It’s pretty self explanatory. Show yourself some love.
So, if it’s so simple why does it often get pushed to the back burner of our minds?
Maybe because it’s not important, maybe we’re too busy, maybe everybody or everything else comes first, etc, etc. But it doesn’t take much to show ourselves a little love each day. Even the tiniest steps can make the biggest differences. We just need to be aware.
Give it a go with these simple self love steps we’ve put together!
STEP 1
Recognise that you are an individual in this world. No two people are the same. Each of us are unique in our own beautiful way and that’s what makes us, us! So be proud of that!
Top Tip:- Take a moment to digest that each and every day! If you practice yoga, you could build a self love mantra into Shavasana.
Check out 10 Powerful Self Loving Mantras, use these or create your own based on what’s important to you!
We can only ever do our best, and if we truthfully put 100% effort into everything we do, we can’t possibly give anything more or anything less. We do exactly what we are capable of doing in that given moment. So, getting annoyed because you hit a wall, or didn’t quite overcome an obstacle in the way you’d have liked is pretty useless. Instead of beating yourself up about it, embrace it. Embrace the journey you are on and any mistake you make and know that you are learning at each and every moment given to you.
Top Tip:- Try changing your perspective on obstacles. Instead of being an obstacle, maybe they’re a stepping stone to get you to where you want to be.
STEP 3
Everyone has a different view on what’s important in life and focuses all their energy into those things. There’s certainly a few things we often experience through our lifetime and it may be the fact there’s so much to do, so many people to care for, and many things we need to take into consideration within our busy lives. More often than not, we forget to stop and realise our ownsignificance in the universe. In the midst of caring for everybody else, we forget to care for ourselves! Self-care is important so don’t put it off, or wait until you can fit it into your schedule.
Top Tip:- instead apply it each and every day. For each day – write down something in the form of self care that you’ll do for you! To make sure you take care of you!
STEP 4
Remember, everybody has their imperfections and nobody is perfect. There are strengths and areas to grow in all of us, so don’t sell yourself short and try not to make comparisons because by doing so this can make us feel low about our worth.
Top Tip:- Start celebrating your strengths and begin to see your ‘weaknesses’ as opportunities to grow!
STEP 5
Sometimes, the person that gives us the hardest time is in fact ourselves. We’re hard on ourselves, and we get away with it too! So it becomes a constant cycle of negativity. We’ve all heard the term ‘treat people the way you wish to be treated’ So put this into practice and treat yourself how you’d expect others to treat you. Sometimes the things we say to ourselves are the most awful, demeaning things anyone could ever say. Instead of drilling into yourself how rubbish you are, reframe—and use language that builds you up and creates those positive feelings!
Top Tip:- Practice being kind to yourself like you would to others, and talk to yourself in a loving way
STEP 6
If you’d like a little more guidence then you’re in luck, because we’ve got an afternoon dedicated to self love at The Studio! Indulge yourself in an afternoon of all things you. Take the time to appreciate and indulge your mind body and soul with a feel good few hours just for you! Leave The Studio feeling empowered, rejuvenated and LOVED!
Top Tip:- Click the link below to reserve your self love spot!
If we are sure about anything in January it’s how manic it can be after all those festive shenanigans! We are all trying hard to stick to our resolutions and be our fittest, healthiest, best self. More often than not this becomes exhausting and results in us giving up.
Sometimes all we need to take a moment to relax, take a deep breath and ground ourselves. Giving ourselves the space to breath and create a clear and focused mind to make the most of each day. Meditation is a simple exercise to intergrate into your routine with huge benefits. Studies suggest using this practice on average 5-10 minutes a day can reduce stress, improve your emotional health and enhance self-awareness. Therefore, below we have included some of The Studio favorites and the worlds best meditation apps ready to help prepare you for the new year ahead.
Apps
Calm
Price: Download for free with optional
in-app purchases
Google Rating: 5*
This app is perfect for those who are new
to the world of meditation, offering a seven day beginners program with simple calming
exercises to help focus on your breathing techniques whilst clearing your mind.
They also provide a ‘calm Kids’ section for those aged between 3-17 years old
so your children can feel relaxed too. Furthermore, they include a library for ‘sleep
stories’ so you can fall asleep feeling content.
Headspace
Price: 14 day free trial (optional subscription after)
Google Rating: 5*
This app creates personalized plans based on
information you provide focusing on balancing your life with their mindfulness
techniques for daytime use, focusing on training your mind and body to fulfil a
happier lifestyle. To make full use of this app they also provide sleep music
tracks and nature soundtracks to help give you a blissful night sleep
Aura
Price: 7 days free trial (optional subscriptions after)
Google Rating: 5*
This app provides you with a personalized plan
based on questions asked at the beginning of your experience. Aura presents you
with a daily meditation practice based on your answers. This app is also
compatible with the ‘Apple watch’ and aims to reduce stress and increase
positivity.
Insight Timer
Price: 7 days free trial (optional subscriptions after)
Google Rating: 5*
This app gives you the most hands-on
experience when it comes to practicing meditation compared to all other apps.
It also includes discussion groups and community features, known as “a social network
for mediators”. Including ambient music and soundtracks to calm the mind.
10% Happier
Price: 7 days free trial (optional subscriptions after)
Google Rating: 5*
This app was created to motivate those who
might lose sight along the way due to their busy lifestyles with weekly updates,
so it never feels like a chore. Daily videos and guided meditations teach you what
to do in the simplest way possible, including a range of content showing ways
to manage stressors such as anxiety
For further tips & tricks check out our ‘Studio Blogs’ which covers further insight into the world of the Studio, Yoga, health, and a happier lifestyle!
It’s January and we want you to smash your goals this year just as much as you do! So if yoga is how you plan to do it then here’s a few offers to kickstart that motivation and get the goals smashing!
6:30AM COFFEE CLUB
Come along to any 6:30am class throughout January and your morning coffee is on us! (Tea too if that’s a bit of you)
– * One hot drink per yogi
JAN SUPER SHRED
If you want to take your yoga to the next level, challenge yourself to complete 15 classes within 30 days! Sign up in January to take on the challenge!
– £100 for 15 classes – Suitable for existing members – Any unused classes will discontinue after 30 days
YOU CAN DO THIS!
JANUARY INTRO OFFER
Sign up in January for 2 months unlimited yoga!
– £120 for 2 months, usually £130! – Available for new members only
SET YOUR INTENTIONS
As valued members of our community, we want to support your growth as much as possible, and in every way we can. Everything we do at The Studio is to inspire actions, so we’ve put a little pledge system together to help you reach your full potential!
Following your entry, we will continually support you smashing your goals and intentions through rewards to keep you motivated throughout the year!
You’re probably wondering where the offer is, our support and guidance of course. Oh and there’s a coffee or smoothie on us for anybody that sets their intentions with us! Just pop in and see us!
We are hosting another event! After the success of our Reset Day Retreat we couldnt wait to offer you something new and different!
If you are feeling out of balance in life and needing something to refocus and re centre yourself, this ones for you. An afternoon focusing on realigning the Chakras, and calming the mind through meditation and breathing practices, led by Kev Deaves.
Read below to find out a bit more about the different breathe works and the seven chakras.
Introducing your subtle energy system
During the workshop we will focus on using Ujjayi Pranayama breath work- (Ocean breathing-Victorious breath.)
Ujjayi is a breathing technique performed by lightly contracting the throat, specifically the glottis a small triangular slit found between the openings of the vocal cords that prevents food and liquids from entering the trachea. Restricting the throat in this manner means the the lungs and diaphragm must work harder to pull oxygen in increasing breathing capacity and strengthening the cardio vascular system especially if practiced regularly. Ujjayi pranayama is energising and relaxing as it sends cool fresh oxygen throughout the body, cleansing the subtle energy channels of the body while promoting mental clarity, focus and a boosted immune system.
What are the Chakras?
Root chakra
The first chakra is the root located at the base of the spine concerned with basic needs and physical survival. The root Chakra is red and connects us material existence. Physically the root Chakra directs the secretions of the adrenal glands that regulate metabolism and sodium levels. They also produce adrenaline responsible for the fight or flight response. Imbalances in the root chakra causes various symptoms, if it is overactive it can lead to bullying, excessive materialism and self centredness. Underactive you can become emotionally needy, have low self esteem, be fearful or engage in self destructive behaviour. When balanced you will feel grounded and healthy with high energy levels.
Sacral chakra
The second or sacral Chakra is associated with the reproductive organs that produce the hormones that determine sexual characteristics. The testes or ovaries control an individuals sexual development, maturity and emotional balance concerning sexuality is the key function of these organs. The Sacral Chakra is associated with the colour orange, nurture, receptivity and emotions. Too active can lead to you feeling emotionally unbalanced, manipulative and sexually addicted. Underactive you can become over sensitive, hard on yourself, feel guilty, frigid or impotent. Balanced you will respect yourself and others, have personal power and be spontaneous.
Solar plexus
The third or solar plexus chakra is the seat of our willpower and associated on the physical level with the pancreas, the gland responsible for the production of substances involved with digestion. It also produces insulin which regulates blood sugar levels. An overactive solar plexus can leave you feeling angry, controlling, workaholic, judgemental and superior. Under active and you can be overly concerned with what others think, fearful of being alone, insecure and need constant reassurance. A balanced solar plexus chakra allows you to have more control over your thinking and emotional responses, set healthy boundaries and be at peace with yourself
Heart chakra
The fourth Chakra is the heart Chakra it is green and associated with the Thymus, a gland located just above the heart. The thymus plays a central role in the production of T-Lymphocytes. T-Lymphocytes are a part of the bodies white blood cell defence system. T cells defend the body from potentially deadly pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When you have a clear, strong and harmonious heart chakra, you will firstly feel open and receptive. You will no longer struggle with isolation, fear, and grief in the same way. You will be courageous enough to open your heart to others. You’ll realize that you can only truly learn how to love others when you love yourself.
If the heart Chakra is overactive you can become possessive, love conditionally, gaslight to punish and be overly dramatic. Underactive you can fear rejection, love too much, feel unworthy of self love and self pitying. When the heart is balanced you will be compassionate, love everything. The heart chakra is like a conduit for a form of energy that is commonly associated with love, joy, peace and self acceptance.
Throat chakra
The fifth Chakra is the throat, associated with communication, self expression and creativity through sound. Developing the throat Chakra helps you articulate yourself to bring value to communication. The throat Chakra is connected with the thyroid gland in the neck which controls the bodies metabolic rate through the production of thyroxine. Behind the thyroid is the parathyroid responsible for maintenance of calcium in the blood. When the throats overactive you can become over talkative, dogmatic, self righteous and arrogant. When blocked you may hold back from self expression, be unreliable, hold inconsistent views. Balanced you will communicate well, be content and inspired artistically.
Brow chakra
The third eye chakra is the sixth chakra. Located on the forehead, between the eyebrows, it is the center of intuition and foresight. The function of the third eye chakra is driven by the principle of openness and imagination. In yogic metaphysics, the third eye or Ajna chakra, is the center where we transcend duality – the duality of a personal “I” separate from the rest of the world, of a personality that exists independently from everything else.
The Third eye chakra is associated to the pineal gland in charge of regulating biorhythms, including sleep and wake time. It’s a gland located in the brain that is a center of attention because of its relationship with the perception and effect of light and altered or “mystical” states of consciousness. It’s positioned close to the optical nerves, and as such, sensitive to visual stimulations and changes in lighting. The third eye chakra is associated with the following psychological and behavioral characteristics:
Characteristics:
Vision Intuition Perception of subtle dimensions and movements of energy Access to mystical states, illumination Connection to wisdom, insight Motivates inspiration and creativity
Our third eye chakra is an instrument to perceive the more subtle qualities of reality. It goes beyond the more physical senses into the realm of subtle energies. Awakening your third eye allows you to open up to an intuitive sensibility and inner perception.
Because it connects us with a different way of seeing and perceiving, the third eye chakra’s images are often hard to describe verbally. It puts us in touch with the ineffable and the intangible more closely. Third eye visions are also often more subtle than regular visions: They may appear a bit “blurry”, ghost-like, cloudy, or dream-like. Sometimes however, the inner visions might be clear like a movie playing in front of your eyes.
Crown chakra
The crown or the seventh chakra is located at the top of the head. Just as the Root or First Chakra connects us to the Mother Earth, the Crown Chakra is our connection to the Universe. In fact, the Seventh Chakra disperses the Universal energy or life force into the six other chakras located below it. The crown chakra is the seventh chakra. Located at the top of the head, it gives us access to higher states of consciousness as we open to what is beyond our personal preoccupations and visions. The function of the Crown chakra is driven by consciousness and gets us in touch with the universal.
Our Crown chakra is primarily associated to the pituitary gland, and secondarily to the pineal and the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland work in pair to regulate the endocrine system. Because of its location, the crown chakra is closely associated with the brain and the whole nervous system. Note that energetically, the seventh chakra has a connection with the first chakra, as they both are at the extremities of the chakra system.
Interested in booking?
Contact info@thestudio-mcr.com to reserve your space
Join us for a day of pampering and yoga bliss on Sunday 10 November, 14:00-18:00, at The Studio Cheshire. Book Your Spot
During the day the focus will be to create and integrate an afternoon of yoga practices that nourish your mind, body and soul on every level.
The Reset Yoga Workshop combines together the 8 limbs of yoga in the stunning setting of the Cheshire countryside. First we start with a mindfulness and pranayama practice, calming and relaxing the mind. But then we kickstart the second practice with a dynamic yoga practice to detoxify our systems.
After that we’ll relax and cleanse mind and body with a soothing gong bath meditation, followed by a peaceful and restorative yin practice. This will help to align our bodies and open up the connective tissue. Most importantly, to finish the day we will venture into Alderley Edge for a healthy evening meal at The Botanist.
This workshop is ideal for strengthening, lengthening, and opening our bodies and minds. Working to create new habits that are the foundation for a healthy yoga-based lifestyle.
With the ongoing success of our events and our increasing love for brunch, we’ve decided to host another event!
Join us at The Alchemist for an hour Yoga flow with Lucy Watson to work up an appetite, and then refuel with a delicious brunch, and share a drink and a chat with us.
Check out the menu below! What takes your fancy?
Places will fill up fast so makesure you book your space! Email us at info@thestudio-mcr.com OR Book online at http://www.thestudio-mcr.com/
We all envy those people who easily slide out of bed at 6:00am every morning, eat a nutritious breakfast, get in a gym session, walk the dog and start their working day all before we’ve even brushed our teeth. How do they do it?
They say something becomes a habit if you stick to it for atleast 30 days. Commiting to starting your morning in a consistent way will help to turn struggle into ease. Stop hitting the snooze button and start getting out of bed with purpose and passion.
Building a morning yoga class into your routine will help you to feel energised in the morning and help regulate a normal sleep pattern, waking up earlier equals going to bed earlier! Plus getting exercise in in the morning boxes it off so the rest of the day is yours. It can be harder to commit to evening exercise because we are more likely to cancel. We may feel too tired after a long day at work, dinner plans might present themselves or we may struggle to find childcare.
Still need persuading to leave your bed in a morning? Here are some of the benefits of starting your day off with a yoga class.
1. The body needs to move
When we sleep our body is in rest mode, besides the occasional twitch, our bodies are still for around eight hours a night. While the muscles arent moving, layers of connective tissue build up between them. Our instinct in the morning when we wake up is often to do a full body stretch before we get out of bed. This is our bodies way of telling us we need to release those layers. If we don’t move and stretch throughout the morning these layers can continue to thicken and build throughout the day causing stiffness, aches and pains. So if you work seated at a desk or driving for most of the day, your body will thank you for getting up and moving early on!
2. Calm the nervous system
When our alarm jolts us out of sleep its easy to feel stressed before the day has even started. Getting kids ready for school, making breakfasts and rush hour traffic can all leave us feeling a little anxious. Fitting a yoga practice into your morning routine allows you to take some time out for you. Helping to calm the mind reducing stress and making you better equipped to handle stressful situations throughout the day. In yoga we focus on the movement flowing with the breath. We slow the breath down to calm the mind. When we breathe quickly our body goes into fight or flight mode, this can cause panic or anxiety. By slowing the breath we reduce stress hormones.
3. Heightens productivity and alertness
Starting your morning in a good frame of mind sets you up for continuing your day in the same way. Focusing early in the morning helps to stay focused for the rest of the day, and increase our productivity. Something ourselves or our bosses can appreciate during the working hours.
4. Who needs caffeine?
A morning coffee might be the first thing you reach for when you wake up, its not the best for us but we rely on it to give us that buzz we need to get going with our day. Doing exercise in the morning works the same way. An active yoga session is stimulating and energising, waking up the body, getting the heart rate up, blood pumping and releasing those endorphins that help lift our mood. Some good examples of dynamic movements that do this are sun salutations, backbends and twists.
5. Sweat is good
Did you know the average person has 2.6 million sweat glands? We may look at sweating as a bad thing, an inconvenience. But it actually works in our favour! Sweat fights germs, the glands excrete a natural antiobiotic called ‘dermciden’, helping to keep our skin and bodies clean and healthy. Its no doubt in a heated yoga class you will work up a sweat, but this will help your body to get rid of any toxins from the skin, helping you to start your day right. Follow with a shower and feel refreshed and re-energised from the inside out!
The muscles in our body are
used all the time and are the reason why we can move. It is so important that
we look after them; especially after physical training. Physical training
alters the appearance of muscles as well as their performance. When muscles
grow, the cells them-self change in size, no new cells are made. This is why we
feel pain after exercising. If we don’t look after our muscles, stretching them
after using them, it can result in overuse injuries such as stress fractures or
joint/ tendon inflammation.
In the 2-3 hours after
exercising our muscles are most fatigued – they need feeding!! Protein helps to
recover and grow muscles.
If you can imagine the
enzymes that help the process of recovery as a collection of little eager
construction workers ready to build – if they turn up to work and lack their
materials, their talent cannot be put to use, BUT, if you provide them with the
correct raw materials, they can perform work to the highest standards.
As well as muscles being
fatigued after exercise, your tissues and organs are too. When exercising,
everything is put to its limits. Restorative breathing is therefore also
something that helps recovery as it slows the heart back down and also
normalises the lungs again.
How can stretching help
muscle recovery?
There are many benefits that
stretching gives to help the recovery of the body after exercising.
Increased flexibility of different muscles groups
Stretching
helps release constricted and contracted muscles back to their comfortable
state. This also helps increasing flexibility itself and injury prevention.
For example,
doing leg stretches after a long run increases muscular power and endurance.
Improved
blood circulation
Stretching
helps the body to cool down, therefore returning the heart rate back to
resting. Once the blood circulation and heart rate are back to normal, this
allows the muscles to relax so recovery can begin.
Eliminates
lactic acid
Working your
muscles produces lactic acid which makes the muscles fatigued and sore. Stretching
eliminates the lactic acid build up so helps to relax the muscles in order to
recover and repair.
Pain
Prevention
If muscles remain tight after exercising, it can increase your risk of an injury. Stretching helps loosen the muscles which minimises the risk of injury.
Upward Dog by Ryan
Improved range of motion
Muscles that
are not stretched usually remain constricted which prevents them being used to
their full potential. Therefore, if we keep stretching them after exercising,
the muscles performance when exercising will increase.
Increased
muscular coordination
For strength
trainers, it is even more important to stretch post exercising. When you
stretch tired muscles, you give them better functional mobility and allow them
to synchronise properly.
Posture
When your
muscles are constricted and tight it often causes peoples posture to change,
such as rounding the back. If we loosen up and stretch the muscles, you will
see a better posture develop.
Improved
nerve signals
Stretching
allows a constant flow of nerve signals between the brain and muscles which
will increase performance.
Mindfulness
During exercise your whole body is pushed to its limits. Breathing to create mind and body connections, help relax the body; when the body is relaxed the muscles are able to relax too.
Muscle Growth
Stretching
promotes muscle growth; it elongates the fascia which helps the muscle to grow.
Have you ever been in a yoga class and wondered what the teacher is talking about? Have you been confused by postures that have two names, or forgot which is your Downdog and which is your Updog?
Our Studio Yoga Dictionary is here to help!
Sanskrit is an ancient language from India, each yoga posture has its original Sanskrit name but mostly we are more familiar with the English translation as these are much easier to remember, however teachers frequently use the Sanskrit term so its good to familiarise yourself. The more you practice the more you will associate the asana names with the movement.
Sanskrit words and phrases and what they mean
Asana – Means posture, you will notice most of the Sanskrit terms end in Asana.
Namaste – We say this at the end of most of our practices, most commonly with hands pressed into a prayer position against the heart centre and head lowered. It translates as I bow to you, a greeting and sign of respect after finishing a practice, we honour the light within our teacher and they honour the light within us.
Prana – This is our Life force, our energy our breath.
Drishti – Is the focus point of your gaze. When holding a posture it helps to focus on one still point as this focuses your energy against distraction, and helps to develop awareness and concentration. A focus point can help you also to keep correct allignment. There are nine drishtis you might be told to focus on during a posture, these are; 1. The tip of the nose 2. The thumbs 3. The third eye 4. The navel 5. Toward the sky 6. The hands 7. The toes 8&9. Over the shoulder towards the left or right side
Mula Bandha – Mula means root or base, and Bandha means lock, translating as your root locks. The bandhas are a means of controlling and directing energy. We are encouraged to activate these muscles such as pelvic floor to create more stability and core strength within the body.
Mantra – This is a word/phrase or sound repeated often during meditation. The word mantra comes from two Sanskrit words, manas (mind) and tra (tool). So mantra literally means “a tool for the mind,” and was designed to help practitioners access a higher power and their true natures.
Mudra – Derived from the Sanskrit word for seal, Mudras are a symbolic sign or gesture meant to direct life force to various parts of the body so the energies can be harnessed within.
Anjali Mudra – Probably the mudra you are most familiar with during your practice, hands pressed together against the heart centre, the position we often take at the end of class to say Namaste. In India it is used to greet, thank and express respect. It also reminds us to come back to our centre.
Pranayama – Control of breath, the breath is our life force and energises and sustains us throughout our yoga practice. It increases vitality, mental focus and expands consciousness of the mind.
Om – The sound of the universe.
Heres a few of the common yoga postures and their Sanskrit names you might hear whilst your in class;
Bhujangasana – Cobra Tadasana – Mountain Pose Savasana – Corpse pose Adho Mukha Svanasana – Downward facing Dog Urdhva Mukha Svanasana – Upward facing dog Chaturanga Dandasana – Four limbed staff pose (you will be very familiar with this move during a sun salutation sequence.) Uttanasana – Standing forward fold Ashtanga Namaskara – Knees chest chin a build up to Chaturanga Surya Namaskar A or B – Sun Salutation A or B Vrksasana – Tree Pose Utkatasana – Chair Pose Utthita Balasana – Extended child pose
