Petra Yoga

According to yoga, we are as old as our spine.  Therefore, keeping the spine in good health is paramount to long and healthy life.

Today, it was all about the reversal of ageing of the spine.  We did a series which included spinal twists, ‘abduction’ and ‘adduction’ of the spine, forward and back bending.  It was all done in traction, suspended from the wall.

We also learned what to do if the lower back is in serious pain/spasm; and that is very gentle cranio-sacral work to release the spasm of  the involuntary muscles supporting the spine.

Great stuff!

As we get older the spine which has been left to natural ageing proces gets more and more compressed and brittle. 

That is why Aadil has designed Spinal Regeneration Series, inspired by Mr. Iyengar’s teachings, which EVERYONE should do at least once a day.  It involves hanging from the wall ropes, but with a little improvisation it can also be done by hanging from the door.

We also learned that with all the injuries the rule is: Open first, Align next and Strengthen last.  E.g. if the back is in spasm, it is pointless to first try to strengthen it which would aggravate the spasm even more.

In the meditation class, the focus was on being in connection with our spirit.  That is the core of healing, just as the core of disease is being disconnected from the spirit.

All in all, amazing stuff!

After a 10-hour flight to Seattle, we had our first session with Aadil.  It was all about the stiffness in the neck and shoulder area. He made a point that in yogic view every disease is a result of an imbalance/discord which starts at the soul level and works its way to the physical manifestation in this order:

• Light/Soul
• Vital/Emotional Body
• Mind
• Breath
• Physical Manifestation

The treatment of the problem, however, is almost always done in the reverse order, i.e. we treat the physical manifestation first to fix it and more often than not we stop at this level without looking for the root of the problem.  With the meditation one can access deeper levels.

For the release of the neck/shoulder tension, Aadil taught the series which everyone could do on their own, then the one which has to be done with the help of a teacher, and finally the one for which a teacher and props are needed.  He also emphasised the importance of the release of the ‘hmmm’ sound on the exhalation, which vibration on a physical level releases the tension in the muscles and on the energetic level leads to transformation/change.

The figure below shows a modified version of the headstand on the chairs but with the chairs moved away from the wall.  It intensifies the massage and release of the upper trapezius muscles. Ouch!

Dear All,

I am off to Seattle for a 10-day therapeutic teacher training with the ‘teacher of the teachers’, Aadil Palkhivala.  While I am away you will be in good hands of the exceptional cover teachers, so please keep on coming regularly to classes.  The list of all the covers, plus more on pregnancy and yoga books can be found in this month’s newsletter.

See you all after the 14th August!

Best wishes,

Petra

The 3rd trimester of pregnancy is an exciting time, anticipating the birth of the baby. The changes in woman’s body are big and one is starting to feel more inert. That is why a great care should be taken when changing positions, i.e. getting up from lying to standing or vice versa. Also, pay special attention to any aches and pains in the pubic or sacral area; they may be the signs of SPD (symphisis pubis disorder) which can be significantly made better by certain yoga exercises. However, some movements can make it much worse, so make sure that you choose an experienced ante-natal yoga teacher.

As for me, I am enjoying my 29th week of pregnancy holidaying in Sardinia with my family and friends. I am practising yoga daily and also doing a lot of swimming to build up the stamina for labour.

Yours,
Petra

The first week of my three-week holiday has finished. So far, it’s been great; lots of sun, sea and quite a challenge to do some yoga with two children eagerly trying to participate in sun salutations. We have also had lots of problems with establishing of the internet connection so if I don’t write before my return on the 28th July, you’ll know why. I hope everybody has been doing a lot of yoga and that the cover teachers are taking good care of you.
All the best from Sardinia!
Yours,
Petra

After about a year of hard work, the new Petra Yoga website is finally here!  What a relief and a sense of achievement.  Hopefully, you will be able to find many useful information related to yoga and healthy lifestyle.  Please send us your comments about the site, its content and what would you like to see on it in the future.

Also, I will be going on holidays from the 7th until the 28th July.  Details of the cover teachers during that period can be found in this month’s newsletter.

If you would like to receive the newsletter, please contact us.

Yours,

Petra

I am sure most of you have already guessed of heard it from me: I am pregnant! Yes, third baby is coming in early October.  Of course, I plan to teach until the contractions are 1 minute appart .

However, I am taking the Easter Sunday off, and Rita will cover my classes at the Islington Tennis Centre.  Wishing you a happy Easter!