WHATS ON THIS MONTH
Guided Meditation and Spiritual Hypnosis with Olivia -Thursday 17th September , 8-9pm.
Book your space directly by emailing oliviahnb@gmail.com
Full Moon Sound Bath – Next sound bath is Friday 25th September 7-8pm.
Book your space directly via the following link:
https://mycalminthecity.as.me/fullmoonsoundbath
Lianne from Shine Bright Therapies
Based on site in our therapy room.
Gentle holistic therapy for adults and children, including hypnotherapy, Reiki and mindfulness, supporting relaxation, confidence and emotional wellbeing.
shinebrighttherapies.co.uk
Lisa from Lisa Marie Wellness & Beauty
Lisa offers relaxing massage, facials, lash lifts and beauty treatments from The Healing Hut at The Soul Sauna. (Based onsite at Balanced Soul Yoga & Therapy)
lisamariebeautywellness.bookinbeautiful.com
Yoga for change and release
I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer and, for those of you with children, had a good summer break!
As we move into September, we find ourselves at another turning point of the year. We begin to shift from the warmth and longer days of summer towards autumn and, usually, cooler weather.
The easing into shorter days offers us a natural opportunity to slow down. As the evenings draw in, perhaps there is an invitation to step away from the busyness of summer and create a little more space to pause, reflect and reconnect.
There may also be changes occurring in your life that have nothing to do with the changing season. As I write this, I am currently preparing to move house — wish me luck!!! So change is certainly something I am experiencing very personally at the moment.
Change can bring a whole mixture of emotions. Excitement, anticipation, uncertainty, resistance and, sometimes, the realisation that in order to move forward, we have to let go of something that has been familiar.
This is where yoga can be such a valuable practice.
Yoga gives us the opportunity to step away from everything that is happening around us and simply be present with ourselves. It creates a little space between what is happening and how we respond to it. I often say that you never walk away from a yoga class feeling like it was a bad idea!
Making space for change
For this series, I wanted to explore shifting energy… preparing the body and mind for transition, becoming more open to change and creating space to let go of what we no longer need.
Our practice will focus on hip-opening poses alongside some gentle core strengthening. Hip openers can create a sense of spaciousness and freedom, while core work provides stability and support.
There is also some interesting science behind this. Stretching can improve joint range of motion and flexibility, while yoga can help reduce perceived stress and encourage greater awareness of tension in the body. You may notice that as you settle into a hip-opening pose and breathe, areas of tension begin to soften.
While there is no scientific evidence that emotions are physically stored in the hips, the experience of feeling more relaxed or emotionally lighter after yoga can be very real.
From an energetic perspective, hip opening can be seen as an invitation to soften, create space and release what we may be holding onto; physically, mentally or emotionally.
Rather than forcing ourselves to let go, we simply notice, breathe and allow.
From summer into autumn
As we move from summer into autumn, nature reminds us that change is a natural part of life. The trees let go of what they no longer need, making space for rest and renewal.
Our yoga practice can offer us the same invitation … to find a balance between softness and stability, to notice where we are holding on, and to gently create space to let go.
As we practise, perhaps we can carry this onto the mat: noticing resistance, finding ease, and allowing the breath to support us through change.
Because change is inevitable … in our bodies, our lives and the seasons around us.
Yoga doesn’t stop change; perhaps it simply helps us meet it with greater openness.
Have a great month. See you on the mat.
Love, health and happiness,
Rae xxx