Spring is trying hard to spring. The daffodils, magnolias and cherry blossom are blooming.

It is the beginning of the season of the wood element, which means it is time for our liver's and gallbladders to wake up. This can create imbalances within the body that may compromise our immune systems.

Your HappyBeing yoga program for the next 3 months will focus on supporting the bodies natural desire to cleanse and detox whilst incorporating mudra, nidra, pranayama and asana designed and selected to synergise with the natural flow of the seasons. This will help us to harmonise with the earth and bounce into summer.

These wonderful essential oils will be blended into several yummy variations as a healthful and relaxing complement to your yoga practice.

Basil
Properties: analgesic, anti-depressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, nervine and sudorific.

Orange
Properties: antidepressant, sedative, digestive and lymphatic stimulant, stomachic and tonic.

Lavender
Properties: analgesic, anticonvulsive, antirheumatic, antiviral, bactericide, decongestant, deoderant, diuretic, hypotensive and sedative.

Rosemary
Properties :analgesic, antidepressant, astrringent, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, sudorific and tonic

Peppermint
Properties: all of the above, plus vaso constrictor and expectorant.

Herbs recommended during this season: Nettle tea, milk thistle.

A liver detox supplement before bed is helpful if you tend to experience headaches
or gastric upsets.

*The information provided is general in nature. Remember to inform your teacher if you are
pregnant as caution should be taken with some oils.

Image courtesy of www.123rf.com

School holidays are upon us and as I discussed with all our HappyBeing students in the lead up to the winter break, your practice is as important at home as it is in class. With that in mind, I've devised a lesson plan for our students to complete at home to keep your practice fresh.

As you lay out your mat and prepare for your home practice be sure to create your yogic space. Maybe light a candle to enhance your practice environment. Be sure to let others in the house know not to disturb you. I know it can be difficult if you have little children (been there, done that!) I had always a clock set and told my boys not to disturb me until the clock hands were at a certain time. Do what works for you.

Aim to practice as often as you can. The lesson plan can be followed exactly, or depending on your time available and how you are feeling you may choose to do page one, on one day and page two the next. It’s your practice – it is what you make it! Just remember, all yoga is good yoga, and any yoga is better than none!

A little fun exercise that I would also like you to take on is to create your own standing sequence as part of your practice. Use a minimum 3 standing postures to create your sequence eg. Warriors: 1, 2, 3, dancing warrior; Trikonasana (triangle pose); Parsvokasana (extended side angle pose) etc. These are suggestions, there are others you can incorporate. Choose your own adventure!

Click here to download your holiday lesson plan.

Enjoy your home practice, and I will see you back on the mat in class in mid-July.

Namaste xx