Small Group Yoga for Beginners Course – Starts Monday 10th September New September start date announced for our very popular small group yoga for beginners courses! Taking your first step onto the yoga mat is an exciting new beginning. On this course you will be introduced to fundamental yoga poses, concentrating on healthy alignment and establishing a deeper awareness of your body through breath, movement and focus. We will build the practice week-by-week and also introduce meditation and relaxation techniques to cultivate a feeling of calm and the ability to better deal with stress. So, if you are looking for a new challenge to boost your health and wellbeing, help yourself stay in shape, or simply have a little ‘me’ time; We look forward to welcoming you to our 5-week, fun, relaxing and de-stressing Yoga for Beginners course with David at Oxley Park Community Centre. Course Details Starts 10th September 2018 Time: 7:30pm Duration: 5 weeks* Course cost: £55 Maximum 10 people These courses are very popular and spaces are allocated on a first come first served basis, book now to avoid disappointment. *Course dates: Wk1 – 10 September Wk2 – 17 September Wk3 – 24 September <BREAK> 1 October Wk4 – 8 October Wk5 – 15 October Slow Flow Hatha Vinyasa Yoga Anyone can do Hatha Yoga because its practice is aimed toward relaxation, stress reduction and management. The Yoga for Beginners Course will cover the basics of this ancient Eastern tradition; so you will learn how to breathe properly and centre your attention on clearing mental clutter – all the while staying fit, improving posture and reaping the physical benefits of the yoga tradition. Find out more about the benefits of yoga and how yoga changes your body, starting the day you begin. Why a Small Group Course? A small group course, gives you a better teacher / student balance.  It is aimed at complete beginners or those with a little experience who are looking to improve their understanding and build a strong foundation of Yoga. This course is not suitable during pregnancy but is a fantastic postnatal way to rebuild flexibility and muscle tone, as well as some precious ‘me’ time. As places are limited please book today to avoid disappointment. Venue: Oxley Park Community Centre Redgrave Dr, Oxley Park, Milton Keynes MK4 4TA    

Pranayama Breath, life and energy are intrinsically connected and yogis have a single word for all three of them – prana. Pranayama, where Breath is controlled, increases vitality and mental focus, and expands consciousness. Breath acts as a bridge to our nervous system and by exploring pranayama practices we can observe how deeply it is connected to the mind. Just as our breathing alters depending on our mood, our psychological state can be altered by changes in our breath. Conscious breathing brings oxygen and energy to the cells and enhances all cellular processes. It’s a fantastic source of energy. It’s simple: when we breathe better we feel better. – Yoga Lily, Hatha Yoga classes in Milton Keynes Alternate Nostril Breathing Nadi Suddhi Pranayama – this pranayama practice purifies the energy channels (nadis) and balances the flow of energy between the left and right sides of the body. It is especially beneficial when you need to re-centre yourself and is useful in leading you into meditation. 1. Sit in a position that gives you a straight back and is easy for you to maintain. Allow the back of the left hand to rest on top of the left knee, with the arm extended. Touch the left thumb to index finger in Chin Mudra. 2. Bend the right arm and, keeping the elbow at chest height, bring the tip of the right thumb to rest on the bridge of the nose, just above the right nostril. 3. Have the tip of the right ring finger just away from the left nostril. The little finger lies along the ring finger. Index and middle fingers are folded down to touch your palm. This is called Nose Mudra. 4. Follow these steps from 1 to 3 in a cycle (one round): To start, press the right nostril lightly shut with the thumb and inhale through the left nostril. At the end of the inhalation close the left nostril with the ring finger and release the thumb. Exhale and inhale through the right nostril. At the end of the inhalation close the right nostril and release the left nostril. Exhale through the left nostril. This is one round. 5. Continue for 7 to 12 rounds. If you like, use the thumb of your left hand to count the rounds against each segment of the fingers of the left hand. Bring the tip of the thumb to the tip of the index finger, then work down to the base of the finger. Moving up the middle finger and so on, until the 12th round takes you to the tip of the little finger. 6. As you become accustomed to this practice, you may like to do two more cycles of 12 rounds, resting the hand down and breathing naturally in between each cycle. 7. Once this technique is comfortable, gradually lengthen the breath. Silently counting the lengths of the inhalation and exhalation, making them even in length. Once even, increase the count by one beat and continue for

Yoga for Men – Beginners Yoga Course As men we often think that yoga is not appropriate for us as we aren’t naturally flexible. But flexibility is not a prerequisite for yoga. The fact is, men have a lot to gain from yoga and are as welcomed as women in almost every situation. If you are a man who has been wanting to try yoga, here’s the perfect opportunity you need to make that leap in an ALL male small group. Yoga for Men Beginners Course Take your first step onto the yoga mat with me (David) in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. On this beginners yoga course you will be introduced to fundamental yoga poses, concentrating on healthy alignment and establishing a deeper awareness of your body through breath, movement and focus. We will build the practice week-by-week and also introduce meditation and relaxation techniques to cultivate a feeling of calm and the ability to better deal with stress. Boost your athletic ability, health and wellbeing, help yourself stay in shape so you can confidently attend a mixed yoga class without feeling out of place. Course Details Sweet Nature Health and Wellbeing Centre Starts Tuesday 12 June 2018 Time: 6pm – 7pm Duration: 5 weeks Course cost: £60 Maximum 6 people These courses are very popular and spaces are allocated on a first come first served basis, book now to avoid disappointment. Yoga for Men: Get Into a Better Physical Condition One yoga class per week can increase endurance, build strength, prevent injuries, and may even stave off heart disease. Men are more into sports and other physical activities that build muscle mass but add to the body’s tightness. Practicing yoga loosens the tightness in the muscles, resulting in flexibility which helps enhance mens physical and mental performance and indulge longer in physical activities by building endurance. Yoga is a full-body workout that creates not only flexibility but also strength which lessens the possibility of injuries caused by sports and similar physical endeavors.   A Leaner and More Toned Body Guys who want to lose their beer bellies can also turn to ‘Yoga for Men‘ to help them acquire a leaner and more toned body. Slow flowing and intense yoga will gradually build firmness and strength in the muscles that are engaged in its various poses. My Strong and Calming Slow Flow Hatha Vinyasa Yoga style will get the heart rate up, get the sweat flowing and definitely help the weight drop. The breathing technique which is an essential element of doing yoga also plays an important part in reducing weight. Yoga teaches you to breath into the belly and not the chest. This exercises your diaphragm muscle and more oxygen is taken into your lungs with each breath. A high supply of oxygen in the body ensures more efficient combustion of foods. Not only does this help you lose weight, it also stops the body being poisoned by undigested wastes. Find out more about the benefits of yoga and how yoga changes