January Theme of the Month Classes Posted by Yoga Herts on Monday 3 January 2022

The month of January sees us getting back into our yoga routine with improving our health benefits through our practice of physical postures, breathing, and relaxation/meditation.

Over the four weeks we will have a different focus to help to get our energy moving, move and open up the body in different directions, improve our circulation and help support our digestive system.

In the winter months it is often hard to motivate ourselves with the dark mornings and nights, the cold weather and the lack of sunshine and we often find we are low in energy. Yoga can be the boost we need to keep us healthy and promoting a calm and focused mind.

Week 1 - Yoga for Energy

This weeks first will look at movements and poses to get the blood circulating and we will start off warming up the spine, joints, muscles and ligaments. A lot of us spend time wishing we had a bit more energy and our energy depends on many things including sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Yoga can help to produce an invigorating effect on mental and physical energy that can help to improve our fitness and helps reduce fatigue.

Certain poses such as backbends can help you feel more awake and energised as they increase flexibility in spine, stretches the chest and boosts energy. We will explore Kapalbhati pranayama which is a breathing practice that purifies, rejuvenates, and invigorates the mind and body. We will also practice the standing Archer pose which is very good for promoting the greater flow of energy and power.

Week 2 - Twist and Stetch

This weeks class will focus on creating lots of length and space in the body and lots of extra twisting movements which are great for the spine and improving our circulation and improving focus and concentration.
At this time of the year when we might be feeling a bit more stressed and might have over indulged in extra food and drink celebrations, twists are an amazing way to help support the body and at the same time calming the nervous system.

Twists and creating length and space in the body allow our energy to flow better and are a wonderful way to get a natural boost of energy.

Week 3 - Yoga to ignite the Core

This weeks sequence helps with igniting the body and creating energy. Our poses will help in getting the blood pumping and the muscles working. Physically our abdominal muscles are the power centre of our bodies and core strength is crucial to keep you centred and strong in your yoga practice.

When we activate the solar plexus area we generate and circulate energy in our whole body and govern the fire inside of us, building up willpower, and inner strength.

Week 4 - Yoga for Digestion

Yoga poses that help with digestion can help improve physical and mental health. Our digestive system can be supported with different poses and with better digestion comes more energy. We will explore poses that support healthy kidney and liver function. Both of these are vital to digestive health and overall vitality.

Using a combination of deep breathing, movements, and poses that target the abdominal organs and calming stress relieving techniques we can help to improve our gut health. We can help to boost our metabolism, relieve discomfort in the body such as bloating, and assist the body to detox.

Yoga means addition – addition of energy, strength and beauty to the body, mind and soul.

This Months Music

Here's the usual selection of music that Vicky has been listening to this month.