I am delighted to announce that I have been asked to host a holiday in Turkey, in association with Heliotrope Holidays, as a guest teacher from 25th April to 2nd May 2010. The venue is the lovely boutique hotel of Onuncu Koy, just a few minutes walk from the beach at Adrasan. The week long holiday will be suitable for all levels and there will be 2 classes a day in the air-conditioned yoga studio – the morning will be more dynamic posture work and the evening session will be recuperative postures and pranayama (breathing techniques). Breakfast and dinner is provided and the centre organise optional excursions daily for those who like to explore. They also organise transfers from Antalya Airport and are warm and welcome hosts who live in Turkey and love welcoming yoga groups to their peaceful part of the world.

The holiday runs from Sunday to Sunday with the yoga programme running from Monday to Saturday. The daily programme will be as follows:

7:00am – Tea, fruit and yoghurt/honey will be available
8:00am – 2 – 2½ hours yoga session – classes will be tailored to all levels present on the holiday
10:30am – Freshly prepared breakfast buffet
11:30am – Free time – optional excursions to local places of interest or time to relax, walk, read or chill 5:30pm – 1½ hour yoga session – recuperative/relaxation
7:30pm – Three course, delicious evening meal

Spring is a gorgeous time to visit Turkey with temperatures in the 20’s and lots of warm sunshine, spring blooms and clean, pure air.  The yoga centre is a place away from the stresses and noise of the city – a real getaway for those seeking peace and quiet.

Situated in an area with forested mountains, abundant ancient ruins and a spectacular coastline the venue has easy access to the sea.

The purpose made yoga studio is designed to integrate with the surroundings. It is well-equipped with a full range of standard Iyengar yoga props and equipment: mats, bricks, blocks, cotton blankets, belts, bolsters, etc.

The holiday package includes accommodation, all yoga classes, and half board; large brunch/breakfasts and three course suppers consisting of delicious, Turkish, vegetarian food. There is a lovely swimming pool in the grounds and massage treatments are available.

Prices and Bookings

This holiday is organised by Heliotrope Yoga Holidays.  A week long Yoga Holiday at Heliotrope costs £430 per person and includes:

• 7 nights accommodation sharing a twin or double bedded room with en suite facilities. A single supplement of £70 is applicable if you want a room to yourself (subject to availability).
• Morning and evening yoga classes over 6 days
• Vegetarian breakfast and dinner.
• Use of the fully equipped yoga space.
• Use of the swimming-pool and gardens.

Not included are the optional excursions which are priced at between £3 and £15 each, flights & insurance or other personal expenses.  Child reductions are available: 0-7yrs free, 8-12yrs Half Price (sharing parents room). For further information and to book, please contact Sine or Aidan via their website at www.heliotrope-yoga-holidays.com. If you are a Facebook user please join their fanpage at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heliotrope-Yoga-Holidays/253673948904

Put the oven on a 150 centigrade &  line a loaf tin with butter paper, or just grease well.

Cream together 4oz butter & 4 oz caster sugar.
Beat in 2 eggs, one at a time.
Add a generous splash of good vanilla essence.
Stir in 4 oz ground almonds, 4 oz w/free flour and 1 tsp baking powder. The mixture will be quite sticky at this point.
Add 4 over-ripe bananas, roughly chopped, & 4 oz chopped walnuts. (For the pudding version, try adding 4 oz frozen berries.)

Put the mixture into the tin & bake at 150 for an hour. Turn the oven off and leave in to cool. (You can put it on the timer and go for a walk.) Turn out carefully – it sets as it cools. A favourite with everyone!

Put these ingredients into your blender:

200ml milk ( a mix of soya & coconut is my favourite, but use goat, cow, etc)

1 chopped banana

2 tsp Green Lightning (see above – with power-packed superfoods and oceanic algae like spirulina, chlorella, and Pacific kelp, Green Lightning delivers energizing, purifying nutrients for vibrant, exhilarating health and vitality. Algae are nature’s superfood indeed.)

2 tbsp live yoghurt (soya, goat, cow, etc)

Add a handful of fresh or frozen berries - raspberries, blueberries, etc. (Frozen gives a very cool smoothie, both temperature and colour!)

Now whizz with abandon, and drink BOTH glasses or you won’t make it to lunchtime.

Invest in some Sun Chlorella. You’ll be so glad you did.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Autumn 2009.

Having worn my Fitflops all summer, and fretted about footwear for chillier days, I wasn’t looking forward to going back into proper shoes again. Then those lovely people at Victoria Health sent me a pair of gorgeous bronze Fitflop Boots. The muddy Dorset lanes have never seen anything so trendy! SEE HERE for the winter range.

Incidentally, when I met Marcia Kilgore recently, she told me about the amazing feedback regarding the other benefits of wearing Fitflops regularly, some expected, but some unexpected. Now Manchester’s Salford University has confirmed this with their research. We all need to take much better care of the fine bones and muscles in our feet, if you come to my classes, you’ll know I am an evangelist about this! For more details, CLICK HERE .

So don’t hang about, order yours.

Dates are being finalised for 2010. Please contact me if you are interested.:
Cost: £15 per class or £40 for all three.

Venue: Whitchurch Village Hall. A big hall with plenty of parking and wall space! I will bring extra equipment, but please bring your own basic kit.

Directions: click HERE for a map.

These Yoga workshops are hosted by the Dorset and Hampshire Iyengar Yoga Institute. There are also detals of holidays and other events.

Do contact me if you have any questions regarding your suitablility, or the teacher, directions etc. They are generally held in Trinity Church Hall, Southbourne Road, Bournemouth BH6 5AQ

Click HERE for a map. Cost DHIYI Members £23 Non-members £25 (approx).

Personality:
11.    Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.    Don’t have negative thoughts over things you cannot control. Invest your energy in the positive.
13.    Don’t over do. Know your limits.
14.    Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake.
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner of their past mistakes. It will spoil your present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. It only harms yourself.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like an algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:
25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything.
28.    Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.    God heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come.
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.
39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not least:
40.    Please email this link to everyone you care about.

I have used some of BKS Iyengar’s thoughts as my inspiration for these nine resolutions.

1. ‘Giving does not impoverish. With-holding does not enrich.’

Of course, giving is not just about money, it could be time, a little love, a smile. Make this the year to really do give of yourself. Look close to home and see who in your immediate circle might be in need. Resolve to give of yourself every day.

2. ‘Health is not a commodity to be bargained for. It has to be earned through sweat.’

Sorry – there is no escape from this one! But it’s not all hard labour - eat well, excercise regularly, practice yoga diligently, relax every day and limit your stimulants! Resolve to take care of yourself.

3. ‘Regular practice of yoga can help you face the turmoil of life with steadiness and stability.’

There is no way anyone can demonstrate this – you can only know this through the regular practice of yoga against the backdrop of your life. You might also have a look at the testimonials page and read how so many women find mental and emotional strength through their yoga practice. Resolve to take responibility for your emotions.

4. ‘Unless people learn to differentiate between the essentials and non-essentials, peace will always elude them’.

We get our heads in a spin over things that are of no consequence in the grand scheme of things. We forget that love is all you need. Resolve to keep things in proportion.

5. ‘Self-culture begins only when you are completely engrossed in what you are doing’.

Make this the year you take an art class, learn a language, play your guitar more often, join the choir or the community players, anything creative in which you can  lose yourself completely for a few hours. Resolve to commit yourself to something, for its own sake.

6. ‘Fear and fatigue block the mind. Confront both squarely, then courage and confidence will flow into you’.

Relaxation is as important as endeavour. The gap between the notes is as important as the melody. Rest before you tackle something difficult. Resolve to feel the fear, then do it anyway.

7. ‘Do not stop trying just because perfection eludes you’.

If you focus on the goal, you rob yourself of experiencing the joy of the present. Resolve to focus on the next step and the horizon will come to you.

8. ’Persistent practice alone is the key to yoga’.

And the reward of patience is patience. Resolve to accept things as they are.

9. ‘The ocean is the self, the waves are the thoughts. The self is silent – the thoughts make noise.’

Only in the still pool of the mind can you can see the reflection of your own beauty. Resolve to make space each day for stillness.

Next, Ryan Giggs - a testimonial from a world-class sportsman.
 

A short film in which Guruji talks about the goals of yoga.

For my students, Guruji teaches Adho Mukha Svanasana. Watch the first ten seconds and look at his hands - that’s what I am talking about!

And finally, a personal favourite. The birthday card sent to Guruji from the Iyengar Institute in Moscow on his 90th birthday. Click full screen, turn the sound up and enjoy!

Having worn my Fitflops all summer, I wasn’t looking forward to going back into proper shoes again. Then those lovely people at Victoria Health sent me a pair of gorgeous bronze Fitflop Boots. The muddy Dorset lanes have never seen anything so trendy! SEE HERE for the winter range.

When I met Marcia Kilgore she told me about the amazing benefits of wearing Fitflops regularly, some expected, but some unexpected. Now Manchester’s Salford University has confirmed this with their research. We all need to take much better care of the fine bones and muscles in our feet - if you come to my yoga classes, you’ll know I am an evangelist about this! It’s a comfort to know you can buy footwear that helps support the correct action in your feet and legs. For more details, CLICK HERE .

So don’t hang about, order yours.
Giles was amazed to see my boots on a London bus!

This is a modification of a great recipe served at the sumptuous brunch on one of our yoga holidays in Portugal. It was meant for the few wheat-free guests, but quickly became a favourite with everybody. It will set you up for the day, and is a great alternative for a tea-time snack. I have modified it to lower the GI, and make it more sustaining by improving the protein content. The quinoa and oats are a great blend. Buy organic nuts – you really can taste the difference. The muscovado is important for the trace elements in the molasses. (You could use a tablespoon of molasses melted into the hot water instead. It makes the granola much darker.) The goji berries are a beautiful colour, and either prunes or apricots have a low GI. Simply snip them into small pieces with kitchen scissors. If you like a toasted flavour, put it under a grill for a few minutes, but don’t leave it – you’ll burn your nuts and have to start all over again!

Click on the link (left) to browse the Yogamatters web site, or click on the pictures below to go straight to the item illustrated.

• For a selection of ideas for Christmas presents, click HERE.
• If you need any help email hannah@hannahlovegrove.co.uk

Mats There is no substitute for a good yoga mat.

Blocks - Lots of colours, to team with you other equipment. You’ll need two to start, four to progress. Or, at a push, you can use a couple of telephone directories…

Bricks – Superior cork bricks give the best support. You’ll need these as your practice improves as they are often used to lift the body in weight-bearing poses, so they need to be strong.

Eye bags – First aid for headache and eye strain and general relaxation. You can make your own with silk or cotton cover, filled with linseed and lavender flowers.

Belts – I suggest using the standard, narrow or wide. Again, no subsitute for these. You can use an old tie at first, but these simple belts are designed to be just the right length, width and strength.

Cotton Blanket – The best blanket for yoga practice, and it’s made from recycled cotton. Fleece is fine to keep you warm, but it tends to slip if you use it for support. Natural fibres work well with the body and you can usually find a single-bed size pure wool blanket in your local charity shop.

Bolster – Have a look at the pictures in the routines to see how many ways you can use this. They are invaluable for therapeutic work, for relaxation and deeper breathing. They are filled with kapok, hence the price, but will last for years. Alternatives include a couple of rolled blankets, but they tend to lose their shape easily.

Yoga bags – Bags of bags.

Yoga Chair

Books – A vast selection, incuding sex and cookery!

If you are attending a weekly class, you may want a specific sequence of poses that will help you to develop your practice, or a  routine to aid recovery from an illness. You might also need to know how to adapt familiar poses to take account of an injury or immobility.

• * A Routine for Use During Your Period It’s very important to respect your body during this time, to practice with care and sensitivity.
• *A Routine To Ease Stress, Distress and Insomnia. This routine will help to stabilise your mind and bring peace to your heart.
• *A routine to Stretch and Strengthen your body For those days (or evenings) when you want to feel on top of the world!
• *A Routine for Use Between Periods To encourage normal menstruation by toning and strengthening your lower abdominal and pelvic area.

How this all began ……….. I first met Sarah Stacey, Health Editor of ‘YOU’ magazine for the Mail On Sunday, when she came to me needing to heal and strengthen a badly broken arm. It had been passed by the surgeon as ready for physio, and being naturally fit and very active, Sarah was willing to work hard to achieve the best recovery she could. We were both amazed and overjoyed at the results that a regular Iyengar Yoga session produced. Since then, we have worked regularly together, using the Iyengar Yoga method to adapt yoga poses for people in all kinds of situations – at a desk, in a wheelchair, going through the menopause, or needing to de-stress – so anyone can have access to the profound benefits that yoga practice brings.

YOGA FOR REGULAR USE.

Occasionally you may want a specific sequence of poses that will help you to develop your practice, or a routine to aid recovery from an illness. The routines below are simple, printable sheets giving instructions for you to use at home.

• * A Simple Routine for the Menopause Recent studies have shown that daily yoga practice at this time of your life could be the best medicine.
• * A Routine for Use During Your Period It’s very important to respect your body during this time, to practice with care and sensitivity.
• *A Routine To Ease Stress, Distress and Insomnia. This routine will help to stabilise your mind and bring peace to your heart.

How this all began ……….. I first met Sarah Stacey, Health Editor of ‘YOU’ magazine for the Mail On Sunday, when she came to me needing to heal and strengthen a badly broken arm. It had been passed by the surgeon as ready for physio, and being naturally fit and very active, Sarah was willing to work hard to achieve the best recovery she could. We were both amazed and overjoyed at the results that a regular Iyengar Yoga session produced. Since then, we have worked regularly together, using the Iyengar Yoga method to adapt yoga poses for people in all kinds of situations – at a desk, in a wheelchair, going through the menopause, or needing to de-stress – so anyone can have access to the profound benefits that yoga practice brings.