I’ve procrastinated a lot over how to start this terms newsletter. The term has been so full both personally and professionally, the two aspects of my life have merged into one another more often than ever, unexpectedly, under both of the positive and negative umbrellas. The last six weeks have brought up an abundance of challenges, some of which have created fear in me facing difficult situations head on, but having faith that these challenges will move me in a new and different direction.

I often find that when fear arises in daily life circumstances, I step onto my mat, and as I move through my practice, that fear changes shape. It doesn’t necessarily go completely. Sometimes I’ll experience fear in a posture where I usually experience vulnerability. I have always found it fascinating how a yoga practice can help you see and recognise what we’re feeling, possibly pinpoint why, find it’s root and sometimes manifest itself by expressing a feeling through a posture, a discomfort, or a struggle in the breath. Often that feeling can soften around the edges, transform into something else, or simply lessen in intensity. There’s plenty of science and explanation behind what I’m writing. I have all of the explanations and theories in the abundance of yoga psychology books on my shelf. But to actually observe, experience and reflect on the effect of a practice in relation to fear - or anything else you may be experiencing in life - is incredibly profound. Not good or bad. Simply profound.

In class, my hope is that you always feel held and supported in our community - and that you also experience a greater sense of stability, ease and joy as a result of your yoga practice. Maybe you also notice your feelings arise and shape your practice, maybe they shift and change as your body and breath moves on your mat, just to help you feel a little better, if nothing else :)

Well-Woman Yoga Retreat at Namaste Barn/Clothing by Asquith

In the last newsletter I announced that I’d be launching a Youtube Channel - quite a few of you have asked about this, but it’s not yet ready. On a funny note, I spent a whole day recording material at the lovely Newson Health Clinic, only for my daughter to inform me, when she watched my filming, that I needed to start again and film in landscape, not portrait! (this sums up my life experience with tech :)) So I’ve filmed everything again - in landscape - and now I just need to record my voice over and get it rolling. Fortunately my dear friend (and virtual administrator) Lucy is all ready, researched and raring to get the channel going. I’ll notify you all when it launches - I promise! Or maybe I’ll ask Lucy to let you know ;)

There are more ideas, people and meet-ups going on behind the scenes of LYY. It feels like quite an exciting time. I’ll let you know more when plans are firmly in place. But, something I can offer you is a discount on Asquith Clothing. The outfit in the photo above is all provided by Asquith. The fabric is so soft and comfortable to move in - and impressively, the company are committed to working with fabrics that have limited social and environmental impact. If you use Livingyouryoga when you order from their site, you’ll receive a 10% discount. Head to www.asquith.com to have a look at their gorgeous collections :)

For now, read on to find out about Next Terms Schedule, Cosy Christmas Nidra Event, Events to kick start the year for the Mixed Ability and Ashtanga groups, Well-Woman Events 2025, Health & Wellness Column, Dates For Your Diary, LYY Candles back in stock and a Poem. But let’s begin with a little reflection on this years gorgeous Well-Woman Yoga Retreat in South Devon.

WELL-WOMAN YOGA RETREAT 2024

This year’s retreat was both beautiful and eventful, with plenty of laughter, connection and consisting of a brilliant community of women. Stresses and strains of day to day life were left behind, new friendships blossomed and self-discoveries were made. Most of us had quite eventful journey’s to the retreat, so arriving to the venue and eating delicious food was just what we all needed. The Devonshire views and the sense of space was stunning, Victoria’s holistic treatments were incredible, Virginia’s fire ceremony was a whole new experience for us all, and practising in the yoga studio was just exquisite. We all were totally inspired in meeting ‘Foraging Dawn’: we thought we’d be hiking for miles, but there were so many plants and leaves that could be consumed on the doorstep, we discovered we could literally eat most of the garden of Namaste Barn! We’ve all been inspired! Look out Crackley Woods…there’s new foragers on the loose! ;)

Thank you to the brilliant women that made the retreat so very special!

For more information on LYY Retreats, email me on: info@livingyouryoga.co.uk

NEXT TERM’S SCHEDULE

Monday 4th November ~ Thursday 19th December

Please see the Class Schedule below and head to ‘Book Classes’ at www.livingyouryoga.co.uk to reserve your space. If you have any questions regarding the classes, drop me an email to: info@livingyouryoga.co.uk

COSY CHRISTMAS NIDRA

Sunday 8th December 6 ~ 8pm

Come along to a little Christmas Event designed for you to take a breather from the build up to the busyness of the festivities that December always brings. This event is designed for you to take some time, reflect on the year and bring it to a gentle close using the practice of Yoga Nidra. The practice is designed to help you release and relax in a welcoming and safe environment, whilst experiencing the deep and healing meditative structure of a Yoga Nidra written by myself solely for this event.

Bring your mat as well as plenty of blankets and pillows to create your Nidra nest in order to experience complete comfort and ease for the body and mind to rest completely.

Following the Nidra, you’ll receive a delicious warm festive drink (non-alcoholic) and a treat to share together to have a mini festive social too! I’m really looking forward to sharing this event with you! There’s a handful of spaces left. Head to ‘Book Classes’ on my website.

NEW YEAR MIXED ABILITY EVENTS

It’s been absolutely ages since I’ve ran events for those that attend Mixed Ability and Ashtanga Classes - and also for those that want to attend our classes but can’t make regular attendance - so I thought I’d create a few to help kick start 2025 with some uplifting events!

Each session takes place on the first Sunday of the months January, February and March. The sessions start at 10am (so arrive a little earlier to settle in) and finish at 12pm. You’ll be given a handout of the mornings practice, and also a home-made energy ball and a cup of tea to take away with you! Or to drink before you leave for your next destination.

See dates below and if you’d like to book, head to ‘Book Classes’ on my website: www.livingyouryoga.co.uk

WELL-WOMAN YOGA EVENTS 2025

Next years Well-Woman Events and are now available to book. These events will consist of practices inspired and in tune with Spring & Autumn Equinox. Spring Equinox practices will focus on renewal, reflection, balance, spring cleaning (!) and gratitude. Autumn Equinox practices will be inspired by gathering, rest, reflection, balance, gratitude, nourishment and winding down.

Both Spring & Autumn Equinox each bring our attention to balance (reflecting equilibrium of night and day); gratitude for nature and its restoration of balance; and the pivotal times of changing pace in life.

Spring stimulates, whilst Autumn soothes and slows us down. These workshops will reflect the shifts in nature in our movement, meditation and breathing practices. Both will also include Yoga Nidras especially written for these events.

HEALTH & WELLNESS COLUMN

I would like to introduce Jill O’Hagan in this edition of LYY’s Health & Wellness column. She’s a fantastic Craniosacral therapist which I discovered when she started attended my Well-Woman Classes. I’ve received treatment from Jill and highly recommend her! Please read Jill’s write up below to find out more about the therapy and how it works.

Upledger CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle hands on therapy, which is suitable for all ages, that releases restrictions in the client’s tissues.

It is very useful in babies who instinctively stretch out tightness retained in their bodies from pregnancy and birth. Adults too, when relaxed and supported by gentle touch, have a self healing tendency to release tension in their bodies.

The craniosacral system includes the bones of the head, the meninges, the brain, the spinal cord and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). As CSF is produced and reabsorbed within the craniosacral system, it causes a rhythmical pressure change which is reflected out to the rest of body, and to the hands of the therapist. This is called the CranioSacral Rhythm (CSR).

The therapist is sensing changes in the body with their hands, allowing gentle release of the tissues and fascia, rebalancing the CSR and rebalancing the body. The therapy is client led and therapist follows where directed by the CSR.

Dr John Upledger, who developed this form of CST, noticed that some areas of trauma or illness are associated with an emotional component. He developed a technique called Somatic Emotional Release which, rather than separating the physical from the psychological, unites them by releasing any emotional trauma that may have been retained along with the physical trauma. As well as recovery from illness, it helps resolve issues that have caused a lack of potential for health and fulfilment and promotes personal growth. This can be very profound.

I first discovered CST when I was referred by the physiotherapist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwick to a Pilates instructor in Leamington. She gave me an individual session of therapy before I joined her class, following which I could not only move my neck more than I had been able to before, but also felt very emotionally supported. This therapy turned out to be CST and I was intrigued.

Over the following decade I attended many courses and treated family and friends with conditions such as headaches, back aches, tension and stress, vertigo, post hysterectomy, post prostate cancer, Lymes disease and after motor bike accidents, as well as treating pregnant women, children and unsettled babies.

I spent time reconciling what I was experiencing through CST with what I had experienced whilst practising as a GP trained in traditional western medicine. CST does replace appropriate medical care however, as a non prescriptive treatment that follows the need of the client, it can help relieve dysfunction from many sources and can help uncover and address the deeper causes of our symptoms.

I obtained my technique certification in 2022 and became a qualified CranioSacral Therapist and member of the CranioSacral Society.

I now enjoy working with clients of all ages, from babies to the elderly, in Kenilworth and in Shipston Therapy Centre.

If you would like to experience this treatment for yourself please text me,

Jill O’Hagan, on 07967 979372 or email me at jill.ohagan@yahoo.co.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Monday 4th November ~ Term Begins
Saturday 16th November ~ Well-Woman Yoga Event
Sunday 8th December ~ Cosy Christmas Yoga Nidra
Thursday 19th December ~ LYY Christmas Social
Thursday 19th December ~ End of Term
Sunday 5th January ~ Jump Into January!
Monday 6th January ~ New Year Term Begins
Sunday 2nd February ~ Ask, Explore Practice!
Sunday 2nd March ~ Spring Into Action!
Sunday 16th March ~ Well-Woman Yoga Spring Equinox Event
Saturday 20th September ~ Well-Woman Yoga Autumn Equinox Event

Living Your Yoga Candles

I’m excited to share that I now have both full size and travel size Living Your Yoga Candles back in stock ready for the darker days, or for Christmas gifts!

The candle is 100% natural and made up of Black Pepper to calm anxiety; Bergamot to help lift moods of depression; Patchouli to ground & soothe: Neroli to uplift.

I always light my candle for my home practice - it’s part of my daily ritual - and whenever I smell the scent of my candle when I’m not practicing, it invokes a sense of calm and good feeling. This is what inspired a Living Your Yoga candle to be created.

If you’d like to purchase a candle, do drop me a message /email. If you’re not local and would like a candle posted to you, head to ‘Book Classes’ on my website, scroll to the bottom of the page and you can purchase your candle there. www.livingyouryoga.co.uk

Full size candles are £32; Travel size candles are £16.

I will be bringing them to both to the Well-Woman & Cosy Christmas Nidra Events too.