/or Blue Spaces is that each have significant health benefits for human beings. The term Green Exercise has been coined in the research to describe any activity in the presence of nature irrespective of whether this is deemed a Green Space or a Blue Space. The evidence shows that pursuing Green Exercise leads to positive short and long-term health outcomes. Getting outside and moving for as little as five minutes at a time improves general good health. Every green environment improves both self-esteem and mood; the presence of water generated greater effects. Interestingly, low-intensity to moderate-intensity physical activity shows greater improvements in self-esteem than high-intensity outdoor exercise [7].

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Research on The Effects of Nature on Health and Well-Being

Qigong in nature is the ultimate gift: The tangible nurture which nature brings me plus the renewed energy I feel being bare foot on the earth-is like an enhanced power boost to my body, mind and spirit-all in one go. Qigong and Nature are intertwined. As mentioned elsewhere [8] images of water are omnipresent in Taoist philosophy, as Taoist sages believe we are always immersed in Tao that our lives are spent in this moving river of life. Images of trees, usually willows, situated near water, their branches moving in the gentle breeze permeate the ancient texts and artwork which guide Qigong practice [9] while Lao Tzu and other Taoist Sages make many references to trees, water and nature in general [10]. The exercise Stand Like A Tree, the basic exercise for Yi Chuan-Zhan Zuang, (the so-called Iron Shirt training exercises for building strong bones and muscle) is based on the Chinese theory-sky above, earth below, and man standing like a tree rooted between the two. Considerable research has been conducted on the benefits of Qigong and remarkable results have been suggested not only for persons with medical conditions (such as High Blood Pressure, Cancer and even Spinal Cord injuries) but also in helping to prevent illness and increase longevity [11]. My own research over the last 20 years has suggested that 30 minutes of seated Qigong helps normalize blood pressure, lower pulse rate and reduce stress. This research also showed that participants reported having more energy, less illness (shorter duration and less severe) and generally felt healthier [1,8]. However, the ancient Qigong masters prescribed how and when to practice. How the time of day, and the direction one faces while practicing influence the effects of Qigong on the body and mind. Similarly, the position of the sun and whether one should have its rays in front or behind you. Emphasis was placed on the four primary times to practice: Sunrise, Midday, Sunset, Midnight, because of the quality of energy at these times. In addition, the Ancient texts warned against practicing in cold wet windy conditions especially with wind behind you as this leached chi from the body.

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Let’s Take this Thing Outside

In 1993 I was still practicing the Japanese (Judo, Ju Jitusu, AiKi Do) and Chinese martial arts forms (Tai Chi, Ba Gua, Kung Fu) I had learned over the previous 25 years from my former teachers such as Sensei O’Tani and Professor Chee Soo. Slowly I was starting to introduce the Chinese forms I was learning from Master Hu into my routine and was practicing for 60- 90mins each time sometimes 2-3 times a day. I found practicing indoors somewhat restricting and so started to move my practice into my back yard and practiced there until the snows made it impossible. My old cat Tikka a Zen master of the first order would accompany me and ‘help’ me in my practice. However, my backyard was not a particularly tranquil space and did not at the time have great Feng Shui. Although later I did put in a fishpond which changed the ambience and distracted Tikka and the other cats. At that time was living in Windsor Ontario Canada and my house bordered a large city park - Jackson Park. One day I decided to move my daily practice to the park. So sometime around 4am I would walk for 5 minutes find a space amongst the trees as far away from houses and the road as I could. I would practice until just after sunrise and then return home and get ready for work. Once in a while this regime was disrupted such as the time the Police stopped and asked me what I was doing-I was practicing Sword forms at the time and they were a little concerned that I was wielding a dangerous weapon in a public park-albeit at 4:30 in the morning!

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Classes on the Water

I first began to offer Qigong classes on the water in 1998 when my then assistant John Taylor was living on the Lake St Clair and offered me the use of his deck to teach. I offered 5 linked classes on his deck which was almost at lake level alongside the water. By any measure this pilot project was very successful. Soon after this I moved to live in a house that had a deck that extended out over Lake Erie. For 12 years I offered classes on the deck 1-2 times a week throughout the summer come rain or shine. In 2015 I moved again and for the past 4 years I have been offering classes once a week on a bluff which looks over Lake Erie and from which point you can see all the way to Ohio. Each of these locations offers a different aspect and feeling but the quality of energy experienced practicing by a lake is special particularly when conducted at a time that we can watch the sun go down.

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Breathe and Smile Qigong

Over the years I have come to call the classes I teach Breathe and Smile Qigong. This came about when I realized that Master Hu was always smiling and sharing jokes and witticisms to help his students relax. I came to realise that this was not an accident but a conscious teaching tool because when you simply breathe and smile you relax making it easier for Chi the essence of Qigong to flow. The Breath and Smile Qigong class I teach has changed only a little over the years. It was designed to run for a total of 1hr with 50-55mins of this being exercise. I have run the class at various times throughout the day such as at lunchtime (12- 1), immediately after work (4:45-5:45). However, for the last 16 years my class has run predominately in the early evening (6:30-7:30). Irrespective of the time offered the most significant classes have always been those I have offered in natural surroundings. Over the last 20+ years the class size has varied from 6-24 people. On average 8-10 people regularly attend class each week. By and large the participants are relatively healthy and come to the classes to remain that way. Most are women aged 45-80 but occasionally my university students’ former students participants’ children and the occasional man (usually a participant’s partner or spouse) also attended. Participants have been very loyal often attending for more than 3 years and usually only stop coming to class due to health problems (their own or family members) or relocation.

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Shape of the Classes

While specific exercises change from time to time the program follows a simple and similar pattern. I use exercises described in Stand Breathe Smile [12] and for many years the sequence of exercises in my classes was: a. Sinews Changing Exercises b. Preparing the Body for Action c. Opening and Closing Breaths d. Ba Duan Jin e. Sinews Changing Exercises – Repeat f. Opening and Closing Breaths – Repeat g. Cool Down

However, as I and the participants in my classes have been growing older some of these exercises have become more difficult to perform without frustration. So more recently I have started to include exercises which are more suited to people as they age. About 2 years ago I started to include more Yi Quan (Standing Mediation or Standing Pole) exercises being careful to limit the length participants hold each posture. Slowly working up from holding each pose 3 long breaths to 2mins. More recently still I have introduced some simple exercises from Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics). In part I introduced these because the exercises work on specific areas of benefit to aging humans e.g. Crane Stretches to the Heavens (improves breathing) Crane Stands on one Leg (helps improve balance) and Crouching Tiger Grabs Prey (strengthens muscles and bones). I also introduced them because I am working on a health promotion book for younger children linking the Five Animal Frolics health and environmental awareness especially to animals and their habitats

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Commentary

Connections to Nature in General

Many participants made general comments about being surrounded by nature: Practicing in a natural setting near trees and water provides tangible feedback that encourages the natural relationship we as humans have with our environment thus creating a deep sense of peace and well-being.

Specific exercises help connect to nature

Other participants made references to how specific exercises amplified the feelings of being in nature: A. The exercises themselves have an outdoor feel as the fresh air fills my lungs when I stretch my arms wide doing Cleansing Breath. I see the sky above when I raise my arms up to perform the exercises (Separate Heaven and Earth. Salute the Sun or Place the Moon Back in the Sky). My fingers sense the water in the lake when my hands cup and move like Lilies Floating on the Water. B. Being outdoors, Lotus Flower Opening & Lotus Flower Closing are the two exercises where I am able to completely let go relax my mind and be one with it all. The feeling is fleeting but it is there and draws me back for more.

Health and well being

Interestingly few participants wrote about specific health benefits from practice outdoors. Most were on the general nature of feelings of wellbeing and tranquility. a. Qigong exercises in a peaceful tranquil outdoor setting nourish both body and soul. b. I found it easier to connect with my senses so, I felt connected to my body. The sense of somatic connection happened more quickly and felt more profound than when I was indoors. c. (playing) calming music helps calm the mind and body to allow focus on breathing. once this happens, you hear nature’s music. Waves, rustling leaves, birds, bugs and you feel the breeze and tiny ants crawling on your toes. Healing and loving one’s self are made possible. d. However, several did comment specifically on health benefits e.g: Through the movements, I found my physical self, relaxing and healing. Stress, tension and muscle aches gently dissolved. I found that my digestive properties were strengthened, and joints became more supple. With increased flexibility and more energy. I could move on to the next event in my life with greater ease and a clarity of mind a focus that wasn’t there prior to the session.

Meditative/calming effects

Many commented about the meditative and calming nature of being outside i. Performing Qi Gong in natural surroundings gave me a sense of tranquility and peace-each simple repeated movement was much like a repeated mantra in meditation: the focus and repetition allowed my mind to relax allowed my thoughts to let the noise go and a sense of ease and peace ensued. ii. (Outdoor practice) is quieter easier to concentrate and lose yourself in the act good for the mind as well as the body. iii. With Nature’s presence all around. I begin to relax in body, mind & spirit and connect with the feeling energy from the heart. iv. The outside environment has a transformative effect on Qigong exercises making the movements less mechanical and more invigorating; exercises flow more freely and naturally as I feel the gentle breezes off the lake smell the roses in the garden and see the sun peeking through the cloud’s overhead. v. Outdoor practice left me feeling rejuvenated because not only did it allow time to connect with myself but also time to reconnect with natural elements that resonate deep within.

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Teachers Comment on Effect on Their own Students

a) Several other teachers talked about the effects of Qigong on their students: whenever we were forced to move our class indoors due to inclement I found my participants were much more talkative; it took them longer to get settled and harder to remain focused throughout. It’s interesting because there was actually less going on around us while we were practicing indoors. b) Others talked of how difficult it is sometimes for a student to allow nature in: Sometimes (it takes a) long time to get rid of old habits and ways of thinking and being able to see change in one’s own life differently and reconnect with nature where we are a part of! c) At which time guidance can come in the forms of guiding the senses: Feel the wind how he embraces you! Listen to the songs of the birds and leaves of the trees how they sing the song of life for you! Feel the touch of the sunlight which shines through the trees to warm your skin! See the play of colors of the flowers and the butterflies dancing in the wind!

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Biting Insects and Qigong Armour

Practicing outside has its problems from time to time. As one older participant observed: I sometimes found the heat, mosquitos and the time of day challenging. Mosquitos and biting flies are a reality of a South-Western Ontario summer. However, as another participant commented they are not usually a problem while practicing Qigong: I seem to attract mosquitoes and often the bites become very inflamed to the point of leaving me with a bruise. In addition, I avoid the use of insect repellent so I wasn’t sure if practicing Qigong in the evening on a lakeshore would be possible for me to do comfortably. To my great surprise while practicing Qigong. I was not bothered at all by mosquitoes! the way mosquitoes stayed away from me. was so surprising. I remember you described it as “Qigong armour”. This idea of Qigong Armour is very interesting to me. It is commented on obliquely in some of the ancient texts and I have found that when practicing Qigong these biting insects are unable to pierce my skin. I can feel them trying but to no avail. I am not sure if this is a side effect of studying so called Iron Shirt techniques or practicing Qigong in general for so many years

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Changing the Weather: Yi Leads Qi-Qi Moves Clouds?

The Weather is another matter. The reality is the weather is often fickle and beyond the control of the Qigong teacher. Summer in my area is sub-tropical-very hot, humid and we get LOTS of thunderstorms that often come out of nowhere. There have been days when the weather was so inclement that class had to be cancelled. However, in over 20 years of practicing Qigong by the water and amongst trees these days were very few and far between. On the occasions when the weather changed while we were practicing Qigong on my deck over Lake Erie. I tried a technique I had read somewhere in an ancient text where masters gathered the energy of the group and used it to affect the wind and rain. What surprised me was it works! Using the concept of Yi leads Chi I shaped the energy of the group to divert the rain and thunderstorms. It was almost unbelievable-it was thundering and raining ALL around us and yet it was as if we were in a bubble with no lightning or rain! If this had happened once I would have said it was a coincidence but I managed to do this on numerous occasions. Everyone who was present on these occasions spoke of the energy they felt and the experience itself as being beyond belief!

Interactions with wildlife and domestic animals

During my practice I have experienced interactions with domestic animals and wildlife. I have been watched closely by coyotes’ foxes and deer during my practice. Eagles have swooped low over my head to take a closer look at me and I have even been dive bombed by a squadron of purple martins while practicing my sword forms. So persistent was this attack that I had to use the flat side of my sword to repel their attack! Dogs and Cats are naturally drawn to Qigong. My own cats used to join me every morning on my deck over the water. One time in Portugal I was practicing outside among the trees and my host’s cat Tigger sat on a wall. a. As she commented: I will never forget my cat Tigger mesmerised with your slow movements, sitting on the wall watching you for a whole hour and following your slow movements with her head in time and as if hypnotised. b. Another couple commented: We both have extremely fond memories of your cats hanging out and practicing with us! I have often spent large parts of my practice with a cat rubbing itself between my legs or laying down in the exact spot where I have to place my foot.

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Discussion

Being outside whether under the warmth of the sun the heat of the humidity the cool breezes from the offshore wind the sights and sounds of the lake the lovely colours of the sunset and the rising moon with its emerging stars. The essence of being outside in natural surroundings enhances all the senses to contribute to a better quality and more mindful practice! By and large the writings of the ancient sages were poetic written at a time before the internet and google and prior to the ascension of modern science with its emphasis on evidence based best practice. Nevertheless, my own experience and that of many others is that natural surroundings affect Qigong practice. Not only this but each location has its own Feng Shui effect that exerts an influence on the quality of energy felt and thus the overall experience itself.

As one participant put it: In addition to the benefits of improved flexibility and strengthened immune system in a studio type setting there is infinitely more benefit to the practice of qigong in a natural setting. I found that I began to unwind as I began sensing the tranquility of being on the lake. The sunsets were beautiful the fantastic view of the water as we focused upon the horizon all added to managing tension and anxiety. A truly spiritual experience transmuting all the hustle and bustle into sheer peacefulness and bliss.

I have found there is a difference between practising over water, alongside water and simply viewing water. Exactly what this is hard to describe for like attempts to describe Tao the feeling is visceral fleeting-embodied rather than quantifiable or describable. The presence of trees near the water also exerts an effect. The quality the taste of the air in each natural surrounding is different. Practice with warm summer wind is very invigorating. Breathing in as the wind blows creates an amazing feeling of the body filling with energy

One person commented

Performing Qi Gong next to the water was very beneficial for me as water has always held great spiritual meaning for me. I feel a sense of deeper meaning to the universe when surrounded by bodies of water. The trees flowers birds and other aspects of nature also helped create this space of spiritual healing. When performing the Qi Gong i gained a sense of balance in energymy physical being and spiritual being became one. This in many ways summed up my own experiences. For me from the very beginning the feeling of practicing in natural surroundings amongst the trees hearing the bird’s dawn chorus and the quality of the energy experienced felt tangibly different from practising indoors even in the most balanced space with great energy and light. The later classes by the water had different views and birds but the feelings and the energy experienced were very similar. My own experience and those of my students and other teachers around the world tends to reaffirm the ancient Taoist and Buddhist masters perceptions written many years ago that the quality of the experience the energy and the overall health benefits accrued from Qigong is enhanced by practice in nature

For more Open access journals please visit our site: Juniper Publishers  

For more articles please click on Journal of Complementary Medicine & Alternative Healthcare

[meditationklaus]

5 Amazing Yoga Retreats in Asia That Won’t Break the Bank

Yoga retreats are an excellent getaway that combine travel with bona fide R&R. While they can be found in nearly every corner of the world, Asia is still the leading choice when it comes to yoga retreating. The combination of beautiful weather and different culture make Asia an excellent backdrop for practicing yoga (sometimes twice) daily.   When it comes to a yoga retreat, there are many factors that influence one’s selection, least of which is price. The following are a selection of yoga retreats in Asia that are reputable, offer comfortable accommodation, and are completely affordable.

1. Marina Yoga, Krabi, Thailand

Credit: Marina Yoga

Date: Ongoing Price for 6-Day Retreat: US$420 Why It’s Worth Checking Out: Marina Yoga & Reiki is set in beautiful Krabi, Thailand and focuses on healing through yoga, meditation, reiki, and singing bowls. There is a yoga class every morning, and in the evening, students are guided through a 1-hour meditation session.

Set in a smaller space, with a lot of interactions with owner and healer, Marina, Marina Yoga is known for its calming energy. Accommodation is more on the basic side, but it’s made up for by the special attention given by the teachers/staff to each guest/student.

2. Pure Flow Yoga, Koh Phangan, Thailand

Credit: PureFlow Yoga

Date: Ongoing Price for 5 Day Retreat: US$440 Why It’s Worth Checking Out: Located in the Haad Yuan Bay of Koh Phangan, Pure Flow Yoga is the formerly known Blooming Lotus. Offering stunning views of the bay, high quality instruction by owner Francie and her team of experienced yoga teachers, and nutritious eats at the on-site restaurant, Bamboo Hut, it’s no surprise that the ratings for Pure Flow Yoga are on the higher side. A unique characteristic of Pure Flow Yoga is its jungle-like setting which allows a deep connection to nature.

3. Sajeeva Handstand and Yoga Training, Vikasa Yoga, Koh Samui, Thailand

Credit: Vikasa Yoga

Date: December 17 to 22, 2017 Price for 5-Night Retreat: (starting from) US$790 Why It’s Worth Checking Out: Sajeeva Handstand and Yoga Training is a focused retreat on handstand conditioning led by Sajeeva Yoga founder, George Anthony. With a cumulative 4.5 hours of yoga classes per day, the Sajeeva Handstand retreat covers fundamentals, technique refinement, and drills that aid the practitioner on their handstand journey.

It’s an added-bonus that the retreat is held at the beautiful Vikasa Yoga, which offers stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand. The Sajeeva retreat also offers a wide number of packages that meet every budget.

4. Yoga Ties, Canggu, Bali

Credit: Yoga Ties

Date: December 11 to 17, 2017 Price for 6-Night Retreat: (starting from) US$620 Why It’s Worth Checking Out: Yoga Ties facilitates several retreats a year between Portugal and Bali. Their Bali retreats are held in the coastal village of Canggu, just north of the hustle and bustle of Seminyak.

Yoga Ties retreats are comprehensive, focusing on physical fitness & flexibility, nutritious eating, meditation and relaxation, all while connecting with like-minded individuals. An absolute plus is that the groups are small, allowing Yoga Ties to tailor all of the classes and workshops to the needs of each participant.

5. Hariharalaya Yoga & Meditation Retreat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Credit: Hariharalaya Retreat Centre

Date: Ongoing Price for 6-Night Retreat: US$270 to US$340 Why It’s Worth Checking Out: Consistently rated 5 stars on travel sites, Hariharalaya is a bamboo paradise tucked away from the heavily touristed Siem Reap. The teachers and staff provide equal support to all of the retreat participants, irrespective of their experience level, making it a very welcoming experience to anyone who is newer to yoga.

Practices include asana, pranayama, meditation, and chanting, and furthermore, talks are given on healthy living. One aspect of their programme that makes them really unique is encouraging a complete digital detox for the duration of the retreat which helps keeps the student rooted in the present moment.

Yoga retreats in Asia have a strong allure for the yogi seeking R&R in a tropical setting. An added benefit of retreating in Asia is that the lower cost of living allows for some retreats to be priced lower without taking away from the quality of the retreat experience.

The previously mentioned retreats are some of my favourite in Asia that won’t break the bank. But if you do your research and refer to travel websites for ratings and reviews, you’ll be sure to find a myriad others of similar quality, experience, and price.

Image credit: Cetin Cetintas

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[kellysheldrick]

Reflecting on the past 2 months, I’ve felt extremely ‘abundant’ in activities! I sometimes wonder how we fit so much in!? So this year I’ve decided to stop using #busy and replace it with #abundant - hopefully a change of #mindset will change the feeling of being slightly overwhelmed 😀 ✅ yoga exams, assignments and course work @yogafurie ✅ @mike_cowgill and I bought and moved into our house in #Bristol ✅ a quick trip to #Malaga ✅ parents and brother arrived in the UK for the #globalcitizen awards night in London, ✅ Portugal, followed by all the Christmas festivities ✅ a road trip to #france to search for my great uncles memorial ✅ life... including a daily lukewarm shower and an eye infection Now I’m training for another #marathon, starting some new yoga classes, finishing a finance course and looking forward to a massage course and children’s yoga teachers course! Oh and discovering this thing known as DIY #excitingtimes #life #goals #achievements #abundantnotbusy #yoga #yogaclasses #alwaysastudent #family #christmas #yogateachers #overwhelmed #abundancemindset #goodvibes #newhomeowner #newchallenges https://www.instagram.com/p/B7dn8zLpqu-/?igshid=7j8dlwtegk08

[maryasanayoga-blog]

Hello and thank you for dropping by. My name is Mary and I am a Yoga Teacher from the UK.

I teach a variety of styles within Hatha Yoga, including Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Yin, seated chair yoga, pranayama, Yoga Nidra, guided meditation and mantra. My clients include chemotherapy patients, survivors of domestic violence, young people with complex needs, older people with mobility issues and anyone who comes through the doors at the gym. I welcome all to the practice and teach with compassion, sensitivity and humour.

I began practicing Yoga in 2003 whilst studying at University in Manchester. I had a very strict Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher and although slightly terrified by him, I kept going back, there was something about this practice and how I felt in body and mind afterwards that kept me returning. Since then, and moving to the capital, I have explored the many varied styles that London has to offer and in early 2014 I took my first 200 hour Teacher Training. After graduating, I began teaching throughout London and since the summer of 2016 have been resident teacher at Suryalila retreat centre in Andalucia and at Surf Maroc, Morocco. I have recently returned to the UK after completing a further training with my teacher in Portugal.

Feel free to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you!

[yogawithnikita]

When I was younger, richer and not a parent, I used to have a room for yoga. A whole room. For yoga. That's all that went on in there. Every day, morning or night (sometimes both) whenever I fancied it. I didnt have to fit around anyone but myself. And I needed silence. And incense. And a candle. HAHAHA! . Then I went to India and trained as a teacher and shared a room in the Ashram with five other women. I became less precious about where I practiced. Then I went to live on an Ashtanga retreat in the mountains of Portugal, sleeping in a tent in the forest. I became even less fussy . Now I live in a teeny tiny flat in London with a nosy, noisy 4 year old I'm lucky if I can find a gap amongst the lego and dolls. And I can just hear myself breath over the sound of her singing, so if I want that silence I get up at 5am to practice before she wakes. I can assure you that doesn’t happen on a daily basis. . I make my home yoga practice fit. Anywhere and any way I can. And it works for me. . There are still a few spaces on my Coming Home workshop @triyogauk Camden tomorrow at 2-5pm. Come along and pick up tips for neatly fitting your home practice around your lifestyle and circumstances. Make your home practice work for you . #ComingHome #triyoga #yogaworkshop #homepractice #yogaeverywhere #yogaanywhere #myyoga #youryoga #itsallyoga