On The Same Time Zone

Category: Asana Practise and Wellness Through Movement

About yoga classes, stand up paddling, injuries and moving in general

The Traveling Yoga Mat
It is 100% true that to practise yoga all you need is the willingness and the patience to do so. The yamas and the niyamas are accessible everywhere, and there is no “wrong” way of practising them. Equally breathing techniques, pranayama, can be incorporated into everything, because well, it’s breathing! As for asana practise, a minimum amount of flat space is of course desirable but after that, the choice of outfit is up to each of us. Even the yoga mat is not compulsory – after all in the ancient times yoga was practised on the ground and the yoga mat as we know it these days is a fairly modern Western invention.
The reality is however that many of us do prefer to practise with some kind of mat, and if asana practise is part of your routine, you probably prefer having your own mat with you as much as possible. Making space for the regular 180 cm and two-three kilo mat is not a massive issue when traveling with a proper suitcase. In fact, it often has come in handy as it can add some much needed cushioning for the more delicate items, such as a dozen or so Cypriot olive oil bottles I have found myself dragging to various places.
Things get a little bit trickier though if you want to travel light with hand luggage only, a fact not helped by the fact that airlines (and airports) can have very different attitude towards bulkier items. About a year ago I invested in a foldable (eco-friendly and ethically made because these things matter) travel yoga mat and whilst folding the mat (instead of rolling) first felt like a sacrilege I did get used to it and seriously, this mat has been golden! It weights under 1,5 kilos (that’s 3.2 pounds), is about 2 millimetres thick and has the best grip of all my mats (mind you, the “normal” Jade mats also have a fantastic grip.) In my backpack I can wrap it around my laptop for extra protection, and I have also used it rolled up as a prop to open up the chest and as a picnic mat because why not?
Some of the mat’s recent adventures are here in the pictures. You can read more about different yogamats here.

Tallenna
Tallenna
August 12, 2017
Never too hot for yoga
July in Cyprus has been insanely hot (as in, A LOT hotter than the average 36-37C degrees) and humid. I still keep my yoga classes going (with great attendance as well so big bravo for everybody showing great dedication) but I have slowed down the rhythm of them somewhat. Focus has been on breath, some more detailed yoga philosophy and anatomy conversation and revisiting the basic poses, really taking our time to explore them and what difference minor adjustments can do. When lying down makes you sweat there is no point to have a super strong practise.
The one exception to this is the SUP yoga sessions I have been guiding on early Sunday mornings. It is the best time for the practise as the sun is high yet and the sea is little bit cooler. I’ve had many people coming to try SUP yoga (or “yoga inspired SUP fitness class” as I like to call it) for the first time, some of them yoga teachers themselves. I always tell them that they should not expect the practise on the board to be anything similar to their mat sessions. There is always some movement and current going on in the sea, none of which you can really predict. Although the boards used for SUP yoga are stable, they are still boards on the water and balance can be hard to maintain. Therefore warriors and lunges are done with a wider stance and you definitely get to work and feel your muscles in a different way. The SUP practise is also a good test on the state of ego: falling into the water happens easily but it is also part of the fun, as long as you let it be fun. At least the water is clear and warm, and you are guaranteed to wake up if there was no time for coffee in the morning.
Below are some pictures from my SUP yoga sessions this summer and during previous years. All of them are taken by the crew at WindsurfCityCyprus. To catch the next class I teach follow my Facebook page.

Tallenna
July 19, 2017
International Yoga Day in Platres
Since 2015 the 21st June has not only marked Summer Solistice but also the International Day of Yoga, as agreed (by an unprecedented consensus) by the United Nation’s General Assembly in December 2014. The idea to observe Yoga Day came from India’s Prime Minister Narenda Modi who at the time stated:
“For us in India, respect for nature is an integral part of spiritualism. We treat nature’s bounties as sacred. Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change and in bettering our well being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.”
Ever since its conception Yoga Day has been embraced internationally with mass yoga sessions across the world, from Times Square in New York to events hosted in rural villages. The latter is exactly what took place in Cyprus this year. For the 3rd International Yoga Day the High Commission of India to Cyprus organised a sunset mass yoga practise in collaboration with the Community of Platres, a village situated some 1000 metres above the sea level in the Troodos Mountains. It was a beautiful event with great level of participation, definitely worth the drive up the mountains.
Here are some pictures from the event.
No Commandaria for me!
Not even falling rocks could have stopped me!
How was your International Yoga Day?
Tallenna
June 23, 2017
Yoga Etiquette: Good-to-knows for new students
It can be just as daunting as it is exciting to start a new activity and yoga is no exception to that. Whether you start to practise in a fancy yoga studio or at a more down to earth community centre, here’s a list of few unwritten rules that most yogis around the word follow. The physical yoga practise is individual yet collectively done and observing the yoga etiquette ensures a pleasant and respectful experience for everybody involved. It might also ease any starter nerves there might be. Most of these rules are pretty common sense though so most importantly, remember to enjoy your yoga class!
Arrive on time and stay for the whole class
Punctuality is always appreciated, especially in a space where there is one class after another one. However, even in a more relaxed setting please show your appreciation for the practise and respect for other participants by arriving on time. You can always roll out your mat and lie down to steady your breath and to settle in before the class starts. If you happen to run late for some reason, please enter the class discretely (if it is still possible – some studios can refuse entry if you arrive late.) It is equally appreciated that you stay for the whole class rather than pack your stuff when the relaxation starts. If you for some reason absolutely cannot stay for savasana, please inform the teacher in advance and take your place near the door so you can quietly slip out without disturbing others before the relaxation starts.
Switch your phone off and appreciate the silence
When you arrive to your yoga class, remember to switch off your phones, tablets and anything else that might make a noise during the class. This includes taking off any noisy necklaces or bracelets. And for heaven’s sake, if your phone rings, do not waste any time checking who is calling or even worse, answer it. Just sayin’ as it has happened…
Yoga classes can be great places to meet like-minded people but reserve your chatting to the space outside the class as many people like to take the time before (and after) the class to meditate or to enjoy the relaxed feeling. Keeping noise and chatter to the minimum during the class is also a question of safety as people will need to be able to stay focused and concentrate on (and hear!) the instructions given. After all, you want to be respectful of the environment, the teacher and the people around you, as well as preserve the energy of the class.
Be aware of the space you take and of that around you
If there is enough room in the room your yoga class takes place it is common courtesy to stagger your mats so that people behind you can see the teacher. Check also that you are not likely to hit the person on your left and right if spreading your arms to your side. If the class is packed, make room to those joining the class after you by moving your mats closer to each other and be attentive with your asanas. Be also mindful of your steps: do your best to avoid walking on other people’s yoga mats. Finally, we all have good days and bad days. Do not throw your stuff around but equally, offer your quiet smile to those who seem to need it.
Keep it clean!
Yoga is practised barefoot although usually you are welcomed to put warm clothes on during savasana for comfort (and health!) However, the yoga etiquette would like you to leave your shoes outside the yoga space and remove your socks. Trust me, nobody cares about your feet as long as they are clean, just like the rest of you. If you are borrowing a mat please clean it if there is a product offered for that and take it (together with other props) to where they belong after the class is over. Also go easy on perfume, scented body lotions, make up etc. Sensitivity or even allergic reactions to strong scents are a real thing.
Listen (to your body), try modifications and focus on yourself
Whilst yoga can be massively helpful for one’s physical and mental health, it is not a miracle cure for anything and it is entirely possible to hurt oneself if not practising with care. Make sure you inform your teacher with any injuries you might have so s/he can offer suitable modifications. Also feel free to take a break during the practise (by staying on your mat) if anything gets too much. Your teacher can guide you but nobody can be inside your head so learn to listen what your body tells. If unsure about your health and yoga, please speak to your medical practitioner before starting.
Even without any injuries, let go of any expectations of what you think your practise should look like, and never compare yourself to the person next to you or whatever you saw on Instagram the other day. Rather concentrate on the feeling, try out modifications suggested and if your mind starts wondering, do your best to bring your focus back to the practise. These things do not come easy for the majority of us but being aware of them is a good place to start. After all, it is not called yoga PRACTISE for nothing.
Yoga is much more than the physical practise so be interested about how to integrate it to your daily life.
Sure enough not all yoga classes include any talk about the philosophy per se but all of the points mentioned about yoga etiquette are rooted in its philosphical principles. Curious to learn more? You can start by checking out my posts about Yamas and Niyamas.
Tallenna
Tallenna
Tallenna
Tallenna
Tallenna
May 31, 2017
About Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is one of the most widespread yoga styles in the world, yet it is not as familiar to many as other yoga styles, such as hatha and asthanga. My first experience with Iyengar yoga was three years ago on a surf and yoga camp in Portugal, where I rocked up with a dislocated shoulder I had gotten the day before the camp started. Annoyed with myself, I was so impressed and relieved when morning yoga teacher did not bat an eyelid after hearing about my misfortune and instead said “it is ok for you to do yoga, we modify what we need to modify.” That lady was an Iyengar teacher and I was made a fan of the style there and then.
Iyengar Yoga, named after and developed by BKS Iyengar (1918 – 2014), has an emphasis on detail, precision and alignment in the performance of posture and breath control. Iyengar Yoga is known for making use of props, such as belts, blocks, and blankets, as aids in performing asana. The props enable students to perform the asanas correctly, allowing them to stay longer, minimising the risk of injury or strain, and making the postures accessible to both young and old, able and less able.
Last weekend I had the chance to participate in an Iyengar workshop. Rather than repeating second hand stories, I decided to interview our teacher Vula Bolou, a Junior Intermediate Level 3 teacher who has been a direct student of BKS Iyengar. Himself. Here is what she had to say.
In business world the concept of elevator pitch is used to describe a short sales speech, or a summary to quickly define a product, process, service or organisation and its value proposition. What would be your elevator pitch for Iyengar Yoga to somebody who has very limited knowledge of yoga all together?
Yoga is the oldest method of self-development. Iyengar yoga which is a special method developed by an Indian man called BKS Iyengar. He used asana (yoga postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises) to make himself better in every way possible. Using this method he achieved clarity of mind and good health, reaching the age of 96. He also possibly reached higher stages of consciousness and in general lived life to the full.
What attracted you to Iyengar over other styles of yoga?
I started yoga when a friend of mine asked me to go to the gym with her and I said that I am not going to do aerobics, what else is there at the gym to do. They had hatha yoga and after a year of hatha another friend took me to a new teacher. She was teaching Iyengar and I stayed with her. I have tried other yoga methods too but my heart is with Iyengar. So I happened to find the style very early on and not through an injury or similar, which is a common path for people to come to this method.
How would you promote Iyengar to people who prefer strong and dynamic vinyasa flow-type yoga classes?
You know, I would not “sell” Iyengar yoga in a sense that if somebody really enjoys a fast paced yoga classes, they will not enjoy Iyengar class the same way. It has to come from within the individual to find something that they need, something that a faster class cannot offer. One needs to be open to the idea that maybe the asana practise can be understood better if done in a slower pace: As the practise is slower, there is just more time for everything. Iyengar yoga can bring more clarity and depth to even the simple poses such as trikonasana. In Iyengar we also use pranayama a different way than in other styles and that offers a different perspective.
Your title, Junior Intermediate Level 3, sounds a bit complicated. Can you explain that to us?

BKS Iyengar wanted to create certain rules and hierarchy in his method to the way he was teaching yoga. To become an Iyengar yoga teacher you first of all need to have had a regular practise with an Iyengar certified teacher for 3 years. After that you can take the first training that lasts 2 years. You can think of this like as a BSc-level “degree.” After that you have Junior Intermediate Level 1 for which you can apply after 18 months after the completion of your first degree and that training takes one year, followed by Intermediate level 2 and level 3 trainings. Then you have Senior Intermediate 1, 2 and 3, followed by Junior Advanced. The highest level of certification is Senior Advanced. In between the certifications you of course need to have years of personal practise, as that is in the heart of yoga – all yoga.
Thank you so much for this talk Vula! Where can we catch you teaching in the future apart from your home base Athens?
I teach regularly in the Greek Islands. In the past I have been also in Austria, the UK and India now am in the talks to go and teach in Turku, Finland and in Copenhagen. You can check www.treeofyoga.org and santorinilovesyoga.com for details.

The BKS Iyengar pictures are from the Internet, all others are mine.
Tallenna
Tallenna
Tallenna
March 23, 2017
Yoga Tourist in Paris Part 2
Originally I had planned to go to an advanced level vinyasa class on my last full day in Paris. With all the walking done over the days (and long dinner on Tuesday on Tuesday evening) I however started feeling like something mellower would be a better fit for the day. As mentioned I had really like the energy at Studio Keller the day before and I quick look at their schedule showed there was an afternoon all levels vinyasa class (vinyasa tout niveau.) I was really curious to see an all-levels class by another teacher as it is common for most teachers to have a class with people of different abilities and it can be challenging to keep it interesting and challenging enough for everybody. The afternoon class was also Studio Keller’s weekly community class so it was priced only at 10 euros. What’s not to like!?
At the start of the class the teacher greeted returning students by their names, went through all the new people to get their names and introducing herself. She also checked who was new to yoga and maybe most importantly, if anybody had any injuries or restrictions on the day she should be aware of. Unfortunately this is not a question you often hear at classes although especially in the case of people new to asana-practise it allows the teacher to modify the poses based on whatever issue a practitioner might have. I get that in a big class giving individual attention to everybody is simply not do-able but if you have to choose who you are going to give it, this is probably the best way to find out.
The actual yoga was great although personally it was not the best practise I have had. Variations for the vinyasas were given (one being staying in child’s pose) and all the instructions were clear to follow for everybody (which did not stop me from getting confused between right and left but that happens to me everywhere, in every language) and there was a lot of humour. There was a really warm atmosphere in the room that goes to tell a lot about the quality of the teaching. Highly recommended!
There are numerous other yoga studios left to visit so do let me know what are your favourites in the comments as I hope to go and visit the City of Lights again later this year!
Tallenna
February 28, 2017
Yoga Tourist in Paris
There is a real yoga scene in Paris and as I was due to visit my old hometown over few days I naturally wanted to check out what is on offer. Cue a message to the “Finnish people in Paris” Facebook page (note to self, 1am on a Saturday morning is probably not the best time for any question) and googling along the lines “best yoga classes in Paris.”
First impressions? The prices! Apparently you can charge 35€ for a class (and not a workshop, a 60 to 90 minute class)! Average seemed to be around 15€ to 20€ a class but as there is a lot on offer it was worthwhile digging a bit deeper. Most places offer the first visit at a reduced rate and there are several more moderately priced options.
Second impression? Booking in advance online was required for most places. I had sort of forgotten that this is the norm in most big places (Cyprus, as a country, has 1 million people compared to almost 10 in Paris) as a class can easily be 40 people. On the Island we call that a festival! But I suppose booking things before hand can help you get organised with your life so I can definitely see the benefits of it too.
Just a random happy cat on the streets of Paris.
I was determined to start as I meant to go along so for my first class I booked a 8 am “Rise” session at The Yoga Factory (Metro Oberkampf). The name had popped up on most of my searches, the morning classes were prices very reasonably at 7 euros and you did not have to book. I found the place without too much trouble (but did walk past it once before turning back), filled in the form at the reception and was directed to the changing room. The place had a cool industrial vibe to it (hence the “factory”) and was busy even at the early morning.
Now two things happened that I take full responsibility of. Firstly, I somehow managed to omit the fact that The Yoga Factory is all about hot yoga, and in every class the room is heated to +28C. I was a bit surprised by the temperature in the room when I first walked in but hey, I was after new experiences and to be completely honest, I would have probably never entered the place had I known it was about hot yoga (yes, I am that open minded.)
Yes it says “Hot Yoga” on that thing on the door. I noticed it too when I left.
The other thing was that for some reason I had thought the class would be some kind of Hatha variation, nothing too crazy. Obviously I had not bothered to read the class descriptions either. Well, hatha it was not. “Rise” at The Yoga Factory was a full-on 60 minute vinyasa flow like I had not experienced it in several years. To give you an idea how fast paced it was, the 60 minutes included a generous pranayama practise at the start, at least 6 (I lost count) rounds of full Sun Salutation variations, 5 different warrior poses, half moon pose, a whole bunch of the most common standing poses, bakasana (crow pose) as arm balance, tripod headstand for inversion, full bow pose and savasana. All tied together to form a continuous flow that did not stop for a second.
I had said I was after new and different experiences so I was truly served with this one. It could not have been further away from my regular practise! Whilst I did find the class a little bit too fast and “full” for my taste it was also fun and surprisingly energising. With no booking and the 7 euro price tag for the morning and a 17:15 “Happy Hour” class I happily go back to the Yoga Factory when in Paris next time. I will also take my towel with me.
I decided however to pay a bit more attention to the next class I was booking. I figured that with all the walking around the city I could do with something more restorative so I booked a Meditation and Yin yoga class for the next day at the Studio Keller (Metro Voltaire). I had heard great things about this place and they offer an introductory class for 13 euros. After the booking they send me an email with the codes to the building (another thing I had forgotten, the door codes in Paris) and at the door naturally I tried them in the wrong order, the last one letting me in through the first door. Good thing I was on time.
Studio Keller is another beautiful place if a complete opposite to Yoga Factory. This one had a more traditional yoga-shala-meets-old-Parisian-apartment vibe to it with wooden floors and light colours, mix and match props and a lot of light. The class was divine, also pretty busy for a Tuesday morning but very relaxing and calming. After the 15 minutes or so (?) meditation at the start the teacher was very hands on with the asana practise, offering adjustments, helping with the props and to get deeper into the poses in an effective way. Just wonderful!
I liked the feeling of Studio Keller so much I decided to go back for more the next day but about that in the next post.
February 21, 2017
The Devil is in the detail
Since I have several pictures of my chairpose, utkatasana, from the past few years I decided to share them to illustrate how the learning never ends. Even the seemingly simple poses can reveal themselves having multiple layers to be discovered. This is one of the reasons why I enjoy a slower practise these days as it allows the time to really focus on how a particular asana feels and where it can exactly go.
Arkistoistani löytyy useampikin kuva tuoli-asanasta (utkatasana) jotka esittävät hyvin kuinka se on muuttunut (paremmaksi) viimeisen parin vuoden aikana. Jopa näistä yksinkertaisimmistakin asanoista löytyy monia eri tasoja jotka avautuvat vuosien harjoittelun aikana. Tämän takia pidän nykyään myös enemmän hitaimmista harjoituksista koska ne antavat enemmän aikaa keskittymiseen ja asanana tunnusteluun.
The below picture was taken about three years ago. Today it makes me want to hurl and cover my eyes, although I remember being pretty pleased with myself with this one. So, why do I find this so unbearable photo to look at today?
Tämä kuva on otettu noin kolme vuotta sitten ja suoraan sanoen hävettää tänä päivänä. Itse kuvanottohetkellä muista kyllä olleeni todella tyytyväinen asentoon. Mutta mikä siinä sitten nyt mättää?
It two words, that lower back/lumbar spine. I have a naturally big curvature there anyway which means I really have to pay attention to my back and posture in general and make sure I engage my abs too to support the torso. Well, no abs being used here, hence the back being put on a risk of future strain and pain. On a milder note, not sure what I am thinking that my hands are doing because they do not seem to be very engaged here either. Finally, despite the photo being taken from a bit of an angle it looks like my knees are way over my toes (and the weight of the foot is more on the toes) which is not great either for the health of the knees. In short, do not try this at home!
Yhdellä sanalla, alaselkä! Alaselkäni luonnollinen kurvi on, noh, hieman kurvikkaampi kuin ns. normaali selkäranka. Sen takia minun täytyy (täytyisi) aina muistaa käyttää tehokkaasti myös vatsalihaksia jotta keskivartalo toimii yhtenä pakettina ja alaselkä on suojassa liialta rasitukselta. Kuvan perusteella ei ainakaan näytä siltä että olen edes tietoinen vatsalihaksistani. Käsien asento on myös hieman epämääräinen, ne eivät ole suorana eivätkä näytä siltä että mitään lihaksistoa olisi käytössä. Kuva on otettu pienessä kulmassa mutta näyttää myös siltä että polvet menevät varpaiden ylitse jota ei myöskään pitäisi tapahtua. Älä siis yritä tätä kotona.
The below picture is taken pretty much a year ago when I was having a private session to catch up for a yoga teacher training day I had missed. The knee-toes situation is better but just look what happened to the lower back with one simple adjustment, from picture one to picture two. Just goes to show how invaluable having a teacher who pays attention to you as an individual, even if it is only once in a while.
Alla oleva kuva on otettu vuosi sitten yksityistunnilla. Polvet-varpaat linjaus on parempi mutta katso mitä tapahtui alaselälle kun opettajani alkoi sitä korjaamaan: vetämällä kylkiluita selkää kohti ja terästämällä vatsalihasten käyttöä (tai siis, käyttämällä niitä ylipäätään) selkä suoristui huomattavasti parempaan asentoon. Tämän takia asiantuntevan opettajan ohjaus on arvokasta sillä muutama varsin simppeli ohje voi estää kulumia tai jopa loukkaantumisia tapahtumasta.
This photo is from last week. The squat is deeper, the weight is more on the heels and the arms are active. I am not going to fool myself to think though that I am anywhere near done with utkatasana so maybe in a year’s time I will repost this with a new photo.
Mustavalkoinen kuva on viime viikolla. Kyykky on syvempi, jalkojen paino on enemmän kantapäillä ja kädetkin näyttävät aktiivisilta. En kyllä tosin usko että kehittymiseni utkatasanan kanssa lopussa joten ehkä vuoden päästä uudestaan julkaisen tämän tekstin uuden kuvan kanssa.
Tallenna
Tallenna
February 18, 2017
Social media update and why I use it in the first place.
I started this blog because I like writing and I did not find (m)any blogs about yoga combining the physical and more spritual aspects of it. I’ve been using Instagram for several years because I like taking and looking at photos. Insta also proved to be a great tool when I was recovering from my dislocated shoulder few years back. It allowed me to follow my progress that felt oh so long (well, it took almost a year.) The pictures allowed me to see the small steps of progress I made when I felt nothing at all was happening. The motivation and hope for a full recovery these pictures (and those of others) provided was so valuable.
Tämä blogi syntyi koska pidän kirjoittamisesta ja en oikein löytänyt blogeja joissa joogaa käsitellään sekä fyysisestä ja henkisestä näkökulmasta, hieman kevyemmän kautta. Instagramia olen taas käyttänyt useamman vuoden koska otan kuvia aina ja kaikkialla ja rakastan myös katsella laadukkaita kuvia – aihepiiri on melkein samantekevä. Instasta oli myös iso apu kun kuntoutin olkapäätäni muutama vuosi takaperin. Toipumiseni leikkauksesta tuntui etenevän todella hitaasti (vuosi siihen menikin) mutta kuvien kautta oli mahdollista nähdä pienetkin edistysaskeleet jotka motivoivat ja antoivat uskoa että olkapäästäni tulee vielä täysin toimiva.
Three days between the pictures. In my head or body I could not feel any progress but the pictures showed a different story and kept me going. This was in June 2014 // 3 päivää kuvien välillä. Päässä ja kehossa en huomannut mitään eroa, onneksi kuvat kertoivat toisin ja kannustivat jatkamaan kuntoutusta. Kuva on kesäkuulta 2014.

Eventually I advanced to see if gravity would help. Btw the aligment on the hand of the ground is nothing to follow, it is in that angle just to support my weight better. And the swiss ball was to even get to this position (and to prevent me from breaking my neck.) // Jossain vaiheessa edistyttiin tilanteeseen jossa pääsin katsastamaan josko painovoimasta on apua. Maassa olevan käden linjaus on ihan päin kuusia mutta sen tehtävä oli kannattaa koko kehoa. Jumppapallo taas mahdollisti että pääsin edes koko asentoon.
I had thought about a Facebook page for my yoga stuff but as this week several people asked if I have one it was time to create one. So here it is, go, like and share articles related to yoga and wellbeing you find interesting!
Facebook-sivun luominen on ollut mielessä pidempääkin mutta tällä viikolla useampikin ihminen kyseli sellaisen perään joten täältä pesee. Käy tykkäämässä ja jaa myös jooga-aiheisia juttuja jotka ovat kiinnostavia!
This picture is from January 2017 // Kuva tammikuulta 2017.
And the shoulder? After a year of work (physio, surgery, more physio and yoga) it became better than it was! I was enormously lucky to find a physio with a very holistic and positive approach (and I visited few who definitely were not: one told me my shoulder was never going to be very good. Cue I started crying, he went akward.) It is not always straight forward but finding the right people to surround you is very much worth the effort.
Entäs se olkapää? Koko prosessiin meni fysioterapian, leikkauksen, fysion ja joogan kanssa yhteensä vuosi mutta olkapäästä tuli parempi kuin alkuperäisestä. Olin myös onnekas löytäessäni fysion jolla oli holistinen ja positiivinen asenne kuntouttamiseen. Tapasin myös muutamia fysioita jotka olivat hieman mekaanisempia: yksi sanoi suoraan että olkapäästäni ei tule kunnollista ikinä. Aloin itkemään, fysio tuijotteli seiniä. Tarinan moraali? Oikeiden tyyppien löytäminen asiaan kuin asiaan ei ole aina helppoa mutta maksaa vaivan.
Tallenna
February 3, 2017
Yoga for Pregnancy
Yoga can be very beneficial during pregnancy for several reasons. In addition to the “general” (in the absence of a better word…) benefits I talked about earlier here, here’s a few pregnancy specific points that are interesting:
1. An asana practise can be very grounding both physically and emotionally: It can literally improve balance as the centre of gravity of the body shifts during pregnancy. It also offers hightened mental balance during time when emotions can run on the surface more than before.
2. Yoga develops and increases body awareness and acceptance during and through the pregnancy and labour. You can learn techniques to ease discomfort during pregnancy and labour, how to promote optimal featal position and helps to create a connection with the baby.
3. We cannot talk about any type of yoga without mentioning the breath: Just as breath is incorporated to every asana, it is also an integral tool of childbirth. Pranayama practises learned during pregnancy yoga can be also utilised during contractions, labour and birth.
4. Yoga offers a moment of relaxation and self-nurture, especially important during pregnancy. Yoga poses modified for pregnancy effectively relieve tension in neck, shoulders, upper and lower back, chest and hips.
5. A group pregnancy class promotes general wellbeing and health but also offer a bonding experience with others in the same stage of life: this can be a real community building experience
If you are pregnant, this got you interested AND you are in the Larnaca area in Cyprus I would love to hear from you! I am currently in training to obtain the Birthlight organisation’s perinatal yoga teacher diploma, in addition to my 200 hour yoga teacher credentials. Together with my yoga teacher colleague and a coursemate Ikonia we will be starting Birthlight perinatal classes in 2017 that is fast coming up! The classes will be held at the Evi Suri Russian Ballet School in Larnaca. The exact times will be confirmed once we have an idea how many people are interested. Any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch, we will be happy to answer!
Photo from Yoga with Ikonia FB page.
Featured image by Brian Tomlinson
Tallenna
December 8, 2016