Category: Yoga Musings

Are you are left handed? What’s your experience of attending yoga classes as a leftie and why does everything yoga seem to favour the right? Let’s explore yoga for lefties.

“Roll over to your right hand side” the Yoga Teacher instructs at the end of Savasana.

“Place your right hand on top of your left in Dyana Mudra” this is a hand position used in meditation that can feel quite odd if you’re left handed and it is clearly instructed that you can’t just swap it to feel more comfortable.

95% of the time all of the sequences seem to start with the right side, step your right leg forward into Warrior II.

Then it gets super complicated when you add in some of the Pranayama (breathing exercises) such as Nadi Shodana (alternate nostril breathing) which have complicated hand positions.

So why is this? And how can you adapt your yoga practice to feel more natural as leftie? There are some good reasons why yoga practices emphasises the right, then there is myth, legend & laziness.

~ LUNAR/SOLAR: The left side represents the lunar / moon energy which is soothing and calming and the right side represents the solar / sun energy which is energising and activating. If you want to honour this in your yoga practice, begin your stimulating morning yoga practice with your right side and in a tranquil evening practice start with the left side. This is one of the reasons given for rolling to the right side after Savasana, to awaken the energy after the deep relaxation.

~ FEMININE / MASCULINE: The left side represents the feminine energy. It is the subtle, intuitive, feeling side and should be cared for, and not overused to prevent it from losing this subtly. The right side represents the masculine energy and is used more for function, action and everyday transactions.

~ HEMISPHERES OF THE BRAIN: Many of the Pranayama exercises (breathing exercises) have an effect on balancing the hemispheres of the brain. Surya Bhedana (solar breath), you inhale through the right nostril and exhale through the left using your right hand to block and release the nostrils. If, as a left hander, you just swapped this you’d have a very different experience and would actually being doing the sleeping, calming breath. You could swap your hands over and use your left hand to block off the nostrils but you’d then need to swap over all of the instructions as well. If you have a clear understanding of these pranayama practices you can do this but for a complete beginner it would be confusing.

~ A RIGHT HANDED WORLD: Being a leftie is a minority group, 90% of the world of right handed, so it’s highly likely that your yoga teacher is right handed and just hasn’t considered what your experience is like. So tell your teacher that your left handed and that’s is more comfortable for you to modify certain things. After all yoga is about connecting with and honouring your body, working with it not against it.

Nature is so damn clever. After the Equinox on Wednesday reminding us of the importance of balance and in particular the balance of opposite such as light and dark, day and night, nature goes ahead a does it again tonight, showing us both the brightest and darkness full moon in the same night! This hasn’t happened since 1982.

It’s looking like we’ll have clear skies tonight so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we will be able to see both tonight’s Super Moon and The Blood Moon during the Lunar Eclipse.

Well it’s official now, Welcome to Autumn. September has a feeling of renewed focus to it which I love. It’s usually the 2nd busiest month at class, after January, as we settle back into our routines. It also marks the beginning of the last 3rd of the year, making it the perfect opportunity to sit back and reflect on what hopes and dreams you would like to manifest this year and then use the ‘back to school’ feeling to make some progress.

I’m off to Italy, 10th-19th of September, to host the True Taste of Tuscany Yoga Retreat. All classes will be running as usual whilst I’m away with Kate, Linda, Helen, Candice, Emma and Martin covering. Please make an effort to attend classes whilst I’m away as it is a great opportunity to learn new and different things and reinvigorate your practice with a different teacher. I still have a couple of spaces available for Tuscany so if you fancy and last minute spontaneous trip – let’s make it happen!

Yoga Classes resume at Taunton’s College this Thursday 3rd Sept (17:45 & 19:00) and at Chilworth Village Hall on Tuesday 8th Sept (11:30). Check out the class timetable.

I’m looking to release dates shortly for 2016’s Day Retreats, Weekend Retreats and Retreats Abroad and have been working really hard to plan and organise totally unique and inspiring experiences for you – I can’t wait to share them with you.

September What’s On

Beginners Yoga Workshop

Sat 26th Sept | 14:00 – 15:30 | Taunton’s College, Southampton

A comprehensive 1.5 hour yoga workshop to teach beginners all the essential and fundamental aspects of yoga to kick start (or restart) a journey into the wonderful practice of yoga. We’ll cover the key groups of yoga poses which strength and stretch the body; learn slowly and in detail the yoga Sun Salutations and practice yoga breathing techniques for relaxation as well as stamina. You’ll leave this class feeling clear, confident and ready to join a drop in yoga class. This workshop is for total beginners, it will be slow, thorough, relaxed and informal. A great introduction into an amazing practice. Workshop fee 12. To book please email me.

Relax & Renew Restorative Yoga Workshop

Fri 25th Sept | 18:00 – 19:15 | Taunton’s College, Southampton

This candle lit restorative yoga class is the perfect way to wind down at the end of the week. In restorative yoga the body is fully supported by a variety of different props so that there is no active engagement of the muscles, instead they get to gently stretch, relax and open into the comfort of the props. Restorative yoga promotes deep rest and relaxation; it is the ideal way to recharge your batteries and is a real treat. Workshop fee 12. To book please email me.

Autumn Equinox Yoga Workshop

Sat 26th Sept | 10:00 – 12:00 | Taunton’s College, Southampton

This special 2 hour practice is inspired by the Autumn Equinox. Drawing on the focus and determination of autumn we flow through empowering standing postures looking out how we can step into our strength through slow, deliberate and structured movement. Inspired by this time of balance, during the equinox we have equal hours of day and night, we look at how we find and maintain our own balance both on and off the mat by juggling opposites. The Autumn Equinox is also a time for letting go, just as the trees shed their leaves so we look at what is no longer serving us and what we need to let go of to enable new doors open, and new directions and possibilities to be revealed. Workshop fee 20. To book please email me.

True Taste of Tuscany – 7 Night Yoga Retreat

12th – 19th September

A true taste of Tuscany and Italian hospitality awaits on this 7 night Yoga Retreat – all inclusive (except flights). Staying in a secluded sanctuary hidden amongst the Olive Groves we will indulge in two yoga classes daily, savour the delicious classical Italian Cuisine, sample the local wines with a wine tasting experience, and day trip into Siena for the food markets, shops and culture. This will be an amazing adventure. Yoga, wine, great food, stunning location – what more could we ask for? Full details here.

See you on the Mat!

Sorry What? Did you know that VinoTherapy is actually a word? I love it – almost as much as I love a large class of fine Italian Red Wine (Brunello di Montalcino is my favourite). Just 4 weeks till I fly to Italy for this retreat which definitely includes Vinotherapy, along with PastaTherapy, YogaTherapy and LazeAroundByThePoolinTheSunTherapy! I still have a couple of spaces available and I would just love to take you with me. I’m not 100% sure if I’ll repeat this retreat next yet as I’m trying to organise a Yoga & Safari Retreat so if you’re thinking about it for next year – don’t wait come now.

See you on the mat. Lx

Wedding Photos – Just got them from the photographer I promised to share them, so here you go . . . Brought it all back looking at the photos – such a fun day with wonderful family and friends. LX

Let’s make this a reality. Join me . . .
‘True Taste of Tuscany’ 7 Night All Inclusive Yoga Retreat, 12th-19th Sept
with Soul Retreats, founded and run by Laura Green Yoga.

Imagine yourself . . .

• Relaxing in the Warm Tuscan Sun after an Energising Morning Yoga Class
• Rejuvenating with a Restorative Evening Yoga Class
• Wandering through the Olive Groves after a delicious home cooked Italian Lunch
• Savouring the peace and tranquility with guided meditation
• Sipping a glass of Prosecco as the sun sets
• Sampling the fine wines, divine pasta dishes and culinary delights
• Exploring the magic, museums and markets of Siena
• Unwinding with time and space in the beautiful countryside of Tuscany

What other guests say about Soul Retreats…

‘This yoga retreat was the experience of a life time! Not having done yoga before this was a life changing experience. Laura is an incredible teacher, leading me into the practice of yoga along a welcoming, deep and practical path. Although the core of the retreat was yoga there was also much laughter, good food and just the right number of other activities on the retreat. Laura made the retreat a total joy. Attending another is top of my to-do list!’ Mark Eyles

‘The whole experience was incredible. I felt the retreat helped me reach the state of mind I really needed to reach.’ Lina Shannak

‘I feel relaxed, rejuvenated and completely stress free. Going home tomorrow feeling able to take on any challenge that comes my way!!’ Jean Davies

The Accommodation:

Hidden in the Tuscan countryside amongst olive groves, wild woodlands, fig trees and with a stunning swimming pool is your home for the week. Just 20 mins from the historic town of Siena and 1h45 from Pisa Airport. Your retreat venue beautifully balances Italian style with rustic Tuscan charm creating a place of serenity and fun with a variety of room choices available. Our chef works magic in the kitchen and is a wonderful host ensuring a true taste of Italian hospitality.

What to expect:

INCLUDES:

• 7 nights All Inclusive (except flights)
• Return Airport Transfers
• Twice Daily Yoga Classes (Suitable for Beginners and Experienced Students)
• Full Board: breakfast, lunch & evening meal + wine (vegetarian options available)
• Day trip to Siena. Note this will include taking the local Public Bus to Siena (Lunch in not included this day, so you are able to choose what you fancy when in Siena)
• Italian Cookery Workshop/Demo
• Philosophy Workshop – Living Your Yoga
• One on One Session/Coaching with Laura
• Italian Chianti Wine Tasting and Talk

I’d love you to join me on this Soul Retreats adventure to Tuscany. This retreat is being offered at rates from £810/person + flights. Most rooms are twins so will include sharing with one other person; a limited number of single rooms are available. It’s easy to book with us. The quickest way to reserve your space is to email me, and I will send you back a booking form.

21st June has been declared International Yoga day by the UN! How amazing is that!! In celebration of this a group of 9 Hampshire based yoga teachers are getting together to offer an entire day of yoga to local people! The day will be full of interesting and inspiring yoga classes and workshops. The event will take place in the fabulous Stockbridge Town Hall, just a few miles outside of Winchester. Stockbridge, a former market town in Hampshire’s Test Valley, has a wide and attractive High Street, free parking with lots of shops and cafe’s. This draws in many who come to enjoy a walk, a snack and a browse among the shops. I’m teaching 2 sessions: Yin & Yang and Partner Yoga. You can come along and try out one class or stay for the whole event and enjoy several sessions hosted by an experienced group of teachers. Check out the event page here for all the info! Yoga Day fee: £10 for the entire day and unlimited classes!! To book email jo@jowheeleryoga.com to book your spot.

I’m so excited to share the news that we reached our goal of having 100 people practising yoga together at last Sunday’s Yoga for Nepal Fundraising Class in Southampton and in turn far exceed the target of raising £2,000. The final numbers where 105 people and we raised £3003.80. Thank you for your support.

The very first Soul Retreat Abroad. 14 guests, 1 massage therapist (the amazing Sharon May) and I ventured to the magical mountains of Morocco just outside of Marrakesh for a 7 night yoga retreat. One of our retreat guests, the wonderful and inspiring Pat, wrote on her booking form that she was looking for ‘Full Participation’. These two words stood out to me as different for I have never really considered them in relation to how I live my life. Do I exercise my choice, my right to live each and every day to the fullest with total and complete participation in the present moment regardless of what arises? Or do I drift, float, numb out and indulge in selective participation? I turned to my yoga notebooks and found a quote that I had scribbled down in my very early days of being a student of yoga (aged 16):

“Yoga is about fully embracing the experience at hand, about being completely aware and actively participating in whatever is happening at the present moment.” Peggy Hall

I noted this quote purely as a reminder to myself; never thinking I would be sharing or teaching yoga with others. 14 years later it still resonates with me as an instruction for how I want to live my life. And this is how all 16 of us did live life whilst on retreat in Morocco. Pat’s two words ‘Full Participation’ completely sum up the week we had. With moments of rapturous laughter as we lay on the grass ‘kicking our own backside’ during an energising morning yoga class, of deep peace as we chanted around the fire under a starry night, of heart opening tears as we meditated on loving kindness, of merriment and giggles whilst we shopped the markets in Marrakesh, and of great connection as we came together a group of strangers and left intrinsically linked through our sharings and offerings alike.

Many moments from this first retreat will remain in my memory, to share just a few:

Hiking up the Atlas Mountains we met an unexpected stream and traversed on by straddling the banks of the stream. Good job we had done our morning yoga as we were virtually in the splits.

Of guests, Mark and Kamilla stepping up to bake bread Berber style by placing their hands into the hot fire pit. All tourists who have visited the Berber Village before to see the bread making just watch but not Mark and Kamilla who got stuck in. The joy and delight this brought to the locals was amazing who found it just the funniest site.

Discovering the one and only injury occurred during the retreat: Aga’s bruised hand after some very enthusiastic drumming around the fire on the final night and Sharon so eager to join in the drumming that she beat out her rhythm using a spoon and colander from the kitchen!

Each and every day we live represents one less day we have on earth, so go and participate fully in life. “Live the life you love and love the life you live” Bob Marley.

I am eternally grateful to every person who attended this first retreat and made it so very very special. You made my dream come true. I can’t wait to welcome guests to future Soul Retreats. Glamping in August is Sold Out, but I strongly urge and invite you to embrace full participation and come join me for our True Taste of Tuscany Retreat from Sept 12-19th. More details here.

Yoga for Nepal
Charity Yoga Class with Laura Green Yoga

Date: Sunday 31^st May
Time: 11:00 to 12:30 Outdoor Yoga Class
12:30 to 13:00 Yogi Style Bake Sale
Where: Rownhams House, Southampton
Class Donation: £20 or give what you can.

Mission: To raise £2,000 to support the DEC Nepal Earthquake Appeal by hosting Southampton’s largest ever yoga class. Let’s get 100 people together for a fun, family friendly yoga class #YogaforNepal. Beginners Welcome!

Yogi Style Bake Sale: Refuel post yoga with a yogi style bake sale think: Energy Balls, Green Juice, Raw Chocolate & Vegan Brownies!

The Venue: Held in the spectacular grounds of Rownhams House, Rownhams, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 8LS. Parking Available.

How You Can Help:

• Book your spot by emailing Laura (laura@lauragreenyoga.co.uk) and donate via Laura’s JustGiving Page.
• Don’t come alone: bring a friend, a family member, a stranger you meet on the way, I need your help to get 100 people to the yoga mat!
• Spread the word & share details about this event. Beginners Welcome
• Can’t make it? Any donations most gratefully received via JustGiving.
• Don’t want to donate online? Please donate to Laura in person.

We’re back! Had an amazing time on Safari and the Wedding was wonderful – if a little crazy! Thank you so much for all your kind wedding wishes, your cards and pressies. Simon and I were so touched by your love and kindness – Thank You! I’ll definitely share more thoughts in a few weeks and some of the proper photos when we get them back from the photographer. In the meantime please enjoy these few snaps from the Safari and a couple from the wedding. Most of these photos were taken by Simon.

What’s On in April . . .

What a wonderful month we had in March. A massive congratulations to everyone who completed the Cleanse + Detox Online Programme and good luck to those who have saved it to do over the next few weeks. I’m excited for April, not least because it’s Easter which means Chocolate but finally after 13 years Simon and I are getting married on the 25th April with a small group of friends and family whilst on safari in South Africa. I promise to share a few pics when we get back! Now, let’s get back to what’s important – Chocolate! I’ve finally found the perfect Healthy Raw Vegan Chocolate Recipe – not only is this amazingly delicious but healthy guilt free chocolate! I’ve bought some cute Easter Bunny Chocolate Moulds to make my Easter gifts. Click here for the recipe – you must must try it! There are a few changes to the class schedule this month with Easter, so please please check the timetable below. See below for workshops this month, including a Beginner’s Yoga Workshop – please share this with any friends and family who are interested in starting the yoga journey as this workshop is the perfect start.

Beginners Yoga Workshop
Saturday 18th April – 14:00 – 15:30
Taunton’s College, Southampton

A comprehensive 1.5 hour yoga workshop to teach beginners all the essential and fundamental aspects of yoga to kick start (or restart) a journey into the wonderful practise of yoga. We’ll cover the key groups of yoga poses which strength and stretch the body; learn slowly and in detail the yoga Sun Salutations and practise yoga breathing techniques for relaxation as well as stamina. You’ll leave this class feeling clear, confident and ready to join a drop in yoga class. This workshop is for total beginners – it will be slow, thorough, relaxed and informal. A great introduction into an amazing practise. To book please email Laura.

Neck & Shoulder Therapy – 2 Hour Workshop
Saturday 18th April – 10:00 – 12:00
Taunton’s College, Southampton

Neck or Shoulder tension and pain? This is the workshop for you! The shoulders require a high degree of mobility and strength to perform day to day activities. As any engineer/designer will tell you, to build something with a high degree of mobility and stability is a tough ask. In this workshop we will look at technical alignment in our yoga poses to strengthen the shoulders and improve mobility, we will focus specifically on engaging the deeper muscles of the middle and upper back to access the shoulder girdle, uncovering the appropriate muscle groups to help support and soften your shoulders and upper back. We will use specific therapeutic stretches and self massage techniques (myofascial release) to release tension and restrictions. To book please email Laura.

Relax & Renew Restorative Yoga Workshop
Friday 18th April – 18:00 – 19:15
Taunton’s College, Southampton

There are just three spaces remaining for this April’s Restorative Yoga Class, the next one is on Friday 8th May. This candle lit restorative yoga class is the perfect way to wind down at the end of the week. In restorative yoga the body is fully supported by a variety of different props so that there is no active engagement of the muscles, instead they get to gently stretch, relax and open into the comfort of the props. Restorative yoga promotes deep rest and relaxation; it is the ideal way to recharge your batteries and is a real treat. To book please email Laura.

Class Timetable:

Please check below for your class and make a note of any weeks the classes are cancelled. Most of the classes are being covered by a lovely selection of yoga teachers whilst I’m away.
I hope you enjoy the variety and what this wonderful teachers have the share.

Whiteley Community Centre – Mondays 5.55pm
6th April – Easter Monday Class Cancelled
13th & 20th April – Class Running as usual with Laura
27th April – Class Covered by Linda Blainey
4th May – May Bank Holiday Class Cancelled

Chilworth Village Hall, Southampton – Tues 11.30am
28th April – Class Covered by Emma Lovell
Class Running as usual with Laura on all other dates.

The Hub, Eastleigh – Tues 5.50pm & 7.00pm
21st & 28th April – Classes Covered by Candice Walley
Classes running as usual with Laura on all other dates.

Eaton Aerospace – Weds 4.30pm
22nd & 29th April – Classes Cancelled
Classes running as usual with Laura on all other dates.

Turnpike Pavillion Hedge End – Weds 6.15pm & 7.30pm
22nd & 29th April – Classes Covered by Kate Colvin
Classes running as usual with Laura on all other dates.

The Hilt, Chandler’s Ford – Thurs 09.30am
23rd & 30th April – Classes Covered by Candice Walley
Classes running as usual with Laura on all other dates.

Taunton’s College, Southampton – Thurs 5.45pm & 7.00pm
2nd April – Class Running as usual with Laura
9th April – College Closed – Class Cancelled
16th April – Class Running as usual with Laura
23rd April – Classes Covered by Helen Portas
30th April – Class Cancelled

Drinking green slime? Really? Hell yes, I love both a Green Juice and a Green Smoothie and I’d love you to give it a try to. Follow these links for a Glorious Green Juice or the Green Goddess Smoothie. Drinking Green is a magical elixir of youth, radiance, energy and vitality and believe or not they taste really nice!

So what is the big deal? Drinking a Green Juice or Green Smoothie as part of a balanced diet is an amazing way to really amp up your nutrient intake and the high levels of nutrients (especially from a juice) are instantly absorbed into your system giving you an amazing boost of energy. Green juices and smoothies balance blood sugars, supply plant protein, and purge toxins from the body.

There is often a debate about which is better Green Juice or Green Smoothies. I do both but I juice a lot more than I blend. When you use a juicer, all the fibre is removed through the process of squeezing the pulp. Now don’t get me wrong, fibre is great but especially during a cleanse we want to lighten the workload for the digestive system so it can focus on detoxing and healing. When you remove the fibre the nutrients pass directly into the bloodstream, and within minutes the body receives optimum fuel to feed the cells and help restore the immune systems.

However, a smoothie will fill you up and keep you fuller for longer than a juice because it keeps the fibre and you can add proteins and fats such as almond butter. You can add way more ingredients and pack a punch with the addition of superfood powders such as Spirulina.

Give them a try and let me know how you get on!

Rejuvenate, Reboot & Restore Your Body & Mind with Yoga, Meditation, Ayurvedic Cleanses & a Guided Detox

Spring it is the perfect time to detox body, mind and soul. As we prepare to come out of the hibernation of winter this is the time that our body’s natural systems most benefit from a Detox and Cleanse. This 2 Week Cleanse + Detox Online Programme is designed to rejuvenate, reboot and restore your Body & Mind through Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda & Guided Detox (Either a 3/5/7 Day Juice Cleanse or a 7 Day Clean Diet). Click HERE for the details and Email Laura to Book Your Spot. Price GBP 25.

At the end of January – the first month of 2015 coming to a close. How are you feeling? How was your month? How did you get on with that very long list of things you were going to do this month? You know the one that goes something like:

Must Do . . . More Yoga . . . I shouldn’t be so stressed
Must Drink . . . Green Tea/Green Juice . . . I shouldn’t be so unhealthy
Must Not Drink . . . Alcohol . . . I shouldn’t have drunk so much
Must Go to . . . The Gym/For a Run . . . I shouldn’t be so unfit
Must Start . . . Meditation Daily . . . I shouldn’t be so impatient/grumpy/stressed

Blah, Blah, Blah!! Don’t get me wrong, all of the above and many more variations are great things to do for our health and well being and I commit to them regularly (except for the no alcohol – the occasional Gin & Tonic balances out my Green Juice) but where are these pledges coming from? It is the beliefs we hold about ourselves, the critical and judgemental inner monologues we have that make me sad. Yoga Philosophy introduces us a different approach: balance Santosha and Tapas. Santosha means contentment and Tapas is a fiery discipline of change. Through the practise of Santosha we learn to love ourselves just as we are, to recognise and accept our imperfections, our limitations and our shadow side (that’s the grumpy version of you) and through this love of ourselves and our life we draw the strength and energy for Tapas and its disciplined commitment to change, to self development. To live the best life we can because we honour ourselves and our life too much to waste it. I drink green juice not because I think I should but because it gives me so much energy it is like I’ve swallowed a Duracell battery and that energy motivates me through living my days.

Nobody has everything nailed, nobody is perfect. Forget doing anything that includes the word ‘should or should not’. Let go of expectations, your life is too precious, let go of things that don’t serve you, that don’t help you to grow or make you happy. I’d love to see resolutions and to do list that look like this: (This was written on the clothing label of a top I got yesterday from EKO):

Live Simply
Go Explore
Dream Big
Be Grateful
Stay Humble
Give Love
Laugh Lots