Practice to calm your nerves

NADI SHODHANA: A PRACTICE TO CALM OUR NERVES, BALANCE OUR MIND AND IMPROVE OUR MEMORY.

- Press the side of the right nostril, unblock the left and exhale - This constitutes one round.

We usually practice about 10 rounds or for a couple of minutes but you can practice for longer. As you experiment see if you can slow your breathing down, so you are slowly breathing in and out through alternate nostrils. Focus on the sensation of the passage of the breath.

At first, it might seem as though one of your nostrils is blocked, this is more than likely due to the nasal cycle, something we are usually unaware of. At any time one of our nasal cavities will be partially congested and we will be breathing in and out mostly through the other nostril. It’s thought that this biological function helps give each nostril a chance to rest to prevent our nasal cavities drying out. As you work with the practice ,you will likely find the nostrils start to feel more even and you balance the right and left side.

If you want to know more about Nadi Shodhana, please do get in touch. I am always more than happy to talk about yoga and would love to know how you got on with the practice.

Take good care of yourself, Clair.

Often referred to as alternate nostril breathing, Nadi Shodhana is a yoga breathing technique which numerous studies have found to increase feelings of well-being, improve memory, relieve stress and increase physical relaxation. I’ve recently been teaching Nadi Shodhana in my yoga classes and class members have reported feeling much calmer after the practice, some have texted me later on to tell me they have had much more positive, productive days and one class member says she uses the technique to prevent panic attacks. This is a really powerful tool.

The Sanskrit words Nadi Shodhana (Sanskrit being the classical and intellectual language of India) translate as something like Channel Cleansing. In yoga texts composed around the middle ages, this technique was classified as a cleansing practice as it was seen as cleansing or purifying the energy lines or channels that were visualized to be running through the body. Though it is most often referred to in English as alternate nostril breathing, this being a description of the practice, I prefer to use the original name as it gives me a sense of how it actually feels.

There are various ways to approach the technique but the simplest approach involves gently pressing on the side of one nostril with your thumb of ring finger to block the flow of the breath and then breathing in or out through the open nostril. A simple practice would be as follows:

- Find a comfortable seated position, close the eyes or soften the gaze - Exhale through both nostrils - Gently press on the side of the right nostril, and inhale through the left nostril - Press the side of the left nostril and unblock the right to exhale through right nostril - Inhale through right nostril

TRAVEL INSPIRATION:

SUMMER 2021

By Harden Holidays It is hard to believe that we are now in April 2021 and there is still so much uncertainty around international travel which makes it near impossible to plan something for a well-deserved summer holiday. We are eagerly awaiting the PM’s update planned for the 5th April for some more clarity on how the skies may reopen this summer and where we may able to travel in the short term. There is a lot of misinformation and speculation in the press and on social media that does help either. When it comes to holidays and international travel, we strongly advise you:

1. Book with a reputable travel agent with a strong financial protection in place and be sure to have an answer to all scenarios that may unfold i.e. what happens to your money - if the operator cancels the holiday, if you test positive before you travel, if the country of destination will only let in the people who had both Covid vaccines or if you decide you don’t want to travel anymore as you don’t feel safe and the list can continue.

2. Get information and guidance on travel requirements from a reputable travel agent. By the nature of what we do and our membership with industry bodies we have access to a bit more information, and we can give you clear, accurate and up to date advice.

UK Exclusive Cruising Given the amazing progress of the vaccination programme here in the UK the cruise industry is coming forward with an interesting proposition for this summer - cruising around the British Isles. We love the idea and here is why: there will be no compromise on health and safety – all guests will need have been vaccinated or tested before boarding; the on bord protocols have been made even better more stringent to maintain a safe bubble; these ship are a work of art, floating resorts that can keep you entertained for days with quality food and drinks, excellent shows, amazing spa facilities, fantastic kids area and clubs and the list can go on and on. If you have cruised before you will know what a great

experience it is and for those who have never cruised it is a great opportunity to try. With a range of ships and various duration you can really get a taste of what is like being at sea on one these amazing vessels. Here is a list of liners that will have an offering for the summer:

Disney Cruise Lines - departing on select dates from London Tilbury, Newcastle, Liverpool and Southampton aboard the Disney Magic, Disney’s new staycation sailings—exclusive to UK residents—invite you to embark on a brand-new, magical Disney experience. Close to home and at sea—be immersed in Disney storytelling, thanks to an amazing collection of onboard entertainment, dining and recreation for the entire family, with all the care you’d expect from Disney. On sale early April with details on vaccination/ testing protocols to still to be released. Great for families and Disney fans.

P&O Cruises - the new coastal cruises will depart from Southampton between June and September, sailing around the UK coast, “where the sun shines brightest.” They will include three and four night breaks and one six night holiday on their flagship Britannia starting from £449pp. And for Iona’s maiden season, she’ll offer week-long escapes from £779pp. Setting sail from Southampton, you will get the chance to enjoy a British break with a serious upgrade. Gourmet dining and poolside pizza, cocktail bars and coffee spots, boutique shops and cinemas, whirlpool spas and hi-tech gyms, live music and theatre shows – this gorgeous ship offers it all. Great for all ages.

MSC Cruises - will offer a special range of short breaks and week-long cruises around the British Isles this summer starting from 20 May, for UK holidaymakers only.

Departing from the new terminal in the port of Southampton these first sailings will kick off with a series of short cruises and will be followed by 7-night sailings visiting some of the UK’s favourite destinations and offering additional ports of embarkation to guests. They are also working on a programme of protected shore excursions for guests to experience the destinations they visit, following their successful rollout since last summer in other markets, but of course this is subject to prevailing circumstances and local guidance at the time of sailing. Great for families and great value.

Fred Olsen Cruises – their ‘Welcome Back’ programme of cruises will showcase the best of the British Isles this summer, with scenic-only cruises and those with ports of call featured aboard its smaller ships. The 11-cruise programme includes departures from Dover and Liverpool, with scenic sailings taking in the best of the British Isles, including the Shetland and Orkney islands and the Isles of Scilly. New ship Borealis will be the first of the fleet to set sail, with a three-night scenic ‘Maiden Voyage’ from Liverpool on 5th July, with Bolette to depart on a three-night ‘Maiden Voyage’ from Dover on 16th August. Great for traditional cruising.

Princess Cruises – offers short breaks and week-long cruises aboard MedallionClass ships, Regal Princess and Sky Princess, scheduled to sail from Southampton around the UK coast from late summer. Regal Princess will offer 14 UK voyages running from July 31 through to September 23, 2021. Sky Princess will offer eight UK cruises, running from August 30 through to September 28, 2021. Regal Princess and Sky Princess will offer scenic cruises and voyages with stops in UK ports-of-call including Liverpool, Belfast and Greenock, with itineraries ranging from three to seven nights. On sale now. Great for foodies.

After months of lockdown life, we have all earned a trip to a luxury hotel, a soothing spa break, dinner and a show… Luckily with a cruise, you don’t have to choose just one. Everything you have missed, and more is waiting on board not to mention the excellent value for money you are getting.

Get in touch and we will be more than happy to give you more information - whether you are an avid cruiser or just want to get a taster this summer, please do not hesitate to contact the Harden Holidays team.

Dartford Town Centre

www.hardenholidays.co.uk 0800 023 8974

Full-time, experienced, qualified yoga teacher, teaching practical yoga and meditation classes in the local community and now online. When Government advice allows, the regular schedule of in person group classes in Hextable, Swanley, Sidcup and Bexleyheath will resume. For now, all regular group classes are being held online.

Yoga Alliance Professionals Senior Yoga Teacher and British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course Tutor, I am qualified and experienced in making yoga accessible.

I teach an embodied and practical approach to yoga, breath work and meditation, appropriate for all ages and abilities. You don’t need to be flexible to start!

My classes are friendly, everybody is welcome, so come and see how it feels to tune in and connect yourself and feel better. Please visit my website for more information or email me at clair.crestyoga@gmail.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.