Exploring the Chakras Workshop

Exploring the Chakras Workshop – Saturday 25th January 2020 @haleyogastudios 2pm – 430pm

Chakras are the bridge between the conscious mind and our bodies. These energy centres govern our physical and emotional well being. However certain influences from conditioning, lifestyle and past issues can affect there overall function and ability to create harmony within.
Join me for an opportunity to explore this energectic system and the self through movement, relaxation, chanting and meditation. A chance to balance, heal and transform built up stress and tensions. The yoga will include meditative yin, slow flow yoga and grounding restorative postures. We will complete the afternoon with Yoga Nidra (often referred to as yogic sleep) to fully relax the senses and to set clear intentions (sankalpa) so we may continue our transformational journey.
Workshop includes herbal tea on arrival and healthy treat to finish.

2pm – 430pm Saturday 25th April 2020

Held at Hale Yoga Studio, Ashley Road, Hale www.haleyoga.com

Workshop costs £25 – booking is necessary as this is a small studio and spaces are limited. Contact info@mariayoga.co.uk to book or use the Book Your Place button below

Winter Solstice Flow & Restore

Winter Solstice Flow & Restore

Winter a magical season and a time for nurturing, self reflection and rest. However we seem to do anything but, as the festive season sees us burning the candle at both ends. It’s no wonder we find ourselves comprised and exhausted.

So why not give yourselves a well deserved break and join me for an opportunity to explore the self through movement, relaxation and meditation.
The yoga will include slow vinyasa flow, and grounding restorative postures to release any accumulated tension and restore balance. We will complete the afternoon with an aromatherapy infused Yoga Nidra (often referred to as yogic sleep) to fully relax the senses and to set an intention (sankalpa) for the season ahead. Workshop includes herbal tea on arrival and healthy treat to finish.

2pm – 430pm Saturday 21st December 2019

Held at Hale Yoga Studio, Ashley Road, Hale WA15 9SD

Workshop costs £25 – booking is necessary as this is a small studio and spaces are limited. Book via the Button below

So Hum Mantra

Enjoy this free recording of the Mantra So Hum. This mantra can be used during your meditation or yoga practice as a way of quietening the mind. So Hum translates to I am that – I am that ultimate reality or ever pervading presence that exist within us all.

Begin by chanting a few rounds out loud then go into silent chants mirroring the breath to each sound. e.g So – on the inhale and Hum – on the exhale

Take as many rounds as you like, then sit for a while at the end of your practice to soak all the sensations from this mantra in.

Guided Relaxation For Deep Rest

Guided Relaxation for Deep Rest

This guided relaxation takes you on a sensory journey through the body. Using breath and awareness to allow you whole body to enter a deep state of rest.

 This meditation can be helpful if you experience fatigue, trouble sleeping and stress.

Enjoy

Meditation to Calm the Mind

Enjoy this Buddhist inspired meditation using the mantra Om Ah Hum for inner peace and calm.

The mantra is chanted silently with each sound representing a different part of the breath. The sound Om is chanted in the inhale and held at the heart centre to cleanse our physical body. Ah is then for the speech and chanted between the inhale and exhale the awareness of this sound is held at the throat for clarity in our speech, and finally the Hum sound is for the mind inspiring a sense of peace and chanted silently on the exhale.

Listen below for further guidance and this blissful mantra that purifies our body, speech and mind

Mantra Meditation for Grounding

The Ganesh Mantra one of my favourite mantras and one I use for when I personally feel unsteady and in need of grounding.

Ganesh is the god of beginnings and the remover of obstacles. We turn to Ganesh when we feel we need guidance on our path.  Perhaps there’s a lot of change occurring in your life or you’re going through some kind of transition, making you feel unstable and in need of grounding. If this is the case then this mantra is perfect for grounding us back down to earth.  With the head of an elephant on the body of a teenage boy, Ganesh represents, strength, courage, willpower and wisdom as he uses his trunk to clear the way of obstacles from his path. You too can embody the qualities of this deity to find your own inner power.

During this meditation we’ll recite the mantra Om Glaum Gam Ganapataye Swaha 9 times however you can do this for the full 108.

Enjoy listening

Maria

Summer Solstice Guided Meditation

Free Guided Summer Solstice Meditation

Summer Solstice on the 21st June is the longest day of the year marking the beginning of Summer and the mid point of our seasons, this is an ideal time for contemplation and reflection.

This is definitely one of my favourite times of the year, and a piviotal moment to really notice what I’ve learnt and achieved over the last 6 months. We all want to grow and flourish but sometimes its worth sitting and listening to our inner voice, especially when we’re not being influenced by external forces.

During this guided meditation we focus on Samana Vayu and Manipura Chakra as these both reside at our core and the centre of our being. A place where we balance our mind and emotions of everything we have taken in, from the food we eat to the information that we listen to, basically all we imbibe. Here we have the power of discernment, and by keeping a sense of harmony within we can use it to guide us on our path. Now is the time to really listen to ourselves understanding what we have learnt over the last 6 months. What is it that we need to cast aside? What do we want to carry forward that will help us continue to grow?

All you’ll need for this meditation is a comfortable place to sit and perhaps a journal and pen to write down any reminders for the months ahead.

Happy Summer Solstice Maria x

Beginners Yoga with MIO Skincare

I recently teamed up with Mio Skincare to bring you the 5 top Yoga Poses for Beginners.

Mio have a wonderful range of products including their Liquid Yoga candles and I’m absolutely in love with their dry body brush which I use daily (sometimes twice) along with my own handmade Pure Bliss aromatherapy body oil.

So check out the blog from myself and Mio below and enjoy the benefits of Yoga and beautiful skin.

YOGA FOR BEGINNERS

Yoga has been recognised worldwide as one of the most effective ways to calm your mind and relax your body. It not only helps lift you into a cloud of zen but it helps muscle tension and flexibility. Anyone can do yoga from young to old and the more practise you have, the easier it becomes and the more your body gets used to it. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, yoga is a great way to take a moment out of your day to focus on your body and your breathing. So mio caught up wtith the wonderful yogi Maria Kelly to give you 5 of the best yoga positions for beginners.

Child’s Pose

miochilds-poseChilds Pose – a grounding restful pose that has a soothing effect on the brain. Here the feet, ankles and legs are stretched whilst hips are gently encouraged to open and the spine lengthened. This pose is perfect for those days when you’re physically tired but the mind is still busy. Stay here for a few minutes to feel the full benefits.

 

 

Downward Facing dog

miodogDownward Dog – practising downward facing dog regularly will help to elongate and lengthen the spine benefiting the central nervous system. This posture also stretches the backs of the legs. Whilst strengthening the arms and shoulders.

 

 

High Lunge Pose

miohigh-lunge

High Lunge Pose – Stretches and tones the legs. It lengthens the spine and stretches the chest muscles making it easier to take deeper breathes increasing lung capacity and stamina. It can help relieve sciatica.

 

 

 

Mountain Pose

miomountain-pose

Mountain Pose – the most important pose for all beginners to practice. Mountain pose improves posture by creating an awareness of unhealthy postural habits. It helps to strengthen the legs, bum and abdomen which creates better stability and balance. Standing tall opens the chest muscles encouraging deeper breathing which calms the mind.

 

 

Triangle Pose

miotriangleTriangle pose – when performed this yoga pose increases mobility in the hip joints. Lengthens the spine and tones the legs, stimulates the flow of blood through the entire body improving cell growth and internal organ function this encourages healthy skin and aids digestion. Proprioception (spacial awareness)  is also experienced along with an increased sense of balance.

Breath Awareness Meditation

Enjoy this breath awareness meditation and find a few moments of focus and calm within your day.

3 Simple Steps to a Calmer Life

3 Simple steps to a calmer life  Santa Monica Cape Verde

By Maria Kelly on 2nd May 2016

 

Step 1. Take a deep breath….

 

Breathing – it’s simple enough, we do it all the time and without much thought. This automatic breathing will get you through the day sure enough, however deep conscious breathing will lead you to a place of inner calm helping to deal with stress and the effects this has on our wellness.

 

The quality of our breath is a great indicator into our physical state of wellbeing. Shallow breathing is when our diaphragm doesn’t move fully and this shortening of breath is quite common when we are stressed. We end up breathing into our chest and shoulders creating tension in these areas and limiting the amount of oxygen that we get.

 

The deep breathing performed during yoga asanas (postures) helps the body to function more efficiently, relieves tension and has a calming effect on the body and mind as a whole.

 

Diaphragm (Yogic) Breathing.

 

Begin by either sitting or lying in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and bring your awareness on to your breathing. Place one hand onto your chest and the other onto your tummy. Take a deep breath into the tummy noticing how this rises on the inhale and then how this falls on the exhale. Pause for a moment between each breath noticing the stillness in this space. Continue this, deepening the inhales and exhales by counting to 3, then pausing for 1. Do this for 5 minutes or longer if you have time.

 

Step 2. Learn to love the mundane…..

 

Ok, so not many of us enjoy doing house hold chores but we realise it is one of many necessary evils. So instead of viewing them as chores, why not try to find a way to enjoy them. Taking enjoyment in the little things can have a very large impact on our general outlook. Think about it, if we spend our day rushing from job to job only focusing on getting them done, then it’s no wonder we’re worn out by the end of the day and in need of that reward…..cue chocolate bar and glass of vino!

So next time it’s your turn to do the washing up try to enjoy the process and actually be in the moment. Take pride in seeing your plates clean, perhaps they were a gift from someone you care about. Notice your breathing and posture whilst you’re doing this – it is here that you create that tension rushing to get the job done! And remind yourself of this Buddhist saying……. “If the simple things in life don’t put a smile on your face then you will never truly be happy”.

 

Step 3. Get you Yoga on……

 

We have been designed to move and yet we have created a sedentary lifestyle, albeit with the good intention to make our life easier. However instead this has made our bodies inflexible and our minds overworked. Once you understand the importance of movement and how great this makes the body and min feel you begin to understand why it’s such a good idea to get up off that ass..ana!

By practicing Yoga you’re bringing not only movement but also the deep breathing and mental focus into your lives. By being present in each of the postures you’re able to focus and enjoy the process of learning to let go. Understanding where you hold the physical tension also shines a light on your mental outlook (remember the rushing from task to task). The deep breathing enables you to relax and release this built up muscular tightness. During this process we mentally become more in tune with ourselves, connecting once again to our true nature and bringing about a sense of joy and freedom in this journey that life most certainly is.

Maria Kelly

Sunflower Dancer

Maria is a Yoga Instructor based in Cheshire specialising in Vinyasa Flow, Pregnancy, Post-natal and Baby Yoga (www.mariayoga.co.uk) . Along with her husband she also owns Tranquillite Retreats (www.tranquilliteretreats.co.uk), a yoga retreat set on the edge of the Dordogne in south west France. It is their mission to show that keeping life simple can lead to a happier more tranquil you.