Yoga 54 mag web by Yoga Scotland Magazine

Yoga

Issue 54 • September 2017

SCOTLAND

MAGAZINE

PUBLISHED BY

YOGA SCOTLAND

www.yogascotland.org.uk Scottish Charity Number SCO20590

• Yoga for All • International Day of Yoga • Teaching the Unteachable • What is a Yoga Teacher?

sportscotland

Governing Body for Yoga in Scotland

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Guidelines for Contributors Articles and news items are welcome from everyone, whether a teacher, student teacher, ordinary member or non-member. If you don’t want to write – but have news or ideas – get in touch anyway. Yoga Scotland is keen that all yoga schools and traditions are represented in the magazine. Good quality photos of events are also very welcome. Please check word length with the Editor. For the next issue articles or small contributions on the theme of ‘Not just Asana’ will be particularly welcome. Please send articles, letters, emails, photos, information, news or ideas to the Editor (details below).

Editorial

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Hari OM As classes gear up again for the coming year, the theme in this issue reminds us that Yoga is for All – with accounts of teaching, practices and tips for a broad arrange of students – including older people, those with disabilities, or addictions, mental health problems, obesity, those living in poverty, and special needs. Thanks to everyone who has written on this theme and demonstrated a small slice of the settings in which the magic of yoga works. I am especially inspired by two of these articles. Fiona Clarence’s wonderfully moving account of teaching yoga to disaffected teenage girls with multiple problem, who had fallen out of the education system and did not want to be in school and certainly not in a yoga class. And John Arthur tells his personal story of how yoga helped him to recover from addiction. Elsewhere we have two different accounts of the ancient festivals celebrating the autumn equinox and the harvest and their spiritual roots; Jim Fraser asks: “what is a yoga teacher” and comes up with a paradoxical answer; and Rona Main links minimalism with the yama aparigraha. I am delighted that the new Soap Box feature introduced in the last issue to let members have their say about things they feel passionate about, is taking off very well indeed, with two new ‘rants’ and a response to the one in the last issue. As someone used to say – “it’s good to talk”. This issue completes my temporary year back in the Editor’s seat after a gap of some years, filling in until a longer-term karma yogi emerged. I have enjoyed it very much, and I am delighted to say that Glasgow based teacher, Mick Gallagher will be picking up his blue pencil and bringing is own brand of yoga experience to the job from the January issue. I wish him well. Carol Godridge, Editor

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View from the (Interim) Chair A former Chairperson of Yoga Scotland remarked at the recent Special Members’ Meeting that, from time to time, all organisations experience some kind of implosion and that, following the upheaval, things settle down again and some good comes from the upheaval. She spoke of such earthquakes within other yoga organisations, including the British Wheel, and felt that such periods should be seen as part of development. Yoga Scotland has just had such an experience when communications broke down badly between the Executive Committee members and Tutors to such a point that, as a last resort, members called a Special Meeting to resolve the matter at issue. Members and Tutors were challenging the decision to postpone the Glasgow Teacher Training Course. Fifty members came to the meeting and there was lengthy discussion resulting in a vote to overturn the decision and to run the course as usual. Sadly, four of the five committee members felt that they could not continue after the decision. I would like to stress how much appreciation was voiced at the meeting about the karma yoga put in by the committee members. Joy, Val, Kirsty and Judi worked tirelessly on behalf of the organisation, and I would like to extend my personal appreciation. We are not supposed to look for reward or thanks for karma yoga, but it is nonetheless difficult when one’s work is overturned in this way. A similar thing happened at an AGM some 15 years ago – when members overturned a committee decision – as they have a right to do. On that occasion the committee were able to continue working, but on this occasion it was sadly not the case. Which is how I come to find myself back temporarily on the committee and in the (Interim) Chair until the AGM in the autumn, when members will have the opportunity to elect a new Chairperson. Kath McDonald remained on the committee and her help and experience is invaluable at this time of handover, and change. If any good can be seen to be coming from the upheaval it’s that some new faces have volunteered to form a new committee, bringing in fresh blood and ideas. We have also co-opted another two members to serve until the AGM, and would welcome one or two more people to help share the work that needs to be done to keep the show on the road. Please get in touch if you think you can help. And so, as the new session begins, I wish all of you well in your teaching and on your yoga path this year, and hope to see many you at the Autumn Seminar on October 28th, at which we will also have the AGM. Gill Gibbens

Yoga Scotland Trustees Interim Chairperson: Gill Gibbens Email: actingchair@yogascotland.org.uk Treasurer: Olive Gardiner Email: treasurer@yogascotland.org.uk Secretary: Kath McDonald Email: secretary@yogascotland.org.uk Training and Web Manager: Susie Arnott Email: Susie.arnott@mac.com Magazine Editor: Mick Gallagher Email: editor@yogascotland.org.uk PVG Adviser: Bijam Email: pvg@yogascotland.org.uk Training Co-ordinator: Elaine Samson elaine@yogascotland.org.uk Member: Lynsey McFarlane

Yoga Scotland Administrators Maria Rawlings (General) maria@yogascotland.org.uk Georgina Dunlevy (Training) georgina@yogascotland.org.uk

For more detailed information on Yoga Scotland membership, regional events, classes, training courses and more, visit our website: www.yogascotland.org.uk

Cover photo Older yogis enjoying chair yoga in Dumfries. Photo: Jill Dobbie. Please send in any photos you have which depict aspects of yoga.

Help! We need at least two more people on the committee to help with Events and OGT. Disclaimer The views expressed in Yoga Scotland magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Yoga Scotland. We reserve the right to encourage the expression of a variety of views on subjects of interest to our members. No item should be taken as Yoga Scotland policy unless so stated. © 2017 Yoga Scotland. All original articles in Yoga Scotland Magazine may be reproduced and circulated without prior permission being sought, provided acknowledgement is given to the author and Yoga Scotland. Printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper.

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News and Views National Insurance changes Arrangements for NICs are due to change and class 2 NICs are being abolished. This could potentially have a considerable impact on those earning a low wage (for example yoga teachers) who are currently paying class 2 NICs. See the informative article at: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/mar/18/natio nal-insurance-self-employed-400pc-more-contributions

Monthly Synchronised Global Meditations for Peace We are organizing a Global Synchronized Meditation and Prayer the last Sunday of every month – leading up to The International Day of Peace. We are also providing "on the ground" assistance for those torn from their homes by war. Groups will meet in hundreds of locations around the world and tune into our Live Broadcasts and global prayers, featuring leaders from various spiritual traditions with a focus on unity, healing, and peace. Go to www.Rise4Syria.org.

108 Sun Salutations for old people in Langtan On a visit to Nepal l Jill Dobbie was horrified to see how the 2015 earthquake had destroyed the remote village of Langtan. She was particularly concerned by the plight of the elderly, many of whom had lost relatives in the disaster and their homes. She decided to raise money to help with

rebuilding accommodation for them through a local Trust. She resolved to undertake a month of Tapas – the nyama for self-discipline – and to work towards executing 108 sun salutations on the final day. Her hard work paid off and she recorded in her diary on 30th April. “With the most wonderful support from friends and my partner Andy, I managed to complete a full 108 sun salutations this morning. I could not have asked for better support and friendship. Until today I had only managed 41 rounds of sun salutations, but this morning along with this group I was supported through until the very last round. It took us around 4 hours to complete the 108 rounds, (2592 yoga poses flowing into one another). Carol Godridge chanted beautifully for us through the final 12 rounds. “My friend Patti Lean was at my side the whole morning and together we practiced 108 surya namaskar in around 4 hours. (Others did as many rounds as they could manage – between 25 and 89 rounds) To date the Just Giving fundraiser has raised £2323.05 plus £277.50 gift aid. This money will be spent to furnish the home of 6 elderly people in Kyanjin Gompa. The money for the building itself having been raised by others. I hope to return with friends to Langtang in April 2018.” (Editor: I’d like to make it clear that, whilst I was 100% there in spirit, my body only allowed me to do 25 rounds of the sun salutation before it went on strike! I am gradually recovering.)

Reflections by Joy Charnley A few months ago a river in New Zealand, sacred to Maoris who consider it to be an ancestor, and known by them as Te Awa Tupua, was officially recognised as having the same status as a human being. This meant that any harm done to the river would be treated as the equivalent of harming a person. The Ganges, similarly sacred to Hindus, has also been recognised in this way, although the polluted state of the river suggests that its ‘protected status’ has probably not been very effective. Such examples are all the more impressive though, when we remember just how difficult some human beings find it to relate and feel close to others, never mind rivers, mountains and trees. Groups of humans endeavouring to collaborate on a common project almost always encounter difficulties at some point, whether it be at the level of continents, countries, cities or organisations, since passionate people coming together with ideas and visions of how things might evolve will inevitably disagree from time to time. The question is how they work through those difficulties and come out the other side. At forks in the road a direction has to be chosen, and refusing to choose simply leads to stasis. Yoga Scotland has not been immune to such phenomena in recent months, and the closeness and understanding of each other which is the ideal we seek has often seemed very far away. What remains though, is the Yoga that we all share, and the community of which Yoga Scotland is a member, both here in the UK and further afield. So it is to be hoped that, in words that have now become famous, we will remember that we have more in common than that which divides us.

Yoga SCOTLAND The Scottish Yoga community was certainly on display in all its splendour and diversity at the Yoga Show in March, emphasising once again just how the Yoga world has evolved and grown in recent decades, the amount of choice now available and the importance of remaining relevant. The ‘older generation’ was represented by organisations such as YS, the British Wheel of Yoga and Dru, who have all been around for many years, but can no longer assume that they are the automatic references for Yoga practitioners. For indeed, the ‘younger generation’ (such as the many studios now offering trainings) are increasingly confident, and less and less inclined to acknowledge that longer-established organisations or ‘governing bodies’ are in any way ‘superior.’ Finding ways for all these different organisations to connect and collaborate, and learn from one another in an atmosphere of mutual respect, is vital, and pretending the world hasn’t changed is just not an option. So what relationship will there be in the future between them all? Is there space for everyone? Is diversity a good thing, allowing all to find their audience? What will remain a few years from now? How do we foster respect and openness rather than fear and rejection of change? For me this period of karma Yoga has been enlightening, energising, challenging and mostly enjoyable, and it has been an honour to serve YS in various capacities. I particularly take with me all the memories of meeting, talking to and helping YS members, the opportunities to interact with other organisations and potential new members, and the many

many projects brought to fruition with members of the Executive Committee and Maria, YS’s wonderful administrator. I leave you with a question that has recurred in several conversations I’ve had recently concerning the paradoxical way in which Yoga can somehow seem to increase ego and selfishness rather than diminishing them. Is it perhaps true that we sometimes get so focused on ourselves and our own practice and path, that we forget about the importance of connection to others? Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the Worldwide Web, gave his invention to the world for free, with no patent and no royalties. If he is capable of such an act of massive generosity, giving to the world a gift which undoubtedly has its downsides, but has also done much to bring people closer, maybe in our own small ways we could all be less selfish, more generous, more open, more ‘giving’ and more connected? Wishing you all well. Joy Charnley

Polmont Foundation Course There is no photo of the Polmont Foundation Course because, as Tutor Sue McLellan says, “we had such a happy and celebratory afternoon that no-one remembered to take a photo!”

Dumfries Foundation Course

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Glasgow Teacher Training Course

Aberdeen Foundation Course

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Our theme for the 2017 programme is

‘Doing Less, Being More’ Saturday 23rd September 2017 ▲ Johnny Glover ▲

Venue: Boroughmuir Rugby Club, 2 Meggetland Wynd, Edinburgh, EH14 1XN

Sunday 12th November 2017 ▲ Tina Gilbert ▲

Venue: Boroughmuir Rugby Club, 2 Meggetland Wynd, Edinburgh, EH14 1XN PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE OF VENUE FOR BOTH SEMINARS Full details on the EYLA website www.elya.org.uk

For enquiries and to reserve a place call EYLA Booking Secretary Kerry on 0131 445 1355 or email kerry.cooper@virgin.net

Our seminars are suitable for ALL levels of experience All seminars are the same price: £30 ELYA members, £33 non-members. BYO lunch and a mug – teas and coffee provided. There is a café at Boroughmuir Rugby Club for those that would like the option of hot food.

Sadly, ELYA has to announce it is dissolving with effect from December 2017

We managed to survive a crisis 5 years ago but this time the main issue is committee volunteers – many of the current members have served at least 5 years and have hung on as long as possible to keep ELYA going. Numbers have been falling too as there are so many others courses and workshops available these days. We are very sad as we know ELYA is able to offer something different to many other teachers/organisations as our tutors are from very different styles/approaches but without a number of new committee members, we don’t see another way forward. The committee would like to thank the many members and attendees for their support over the 42 years that the organisation has been running in one form or another. A big thank you also to the wonderful tutors that have led the various seminars. Hopefully, ELYA has introduced yoga to many people that otherwise may not have considered attending a seminar and perhaps even led to them finding a class to attend more regularly. Please do come and support our 2 final seminars – we are going to go out on a celebratory note and we have a good space at Boroughmuir Rugby Club for both events. We still need members to facilitate decisions on winding up ELYA and if you are attending the final two seminars, your membership fee will be covered by the discount so please do join up.

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Living Yoga Study Group

International Day of Yoga

Events were held around the country to mark the third UN International Day of Yoga on 21st June.

Background "Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity. “Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga. “The theme for the 2017 celebration, organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, is 'Yoga for Health.' The theme highlights the fact that yoga can contribute in a holistic way to achieving an equilibrium between mind and body. The organizers believe that this approach to health and wellbeing can make a direct and useful contribution to humankind's quest to achieve sustainable development and move towards lifestyles that are in harmony with nature.”

On 21st June the Prime Minister of India led a yoga practice and both he and the President of India spoke about yoga. You can see a short video about it on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7bvYQF21VA In Aberdeen £567 was raised at the joint Grampian Yoga Association /Yoga Scotland event attended by over 40 people., with guest tutors Sandra Cook, Roy Goodsman, Adrian Morgan and Rebecca Murray . Money raised will go

Yoga SCOTLAND

to CLAN (Cancer Link Aberdeen North) and local foodbanks. In Glasgow the day was celebrated at an event with three Yoga Scotland teachers – Margaret Watt, Gill McKinlay, Manjulika Singh and also, local teacher Monika Slaven. In Kinross Sarah and Suthesh from Simpli Yoga celebrated with the local community on Wednesday 21st June with an open class, and give back to India. We asked for donations from the class and let everyone know all

contributions would be going to an Orphanage in Kerala called Thanal Balasramam. Thanal Balasramam looks after children from as young as 15 days old. The children are all educated and yoga is part of their curriculum. If they wish the children can stay on and study to degree level. On our visit last year the young girls were eager to show us their yoga postures and use their English language. On the day we raised £125 for the Orphanage and this has been added to from other donations at our classes bringing us to £334 so far.

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Yoga 4 All

Yoga for All: Teaching the Unteachable? The Privilege of Teaching Yoga by Fiona Clarence

Ayrshire Yoga teacher Fiona Clarence shares her moving experience of working with teenage girls who didn’t want to be in education and certainly not in a yoga class. This story starts back in 1999 when I started teaching at a local college in my area. I got more and more involved in teaching Yoga to staff and eventually into night school, and then day classes for the students. It was the latter that was to change my thinking for life. As part of a dedicated teaching team I was given the task to ‘baby sit’, young teenagers that had been failed by our education system. In other words these were the difficult ones. Little did I know how difficult! My timetable allowed me 9 hours a week with my class, and on that first Wednesday afternoon in August I meet them for the first time. Oh what I nightmare – I had laid out the

Yoga mats in a circle to have them lifted off the floor and they proceeded to batter the living daylights out of each other with them. It was utter carnage. It was not quite blood and guts but it was a close-run thing, with me shouting, “girls stop this at once”. I sounded like something out of Miss Jean Brodie. Unlike her I felt so inadequate, so unprepared, that I left them too it. Tea break came and off they went. By the time they came back the mats were away and I was standing at the head of a table with 16 chairs round it. I still remember the fear I felt as I stood in front of them. The hostility that was directed to me could have been cut by a knife, but I faced them and told them my plans to get them into some form of education by next August. It took me from August to October to find out all the issues: I had children in my care that had been abused mentally, sexually and emotionally. I had a child that had had a child herself at 14. I had children that had seen their Mother, Father, brother, sisters that had OD’d on drugs and, as for the alcohol abuse, oh dear! I had children that were being pimped off to their boyfriends’ friends, and I had children that had seen death up close and personal.

Yoga SCOTLAND So I made it my task to help, along with Social Work, who were amazing. I tried everything, I would tell them stories about the Yoga postures, and I would show them the Sun Salutation and all the other postures I knew. I taught them anatomy, and little by little they came onto the mats themselves and we started to practice together. But my real turning point was Halloween, I decided to throw a party for ‘my girls’, and I found heart balloons and heart cakes and made heart sandwiches, we dooked for apples and danced like savages and we had a ball. As they left with their heart balloons and a goody bag I shouted after them that I loved them – why I don’t know – the door closed and then it opened again and one shouted back, “hey Fiona we all love you too”. I sat down and cried. I knew that I would never be there pal, but I had somehow got through their defences. From that day on we started to work together to heal their broken souls. We did sex education, studied the Rights of the Child and the Declaration of Human Rights, and started to work on Asana and the gift of Yoga Nidra. We studied the four films Earth, Water, Fire and Air. These films had made a big impression on them as I was stopped by other members of staff and asked about them and if they could watch them too. The “whispers” got to the top and my head of department arrived as we were watching Water. She sat in the back and let me continue without a word. After the film finished we discussed the issues raised in it, and how some of the issues were parallel to their own lives. At the end the girls left and my boss said, “Good job”. I sound as if it was all happy clappie. It was not. I had a few that gave up and never came back and I had one that sat with her hood up every session and never said a word to me. She was the lass that had had a baby at 14; her child died 3 weeks later. The father was in prison for GBH. I woke up one night, it was a light bulb moment, I just realised the child was grieving and had not been given a voice to vent her grief. So the next Wednesday we lit candles and sat in a circle and I gave her a pillow as a representation for her child. Out of nowhere one of the other girls started to sing a lullaby in French, that her Grannie had sung to her. By the end we were all in tears. The room was so quiet and still and my poor wee soul of a girl cried and cried cried until there was nothing left. The others were so compassionate and so gentle with her. I felt so very honoured to be the witness to something so raw. We placed the ‘baby’ to rest. Did it work? Yes a little, until the boyfriend/father came back and I never saw her again. I still think of her and hope that life has opened up for her. By the following April we were 10, and the Yoga had done its magic. Not only had they started to trust again, but there were very subtle changes: the hard heavy makeup was gone, their clothing had gone from “night street workers” to teenagers in t-shirt and jeans. Their body shapes changed, and, in a few, changed quite dramatically. In the end we got 8 into further education. You see “my girls” were intelligent and very bright: two went into access to nursing, three went into beauty, and three went into hair dressing. So we did it right, we did a “good job”. After that I was made redundant but it was an honour to teach these girls and you know what? It really was the other way about; they gave me a deep faith in the teachings of Yoga that to this day has never left me.

To help me on my quest I went to my books, I was also very lucky to be guided through the Yoga Nidra by Swami Nirmal whom I am indebted too. Without her kindness knowledge and patience I could have made things worse instead of better. Also thanks have to go to the other collage staff, I did not do this on my own, but the Yoga was mine and I truly feel it was that that made the big difference to my wonderful girls. My resources: Yoga for Body, Breath and Mind by A.G. Mohan Yoga Education for Children by Swami Satyananda Moola Bandha, the Master Key by Swami Buddhananda Yoga Nidra by Swami Satyananda Yoga on Hypertension by Dr Swami Shankardevananda In the end our Yoga practice was like any other class, but they loved the “warrior sequence” and the “Aruna Surya Namaskar” that I got from Di Kendall years ago. So never give up, no matter how tough – there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

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Obituary: Swami Satyaprakash It is with great sadness we report that Swami Satya Prakash died on 29th July, after a short period of recurring cancer. Only a few weeks earlier, she would have been teaching in south west Scotland. A much-loved teacher north of the Border, the last time she taught an Autumn Seminar for Yoga Scotland in 2012, an unprecedented 83 students booked in. Acknowledged as one the most respected Swamis in the UK, she practised yoga for 45 years, teaching for the last 35 in the tradition of Satyananda Yoga. Swami trained in Birmingham with the British Wheel of Yoga and in Ireland with the Bihar School of Yoga, and later spent many periods in ashrams in Europe and India, and establishing the Birmingham Satyananda Yoga Centre. There she developed teacher training courses and had a passion for facilitating the development of yoga teachers through on-going training. Over the years she also specialised in yoga for mental health and in the management of chronic low back pain, and taught in a wide variety of settings, including prisons and alcohol rehabilitation centres. She was always a delightfully forthright person – able to criticise and give her strong opinions, without in any way diminishing the person on the receiving end. This trait was evident right to the end as we can see in this extract form the eulogy at her funeral service and thanksgiving gathering. The service was conducted by yoga teacher and close friend Reverend Monica Douglas Clarke (Hridaya Purna)” “The intended last song finished playing and the iPod shuffle chose Bob Marley's 'One Love' as the true final song. It was perfect. We sang, we laughed, we cried as we said our farewells to our dear friend, mother, teacher and granny. I feel so blessed, humbled and honoured to have been chosen by Ann (Swami) to lead the service and make sure she had exactly what she wanted for her last rites. It was joyful, creative and love filled.

I saw and felt the love that Ann aka Swami Satyaprakash gave throughout her life reflected back in the hearts and faces of all who were present.

"Go out and do something useful for someone else and don't sit around moping." This was her last powerful kick up the butt and call to action. Her dying wish was to call others to selfless service and karma yoga. She made us put that quote on the back of the order of service. I hear her voice saying.

"It's time for you to get on with what you have to do. Live, love and serve." That is what I will do in honour of my dear friend and teacher.”

: Yoga SCOTLAND

National Occupational Standards (NOS) - the debate continues by Cathy Swan Yoga Scotland Teacher Training Tutor, Cathy Swan attended the latest meeting in Scotland in June., and came back with some alternative thoughts to those in the last two issues; The meeting was held to inform the attendees of the rationale and progress of the review process. NOS are now under the remit of Skills Active who are involved in setting up and maintaining NOS for a vast number of careers for the UK. The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are behind NOS because they provide a benchmark for training standards. Each of the governments has agreed to have National Occupational Standards (NOS) for yoga teachers. The rationale behind implementing these standards is because there are so many different yoga qualifications that they need some clarification and definition. These are intended as a broad benchmark for good practice UK wide and are merely a guideline and not mandatory. There is no cost involved and organisations can choose to use them or not. Each of the national governments has to sign off the NOS. They have to be happy that it has been a robust consultation process and that the NOS are fit for purpose. Skills Active doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t influence anything in this process. Their role is to ensure that the NOS fit the criteria. The draft standards are work in process to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to read through, scrutinise and share their views and definition of good practice. The aim is to include all regional organisations and yoga schools, (both big and small) and for individual yoga teachers to have the opportunity to have a say in developing the NOS for yoga teachers for UK-wide Standards and Qualifications. You can access this online by typing NOS into the search engine and following the links. NOS for yoga are not aligned to any particular school of yoga but merely intend to set a minimum level for all yoga teachers. Any awarding yoga organisation could use NOS as a starting point before adding their own unique stamp onto it. NOS for Yoga Therapists have been in place for the last 6 years. The NHS has intended for some time to include yoga as one of its referral routes, but this has been difficult or impossible because there are no standard qualifications across the UK for yoga. Following a briefing session in London in October last year, Skills Active has carried out more research. This included discussions with the Indian Commission and other bodies to check they are on track. All of the comments and feedback that are received at the regional meetings and on the website are fed into an Expert Working Group who discuss and analyse any changes. These in turn get fed into the Steering Group who oversee the process, so this is a multi-layered checking and discussion process. It is also an iterative process that will continue until it is agree to be fit for purpose.

The document is very thorough and on reading through it, my reaction was that the purpose, the values, the skills and the behaviours are all yogic principles and practices that we already implement in our current teacher training courses. The Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA) is keen to have yoga NOS because it has had lots of requests for these qualifications from several Yoga Organisations. No application has been successful to date because the yoga organisations have either not met the quality standards or the required criteria. The strict criteria and wording for NOS would make the process of gaining an SQA award a much more streamlined and straight forward process if this was a route that any yoga body wanted to follow. NOS are not linked to any particular yoga style of yoga or yoga body. They are aimed at a minimum level for all types of yoga and yoga schools. The idea behind the NOS is that any yoga organisation or Awarding Body could have standards as a starting point on to which it could add its own unique stamp.

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Yoga SCOTLAND

What is a Yoga Teacher? by Jim Fraser Jim Fraser teaches yoga in Aberdeen and asks this fundamental question. This is one of these questions which everybody knows the answer to……until you begin to think about it. Is a yoga teacher the one who carries a bag full of ‘blocks and tackle’ to provide assistance to people who need to learn to stretch their hamstrings, lengthen their inner thighs, adjust their shoulders, be taught how to sleep at night and learn somehow to sit straight and breathe? ‘Blocks and tackle’ is an apt description for the tools needed for lifting physical things, and that’s just what postural yoga does. The student follows the teacher and learns to adjust the body so that it is no longer a victim of gravity and life is no longer depressed by the misuse of the postural muscles and the inadequacy of structural misalignment. Thanks to the yoga teacher, the student dances through life with a body lighter than air. But despite the success of postural yoga, authentic yoga is not greatly concerned with the body except to steady it for meditation and the greater awareness. Postural yoga helps to maintain a foundation for sitting still and being comfortable, so that there is freedom from distraction - which is pratyahara. Then the higher practices can begin. ‘Blocks and tackle’ can be dispensed with and the student can learn to cultivate the mind and awareness of the subtle body. But how does a teacher move from cultivating the physical to cultivating the subtle when the general expectations of a class is to fulfil only the physical? The physical is the material world, individuality and common sense. Yoga transcends these. Two of the three sutras given to asana in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras make this clear (2.47, 2-48). “Sitting, the yogi merges with the infinite and gains unimpeded freedom from the opposites. Far from the wavering of the mind between this and that and that and this. It is a state beyond activity and profoundly difficult to achieve.” How can a teacher teach this to a class which only expects to move about and stretch? The same class will be less than willing to consider the transcendence of the common sense view of the world which is the sum total of their samskaras (deeply embedded memories), their vasana (imagination)? The key to progress in the cultivation of stillness is to understand the nature of the expectations of the class. If students come expecting yoga to consist of postures and the

teacher responds in kind with a bagful of tools, then the teacher is trapped into providing physical yoga according to the students’ demands. If the teacher is interested in making money he or she will go along with this. If the teacher works in a class in which the personnel are constantly changing, then the physical process will prevail. But if the teacher can bring together a regular class and gradually bring the students to enjoy stillness, then there is progress beyond the requirements of ‘blocks and tackle’, and all that that stands for, towards confidence and self-reliance in exploring the deeper aspects of being. Then the expectations for physical exercise which constitute what most people expect from yoga are allayed. Gradually the teacher and class together create the silence which lies at the centre of yoga. According to yoga teaching there are two aspects, yukta and sahaja: technique and what comes by nature from the technique. The physical and the technical belong to postural yoga. This is reflected too in the double meaning of ‘yoga’. It means the practice but also the state achieved as the result of the practice. The second is the important one. When stillness and space is discovered then, in that freedom, the consciousness of prana develops and there is an expansion of yogic awareness to the subtle. The chant Om Saha Navavatu... sometimes called the Peace Mantra, which we recite before a class, helps us to think about this distinction between the physical and the subtle. May He protect both of us. May He nourish both of us. May we both acquire the capacity to study and understand the scriptures. May our study be brilliant. May we not argue with each other. Om peace, peace, peace. The prayer is for the teacher’s benefit as much as for the students, for they learn together. The teacher is dependent on his students and the students on the teacher. The prayer is asking for the creation of a common mind-field. Above that they are asking for the blessing of the guru to teach through the teacher. The teacher then becomes a tool in the furtherance of the wisdom of yoga. He is no longer a teacher distinct from the students, but a medium, because he or she operates within a shared internal dimension within the light of the great yoga tradition. So to answer the question, ‘What is a yoga teacher?’ The answer is: when he or she ceases to be a teacher. The usual trappings of yoga teaching no longer apply, yukta is surpassed by sahaja. Ego is laid aside along with all the trappings and images associated with commercial yoga. The yoga teacher is the external institution together with the yoga class, the yoga studio, the teacher training, the money, the self-importance, the websites and the organisations. These may support the internal dimension in some practical ways but they cannot reach to it or in any way constitute it. It is a central teaching in yoga to strive to retrieve the truth from the trappings of maya (veils) and for a yoga teacher to learn the humility to become ‘not a yoga teacher.’ It is a paradox; a yoga teacher becomes an authentic teacher when he or she ceases to be a teacher.

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On-going Training Programme (OGT) 2017-2018 Saturday 2nd September 2017 (fully booked) Mark Russell: Teaching Pranayama with a Scientific Connection Venue: Victoria Hall, Dunblane FK15 9EX Sunday 29th October 2017 Duncan Hulin: Kriyas~using only Breath and Bandha with Chakra Focus and Pranayama/Meditation Venue: Coupar Institute, Glasgow Saturday 24th February 2018 Tina Gilbert: Anatomy for Yoga Venue: Greenpark Community Centre, Polmont Saturday 24th February 2018 Judy Cameron: Coming Home... Glimpsing another way of being in our practice Venue: In the Moment, Glasgow Sunday 18th March 2018 Maggie McKeen: 5 Elements and our connections to nature and everything around us Venue: Uphall Community Centre, Stratbrock Place, Broxburn nr Polmont EH52 6BN Saturday 14th April 2018 Melanie Cook: Yoga & Managing Chronic Pain Venue: G25 Dance Studio, St Margaretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House, London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AE Sunday 22nd April 2018 Philip Xerri: Pranayama Venue: G25 Dance Studio, St Margaretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House, London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AE Sunday 12th May 2018 Bijam: Managing the mind with the help of yoga, with insights from the Bhagavad Gita Venue: Perth Yoga Studio, Perth. Please note the change of time 11am-5pm Saturday 26-27th May 2018 Jason Birch & Jacqui Hargreaves: Traverse the historical landscape of Yoga Venue: Lochnagar Hall, Cults Parish Church, Aberdeen AB15 9TD First Aid 2017 Saturday 4th November 2017 ~ 1pm - 5pm Venue: Cults Parish Church, Aberdeen with Philip Bagnall Saturday 25th November 2017 ~ 1pm - 5pm In The Moment, Glasgow with Philip Bagnall. If you have not already booked your OGT days for this year please do so as soon as possible. The booking form was sent out to all members with the programme on 2nd June by email. Forms together with payments to be returned to Maria Rawlings.

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Yoga 4 All

Yoga for All: Chair Yoga by Jill Dobbie Jill Dobbie trained with the Mandala Yoga Ashram in Wales and teaches general classes in Dumfries and Galloway, as well as chair classes for the elderly and for those with dementia. She shares her thoughts about this work here:

For the elderly My interest in the elderly comes from a long career in nursing, the last 10 years being in a community setting, helping to care for the elderly within their own homes or in residential care settings. As a nurse, I met countless elderly people who were lonely and socially isolated. Many of them led sedentary lifestyles, often caused by ill health but also contributed to by lack of mental stimulation, spending hours sat in front of a television set. My hopes are to improve elderly people’s quality of life by teaching them: 1. Movements to increase the flexibility and joint health. 2. Improved balance and stability to reduce the risk of falls. 3. Breathing practices to improve respiratory function and to reduce stress. 4. Relaxation and meditation techniques to reduce anxiety and depression. 5. Improve mindfulness and self-awareness.

states that pawanmuktasana series 1 (PMA1) ‘is excellent for those debilitated by rheumatism, arthritis, high blood pressure, heart problems, or other ailments where vigorous physical exercise is not advised.’ The chapter goes on to describe the ways the practices can be performed and their associated benefits outlined below. Awareness of the physical movement, and the sensations within the movement of the joints, bones, ligaments muscles. Also awareness of any thoughts or emotions that surface during the practices. 1) Integrating the movements with the breath. This means that movements are synchronized with the breath. By slowing the movements down and focusing on the breath the effects of the practice are increased. Increasing awareness, relaxation, harmonizing and revitalising the body and prana flowing through out the body. 2) Awareness of the movement of prana in the body or parts of the body. This can be felt as tingling sensations within the body. These practices along with some other simple sequences synchronising movement with the breath would be accessible to most elderly people and minimise any risk of injury. I position the chairs in a semi-circle with me in front of them, ensuring I am clearly visible to everyone in the class, and to allow space for arms to be stretched out to the side without touching anyone or any furniture. One member of the group is deaf so she were positioned in front of me to enable her to lip read. The class itself starts with everyone in a comfortable seated position, having an initial settling practice introducing breath awareness, moving onto seated yoga postures, optional standing postures and to end the class a 10-minute relaxation, meditation, or pranayama practice. As well as the physical practices, I set out to teach the class simple pranayama practices, starting with basic breath awareness and abdominal breathing. Later on I developed these practices, introducing standing balancing postures such as the tree pose and in meditation practice teaching ajapa ajapa, the mantra so hum synchronised with the breath. I remind the group to work only within their own comfortable range of movement, stopping any practices that cause discomfort, and resting whenever needed.

For those living with Dementia Another important aspect of leading a yoga class for the elderly is to bring people together. Helping to reduce social isolation by gathering people together in a friendly weekly yoga class. The practices are very simple, mainly pawanmuktasana series 1, the anti-rheumatic group. In Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha (13, p 23) Swami Satyananda Saraswati

‘While there is no cure for Alzheimer's, recent research suggests that yoga and meditation may play a role in prevention and improving symptoms of the progressive disease’ Friedman (18) Research suggests yoga and meditation may play a role in prevention and improve symptoms and quality of life for patients and their caregivers alike. Both yoga and meditation are ‘brain exercises’ that

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engage different parts of the brain based on the components of practice, using techniques – breathing, movement, postures, chanting, visualization and concentration. Caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia, who are often under a tremendous amount of stress, may also benefit from yoga and meditation, especially when it comes to overall well-being and depressed mood. Yoga and meditation can help people with Alzheimer’s feel happier and find peace, especially those in the early stages who are struggling with the reality of memory loss Meditation reduces the stress hormone cortisol, which has been known to increase the risk of developing dementia.In March 2017, I started a new block of classes in Thornhill. The group was made up of around 10 clients, and 2 staff and 2 volunteers. All the clients took part in the yoga bar one. Each week I arrived early for the yoga class and was warmly welcomed, chatting to the group about their lives whilst sharing a cup of tea and a biscuit. I felt the class was well received over the 6 weeks. After the first week’s class Anne made up a ‘thought’s tree’ with service users about their experiences and reflections on the class. I was sent the feedback by email. The comments were: 1.energising, relaxing, stress relieving 2.exercises were good 3. great 4. very therapeutic and enjoyable 5. in my opinion you are first class 6. relaxing and invigorating 7. was a really god way of exercising gently and also a way of relaxing

8. absolutely worthwhile, I hope I remember the moves later brilliant 9. good, felt they were doing good 10. would like to join in next time 11. Great exercise without too much strain. Good that it involves your brain too This feedback was also shared with the management team locally from Alzheimer Scotland. A few weeks after the end of the six week block, I bumped into Anne at the supermarket. She reported that she was keeping up the yoga with the Thornhill group, leading the group in the exercises and breathing practices I had taught them. I was delighted to hear this.

Mountain Yoga Retreat Las Alpujarras, Southern Spain

Join Sue McLennan for a week of yoga practice, revitalising energies, walking in the mountains, swimming in the pool and enjoying freshly prepared organic food at the beautiful Hidden Paradise retreat centre

28th May – 4th June 2018 For full details: www.suemclennan.co.uk

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The Student Blog The Om, the Cockerel and the Harley Davidson One sunny Saturday morning, I was caught up in lots of other things to be done around the garden, so got to my outdoor meditation much later than usual. By the time I did, the raucous, rattling jackdaws were competing with the sharp, feisty tree sparrows – who in turn were cheep, cheep, cheeping in sharp, pointy unison – almost, but not quite enough to drown out the neighbour’s cacophonous cockerel. All these rambunctious birds together were then thoroughly out-growled by the big motorbikes which roar into our wee town on fine summer weekends. With all this mid-morning noise, I doubted whether I’d be able to get into the ‘zone’ for meditation. However, I got into a comfortable seated position, took a few diaphragmatic breaths and started on my Oms. A-U-M

A-U-M

Then, revealed in moments of stillness and magic, that silent fourth syllable asserted itself quietly and powerfully – and in no uncertain terms. After each Om, all avian and mechanical roaring became none, in each single, silent moment. An absence. A presence. Both. Neither. Silence really is a force to be reckoned with –the trick is to hold onto that experience and carry it with us into our daily lives and into our teaching. Anne Brown, Edinburgh TTC

FROM STRENGTH COMES SAFETY Zoe Knott

BWY Scotland In-Service & Events Training 2017 We warmly welcome teachers and student teachers of ALL traditions to our In-Service Training days. CPD points are available for BWY and Yoga Scotland teachers. All timings are 10am to 4pm. Further information and booking forms are on the BWY Scotland website, www.bwyscotland.co.uk, under BWY Events.

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Progressing Students in Yoga (7.5 CPD points)

Carol Price Sunday 17th September 2017, In the Moment Studio, Glasgow G3 7DS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pranayama in Perspective (7.5 CPD points)

Pranayama and the Chakras (7.5 CPD points)

Philip Xerri Saturday 30th Sept 2017 **Also the AGM** & Sunday 1st October 2017, Cults Kirk Centre, Aberdeen, AB15 9TD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday 13th January 10am-4pm The Eric Liddell Centre, Edinburgh I have learnt over the years that strength is the cornerstone of the physical yoga practice and that with strength and correct alignment, we learn how to stretch safely without compromising the joints. My style of yoga teaching is slow, analytical, static, strong, powerful and energising. You will come away feeling empowered, recharged, re-energised and with a deeper understanding of how to work most effectively in yoga which can be taken into your own practice and weekly classes. With over 35 years in yoga and being a teacher for the British Wheel of Yoga, I have designed this workshop to be suitable for teachers, student teachers and keen yoga class attendees If anyone has a question they would like to ask before booking, do send me an email zoeknott@tiscali.co.uk. Cost, £60.

To book, contact Linda Shand on 07803 523781 or email linda.shand@btinternet.com

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Yoga 4 All

Yoga for All: Radical Ahimsa in Practice and Teaching by Marc J Acquaviva

As a self-diagnosed misfit at the age of 30, I was lucky to have found the ‘Scaravelli inspired’ approach to yoga – anything else would have left me stoically resigned to the fate of a distorted and painful body. Most posturebased yoga classes would have simply caused me more pain, and my equally pained state of mind at the time wouldn’t have been able to tolerate the emphasis on control or endurance. No, this Scaravelli-inspired stuff, rather than emphasizing physical achievement or talking about ‘right and wrong’ ways of doing things, the approach emphasized the spirit of intelligent and compassionate inquiry, as a practical methodology. ‘Learning’ was replaced with ‘ongoing direct physical investigation’. Instructions were replaced by questions: “Is it useful when you…?”, “What happens when you…?” The idea that ‘yoga’ was something that happened naturally to you when you remove the stresses and the strains in what you do, appealed to my own way of thinking. And the journey of self-discovery that followed, turned into a love-

affair with a body that had previously seemed to be nothing but a source of pain and difficulty. My point is that when I started, I wasn’t what most would consider a regular ‘yoga type’. With all my physical (and existential) difficulties I was quite possibly a ‘special case’, and it could be said that I was lucky to have found a yoga that was adapted to accommodate my particular set of difficulties. At the time, ‘Scaravelli-inspired’ was something apart from the rest of the yoga world, and considered a bit of a revolution by its practitioners. The way I see it, ‘Yoga’ is something that arises when I can be entirely Present in this moment to what I am actually doing, and ’Yoga practice’ is simply the act of spending quality time with the body in this fashion. I need only to listen and respond intelligently to what my body is trying to tell me. And by ‘responding intelligently’, I mean applying some common-sense principles, such as nonviolence, non-grasping of outcome etc. whilst engaging whole-heartedly with cleansing myself of unhelpful ideas and confusions in my movement (essentially direct application of the yamas and niyamas to the physical practice). This is what I practice, and this is what I teach. So as far as I am concerned, ‘Yoga practice’ is something that is already entirely accessible to anyone that has a body and is willing to spend time in communion with it.

Yoga SCOTLAND So the outcome of this way of seeing things is that my teaching doesn’t need to be modified for anyone. So my workshops and courses have beginners working side-byside with those that have been practicing and teaching yoga for 40 years. I can have a arthritic 70-something working next to a twenty-something with hypermobility issues and everyone in the room is practicing for the same purpose: to inquire into the relationship between the quality of their outward actions and of their reciprocal somatic experience. The postures are considered a repertoire of examples of potential natural functional movement, support and expression. And so all ‘postures’ become possible, because the ‘asana’ is not defined by the final shape or even by adaptations along the way. It is recognized as the achievement of a ‘comfortable seat’ in approach to the position (a more accurate translation of ‘asana’). The goal, if any, is to find ways of engaging with life that offer greater ease and simplicity in approach to whatever we are doing. Which surely is a worthwhile pursuit for anyone that wishes a better quality of life.

This would be my contribution… to redefine what the term ‘yoga practice’ means to the world. This definition of it has saved my life, and it is bringing the practice of yoga to countless ‘ordinary’ people like myself that would have otherwise run a mile. One of the titles that I often use for my workshops is ‘the Joint Clinic’ – mainly because if someone is willing to let me know what their physical issue is, I can use the approach to show them how the yoga works. To my thinking (and regularly in my experience), if you can change the relationships that are symptomatic of a dysfunctional joint, then the symptoms of dysfunction can be released with the change of relationships. Marc is the Founder and Course Director of the AcquaViva School of Yoga. He runs a regular ‘Yoga Solutions’ Facebook live spot on Tuesdays (Yoga with Marc group). ‘Joint Clinic’ workshops are set to run in Edinburgh from October 2017 and the AcquaViva Yoga & Teacher Development courses have places opening in January 2018. Visit: www.acquavivayoga.com for more information.

Soapbox! The Soap Box regular column seems to have taken off – we have contributions from three members this time:

No need to dress up for yoga! Those who know me, know I am fond of a little rant about a wide range of topics, on a regular basis. The Soap Box corner allows me to indulge myself to a wider than normal audience and I will take full advantage of this! Why, oh why do so many of we yogis get sucked into the idea that we can only do the thing we love in the latest, shiniest, most eco- driven clothing, using the softest, most technologically advanced mats and blocks, and with perfect hair? Those who know me will realise I don't quite fit this billing – sometimes it's touch and go as to whether I've remembered to brush my hair when I've got up in the morning. Even so, I am enticed and bedazzled by the images of beautiful people in the yoga magazines and on-line. Gorgeously toned people with caramel coloured skin and perfect teeth, wearing those shiny, beautiful clothes and practising on those high-tech mats and I want to be one of those people. I am seduced by the beauty and forget my own reality, which is very far different. (Think slightly stumpy and lumpy but very warm hearted!). BKS Iyengar wrote somewhere that all we need to participate in yoga was a mat to practice on and a tree to

shade us. Since he was commenting about his homeland of India and we in Scotland do not suffer from the same excess of sun, we don't even need the tree to practice. Yet still we feel the need to spend large amounts of money on a pair of leggings printed with the cosmos, or a bamboo, spaghetti- strap top advertised on a tiny young girl and we hope that it will make us better and more committed to our practice because she looked so good in it! No, it doesn't work and in our heart of hearts we know this. The only thing that will improve our practice is to commit to practising regularly and within our limits for any given day and be proud of ourselves for trying to base our life decisions and behaviours on the Yamas and Niyamas. If gorgeous new clothes help us to do this and entice us back to our mats then OK, but actually we can achieve just as much in our saggy old T-shirt and leggings that bag at the knees because when we practice yoga we are working our minds, our bodies and our hearts, not our fashion sense. Sarah Matchett teaches in Wigtownshire.

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Soapbox! Lost in space I'm a pretty bad yogi! I don't believe in karma! Yes that's right, I don't do karma, destiny, or eternal life! I don't know what happens when we die, apart from the factual side of death, our bodies are disposed of in some manner and the living have to get on with it the best we can. As for reincarnation, come on! If there is a god surely that's her taking the piss, right? I don't particularly feel the need to say I'm an athiest, I just don't really sweat it too much! My main objection to the idea of life's path being pre destined or the notion that we will inevitably pay in one way or another for our "misdeeds", assuming we've been a "bad guy" or that we will come back as a chicken because we had just one chicken nugget too many. . . Hello! Grow up people, It all just reeks of religious mumbo jumbo! Whoa hold the horses I hear you say, surely this is part and parcel of the yogic lifestyle and philosophy? As a yoga teacher I think I deliver a pretty good class and I'm sure that I cover ALL the bases and my students seem to enjoy what I teach. Without mentioning the Bhagavad Gita or the Yoga Sutras or quoting the Dalai Lama or Ghandi, l lace my classes with the philosophy of yoga. Maybe the ancient wisdom of yoga is so universal and feeds through basic moral principles that I take it for granted? I don't think that we will get ice cream and jelly from St. Peter as we high five him at the pearly gates on our way in. . . Assuming we don't have old Nick poking us in the arse with a pitch fork instead! So how can I square this with yoga and the idea of a universal life force or cosmic reality? Quite easily actually, my upbringing was in a progressive liberal Irish Catholic working class family, no heavy dogma or dictation, just do the right thing and to try be a decent person, be happy. There are many things in relation to the make-up of the human animal that I don't understand and can't explain, my understanding of the soul is, that it is the essence of who we are, deeper than the religious notion of it being something that belongs to God and returns to her/him when we die. Ultimately we have free will, not given to us by God but purely as a fact of our existence. How we exercise that free will determines the nature of our soul. It's much harder not believing in the after-life, let's face it, it leaves us starring into the abyss! No amount of prayer or good deeds buys us the golden ticket to the great chocolate factory in the sky. . . I do right because l believe in humanity and the common good. Maybe that makes me better than the believers, as I'm not doing it for a reward? Then again. . . Who cares? If God floats your boat, you’re not ramming it down anyone's throat and you're generally a nice person, that's ok with me. I see yoga as a form of personal wealth, physical,

mental and emotional. Within this trinity is where I believe the soul or spirit resides. I feel sharing it is a duty I have to my fellow dynamic apes (human beings)! For the practice of yoga as a form of self -transformation, it must be, demystified, without being diluted , and scattered far and wide, well beyond being a middle class lifestyle trend. Many people are doing great work teaching classes in prisons, mental hospitals, pensioners clubs and community centres, let’s take this up a notch, or ten! Globally we are many societies on the verge of physical, mental and emotional collapse, obesity, heart disease, stress and despair are endemic, let's apply the first principle of yoga, AHIMSA, compassion, non-harming on a scale never seen before, let's pay it forward. . . Not forgetting that AHIMSA starts with ourselves. After all, we can't serve from an empty vessel. ONE LOVE. . . PEOPLE GET READY Mick Gallagher teaches in Glasgow.

And feedback on 'Please raise your voice!' – in the May issue of YS Magazine “It’s an issue I'm very aware of, as my dad comes to my yoga classes and is almost entirely deaf in one ear and a little deaf in the other. Luckily he has no ego about this or being 'seen' by others, and always positions himself at the front with his good ear facing my way as much as possible. I have one or two other regulars who have similar strategies whether they've actually shared with me that they're deaf or not. I always find it a little harder to handle the situations where someone has said nothing at all about being hard of hearing, and also wants to place themselves in the furthest corner of the room. I try to move around the room while teaching, and ensure I'm standing nearer them if we are doing a sequence of supine asanas. I notice these are harder for everyone to follow, due to not being able to pick up on all those visual cues like facial expression and gesture that we all partially rely on, but particularly so if we have hearing issues. However, I've not quite worked out how best to manage this for Savasana. But reading your piece reminded me that I could afford to be a little louder, without it being jarring.” Catherine McCabe teaches on the Isle of Skye.

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Celebrate Mabon – The Autmn Equinox, September 20th-30th by Sarah, Simpli Yoga Better known as thanks giving, especially in the West, Mabon is the time of equal balance between day and night, light and dark. This festival was, in the past, the time for final harvest. A time when people gathered to celebrate as a local community Mother Nature and all she had given us during the summer. As the nights become longer everyone took time to stock up their larders and make produce to help keep them healthy through Autumn and Winter. In today's society where we live we're very fortunate to have a never-ending supply of all these items at local shops seven days a week. Adding to this if you can't source it from a shop it's become normal to go on the internet and have it delivered to your door, often within 24 hours. However for me there's nothing quite like making your own and why not give it a go? It may take over your kitchen for a day or two but it'll be worth the effort. During Mabon, as people did before, it's a great opportunity to celebrate with gratitude the year's harvest so far. Our ancestors would have danced together in a circle to represent the connections of light and dark as they moved through the

Yoga Holiday to India Kerala Mix II 7th-20th December

As well as daily yoga/meditation the holiday will include taking you to Trivandrum, Alleppey, Cochin and exploring the backwaters on a Houseboat. There will be time to relax on the beach and refresh your mind/body for the remaining Winter.

enquiries@simpliyoga.com

CPD Workshops & Meditation Nights Information on the website

www.simpliyoga.com

spiral of nature's changes and our interconnected lives. Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, we are all connected. The more we support each other the stronger each of us will become. It is also the natural time to turn inward and mirror nature around you. Take time for yourself during the Equinox and be grateful for all that you have.

Supportive Activities at this time Gratitude Book – If you don't already have one a notebook where you write down all that you're grateful for is a very creative way to bring more abundance into your life. This could be written daily, weekly or monthly. The more you're able to be grateful for the more you encourage good things into your life. If you're sceptical – try it! Sketch Book – If you're not keen at writing your feelings and thoughts out why not draw them? This doesn't have to be a work of art but the action of expressing yourself and allowing your inner thoughts to come out is hugely beneficial. The Sketch book is for your eyes so you can be free and let go knowing that no one is judging you. Have fun with it! Sarah teaches in Perth and Kinross. www.simpliyoga.com

Yoga SCOTLAND

Yoga at Lughnasa by Spandan (Michael McCann)

“We shall show them Our signs on the horizon and in themselves.” (Koran) One of the beautiful gifts of yoga is that it leads us back to a world of symbols, of myth and meaning. We begin to feel intuitively the meaning behind so-called things and facts, and indeed sense the whisperings that exist behind of above this world. The traditional metaphysics of Tantra and many other cultures teach that everything is a symbol of something higher than itself, reflecting the successive words (lokas) which are created as the Word (Om or Logos) vibrates downwards from the Absolute Reality. Yoga is rooted in a very ancient vision of the world, beyond the reach of classical history, and enshrined in the myths of ancient scriptures, such as the Vedas and Puranas of India, and thee mysterious writing of the Old Testament. The sages of yore saw directly (darshan) that everything is a symbol because their vision is pure, and because they saw with the eye of the heart”. Today when we speak a word, that word will bring to the mind an image. It is said that in earlier ages such as the Satya Yoga (Golden Age), the levels of reality were so transparent that, when a person saw an object such as a tree, a swan or a rose, it brought to mind its inherent meaning. “For the sage, every tree is a reflection of the Tree of Paradise, every mountain a symbol of transcendence, the water of every flowing stream a symbol of Divine mercy, the wind a mark of the Spirit.” (S,H,Nasr) Solomon was an example of this type of primordial man who “knew the language of the birds”, everything communicated its meaning to him. He understood the tongue of the invisible”. Another was Suka, the son of Vyasa, the compiler of the Mahabarharata and Bhagavad Gita. He was a Tantric sage, enlightened from birth, who was called “the parrot” because his words enriched the scriptures in the way that pecking of parrots is said to sweeten fruit. When Suka forsook his home at an early age, the distraught Vyaasa called after him, and all the woods and their denizens echoed his name, because he was already one with everything! These enigmas fill me with wonder as Is it in my garden in rural County Down, pondering the signs around me. It is early in the month of August (Lughnasa in Gaelilge). We are still in summer, according to the conventional calendar, for which this month ushers in the valedictory cadences of autumn. Lughnasa, named after Lugh, the Celtic God of Light. Light of the sun, but more importantly the light of the Spirit, and of Consciousness: the sunlight, and indeed is the course of the sun “light upon light”. In the Bhagavad Gita, the body-mind is known as a field (kshetra) in which we sow and reap our karma. The witnessing Self is “the knower of the field”. Sometimes the gazing out of the outer field becomes a gazing over the inner, and the question arises, the answer already contained in its kernel, “who indeed is the one who gazes?”. Autumn is of course associated with harvest and with bounty, with reward for work, with gratitude to the giver, and with

keeping over of seeds for next year’s planting. Naturally, it is associated with rite and ritual, with celebration and sacrifice. The word ‘rite’ has its roots in the Sanskrit ‘rita’ which means ‘order’, or dharma. At the heart of rita is sacrifice (Yajna). Rites maintain the cosmic order, and this includes the rotation of the seasons and the balance of the environment. Yogic wisdom, particularly the Bhagavad Gita, reminds us that if we remove the sense of ritual and sacrifice from our lives, the environmental ambience is disturbed. Whilst is what we are seeing to date. Karma Yoga is a natural way to play our mandatory part in turning the wheel of dharma, with its emphasis in offering up, as a sacrifice, the fruit or harvest of our actions, including our yoga practice. Everything we do in life can then become a ritual. “Food is the life of all beings, and all food comes from rain above. Sacrifice brings the rain from Heaven, and sacrifice is sacred action” (Bhagavad Gita 3:14) Autumn also makes the third part of the sun’s journey and the third part of life, a time of inner reflection, of retirement, of preparation for the spiritual journey. Self-study(Swadyaya), meditation and reading of the scriptures increasingly important. In India this period of life is traditionally associated with renunciation of household duties and retirement to an ashram, or embarking on a pilgrimage. The glorious colours of autumn’s foliage symbolise the donning of the raiment of wisdom, so necessary in the autumn of our life. The seasons of course are cyclical, and in the east, and for the Celts, were signs of the eternal recurrence of life and the samsaric journeying of the soul (jiva). In Hindu mythology, the seasons and indeed everything in the here-below, move to the rhythm of Nataraja, Lord of the Dance, just like the migratory swallows now swooping joyfully through the sky above me. For this reason, the scriptures exhort us to make the best of our time, to discover our life’s purpose, and to evolve spiritually in this world. Thus, we may realise that Peace and unchanging Reality which mysteriously underlies, and yet is above, everything which passes. Om Shanti Michael McCann (Spandan) teaches in Ireland

Yoga SCOTLAND

A. TEACHERS SECTION 1 - MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 2017/18 Please return this form BY SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 2017. Send to: Maria Rawlings, 6 Southwick Road, Dalbeattie, DG5 4BS

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SECTION 3 – TEACHERS INSURANCE RENEWAL Insurance requirements for specialist classes, at no extra cost. We are required to keep a record for insurance purposes of all ‘specialist classes’ run by Yoga Scotland teachers and student teachers. Having people with special needs within general classes is not termed a specialist class. If during the course of the year you start to offer any specialist classes or start to teach new ones, please remember to inform Yoga Scotland so that records can be updated. Please tick all that apply

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Yoga SCOTLAND

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Yoga SCOTLAND

C. STUDENT MEMBERSHIP 2017/2018 Please return this form BY SATURDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 2017. Send to: Maria Rawlings, 6 Southwick Road, Dalbeattie, DG5 4BS

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Yoga SCOTLAND

Daniel Gelblum Feldenkrais for Yoga Workshop Saturday and Sunday 4th and 5th November 10am-4pm Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road Edinburgh EH9 1BB

“In Feldenkrais we take advantage of the body’s amazing abilities to improve itself through gentle, often meditative, movements. This allows the brain to detect, reduce and sometimes remove unnecessary, counterproductive, muscular effort in your body.” Daniel Gelblum

Daniel has created a unique style of movement to enhance wellbeing, general health, fitness, selfawareness and deep relaxation. As a highly skilled Feldenkrais practitioner, Daniel uses his method in combination with his experience of Yoga (he’s a BWY trained teacher), massage, pilates and martial arts to deliver exceptional results. During the weekend we will focus on fine movements resulting in rapid progress in flexibility and strength. Daniel will guide you through the workshop, combining a series of Feldenkrais sequences with familiar yoga postures, bringing awareness to the connections between the neck, shoulders, back and hips, increasing flexibility and strength and helping you to improve your postures with surprising ease.

Day seminars in Dumfries and Galloway

Swami Krishnapremananda

Director: Mandala Yoga Ashram Teacher Training Course

Cost: £65 one day/£120 both days To book or for more information, contact Linda Shand on 0780 352 3781 or email linda.shand@btinternet.com.

Tayside Yoga SEMINAR PROGRAMME AUTUMN 2017 BOTH SEMINARS IN

“Pancha Kosha”

(The five levels of our embodied selves) 10 am – 4 pm Saturday 7th October Lincluden Community Centre, Dumfries and

“Meditation in Daily Life”

10 am – 4 pm Sunday 8th October Twynholm Village Hall, Kirkcudbrightshire. Cost: £35 per day, or both days for £60. Please bring yoga mats, blankets and a packed lunch. Teas and coffees will be provided.

Booking forms from: Carol Godridge yoga@cgodridge.plus.com or call 01848 200681 30

Date

Nilupul Centre 51 Reform Street Dundee DD1 1SL

29 October

Teacher

3 December

Andrea St Clair Rona Martin

Sunday mornings: 9.45-12.45 Admission: £15

Further details from: Frances Morgan 07732 696802 or email: taysideyogaassociation@hotmail.com

Yoga SCOTLAND

Karma Yoga in Nepal by Sheena Allen

Last March eight Scottish yogis set off from Aberdeen for a truly wonderful experience in Nepal. The trip was led by Yoga Scotland teacher Moira Donald on behalf of Beyond the Clouds, part of First Steps Himalaya, which works alongside rural Himalayan communities to improve the standard of childhood early education through classroom refurbishment, teacher training and development. At the Kathmandu Guest House we met First Steps Director, Durga Aran and Katey Lane, a New Zealand volunteer charity worker. The first sight of this very busy metropolis was eyeopening: the masses of people, the chaotic traffic, very dusty roads and scenes of poverty were abundant. The next few days included a visit to the Monkey Temple and the Tibetan Buddhist Stupa, Bodhnath. Then we set off by minibus to Sindhupalchok, the First Steps project village which was at the centre of the 2015 earthquake and very badly damaged. The roads were the worst ever, very busy, very dusty and very hot. On arrival, we stayed with a lovely family, Leela and her husband Kamal and their family. Their house had been demolished by the quake and they were staying in storage rooms behind their shop, while their new house was being built. We were given rooms on the ground floor of their new build, within their actual builder’s yard! Although very basic it was completely welcoming and much better than the corrugated shacks constructed for those that had lost everything. The electricity kept going off, then there was a rush to find our headlamps or phone lights! Leela was a fantastic cook with a very basic outside “kitchen” area but she made excellent Dal Bhat curry, pancakes, omelettes, rotis and soups. It was quite humbling when you think they have next to nothing but are very happy and were attentive to us yogis,

We spent the next few days painting the outside of the newly constructed earthquake resilient earthbag build children’s classroom. The children were aged between 3 and 5 and were utterly charming. They shouted ‘Namaste’ when we passed them gave us small bunches of flowers or put them in our hair. One morning wespent with the children to celebrate Purple Cake Day, face painting, making paper hats and purple bandanas and hair ribbons, and the children demonstrated their dancing abilities, even the young ones aged 3! We did try an eightsome reel but thankfully no other Scot was there to witness our attempts! We finished painting the new classroom inside and outside as well as the inside of the new kindergarten building, ready for the children to move into.

Yoga SCOTLAND More information on the work of the charity and available trips can be found at https://www.firststepshimalaya.org and https://www.beyondtheclouds.org.nz A new appeal (details within FSH website) has also just been launched for Sita, one of the teachers we met. Her husband was paralysed in the earthquake and they presently are living in one of the tiny corrugated shakes.

IYN registered diploma course in yoga therapy Bookings now being taken for 2018/19 course

www.scottishschoolofyogatherapy.co.uk info.ssyt@gmail.com We then flew to Pokhara and set out for our 5 day trek travelling by jeep to Birethanthi. Early the next morning we left to start our trek to Banthanti, climbing an almost vertical steep stone staircase, 3,500 steps and 6 hours later passing by the villages of Hille and Tirkedunga. The next stage of our trek took us Ghorapeni (2750 metres), a bit of an easier walk. Not long after our arrival at our guesthouse, there was terrible thunder, lightning and huge hailstones, the size of ping pong balls but it seemed to clear the air, ready for our trek to Poon Hill the following morning. We started out at 4.30am, head torches on and made our climb to Poon Hill (3,210 metres) for a fantastic sun rise over the Annapurna mountain range. Words can hardly express the experience of watching these majestic mountains coming alive with the sunrise, it was truly spectacular. After breakfast, we travelled through the rhododendron forest to Deurali and on to Tadapani for an overnight stay. The final day was spent travelling to the large Gurung village of Gandruk with great mountain views. We returned to Pokhara by jeep where we stayed for a few days, enjoying the luxury of a shower and comfortable bed. On 6th April, we flew back to Kathmandu and back to our lovely Kathmandu Guest House. The following day, we took a mountain flight around Everest with an opportunity to see Everest from the cockpit - an amazing experience. The day before we left Nepal, we visited the Pashupatinath Temple – a famous, sacred Hindu temple and the oldest temple in Kathmandu. We spent time walking around the temple area seeing funeral pyres and holy men (Sadhus). After early morning yoga, on 9th April, we departed from Kathmandu for our return journey to Aberdeen. We made such wonderful friends on our trip and on our travels and is truly something which will stay with us forever.

Satyananda Yoga CDs

for home practice

Yoga Nidra: 3 practices for first and second year students. Yoga Nidra: 2 practices for more experienced students. Meditation: Kaya Stairyam (body stillness), Ajapa Japa (mantra) and Antar Mouna (inner stillness).

NEW! Yoga Nidra for Healing

£7 + £1.50 p&p each.

From: Carol Godridge, Ben Doran, Ayr Street, Moniaive, Dumfriesshire DG3 4HW Tel: 01848 200681 Email: yoga@cgodridge.plus.com

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Meditation practices from the Satyananda tradition

Yoga Workshops with Ann Hunter

rienced stud more expe

carol godridge

Saturday 10.00 – 13.00 16 September, 21 October, 25 November 2017 United Reformed Church, 69 Johnstone Drive, Rutherglen, G73 2QA An opportunity for teachers and advanced students to deepen their knowledge and explore aspects of yoga not normally covered in weekly classes £20 Small group so booking essential Email ann@athunter.plus.com tel 0141 647 1817

Yoga SCOTLAND

Scottish Charity No SC016624

GRAMPIAN YOGA ASSOCIATION

FORTHCOMING SEMINARS A weekend of yoga with Gerry Kielty a therapeutic practice integrating mobility, stability, strength & stretch within a structure sequence Saturday, 14th October 2017 - 10.00am to 4.00pm Aberdeen Curl, Eday Road, Aberdeen AB15 6LN (please bring a light packed lunch, hot drinks can be purchased at the café) Sunday, 15th October 2017 - 09.45am to 3.45pm Fraserburgh Community & Sports Centre, Fraserburgh AB43 9TH (food and drink not permitted at the centre but can be purchased at the café) Please check website for more information: balance.co.uk/yoga/teachers/gerry-kielty

A weekend of yoga with Ann Hunter Intelligent Use of Prana in Practice Planning Saturday, 21st April 2018 - 10.00am to 4.00pm Cults Kirk Centre, 404 North Deeside Road, Aberdeen AB15 9TD (hot drinks provided, please bring a light packed lunch) Sunday, 22nd April 2018 - 9.45am to 3.45pm Fraserburgh Community & Sports Centre, Fraserburgh AB43 9TH (food and drink not permitted at the centre but can be purchased at the café) Please check Ann’s website for more information: www.inthemomentcentre.co.uk

A weekend of yoga with Kanti Freeman Exploring Sound Saturday, 6th October 2018 - 10.00am to 4.00pm Cults Kirk Centre, 404 North Deeside Road, Aberdeen AB15 9TD (hot drinks provided, please bring a light packed lunch) Sunday, 7th October 2018 - 9.45am to 3.45pm Fraserburgh Community & Sports Centre, Fraserburgh AB43 9TH (food and drink not permitted at the centre but can be purchased at the café) Please check Kanti’s website for more information: www.divine-harmony.co.uk Check GYA website for more updated information, www.grampianyoga.org.uk Bookings for all seminars now open, please email gyaseminar@outlook.com Costs for each seminar are: £50 (£60 non GYA members) for both days or £25 (£30 non GYA members) per day GYA aims to offer yoga to all. Individuals who are restricted financially, or in other ways, may apply for support when booking.

Yoga SCOTLAND

Yoga in Panchgani by Lainey Harkins

Last April, in the Yoga Scotland magazine I read an article on a group yoga holiday to Panchgani in India. It sounded so delightful that I booked to go in April this year. Panchgani is a village set in dramatic mountains, six hours by car from Mumbai.. The surrounding area is beautiful with stunning views of the mountains from the hotel. It was great to get up in the morning to practise my Yoga looking at such a view. In the evening, we practised pranayama to the setting sun with a Yoga master from the Iyengar institute in Pune. This was quite an honour.

In the afternoons we walked to the market, only 5 minutes away, where fruit is in abundance, the colours incredible and tastes sublime. Also there were so many spices to choose from, amazing smells, lovely materials, gifts and clothes. Our group leader Fiona arranged some amazing trips, all organised with lots of thought. On one we went to see the Agha Khan Palace in Pune where Gandhi was incarcerated along with his wife. It was breathtakingly beautiful and full of information and images of their lives. Fiona is better than a tour guide as she is so knowledgeable about Indian culture and history which is fascinating. She is also an inspiring yoga teacher. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. If anyone is looking for a special holiday with Yoga included, then I couldn’t recommend it more. Fiona certainly went the extra mile and I want to take this opportunity to thank her and the lovely people I met. Panchgani is a beautiful place and I will never forget the time I had there. Lainey is a graduate of both the Yoga Scotland Foundation and the Living Yoga courses. She says: “These courses were fantastic and gave me a better understanding of all aspects of Yoga. I would recommend them to anyone - they certainly helped me on my Yoga journey”.

British Wheel of Yoga Pregnancy Module for 2018 with Judy Cameron BWY, Active Birth,YogaBirth & Midwife

Pregnancy Yoga Module 2018 Santosa, 21 Albert Street, Edinburgh EH7 5LH Dates: 27/28 January; 24/25 March & 26/27 May 2018

For course outline and registration contact

Judy Cameron cameron.judy@yahoo.com tel: 0779 207 9389 www.yogaofbirth.co.uk

Yoga SCOTLAND

European Union of Yoga Conference in Valencia by Judi Ritchie Judi Ritchie represented Yoga Scotland at the annual conference of the European Union of Yoga in Valencia in the spring. The Union exists to provide a forum for European yoga organisations and to promote excellence in the practice. Yoga Scotland recently became a member of the Union and this weekend gathering was the Union’s annual business conference. Judi kept a diary of her experience while she was there: April 1st: Valencia is a wonderful city, full of light, orange blossom and bright and stucco architecture, so different from our sober Scottish buildings. The historical centre of Valencia proves to be entirely manageable and a local train takes me out to Sagunto and thence a taxi to the Monasterio de Espiritu Santo the venue for the conference. My vision of a spartan monk's cell is happily unfounded. The monastery is modest and a bit crumbly, set on the edge of a national park. Walk up the hill and pick oranges from the tree. The monks are ample of girth, large bearded and brown robed. We number about 25 from all over Europe. My neighbour is Marta from Spain, our youngest delegate and a trainee yoga teacher. Many of the others are founding parents of the EUY in the 1970’s.

and less feisty than in the past. I find that hard to believe……. Back to the monastery for dinner and the most fantastic classical Spanish guitar recital. April 3rd: Yoga 7am, pitch black,. A lot less people at class this morning; whether from sociable evening or disenchantment with previous teacher, not clear. A different young man from Romania, trilingual at 7am. Most impressive! Jury out as to yoga. However, as the class progresses, the sun rises over the monastery and the hills, with the crowing of cocks and the barking of the monastery dog. Magical. More team meetings. I elect to join the education team thinking it would be interesting to learn about the common ground we share in our training courses. How misguided I was…. We spend 2.5 hours discussing procedure. We almost get to content in the last five minutes. Unfortunately we have to decide how to discuss content before starting. Enjoy a tour of the monastery, then sit in the sun listening to a local choir singing in the bar attached to the monastery, which we dubbed The Habit. A long walk in the hills clears many a head and we enjoy a last evening meal together and another lovely sociable evening. The weekend has been fascinating. All these wonderful people from all over Europe very committed to encouraging and nurturing an in-depth appreciation of yoga. Many of the delegates are the original founding members. The best part of the weekend is connecting with yogis from all over Europe and learning about their lives and practice.

April 2nd: 7am yoga class, room full to bursting. Very interesting class lead by handsome young Frenchman; who seems to rely more on good looks than expertise. Meditation restores general equanimity. Fascinating cultural exchange of differing breakfast traditions; crispbread, water with a drop of olive oil, apple, bowl of coffee and dunking cake; toast and tomatoes; muesli and fruit. The formal conference starts with the board report, discussion of the film shown the previous evening, a whole section about the summer school in Zinal. EUY has produced a new document of intention to reaffirm its main aims. The goals include promoting the essence of yoga and strengthening the quality of teacher training. The joy of our meals is sitting with different people and communicating with varying degrees of success. The Scottish delegate is feeling embarrassed by her lack of any other language apart from patchy schoolgirl French. During the afternoon, we have updates from the education team, the meeting team, and the communication team. Evening bus trip to Valencia where the Celts, Scots and Irish repair to a sunny hostelry and quaff the local ale Turia. Very tasty. EUY chairperson Gabbi is in dire need of strong drink. She confides that the discussions are shorter

Yoga SCOTLAND

Minimalism – is there a Sutra for that? by Rona Main, Yoga Scotland Aberdeen Foundation Course Tutor When we observe emerging movements and trends in Western society – the positive ones that is – it’s often good to refer back to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. It never fails, because, needless to say, there is usually a Sutra for that, or the spirit of a new fangled intention is embedded therein.

Aparigraha & Minimalism There are fascinating parallels in comparing the 5th Yama Aparigraha, translated broadly to mean non-attachment or non-hoarding, with the modern day growth in Minimalism. Minimalism, is not to be confused with minimal, stark, white, feng shui home design. Rather, it is a scaled back slower paced minimal lifestyle, in pursuit of joyful experiences rather than living with the burden of processions – ie: stuff – or excessive debt that can disturb our inner peace. So fascinating are the parallels between Minimalism and Aparigraha, they could be the study of something much wider than this article, a mere scratch of the surface.

growth has taken place with the combined value of goods & services in the UK quadrupling since 1948. Whilst there are inequalities and injustices, personal growth can come from economic prosperity, however what also arises are the ills of consumption, including acquiring and hoarding too much stuff in our lives.

Hoarding Whether Patanjali specifically meant non-hoarding in Aparigraha, or a broader intention of non-attachment and restraint of greed, is a matter of debate. However, it is striking that one of the symptoms of too much consumption today is - hoarding. Hoarding, which can in turn makes us unhappy, constrained and financially drained. Encouraged by affordable imports, we can acquire stuff to the point where we struggle to spend time enjoying them. We often endure too many hours at work trying to pay for acquisitions in the first place. And, rather like an unused gym membership, we can feel a growing sense of disappointment or guilt if we do not utilise our possessions or allow them pile up unloved. The accumulated weight of too much stuff in the home can clutter our mind and suppress our creativity. It can stall us from planning and enjoying experiences, often because we are stuck in a cycle of sorting and tidying. Unless there is a neat cataloguing system in our homes - a pipe dream for many and a cash cow for those selling storage systems - we often knowingly or unwittingly buy something we already have. And so, the cycle of over-consumption continues, the hoarding of stuff builds, and as far as Patanjali’s wisdom is concerned, our inner peace is lost.

Letting Go The essence of Patanjali’s Aparigraha – was, like all the Sutras, to prepare or clear the mind for higher states of consciousness. Indeed, the goal of modern day Minimalism – is to free us up to enjoy life’s experiences, which is strikingly similar. Minimalism pops up in many guises over the years, through the lifestyles of the Shaker communities in the 1700’s, the Danish approach to life of Hygge, and in literature, such as Thoreau’s Walden, where simple living in the woods or living ‘deliberately’ is celebrated.

Growth Patanjali’s labour of love – a work of remarkable contemplation and succinct to the core - was worked out and catalogued in a form possible for it’s day, a millennia or two ago. Meanwhile in the Western world, we bashed our way through civil wars, the growth of international trade, the industrial and now the technological revolutions – mostly in pursuit of economic growth. And, we’re good at it. During the post WWII years, a period of unprecedented economic

Modern Day Advocates Recent advocates of Minimalism are to name a few - Marie Kondo author of the worldwide best seller ‘The LifeChanging Magic of Tidying’ and internet bloggers & film makers The Minimalists aka Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. Interestingly, neither of them present any ‘storage solutions’. Advocated at the heart of their writing is one single common theme - a complete letting go. Discarding, throwing away and moving on. Whist this may seem like a depressing read for the environment, discards are encouraged in the form of gifts or charitable donations. Those familiar with Marie Kondo will know her mantra well. This is to question does this item ‘spark joy’ in your life? If the answer is yes, then keep it – simple! If not – donate it

Yoga SCOTLAND they call for discarding unwanted clutter and acquiring less in the first place, reducing the need for a larger home. A theme they work on is financially adjusting your spending along with your salary expectations by scaling back responsibilities or hours at work, or switching to a lower paid job which will help you enjoy life. Yoga Teachers, does this sound familiar?!

Aparigraha today Like Patanjali’s Yama Aparigraha – the essence of Minimalism is in pursuit of a life enriched with experiences, including more time with family, at a pace that is more conducive to mindful living. The idea of being present in our lives comes up again and again, only if we adjust our liabilities, consumption levels and the hoarding of stuff. How does this resonate with you in Yoga? It is often fun to spot what you have already worked out through your practice, and Patanjali’s Sutras remain a reassuring signpost that you are following a meaningful path. Would Patanjali be precious about Aparigraha being referred to in part as Mimimalism in the modern age? We may never know, however the spirit is the same – to create the conditions to clear our minds for higher states of consciousness, or in the case of Minimalism, the right foundations to follow life’s experiences over the acquiring or hoarding possessions, every time. References: Marie Kondo: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying : A simple and effective way to banish clutter forever, April 2014 https://konmari.com/

away. To deal with the hurdle of sentiment, Kondo recommends de-cluttering mundane items first like paperwork, books and clothes. Letters and old birthday cards are dealt with last, so the tidier does not become ‘stuck’ in a box of old memories. She nevertheless questions the need to hold onto such keepsakes as the sentiment, including the spirit of the person who gave you a kind message, is ‘stored in your heart’. The Minimalists advocate a wider approach which includes a gradual letting go of the rat race, including step changes like selling your home to pay off debt in exchange for renting and downsizing your accommodation. Again,

Rona Main is Co-Tutor of the Yoga Scotland Foundation Course in Aberdeen and teaches adults and children in the city,

Paddleboard Yoga

Warrior Dog

The Minimalists Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus http://www.theminimalists.com/ Office for National Statistics : Long term growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the UK Rona Main: 07979 801307 email: ronamain.yoga@hotmail.co.uk www.ronayoga.co.uk www.facebook.com/ronamainyoga

Yoga SCOTLAND

Yoga 4 All

Yoga for All: Yoga for people with chronic health conditions by Bijam (Jenni Connaughton)

Yoga Scotland teacher Bijam (Jenni Connaughton) talks about her work with students who have chronic health conditions. It has been estimated that around 40% of the UK population has at least one chronic health condition, whether physical or mental or both; examples include diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), various forms of arthritis, heart and circulatory conditions and neurological disorders such as MS and Parkinson’s disease; even some malignant conditions are now manageable with longer term medication. The chances are therefore high that most yoga teachers will have individuals in their classes who fall into this category, and certainly yoga therapists will be specially trained to use yoga as therapy. And the numbers and complexity of people’s health needs are on the increase, as the population ages. In 2011 I began teaching a gentle, modified yoga class in Bathgate for people who felt unable, for one reason or another, to join the general class. Late, in association with the

MS Society in Edinburgh and funded by the NHS, I started a gentle therapeutic class, for students with quite good mobility but a chair available if they need it – to help with balance, to modify asanas, or simply to sit on, not to mention legs on the chair during Yoga Nidra. . About the same time (2011-12) I enrolled on Peter Angelucci and Melanie Cook’s Remedial Yoga training course. This was a fabulous resource including their detailed and wide-ranging factual knowledge, practical sessions for example • modifications of asanas • how to assist and teach people to get down and up safely from the floor • using some props to aid mobility and balance • discovering how walking aids – even a walking stick if used long term, and definitely long-term wheelchair use can create secondary problems; • assignments in researching particular conditions. I now teach two therapeutic classes because, this one a class specifically for wheelchair users, in the Ability Centre in Livingston. Several students have MS with various complications, but one user’s legs were amputated when he was very young, and another has paralysis below the waist (continued on page 41)

Yoga SCOTLAND PRACTICE

Technique Reason/cautions Modifications

SEATED IN CHAIRS OM x 3 Theme for today – Steady and comfortable. Mind is in body and body is in mind. Patanjali chapter 2 verse 46-47 “Asana (Yoga pose) is a steady and comfortable position. Yoga pose is mastered by relaxation of effort, lessening the tendency for restless breathing, and promoting an identification of oneself as living within the infinite breath of life” (Translation Mukunda Stiles) Seated comfort Three rounds each one. To learn extension and relaxation of spine and three-part breath

Simhasana

Standing comfort

Sitting upright, breathing. 1. Ujjayi 2. Awareness of abdominal breath. INH clasp hands and raise arms to shoulder level EXH lower arms down 3. Awareness mid-chest breath. Hands at heart centre. INH arms wide EX close arms 4. Awareness upper chest breath. Hands heart centre. INH arms rising straight above head, palms together. EXH back down to heart centre 5. Complete yogic breath with arm movements (Vedic Salute) 6 Seated twist, using hands on knee/back of chair. Careful not to try to twist too far – possible injury APMB Roaring – or as I prefer, Singing Lion. Enhances the exhale and therefore lung capacity. Alleviates diseases of throat, nose, ears eyes and mouth. Removes tension from chest and diaphragm. Develops a strong and beautiful voice. Creates laughter. Adaptable to chair practice

Tadasana

APMB Palm Tree pose Teach all points re standing well. Work feet, practice balancing on toes without raising arms first (re painful arm movements). Stand behind chair if insecure re balance. To encourage balance, lengthen spine and front of body and strengthen calves and feet Wheelchair class: lengthening spine, upper body movements with breath and also stretching and working toes

Tiryaka Tadasana

APMB Swaying Palm Tree pose Gentle swaying side to side with breath. Can be done seated for balance or strength difficulties Massages, loosens and exercises the sides of the waist. Balances R and L groups of postural muscles. May use one arm at a time (shoulder problems)

Virabhadrasana 1

Akana Dhanurasana

Wide lagged forward fold, hands on chair or table

First Warrior – tell story Stand at back of mat. Turn R foot out 45˚. Close the eyes and envision goal or state affirmation. Open eyes. INH breathing arms out to sides then if possible up overhead and at some time bend front knee. Feel upper torso lifting and expanding. Exhale and straighten leg while bringing arms down. Practice x 3 dynamic then holding pose x 2 or 3 breaths if that feels ok. To build energy, strengthen muscles of back, stretch front of torso, and strengthen leg muscles. For wheelchair class – seated backbend and strength in arms, with the intention. OR Akarna dhanurasana (archer pose) seated APMB – adapted - more like Ardha moordhasana USING CHAIR OR TABLE. Emphasis on lengthening spine and breathing deeply. Calms jittery nerves. Combats fatigue. Balances nervous system, strengthens neck and head muscles, brings rich supply of blood to brain. Symmetry after two asymmetrical poses. HBP, heart conditions, ear and eye infections, atherosclerosis, TB, sinusitis, slipped disc, vertigo. Care with painful/stiff shoulders. Wheelchair users – seated forward fold with legs as wide apart as possible

Yoga SCOTLAND PRACTICE

Technique Reason/cautions Modifications

VAJRASANA OR CHAIR Mukha bhastrika 3 rounds

Sunbird sequence (Mukunda Stiles)

In vajrasana if able, “whooshing” breath out while folding forwards then long slow inhale. Then rest in child’s pose Shashankasana or seated forward fold Energises and calms Caution with back pain esp disc prolapse Chair users – folding over knees as whoosh breath out Mukunda Stiles From Vajrasana or adapted for chair use – a sequence of forward and backward bends with slow deep breathing. Excellent for stress relief. Sunbird itself became seated leg raise in front for the wheelchair users.

SAVASANA + breath awareness Arm raising and lowering 4 x IN = EX 4 X IN –HOLD-EX 4 X IN-HOLD-EX-HOLD To work with gradual development of breath holding (kumbakh) and the support of the floor. Modify the arm raising to horizontal for people sitting in wheelchairs.

Supta Udarakanhanasana

APMB Can be modified to have feet off floor. INH in centre, EXH to go down one side, INH back again 5 rounds Strengthens the Oblique layers of the abdominal muscles. Keep TA engaged and maintain slight arch in back. Chair users – seated twist

- relaxation in prone position. N/A to chair users

Advasana

Sacro-iliac stabiliser

Ardha Shalabhasana 1

A modification of chaturanga dandasana (ashtanga namaskara) from YHLB Lie on floor with block or folded blanket under pelvis, elbows bent and forehead resting on fingertips. Feet together, tuck tailbone in, tuck toes under. EXH and firm legs, allowing knees to lift, and also firm buttocks. Hold for 5 breaths. Then relax. 3 rounds Creates symmetry in pelvis. Recommended as a rescue pose – overdoing gardening/forward bending. Chair users – seated lengthening of spine on INH, EXH apply moolabandha

APMB Warm up back with a few rounds of dynamic Ardha shalabhasana, arms in front. Then bring arms alongside body, hands by hips. INHale and lift head, chest and either one leg a few inches off the floor. Stay for 10-20 seconds, breathing normally. EXH down and repeat other side Rest in extended Shashankasana Chair users – hold arms of chair and lift into a stretch/back bend. Finish in a seated forward fold over knees.

Yoga Nidra. Some in Shavasana, some with legs up on chair. Livingston group – ujjayi breathing then Ajapa japa 10 minutes Seated final chant OM x 3

Yoga SCOTLAND due to a traumatic transection of her spinal cord. I used to worry about how both would feel as we went around the rotation of consciousness in the yoga nidra, but they assured me they were fine. I shared with them the idea I was given some years ago by an experienced yoga practitioner – that physical impairment in a yoga class can be dealt with by doing the advanced practice- visualizing it! My experience and confidence has grown over the years. In both classes, there’s an element of teamwork – I’ll have an asana or other practice in mind, demonstrate it, and we work (or play) together to find creative solutions that can help towards the practice. The three Pawanmuktasana series are invaluable and I’ve added extras such as hand massages, body tapping and so on that seem to go down well. Obviously in a wheelchair class there’s a lot of upper body work, aiming to optimize movements of the spine in all the possible directions, and a strong focus on pranayama. We have developed between us a chair-based Surya Namaskar including chanting the mantras. (Photo included with permission) Because of the deep fatigue associated with living with one or more chronic health conditions, I have found it useful to include pranayama practices at two or three points during the

class rather than all at the end, helping to create a restful interval and build up energy. Yoga nidra is welcomed by both classes, but care is needed in case people who are in ordinary chairs but cannot practice in Shavasana become so relaxed they look as if they’re about to fall sideways and end up on the floor. More recently the Livingston class students have begun to move on to short meditations, which they love. Both classes enjoy discussing themes derived from yoga philosophy and I’ve learned a lot from the students. The social side of the classes is important and everyone is very supportive. People’s needs are so varied that I don’t like to have too large a class in either situation. In the last few weeks, something new for me that I’m finding invaluable is the presence of a colleague – a qualified teacher from the general class, coming to observe and help out in the therapeutic class. For the Livingston wheelchair class, I have tried to invite friends/carers in but so far no-one has taken up the offer. But I have had one lady who so loves it that she’s persuaded her husband to come along and they’ve recently been on a yoga holiday for the first time, in their seventies. A recent class plan, adaptable for both classes; fairly experienced students (mostly at least 3 years) is included.

Chakra Energy with Sarah Ryan June 2nd and 3rd 2018, 10:30am to 4:30pm

At the In The Moment Centre, 72 Berkeley St, Glasgow G3 7DS

Sarah has been involved with yoga since 1970. In 1987 she was introduced to the yoga of Krishnamacharya, and has studied in that tradition ever since, including a 4-year Yoga Therapy course. She teaches Yoga and Vedic Chanting, in group classes and one to one, and lives in the south of England. She has a website: www.sarahryanyoga.co.uk

The chakras are vital psycho-energetic points at our centre, along the spinal column. They store our memories and experiences, and are very important for the free flow of energy around our whole system. They are affected by our experiences, and in turn influence our feelings, our relationship with our self, with others and with the world around us. We shall look at each of our 7 main chakras and do practices based around them, and we shall discuss how we can use the tools of yoga to help them function better.

The Chakra workshop runs over two days, one building on the other. You can choose to attend one day, either Saturday or Sunday or both days. Places are limited to a maximum of 16 students each day and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

To book please contact ulrike.graham@gmail.com for a booking form or phone 01292 590787 41

Yoga SCOTLAND

Yoga 4 All

Yoga for All: Edinburgh Community Yoga Reaches Out to Those in Need by Laura Wilson, Founder and Director of Edinburgh Community Yoga. Edited by Gillian Harris.

Yoga for All: addiction recovery, women and trauma, service veterans, mental health problems, those living in poverty and isolation and prisoners. At the heart of everything we do is the notion of unconditional positive regard. Many of the people we work with are battling with mental health issues, chaotic lifestyles, addiction, poverty, social isolation and low self-esteem. We believe that, while we may not always like an individual's behaviour, a fundamental part of our role as yoga teachers and therapists involves looking past the behaviour and offering a compassionate attitude to whoever finds a way onto the yoga mat. Being accepted and respected may be an unfamiliar experience for many of our outreach students, and by offering a genuine non-judgmental space in which to open and let go, we allow a seed of healing to be planted. Most of the time offering unconditional positive regard is easy. We often find our outreach students to be the warmest and most open. But that isn't always the case. In those more testing moments, we rely on our own practice to ground us in the fundamentals of yoga – non violence, compassion, respect and truthfulness. This doesn’t mean disregarding our own right for respect - when working in prisons and secure hospitals our own safety is of course of the upmost importance - but our belief that offering respect invites it, does seem to serve us well. We are often asked how, when teaching a group of convicted violent criminals, do we continue to show unconditional positive regard? The answer is very simple; by seeing the person not the behaviour. Yoga is about oneness and connection. If you as the teacher can create a safe space, and practice with an honest intention, the barriers begin to dissolve. We are simply humans, moving and breathing together. Experiencing trauma is familiar for many of the people we work with, so developing a trauma informed approach is close to our hearts. We recently had the good fortune to receive funding from First State Scotland to run a weekly yoga class and weekend yoga retreat for women in recovery and affected by trauma as part of a year long project with Womenzone, run by local charity Comas. What a privilege it was to witness women growing together in a weekend dedicated to healing, self-compassion and cultivating calm. One of the attendees wrote afterward: “My idea of yoga was bending into shapes that seemed impossible, how wrong could I be? Yoga teachers just get you, they take you on a journey of emotional discovery through breathing-you can find peace."

Outreach Director for Edinburgh Community Yoga Lorraine Close has been running a weekly class for these women over the past year. Between them they have built an extraordinary healing sanga, which continues to grow and develop. Sadly the project is threatened due to loss of funding, but we are hopeful that this will be resolved through continued fundraising efforts. Undeterred by the current climate of austerity we continue to seek funding for our projects and to grow and develop. We have recently launched an innovative venture working with Scottish military veterans. We are running yoga classes for staff and residents at Whitefoord House, a Veterans residence, as part of a 12 month project funded through the Scottish Veterans Fund. Our work is in collaboration with the Veterans Community Café and Keith McKenzie, a mindfulness teacher and Buddhist Chaplain for the military. Keith is also a veteran and his support in this project is invaluable. Many people who have served in the military find themselves in difficult circumstances on return. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common occurrence, as is homelessness and drug and alcohol misuse. In offering the transformative practices of yoga and meditation to this community we hope to provide valuable new ways of coping as they adjust to life outside of the forces. Meanwhile our addiction recovery programmes roll on for a fourth year with classes running at Lothian Edinburgh Addiction Program, Comas and Penumbra Milestone house which rehabilitates people with Alcohol related brain damage (ARBD). Penny Horner, one of our valued outreach team, who teaches the eight-week course, writes of her work for Penumbra: “Yoga is one of a number of activities offered to residents to help them on their journey. ARBD is caused by heavy alcohol consumption over a period of time. It presents differently across individuals. There might be both cognitive impairment and physical disability, in varying levels of severity, caused by the brain damage and compounded by falls, poor nutrition and so on as a result of heavy drinking. Withdrawal from alcohol dependency itself brings its own issues. Anxiety, inability to sleep, depression and lethargy are common experiences. It is incredibly rewarding to hear from participants how the session allows them to feel more relaxed than they have felt for a long time and to pass on tools from nidra and meditation for people to use themselves when they find themselves becoming anxious or distressed in a way that is safe and accessible for them.” Our classes supporting psychiatric in-patients also continue to thrive. At the Royal Edinburgh hospital in Morningside our drop-in class (which began in 2012) is still going strong with

Yoga SCOTLAND another one of our outreach teachers, Eva Alberiche offering a place of calm and safety. The class has become extremely important to the regulars who attend and helps serve as a stepping-stone to rehabilitation for patients making the transition back into the community. Over the past year Lorraine has been running a trauma informed class for people who self-harm with the support of Merrick Pope, Clinical Nurse Specialist from the self harm service. Self harm is a complex issue that is often a result of repeated traumatic life experience. The class allows people to begin to safely explore physical sensation in the body, experience the present moment and make choices in the way they move and breathe. One participant says of her experience:

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being more connected or in tune with your body - not treating it as separate entity or a punch bag when anxious , stressed . Learning how mind can control body and body can control mind - feeling 'whole' and centered."

chair based class which allows some of our more mature students and others who may be living with long term health conditions to gain the deeply relaxing and immune boosting benefits of a more gentle approach. Evaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to pitch the class just right for the participants offers students accessible ways to move and breath mindfully. Gillian Harris a new recruit to ECY, is taking her interest delivering chair yoga into a local care home where the residents enjoy a series of chairbased stretches and postures designed to improve mobility and mindful breathing exercises for relaxation. Financing our work remains an uphill struggle so we are always delighted when organisations commit to continuing our classes. We have just had the go ahead to continue with the classes currently running in a secure psychiatric hospital in Lanarkshire. I run weekly yoga therapy groups with inpatients and staff. In the morning I work with two groups, one with additional learning needs where we work on developing focus and concentration through movement and breath and a second class specifically designed to work on issues around mental health. Our practices focus on developing an internal connection, learning to regulate emotions, self-compassion and respect. My visit ends with a staff class who are always grateful for the chance to nurture themselves.

At ECY we believe that yoga should be adapted to fit the person not the person the yoga. In our continued efforts to make the practices accessible to everyone Eva also runs a

If you would like to know more about Edinburgh Community Yoga or would like to make a donation please visit www.edinburghcommunityyoga.co.uk

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The benefit of yoga has been physically accepting the body and its failings - being able to touch the body without feeling repulsed." And another:

Yoga 4 All

Yoga for All: Yoga for adults with disability by Gill McKinlay

Gill McKinlay teaches Yoga in Dunbartonsjire. Here she shares her experience of working with adults with profound disabilities. Since September 2016, I have been teaching yoga to a small, but enthusiastic, class of adults who have varied additional support needs, on behalf of Yogability. This organisation was established by two yoga teachers a few years ago, in East Dunbartonshire, to provide yoga classes to children and adults affected by disability, and to carers. The attendees (usually 4 people) at our class in Renton, West Dunbartonshire, each have their own individual challenges with movement, communication, and health. However, they have all found our yoga sessions very enjoyable and beneficial. Two of the members are wheelchair users, and they have a combination of high and low muscle tone, making sitting without support and movement of their limbs challenging, to different degrees. Neither person comes to standing in class, but one can move from wheelchair to floor for some seated and supine postures. The other two have learning difficulties, balance and co-

Yoga SCOTLAND

ordination challenges. One person has a profound hearing impairment and one does not use any verbal communication. Despite this the focus is to have a full yoga practice in which everyone can participate, albeit with individual levels of assistance and adaptation, while maintaining the coherence of a class Each of our class members brings a support worker with them. I particularly enjoy the fact that the support workers also take part in the yoga practice, when they are not required to give physical assistance to the person they are supporting. They also assist with verbal prompts, signing, and modelling movement or posture. The support staff often express how good they feel after the class, and I am sure this appreciation of the yoga practice enhances their own support role outwith the class time. My approach is to formulate a class plan that follows the structure of a general class, adapting postures and practices to make them accessible to my class members. In this respect it is very helpful to have good prior knowledge of the students, however initially I had no idea who was going to turn up and a lot of thoughtful improvisation was involved. I draw on joint loosening practices from the Pawanmuktasana series; from chair yoga adaptations of asanas; and from the work of Maria Gunstone, whose teacher training course in the fully accessible yoga system which she developed (You and Me Yoga ), I attended in 2007. We begin in the chair, using blocks under the feet to help with grounding and connecting down, while reaching upwards through the top of the head, for seated mountain pose, adding breath awareness or simplified pranayama, such as adapted Ujayi breath (“whispering” the sounds aaah and haaa ). We then continue with loosening movements for the neck, using the gaze to assist the direction of head movement. Shoulder and chest opening movements follow, extending the arms, where possible forward, upwards and out to sides, while coordinating movement

and breath as far as possible. We then practice spinal extension and flexion in seated cat pose, side bending and spinal twists, all done seated. As people who have mobility difficulties spend so much time in static and often rather “collapsed” sitting positions, I find it particularly important to emphasis an active seated posture and movements to find spaciousness in the spine. We then come to hip opening, knee and ankle mobilising movements and stretches for legs and spine. Again, for those spending most of their time in a chair, working the hip muscles is very important. We also do chair versions of warrior, camel, and seated forward fold, building on previous postures. Those who stand will then work on balance using the wall or chair, strengthening poses such as warrior 1 to the wall, and perhaps a partial inversion, such as down dog at the wall, or forward fold to a chair seat. Meanwhile those in chairs may take asymmetric stretches, extending opposite arms and legs, or a chair version of tree pose, then forward fold from sitting. Coming down to the floor has in itself proved a challenge; and gives a wonderful sense of achievement for participants, all of whom were initially very tentative (“I’ll do it next week”!), but are now quite confident in moving in this way. One participant’s carer made a point of letting me know how marvellous it was to see him sitting and lying on the mat with apparent ease. Here we take supine postures like apanasana, single leg lifts, gentle bridge pose, before sitting in sukhasana and chanting OM. The chant is now the favourite part of the practice for at least 2 of the participants, including the person with profound hearing loss, who makes a glorious sound and places her fingers on her own, or someone else’s, throat to feel the sound vibration. The joy she expresses in this is infectious. I find the enthusiasm and determination to take full part shown by the participants very inspiring, and the class have reinforced my belief that yoga is most definitely for everyone.

Yoga SCOTLAND

Yoga 4 All

Yoga for All: A Personal Testimony: Yoga for Mental Health by John Arthur Edinburgh yoga teacher John Arthur shares the story of his personal journey from addiction.

After 25 years of addiction, various states of mental and emotional health and living with an undiagnosed learning disability, it is amazing I survived my early life. Much of those early years were characterised by violence, in the home, with gangs on the streets and in the schools I went to. This was later compounded by institutional violence in the army and in the pubs and clubs I frequented. I was hospitalised many times as a result of fighting. Recently it was estimated that the average life expectancy for a man in the area I come from, Craigmillar on the outskirts of Edinburgh is just 62 years. The twelve step programmes of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous saved my life and gave me a structure, philosophy and practical tips on how to overcome substance use addictions. Being part of mutual aid groups meant I had people who were living this new way of life and gave me many mentors over the years. But after 17 years in recovery and suffering a severe reaction to a lot of stress and bereavement, I went into meltdown once again. I was desperate for ‘something else’ that would help me. At that time I had been a successful manager in the voluntary sector and worked as part of ‘Comas’ team and the Serenity Café where, around 4 years ago, I met Krishna Seekumar a yogi and an inspirational teacher. At around the same time I met the lovely people from Edinburgh Community Yoga Outreach (ECYO) who were doing Yoga for Recovery at the Serenity Café. I was all over it like a rash! It was what I was looking for. I started practising regularly at home and attending many classes and workshops. At that time I travelled a lot around Scotland training people in Recovery Coaching for Comas, and also as a drugs expert witness in the courts. I couldn't always make it to a yoga class so I would practice in the ‘digs’ where I stayed. Or during the lunch breaks at the training venues. I've even used an empty court waiting room as an improvised Shala whilst ‘booted’n suited’ and waiting to be called to give evidence! I practise breathing and meditation as well as asanas and it has had a marked effect on my physical body. I lost excess weight, built strength and it’s removed chronic back pain I

had lived with for 20 years. Since starting yoga I've not needed to use an inhaler for my asthma and I just generally feel more alive. Mentally and emotionally I am sharper and less distracted. As someone with ADD I have been prone to procrastination or bouts of frenetic activity, but this has tapered down. I've become more focused by using the yogic techniques, have a greater awareness of when stress is building up and am much less worried about things in general. Last year I travelled the world doing yoga in Crete (6 weeks at Yoga Rocks) , North America (USA and Canada), Australia (Sydney, Gold Coast and Cairns), Bali and finished up on a Hatha Yoga teacher training course in Kerala India. When I came back I started leading ‘Yoga classes for men’ in Edinburgh. My interest in getting more men involved in yoga is because I am convinced of the efficacy of it to help people with all sorts of challenges in life. The most cited reason for relapse into addiction and mental ill health is ‘Stress’ which yoga seems to have been designed for relieving (as well as attaining union). My mate Mick Gallagher who runs Magpie Yoga in Glasgow once said to me when I was interviewing him at the Edinburgh Yoga Festival. “I believe health is yer wealth man and I’m all for sharing it amongst working class guys. It should be available to all!” I was impressed and took it to heart and it’s become my strap line for my new social enterprise Yogrow. I’m about to set up some more groups for men in Edinburgh where we will have some fun doing yoga. I believe it’s a serious business but it doesn’t have to be sombre. I continue to see the benefit Yoga is having on myself and others in the recovery community. I’m in a good place being able to share yoga and was really delighted to have been asked to recently contribute to a YED Talk which were featured in the last YS issue. These are podcast interviews with yoga teachers from around the world sharing their journey and what inspires them to do yoga. And more recently I took part in a Scottish Yoga Charity Calendar for 2018 in support of the Scottish Association of Mental Health, which I believe will be available to buy soon. I encourage everyone to explore the benefits yoga can bring. Please get in touch if I can be of help. Love and light folks John Arthur Yoga and Life Coaching 07465436539 john.j.arthur1@gmail.com www.yogrow.net

Yoga SCOTLAND

Yoga 4 All

Yoga for All: Everybody is a yoga body by Donna Noble

Founder of Curvesome Yoga, Donna Noble gives tips for students who carry that little extra bit of weight. “Many people think they need to be thin, flexible or strong to practice yoga. Please, hear me when I say that yoga is for everybody. Bodies change and evolve every single day, and the physical practice is simply a manifestation of the internal change. Yoga is a spiritual practice, one that allows you to be and see yourself. It’s a practice of non-attachment. Your physical body isn’t a deciding factor in whether or not yoga is for you. Your body changes. There’s nothing to be attached to that won’t leave you hurting or feeling empty down the road. Come to yoga to find out how you feel, not judge how you look. We do enough of that anyway. Give yourself a chance, give yourself the gift of knowing your worth and it will change your life.” ~ Dana Falsetti Yoga is so multi-dimensional, but in the west we seem to be fixated with the asanas, which ideally should be used as an entry point to this great philosophy. If all you do on your yoga mat for the duration of a class is stay in child’s pose and breathe - this is yoga. Ideally the pose is adapted to fit the body and not the body to fit the pose. If this is applied then yoga will be made more accessible so that every body can enjoy this transformational practice. I believe that we are born as yogis. Have you seen a baby with a big toe in the mouth doing the “happy baby” pose looking so cute and effortless?.

Yoga 4 All

1. The use of props makes getting into poses that would be impossible, possible. For example, use the blocks under the hands in a forward fold or sun salutation as you step back into plank. The block becomes brings the floor closer to you and makes the posture easier. There are lots of props to choose from, including straps, belts, blocks and blankets. If you are at home you can be creative and create your own using books as blocks and towels as belts. 2. Don’t be afraid to modify the pose to suit your body. You may feel pressured to execute the full expression of the pose (does this exist?). The right expression is the one that works for your body. Remember your body is your best guide and teacher. 3. Seek out videos and classes that cater to curvy bodies. You will learn plenty of hints and tips here that you will be able to apply to your home practice or regular classes. 4. Don’t let society dictate what your body can do or achieve, you may well find that you are so much more flexible than you think.

Yoga for All: The Magic of Family Yoga by Ayala Homossany

In our digital world, where families spend less time together and where connections and communications are increasingly happening through screens and devises, family yoga is a brilliant way to create an opportunity for families to spend quality time together in a healthy, happy and uncompetitive environment. The beauty of it is that unlike many other activities, family yoga can be practiced anytime and anywhere. Parents, children, family members or friends can get together and nurture their family connections and relationships, support each other and benefit from the magic that yoga holds in it. Prof Martin Seligman, an avid promoter for the field of positive psychology, talks about the PERMA model as a way of measuring well-being. PERMA stands for the different elements we need in our lives for well-being: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationship, Meaning and Accomplishment. According to him, relationships and social connections are some of the most important aspects of our

Tips on how yoga can be modified for curvy bodies:

Yoga SCOTLAND human touch for healthy emotional and neurobiological development. The magic of family yoga is that it offers ways to connect through touch regardless of the pose you choose. For example, practicing Tree pose with your child can open up opportunities to explore how by holding each other and connecting through touch with different parts of our bodies, we are able to support each other in a balancing pose. This can be done facing each other and holding hands, standing one behind the other, back to back, or side by side. Exploring the different ways will soon show you that balancing together with your child is a great way to develop trust and connect on many levels.

Connected by curiosity and creativity I have always been fascinated by children’s ability to explore and see the wonders of life from a completely different perspective to that of ours – adults. It seems to me as if children are wearing a special pair of glasses which allows them to know and see that there is more than one way to taste life. Family yoga offers plenty of opportunities to let our children be the teachers and lead the activity. By exchanging roles we empower them and they get the chance to decide who does what. It is an important experience for all to notice that one can learn from everybody regardless of age. For example, invite them to show you a way in which both of you can practice the pose together. Let them practice their language skills by making up new poses with new names. Let them lead and share with you a new pose and you will be amazed to see that their creativity has no boundaries.

Connected by play and laughter lives. Humans are social animals that thrive on connection, love, intimacy, and a strong emotional and physical interaction with other humans. As such, building positive relationships with our parents, siblings, peers, and friends is important to spread love and joy. Building relationships, connections and trust take time and effort, and family yoga can easily act as a secret agent in creating and developing such connections within the family.

Connected by breath Family yoga encourages us not only to be aware of our own breath but also to recognise our child’s breath. A brilliant way to start this practice is to sit back to back and feel the breath travels across our spines. Invite yourself and your child to close eyes and sense how both your backs support each other. Notice which areas of the body are touching and asking questions such as: how does it make us feel to sit back to back?; is our breath is fast or slow?’; is it a full deep breath, or maybe shallow and weak one? Try to notice which are the parts of the body which are moving and how our breath travels through as you inhale and exhale.

Family yoga is all about having fun and enjoying ourselves and it can be easily done because children are fun. While sharing yoga together, we can create yoga games, breath awareness games, make up stories together and turn any movement into a yoga pose. In fact everything goes. It is about giving us, the parents, permission to tap back into our inner child and let our children see that we can too be silly and playful. So get inspired and enjoy the magic of practising yoga with your family. It is the perfect starting embarkation point for you and your child on a journey that will be as exciting and varied as your child’s imagination, and where there are no right or wrongs. Ayala Homossany is the author of the award winning Enchanted Wonders A-Z cards - Inspiring yoga activities to elevate your child’s self expression. She runs teacher training and family yoga workshops under the Enchanted Wonders brand at The Life Centre and across London as well as sharing yoga with children in schools and at The Life Centre. She is part of the leading team of the 'Teaching Yoga and Mindfulness to Children' teacher training at the Special Yoga in London and she is a registered senior teacher on the board of Yoga Alliance UK and a qualified British Wheel of Yoga teacher.

Connected by touch Touch is one of the primal sensation that every baby needs in order to survive. Touch make us feel safe and comfortable in our environment. In every stage of our lives we need the

Ayala resides in London with her husband and their three boys. www.enchantedwonders.com

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Yoga 4 All

Yoga for All: Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs – Series 2. Backed by NICE by Alison Trewhela

The ‘Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs Institute’ (nationallyaccredited by British Wheel of Yoga) was born out of the most significant yoga research used by the National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) to reach the decision to include ‘yoga’ within its new recommendations. ‘The draft guideline recommends exercise, in all its forms (for example, stretching, strengthening aerobic or yoga), as the first step in managing low back pain.’ reads the first line of the 24th March 2016 press statement from NICE. Alison Trewhela, the lead yoga research consultant responsible for devising the ‘Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs’ programme used in University of York / Arthritis Research UK trial, Institute training tutor, and project lead of the social enterprise set up to share this knowledge. She says: NICE is sending a clear message to health professionals and the general public about how effective yoga can be. It was shown that this specific ‘Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs’ programme would be cost-effective within the NHS, when compared to physiotherapy care packages and hospital rehabilitation programmes. According to a London School of Economics & Political Sciences study, each ‘low back pain patient’ costs the NHS double that of a ‘non low back pain patient’ (£1074 versus £516). Enabling just a few people to attend these courses could save thousands of pounds, whilst teaching people to learn how to prevent and cope with back pain.

Workplaces can also benefit. Low back pain causes more disability than any other condition. ‘Spine’ Journal showed that this yoga programme reduced work absenteeism by an average of 70% over the 12 months studied, resulting in savings equating to over £800 per person for the year, AFTER paying for the relatively cheap (£292 pp) cost of the longterm self-management yoga course. The ‘Yoga for Healthy Lower Backs’ approach teaches attendees how to use their yoga toolkit by gradually stepping up from pain-relieving, relaxation or breathing techniques to the simple stretching and strengthening poses that have been shown to aid a return to normal activity levels at work, home and leisure Thousands of people nationwide have already enjoyed this specialised yoga course, many via strong ‘signpostings’ from NHS professionals. Most GPs aware of this specific and appropriate yoga course, seem to understand the advantages of referring patients to it. It is being taught within Primary Care in the NHS already and NHS Academic Health Science Networks are supporting projects throughout the UK to get this programme out to more people. Editor: A number of Yoga Scotland teachers are now trained to offer this course in Scotland. For details and to find out when Alison will next be training teachers north of border- go to www.yogaforbacks.co.uk.

Reviews Dharana The sixth limb of Patanjali's Astanga Yoga . Yoga Course Planner by Susan Lodge Published by Sixth Element Publishing ISBN 978-1912218-02-8 Susan Lodge is an experienced BWY teacher who has written a number of handbooks on various aspects of yoga including this one on Dharana(concentration). It is aimed at both teachers and inquisitive students who wish to extend their understanding of Patanjali's sixth limb of yoga. The handbook is subdivided into six parts. Parts 1-3 places Dharana in the context of the sutras, provides translations and explanations from various experts, and gives an overview of part 4 which is the section on practices aimed at

yielding personal insight into the subject. Part 5 offers the authors conclusions and part 6 lists further useful reading. The first 3 parts show some very interesting translations from people such as T.K.V.Desikachar, B.K.S.Iyengar, and Paul Harvey. It is always fascinating to see how many ways there are to understand the sutras. Part 3 sets the scene for the middle section of the book which is a 6 week set of practices aimed at giving the practitioner a fuller understanding of what Dharana is about. Each of the practice plans places focus on concentration in relation to different subjects. Week 1 focuses on the body, week 2 the breath, weeks 3 and 4 sound, week 5 mantra, and week 6 object. The authors systematic approach is evident in the practice plans with each plan sharing the same sequence of introduction, orientation, preparation, asana, pranayama, relaxation, reflection. This consistent method of should enables the practitioner to become comfortable with the practices relatively quickly and easily. There is plenty of practical and detailed instruction for each of the weekly practice plans. Part 5 Conclusion is a bit of a let-down and does not match the standard of the rest of the book. It is a bit wool;y, and offers very little in the way of insight.

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Reviews Part 6 has some useful lists of texts for further study and is helpfully subdivided based on the 6-week practice plan. Overall this little handbook would be a good addition to any yogi's library with plenty of easy to understand guidance for the practices aimed at building the users understanding of concentration. I would recommend it for its simplicity and practicality and, after giving one of the practice plans a trial run with one of my own classes, I am confident in my recommendation of the book. Kenny Paterson

the yamah creates greater awareness of habits and conditioning and the opportunity to change attitudes and behaviours. This perhaps emphasizes the responsibility of teachers to decide which aspects of the handbook are relevant to their general classes and which might be more appropriate in a small group or one to one context. Further sources for supporting study and a list of useful websites are provided. A well written, knowledgeable and helpful handbook – however you choose to use it. Vivienne Brown

YAMA – the first limb of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga

Yoga Therapy

Yoga Course Planner by Susan Lodge Published by Sixth Element Publishing This is one of a series of handbooks written, or planned, by Susan Lodge to provide teachers with materials to help them introduce yoga philosophy into general classes. Susan Lodge’s yoga background comes from the teachings of Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar and the content of the handbook reflects this. However, teachers can choose to only use specific practices and ideas to refresh existing class plans – so there should be something for teachers from all traditions. The book is well laid out, starting with how to work with the handbook series and a concise overview of the yamah. Various translations of the yamah are provided, along with an outline of their relationship to each other and their relevance and benefit to anyone studying yoga. The main part of the handbook consists of 6 weekly lesson planners. These also provide an opportunity for teachers to deepen their own understanding of the yamah, with blank pages to note reflections and learning. This would be just as relevant to non - teaching yoga folk for self study. Each 90 minute lesson plan covers one yamah and includes an introduction and orientation to the practice; a choice of asana on which to build a vinyasa; pranayama; meditation and relaxation. The actual asana sequence is left open for the teacher to develop - to suit their students – but the pranayama, meditation and relaxation practices are more prescriptive. I particularly liked the use of bhavana within the lesson plans – adopting a special attitude within the asana practice, such as non-harm, to better understand the quality of the yamah being explored that week. There are also suggestions for off the mat practices for students, between weekly lessons, including self-observation and journal writing. The handbook concludes with the reminder that study of

by Kristen Butera and Staffan Elgaid Pub. Human Kinetics ISBN 978~1~4925~2920~0 This book is aimed at adiverse audience; the yoga practitioner, the active, the sedentary and the athlete. It confirms that yoga is for everybody in the literal sense of the word, and the authors are truly enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their subject. Through the book there are “explorations” which take you through movements in a very thoughtful and enlightening way, encouraging you to see your activities in a new light by helping you to understand movement in a different way. Movement is habitual and may not always be helpfully habitual. Throughout each chapter these “explorations” allow the reader to observe how their body works in certain actions and become aware of movement patterns and help to identify how to be more actively efficient. There are great detailed photos and easy to follow instructions for both physical movement and visualisation techniques. The book is divided into three parts. Part One: Foundations of Yoga Therapy explains the individual nature of yoga therapy and the connection between the brain and the body. Part Two: Foundations of Practice explains the use of the breath and props and the appreciation of modification in preventing injury from the truly fit athlete to the gently ageing. Part Three: Poses for Life Long Fitness. This section encourages the reader to explore the differences between their yoga practice and daily activities. The writers then move onto exploring postures and giving a number of different options including mobility and strength. This book is accessible, stimulating and very thought provoking. I would highly recommend this book as a good addition to any yoga library for the experienced teacher, aspiring yogi or seasoned practitioner. The tone of the book is optimistic and happily encourages the reader to embrace yoga at any and every stage of life. Judi Ritchie

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The Yogic Cook Sugar Free Chocolate Truffles Â˝ cup dates 1/3 cup cashew nuts 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut 3 tablespoons raw cacao or cocoa powder 2 tablespoons agave or rice syrup Finely chop dates till they forma paste like consistency. Roughly chop the cashews and put in a bowl with the dates. Add the syrup and cocoa and mix well with a wooden spoon to a dough-like consistency. You may find a little kneading will help. Form into balls and roll in the desiccated coconut to coat. Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Aubergine and Red Bean Stew (A rich and hearty stew that everyone will love. The flavours improve in the fridge overnight.) Freezes well too. 8 oz red kidney beans (or use tinned beans) 1 Â˝ pint water 2large onions 2 oz butter or margarine Tin of tomatoes 1 Large aubergine 2crushed cloves of garlic 1 Vegetable stock cube or stock powder 1 teaspoon basil Salt and pepper to taste WARNING: the red beans must boil vigorously for at least 10 minutes Soak the beans overnight. Drain, cover with freshwater and bring to the boil, boil for at least 10 minutes and simmer for 45 minutes. Chop the onions and dice the aubergine. Melt the butter. margarine and saute the onions until they are transparent. Add the aubergine and continue for a further five minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the beans with their cooking liquid and remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes until the beans are tender. Season.

Have a favourite recipe? Serve with rice or baked potatoes and vegetables. Leftovers also make a good soup. Serves 4-6

Please send your recipes to the Editor for inclusion in the magazine.

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Autumn Day of Yoga with Duncan Huilin and Extraordinary General Meeting October 28th 2017 10am-4pm • Lesser Hall, Coupar Institute, Glasgow YS members £40 • Non-members £45

Duncan is the principal teacher, founder and director of the Devon School of Yoga and the Devon Yoga Festival. He is a practising yoga teacher, yoga therapist and Shiatsu practitioner who brings a wealth of experience to his holistic yoga teaching. Duncan will teach a day consisting of a balanced yoga asana practice including preliminary breath-coordinated exercises, classical asana (both held and dynamic), short savasanaand and short ujjayi pranayama. In the afternoon Satsang, starting and finishing with silent meditation. There will be open philosophical, theoretical questions and discussions. Coupar Institute is conveniently situated near Cathcart Train Station and many bus routes. Buses 6, 4 and 4a stop opposite the building. There is also parking in the street outside the building. Please bring lunch. Tea and coffee provided.

Bookings: maria@yogascotland.org.uk 51

Expand your Yoga Horizon with the Wonderfully Complimentary Practice of Qi Gong this Autumn at Lendrick Lodge

Uplifting Yoga and Qi Gong Retreat with Tom & Irene Yeudall Friday 13th - Sunday 15th October

In this weekend retreat, your yoga teachers, Tom and Irene, have the aim of passing on their love and enthusiasm for the ancient teachings of the East, in the nurturing and safe environment of Lendrick Lodge.

Twenty-seven years ago, Tom and his wife Irene became enthralled by the powerful effects of Qi Gong and Tai Chi on the body as a whole, and were compelled to entwine these complimentary paths with their yoga teaching. Come and stand in Lendrickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s standing stone circle and feel the chi (energy) from the earth, the trees and mountains that surround you and from the water in the burn, which flows into the nearby loch. Hear the birds singing around you as you learn, then practice the ancient art of Qi Gong within that circle and feel the powerful presence of nature enfolding you, as you are given a taste of Zhan Zhuang, a non-moving and very powerful form of Qi Gong. Wow! What are you waiting for?

Give yourself the gift of an enlivening and inspirational Yoga retreat at one of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost yoga centres, in the beautiful heart of the Scottish Trossachs. Lendrick Lodge, Brig O' Turk, Callander, Scotland, 01877 376263 lendricklodge.com info@lendricklodge.com