This months focus we'll be using belts in various ways in our movements and poses. I love using props in class as they can help with alignment, support the body and make poses more accessible. They can even deepen your practice, create new challenges and can allow you to hold poses for a longer time.

Belts are excellent props and if you come to class you will know that we use them in certain poses. It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or have been doing yoga for a very long time, belts can be extremely useful in your practice. Some of the benefits of using belts include increasing flexibility and alignment, improving posture, exploring a deeper stretch and experimenting with more challenging poses.

Yoga With Belts

Week 1 - Yoga For Shoulder flexibility - Yoga for Connection
As we find a connection to the belt in practice, we stay connected to the body and being present to all the sensations that allow us to stay focused in the moment.

Week 2 - Yoga To Lengthen and stretch – Yoga for Spaciousness
Using a belt in practice allows us to open up the body in a way that we can connect to the space inside and around us on the mat. Many of us are not aware of where we hold tension in the body and opening up through yoga allows us to create space in the body.

Week 3 - Yoga for Hamstrings – Yoga for Patience
We can use the belt to support to body as we gently start to open up space in the muscles and joints. Yoga teaches us the qualities of patience by listening to the body as we build up our practice and focusing on one thing at a time and embracing the moment.

Week 4 - Week 4 Yoga for Hip Openers – Yoga for Letting Go
Hip openers in yoga are a wonderful way to feel a sense of opening and releasing especially when you use a belt to aid in supporting the body and moving the body into a good alignment.

By drawing our senses of perception inward, we are able to experience the control, silence and quietness of the mind.

B.K.S Iyengar

This Months Music

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

Ty Burhoe and Bill DouglasNew Horizon
Jai Uttal and Ben LeinbachSurya
Acoustic YogaLoma Ma (Instrumental)
HeliosEmancipation
DeuterIllumination of the Heart
Into The BlissTemple Of Time
Tejal YannDivine