I’ve just been to Emilia’s Mindful Yin Yoga workshop at the Bristol Yoga Centre. It was so popular that the workshop was completely sold out.

Yin Yoga is floor-based postures that are held for long period of time, (anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes) to deeply release the mind & body and to encourage you to enter a meditative state. Similar to restorative yoga, props can be used to help you release more deeply. Unlike restorative yoga, Yin yoga applies moderate stress onto the body, especially the connective tissues of ligaments, fascia, joints, bones and the energetic channels of the meridians.

Emilia’s Yin yoga uses the tools of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and 12 main Organ Meridians to promote relaxation, balance and greater awareness. The workshop was 2.5 hour long but it felt much shorter. Some people worry about not being able to keep up with the longer practice but you’d be surprised how quickly the time goes. It’s actually a really great way to delve more deeply into our practice. She started with some warm ups and self massage to gently open the body and relax the mind. This was followed by some deep Yin postures that focused on hip openers, forward bends, side stretches and backbends. My favourites were the caterpillar and banana poses. Not only they have lovely playful names but they were incredibly restorative and wonderful to do!

Caterpillar pose is a supported version of Paschimottasana (seated forward bend). It can be confusing but different styles of yoga can have different names for postures (for example, caterpillar pose is often known as Ashtangasana). We practiced it with rolled up blankets underneath our knees, which can really get the length and release in the lower back, whilst gently stretching the back of the legs.

Banana pose or Bananasana is a supine side stretch pose that uses the floor for alignment and support. It’s a great way to open the side of the body and shoulders. This pose is said to stimulate and balance the Kidney Meridian. Meridians are lines of energy that flow through the body and can affect various organs, circulation, and general function of the physical body and the state of mind.

The session ended with lovely long Savasana with amazing sound of Koshi wind chimes and a balancing pranayama practice. I first came across Koshi wind chimes when I was on a yoga retreat last year. After hearing this lovely sound again, I couldn’t resist getting one!

Everyone seemed completely relaxed and energised after the workshop. It’s amazing to see the difference in people even after only one session. I just recovered from a cold and the workshop really helped with my breathing and energy levels.

We are planning to do more Mindful Yin Yoga workshops soon so watch this space! In the mean time, you can attend Emilia’s excellent weekly classes.

This is the time of the year when people start thinking about making New Year resolutions, but I have always felt a little sceptical as they are often forgotten or ditched within a few weeks.

Sankalpa has been compared to a New Year’s resolution but it’s not about goal making or wishing for things to be different. Sankalpa is to do with exploring what’s behind the thoughts or feelings of our aims and trying to find deeper meaning in our lives. New Year’s resolutions tend to focus on the future and aiming to correct negative aspects of our selves and often only feed our desires and ego. Where as, Sankalpa is about being in the present moment and aligning with the deepest part of you. As Philip Moffitt, a yoga teacher and Buddhist said,

‘You set your intentions based on understanding what matters most to you and make a commitment to align your actions with your inner values. As you gain insight though meditation, wise reflection, and moral living, your ability to act from your intentions blossoms’.

Sankalpa comes from Sankskrit word ‘San’ which means altogether and ‘Kalpa’ from ‘Kalpana’ meaning idea or vow. This is often translated to will, purpose or determination. It also means connecting and committing to our highest truth. It is believed that the concept of Sankalpa stems from the Vedic times.

A Sankalpa practice starts from the radical notion that you are already who you need to be and you only need to look deep inside you to find your true purpose in life. Discovering your Sankalpa is about really listening to the deepest part of yourself. It’s completely opposite to believing that some how you are not good enough unless you achieve certain goals or get what you want. Sankalpa should provide you with true self-confidence and peace of mind and assist you to overcome challenges in life. Just knowing your Sankalpa then becomes a blessing and a guide, independent of whether you achieve certain goals or not.

Richard Miller, a psychologist and teacher in the Advaita Vedanta said that there are three stages of listening process:

Sravana: Willingness to listen through meditation
Manana: To be able to welcome and take in the message.
Nididhyasana: To respond and act your Sankalpa with commitment.

One of the most powerful practices for planting the seed of Sankalpa is Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep). Yoga Nidra systematically relaxes the body and mind and guides you into deep awareness. You are aware and awake but you experience a disidentification from the body and mind. As Anne Douglas, a yoga therapist explains, ‘In Yoga Nidra, we discover a profound level of openness. Our self-imposed limitations dissolve, and we are pure being’. Sankalpa are made and repeated three times at the beginning and at the end of Yoga Nidra. Your resolve should be in the form of a short positive statement set in the present tense and normally starts with ‘I am...”. For example, I am peaceful, I am compassionate or I am free. It should be repeated with feeling and commitment.

Naomi will be running ‘Yoga for the New Year’ workshop, which will takes a look at the concept of Sankalpa (positive intention) and apply this to a meditation practice.

For meditation practice, you can try going to our weekly class called ‘Meditate, relax and stretch’ with Kay on Wednesday morning or attend her workshop ‘The deep quiet within - Meditation & Practices’.

To experience Yoga Nidra, you can sign up to ‘iRest Yoga Nidra workshop’ with Sara-Jo in the New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!