I am writing this in appreciation of the countless number of people who have approached me during daily activities, corresponded with me privately though text, Facebook and my web page offering words of encouragement and support. Knowing that you empathise and associate with my words is amazing and I draw comfort from knowing I am not alone in these feelings or experiences. I hope that you may find some morsel of comfort in my discoveries to date to enable you ...
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This is a chocoholic’s dream recipe and offers "balance" to healthy living. It is the equivalent of a personal hug offering indulgent cocoa comfort just when you may need it the most. I have tried this recipe using different brands of ingredients but I have found that by using “Green and Black”, organic products and spelt flour the sensual experience on your taste buds is just orgasmic and worth every cent of the indulgence. Preparation Time: ...
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This is a beautiful pose if you are willing to let go of ego and just allow yourself the freedom to gently drift into the space and freedom of the pose. Focus on your breath to release and let go of tension, negative thoughts and just allow yourself to surrender completely to gravity. Remember, we are building happy memories within the muscles so please travel mindfully into the pose and be just as mindful exiting it. There are numerous benefits ...
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Whilst attending a college module recently our Tutor threw the question casually to us. What does yoga mean to you? Typical answers rattled off were discipline, practice, stretching, the union of mind, body and spirit to name but a few. Yet weeks after attending that module this question still hangs in the air around me. What exactly did yoga mean to me? It’s a discipline certainly and one I sometimes have to work at especially when the “mood” isn't upon ...
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Today was a learning curve, taken way outside my comfort zone, but aim was achieved. Sometimes pushing our comfort barriers way out is a good thing, growth! Namaste. I posted this status to my face book page recently. It was typed and posted at the end of a day which was particularly stressful for me. This stress was personally inflicted upon me by myself and was so powerful and all empowering I was physically sick from it. Early in the ...
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This is a simple recipe and is a great accompaniment to soup. It is quick, easy to make and I love it as everything goes into one pot and is mixed all in one! I personally love it served with lashings of real Irish butter and is especially delicious served warm. PS!! This is a recipe you can fiddle with e.g. if you don’t like linseed's you can substitute pumpkin seeds instead. Raisins, sultana's, goji berries, apricots or dates can also be ...
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A few months back my family and I spent time some time in an airport restaurant pushing food around plates while we waited for a specific boarding call. When the dreaded time arrived carry-on bags were gathered and we moved towards the gates. I gathered Jack my 5 year old nephew into my arms and almost smothered him in a bear hug, with me savoring the moment. His huge smile infectious and he was beside himself with excitement. After a month ...
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Reclining Leg Stretch is a tremendous way to stretch, strengthen and tone all the muscles of your legs including the calves, hamstrings, quads and glute muscles. It is an appropriate pose for all levels of yoga practitioners even those who are brand new to yoga. This pose is especially beneficial to anyone who tends to suffer from hamstring ...
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Bridge pose is a rejuvenating back bend which is very gentle. It opens up the chest and shoulder area. If you find it difficult to hold the lift, slide a block or bolster beneath your sacrum and rest your pelvis on it for support. BENEFITS OF BRIDGE POSE: Stretches and opens the whole chest and shoulder area Strengthens any weakness in the lower back, hips and legs Tones the glutes giving more definition to the buttocks Tones the neck, throat and chin ...
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Shoulder stand is one of my favorite poses in yoga. It is regarded as the Queen of Asana’s with the Headstand being the King. Shoulder stand is an inverted posture which benefits the physical body as well as the emotional. Physically in this posture the ...
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The Sun Salutation is a flowing sequence of postures which gets your heart pumping, increases blood circulation, assists and improves the lymphatic and immune system. It provides the body with a complete thorough work out. The postures flow from one into another with use of the breath (See the diagram above). This generates heat in the body which acts as a detox to cleanse the entire body system. The focus on breath awareness also helps to detox the mind ...
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This is one of my own personal favorite relaxations. The Eagle Spirit Symbolizes: Strength, Courage, Wisdom, Prestige, Spirit, Balance, Healing, Faith, Meditation, and Connection with Higher Power, Freedom, Awareness, Perspective, and Insight. If caught in bad weather he will chose to fly above it. The eagle represents endurance and strength for me, qualities we as humans possess but often lack the belief in ourselves and our ability to use them. So for this relaxation focus on the qualities you wish to strengthen ...
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In lung disorders such as emphysema and asthma the ability to exhale fully has greatly diminished. Fear and habitual behaviours which builds up as a result of the disorder often mean that a person shortens the exhalation of the breath and uses accessory respiratory muscles rather than using the diaphragm. Over a period of time this habit can lead to more serious lung and heart problems. This breath work helps to counteract this and induces a sense of peace and ...
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This is one of my favourite breath works as it always conquers up images of a lazy hazy warm sunny day, with bees buzzing in the meadows. This is a great introduction to meditation as it also helps to centre and focus the mind. Technique Find a warm cosy area where you won’t be disturbed, light a candle, you may wish to play some soft gentle music (optional) and sit in a comfortable meditative asana (pose). Close your eyes and ...
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Namaste (pronounced: nah-mahs-tay). What does ‘namaste’ mean? This is a gesture of respect from one person to another and it occurs in all yoga classes, from kid’s yoga to beginner to the highly advanced. It represents the belief that in each of us there is a Divine spark located in the heart centre or the heart chakra. Bowing in namaste is an acknowledgment of the soul in one to the soul in another. “Nama” means bow, “as” means I, and ...
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