Wellness is more than looking after your physical and mental health – it can also be helped by your surroundings. Yoga and Wellness offer guidance and tips on how best to introduce healthy changes to your environment.

SOME OF THE TECHNIQUES

YOGA NIDRA

Yoga nidra is a practise of experiencing “Yoga Sleep”, its a state of mind where your are fully conscious whilst being fully relaxed. It is said that one nidra practice equals 4 hours of sleep. Yoga nidra promotes deep rest and relaxation that isn’t found in your average meditation practice. It is practised by lying down on a mat and using as many props, pillows or other mats, as necessary and by listening to the teachers voice.

VIPASSANA

Just as we use physical exercises to improve our bodily health, Vipassana can be used to develop a healthy mind. It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to physical sensations. In this class we give students a focal point to return to when their minds wander by reminding them to turn their attention to their breath periodically. All those who try it will find Vipassana to be invaluable to achieve and share real happiness with others.

ZAZEN

Taken by its name, Zazen is a seated meditation practice, which is generally done sitting on a pillow, mat or on a chair. It is of importance to keep the right posture, in this case a completely straight back, and you may do so by using further support from additional pillows. In this practice, however, eyes are generallly kept open to avoid drowsiness. Like many meditation, it is focused on breath, some chanting and buddhist teachings. Zen meditation will get easier over time, as it’s a discipline that can be learned with practice.

MANTRA MEDITATION

Mantra meditations are usually started by chanting an Om, the sound of the universe, before turning to your own set intentions and mantras. To get into the meditation, some people prefer to chant their mantra, others continue silently.

KUNDALINI MEDITATION

An uplifting blend of spiritual and physical practices, Kundalini Yoga incorporates movement, dynamic breathing techniques, meditation, and the chanting of mantras, such as Sat Nam, meaning “truth is my identity.” The goal is to build physical vitality and increase consciousness. Kundalini is an energy that lies around the bottom of your spine and can be awakened (It is often visualised as a snake). People can have an energy shift that awakens levels of perceptions and activate chakras for a while.

METTA MEDITATION

Also knows as a loving-kindness meditation. Metta is first practiced toward oneself, since we often have difficulty loving others without first loving ourselves. After a period of directing loving-kindness toward yourself, bring to mind a friend or someone in your life who has deeply cared for you. As you continue the meditation, you can bring to mind other friends, neighbors, acquaintances, strangers, animals, and finally people with whom you have difficulty.