Author: growyourwingsyoga

Happy Valentine’s Day – to all the love birds and all the singletons too! Love isn’t something we find or have or do – it’s something we are – expressed through our thoughts, our words and our actions. It’s great to share that part of ourselves with others, whether they be partners, family, friends or even complete strangers, but don’t forget to be the love for yourself first. And yes, of course we should express this love every single day, in as many ways as we can – but let’s also embrace the opportunity to celebrate it today, trying to ignore the awful commercialism that has built up around it. No need to buy any flowers or chocolates (or make a heart shape out of two trikonasanas) just give someone you love a hug – and give yourself one too!

We all need a little help sometimes, with work, DIY, dealing with our emotions – even in yoga. Despite the yogic practice (such as asana and pranayama) being a very personal one – learning about yourself and focusing your energy inwards, it can also be about learning to connect with those around you, making sure you are ready and able to help when others are in need and aware of when you could do with some help yourself. Whether that’s someone to give you a hug when you’ve had bad news, come to the rescue when you just can’t get the key to unlock the door or simply to hold your hands and keep your feet up in boat pose! Never fear help is always close at hand!

Oh how I long to be back on the beach in Goa – those of us living somewhere cold and mostly grey-skied will surely understand the longing. But when the sun bursts out from behind a cloud on one of those rare but beautiful crisp winter days I am reminded of the sun’s incredible influence over my mood and, ofcourse, over life itself. No matter where I am in the world the sun’s light always has the same effect on me – opening, uplifting, rejuvenating. Whether I’m lying on a sun-lounger, sipping lime soda on an India beach, hiking through the Andes with a huge pack on my back or just sitting on a park bench in Wintery London – the warmth on my skin, the glow that filters through my closed eye-lids and the shimmering colours that suddenly make me realise that there is indeed beauty all around will never cease to amaze me. If I could somehow have the power to open the clouds whenever I wanted I’m not sure I could ever feel sad. But obviously we can’t mess with nature like that – but maybe we can learn to capture those light moments and continue to see things through that shimmering light – even in darker times.

Inversions – and in particular the headstand (or sirsasana) – are my all time favourite asanas. I just can’t help but smile as I practice them. Being upside down reverses the effects of gravity on the body: allowing blood and lymph fluid to return to the heart more easily – creating less stress on the circulatory system whilst aiding the immune system. The act of getting into the pose builds core strength and the feeling of holding it each time gives you an energy boost as endorphins are released. The perspective you get when upside down reminds you that life isn’t always as it seems and the fact that you’ve brought your body into such a challenging position gives a new sense of body awareness and confidence. Once you’ve found the courage and mastered the technique you really can headstand your way to happiness!