Yoga Embodied

Yoga workshop and open day in Streatham

2011-10-17T15:19:00.000+01:00

Going With the Flow
on the Mat & in Life
Vinyasa Yoga workshop


	Sunday 23rd of October 10am-12.30pm

Namaste <>
Join us on Sunday the 23rd of October 10am-12.30pm for a deep vinyasa flow session.

We will take time to enjoy moving with the breath, alignmentfor a safe practise and
Going with the Flow
On the Mat and in Your Life.
For inspiration read my article in Om Magazine Oct 2011

Move, flow, breathe...

£25 please pay in class or online (PAYPAL) to secure your space
Forgot to book? - please drop in!

FREE Yoga this month at Sweaty Betty Fulham.
Mondays 6.45-7.45pm - Please book through the shop.

Join us the following Saturday (22nd) at 10am for a
FREE 45 MINUTE TRIAL CLASS
The Capoiera School/Streatham Therapy Centre will host an open day with trial classes and sample therapies.
So bring your friends and join me for a
Vinyasa Flow Class at 10am.
Does Saturday classes sound tempting on a regular basis? Stay in touch for exciting news...

Morning Yoga Immersion: Get up and Flow and Glow in November

Mon 14th - Fri 18th of November 7-8am £50 for the week.

Start the day with breath, focus, awareness and flow - book online or in class

Warm Autumn Greetings
Anja

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Anja Brierley Lange - Yoga instructor and Ayurvedic Practitioner / Blogs / London South West / LOCATIONS / Home - Families Magazine Online

2011-10-17T14:30:00.000+01:00

Anja Brierley Lange - Yoga instructor and Ayurvedic Practitioner / Blogs / London South West / LOCATIONS / Home - Families Magazine Online

Summer Yoga

2011-07-22T22:32:00.000+01:00

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Summer Yoga
As I am writing this the sun is actually out and there is a blue sky (although the clouds are accumulating...). So in the spirit of Surya (the Sun) let's practise and explore the Surya Namaskar

The Aligned Flow of the Sun Salute
Sunday the 31st of July 10am-12.30pm £25

Today we will look at each individual posture which makes up the surya namaskar, find our individual physical alignment and understand the transistions between each posture.
Making our Sun Salute and connecting vinyasa a safe aligned flow.
Meditative and flowing with the Breath.

We will explore the variations of our sun salute as well as some of the common asana
in a Vinyasa Flow class.
The 2 1/2 hours Sunday Yoga Session will be a flowing sequence, playful, explorative and with time to cool down and restore.

Please read about the Sun Salute in my Blog for FamiliesOnline HERE

MORNING YOGA 7am-8am
5 mornings, 5 elements Chakra Flow
22nd of August-26th of August
The whole immersion £50 (5 classes)
Early Bird £40 (pay before 10th of August)

Get into your morning practise with this Morning Yoga Intensive. We will Salute the Sun (Sunrise being a beautiful time for the ritual of Surya Namaskaram), and begin our practise from the ground up.

Monday: The Earth element and Root Chakra, associate with Ganesh, We salute and honour the Remover of Obstacles as we start our intention of morning sadhana (spiritual practise) and yoga.
Tuesday: The element of Water and Sacral Chakra. Fluidity, flow, movement. Emotions and Creativity.
Wednesday: The element of Fire and Manipura Chakra. Strength, power and Solar energy. Your awareness of your individual Self.
Thursday: The Element of Air and Heart Chakra. Openess, compassion, love - the heart, lungs and respiration. Exchanging prana, oxygen and metabolic waste, carbon dioxide.
Friday: The element of Space and the Throat and Ajna (3rd eye) Chakra. True and authentic Expression and intuition. Connection with our true and higher Self.

Place: Capoiera School in Streatham
   1-4 The High Parade, Streatham High Road (entrance Leigham Ave)
   London SW16 1EX
Time: 10am-12.30pm for Sunday Workshop
   7-8am morning intensive
Cost: £25 paid cash (in class or PAYPAL) for Sunday workshop
   £50/£40 for the Morning Intensive
RSVP: email/ ph: 07963 820 702 / in class

Looking forward to practise with you!
Namaste
Anja

PS - a quick reminder:
August timetable changes:

No classes Tuesday the 9th, Thursday the 11th or Tuesday the 16th of August

Classes at KX will be covered by other teaches.

Streatham Class passes will be extended accordingly.

Summer Flow Sunday Session - Yoga Workshop

2011-06-15T12:00:00.000+01:00

Summer Flow

Safe Backbends
Open Heart

Yoga Workshop

Sunday 26th of June 2011

10am-12.30pm £25

Backbends are a wonderful way to create more space to breathe, energise the spine, broaden the chest...

We will start with a slow and gentle flow to warm up and get to know our body, understand safe alignment principles and then
explore a selection of backbends in different variations and modifications.

With a foundation of being grounded, aligned andmoving with the breath our backbends are opening our chest and heart with grace, awareness and spaciousness.

Please RSVP by email, in class or by PAYPAL (online)

What would you like to explore in you practice? Let me know on Facebook or email...

Read the full newsletter HERE

Folding forward - I bow to...

2011-06-15T11:24:00.000+01:00

This is the second part of the Sun Salute series written for Families Online on the 17/04/2011 3:55 pm

:

I am enjoying April. We have had some beautiful summer days, some very changeable days and are sure to get some April showers too. But every cloud has a silver lining and we are continuing our celebration of the Sun through the practice of Surya Namaskaram - the sun salutation. For a full yoga practice or shorter sunsalutes session please visit http://anjayoga.podbean.com for FREE and £4.99 audio classes - and even better join a class!

Standing Forward Bends

Having a firm foundation in your mountain pose (tadasana) is the perfect starting point for our forward bends. Basically you aim to literally fold forward from your hips keeping both legs and spine long and strong just like your tadasana. But most of us have either very tight hips or hamstrings (muscles at the back of our legs) and we suffer with tension in our back. Suddenly coming into a forward bend can seem rather challenging. However in yoga there are always modifications and you always work with your body and how it feels at that present moment.

Let’s start:

From mountain pose with the arms above your head exhale and - with a straight spine - hinge from your hips. Think of lengthening the heart forward. Bring your fingertips to the floor or place them on blocks next to your toes. If your hands do not reach the ground bend your knees. In fact bend your knees so much so your belly touches your thighs. This way you are not over-stretching your spine making your back vulnerable to injury or strain. Your are now in Uttanasana (translated as ‘intense stretch’).

The half way point - extend your spine:

On an inhale extend your chest to ‘half-forward bend’ (Ardha Uttanasana). Now your spine is complete straight (within its natural curves). Your finger tips are resting on the floor or on your shins. Think of creating space between your pubic bone and your navel - and from your naval to your heart. Exhale as you fold into your standing forward bend once again.

Moving with the breath - follow the flow.

For a few breathes move between your Uttanasana and your Ardha Uttanasana.

From tadasana inhale - raise your arms above your head.
Exhale - hinging from your hips fold into your standing forward bend. Bend your knees if appropriate.
Inhale - extend your heart to a half forward bend.
Exhale - fold forward.
Inhale - repeat into your half forward bend
AND either continue between your two forward bends
OR exhale, take your hands to your hips keeping a straight spine

then inhale up to standing with a straight back - tadasana.

As always have fun, follow your breath and listen to your body.

If you have any injuries, medical conditions or any health concerns or if you are pregnant or a new mum please speak to a yoga teacher or health professional before starting a new exercise programme. Vvisit www.yogaembodied.com for further details on yoga and ayurveda.

Anja is yoga teacher specialising in Vinyasa Flow (all levels), Pregnancy Yoga and Postnatal Yoga..

She has a BSc and PGDip in Ayurveda from Middlesex university. This qualifies her to practice as an Ayurvedic practitioner, advising on herbs, lifestyle, diet as well as giving body treatments including massage.

Visit www.yogaembodied.com for further detail and to sign up for her newsletter. You can also find herinfo@yogaembodied.com, Twitter (twitter.com/anjayogini) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/yogaembodied)

Tadasana - Steady as a mountain

2011-06-06T15:49:00.000+01:00

This is from my blog at Families Online where we are investigating the Sun Salute! Please stay in touch to get the full sequence explained...

In the last two blogs we discussed the Cobra and Upward Facing Dog. These two poses are fantastic practised on their own but they are also part of The Sun Saluation, Surya Namaskar. So I thought we would start to discuss the sun salute pose by pose...

I welcome you to visit www.yogaembodied.com to download, listen and practise with the audio classes including a FREE 15 minutes Sun salutation. And if you feel like exploring some more yoga then join us for a class or workshop (I teach a Backbend workshop on Sunday the 26th of June!) in Streatham, Chelsea or Parsons Green.

Best way to start is from the foundation - standing up tall and steady. Here we go:

Standing up straight - that is Tadasana and the base and foundation for all other poses. It sounds so easy and simple but it is not always necessarily so. Standing up tall with a good posture is actually a challenge for most of us.

So as we stand, keep your feet parallel either hip distance or together. Can you keep the little toe side of your feet parallel with each other and the outer edges of your mat? This way your toes, knees and hips all point directly forward as will your hip points and shoulders.

Maybe soften your knees and draw your tailbone down as you lift your pubic bone gently in the direction of your navel. Now you can work towards straightening the legs. Lift the crown of your head as you press your feet to the Earth - it will feel like you are growing an inch or two taller! Imagine a line from the crown of your head, down to the middle of the heart, your pelvis, between the knees and then to your heels.

Really feel this pose from the inside. Close your eyes and feel your body. Where do you put your weight on the feet? Are you thrusting your pelvis forward, rounding your back, collapsing the shoulder or maybe arching the spine? Try to find this imaginary centre line and align your body and your breath.

In tadasana your arms are relaxed by your side. But in the sun salutation we start by pressing the palms together in a prayer position (anjali mudra) in front of the heart. Let that be a gesture to remind you that you move with your breathe and from your heart - not from your mind or your ego. As you raise your prayer towards the sky relax your shoulder blades down your back. If you want more space across your shoulders then keep your hands shoulder-width apart.

Avoid arching your lower back. Keep the tailbone pointing towards your heels. Lift your heart but let your lower front ribs in and down. Enjoy this spaciousness from the soles of your feet on the Earth to your head and hands reaching to the Sky.

Start practising the Vinyasa (moving with the breath) between these two poses.

Hands by your side in traditional Tadasana - breathe in.
As you exhale bring your palms to your heart in a prayer position.
Inhale as you raise your prayer to the Sky. Either out in front of you or if you have plenty of space spread your arms to the side and above your head.
Exhale take your hands to your heart.
Then repeat: inhale raise your arms - exhale palms to the middle of your chest.

Enjoy the flow and start to notice that your breath is initiating your movements. In the next blog we take the next step into the Sun Salute.

Have fun and enjoy the flow, the breath, prana, life!

Anja is yoga teacher specialising in Vinyasa Flow (all levels), Pregnancy Yoga and Postnatal Yoga.

She has several qualifications including teacher training programs with Barbara Harding (Cambridge School of Yoga), Sivananda and Seane Corn (Vinyasa Flow). She also had the pleasure of attending teacher workshops with prana flow teacher Shiva Rea. Her pregnancy, postnatal and perinatal yoga training has been inspired by many teachers including Françoise Barbira Freedman, founder of Birthlight, Uma Dinsmore Tuli from the SitaRam partnership/YogaCampus (Satyananda inspired) and Claire Missingham’s (Vinyasa Flow) specialist Teacher Training courses.

Visit www.yogaembodied.com for further detail and to sign up for her newsletter. You can also find her info@yogaembodied.com, Twitter (twitter.com/anjayogini) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/yogaembodied)

Sunday Session - Flow Yoga: Hips and the Pelvis

2011-05-04T11:41:00.000+01:00

Sunday Session 15th of May 10am - 12.30pm 2011

This 2 1/2 hour Vinyasa Flow Class will explore the physical, emotional and energetic relationship to the hips and pelvis through asana. Lighthearted, playful and with plenty of time to find alignment in the postures.

Movement and Posture, Pelvic Health, Expression and Creativity.

Hips and the pelvic girdle

Physical: Hips and the pelvis. Hip openers people either love or love to hate! The hip joint can literally rotate in all directions (nearly). Our movement has become restricted as the hip flexor is generally always in one position - sitting!

Improve your posture, your yoga asana... even your breath and the space in your pelvis and abdomen will improve.

The hip joints are part of the pelvis and attaching our legs to the torso. The pelvic girdle holds our reproductive organs (prostate, gonads, ovaries, womb etc), our excretory organs are here, and intestines and mothers carry their babies and birth through the pelvis.

Mental and emotional: Muladhara (root) and Swadistana (sacral) Chakra. The emotions relating to the first two chakras relate to our identity, survival, relationships and how we interact.

Symbolic and energetic: This is about boundaries, our sense of Self and our relationship to the seductive nature of sex, money, substances (food, drugs, alcohol) and even people. It is about survival, expression, creativity including our relationship to our sexual and sensual Self.

Spring Workshop!

2011-04-06T16:48:00.000+01:00

Spring Yoga Workshop

Feel prepared and supported to enter the summer by detoxing, eliminating and rejuvenating through yoga.

Sunday 17th of April 2011
10am-12.30pm £25

We will move through a dynamic and flowing sequence of postures to stay grounded and stable as we start to let go of the dullness and darkness of winter.

Twists will help to DETOX and encourage elimination of undigested food material as well as “bad” habits, thoughts and emotional baggage.

As we let go we can surrender to the ‘now’ and just be still - in this part of the session symbolised through more restorative postures. In Hatha Yoga asana, postures, are the preparation for concentration and meditation so we will conclude with a meditative relaxation.

Time to explore, understand and enjoy the alignment and energetic of your practice!

Please RSVP by email, in class or by PAYPAL (online)

Please join us the 17th of April, 15th of May and 26th of June for yoga immersion, movement, relaxation and breathing
What would you like to explore in you practice? Let me know on Facebook or email...

Have a listen to this Audio Class - for more letting go, detox and twists

Namaste

Anja

Phone: 07963 820 702

Email: info@yogaembodied.com

Web: www.yogaembodied.com

The flight of the Eagle

2011-04-06T16:40:00.000+01:00

This Blog was published for Families Magazine on the 28/01/2011 5:43 pm
by
Anja Brierley Lange. Please have a look to stay up to date with the blogs and other interesting articles. I also welcome you to join my newsletter HERE,

Birds have always fascinated me. The thought of being able to just fly high in the sky! This blog is about a mystical bird - the Garuda...

I hope this blog will inspire you to start/continue your practise. If you need a little more encouragement then listen to - and practise to - some of my recorded classes online on www.yogaembodied.com or join a class in Streatham, Chelsea or Parsons Green. Enjoy!

Standing poses are great for strengthening the legs, ankles and for your physical balance. We try to stay grounded, stabile and well connected and then we can take flight into the unknown and new experiences.

In all yoga asana practices think of ‘Stability before Flexibility’. And as you find balance through your physical body notice that your breath starts to become calmer and your thoughts begin to become quiet.

Garuda is sometimes translated as Eagle. But the Garuda is a mystical bird-like creature in Indian mythology. When the god Vishnu met the Garuda he gave him immortality and Garuda became Vishnu’s vehicle on which he can travel across the Universe.

In the pose Garudasana you need focus, strength and a calm breath. Start in a standing position (Tadasana) with your feet firmly grounded. Bend your knees as if you are about to sit in a high chair (Utkatasana). Let your spine lengthen out of your pelvis and cross your right thigh on top of your left - as if you are sitting cross legged. Either keep your right toes on the floor or move your right shin behind your left lower leg. Sink your hips and engage a strong sense of connection to your core muscles.

When ready, move your forearms together in front of your chest - let the elbows meet. Stay here or bring your left upper arm on top of your right upper arm. Now embody the Garuda! Remember to do both sides.

Think of an eagle soaring in the thermal. It just glides high in the sky with seemingly no effort. Don’t be afraid of wobbling in this pose but let your breath and focus bring you back to your flight high in the sky.

Aside from balance and concentration - physically and mentally - this pose is great for your ankles, reproductive system and urinary system. It is a very ‘closed’ posture and bring an inward awareness as it creates space in your back body especially across your shoulder blades and lower back.

Try this variation to start with, if you have balance issues or is pregnant. Staying with the toes touching the floor for balance.

When you are ready for a deeper pose try this variation.

Do a few warming up postures before your Garudasana: cat/cow stretches, sun salutations or lunges. As with all yoga asana practice ask your health advisor before you begin a new physical exercise and speak to a qualified yoga teacher before your practice.

Take a seat

2011-03-28T15:13:00.000+01:00

Enjoy this blog which was published in January at Families Online. This is one of my favorite asanas and really helpful at this time Spring - time of renewal...

Happy New Year! We are continuing with our blog on Yoga and Ayurveda... This time about the squat. If you have any suggestions or thoughts you would like to read about please do let me know on info@yogaembodied.com. I am also around in SW London for Ayurvedic consultations and treatments as well as Yoga Classes. Have a look at my timetable here.

The Yogic Squat is one of the most health bringing postures and is often highly recommended in Ayurveda (the ancient Indian medical system).

Now before I start going on about the benefits of the pose let’s give it a try using various modifications. First think of your alignment.

As with most yoga postures your knees and toes should point in the same direction so adjust your feet to assist proper support for your knees. Toes will point outwards.

Never compromise your body’s signals to change your posture - listen to your body.

There should be no pain in your knees in this (or any) asana.

This pose is very intense so maybe start by sitting on a small stool or yoga block(s) with your feet wide apart in front of you. If you can squat with you heel firmly grounded on the floor just enjoy! If your heels are off the floor but you feel fine in your groin and hips then put some telephone books, a rolled up towel or yoga blocks under your heels so you can relax downwards.

The point of the Yogic Squat is to let go and release. So find your modification. Bring your elbows to the inside of your knees and bring your palms together in a prayer position. The arm gesture encourages openness and broadness across your chest. Feels your heart lift and a lightness in your chest. Then start to relax your hips downwards. Experience a heaviness through your pelvis - gravity.

This gravity supports the flow of the downward movement of Prana (or the wind element in Ayurveda). In Ayurvedic medicine we call this energy Apana Vayu. One of the most important energies in our system. If the downward movement is not working properly it can influence our whole system. A correct movement of Apana Vayu is responsible for elimination of urine, wind, bowel movements and can even affect our breathing, nervous energy and anxiety. Apana Vayu is also helping in childbirth and during menstruation. It is a natural birthing position for the mother comfortable with this pose. (However if you suffer with any kind of pelvic instability consult your health advisor and yoga teacher before attempting this asana - and only do the first variation if appropriate).

This is best asana for those who suffer for constipation. And it is indeed one of the poses used in many countries when visiting the toilet.

Aside from assisting Apana Vayu the Yogic Squat releases tension in the lower back, opens the hips and creates flexibility in the ankles and legs. Mentally it is settling the mind (as Apana Vayu is moving in its right direction and not afflicting our breath and thoughts), very grounding and relaxing.

Start with a few breathes in this position and when ready enjoy for as long as you like!

A very strong and unusual pose for most people in the Western world so do take it easy here. It is great during pregnancy but follow your yoga teacher’s and health advisor’s advice when practising. If you have any questions please visit me on www.yogaembodied.com

Are you reacting or responding?

2011-03-20T13:44:00.000Z

Your experience is your choice. How we choose to respond to our surroundings, family, environment and even our emotions are our choice. We can all be in the same place at the same time, seeing the same situation but we will all have different experiences.

Where does yoga come into this? Well, our yoga practise is a safe place to explore our emotions, our behavioural patterns and how we react. During a class you will have favorite postures. Asanas you could stay in for minutes and repeat happily again. And then you have poses you really dislike. You sigh as soon as the teacher mentions the pose and groan when you move into it. Sounds familiar?

But have you noticed that we all have different favorite asanas?

In your next yoga practise just be with that least favorite pose. You don’t need to judge it or yourself. Just be in it. Make adjustments to suit your body and let your body breathe. Patanjali says in the yoga sutras that yoga isstilling the mind (Yogas chitta vrtti nirodhah). One way to achieve this is through asana and meditation. An asana should be steady and comfortable (Sthira sukham asanam) and the way to find this stillness is through our breath.

When your yoga instructor encourages you to go a little deeper or stay a little longer - breath instead of groan. Observe your reactions; irritation, anger, sadness, discomfort, disappointment, self loathing... And when in your favorite pose again observe; happiness, joy, allowing to let go, release, indifference... Observe without judgement without analysing. Can you allow the dukha (uncomfortable, discontent) reactions to transform into a response ofsukha (easy, comfortable)? Now that is the challenge of yoga.

Eventually we learn, on the safety of our yoga mat, in the safety of our own personal space, with our own experience, to respond and not react.

Maybe this season can be a time for you to learn letting go, being steady, being comfortable and respond with compassion instead of reacting with irritation.

With a yoga teacher’s advice enjoy these poses - they may become your favorites.

Warrior 2: staying steady strong and breathing. Can you sink a little deeper into the pose? Can you stay for another three breathes? Can you find sukha or some kind of joy in this asana?

Pigeon pose: Let your body guide you to your variation. This is the ultimate ‘letting go’ pose. Where do you hold tension? Can you breathe deeper, longer, easier? Can you stay for another breath?

Anja enjoy teaching yoga and share the knowledge of an ayurvedic lifestyle in SW London (Streatham, Balham, Chelsea and Parson’s Green). Please look at www.yogaembodied.com for further details on clinics, timetable and listen (and practise to) to a full class online. Sign Up for her newsletter andemail if you would like to her to discuss a specific topic or yoga posture.www.yogaembodied.com

Dance of Destruction

2011-03-14T18:06:00.000Z

04/12/2010 11:02 am

Anja Brierley Lange
published first in Families Online

One of my favorite yoga postures is Natarajasana. Nataraj is a name for the God Shiva or the King of Dancers. Asana means seat or posture. The posture symbolises Shiva dancing the ‘cosmic dance’.

Shiva is the God of destruction. This may sound very hard and not at all divine. But when things get weary, stuck, unhealthy or blocked then it needs to be demolished to make space for new exciting and healthy experiences and creations. The Cosmic Dance, or Ananda Tandava, symbolises the cosmic cycle of destruction and creation. The necessity of letting go of what is no longer needed to make space for the new.

In this dance Shiva, or Nataraj, crushes and destroys a demon representing ignorance. Shiva is a fierce warrior God, the God of death, destruction as well as of dancing. Calm and gentle expressions as well fierce powerful dances to the loud beating of drums.

Listen to the music of your gentle breath, the sound of the birds, the wind or put on your favorite tunes be it Mozart, Indian Kirtan or Lady Gaga whatever inspires your Cosmic Dance.

Let's go dancing

Stand in your standing posture (Tadasana), feet parallel and body straight. Bend your right knee and let your foot moving it towards your right buttock. Keep your knees hip distance or together. Grab hold of you right foot, ankle or trouser leg with your right hand and bring your left hand to the sky. Now dance your dance staying focused and balanced if slightly wobbly. Optionally you can press your right foot into your hand and away from your buttock. And lift your chest into a gently backbend. Enjoy the creativity and play of your Natarajasana.

The pose is graceful, balances the nervous system, creates balance physically and mentally as well as strengthening the legs and works the spine.

As with all asana practices do see a qualified yoga teacher and if you have any health issues or medical conditions speak to your health advisor. Pregnant ladies - take it super easy and stay in the first variation.

About Anja:

Anja is a yoga teacher specialising in Vinyasa Flow, Pregnancy Yoga and one-to-ones. As a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner she offers ayurvedic advice and treatments. Anja is also a qualified massage therapist and aromatherapist. She enjoys sharing this knowledge in her consultations, classes and through writing her blog on Families Magazine and other publications. See www.yogaembodied.com for details and sign up for her Email updates HERE.

You can join a Vinyasa Flow class for all levels, a Pregnancy Yoga class or see her for a consultation or treatments in Streatham Hill, Parson's Green, Fulham, Chelsea and Balham.

The Warrior Dance

2010-12-23T11:22:00.000Z

I trust you have embodied some of the strength and assertiveness of the Goddess Warrior Durga during your practice of the Warrior pose sequence discussed in the previous blog entry. Maybe you want to experience the flow, instructions and creative sequences with other yogis and yoginis? You can join my classes in Streatham on Tuesdays and Thurdays at 8pm and they are for all levels. Pregnant yoginis can join the prenatal classes at 6.30pm or Fridays at 1pm in Chelsea... There are more classes in the near future, including in the Parson Green area, so do look on my website (www.yogaembodied.com) and sign up for the newsletter.

Now, we will continue with the openness and strength which we felt in our Warrior Pose Two and play a little. Revisit the description for this pose and feel proper grounded and strong.

Have your right knee bend and your toes pointing in the same direction as your knee. Left leg is straight and strong. Hips are squared and spine lifting out of your pelvis - arms radiating to the side. Take a few breathes.

Come into Extended Side Angle Pose by bringing your right forearm to the right thigh. Stretch all the way from your left outer edge of your foot to the left fingertips reaching your left arm above your head. Create lots of space in your ribcage to breathe. The Extended Side Angle Pose needs as much power as your Warrior Poses. Keep your legs as a support for your torso. Be very aware that your do not collapse into your right shoulder try instead to lift and rotate your chest upwards towards the sky. This is a beautiful pose which opens the hips with your own strength, it creates space in your ribcage to breathe better and requires firm and strong legs. When you are ready inhale back into your Warrior Two.

From Warrior Two slide your left hand down your left thigh as your lift your right arm upwards into Side Warrior. Once again your legs are strong and supportive allowing a lift through your chest. Let your shoulders relax and encourage your heart to face upwards. There is no pressure in your left hand - it is just guiding the movement and openness of the pose. Come out of this pose back into your Warrior Two.

Gently warm up before this sequence and familiarise yourself with the yoga practice by joining a few classes or see a qualified teacher. Maybe start with some Sun Salutations, lunges and do your Warrior sequence and finish by resting in Shavasana or Childs Pose. If you have any health concerns please speak to your medical adviser or your yoga teacher. Have look at a Sun Salutation HERE.

The Warrior Dance

2010-12-09T10:14:00.000Z

I trust you have embodied some of the strength and assertiveness of the Goddess Warrior Durga during your practice of the Warrior pose sequence discussed in the previous blog entry.

Maybe you want to experience the flow, instructions and creative sequences with other yogis and yoginis? You can join my classes in Streatham on Tuesdays and Thurdays at 8pm and they are for all levels. Pregnant yoginis can join the prenatal classes at 6.30pm or Fridays at 1pm in Chelsea... There are more classes in the near future, including in the Parson Green area, so do look on my website (www.yogaembodied.com) and sign up for the newsletter.

Now, we will continue with the openness and strength which we felt in our Warrior Pose Two and play a little. Revisit the description for this pose and feel proper grounded and strong.
Have your right knee bend and your toes pointing in the same direction as your knee. Left leg is straight and strong. Hips are squared and spine lifting out of your pelvis - arms radiating to the side. Take a few breathes.

Come into Extended Side Angle Pose by bringing your right forearm to the right thigh. Stretch all the way from your left outer edge of your foot to the left fingertips reaching your left arm above your head. Create lots of space in your ribcage to breathe.

The Extended Side Angle Pose needs as much power as your Warrior Poses. Keep your legs as a support for your torso. Be very aware that your do not collapse into your right shoulder try instead to lift and rotate your chest upwards towards the sky. This is a beautiful pose which opens the hips with your own strength, it creates space in your ribcage to breathe better and requires firm and strong legs. When you are ready inhale back into your Warrior Two.

Now dance your warrior dance. Either enjoy a few breathes in each pose or proceed with continuous movements co-ordinated with your slow and relaxed breath. Exhale to Extended Side Angle Pose and inhale lift into your Side Warrior then let your out-breath move you to Extended Side Angle and continue this flow of movement and breath. When your are ready change sides.

Gently warm up before this sequence and familiarise yourself with the yoga practice by joining a few classes or see a qualified teacher. Maybe start with some Sun Salutations, lunges and do your Warrior sequence and finish by resting in Shavasana or Childs Pose. If you have any health concerns please speak to your medical adviser or your yoga teacher. Have look at a Sun Salutation HERE.

You can also follow my blogs on Families Online Magazine

The Warrior Goddess

2010-11-16T17:18:00.000Z

Here is another blog from my blog on Families Online. I will explore different asana and sequences so please continue to log for more blog entries!

The Hindu tradition has just finished their nine day/night celebration of Navarati. A festival dedicated to the female form of the Divine - the Goddess in her various shapes and manifestations.
Durga is one aspect of the Goddess. A gorgeous fierce protective warrior Goddess riding on her lion. She is power - Shakti.

In a yoga asana (posture) practise we often incorporate a series of postures dedicated to the Warrior. These are standing poses where we are grounded, strong and stable. Being firmly connected to the earth we have the strength to stand our own ground and speak our truth.

Physically the Warrior poses create strength in our legs, open our hips and helps us balance. The muscles in our arms become firmer and stronger as the arms are as involved as our legs. Feel the power from your core - your abdomen - as you firmly press your feet to the Earth and reach out your arms. These poses require and gives us stamina.

In Warrior One your arms reach to the sky and your heart lifts. Feel spaciousness in your front body especially in your front hip. Stay grounded.

From Warrior Two your arms reach outwards from your heart. Open your hip in your bend leg. Create space in your pelvis - expansion.

Warrior Three keeps you strong and balanced. Your lifted leg reaches in one direction and the crown of your head in the opposite. Stay connected to your pelvis, your hips and your core while experiencing the opposite directions.

The warrior Goddess is the manifested creative power of Shakti. She is divine, stands her ground and protects herself and her loved ones. Allow yourself to experience your own power incorporating these postures into your practice.

I would recommend to warm up with a few Sun Salutations before commencing these postures and get further advice on alignment and modifications from your yoga teacher.

If you have any injuries, medical conditions or any health concerns you may want to speak to a yoga teacher or health professional before starting a new exercise programme. Please visit www.yogaembodied.com for further details on yoga and sign up for our newsletter HERE.

Wellness in Pregnancy - Pregnancy Massage

2010-10-29T09:36:00.000+01:00

In Ayurvedic health, massage is essential to balance our doshas (our body/mind constitution). Oil massage starts by giving baby massage to newborns and continues throughout life as part of our daily routine. In Ayurveda we use different oils depending on what effect we would like. Every part of the body is being massaged with care and appreciation. To apply oil is also called Snehana which can be translated as Love.

Pregnancy massage is a great way to keep you body balanced and your skin moisturised and elastic. Receiving a massage can help relax you physically, mentally and emotionally. It may relieve back, neck and shoulder aches and help oedema. Apply oil throughout pregnancy but massage only after the first trimester.

Blissful Body

You and your partner may want to think of paying special attention to specific areas to support your changing body, prepare for birth and post pregnancy.
Belly - Massage very gently. Think of it as your baby’s first massage! Either massage in clockwise circles respecting the digestive system’s elimination. Or massage/stroke from your sides towards your belly button - bringing attention and awareness into your center.
Breasts - Many women, pregnant or not, do not pay much physical attention to our breasts. They are strapped into bras often underwired and they do not have much space for movement. Our breasts are part of our circulation and lymph system. Massage encourages circulation and lymph flow. Circulation, including the lymphatic, is encouraged by our muscles (think of our calf muscles helping the lymph and circulation both from our legs to our heart) however our breasts do not have much movement and massage is a way to encourage stimulation and discourage stagnation. Massage using gentle kneading and circular movements.
Perineum - From week 32-34 you and your partner can support the elasticity of the perineum. Use a very oily oil. Wheatgerm is good as it contains plenty of vitamin E which benefits the skin’s elasticity. Start by massaging the perineum gently with plenty of oil. First a couple of times a week and then gradually increase it to a daily massage. After a few weeks start massaging the inside of your vagina. Very gently start stretching the skin just inside. Experiment by using either a thumb or the index and middle finger making U shaped movement towards the perineum and then start stretching the skin. As with everything else in life be aware of what feels comfortable and don’t go anywhere that feels uncomfortable or painful.

What oils to choose

The best oils to use are vegetable oils preferable grown organically. There are plenty of inexpensive good quality cold-pressed organic oils in the health food shops so find an oil which feels nice on your skin and has a smell you like. There are specific Pregnancy oil but do have a look at the ingredients list before choosing. The same goes for baby oils which are often mineral based with no real benefits to the skin. Obviously take into account any sensitivities or allergies you may have.

Oils to calm a restless and anxious Vata mind include: Sesame oil (cold pressed and cured if possible).
If you are hot and irritable in mind or body (Pitta) use cooling and calming oils such as coconut and olive oils.
Or use lighter oils such sunflower or safflower to relieve congestion and heaviness associated with Kapha.

Embrace your changing body and enjoy your massages.
If you have any medical conditions, allergies or have specific health issues you may want to talk to your health consultant before your massage.

Calm down man - and boost your masculinity

2010-10-20T18:19:00.000+01:00

A few weeks back I wrote about the ayurvedic herb Shatavari. A great remedy for the female reproductive system. This article is all about the MAN!

According to ayurveda everything in health - physical, mental or emotional - is down to digestion. If we don’t digest our food properly we create toxicity, or unhealthy material, in our body. In ayurveda we call it ama. If we don’t deal with emotional issues or stress we also create ama manifested in our mental health. So first thing first; finding a diet to suit our digestion and find a way to detoxify our mind. If we accumulate ama it will affect our body. Ayurvedic anatomy recognise seven tissues in the body. These will be affected by ama. From our plasma level, next the blood, fat tissue, bone, bone marrow and finally sukra or the reproductive tissue. Diet and stress definitely have an effect on the reproductive tissues which include sperm quality, motility and quantity and therefore conception.
The qualities of sukra (the reproductive tissue) include sweetness, cool, oily and liquid. You increase “like with like”. To increase sukra you can cook with ghee, take vegetable oils on your food and drink warm milk to the capacity of your digestion.

A branch of the Ayurvedic medicinal disciplines is Vajikarana which is dedicated to fertility and sexual health. A number of herbal remedies, diets, treatments and counseling are recommended. Here are the top three herbs:

Ashwagandha: a favorite herb for male reproductive system and for stress for men and women. It is reputed to increase strength both muscle tone and for the nervous system. A bit like ginseng it works to relieve and balance stress levels. Translated as “the smell of a horse” is may be due to the smell of the fresh root or due to the fact that it is thought to give you “the sexual stamina of a horse”. Is believed to promote sperm health.
Kapikachu: a vajikarana seed meaning it has aphrodisiac actions and improves sexual vitality. Traditionally used to bring health to the whole reproductive system: sperm quality and quantity, improve libido and is a sexual tonic for men and women.
Guduchi: is also refered to as amrt or “divine nectar” as it has rejuvenating, strengthening as well as detoxing qualities. It is said to be anti-ama (anti-toxin), promote the sukra, or reproductive tissues, and being an aphrodisiac.

There are many reasons for imbalance in our body and mind and there are as many ways to create balance. I would highly recommend to see a qualified practitioner before embarking on any treatments, changes in diet or taking herbs. If you are on medication or under treatment please consult your consultant and speak to your practitioner.

You can stay up-to-date with my blog on Families Magazine or sign up for my newsletter HERE

Welcoming Autumn

2010-09-24T11:36:00.000+01:00

As I am enjoying the sunshine this early September it is difficult to believe it is autumn.

In autumn the element of air is increased. Ayurveda and yoga recognise five different elements: Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. It is believed that we and all around us are made of a unique combination of these elements. In a person the elements combine with each other and manifest as the three Doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha). Our constitution is a unique combination of the doshas. If the doshas get out of balance we experience ill health in mind, body or emotions.
Autumn is generally described as being windy, cool, with a feeling of dryness and it is time of change. The change from summer turning into winter. These qualities symbolise the element of Air. When there is an increase of Air in our surroundings it will increase the same qualities in our body and mind. In ayurveda this relates to an aggravated Vata dosha.
During this time of seasonal change we will try to balance and reduce anything that may aggravate Vata dosha and the Air element in our body.

Enjoy warm food with sweet, a little spicy, sour and salty tastes. And avoid cold raw salads. Skip the frappucinos and enjoy a mug of spicy warm chai. Porridge is great as breakfast and have a look at Rachel’s blog for the great pumpkin recipes, create your own stews and soups.

My favorite is a nice massage with warm oils. Sesame oil is slightly warming in nature and reduces Vata. So give yourself a massage with a heated sesame oil (coldpressed and organic). If not the whole body then just your feet and any painful joints. This also alleviates the dry skin which can increase during autumn and winter.

Your favorite yoga asana, pose, is a relaxing and grounding pose such as forward bends, squats or balancing poses like tree pose. All calming down an aggravated Vata dosha and Air element.

In ayurveda we aim to keep our doshas in equilibrium by adjusting our diet and nutrition, lifestyle including yoga and breathing exercises, herbal remedies or body treatments to suit our doshic balance. So listen to the surrounding and to your body. Both will give you a very good indication of what you need right now!

This is another article from my blog at Families Magazine - keep up to date here

Staying Centered - steps for an enhanced daily routine.

2010-09-13T11:08:00.001+01:00

Take small steps for feeling calmer and more centered. Too much rapid change can actually aggravate us rather than balance us. Change your habits little by little allowing the new food/diet/exercise regime/meditation practice/waking up/going to bed ratio/[insert your own resolution here] to become a normal part of your routine and then you can enhance that choice by adding to it.
So if you are feeling stressed, worn out and exhausted you don’t want to add another stress factor to your daily life.

First step is to breathe.
I know I go on about breathing exercises a lot. This may be a byproducts of being a yoga teacher and ayurvedic practitioner, but I really can not stress the benefits enough (please look at the previous posts). We are a population too busy to actually take notice our own breath and we live in this constant agitated breathing pattern making us even more stressed. The exercise here is to just observe your breath. “I am breathing in - I am breathing out” the continuous flow of your own breath. Observe when the inhale becomes an exhale and when the exhale turns into an inhale. This is a simple breathing exercise and meditation - combined! You can do this at any time: In the morning as you wake, on the tube, in the office, before bed...

Relax at bedtime.
Take time to wind down by making a bedtime ritual. Give your feet a nighttime massage with either the slightly warming sesame oil or a cooler coconut oil. Warm the oil in your hands and enjoy massaging your feet, especially the soles of your feet and ankles. Our feet are connecting us to the Earth and grounding us. Bringing some attention to our feet can help us get out of our heads, into our body and create balance. Either leave the oil on overnight, wear some old socks to cover the feet, rub them dry or have a warm foot bath.
Incorporate these two steps into your daily routine allowing them to be a natural part of your life. They may seem very simple but that is usually the most effective too.

And how will husbands cope?

2010-09-13T11:07:00.000+01:00

As a response to the previous post: 'The Woman who has a hundred husbands' I am in the process of writing a sequel which considers how the Man can improve his health.

Keep in touch on this Blog or on Families Magazine.

The woman who has a hundred husbands...

2010-09-07T16:54:00.000+01:00

A post from my blog at Families Online:

This is one translation of the original Sanskrit name Shatavari - an Ayurvedic herb which has a unique effect on the female reproductive system. Yes, it is reputed to have aphrodisiac qualities however it is also an amazing herb to promote both men’s and women’s fertility.

For women it is the herb of choice for all menstrual problems. It regulate menses, is helpful for PMS and strengthens, nourishes and supports the reproductive organs. For men it may promote the quality of sperm and is used for its nutritive and calming properties.

But it is also a balancing herb that gives us physical and mental strength. The stresses and pressures of our day to day living is often a contributing factor in difficulties to conceive. We become too tired and stressed to actually try. And then lovemaking may turn into a means to produce a baby and not sensual loving connection to your partner. Thus creating more anxiety and tension.

Taking time to really feel what is going on in our body and mind is helpful for us all but we rarely set time aside to do this. To promote our physical and emotional health we need to allow our body to tell us when we need rest, when we need food and when we need to be active!

If you are considering becoming a parent (again or for the first time) give yourself time to listen to your body, your cravings and your feelings. Take time out where you do not need to be “efficient”! Go for a run, meditate, enjoy a walk in nature, do some yoga, enjoy a swim or have a massage. Allow yourself a break.

There are many options for support for conceiving and before you take any herbs, supplements or start any new exercise routines check with your health consultant. To get personal advice on suitable ayurvedic or other herbs, a specialised diet and yoga routine see a qualified practitioner for advice.
For your inspiration I have included two yoga postures which are great for reproductive health - in men and women.

Think of openness, creating space, movement and fluidity. Enjoy!

Anja offers yoga classes, pregnancy yoga, Ayurvedic consultations and massage in SW London. To learn more please visit www.yogaembodied.com

Take a Breath

2010-08-05T13:41:00.000+01:00

Is is my 2nd Blog from Families Magazine Online where I write inspirational articles on wellbeing - yoga, ayurveda, life! Please have look at their website.

I seem to be surrounded by radiant pregnant ladies in all stages of pregnancy at the moment. Or by women who are preparing for motherhood and trying to become pregnant - but more of that issue in the next blog.

Teaching yoga and advising on Ayurvedic lifestyle and diet I come into contact with men and women from all backgrounds. But at the moment there appear to be an abundance of mothers-to-be. It is amazing to follow the changes that happen as the baby grows. But one thing that is challenging with a increasing bump is breathing.

The body breathes on it own. We don’t actually need to do anything but somehow a lot of us still find it difficult. We breathe only in the upper part of the chest, we get palpitations, we hold our breath for no reason...

To promote complete breathing try this - pregnant or not:

Three Part Breathing.

Sit in a comfortable position and bring both hands to your lower abdomen. Imagine you can breathe into your hands. As you inhale the abdomen will press into your hands and as you exhale the navel moves gentle towards your spine. When we inhale the lungs expands and the diaphragm muscle beneath our lungs presses towards our intestines making our abdomen expand. However for some people it seems to do the opposite. If it is challenging to expand the belly on an inhale just imagine it happening - eventually it will. Pregnant women may not feel this movement physically but can make this breath a time to connect with their baby.

After a few breaths bring your hands to the sides of your ribcage and breathe in to expand the muscles between your ribs. The ribcage will widen and broaden. Allow a sense of creating space inside your body. More room for oxygen and Prana (Chi, life-force energy and maybe even love or healing...). For pregnant ladies this is where you can create the greatest expansion of breath.

Next bring your hands to the top of your chest and feel the chest lift as you inhale and relax as you breathe out. Most of us will be familiar with this breath as we have formed a habit of only utilising the upper part of our lungs to breathe.

Physiologically this is where we breathe when we are in a stressful situation. A situation which can be catogorised into ‘Fight or Flight’. Either we run for our lives or we put up a fight to survive. Breathing here produces adrenalin, gives us a buzz and creates stress to deal with a life or death situation. It can also result in hyperventilation and panic attacks. Now, our stresses are generally (and luckily) more trivial but the body-response is the same. We don’t need to get into the ‘Fight or Flight’ mode when we are stuck in traffic, working to a tight deadline or dealing with
hyperactive children. We can learn to respond from a centered and well balanced place.

The simplest way to become balanced, relaxed and focused is to breathe properly. Learning to use the full capacity of our lungs will make us healthier in body and mind.

To connect to the complete breath bring one hand to your abdomen and one to your heart.
Imagine that your can fill your lungs by breathing into your abdomen, continue to the sides of your ribs and then to the top of your chest. Breathe out gentle and slowly from the chest, then ribs and finally bringing the abdomen towards the spine.
Allow your body to breathe effectively with the full capacity of your lungs - naturally and relaxed!

Keep in touch through the blog at Families , Facebook , Twitter, and on www.yogaembodied.com.
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Calm Cool and Collected

2010-07-15T11:06:00.000+01:00

This is my first blog for Families Online Magazine ( http://bit.ly/bHr5QU )

Summer is finally here. We have had a few weeks of sunshine and warmth and are now feeling rather hot and bothered. The weather - we can not stop complaining about it.
Here are a few tips on how to stay cool, calm and collected when the heat just becomes too hot to handle.
Cool.

Drink coriander tea. In Ayurvedic Medicine we usually treat with opposite qualities to what is bothering us. To alleviate heat we suggest a cooling quality. Coriander has a cooling nature which calms burning sensations and it is thirst quenching. Coriander is also recommended in fever.
Infuse fresh leaves or seeds with boiling water and steep for a few minutes. Drink it warm or at room temperature. You can add sugar (preferably candy sugar which you can purchase in any Indian shop) for added sweetness and anti-heating properties.
Calm.

Taking a deep breath is the antidote of stress and anger. Sitali pranayama (cooling breathing exercise) is a fantastic tool to cool body and mind. Here is the tricky part:
You need to roll the sides of your tongue up making the shape of a U. Extend the tongue out. Breathe in through the tube shaped tongue. Close your mouth and exhale gently through the nose. Continue for a few slow breaths. Enjoy the cool sensation of the inhale on your tongue and the roof of your mouth.
Collected.

The ancient teachings of Yoga and Ayurveda are great tools for transformation. They teach us how to live in the present and with awareness. Taking time to listen to our body and to feel our feelings can bring great healing. Our body is very intelligent so allow your mind to be guided by your body to avoid illness and let your heart bring peace to your mind.

Enjoy the summer - come rain or shine.

For more information on how to enhance your physical and emotional well-being through Ayurveda and Yoga, please visit www.yogaembodied.com. I teach Yoga and offer Ayurvedic consultations in SW London.

“I love yoga - yoga is a transformational tool, a way of living with grace, love and inspiration. It is more than a physical workout, more than becoming flexible and strong. It is about how we can live our life in a positive way. I wish to bring these ancient, but more than ever relevant, teachings into the class.”

Anja achieved her BSc and PGdip in Ayurveda from Middlesex University. She has completed the ayurvedic massage program which is part of the degree as well as internships in Ayurvedic hospitals in India.

She is a qualified Yoga Teacher focusing on Vinyasa Flow Yoga and Pregnancy Yoga. She is teaching yoga to people from all walks of life in classes, workshops and private yoga training.

Anja Brierley Lange, YRT, PGDip Ayurveda
Yoga instructor and Ayurvedic Practitioner (BSc, PgDip Ayurveda)

www.yogaembodied.com

info@yogaembodied.com
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Online magazine article

2010-07-04T18:28:00.000+01:00

I am very excited to be part of Families Magazine's new online bloggers.

Here is the first blog on how to stay Calm, cool and collected in the hot summer we re experiencing at the moment.

Families Online SW London

Hope you enjoy reading it and please share it with your friends and let me know if you have any requests or ideas you would like me to explore.

Email me here

Chakras, The Elements and Energetics of Yoga

2010-06-20T11:19:00.000+01:00

In yoga and ayurveda chakras (energy centres or wheels of energy), The 5 elements, Marmas (Vital points) and Nadis (energetic channels) are part of our anatomy. These places connect our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual being.

Feeling butterflies in our stomach, having a 'gut feeling', a broken heart, lightness of heart, 'restriction' in our throat or a knot in our stomach are all physical sensations of our energetic body reacting or responding to our environment or energies surrounding us.

The Workshop:
The focus in this workshop is to understand what the chakras symbolises and how to connect with them in our yoga practice. We will discuss these subtle energies and how they affect us and how a focus on the energetics in our yoga practise can influence our response to our environment.

It is a practical yoga class with asanas relating to the 7 main chakras, pranayama (breathing exercises) aiming to balance the nadies connecting the chakras, meditation, shavasana (yogic relaxation) and discussion.

For further information and to book please call, email or look at www.yogaembodied.com.

Saturday the 26th of June 10am - 12.30pm
To book your space:
Please secure your space by booking online through www.yogaembodied.com or in class.

Workshops cost £25 and take place at the Capoiera School in Streatham Hill. Discount: Book by Monday 21st for £20.

Please note the 24 hours cancellation notice.

Namaste

Anja

Resources:

Workshops and New Yoga Class

2010-06-03T19:39:00.000+01:00

Greetings
I have a couple of exciting announcements for June!

I will offer two Saturday Yoga Workshops where we have time to explore and discuss our practice in more detail. This is great for regular yoga practitioners who want to have a greater understanding and newer students will benefit from learning in depth and fundamental principles of yoga

The Ayurvedic clinic expands... I am now also offering evening appointments at the Lavender Heal Clinic in Clapham Junction in addition to the The Tulip Yoga Studio in Clapham Common.

New yoga class in Clapham. I am really excited to add a lunch time class to the timetable. The class is at Lavender Heal near Clapham Junction. Sign up for a 6 week course for £75 starting the 8th of June. We will practise our yoga between 12-1pm. Please contact Lavender Heal to secure your space.

Yoga Workshops:
12th of June 10-12.30
A Firm Foundation - fundamentals of Yoga and Vinyasa Flow. We will work on alignment, using block and belts to get maximum benefit from our yoga practice and lessen the strain or stress that can lead to injury. The principle being: “Stability before Flexibility”.

26th of June 10-12.30
Yoga and the Chakras - the energetics of Yoga. In yoga and ayurveda chakras (energy centres), marmas (Vital points) and Nadis (energetic channels) are part of our anatomy. These places connect our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual being. When you practise yoga or other bodywork both our physical body and emotional body will be involved. The focus in this workshop is to understand what the chakras symbolises and how to connect with them in your yoga practice.

Workshops cost £25 and take place at the Capoiera School in Streatham Hill.
Discount: early bird - book one week in advance for £20
Book both at the same time for £40

Book online on www.yogaembodied.com or in class. Please note the 24 hours cancellation notice.

Optimum Health Ayurveda is a practical application of keeping our body and our mind healthy through lifestyle, diet and if necessary herbs and body treatments.

2010-05-27T11:11:00.000+01:00

Health is the absence of disease and cultivating happiness in body and mind! Disease and imbalances are usually formed by what we eat, the way we eat, our thoughts and the things we do. We might believe we eat healthily and exercise hard but our choices may not suit our unique constitution. In our stressful society where we are bombarded with contradictory messages of what is good or bad it is easy to get confused and out of balance.

Ayurveda believes that every one is unique and therefore our way of maintaining health or dealing with illness will be individual.

An Ayurvedic practitioner can help determine what foods, herbs, lifestyle and activities (including yoga) would be beneficial for you - to maintain and enhance your health, promote immunity, or when dealing with any form of imbalance or illness. You may benefit from a specific diet if you plan a pregnancy, after childbirth or are recovering from illness.

What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the traditional Indian medicinal system still practised in hospitals across India. Ayur can be translated as Life and Veda is knowledge or science. Hence Ayurveda is the Science of Life!

The aim of ayurveda is to focus on health and it is said that the ‘the best cure is prevention’. Living according to Ayurvedic principles is living according to your own individual constitution promoting health in body and mind.

You may seek advice because you have a certain ailment, maybe because you are feeling tired and sluggish, because you want to prepare your body for pregnancy or just want to start taking care of yourself. Ayurveda has and is being used for many reasons and is a way to live one’s life in balance - in body, mind, spirit, senses and emotions.

Consultations, Ayurvedic body treatments such as massage and personalised yoga programs can now be booked with Anja www.yogaembodied.com at Tulip Yoga Studio and Lavender Heal in Clapham where is also offers Yoga classes.

Anja also teaches yoga classes, pregnancy yoga and yoga at work in SW London. You can find further details on ayurveda and yoga on www.yogaembodied.com

Living yoga - Embody Yoga

2010-05-17T14:53:00.000+01:00

I have recently thought very hard about how to live, practice and embody yoga. I have had an amazing, transformative and very busy year. Getting married, then going to India to study at ayurvedic hospitals as part of my Post Grad in Ayurvedic medicine, spent time there relaxing and experiencing Southern India with my husband after 3 months apart. I came back to a very hectic time at university finally concluding my post graduate studies in ayurvedic medicine. Having handed in my assignments and done my exams I have some new found freedom.

I have a social life again, seeing my friends, creating and baking tasty cakes and meals. I enjoy reading - for pleasure. And yes that includes yogic and ayurvedic texts but reading for pleasure is very different from reading for university and exams. I am also spending time figuring out how to work: offering more yoga classes and ayurvedic consultations. Where, how and when...

But all these changes leaves the questions of how to live ayurveda and embrace yogic living. Finding time to practise asana, pranayama, meditate - when times are changing, when stressed, when busy, when tired... But I guess that is what yoga is. It is the journey of finding a way to embrace life and live it to the fullest. Of finding pleasure in life and seeking happiness. I know that after having practised asana I breathe better, I am more alert and more focused. So why is it sometimes so challenging to get on the mat on a daily basis?

A while back I went to a workshop with yoga teacher Mark Whitwell. A very inspiring teacher who asked if we could commit ourselves to practising just 7 minutes every day. It sounds like such a small time to spend so of course that wouldn’t be a challenge! And it wasn’t - for a while. Getting into a habit takes about four weeks and I got into the habit usually staying on the mat for an hour or longer - feeling great! However to break a habit takes... one day... Now I am once again committed to devote 7 minutes to my practise every day! Maybe 7 minutes of Sun salutations, maybe pranayama, a few asana and highly possibly a much longer practise!

I endeavor to inspire myself and possibly you as well by posting some sequences online. Keep in touch on my face book page (Anja Yoga fan page) where youtube clips will be posted for your inspiration and join me on this journey! Let’s commit to 28 days to get into the habit...

Celebrating Earth Month

2010-04-03T13:55:00.000+01:00

In ayurvedic and yogic philosophy everything in and of this World is made of a combination of the five elements: space (Akash), Air (Vayu), fire (Agni or Tejas), water (Jala) and earth (Pritvi).

The attributes of Earth are grounding, heaviness, the connection to Mother Earth - gravity. Earth is stability, permanence and rigidity. In our body we can connect physically with the Earth element in our bones, flesh and muscles - even our teeth!

In our asana practice we can find the connection to Earth through strong grounding posture like the warrior poses, mountain pose, and downward-facing-dog. In every asana we need this relationship to Earth - a grounding which provides stability. When we have this stability we can expand, lift up and grow. For example in mountain pose we feel that the soles of our feet are pressing into the mat and through this connection we can lift up through our chest and the crown of our head - literally growing taller. Another example is in a seated crosslegged position such as sukhasana or padmasana where we instead of grounding through our feet press down through our sitting bones and that way lengthen our spine.

On a spiritual level the Earth element is located in muladhara chakra at the base of the spine. This is also our base for growth and related to our basic needs and our survival instincts such as having somewhere to feel at home, a family/friends support network and being able to feed our selves.

In our anatomy Earth and Water makes up the dosha of Kapha. This manifests as strength, heaviness, soft, cool, oily and sticky qualities. In everyone one of the locations of Kapha is in our respiratory system and too much kapha can become chest infections, colds and a runny nose. People who are predominately kapha will generally have large eyes, strong white teeth, smooth skin and they look stabile and strong often having a larger body frame. They are usually down to Earth, taking it easy and likes to sleep. If imbalanced, Kapha people may put on weight due to their love of tasty food and sweets and may have a tendency to become lazy. We are all made up of a unique combination of all five elements and the three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) and learning to listen to our body we can create mental, emotional and physical balance - starting from our foundation, our root - the Earth Element!

Pregnancy Yoga classes starting soon

2010-03-29T14:28:00.000+01:00

Pre-natal yoga classes for Mothers-To-Be...

I am delighted to offer yoga classes to South London's pregnant women!

Pregnancy is a time of growth and transformation. Becoming a mother is an exciting development in a woman’s life. Yoga is a tool that can benefit the expectant mother to embrace this time. Yoga is a way of living mindfully and consciously and going to a Pregnancy Yoga Class may help to feel more aware of the changes in one’s physical body as well as the emotional changes. Ailments such as back ache and shortness of breath may benefit from from practising yoga.

Practising yoga during your pregnancy may benefit you in many ways.
Enhance strength and fitness

Yoga is a great way of bringing awareness to your body while gaining physical body strength and better stamina

Improve balance, posture and stability
Being mindfull of how we use our body we will explore safe ways to find our centre of gravity as it changes with the growth of baby. A good posture can alleviate many aches and pains such as lower back ache and sciatica as well as breathlessness.
Relieve emotional stress and anxiety
With the awareness of breath we connect our physical body and mental/emotional state.
Yoga gives us a positive attitude as we explore how our body moves and accommodates for a growing baby.
Learning breathing exercises helps us to relax and is also a great tool for birthing.

The instructions and sequences will be different at every class. Classes are inspiring and safe with attention to correct alignment, flowing movements and exploring the physical body and breath (pranayama).Classes include a final relaxation and some meditation.
Traditional yogic scriptures, ayurvedic knowledge and contemporary spiritual texts inspires the creative sequencing of the class to challenge your mind as well as your body!
Options of modifications and variationsof postures are given during the class to suit both new yogis and more experienced. Everyone is different and we all have individual challenges in our practice.
The classes are open to women who have never practised yoga before as well as experienced yoginis!
Come and be prepared to move, sweat a little, stretch and relax!

About Anja:
“I love yoga - yoga is a transformational tool, a way of living with grace, love and inspiration. It is more than a physical workout, more than becoming flexible and strong. It is about how we can live our life in a positive way. I wish to bring these ancient, but more than ever relevant, teachings into the class.”
Anja first encountered yoga in her native Denmark in the late 1990s and from then on continued to practise and study various styles of yoga. Living in London she has studied and trained in the capital and her interest has brought her to India and America for further studies. She is currently studying for her PGDip in Ayurveda while teaching yoga in classes, privately and to a charity.

Streatham Classes:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8pm - 9.20pm (Vinyasa Flow) £10
Tuesdays 6.30pm-7.40pm (Pregnancy Yoga - starts 13th April) £10
Thursdays 6.30pm-7.45pm (Slow Flow Yoga - starts 15th April) £10
Capoeira School (above Barclays Bank)
136 Streatham High Road, Streatham
SW16 1HD (entrance on Woodbourne Avenue)

Clapham Classes and Clinic:
Mondays 10am - 11.15am (Vinyasa Flow - starts 12th of April)
Ayurveda Clinic, Tuesdays (see www.yogaembodied.com for details)
Tulip Yoga Studio
3b, 9 Park Hill
Clapham SW4 9NS

For more information contact Anja:
07963820702

www.yogaembodied.com
info@yogaembodied.com

Expanding new classes and venues

2010-03-09T15:24:00.000Z

So many exciting things are happening at the moment!

I am at the end of my Post Graduate degree in Ayurvedic Medicine. And I am so excited! I can finally set up my practice and devote my time to Yoga and Ayurveda.

Well I guess that is what I have been doing the past 4 years while I have been studying as well teaching... But I am looking forward to put it more into practice.

So will I am doing my last assignments, studying for exams and doing my homework I am also expanding my classes, seeing more private classes and seeing clients for Ayurvedic consultations.

I am trying to keep my self focused, calm and centered - though it is a challenge at times I am pleased that I have my yoga practice. Practising physical asana helps getting me out of my head and connect with my body again, breathing helps me keep calm (or calms me down at least!) and I am now taking Brami a herb good for the intellect (!) and memory... I keep my essential oils burning while I study...

See the newest newsletter below for what is happening in the very near future with regards to yoga and ayurveda:

http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=972153ab28dd98cc4b734604c&id=30a31500ca

Newsletter!

2010-02-01T10:04:00.001Z

https://us1.admin.mailchimp.com/blog-publish?u=972153ab28dd98cc4b734604c&id=17

Om magazine & Yoga classes

2010-01-27T10:45:00.000Z

I was featured in the first edition of Om Magazine - have a look:

OM Magazine - article

Yoga classes starting - come join us!

2010-01-27T10:41:00.000Z

VINYASA FLOW
YOGA CLASS
CLASSES, ONE-TO-ONES, WORKSHOPS

- Greater Strength and Stamina
- Increase Flexibility and Focus
- Reduce Stress and Anxiety
- Better Balance and Posture

Drop in Classes for all levels

Tuesdays and Thursdays 8pm - 9.30pm £10
Capoeira School (above Barclays Bank)
136 Streatham High Road
SW16 1BW
entrance on Woodbourne Avenue
Starting 2nd of February 2010

See www.yogaembodied.com for details and teaching schedule
Anja is a qualified yoga teacher registered with the Independent Yoga Network

YOGA classes

2010-01-27T10:37:00.001Z

Anja's yoga article

2009-11-14T14:44:00.000Z

Dear Friends and Family,

Trust you are well and enjoying autumn. I can't believe it is November and here I am in warm sunshine in India!

I am really enjoying my ayurvedic placements. I am learning so much - I have been away for just 5 weeks and learned more than being at university for 3 years! It is very intense. We are observing/practicing/learning 12 hours a day 6 days a week - minimum... But it is so inspiring.

We are now in Hassan at a very popular and large teaching hospital/university. Our day start at 7am with yoga. What a great way to start the day! So I am still practicing though not teaching. And I do miss teaching. One of my lovely friends has kindly scanned and emailed me the attached article which is published in the new yoga magazine Om Magazine. I wrote it before I went to India so it is very exciting to see it in print! Hope you enjoy reading it.

Apologies for the group email - not very personal I know... To the lovely staff at Headway: please forward my regards to the other staff, volunteers and attenders... Thank you

Warm Wishes

Anja

Anja Brierley Lange

Traveling yogini...
my blog

Update from India

2009-11-05T11:01:00.000Z

I have now been in India for nearly 6 weeks. And time is a to relative. In some ways it feels like I have been here for a long long time: I have experienced so much and learned tons of stuff. On the other hand it is only just over a month!

I am now in Hassan at a large Ayurvedic teaching hospital. We are having quite a busy schedule here. Starting with yoga at 7am. I love yoga – I love practicing on my own and in classes; dynamic, vinyasa flow and more meditative practices. And I love teaching yoga in classes and to individuals: This I have been missing while I have been away. The yoga here is often taught by doctors of Naturopathy and Yoga. They have a training which also include massage and acupuncture and lasts for 5 years minimum. The style of yoga is very classical in the sense that they practice an asana for a short while and then relax either standing or in shavasana before going to the next asana. There has not been so much emphasis on alignment which may reflect that yoga asana here is a regular part of a daily routine and people are used to listening to what their body can and can not do. For example our teacher instructs us to practice matsyasana (fish pose) in padmasana which I would generally think is rather advanced! However it is great being taught and I enjoy our morning classes.

After yoga we have placements in Out Patient Departments. Ayurveda has various branches including paediatrics, surgery, psychiatric, women's health and general practice which includes ear, nose and throat, digestive and skin disorders etc.

The hospital has a great Pancha Karma clinic where we learn to do procedures such as vamana (vomiting therapy), virechanan (purgation), basti (enema), abhyanga (oil massage) and other treatments. We have practical sessions on how to prepare the herbs and medicines as well as how to perform them. Most of the in patients have some kind of Pancha Karma treatment which is generally a combination of various treatments leading up to the final cleansing procedure. It is amazing how they use these treatments and how effective it is on so many ailments from diabetes, sciatica, skin problems to insomnia, IBS and arthritis.

We have lectures and discussion as well as research time so our day at the hospital rarely finishes before 7.30pm – 6 days a week! But we enjoy it and we learn so much. It is very inspiring.

One of our main teachers and coordinator is in manasa roga (psychiatry). This hospital is one of the only Ayurvedic Universities to offer a PhD in manasa roga and which also have a psychiatric ward. Here they deal with depression as well as addictions.

And while I am here in India London has seen the yearly Yoga Show and the launch of Om Magazine. I am very excited to be part of the first issue. So if you have a chance have a look in the magazine please read my article on a healthy digestive system and how to keep it in optimum conditions during the festive season!

Namaste

Anja

Week end in Belguam

2009-10-05T08:07:00.000+01:00

Today we have seen a little bit of sun. And it is the first dry day since Monday. And it is Sunday, our
only day off during the week! Time for celebrating...
Saturday night was spent watching a movie, The Karma Sutra. Beautiful costumes and stunning
scenery filmed in India. We had freshly made crisps made of banana and potatoes – a proper girlie
Saturday night!
I slept in today though not by my usual London standards. The whole week I have been getting up
between 5.15-5.30am to get ready for our clinical placements but today I only got out of bed a couple
of hours later.
It was time for a good clean in the flat. It seems like it is always dusty and dirty on the tiled floors – no
matter how much you wash them. We go through a few cloths every time we do the cleaning... The
hospital is adamant on us getting a cleaner (which we declined – we all just clean in different ways) and
a laundry wallah (probably from tomorrow). However I was really excited today when I found a
laundrette which claims to have a washing machine. What kind I have no idea. But it sounds promising.
It has been so wet and damp that even washing light and small bits takes days to dry.
On my venture out to explore our part of town I had breakfast on a really lovely and very smart cafe
where all the young and trendy students from the Engineering and Science University goes, a place
where they rent out DVDs in English too and on my way back I found Indian Vogue Magazine. Bliss.
So now I have been soaking my rather dirty feet and given them a good clean while feeding my soul
with the beauty of fashion (from a yogic point of view there was an interesting article by Deepak
Chopra on Indian women and spirituality including yoga)!
Now it is soon time for lunch and it is just wonderful to be able to walk outside without getting soaked
from the constant showers.
Back from lunch... And we got caught in the rain – again. We had lunch at the trendy cafe. Very tasty
and not too spicy at all but by Indian standards rather expensive; two vegetable dishes, vegetable
biriani, two breads and a freshly made pineapple juice for nearly £3.
One of our doctors had recommended us to go the Rama Krishna ashram for evening bhajan. We
arrived quite early and had a look around the grounds. We found the bookstore... and if you like books
and if you like books on anything to do with spirituality then India is your place. I came back with 5
books and many more I want to purchase. I love books... and here they are very cheap! I think the
Royal Mail will find a lot of book parcels coming back to my home in London!
Well, now it is time for our evening ritual. We usual end our day with hot milk – or milky herbal tea
before bed. And tomorrow is another day at the hospital.

Lessons in trust and surrender.

2009-09-28T11:10:00.000+01:00

Yoga teaches us steps so that we can achieve ishavara pranisad Surrendering to Universe or God.
If you have traveled in India you may have experienced the frustrations due to the lack of obvious
organisation and structure. Try crossing the road for a start...
Hmm my lessons started before this trip. I am now in India and feel very peaceful amidst the seemingly
noisy and busy bustle of rickshaws, cows and people. But the organisation back in the UK leading up to
this trip was not so peaceful.
I am here as part of my degree in ayurvedic medicine. And it was challenging waiting for our itinary for
our placements and advice regarding visa.
We finally did get our tickets... Then our next challenge were to apply for visas. We were all refused a
student visa with some getting 6 months entry or tourist visa and some (me) just a 3 months visa – not
long enough to finish our placements or time for a bit of travel.
Reaplying for the visa was slightly nervewrecking. I handed in my passport yet again on the Tuesday
planning to leave Friday. In that time I learned, or started seriously to learn, the lessons of surrender to
what is. I had done all I could but however long it may take the Indian High Commsion to cancel one
visa and make another I had no idea... So the only thing I could do was to be present – one breath at the
time. I am still learning but this was a valuable lesson for me in being in the moment. Yes I was worried
about not getting my booked plane or having to leave early from India. But “what is the worst case
scenario?” my very supportive husband asked. And really the worst cases I could come up with were
really not all that bad!
But visa arrived and I breathed a sigh of relief getting very excited about going to the magic land of
India.
The journey could not have been easier. Heathrow terminal 5 was as calm and serene an airport ever
could be. Myself and Sharon had a lovely filling meal at Waga Mama and did our last minute shopping
before boarding our overnight flight to Mumbai. Arriving in Mumbai on schedule we dished the plan of
a 15 hour overnight train to Belgaum and a long stay in Mumbai waiting to depart and instead bought a
last minute ticket for a flight to Hubli. And we got our tickets, did our transfer and our check in just in
time. Absolutely perfect timing (with not a minute to spare). In Hubli we got a taxi for the journey to
Belgaum listening to Bollywood music along the way whilst wacthing the scenery. Ahh bliss.
Our contact was here waiting for us despite us arriving a day early making sure we got settled in each
of our lovely little appartments.
I can not express how absolutely wonderful this experience is so far. How kind and warm the people
we have met are and how helpful. I am at this moment sitting in the shade at 8.30am on my balcony. I
woke up did my yoga practise, got ready and am now waiting for my friend to join me for breakfast.
Looking forward to idli and sambar. And then we are off to the Big Bazaar with yet another helpful
staff from KLE ayurvedic hospital.
Am feeling very blessed!
Namaste

Sharing my thoughts...

2009-09-16T12:08:00.001+01:00

I created this blog to keep in touch with you all; friends, family, fellow yoga students - yogis and yoginis while I am away in India furthering my studies in Ayurvedic Medicine.

Having been practicing yoga for more than 10 years now my practice brought me knowledge of yoga's sister science AYURVEDA (Ayur=life, Veda=knowledge). This is the traditional Indian medical system compromising treatments of herbs, lifestyle, bodywork as well as asana (yoga) and pranayama.

It was a workshop with the amazing Dr Robert Svoboda at the Sivananda Centre in Putney that inspired me - it was one of those moments of thinking "Yes, this it definitely what I want to commit to". And that is pretty big for me... Committing to a university degree lasting 3 years. And then the Post Graduate/Masters which you need to be a fully qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner. But now I am a BSc in Ayurveda (and those who knew me as a schoolgirl would probably not have thought I would voluntarily go to school again!). And now I am very nearly on my way to India to start my clinical practice which is part of the Post Graduate Diploma.

I have meet so many wonderful people sharing the teachings of yoga over the past few years. And although I may not personally know many of the yogis who join my classes, your energy and presence have made it a joy to teach. I will be looking forward to come back to the classes in January and will keep you all updated on where and when I will teach.

Stay in touch...

Namaste

Anja

Yoga Embodied

Yoga workshop and open day in Streatham

Anja Brierley Lange - Yoga instructor and Ayurvedic Practitioner / Blogs / London South West / LOCATIONS / Home - Families Magazine Online

Summer Yoga

Summer Flow Sunday Session - Yoga Workshop

Summer FlowSafe BackbendsOpen Heart Yoga Workshop

Folding forward - I bow to...

This is the second part of the Sun Salute series written for Families Online on the 17/04/2011 3:55 pm :

Standing Forward Bends

Let’s start:

Moving with the breath - follow the flow.

As always have fun, follow your breath and listen to your body.

Tadasana - Steady as a mountain

This is from my blog at Families Online where we are investigating the Sun Salute! Please stay in touch to get the full sequence explained...

Best way to start is from the foundation - standing up tall and steady. Here we go:

Start practising the Vinyasa (moving with the breath) between these two poses.

Have fun and enjoy the flow, the breath, prana, life!

Sunday Session - Flow Yoga: Hips and the Pelvis

Spring Workshop!

Spring Yoga Workshop

The flight of the Eagle

This Blog was published for Families Magazine on the 28/01/2011 5:43 pm by Anja Brierley Lange. Please have a look to stay up to date with the blogs and other interesting articles. I also welcome you to join my newsletter HERE,

Birds have always fascinated me. The thought of being able to just fly high in the sky! This blog is about a mystical bird - the Garuda...

Take a seat

Enjoy this blog which was published in January at Families Online. This is one of my favorite asanas and really helpful at this time Spring - time of renewal...

Are you reacting or responding?

Dance of Destruction

04/12/2010 11:02 am Anja Brierley Lange published first in Families Online

Let's go dancing

About Anja:

The Warrior Dance

The Warrior Dance

The Warrior Goddess

Wellness in Pregnancy - Pregnancy Massage

Blissful Body

What oils to choose

Calm down man - and boost your masculinity

Welcoming Autumn

Staying Centered - steps for an enhanced daily routine.

And how will husbands cope?

The woman who has a hundred husbands...

Take a Breath

Calm Cool and Collected

Online magazine article

Chakras, The Elements and Energetics of Yoga

Workshops and New Yoga Class

Optimum Health Ayurveda is a practical application of keeping our body and our mind healthy through lifestyle, diet and if necessary herbs and body treatments.

Living yoga - Embody Yoga

Celebrating Earth Month

Pregnancy Yoga classes starting soon

Expanding new classes and venues

Newsletter!

Om magazine & Yoga classes

Yoga classes starting - come join us!

YOGA classes

Anja's yoga article

Update from India

Week end in Belguam

Lessons in trust and surrender.

Sharing my thoughts...

Summer Flow

Safe Backbends
Open Heart

Yoga Workshop

This is the second part of the Sun Salute series written for Families Online on the 17/04/2011 3:55 pm

:

This Blog was published for Families Magazine on the 28/01/2011 5:43 pm
by
Anja Brierley Lange. Please have a look to stay up to date with the blogs and other interesting articles. I also welcome you to join my newsletter HERE,

04/12/2010 11:02 am

Anja Brierley Lange
published first in Families Online