The Hackney Project

 

The Hackney Yoga Project (HYP)

When: Sat 22 Feb, from h 9.30

The Hackney Project


Where: Hackney City Farm, E2

All of us whose life has been touched by yoga knows how transformational this journey can be, once the channel is open there is no way back. After all, we all know how yoga can result in people feeling happier in their own skins. But not all of us may have realised, for this exact reason, how important making yoga accessible can be.

The Hackney Yoga Project is bringing to London and its yoga community something incredibly noble, brave and valuable. The HYP 's goal is to make the lives of refugee and asylum-seeking women a little brighter through yoga. They work mainly with survivors of human rights abuse, teaching them yoga and English, providing a hot lunch, travel refund, moral support and signposting to other activities. And they provide all this for free, helping these women increase their confidence, bring a little light and lightness in their lives, and make friends. There are many ways to support the HYP, starting from simple donation which are always welcome. When I asked Emily, the HYP founder, how one can concretely help, she pointed me to their Mala programme, which all of us should consider. In fact, with this programme yoga teachers and studios, and everyone else really, are enabled to help directly, holding a class or any other event and donate any money raised to fund the project.

This Saturday though I went to the Hackney City farm - their main site, currently - for the Bead not Bullets initiative, run by a team of graduates from the YogaLondon school. The day started with a morning practice guided by a YogaLondon graduate (quite a curious sequencing, indeed) and followed with a joyful and heart-warming mala making session. Thanks to the donation a beautiful collection of vintage beads by a local yogi artist, about twenty volunteers gathered together and spent the day making the prettiest meditation malas ever - the idea being that the malas would be soon available for purchase in selected locations and on the HYP website. The proceeds will fund travel expenses for the refugees. I have never been into beading at all, but the cause was worth the challenge and the atmosphere so lovely that the day flew. And before you ask, yes, I dreamt of beads…loads of beads...

Help us spread the word and support the HYP - it is worth it.

http://www.hackneyyogaproject.org

https://localgiving.com/charity/yoga

Broga!

When: Feb 26, h 13:15 – 14:15

Where: Blue Cow Yoga, Moorgate, EC2R

How much: £ 18 for 45-60m class

The Broga Code

I have been quite curious for a while about this Broga thing. Especially since that day I happened to walk by a studio room where a Broga class was held: the overly keen ‘inhale, exhale’ that could clearly be heard from outside did raise some attention.

So, what is Broga? Yoga for men (bros or even dudes, if you rather). Well, not only - I hope.

So here I am today in this City yoga & pilates studio located in a basement in Moorgate for my first lunchtime Broga class. The class schedule is predominantly filled with flow classes. And given the location, Broga definitely seems to fit in. This time, I have done a bit of research beforehand. Matt Miller, the (big) guy behing Broga in the UK, has a very interesting bio: a former American football player (Miller the Pillar was his battlefield nickname), body builder, sports training and physiology graduate, fitness instructor and, dulcis in fundo, yoga teacher. Matt makes no mystery of his yoga muse, Rachel Okimo – one of the most creative teachers on the London scene – who is also his business partner.

I can see the idea behind this – nowadays, yoga seems to be predominantly a women affair. Too often I hear from men that they are not flexible enough and hence yoga is not for them. Left aside that the point is not to be able to cross your leg behind your head or touch your toes with your fingers in Pashimottanasana, this seems to be enough to prevent most men I know from stepping on the mat (not to mention the spiritual side of the practice, that equally scares them). Broga tries to demistify this adapting traditional asanas and sequences to those who may be strong and fit, but struggle with agility and flexibility.

It is only five of us today, great size for a class – and despite guys being the majority, I am not the only girl! Matt starts by introducing today’s theme – legs (at which point, I confess, I have swallowed). What follows is a strong, slow flow class, with a remarkable focus on alignment and the best anatomy cues I have come across in a long time. While weak on philosophy (pourquoi?), I have found the class pretty well rounded and varied – offering options and raising awareness on common ego-driven mistakes. As we roll the mats at the end of the class after a savasana-meets-yoga-nidra, I ask my neighbour if he enjoyed that. ‘Very much! This is no-nonsense yoga’. I am not too sure about that. I can see though why Broga can be an attractive yogic entry point for the so-to-speak ‘male athlete’.

www.broga.uk.com/

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/its-yoga-for-dudes-one-busy-mans-guide-to-broga-8709917.html

Sunday morning wake-up

where: evolve

When: Sunday morning

There are classes you simply stumble upon because it's cold outside and because you are a bit lost of a morning so you turn up amongst the regulars and you know that in attending a full-on vinyasa flow class, you are going to have to fake it to make it. Not my usual setting but I thought a Sunday morning and all the rest and sleep from the weekend would allow a few extra chaturangas in my body and incite my tejas. 

With as much speed as the class itself, I realised that this was not the case, that I would much rather be in stillness away from jumping jacks and sweat. 

So, I resorted to a lot of child's pose and as the teacher urged everyone through her hectic flow, I noticed my resistance, my intolerance and my irritation. I felt controlled so I stepped back from it and  went inside. This was far better and I realised that my ability to take from the external what I need is an important coping mechanism. Not being a yes girl is ok too

Having said that, I loved parts of the class and especially her outfit: pink leggings with a matching bandana. Making my way to sweaty Betty as I write :)

Yoga ruins life

does yoga ruin the way you live?

http://www.theyogablog.com/richard-freeman-yoga-ruins-life /

triyoga bliss

It is very rare that I ever make my way into the spiritual jungle of Primrose hill to do some yoga but right place right time meant I had no choice! So, off I went around the big reception area, past raw food and lots of dreadlocks, up the stairs to what is probably the biggest yoga studio in London. As I waited for Jeff to arrive, I was concerned that anytime I have done his class, I have struggled to keep up with the beautifully intense flow he offers. However, with the new year well and truly on its way, I felt it was time to face the music again.
Only, to my surprise, Jeff started the class as he meant to go on- totally mindfully and the slowest awareness practice I have experienced in a long time. My heart immediately warmed to him, as I felt he was present with us all, deciphering mood, energy levels and body condition.  The gentleness of the poses, mixed with the challenge of the breath in these made this a very unique practice and one which I intend to repeat as often as the tube allows me to get there!
Jeff Phoenix is an exceptional teacher, whose attention to detail mirrors the steadiness of his practice. He refines every posture, makes sure everyone is working with an edge whilst instilling softness and stillness into everyone who sun salutes in his direction.

mysterious death

Exposing the dangers of cult mentality, this news piece reveals the extremist behaviour of some towards 'spirituality' A lesson to us all and a warning to listen to ourselves instead.

Dharma Mittra

Anna and the Master (Class)

 

When: Sat 1 Feb 14, h 14.45 - 16.45

Where: Dharma Mittra Master Class, Indaba, NW1

How much: Drop in 16 GBP

 

I have missed my Sat morning class and I quite liked the idea of trying something new, so I signed up for Mark Kan’s Dharma Mittra Master Class at Indaba (Marylebone). I heard pretty good things of Dharma Mittra and his teachers, so why not. Besides, I know the studio well, I go there often and it is one of my favourite yoga places in London. The description on their website is music to my ears: 'Be ready for a graceful yet challenging practice. This two hour class is an amazing way to deepen your asana practice and explore the advanced poses. Shiva Namaskara Vinyasa has been embraced by yogis from all schools for the unique integration of the classical spirit of true yoga and a completely thorough mobilization of the corporeal body. The master class will help you to overcome your obstacles through laughter and group encouragement, you will attempt handstands, forearm balances, headstand variations and unique vinyasas, perfection is not expected but confidence and technique is strengthened. Embrace the ability to fall, conquer fear and get right back up again. One of the joys of Master Practice is exploring variations of postures you may not encounter anywhere else in the world today, as well as the instruction in how to take the steps necessary to acquire these postures It will bring contentment- merging complete identity with the true self, the goal of yoga. For experienced practitioners, super heroes and people will have a go at anything without fear of failure’.

 

I get there 10m earlier. I am not nervous, but I soon become a little, as the most athletic yoginis I have ever seen in my life start laying their mats around. Mumble. 'Breath and you will be fine', I say to myself. We start with a lovely mantra of purification which I promise I will research and 3 variations of Surya Namaskar A, all good so far. Then I am invited to come into forearm balance. Right. Up I go. Clearly, that is just the beginning. Two full hours of high octane yoga: never been to anything like that in London (and reminded me a bit of my experience in Mysore some time ago). I soon lose count of the handstand and headstand variations, but I somehow follow, and Mark guides us through every posture impeccably…what an inspiring class, ops, master class. A two hour sequence of incredibly challenging postures: there is the risk the class becomes some kind of egocentric yoga show off. However, it does not….it is just very inspiring. In some way, I am a beginner again - but this time with an awareness which I did not have before, and I liked it. A lot. I still wonder whether this is the right place for me, though. So, at the end of class, I ask Mark. ‘Of course, come back’. That felt nice.  

 

 

a little bit of heaven in the west

Where: The Life Centre
When: every damn Saturday!
Time: 5-6:30

I have started to look at the class I regularly drop into on a Saturday as a little bit of medicine, not least because it ends unlike most classes with a simple observation meditation, which never fails to take me to a peaceful stupor, one I have been in need of for quite some time.
The class starts with somewhat more of a bang, focusing on a semi-dynamic practice which suits the vata type, as it slows down the breath and the asana simultaneously and all postures are driven by a need to ground in the present moment. The teacher sets the tone with an angelic tone of voice and a soft and rhythmic pace, allowing to find space on the mat and allowing for breath to smoothen and mind to still. It seems like all the postures lead to one thing here: stillness. Ironically, I don't feel this about most classes but maybe this is down to the psychological factor and the knowledge that there is a big, vacuous, stretch of time at the end where I can just be.  And I need to be here, now because the outside Saturday mayhem of Notting Hill needs a rest and I hope to infuse shoppers and urbanites all around me as soon as I leave!

I wholeheartedly recommend this for stress management and this class is really the hidden key to dampening anxiety, ridding the body and mind of phobias and gaining much-needed balance.

Kumare- an exercise in truth finding

This film trailer could open all our yogi obsessed eyes and minds to the idea that what we are all following is just within us but we cheat ourselves with the need to look externally.
I am boycotting the guru from now on.

Anna joins the Fierce Grace

 

When: Fri 31 Jan 14, h 19 - 20.30

Where: Fierce Grace North, NW5

How much: Drop in 16 GBP

 

The Fierce Grace North studio is not that easy to find, hidden on the second floor of a shabby building, above a Pound Store and a deli in NW5. Frankly, though, the darkness and the pouring rain do not help my cause. Anyway, I made it: this evening Michele Pernetta - Fierce yoga’s founder - is teaching and I look forward to the class. 

Fierce Grace ( integration of male and female forces giving rise to vibrant health, emotional balance, and mental clarity) is a new yoga system, based on classical Hatha yoga, Bikram, Ashtanga and Power Yoga. Michele, I learn from their website, is the one who brought Bikram Yoga to London in 1994. After about 20 years she has recently decided to spin off and create a new brand, her own, for the 4 studios she manages in London. Their offering is more varied than Bikram and includes five types of classes - Core, Classic, Fierce Grace, Fierce (aka The Beast) and The Fix - designed to give students different options to suit their experience, schedule and mood, but based on the same core poses and principles (and yes, in a hot room). 

As I get to the reception area, I instantly know I am in the right place: friendly faces, nice vibe, tons of mats, towels and water. My class (90m) is described as the 49 steps to peak fitness and health. A challenging but user-friendly general level class, with hip openers, upper body strength, bum toners and core stability for a fully rounded workout. The room, a bit scruffy, is full, about three dozen of people, most over 35 years old I’d say - and quite surprisingly no less than 40% are men! And they all seem regular. I am not a big fan of hot yoga, but I confess it is so cold and wet outside that I do not mind at all the 38 degrees of the hot studio (if only there was not carpet on the floor, Om om om). The class flows slowly, it is indeed quite balanced and approachable by all levels. Michele guides from pose to pose with grace and authority but I wish I could get more alignment cues and breath calls. And I wait and wait for any hint at yoga philosophy, but in vain. As the class ends, Michele invites everyone to extend the savasana or meditate after class for as long as we want.  Briefly after, in the changing rooms, Michele and I are queuing to get a shower - so I chat her up and ask her why she departed from Bikram. ’20 years are long, and I felt I wanted to do something more complete. Bikram does not let you do anything else but his sequences. There is an advanced, and also an intermediate series but we cannot teach it. And if you do not like his way of doing things, then it is divorce’. Michele is not only friendly, she has the ‘yogi aura’ (if this makes any sense to you...). Both her and the senior teachers at Fierce Grace can design their own classes, while junior teachers follow set sequences, that are anyway revised from time to time. And sometimes they play music too. It all seems very nice but I am not entirely satisfied, as if something is missing….Is this one of those cases when the idea is better than the real thing? Hats off anyway, they are definitely great in P.R. - I like their ironic website, their manifesto and their video is hilarious (http://www.fiercegrace.com/our-story) - a good lesson for those who are taking yoga too seriously.

are we barking up the wrong tree of intentions?

An aim that guides an action is an intention. To do something intentionally is to act on purpose. To act on purpose means that you act consciously. To pay attention is to act consciously, to act deliberately—to aim towards a goal. It is said that those who believe in coincidence aren’t paying attention. Practicing yoga with a high intention is very important because what determines the outcome of any action is the underlying intention. Practicing asana with an elevated intention could make the difference between achieving mere gymnastic strength and flexibility or enlightenment.

 

I was just reading an online article about the growing popularity of yoga in America. It stated that 22 million people are practicing yoga! The top six reasons why people practice yoga according to the statistics are: to gain flexibility, to lose weight, to increase muscle tone, to relieve back pain, to look younger and to reduce stress. In all the millions of statistics gathered, no spiritual intention seems to have emerged.  People weren’t citing as their reason to practice yoga the goal to become enlightened or to get closer to God or to better contribute to the happiness and freedom of others.

 

http://www.jivamuktiyogalondon.co.uk/focus-of-the-month/

Write up: Anna gets (Anti)Social

 

Social Yoga

When: Tue 4 Feb, h 19.30-21

Where: The Albany Club, NW1

How much: 10 £

 

The more I study and practice yoga, the more of “a private affair” it becomes. I wonder if this happens to others and whether I should do something about it….Then one day I read on one of weekly London mangazines about Creative Yoga London (http://www.creativeyogalondon.co.uk/) and Richard Brook. Richard describes himself as “a true Holistic Health expert and also designs bespoke wellness programmes which also incorporate acupuncture, meditation, yoga and movement practices”. Social Yoga and Singles Yoga are two of his initiatives which are stitting up quite a lot of interest in London. How come? “People are obviously interested in finding more conscious ways to connect with others – even if it challenges some of their preconceived ideas. And i mean this in respect of people at both ends of the spectrum of the demographics who attend my class’. His idea behind this is that after class one feels positive and refreshed and integrated in body, mind and spirit – hence more receptive and more prone to connect with people.

 

The thought of Social Yoga does not exactly thrill me, but that of Singles Yoga totally terrifies me. So, I opted to experiment the former, I am too faint hearted for the latter. And I would have kept on finding excuses not to go, unless I had persuaded my friend Luca to come along. I am a woman of honour, no chickening out.

The classes are held in a gym, located in a former church a short walk from Great Portland Street tube station. Tonight tube strikes will commence, so there are only 14 people attending – I am told the typical audience is more than double this number. Even split between men and women, from early thirties to late forties, I would say.

Richard tries to offset the pumping techno in the background with some brit pop and starts the class with some ice-breaking coordination exercises. We are all running in a big circle, three balls floating around, depending on the ball you get, you need to say out loud either a type of food you like, or something you want to achieve in 2014, or a place you want to travel to. Where am I? After 5m of this, we all sit down in a circle for introduction time. What follows next is an accessible variation of a chakra meditation, some basic yoga sequences including a few partner yoga exercises, two rounds of kapalabhati and yoga nidra. By then the rest of the gym is empty so no background music – and within minutes a few people get pretty relaxed, I mean, snoring kind of relaxed….whatever works.

What usually follows, I am told, is a drink at the pub next door but this evening everybody is rushing due to the tube strike.

 

What can I say…this is not for me and it has not made me any more social. But people seemed to enjoy it, the atmosphere was indeed very friendly, and the intention is good…so who am I to judge it?