How many people would like to try yoga to improve their fitness, health and wellbeing? According to Nicola Carey, a local yoga teacher, thousands of us are too anxious or self-conscious to give yoga a try.
As more and more people are becoming aware of the incredible health benefits of yoga on everything from stress to back ache and poor circulation, the number of yoga teachers and classes that they offer also grows however many are still put off, feeling that they need to be flexible and fit to start with, she says.
Although the passion for yoga is growing, with an estimated 2.5 million people practicing yoga in the UK alone already, Nicola started Bluebird Bliss to meet the needs of those who may otherwise be put off by the traditional image and feel self-conscious coming to yoga classes.
“Don’t worry about how you look and how far you can bend, come along and feel the benefits and have fun. Yoga is all about learning to channel our life force – our breath – and anyone is capable of doing that. The key to controlling our mind is in controlling our breath and when we learn this, we become infinitely more empowered. I teach an ashtanga style of yoga which is dynamic and powerful; promoting methods to help you lock in energy,” said Nicola.
Bluebird Bliss recognises that everyone is different and what suits one person may not suit another. This also goes for yoga and with the numerous different teachers and styles of yoga in and around Somerset, there is something for everyone – including the boys. Whether you are fat or thin, bendy or stiff, young or old or even disabled, yoga has something to offer everyone. Many are confused by the different styles of yoga out there, sometimes unaware that in one class you may find yourself using straps and blocks (iyengar) whereas another might expect you to shake your whole body (kundalini).
Whatever type of yoga you do, it will enable you to think more clearly, move more efficiently and breathe more effortlessly.
Nicola continued: “It doesn’t matter whether you can perform a pose perfectly or not, the key is in experiencing something different. Finding the inner layers of yourself. The founding guru of ashtanga yoga, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois said, ‘Anyone can practice yoga but lazy person cannot practice ashtanga yoga. All that is required is a positive attitude and determined mind.’ I try and make it accessible for everyone and I’m excited about sharing the hugely positive effect it has on people’s lives. Life tastes sweeter with yoga.”
£6.50 is the suggested donation for classes at the St John the Baptist Church Hall in Wellington but Nicola also has places for those on benefits and low incomes. She also accepts part cash/part barter so get in touch to find out options.
Nicola Carley 07811 344621 or
Bluebird Bliss is run by Nicola Carley was set up to share the love and light of Reiki and Yoga healing with as many people as possible.
Qualified by the UK Yoga Alliance, Nicola runs classes and workshops in and around Somerset and makes natural beauty products not tested on animals. She also offers one to one and smaller group tuition.
www.facebook.com/bluebirdbliss
Yoga is thought to have originated over 4,000 years ago somewhere on the Indian continent. Originally begun as a philosophy to help concentrate the mind, the postures, or asanas, were developed later to help aid meditation.
Over the years yoga has developed into various different disciplines according to the philosophy of different teachers.
Today there are a
number of yoga styles, allowing followers to choose one that best suits their lifestyle.
Yoga impacts positively on every system in the body. From the circulation and nervous system right through to the skeletal system, it offers amazing relief from stress, a workout for your heart and can assist in treating virtually every medical condition.
Ashtanga (also spelled Astanga) means “eight limbs” in Sanskrit, which refers to the eight limbs of yoga laid out in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In basic terms, it is a way of living; a philosophy as well as a physical practice.
Ashtanga yoga is a wonderful system of yoga, employing a specialised breathing technique, the application of internal ‘energy locks’
called bandhas, flowing, synchronised movements called vinyasas, and fixed gazing points. It is a powerful practise that works positively on every system in the body through the postures and vinyasas themselves and internally.