Yoga Holidays 2012

Our yoga breaks are relaxing and fun.

They are practical and non threatening. Whatever your ability you are welcome. The venues are picked because they offer great food, fine wines and are in areas of outstanding beauty. So for any non yoga person there is plenty to do.
 
There are 6 hours of practical yoga instruction spread over 4 classes
Special attention is given in helping you develop a home practice. learning to relax, using yoga to keep your body and mind in good health and lots more.
 
The classes are suitable for all levels so expect to be challenged in our normal smiley way.
Phil Aston

Yoga Teachers Wanted

We are expanding and are looking for additional yoga teachers to help cover future yoga weekends - read more

An exercise in Mindfulness  - Lets make a nice cup of Tea

Start by making a resolution that you are going to follow through this exercise without interruptions. Do it with careful attention, very slowly, and notice each part of the task as you do it. See how easy it is to speed up again as you forget that you are trying to do it slowly!   Take the kettle and fill it with water, turning the tap on slowly, turning it off with great caution. Place the kettle back on the stove without a bump; wait for it to boil. Don’t go off and do ten jobs while it comes to the boil. Take out your cup and place the tea bag into it and very carefully pour the water onto it. Gently stir and then remove the tea bag. Walk slowly over to the refrigerator, open the door carefully, take out the milk and close the door. Walk back to the cup and pour in the milk as slowly as you can, and then return it to the refrigerator.

Sit down. Wait. Pick up the cup carefully, as though it would break if you touched it forcefully. Bring the cup to your mouth very slowly. Sip the tea and really taste it, feel the texture of it, notice the temperature of it.
 
Place the cup down, wait, pause, pick it up again and continue like this until you have finished. Notice how often during this simple routine your mind wanders on to something else.
 
Be aware of:

• Your impatience at the slow speed,
• What it feels like to be attentive to this task,
• How often your mind wanders off elsewhere.

If you do this a number of times, you will recognize that we spend very little time in the present. So much of the day is spent doing things physically, while the mind is somewhere else, leading to confusion, forgetfulness, and a feeling of not being in control.
Other ways of developing mindfulness are to listen to ourselves and to ask:

• What am I doing?
• Why am I doing it?
• Do I listen well to others?

Reflect inward more frequently and check in to what is going on inside. Try to make space between tasks that you do, consciously completing one before you start the next. Finish the day by recapping what you have done during the day.

Phil Aston 2011