A bit of anatomy and physiology this week. This practice will offer you a deeper experience of the biomechanics of the shoulder girdle moving in a vinyasa practice. As well as a physical approach, Zephyr will invite you to go deeper in unraveling Vishnu Granthi, the physical/psycho/emotional holding we carry around our upper body using asana, pranayama, chanting of OM & SO HUM in practice.
A bit of anatomy and physiology this week. This practice will offer you a deeper experience of the biomechanics of the shoulder girdle moving in a vinyasa practice. As well as a physical approach, Zephyr will invite you to go deeper in unraveling Vishnu Granthi, the physical/psycho/emotional holding we carry around our upper body using asana, pranayama, chanting of OM & SO HUM in practice.
Our unique human ability to self-reflect is one thing that sets us apart from all other sentient beings. The continual evolution of our consciousness to be awakened (for those seeking it) to that which is behind life itself is a wonder for us as humans philosophically, spiritually and cognitively. Gives a new sense to the expression; “may wonders never cease”.
This New Years workshop will call upon our past experiences to inform our present, honouring those who supported us along the way. We will enter practices that promote that evolution by “burning” that which impedes us from growing forward in our lives. We will draw on the teachings of Tantra that increase our capacity to acquire energy to positively affect all aspects of our lives.
– Asana to strengthen our vessel.
– Pranayama to build our vital force.
– Yoga Nidra to heal and nurture.
– Meditation to open us to the boundless reservoir towards inspiring our potential for awakening.
We will call upon the 3 fold process of Kriya Yoga as the blueprint to promoting purification, self-reflection and establishing a relationship to Ishvara/the Divinity of your understanding. This New Year we will plant seeds of purpose and reduce the seeds of suffering thus actualising the light of knowledge within you, as you, working for you and with you to wake you up to It’s presence in everything.
“There is a light, that lights the whole world. It radiates absolute truth, boundless will, skill in action and is the source of all knowledge”
Truth – Satya
Will/Desire – Iccha Shakti
Action – Karma
Knowledge – Vidya
Awaken – Bodhi
Bhuta Shuddhi/5 Elements practice in asana, pranayama, yoga nidra and meditation.
Zeph continues on the subject of cultivating the Love and Kindness for ourselves with this series entitled Pray it Away which includes the Meditation, Practice and here, the Preamble. The series, used together, urges the Yogi to see ones practice as a garden of sorts in which you can plant, cultivate and nurture a bit of loving kindness and connect with the desire to be happy and to decrease the suffering. By cultivating Love and Kindness for ourselves but at the same time acknowledging the suffering and embracing it as a teacher, it can release you from the downward spiral of suffering and dis-ease. As a teacher it creates choices that can draw you closer to spirit or, push you farther away. That is where Yoga and Meditation become really powerful. At that point, having the courage to Pray it Away (the suffering) and breathe these mantras in (cultivating the Love and Kindness) and choosing the path back to balance and relief from the dis-ease, wherever it may have come from.
Embracing the suffering, understanding its roots, recognising the choice and finally finding the positive Love and Kindness to cultivate and meditate upon is the goal of the Love and Kindness series.
Granthis are “knots” binding the physical body and the psycho-emotional subtle body together. There are three Granthis covering 6 out of our 7 Chakras. These “knots” inhibit a healthy pranic flow of intelligence and function in these centres. Each of these Granthis are said to be the embodiment of 3 Hindu God-Heads, Brahma: The Creator, Vishnu: The Sustainer, and Rudra: The Roarer/Destroyer.
Using storytelling of these archetypes we will unravel the complexity of why we get knotted up in certain areas and how to use the Yogic technology to assist in our unfolding and creating a free-flowing current towards seeking contentment, serenity and stillness.
Expect a lecture, breath-centric asana, pranayama, kriya, mudra, mantra and meditation.
Itha108is a Greek island retreat set in a place of outstanding natural beauty, providing a space specifically for peace, relaxation and practice.
Ithaca, home of Itha108, is one of the smallest in the Ionian islands that is radiating with Grecian authenticity. It’s shores play host to a long Homeric and mythical history whose many mysteries are sensed amongst animated panorama and secretive coves. Itha108 overlooks the sea and the eastern coastline of neighbouring Kefalonia from an elevated wilderness of olive trees and exposed rocks that provide the elements around which it is built, allowing its natural beauty to speak for itself. An emphasis on indoor-outdoor living ensures full use of the land and its treasures that extend to sweeping and hidden beaches below.
Ready for a transformative Mantra? Need some Inspiration? Some focus? Some healing? Need something Powerful to take with you on your journey today? How about a bit of Mantra in your life.
Locked Mantras and unlocked Mantras, who knew the search for enlightenment could be so elusive? In reality, Mantras are simply chants that give us Yogis focus and intention during our practice. As I like to say, it is a good way to pepper ones practice with a bit of meaning and intention, thus giving some conscious intention to your physical practice, muscles, breath and all. If one can “think good thoughts” whilst engaged in a physical activity, it might just create “good” energy to your whole being.
A connection to the physical realm, the subtle realm and the higher consciousness of realms (earth, aether and cosmos) with a focus on harnessing the Prana and experiencing Moksha; That is what the Gayatri Mantra promotes. To be fair, all of this should be your motivation and intention during your morning coffee, however, some of us need a bit of a template or a cheat sheet. That is what Mantra really is. They are words in the language of Sanskrit but beautiful sounds and utterances to those that don’t speak it. Mantra is a way of channeling your thoughts and intentions whilst you stoke the fire through movement (all the while, preparing for a meditative state).
This Preamble is a great reminder of why we need to bring a bit of intention to our practice. Use it along with the practice that follows (coming soon) or even as just a way of setting an intention and creating a space and environment for your own practice.
The treatment of addiction, depression, anxiety and other mental disorders is increasingly relying on alternative methods of therapy as more about the root causes of such disorders are understood. Treatment centres and Psychologists are increasingly taking a page from the mindfulness movement to holistically treat patients that suffer mental trauma and the afflictions that are symptomatic of a life out of balance. Movement and breathing techniques have been proven to be effective to aid in recovery for all sorts of mental disorders and Yoga has risen to the forefront as alternative therapy in a science that up until recently focused solely on a cognitive approach to therapy. But, as the barometer for assessment and treatment of overall mental health changes, is yoga as a therapy really all that alternative?
The definition of Yoga has roots firmly grounded in a focus on self-understanding. The more we understand ourselves, our habits and our suffering the more we have choices to align ourselves with the true path and the state of balanced flow. The equilibrium and harmony of a balanced life takes in to account the spiritual, the mental and the physical. Yoga, at it’s fundamental core is an exercise in developing a strong and balanced state for all three. Yoga puts the same amount of emphasis on, and gives an equal importance to, the emotional health as it does physical health.
This course taps into the Yogic roots of holistic health and focuses on the skill in action yoga creates, helping to bring self-knowledge and the ability to identify and enact constant beneficial corrections as we follow our path. The course is designed for Advanced Yoga Students and Teachers and will introduce an adaptation of the 12 steps of Recovery to develop skills that will aid students to identify suffering in our lives and how to move past them. We will use Vinyasa and Kriya yoga, as well as Meditation and Yoga Nidra to create bespoke therapies for the sufferings of our clients, our students and most importantly, ourselves.
Over the course, Zephyr will discuss the basic neuroscience, behavioural patterns and simple techniques to support strategies in enhancing emotional well being in a yoga practice. Zephyr will lecture on yogic theories and begin to map out the foundation in bespoking a client’s therapy to a client’s condition. Emphasis will be on seeing a holistic picture of a client by using the yogic sciences and techniques as resources to address imbalances. Application of these yogic resources will be through practice of Vinyasa flow and Kriya yoga.
The course will draw from the the yogic principles of:
Gunas
Doshas
Koshas
Prana Vayus
Swara
Chakras & Granthis
Rasa of Emotions
Kriya Yoga
Mudras
Mantras
Pranayama
Vinyasa
Yoga Nidra
Turning the focus now inward and working on the 12 Steps ourselves, Zephyr will illustrate personally how this method works in creating positive routines and habits to help those suffering. Drawing from the wisdom of the Four Noble Truths, The Eight Limbs of Yoga and the philosophy behind Kriya Yoga, Zephyr will help students identify their own sufferings and how those may create routines and habits that can influence the paths we follow and the imbalances that arise.
Recently I was interviewed by AsiaSpa Magazine for some advice on a piece they were doing on “wedding day stress management”. I was delighted to share a few techniques using Mediation and Mantras for ‘Bridal Zen.’ Below is the exert from the article.
To purchase magazine go to asiaspa.com or visit any magazine publication outlet and for Yoga and Meditation visit me at Triyoga London.
MEDITATION AND MANTRAS
“In the lead-up to your wedding day, I recommend a daily practice of yoga, pranayama and meditation,” says Zephyr Wildman, yoga and meditation teacher at Triyoga London. “This will support and nourish your physical, energetic, mental and emotional states of being. Meditating each morning aids your capability to make clear decisions, helping you respond with grace and connect to the intention of why two people marry.”
And you don’t need to go to a studio either. Finding time in your schedule can be difficult, but setting just half an hour aside in the morning to meditate at home can make a difference.
Set yourself up in a quiet, phone-free spot and decide on your intention. “Setting an intention is like mentally straightening out the banks of a winding river, guiding you to set direction for manifesting your desires,” Wildman explains. “It might be to find clarity or to manage your anxiety in the run-up to your wedding.”
“Allow yourself to be as you are,” she advises. “Notice the common thoughts recycling themselves in your mind, whether pleasant or unpleasant, and allow yourself to feel it. Breathe into it then exhale, soften, release and relax. Do this until the strong feelings subside and you can detach.”
“Trace your breath with your mind and consciously direct your feelings towards a loving, kind and calm you,” Wildman continues. “This process will bring you into the present moment with a greater acceptance for life and gratitude for the blessings you have. Sit back and bask in that inner experience.”
£30
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Join Zephyr in this journey inwards; spiraling from the physical body into the pranic body, merging with the mental layer into the wisdom realm and finally into the state of bliss creates a channel to experience the Individual Consciousness to the Cosmic Consciousness.As Yoga students we are all too familiar with our physical body and our pranic body that sustains the Life Force as we navigate the material world. However, as we study deeper into Yogic/Ayurveda philosophy and psychology we find there are “layers” or “sheaths” that create a pathway to the more subtle dimensions for growth and balance of being. The Kosha model being a very effective therapeutic map to direct our journey towards health, fulfilment and serenity.This workshop will explain the forces of Agni (Fire) that fuel the 5 Koshas, touch on the Chakra System, Prana Vayus and the Rasas (Essence of Emotions). Finally linking our Asana, Pranayama and Meditation to digest and assimilate the information given.Expect: a lecture, breath-centric asana, pranayama, kriya, mudra, mantra and meditation.
To book click here * * * If booking for more than one person, please do so by calling 020 3362 0688. Do not book via website or the second person will not appear on the roster. * * *
With 
The Life Centre, Notting Hill
