ratnadevi

LUISE HOLTBERND

yoga + meditation

The style of Yoga I teach is based on the Iyengar system, and incorporates elements from other movement systems, such as Pilates, Feldenkrais, massage and dance. A typical class will start with some warm-ups, build towards more intense work, followed by a deep relaxation and finish with a short period of meditation.

Yoga promises ‘wholeness’ - the satisfaction and nourishment that results from being fully engaged in the present moment. Gentle yet precise stretches, in tune with the breath, open and strengthen the body. Some poses are held for several breaths, others form flowing sequences. Yoga can have a balancing effect; it energises you when you feel depleted, and it has a calming and centring effect when you feel speedy or anxious. I am encouraging an attitude of enquiry - what do the poses actually do for you, and are there ways of approaching the practice that leads to best results, i.e. not being too goal-oriented and pushy, whilst still having a sense of progress. One learns to ‘play the edge’ of a stretch, which means being finely and precisely tuned into one’s whole physical/emotional/ spiritual  experience. Whilst respecting the yogic tradition, there is also room for experimentation: sometimes we use chairs or other bodies to explore a particular angle on a pose. After the very first introductory sessions, no class is ever the same.

As short sitting meditation at the end of a session helps to integrate the experience and take it onto a deeper level. Usually I teach a simple form of breathing meditation, but sometimes we use images and reflections. Meditating after Yoga is surprisingly easy - a lot of the work of calming the body/mind has been done and one can readily tune into one’s experience in the present moment. I emphasise a kind and accepting attitude towards anything that arises - one could even define meditation as the art of being with oneself, whatever happens. Being ‘distracted’ by thoughts etc is just part of the process.

Both Yoga and Meditation are powerful tools of self-transformation. With regular practice one will feel healthier and more buoyant. It can lead to recognising and changing unhelpful habitual patterns in many lifestyle areas like food, clothes, modes of transport etc. Perhaps more importantly, one might have access to a greater sense of freedom and choice in the areas of thought and speech. We don’t have to keep telling ourselves the same old self-undermining or limiting stories…..