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Bristol Yoga Centre

10 Park Row
Bristol, England, BS1 5LJ
07855941166
in the heart of Bristol

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Bristol Yoga Centre

  • Welcome
  • Booking
  • Class Info
    • Prices
    • Online Class Guidelines
    • Prenatal and Postnatal Classes
    • Private Lessons
    • FAQ
  • Workshops
  • Courses
    • Yoga for Beginners
    • Reiki and Yin Yoga: Journey Through the Chakras
  • Retreats
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    • Contact Us
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What is Vision Yoga?

January 21, 2025 Naomi Hayama
Vision Yoga Naomi

What is Vision Yoga? 

Vision yoga is a holistic vision therapy that combines the transformative effects of Yoga, Somatic Movement and Natural Vision Improvement.  

Vision is a process which involves our eyes, mind, and body, so we will be exploring how to bring harmony and balance to our whole being.  

Vision Yoga uses simple and easy movements and techniques to release tension and promote relaxation.

Who is it for? 

Vision Yoga is especially useful people with vision issues, but it is also beneficial for those who want to maintain healthy eyesight.  

It’s excellent for developing hand-eye coordination for dance, sports and improving Yoga practice. It is also beneficial for creative people that want to harness their imagination and expand their way of seeing. 

Naomi has 20 years teaching experience and will be able to accommodate the class to suit your needs.  

Vision Yoga is suitable for all levels of students, including beginners. 

What’s the benefit? 

As Vision Yoga is a holistic therapy, you’ll notice clarity and improvement in your overall health and wellbeing. 

Through this practice, Naomi has improved her Myopia (short sightedness), Astigmatism (blurry vision), dry eyes and avoided getting Presbyopia (old age sight). She’s also gained many other health benefits such as better memory and imagination, and co-ordination.  

People have also reported seemingly unrelated benefits such as release in tension around neck and shoulders, improved mental clarity and better sleep. It has even changed the appearance of wrinkles, as they’ve learnt how to relax their face.  

 How can I lean more? 

 There is a Vision Yoga class every Friday from 12:15-1:00pm at the Bristol Yoga Centre, in Bristol UK. You can also join this class online. Please book via our booking system.

You can also check our Vision Yoga website for upcoming events.  

If you have a specific issues or problems that you’d like to address, you may want to arrange a private class. Please feel free to contact Naomi for more information. 

Our 1-2-1 classes are available online or in-person at Bristol Yoga Centre or at Naomi’s home practice room. For more details on price and locations, please visit Vision Yoga, private class page.  

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Dry Eyes, Mindfulness, Relaxation, Somatic Movement, Yoga for Eyes, Vision Yoga Tags Vision Improvement, Vision Yoga, Visual Impairement, Yoga, Bates Method, Somatic Movement Practice

My Natural Vision Improvement Journey

January 5, 2025 Naomi Hayama

I became interested in Natural Vision Improvement in 2020, after hearing about it on a yoga podcast.

I had progressive myopia (inability to see far) with astigmatism (distorted vision) and suffered from eye fatigue, infection and extremely dry eyes.  Every year, my eyesight was getting worse, and I knew there was also a high chance of getting presbyopia (inability to see close by) as I got older. This prompted me to explore ways of looking after my vision.

I wondered why I never questioned the established orthodoxy that eyes cannot heal. I’ve had personal experience of healing my body naturally and understood the concept of neuroplasticity, so if my body and mind can heal, why can’t my eyes?  

I read many books and attended classes and courses on Natural Vision Improvement and Somatic Movement. I learned how deeply eyes and mind are intwined, and the importance of relaxation and mindfulness.  My in-depth understanding of yoga became essential in healing.

After several years of experimentation, I managed to improve my eyesight and got rid of my eye problems. I also prevented presbyopia and found my overall mental and physical wellbeing improved. My years of upper body tension started to disappear, and my memory and imagination became better.

I’m currently doing a Teacher Training with Bates Method International and I am excited to share my unique holistic approach.

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be starting a weekly Friday lunchtime Vision Yoga class and Intro to Vision Yoga: Clarity for the Eyes and Mind at the beginning of this year.

You can read more about Vision Yoga on my new website.

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Dry Eyes, Mindfulness, Yoga, Yoga for Eyes, Vision Yoga Tags Natural tips, Vision Improvement, Myopia, Presbyopia, Astigmatism, Dry eyes, Vision Yoga, Eye strain, yoga for eyes

Joy in Movement

September 5, 2024 Naomi Hayama

The other day, I was listening to the Music Planet on BBC radio 3 and the presenter, Lopa Kathari described one of the songs as having sense of joy and fun. Those words struck me as I often felt that we could benefit from having these qualities in our yoga practice as well.  

Joy is defined as ‘a feeling of great pleasure and happiness’. The term fun suggests, light-hearted pleasure or entertainment. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why we undermine them, but I would argue that it’s essential for development and learning. I also believe we deserve to feel pleasure and happiness.  

When we were young, we moved naturally and easily. Children are innately motivated by pleasure and excitement of movement, so that they can intuitively explore, interact, and develop. For movement is primary and existed long before language. We now know that play is essential for our cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being. As the National Institute for Play says:  

‘Movement play makes kids stronger, more coordinated, more knowledgeable, and more emotionally competent. This is especially true when movement play activities are freely chosen and self-directed by the youngster as in free play’.  

It’s not surprising that self-directed ‘free play’ is significant as it harnesses creativity and imagination. In children, imagination plays a vital role in brain development and as we’ve seen in the discovery of neuroplasticity, it’s also important in adults. Imagination aids better memory, creativity and problem-solving skills.

As we grow up and become more self-conscious, joy in movement seems to disappear and we often begin to feel less connected to our body. To make matters worse, we can wrongly assume that we’re no longer good at physical activities through our inability to enjoy rule-based sports and structured exercises.  

I experienced this first hand when my eyesight became poor when I was young. My hand eye coordination became worse and movement-oriented activities became challenging. I started to believe that I’m not good at physical activities and avoided doing them. These beliefs stuck with me until I started to practice yoga in a kind compassionate way and over time, I’ve managed to rekindle my love of movement again.  

When I’m doing yoga in an explorative manner, it’s much easier to feel connected to my body and lose track of time. It’s very similar to the way that I felt when I was playing. Whereas when I’m focusing on getting certain moves or postures ‘correct’, it’s very easy to feel frustrated and time even seems to slow down!  

It's important to have discipline and commitment to our yoga practice but it’s also essential to have some fun - they don’t need to be mutually exclusive. Enjoyment is one of the key factors that fuels my daily practice. I believe that we can benefit from finding more joy in movement. 

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Practice, Yoga, Tips Tags Joy, Fun, Play, Imagination, Creativity, Movement, Yoga, Exploration, Compassion, Kindness, Pleasure

Somatic Movement and Yoga Class

August 23, 2024 Naomi Hayama

We’re starting a new somatic movement and yoga class soon, so I thought it would be helpful to share some information about the style.  

What is Somatic Movement 

The word soma means ‘the body as perceived from within’. Somatic practice focuses on what you’re feeling in the body instead of form or outcome. Sarah Warren, the author of the Pain Relief Secret describes it as: 

‘A movement that’s practiced consciously with the intention of focusing on the internal experience of the movement rather than the external appearance or the end result’. 

You are encouraged to pay close attention to your body so that you can develop sensitivity and internal awareness. Somatic movement is deliberately slow and easy so you can take time to feel and undo unhelpful habitual movements patterns. The practice is designed to calm the central nervous system and re-educate the way our brain senses and moves the body. 

The term ‘Somatic Movement’ was coined and popularised by Thomas Hanna in the 1970’s. He was a dedicated student of Mosche Feldenkrais (1904-1984) and was greatly influenced by his work.   

Feldenkrais was an engineer, physicist, and expert in Judo and Jiu Jutsu. He had developed a whole system of physical therapy; his aim was to improve human function by increasing self-awareness through movement.  

Why Somatic and Yoga? 

There are many similarities between Somatics and Yoga. Both practices place importance on breathing and have a holistic view of the body, mind. They also use movement for better self-understanding.  

What defines somatic movement is the belief that less is more. In other disciplines we are often encouraged to achieve certain moves or postures, but in this approach, you’ll be guided to use minimal muscular effort with easy movements. This can be liberating but it can also be challenging, as many of us have adopted the ‘no pain no gain’ motto. It can be a real shift to change our intention from achievement to curiosity. We will look beyond the outer form and cultivate an internal awareness. This genuine connection with your body will help you find new ways to cope with life challenges and changes. Combined with yoga’s philosophy of kindness and acceptance this practice can play an important role for aiding transformation.   

What the class will be like  

 The class will be very relaxing and at the same time revealing, as it’ll gently expose our habits and how we commonly move. You’ll often be encouraged to practice with your eyes closed to minimise sensory stimulations and to take plenty of breaks in-between. This will help you to feel, absorb, and digest your experience and notice any changes from the practice. Much of somatic practice is done on the floor or in sitting but most importantly you’ll be asked to find a comfortable position that suits you.  

This class will be beneficial for people with chronic pain and fatigue or those recovering from injury or illness. It’s also great for beginners and those that just want to take it slow and cultivate mindfulness. It can be a very transformative experience so really understand what the class will be like, you’ll need to experience it for yourself.  

I hope to see you in class! 

  • Our new community Somatic Movement and Yoga class with Naomi starts on 12:15-1pm every Wednesday from 25th September 2024

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Community Class, Mindfulness, Practice, Somatic Movement, Yoga, Yoga Therapy Tags Somatic Movement, Somatic Movement Practice, Feldenkrias Method, Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, Yoga Therapy, Relaxation, Mindfulness, Connection, Recovery, Chronic Pain, Fatigue, Injury, Illness

Metta Bhavana: Loving Kindness Meditation

August 7, 2024 Naomi Hayama

There’s been lots of violence and conflict globally and within the UK. Riots have even come to Bristol last weekend and are said to return tonight. We decided to close our studio as people felt unsafe coming into the city.

In a divisive time, we felt sharing Metta Bhavana (loving kindness meditation) would be beneficial.

I was taught Metta Bhavana, loving kindness meditation from a wise meditation teacher and a Buddhist monk. He said that it’s very important to be compassionate towards ourselves so that we can extend kindness to others.

There are many ways to practice Metta Bhavana, but the simplest way is to recite the affirmation during relaxation or mediation. Spend some time connecting to your body, breath, and mind.  Bring your hands gently onto your chest and visualise communicating to yourself.

May I be happy

May I be safe

May I be healthy

May I be free

You can choose to say it aloud or silently. Repeat this again but changing of ‘I’ to ‘you’. You might like to change the hand position forwards in front of you, as though you’re giving the loving message to someone.

You can start by visualising someone you like, then change it to someone you don’t know very well, then to someone you dislike slightly. It’s easier to start with people you dislike a little bit then to try doing this to those you’re in conflict with.

Finally, you can extend the wishes to ‘all living beings’. It’s nice to open your arms wide like you’re giving it to everyone.

Loka Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu  - May everyone in the world be happy

OM Shanti Shanti Shanti  - Peace for mankind

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Meditation, Mindfulness, Practice, Sankalpa, Tips, Yoga Tags Loving Kindness Meditation, Metta Bhavana, Buddhist, Peace, Bristol Riot, Bristol Yoga Centre, Hasta Mudra

Natural tips for Better Sleep

June 26, 2024 Naomi Hayama

Sleeping well is important for our mental and physical wellbeing, you feel so wonderfully refreshed and energised when you’ve had a good night’s sleep. However, when you haven’t slept well, it can be a slog to perform even simple tasks. 

Since going through my perimenopause, I started experiencing sleep problems more frequently. Sometimes, I find it difficult to fall asleep at night and other times wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep. I noticed that lots of people (regardless of gender or age) were having similar issues, so I thought it might be helpful to share some of my experiences and some natural tips on how to get a better night sleep. 

I began researching sleep because of the impact it was having on my life. One of the sleep experts that I heard pointed out how important it is for us to feel safe before we can fall asleep. This makes complete sense as it’s essential to stay awake if you’re in danger. But nowadays most of our worries and anxieties are not physical threats but more often stem from mental or emotional causes. We can even become distressed over lack of sleep, which really compounds the problem. 

Relaxation is fundamental for letting go of our worries and helping us to get better sleep. As usual, I suggest that you take a holistic approach and experiment and see what works for you. Here’s things you can explore and see what makes you feel most relaxed and calm:  

Breathing 

Connecting to your breath and slowing down you’re breathing. It might be helpful to place your hands on your chest and belly to feel the breath more easily. Check out my previous blogs on breathing for more tips.  

Eye Mask 

This was one of the most effective tools to help me to fall back to sleep in the middle of the night. I recommend that you buy something breathable and ultra-comfortable like this one. I’ve tried different masks and this was by far the best because you can make adjustments to fit your face well and it felt comfortable and natural.  

Visualising 

Using visualisation techniques can be helpful when our minds are racing and won’t stop. Involving your senses is often very effective way to help your mind towards sleep. Perhaps remember a familiar place that you’ve visited and walk through the entire place, room by room slowly remembering all the structures, furniture, and objects in the building. I would recommend choosing somewhere neutral that doesn’t have too much emotion attached.  

Palming eyes and ears 

It can be incredibly soothing to place your palms over your eyes and ears before bedtime. You can read how to palm your eyes on my previous blogs. For palming your ears, simply cup them like you would for your eyes and hear sound of your breathing. It’s said to be healing for your eyes and your ears, and it’s very relaxing.  

Gentle movement 

Gentle non-stimulating movement can do wonders to relax the body and mind. I recommend doing some down to earth practice such as Pawanmuktasana (joint releasing movement), Restorative Yoga and Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep). You can get many different recordings to guide you through Yoga Nidra on the internet.   

Warming up and cooling down your body 

My favourite way to prepare for bed is to take a bath, you can also take a shower or a lovely foot bath. I also love a warming herbal tea, camomile and lavender are both excellent natural sleep aids. Wearing socks in bed can also help if they’re cold in the winter, as the body has difficulty in sleeping when the extremities are cold.  

Read a book 

Reading a book is far better than using any devices before you your sleep. Try reading easy-going books to relax the mind. Sometimes reading a very absorbing book can be helpful to shift your focus away from anxiety and worries.  

Journal 

Keeping a journal or a diary can help you to digest and let go of your worries. It will also help you to connect to your feelings and emotions better. Some people find it useful to have a notepad and pen near bed side table.  

Circadian rhythm 

To regulate your circadian rhythm, try to go outside in the morning to get some sunlight and use low lighting at night to experience darkness. If you need to use device in the evening, you can use an app to filter out the blue light. You can also install black out curtains which are very useful in the summer.  

 Holding your thumbs 

One of my vision improvement teachers who specialises in Jin Shin Jutsu, taught me this technique that’s surprisingly very effective. You simply hold your thumb with your other hand and connect with your breathing. If you’re still awake, do the same thing on the other thumb. You can also go through all your fingers as well. Incorporating slow, relaxed breathing will double the effects.  


There will be times when you simply won’t be able to get to sleep. In those times, take naps and Savasana (full relaxation) during the day. Meditation is also a wonderful way to connect with what’s going on in your life, helping you digest and let go of your experience. These practices will help with your energy levels and mental clarity.  

There are further things that you can do such as drinking less alcohol and to stop taking caffeine in the afternoon and evening. Before bedtime, try to do less activities that stimulate you and instead find relaxing things to unwind.  

Ironically, we often experience these problems when we need our sleep the most, but hopefully these tips will help you on the path to a better night’s rest.  

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Meditation, Menopause, Relaxation, Tips, Sleep Tags Natural tips, Sleep, Perimenopause, Healthy Lifestyle, Mental wellbeing, Relaxation, Meditation, Breathing, Palming, Gentle movements, Journal, Circadian rhythm, Stress relief, Anxiety

Finding Peace Through Yoga

June 21, 2024 Naomi Hayama

“In a world troubled by war, civil unrest, political tension, and personal conflict, yoga’s ability to relieve stress and foster inner calm offers a potent tool for promoting peace,”

Diana O’Reilly, British Wheel of Yoga Chair. 

We’re proud to be offering a Gentle Yoga and Meditation class as part of BWY’s Yoga for Peace Movement on Saturday 13th July 2024. The session is offered on a donation basis or for free to make the event accessible to all. This class is also suitable for complete beginners, so you don’t have to feel intimidated even if you’ve never practiced yoga or mediation before.   

People often think that yoga is all about postures and movements, but it’s more to do with your ability to find relaxation and focus. It’s about deep listening and connection, rather than doing and forcing. You’ll get nowhere by pushing and pulling because you cannot force connection.  

In our modern society, achievement and goals are often valued more than simply being. However, allowing time to absorb and digest our experience is essential for cultivating a peaceful mind. Simply being comfortable with yourself is one of the most valuable things that we can nurture. This is why meditation and relaxation are such an integral part of our practice.  

From teaching mediation regularly, I’ve found that it can be useful to do simple limbering and warm up prior to sitting. It helps to release tension and allows us to naturally transition into a relaxed meditative state.  Gentle yoga also helps you to become more aware of subtle sensations and instil sensitivity.  

As Bessel Van Der Kolk, best-selling author and trauma expert says,  

‘if you have a comfortable connection with your inner sensations – if you can trust them to give you accurate information – you will feel in charge of your body, your feelings and yourself’.   

Slower paced practice gives us the opportunity to forge these connections and in turn get to know ourselves better. When we feel comfortable and safe, our mind and body will effortlessly open and soften, enabling us to listen to the subtle qualities and wisdom within.  

When I’m facing challenging situation, my inclination is to try and resolve it as quickly as possible, without paying much attention to how I’m doing or feeling. This reflex may work well in time of accident or emergency but in most cases, we need to slow down and connect so that we can act from a clearer intention. I find mediation allows me this opportunity. 

Meditation practice isn’t about blanking your mind to escape from your troubles, it is a chance to tune in to your true experience. Over time, you’ll develop inner awareness and ability to decipher what’s important. Through this connection with the whole of your body, mind, and emotions, you will begin to feel calmer and more content. From here you can expand that connection to others and the environment from a place of wholeness and kindness.   

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Meditation, Yoga, Practice Tags Peace, British Wheel of Yoga, Gentle yoga, Meditation, Posture, Relaxation, Trauma, Yoga, Connection

Charity Open Days and Taster Sessions at BYC

June 16, 2024 Naomi Hayama

To raise money for local charities, Bristol Yoga Centre have organised taster sessions on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th June. There will be 12 varied Yoga and Pilates classes which people can attend online or in-person. All proceeds will go to Bristol Mind and Refugee Women of Bristol.  

There are 6 teachers involved and the class styles vary from Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow to Women’s Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation. Women’s yoga is suitable for prenatal and postnatal women. Some of the classes are more dynamic and challenging than others but they are all suitable for beginners as well as more experienced students. If you’re not sure which class to choose, please don’t hesitate to contact us or you can check our class guide. You can also let the teachers know prior to the class if you have any medical or physical issues, so that they can offer you modification or an alternative way of practicing.  

Many of our teachers have additional full-time work and we are so grateful they offered their time for free, so that we can run these affordable taster classes and donate the funds to local charities.  

Bristol Yoga Centre is an independent local business, run by Naomi Hayama. Naomi has been teaching yoga in Bristol since 2004. She established the centre to create an inclusive and supportive community for both teachers and students. We aim to bring the mental and health benefits of Yoga and Pilates to the widest range of people.  

This ethos has led to our long-term support for the charity, Bristol Mind who offer mental health resources for people in Bristol and surrounding areas. They offer a helpline, counselling and support, including assistance with hate crimes. They also have an initiative called ‘Mind Without Borders’ which provides mental health and well-being services to refugees.  

June is the World Refugee Awareness Month which acknowledges the strength, courage and perseverance of millions of refugees who live around the globe.  

We are proud to be supporting Refugee Women of Bristol which is the only multi-ethnic, multi-faith organisation that support refugee women in Bristol. They are directly governed by women of the refugee and asylum seeking community. Their diversity and inclusivity of the organisation really appealed to our principles. 

We’ve now set up a Just Giving page for Bristol Mind and you can directly donate to Refugee Women of Bristol. We also have a donation box in the studio.  

International Yoga Day is also in June and we thought it would be lovely to showcase our excellent classes. Yoga is really about unity and connection, and we want to use this event to celebrate that. Please come along and join us.  

We look forward to welcoming you in our studio.  

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Charity Event, Meditation, Yoga Tags Charity Event, Open day, Taster Sessions, Trial class, Yoga, Inclusivity, Beginners, Fund raising

Yoga for Eyes: 5 tips for relieving Dry Eyes

June 13, 2024 Naomi Hayama

Many people experience dry eyes, I used to get them frequently when I wore contact lenses and glasses. There are many potential causes of dry eyes, which can be found on the NHS website.

Instead of opting for expensive solutions like eye drops or laser treatments, why don’t you give these suggestions a go first? These tips are easy to follow and best of all, they’re free! I recommend that you try them without your glasses or contact lenses.

1.     Palming

Palming is great for relaxing the eyes and calming the mind. It’s wonderful if you’ve been starring at a screen all day, almost like savasana (full relaxation) for the eyes. Simply cover your eyes with your open palms. You can look at my previous post on palming for more information and details on how to do palming.  

2.     Face Massage

Give your face a lovely face massage regularly. It’s also great for improving your skin and reducing lines. You can also gently tap and stroke around the eyes, and even your eye lids. Your eyes are sensitive so be soft and gentle.

3.     Blink

When we spend a long time on screen, our blink rate is reduced which can explain why dry eyes are common for people who work on computers all day. You can try blinking as much as you can in a minute by fluttering your eyelids very quickly like the wings of a butterfly.  It's also very effective to squeeze your eyelids closed for couple of seconds to encourage the tear ducts.

4.     Spend time outside

It’s now common knowledge that spending time outside is great for your overall health and wellbeing. Exposing your eyes to the air and wind can get your tear ducts working and help to lubricate your eyes. Perhaps you can even do butterfly blinks or squeezy blinks outside to get double the effect.  

5.     Eye focused meditation

Have a go at the following eye focused meditation. Close your eyes and soften your facial muscles. You can optionally do palming or use an eye pillow to help settle the mind and relax the eyes. Notice your breathing and start to encourage your breath to become slow and smooth. Relax your forehead and muscles around your eyes. Feel your eyes resting quietly in its sockets and imagine two round balls gently floating in water. Allow your eyes to soften, feeling into them as you continue to breathe slowly and easily. Imagine breathing into your eyes with the rhythm of your breath as the two balls gently move. Try doing this meditation for 5 - 10 minutes regularly. 

A bonus tip would be to try using a heated or cold compress or an eye mask. These can be really soothing and nice when your eyes are feeling irritated. It’ll also helps to keep yourself hydrated and take regular breaks from the computer or devices.

Having a holistic approach is often very effective so have a go at these suggestions and see what works for you. If the problems persist or becomes worse, do visit your GP.

You may find that your eyes will become waterier than you’re used to through doing these practices but I’ve found that this will balance out over time.

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Relaxation, Practice, Tips, Yoga for Eyes, Dry Eyes Tags yoga for eyes, dry eyes, palming, face massage, blinking, meditation, relaxation, Bates method, Outdoor, Tips

Yoga Retreat in Japan

May 24, 2024 Naomi Hayama
Yoga Holiday in Japan 2024

We just came back from our very first yoga retreat in Japan. This was a 7 day holiday with a night in Tokyo, 3 nights in Bessho Onsen and 3 nights in Kiso Valley.

Japan is now a very popular destination and can be full of tourists but luckily, we had a very knowledgeable local guide who showed us lots of hidden places to go. He was fluent in English and Japanese and helped us with everything from buying train tickets to where to go for the best food. When he was free, he even joined us in the yoga class!

There were broad mix of students from yoga teachers to complete beginners.  Many came on their own, others were joined by a friend, partner, or a family member. All different ages were represented, and some people had physical and medical issues.

It was also a very international group with people from Japan, Thailand, America, England, France, and Singapore. We all came together and practice yoga in a non-competitive, friendly way. I love to encourage people to practice in a playful and explorative manner.

We had so many memorable experiences on our holiday but the highlight for me was doing yoga in an old local temple with a tranquil Japanese garden. It was also wonderful to have a picnic under the full bloom of the cherry trees. Watching so much cherry blossom fall like snow was spectacular.

I also loved hiking in the snowy Mt.Togakushi and the mindful walking we did through the beautiful trail to the holy peak of Mt.Ontaki. The ancient meditation waterfall site had a strong spiritual quality, and many felt emotional just being close by. We were the only people there, so we could take our time, absorb and feel the power of nature.

We were also treated to delicious and beautifully presented Japanese meals whilst staying our luxurious ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel). These ryokans are famed for their natural mineral baths which are believed to be excellent for healing all kinds of ailments from skin problems to muscular aches and pains. There were lovely indoor and outdoor baths, and it was so nice to be able to take a long soak after a day of yoga, sightseeing, and hiking.

They even had the latest massage chairs, which looked like a spaceship and felt very Japanese. It wasn’t as good as a real massage but it was a good way to unwind and release some of the tiredness of traveling and sightseeing.

At the end of the retreat, it was sad to say goodbye. We were people from a very different walks of life but we slowly got to know each other and shared an amazing time together.

 We’re doing another yoga and hiking retreat in Chamonix this September with the Bluerise retreat. I hope you can join us!

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Yoga Retreat, Yoga Tags Yoga retreat, Yoga Holidays, Yoga in Japan

My Perimenopause Journey

September 25, 2023 Naomi Hayama

I can’t believe that I’d never come across the perimenopause until this year. I’d obviously heard about menopause, but I didn’t think that much about it. Several years ago, in my mid-forties, I mentioned to my friends that I thought I may be menopausal, they said I was far too young – it’s something you go through in your fifties. Whilst this might be technically true (the average age of menopause is 51), there is a whole stage on the lead up to the menopause, called the perimenopause. Most people start to experience perimenopause from the age of 41 to 45 but some women can go through it much earlier.

When I started researching, I found out that menopause technically only lasts one day! It is the day 12 months after your last period. The perimenopause can last anywhere from 2-12 years. The symptoms can hugely vary from people and it’s not just about hot flushes. It really saddened me that I’d never came across this information before.

I read Maisie Hill’s book, Perimenopause Power, and the symptoms I’d been experiencing started to make some sense. Better still, I began developing the tools I needed to support myself through this journey.

I started to keep a diary of my menstrual cycle, writing down my symptoms and how I’m feeling. I also kept a note of any lifestyle changes that I’d made so I could try to see what worked and what didn’t. I enjoyed experimenting with my yoga and introduced more therapeutic practices such as somatic movement, tapping and TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercise). A regular meditation and relaxation practice has been hugely beneficial, especially to alleviate brain fog, irritability, and low mood.

One of the symptoms was cramps in the night-time, so I started self-massage and gentle movement before going to bed. This reduced the cramps and relaxed me before bed, leading to a better night’s sleep. It also relieved other common symptoms such as sleep disturbance and fatigue.

Recently I began having digestive issues, so I did some research into diet and became more attentive to what kind of things I eat and drink. I also started taking some vitamins and supplements.

But it’s not all been bad. It’s made me much more aware and mindful. I’ve learnt how to adapt and look after myself in a more holistic way. It has taught me to be kind and compassionate towards myself. With my new understanding of perimenopause and menopause, I feel more confident navigating through these natural changes.

I decided to offer Yoga for Perimenopause workshop at Bristol Yoga Centre, as I feel that it’s important for perimenopause and menopause to be more widely known. Every woman will go through this transitional phase, and I believe it’s important for us to be able to share and support each other through the experience.

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Mindfulness, Meditation, Menopause, Yoga Tags Perimenopause, Menopause, Period, Menstrual cycle, Ageing, Yoga, Somatic Movement, Stress relief, Stress management

The Power of Breathing

April 25, 2023 Naomi Hayama

Prana = constant motion, vibration, life force and vital energy

Ayama = to extend, expand or stretch

Prana is a life force or energy that exists in all things both inanimate and animate. It’s said to be the basis of all creation, and the amount of prana within the body is extremely important, as it affects our energy level and our physical and mental health.

Yoga Yajnavalkya and Yoga Sutra (ancient yogic texts) tell us that someone who is troubled, restless or confused has more prana outside the body than within, and more prana we have within the body, the more peaceful and balanced we feel. Our health is also affected by the flow of prana. It is said that there are approximately 72,000 nadis. Nadis are network of channels that prana flows within the body. When the nadis are blocked, the flow of prana becomes impeded.

Pranayama uses breathing techniques to influence the flow of prana within the body. It is the fourth limb of the eight limbs of yoga.

Co-ordinating Breath and Movement

The ability to skilfully synchronise movements and breath is fundamental to yoga asana (posture). In order to successfully co-ordinate our breath with movement, it’s important to breathe with awareness.

As our breath and movement synchronises, the practice becomes more like a moving meditation rather than a mechanical exercise. When our attention is constantly brought back to the breath, deeper awareness and a strong internal focus develops.

Conscious Breathing

It’s important to get to know our breathing as it’ll help us to understand ourselves and be more mindful. As Donna Farhi the author of the Breathing Book says,

‘Breathing affects your respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, muscular and psychic systems and has a general effect on your sleep, your memory, your energy level, and your concentration. Everything you do, the pace you keep, the feelings you have, and the choices you make are influenced by the rhythmic metronome of your breath.’

The breath becomes an excellent barometer of our health and wellbeing. For centuries, yogis have recognised the important relationship between the mind, body and breath. The breath is often referred to as the bridge between the mind and body.

Inquiry

1.     Observe your breath throughout the day and begin to explore the intricate relationship between your breath, mind and body.

2.     Start Pranayama regularly and notice how you feel after the practice.

This article was written for the Power of Breathing workshop with Naomi in April 2023

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Pranayama, Practice, Yoga, Workshops Tags Power, Breathing, Pranayama, Eight Limbs, Mindfulness, Prana

Nada Yoga: Sound in Practice

January 5, 2023 Naomi Hayama

Nada Yoga = subtle sound vibration/ union through sound

The word ‘nada’ is derived from the Sanskrit root nad, meaning 'to flow'

Nada Yoga is an ancient art of using sounds and tones to create inner transformations and create a greater sense of unity. It is first mentioned in Nada-Bindu (sound point) Upanishad. Nada Yoga is a theoretical and practical system based on the premise that the entire cosmos and all that exists consists of sound vibrations.  Everything is made up at their most essential level of vibrating, pulsing energy.

There are two types of sound, external and internal sound. External or gross sound from a voice or musical instrument is referred to as ‘Ahat’. Internal or subtle sound is considered to be ‘unstruck’ and is said to arise inwardly (outwardly silent). This is referred to as ‘Anahat’. 

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika states that Samadhi (enlightenment or oneness) is achieved when the Anahata Nadam can be heard. Anahata Nadam means the sound that is not made by two things striking together. This is said to be the sound of the Universe and the audible sound which most resembles this is the sound of OM.

Chanting and listening to spiritual music can be used to refine the ability to listen. Listening is an essential process that allows us to become receptive enough to perceive the subtle sounds within us. Once you have refined your external listening, you can begin to turn your attention inwardly.

The practice of Pratyahara (sense withdrawal) plays an important role in Nada Yoga.  Drawing the senses inward helps to create inner tranquillity and stillness, and is a gateway to meditation. Through deep meditation, the yogis develop the ability to truly listen. Once this has been mastered, it is said that you can hear Anhata Nadam. Yogis who have achieved this state are described as being a Videha-Mukta, or one who has reached disembodied liberation.

One who desires true union of yoga should leave all thinking behind and concentrate with single-pointed attention on the nada - Hatha Yoga Pradipika 4.93

This article was written for BWY Foundation Course in 2015 by Naomi Hayama and she will be running a workshop on Nada Yoga this year.

In Bristol Yoga Centre, History of Yoga, Philosophy, Practice, Nada Yoga Tags Nada Yoga, Sound in practice, Yoga, Pratyahara, Samadhi

The Benefits of Palming

February 12, 2021 Naomi Hayama
Palming.jpg

In the winter months, we tend to spend more time indoors and doing things on screens, especially in lockdown. Whilst it’s amazing that we have the technology to communicate with our friends and family and be able to work online, it can be straining for the eyes and mind.

According to the Concise Human Body Book, eyesight provides the brain with more information than all other senses combined – more than half of the input in the conscious mind is estimated to enter through the eyes. With so much information coming in, it can do wonders to take a break and give them well-deserved rest.

Palming is sometimes taught in yoga classes to refresh and relax the eyes and mind. It can also help to release facial muscles and naturally reduce frown lines.

In the Bates Method, palming is used to restore natural vision through relaxation. Nathan Oxenfeld, a Bates Method and Yoga Teacher said,

‘Palming is the most important and beneficial form of relaxation in the Bates Method. The warmth of your hands relaxes the six muscles around each eye and attracts more energy and blood flow.  The darkness relaxes the ciliary muscles, retina and optic nerves.’

Nathan recommends doing palming from 3 to 10 times a day for 30 seconds to over 30 minutes. Give it a go and see how your eyes and mind feels after palming!

How to do Palming

Wash your hands before the practice

Short Practice

Rub your hands together to create some heat. Cover your eyes gently with the palm of your hands. You can either keep your eyes opened or closed. Let your eyes naturally move, as they want to. Breathe in and out slowly and mindfully. After couple of minutes, slide your hands off. Repeat again couple of times if you have the time.

Longer Practice

Choose to lie down or sit up. Make sure that you’re comfortable by using cushion or pillow to support the arms and blankets to make sure you’re warm.

During a longer session of palming, you can listen to your favourite music, radio or podcasts. You can also try visualising pleasant happy memory, using all of your senses. For example, sunny day out on the beach.  You can recall the sounds of the waves, smell of the sea, feel of the water on your skin and the taste of ice cream.

When you’re ready to come out of palming, slowly take the hands away and open your eyes slowly to adjust them to lights. Try blinking your eyes softly few times.

You can use eye pillow or masks instead of your palms but it can be very therapeutic to use your own warm hands. 

It’s best to gradually lengthen the time of palming so that your arms and hands do not over tire.

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Practice, Relaxation Tags Palming, Screen Break, Computer work, Eye strain, Relaxation, Bates Method

Reflective Meditation

January 6, 2021 Naomi Hayama
Reflective Meditation

‘The greatest discovery is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind’

– Albert Schweitzer

I came across reflective meditation in Piero Ferrucci’s book about Psychosynthesis called ‘What We may Be’. Psychosynthesis is a technique for psychological and spiritual growth developed by Roberto Assagioli in the early 20th century.

This book was recommended to me by my meditation teacher several years ago and I found it really useful for developing a positive quality that I wanted to harness. The practice is similar to Sankalpa (positive intention or affirmation) and it’s simple, accessible and effective.

Method

Pick a positive word and reflect on its quality for 10 – 15 minutes. Be creative and think of many different meanings associated with the chosen word.

I have been working with the word ‘clarity’ but it can be other words like creativity, courage, relaxation, peace or freedom. It will be beneficial to spend a bit of time sitting and reflecting on what word is most useful to you right now.  

10-15 minutes can seem like a long time to reflect on one word or a phrase but Ferrucci strongly recommends to keep practicing especially when we encounter difficulties and want to stop. He says,

‘This is precisely the moment not to stop, but to keep meditating. This feeling of going and beyond this stage, our mind will shift onto a level at which the quality of thought is more lucid and meaningful’.

Ferrucci explains that the effect will continue to develop long after the practice, once it enters our unconscious mind.  

When I feel like I’ve exhausted the meanings and associations, I’ve used the breath to keep the practice going.  On an inhalation, I visualise expanding or breathing into the word and on an exhalation, absorbing or even letting it go. To personalise the practice, you can also come up with your own way of enhancing the meditation.  

It’s worth sticking with the same word for sometime. With regular practice, you’ll gradually receive greater insight and you’ll notice changes taking place in your mind, thoughts and behaviour.

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Meditation, Practice, Sankalpa Tags Reflective meditation, Sankalpa, Psychosynthesis, Piero Ferrucci, Roberto Assagioli, Meditation teacher

How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation

June 16, 2020 Naomi Hayama
Online-meditation-and-yoga.jpg

There are many different meditation techniques available but we will use our body and breath as the focal point for this practice.  Bringing our awareness to the body and the breath is a well-tested method of developing concentration.  As a meditation and yoga teacher Swami Janakandana explains:

‘To feel and experience your own body is a fundamental and natural basis for meditation and relaxation...To be conscious about natural or automatic breath is a meditation technique.’ 

Feeling our body and breath helps to settle the minds and encourage us to feel grounded.

Body & Breath Meditation

What you may need:

  • Chair or cushion

  • Timer (you can use your phone but switch it to silent)

  • Pen and paper – we will record how you are after the practice

You can sit on a chair, on a cushion or on the floor. Sit with your spine straight and make sure that your weight feels even throughout the body. Keep your chest opened and your shoulders relaxed. It’s possible to practice lying down but there’s a danger that you might fall asleep so try to stay vigilant and relaxed. 

Set your timer for 10 to 20 minutes. You can start with 10 minutes and gradually increase to 20 minutes over time. I recommend that you use a nice sound so that it’s not alarming when it rings. 

Start to feel your natural breath and your body. Take a note of how you’re feeling right now – mentally, energetically, emotionally and physically - however it is.

Your mind may wander or experience fatigue, boredom, anxiety, aches and pains. You may also experience ease, openness, feeling of spaciousness and connection.

Try to feel and be with all the sensations that come and go, without creating too much commentary or analysis. Simply feel and observe the thinking mind without becoming lost in your thoughts. Notice what happens when you’re watching your mind.

Feeling your grounding points such as your feet, legs and hips can be a good way to come back to the body if you feel distracted. You can also try deepening the breath if your thoughts start to take over.

During the practice, you may feel overwhelming desire to move or to itch, be aware of these tendencies and try and stay with the practice as much as possible. If you’re in pain, you can gently change the position of the body. Once you’ve adjusted your position, try to settle back to the practice as soon as possible. Stay open to your experience and resist having too much expectation. Be kind and compassionate to yourself.

Once the alarm goes, slowly open your eyes and you can gently stretch the body. Notice how you’re feeling right now. As soon as possible, write down your observation from the practice. This could be a word, couple of paragraph or even a drawing.

Repeat the practice daily. At the beginning, it helps to do the practice at the same time everyday.

‘Attention is the beginning of devotion’

Mary Oliver, poet and a bird watcher

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Get Started, Meditation, Mindfulness, Practice, Tips Tags Mindfulness Meditation, Home Practice, How to, Yoga

Importance of Mindfulness Mediation during challenging times

May 6, 2020 Naomi Hayama
Importance of mindfulness meditation during challenging times

We are undoubtedly going through challenging times, most countries are still in lockdown. The NHS is under funded and staff are struggling. As of yet, there is no cure for Coronavirus and sadly many people are getting ill and dying. To make matters worse, there is no clear time frame when things will start to improve.

Everyone’s lives are restricted and we’re all worried about catching the virus and spreading it to our loved ones, especially vulnerable people. It’s natural for people to feel anxious in these times.

As we face these challenges, there is a tendency to want to distract ourselves, but unless we acknowledge what’s going on, we will continue to be anxious. Due to the lockdown, many people now have more time available to find new hobbies such as DIY, cooking and fitness. Whilst this is a great opportunity to take up things we’ve always wanted to do, it’s also important to make the time to connect to how we’re feeling. This way we won’t just be filling our time with lots of activities but we’ll begin to find what’s truly nourishing and engaging. 

Mindfulness Meditation encourages us to be more aware of ourselves by teaching us to be in each moment. As Mindfulness teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn said,

‘Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment non judgementally’

We begin to notice our thoughts and action more clearly and understand that our behaviour affects others and our environment.  Most people are now confined in smaller spaces and living under each other’s feet, and more than ever, we must be conscious of how we’re behaving towards others.

Regular practice of meditation enables people to watch over themselves in a relaxed open manner. As Kabat-Zinn emphasised, 

‘Compassion and kindness towards oneself is intrinsically woven to mindfulness’.

When we practice with compassion and kindness, there will naturally be more peace and ease. We begin to accept our feelings rather than to try and hide them or to make them better.

When we become less hardened by our experience, we will feel a whole spectrum of subtle sensations. You’ll also recognise that nothing stays the same - every moment is different (no matter how similar it may seem) and precious.

We can feel disconnected from others especially during isolation but the practice will remind you that you’re not alone and everything’s interconnected.  As a biologist and philosopher Donna Haraway said, 

‘None of us should think of ourselves as individuals, isolated and alone. Whether we like it or not, our lives are inextricably entwined with the lives of others…and recognition of this entwining can teach us what it means to be rooted in the world’. 

There is a misconception that meditation is difficult, it’s in fact one of the most simple and accessible practices.  You don’t need special equipment or to be physically fit.  All you need is time, patience and willingness to learn.

I will be posting different meditation techniques and tips of practice to help you get started. I also offer live online donation based mindfulness meditation and yoga class on Wednesday morning from 10-11am every week.  Suggested donation is £6 but you can pay whatever you can afford. The proceeds for this class will be going to Bristol Mind, mental health charity in Bristol.

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Mindfulness, Meditation Tags Coronavirus, Mindfulness Meditation, Yoga, Challenging times, Stress relief, COVID-19, Concentration, Kindness

Ancient Japanese Breathing Technique

April 9, 2020 Naomi Hayama
Ancient Japanese Breathing Technique

One of the amazing things that my mother taught me when I last visited Japan is the ancient Japanese breathing technique. This is a very simple but powerful method that anyone can do.

It’s important to sit tall whether you’re sitting on a chair or sitting down on the floor. If you’re sitting on a chair, make sure that your feet can be grounded and if you’re on the floor, you might want to use a cushion under the hips. Try to keep your sitting bones evenly grounded and keep the chest nice and opened.

Start by noticing your natural breath, see if you can connect to the breath without changing it in any way. This in itself can be challenging, as we often want to interfere or improve the way we’re breathing. Simply feel the breath without thinking or analysing – your body knows how to breathe and it’s perfect as it is. 

Slowly begin to deepen your exhalation. It doesn’t have to be very long or deep - encourage the outbreath to grow slowly and smoothly. Your inhalation can flow naturally. In Japan, inhalation was known as the god’s breath (or gift) and you don’t need to make any effort, as it will naturally flow in by itself. Perhaps this belief comes from witnessing how newborn babies breathe for the first time.

You’ll probably find that your inhalation will change as a result of your exhale deepening.  Watch with curiosity how your breathing cycle changes and how this makes you feel.  After several rounds, you can gently allow the breath to return back to its natural rhythm.

Throughout this practice, try to be present and focused. It’s really important to be able to connect to all sensations, thoughts and feelings. As Ravi Ravindra said,

‘Yoga practice can make us more and more sensitive to subtler and subtler sensations in the body. Paying attention to and staying with the finer sensation is the surest way to steady the mind.’

One of the aims of yoga is to steady the mind and pranayama (breathing practice) plays an essential role in helping us to achieve this.

Enjoy your breath and get to know your mind!

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Pranayama, Practice, Tips, Yoga Tags Ancient, Japanese, Breathing Technique, Naomi Hayama, Pranayama

Yoga in Japan

January 9, 2020 Naomi Hayama
Yoga in Japan. Blog post about my mother’s community yoga classes in Okinawa.

I recently went back to Japan to visit my family.  My mother is also a yoga teacher and I wanted to share my experience of her classes.

She is now 71 years old and has been teaching yoga full time for over forty-five years. Apparently, she even used to take me along as a baby – I probably didn’t do that much yoga so I can’t claim to have practiced since then :) 

Until recently, she taught many classes to support our family. She was a single mother until she married my father in law, Sochan.  He gradually got into yoga and began assisting her class. After teaching in Kobe for many years together, they moved to Okinawa to retire. Okinawa is a beautiful small sub-tropical island off mainland Japan.

Although technically now retired, she still teaches yoga. She said that it keeps her from becoming forgetful so wants to teach as long as she can. Luckily, there are many lovely community halls for her classes and they’re usually near the beautiful sea.  She only charges 500 yen (about £3.50) so that everyone can come along. In fact, her oldest students are in their mid 80’s and there are lots of students with different physical and mental issues such as Parkinson and alcoholism.

Her yoga classes are like nothing I’ve come across before. They usually give everyone a short massage to check and relax their bodies. She said that this is when her lesson plan’s created – by looking at the student’s body. She has an idea of what to teach each week but this can change depending on who comes along and what they’re bodies like.

Her classes are always accessible to everyone. There are no levels like beginners, intermediate or advanced, it’s open to all. The practice is not about perfecting postures or movements but feeling the body and focusing the mind. She often says,

 ‘if we are too caught up with form and appearance, we will miss the most important things in our practice which is connecting and understanding ourselves’.

Most of the movements are simple and fluid to encourage relaxation and remove tension. She found that people commonly take several years just to learn how to truly relax. Her classes interweave personal experience as well as ancient Indian and Japanese philosophy and movement practice.  All the students seemed to be focused and enjoying themselves. The real sense of community in her classes is inspirational.

We also exchanged ideas and practice when we were at home. I taught her some strengthening exercises and sound work and she showed me Japanese massage and relaxation techniques. It was amazing to see even after so many years of teaching yoga, she was still so open to learning.  It was such a special experience and I learnt so many important things from her.

I promised myself that I’d go back to visit more often, as I usually only go back to Japan every four to seven years. In the mean time, I will share some of the practices that I learnt from my mother in future blogs.

Bristol Yoga Centre also offer community classes so that our classes are accessible to everyone. See here for more details on our community classes. 

In Bristol Yoga Centre, Community Class, Holidays, Yoga Retreat Tags yoga, Japan, Okinawa, Community class

A history of guru-sisya relations and analysis of their controversies in contemporary yoga

February 28, 2019 Naomi Hayama
Guru Sisya relation in the historical and modern context by Naomi Hayama

I wrote this essay for the final assessment for ‘A History of Yoga: The Latest Research’ course in December 2018. When we were discussing essay topics in the discussion forum, I found out the scandal surrounding Pattabhi Jois. I was really surprised that I didn’t know anything about it, as I am fairly involved in the yoga community - I have been teaching yoga in Bristol since 2004 and own a yoga studio called Bristol Yoga Centre. I am also a member of the British Wheel of Yoga.

This news led me to investigate the extent of the historical abuse in guru-sisya relationships. I was shocked to find so many famous yoga teachers that had been accused of sexual assault by their students. I couldn’t believe I even own books by some of them!

How is this possible? Why aren’t these facts more widely known? These so-called spiritual teachers are still revered by so many people and often continue to operate in the yoga community as if nothing has occurred. I wrote this essay in a state of fury and disbelief with these questions in mind.

The topic is controversial and it took me a while to decide whether to share this on our blog. Please note that this essay was written by Naomi Hayama and it does not represent the studio or the opinion of the teachers in any way.


A history of guru-sisya (guru-disciple) relations and analysis of their controversies in contemporary yoga

In this essay, I will explore guru-sisya relations by looking at the pre-modern definition of gurus and the history of their role in yoga. I will also discuss how recent controversies have highlighted examples of gurus abusing their position of power, and question whether the traditional guru-sisya relationship facilitates this abuse.

Yoga comes from an oral tradition in which teaching was transmitted directly from teacher to student[1].  Disciples had to take extensive training and receive special initiation under a qualified guru, before worthy devotees were taught the secret of yoga[2]. Prior to manuscripts being widely available, this was likely to be the only practical option available for learning yoga.

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when the guru-sisya relation was developed, but Georg Feuerstein estimates that it dates back to the early Vedic period (4500 – 2500 BCE)[3]. In the Advaya Taraka Upanishad (16) ‘guru’ is described as ‘a destroyer of darkness’, from the translation of the syllable ‘gu’ signifying darkness and ‘ru’ meaning destroyer of that darkness[4]. The Sanskrit word ‘sisya’ has double meaning of instruction and chastisement. It’s said to be an equivalent to the Hindi word ‘chela’ for student but can also mean servant[5].

Gurus are said to have obtained special powers and are often considered to be an embodiment of the Divine. Therefore, students are expected to serve and obey their teacher [6].  Through vigorous initiation and training, a spiritual link was said to be formed between them, with the aspirant receiving energy and mystical power from the guru. This special connection is referred to as lineage or ‘parampara’. Parampara is described as chain of empowerment that exceeds the world of space and time and this relationship is said to continue even after death[7].

The role of guru in in the pre-modern yoga period was indispensable and it was assumed that ‘yoga would simply not work without the grace of guru’ [8]. There are numerous historical yogic texts that illustrate the magnitude of guru. For example, in Shiva Samhita (3.14), it’s proclaimed that ‘Everything that is good for the self is obtained though the grace of guru, so that guru is to be served constantly, or else nothing good will happen’[9]. Similarly, Hatha Yoga Pradipika (4.9) states, ‘who truly knows the greatness of Raja Yoga? Knowledge, liberation, stability and success are obtained from the teachings of a guru’[10]. Lastly, in the Brahma-Vidya-Upanishad says that ‘The guru alone is Hari (Vishnu) incarnate’ (31). 

These versus illustrate the importance of gurus but it doesn’t give a clear picture of their principal characteristics. In Advaya Taraka Upanishad, the qualities of a guru are described:

‘The teacher is he who knows the eternal wisdom, the Veda, who is devoted to the All-Pervader Vishnu, who knows not arrogance, who knows the method of yoga, ever stands upon yoga, and has become yoga itself; who is pure, who is devoted to his teachers, and who has witnessed the supreme person, Purusha’[11] (14-18).

Intriguingly, the Kula-Arnava-Tantra suggests that there are different aptitudes of gurus, verse 13.105 says that, ‘there are many gurus who are proficient in the Vedas and Shastras, but hard to find, O Devi, is the guru who has attained to the supreme truth’. This suggests that there were spectrum of gurus and superior ones were somewhat rare.  Furthermore, the following text indicates that many gurus were unethical. ‘Many are the gurus who rob the disciple of his wealth, but rare is the guru who removes the afflictions of the disciple’ (13.108).

In the past, the teaching of Yoga was secretive and exclusive[12].  In contrast, yoga is now hugely popular and many people practice diverse forms and new styles of yoga. It’s currently estimated that there are 300 million yoga practitioners worldwide[13]. According to the Yoga Journal in 2016, the yoga market was worth $80bn (£74bn) globally[14]. 

In contemporary yoga, most students attend a regular group class with a yoga teacher instead of a guru. Most modern students don’t believe that their teacher has special spiritual powers or that they are an incarnation of God. Students are no longer tested or initiated and can even learn yoga from online classes or step-by-step books. It’s now common for people to emphasise the autonomy of their practice and opt to ‘listen to their inner teacher’[15]. Even if they don’t subscribe to this notion, pupils have the freedom to pick and mix what they want to learn. Furthermore, practitioners don’t necessary come to yoga for spiritual enlightenment; they want to learn yoga for variety of reasons from stress relief, increasing physical mobility to loosing weight.

Nevertheless, there are students who seek the traditional guru-sisya relationship because they believe it is a more authentic way to learn. For example, many Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga students from around the world go and practice at the KPJAI (Krishna Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute) in India to gain a genuine guru-sisya connection, or Parampara, which is said to be the hallmark of their yoga[16]. 

In the twentieth and twenty first century, there have been many renowned gurus and senior yoga teachers accused of physical, mental and sexual abuse and financial extortion. The appalling irony is that they obtain their status by claiming to be an example of superior ethical standards. One of these is Pattabhi Jois, a founder of Ashtanga Yoga and KPJAI, who is accused of sexual misconduct and sexual assault by nine women spanning from the 1970’s to 1990’s [17].

One of the victims, Karen Rain said, ‘I wanted to believe what some people claimed, and still do, that Pattabhi Jois was transferring a healing energy to me by touching me that way’. She practiced Ashtanga yoga for 11 yeas and spent 24 months in KPJAI before deciding to quit yoga altogether. Rain recounts, ‘Practicing Ashtanga yoga gave me a sense of purpose and meaning. I was part of an elite group of certified teachers and advanced practitioners…I had a sense of fulfillment, I had found where I belonged’ Rain goes on to explain why she left without accusing Jois: ‘I knew intuitively the community would dismiss any disclosure on my part and that I would encounter criticism, stigma, and disdain. Rather than speak up, I chose to disappear’ [18]. 

KPJAI and the Ashtanga community have either rejected the victim’s claims or remained largely silent over the accusations[19]. As demonstrated by Rain, there are complex reasons why people don’t speak up about abuse, but victims are unlikely to want to come forwards if time and again unethical gurus and teachers are not made accountable for their actions and continue as prominent figures within the yoga community.

Kausthub Desikachar, son of T.K.V. Desikachar and grandson of Sri T. Krishnamacharya, intimidated his female students into believing that they are unwell and then attempted to sexually assault them.[20] Even though this has come to light, Kausthub still operates as the current lineage holder of the classical Yoga tradition of T Krishnamacharya & TKV Desikachar. He is also the CEO of the Krishnamacharya Healing & Yoga Foundation[21].  Similarly, a senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher, Manouso Manos is currently being independently investigated for multiple allegations of sexual assault and yet he is still invited to renowned international yoga conference as if nothing has happened[22].

The yoga community has a responsibility to create a more transparent and safer environment for their students. There are many great yoga teachers that genuinely care for their student’s wellbeing, however until these issues are seriously addressed, their work will be undermined. It is important to investigate how these allegations have been dismissed and appalling actions disregarded for so long.

The teachers and students dismissing these claims have often invested a large amount of time, money and emotion in their guru and the organisation. They may have even built their careers and close relationships through being part of the community. It’s easy to see why they do not want to admit that they could have been wrong to venerate a guru, when they hear that they have been accused of misconduct. It’s vital that their followers cultivate enough courage and admit when they’ve been misled, rather than choose to protect the reputation of abusive ‘gurus’.

The unethical ‘gurus’ often use the mystical elements of yoga and its complicated multifaceted philosophies to facilitate their abusive behaviour to deceive many people. They may even believe that this is an acceptable way to treat students from their understanding of the historical guru-sisya relationship.

The traditional idea that ‘if there is no guru, there can be no enlightenment’[23] places the sisya in a position where they must submit to the will of the guru in order to achieve spiritual progress. This creates an extremely un-balanced power dynamic between the guru and the sisya.  We can clearly see from the number of allegations made against gurus that there is a common abuse of this position.  The full range of allegations made towards gurus is beyond the scope of this essay to fully address but I find it deeply disturbing and feel that it warrants much further attention.

I do take some optimism from the fact that more victims are prepared to come forwards and call out abuse especially since the #metoo movement.  I hope that we can create a more open culture where trust in teachers and gurus can begin to be restored, but until there is public acceptance and reconciliation of these offences then I see little progress being made.


Footnote

[1] https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/the-roots-of-yoga

[2] Gurus of the Modern Yoga, E Goldberg & M Singleton, p.4

[3] The Yoga Tradition, G Feuerstein, p.9

[4] The Yoga Tradition, G Feuerstein, p.324

[5] The Yoga Tradition, G Feuerstein, p.16

[6] Gurus of the Modern Yoga, E Goldberg & M Singleton, p4

[7] The Yoga Tradition, G Feuerstein, p.17

[8] Gurus of the Modern Yoga, E Goldberg & M Singleton, p.4

[9] The Shiva Samhita, J Mallinson, p403

[10] Hatha Yoga Pradipika, B D Akers, p641

[11] Yoga - Mastering the Secret of Matter and the Universe, A Danielou p.130

[12] Gurus of the Modern Yoga, E Goldberg & M Singleton, p8

[13] https://www.thegoodbody.com/yoga-statistics/

[14] https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/sep/17/yoga-better-person-lifestyle-exercise

[15] Gurus of the Modern Yoga, E Goldberg & M Singleton, p8

[16] Gurus of the Modern Yoga, E Goldberg & M Singleton, p110

[17] https://thewalrus.ca/yogas-culture-of-sexual-abuse-nine-women-tell-their-stories/

[18] https://medium.com/s/powertrip/yoga-guru-pattabhi-jois-sexually-assaulted-me-for-years-48b3d04c9456

[19] https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/sexual-assault-in-the-ashtanga-yoga-community

[20] http://yogadork.com/2012/10/17/update-sad-details-of-kausthub-desikachars-psychopathic-abuse-of-power-sexual-misconduct-and-the-preserving-his-familys-legacy/

[21] http://khyf.net/teachers-and-staff/

[22] http://matthewremski.com/wordpress/tag/manouso-manos/

[23] Hatha Yoga Pradipika, S Muktibodhananda, P477


Reference

1.     Carrico M (2007) A Beginner's Guide to the History of Yoga, [online] available at: https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/the-roots-of-yoga [accessed 14th December 2018]. 

2.     Singleton M & Goldberg E (2014) Gurus of the Modern Yoga, Oxford University Press, New York.

3.     Feuerstein G (2008) The Yoga Tradition - It’s History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice, 3rd Ed. Hohm Press, USA.

4.     Mallinson J (2007) The Shiva Samhita: Critical Edition and English translation, YogaVidya.com, USA

5.     Akers B D (2002) Hatha Yoga Pradipika, The original Sanskrit Svatmarama, YogaVidya.com, USA

6.     Danielou A (1991) Yoga - Mastering the Secret of Matter and the Universe, Inner Traditions International, USA 

7.     The Good Body (2018) Yoga Statistics: Staggering Growth Shows Increasing Popularity. [online] available at https://www.thegoodbody.com/yoga-statistics/ [accessed 19th December 2018].

8.     Delaney B (2017) The yoga industry is booming – but does it make you a better person? [online] available at https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/sep/17/yoga-better-person-lifestyle-exercise [accessed 22nd December 2018].

9. Remski M (2018) Yoga's Culture of Sexual Abuse: Nine Women Tell Their Stories, [online] available at https://thewalrus.ca/yogas-culture-of-sexual-abuse-nine-women-tell-their-stories/ [Accessed 22st December]

10.  Rain K (2018) Yoga guru Pattabhi Jois Sexually Assaulted Me for Years

[online] available at https://medium.com/s/powertrip/yoga-guru-pattabhi-jois-sexually-assaulted-me-for-years-48b3d04c9456 [Accessed 22st December]

11.  Priest G W (2018) Sexual Assault in the Ashtanga Yoga Community: A Mea Culpa [online] available at https://www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/sexual-assault-in-the-ashtanga-yoga-community [Accessed 22st December]

12.  YD Update: Sad Details of Kausthub Desikachar’s Psychopathic Abuse of Power, Sexual Misconduct and the Preserving of His Family’s Legacy [online] available at: http://yogadork.com/2012/10/17/update-sad-details-of-kausthub-desikachars-psychopathic-abuse-of-power-sexual-misconduct-and-the-preserving-his-familys-legacy/ [Accessed 20th January 2019]

13.  Website for the KHYF, Krishnamachaya Healing and Yoga Foundation [online] available at: http://khyf.net/teachers-and-staff/ [Accessed 20th January 2019]

14.  Remski M (2018) Manos Disciple Re: Manos Complainant — “She’s the only one who’s going to be hurt.” [online] available at: http://matthewremski.com/wordpress/tag/manouso-manos/ [Accessed 20th January 2019]

15.  Swami Muktibodhananda (2012) Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Light on Hatha Yoga, 4th Ed, Yoga Publication Trust, India

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