ekah yoga brighton

🌟 Feeling the love from our amazing community! Your kind words inspire us to keep creating a serene space for everyone. 💖

Thank you for your 5-star review! We can’t wait to see you on the mat again soon. If you've been thinking about trying out a class, come join us and experience the magic for yourself! 🧘‍♀️💫

"In Kundalini yoga in particular (but other yoga traditions, as well), the yogi attempts to awaken kundalini energy through various practices such as asanas, pranayama breathing exercises, chanting and meditation. It is believed that, once awakened, kundalini energy travels up the region of the spinal column through the subtle channels known as nadis, activating each of the seven main chakras along the way. Ultimately, awakened kundalini energy helps the yogi achieve enlightenment.

Kundalini energy is also believed to have these benefits:

Helps the yogi be present
Clears and calms the mind
Improves memory
Relieves physical ailments such as those associated with the stomach, liver, kidney and throat" - Yogapedia

Dear Yogi's Namaste, blessings of love, light and gratitude to you all.

This month’s quote relates to something that we all have in common as human beings. And that is that every day of our lives is made up of not just huge decisions but thousands of tiny decisions, and that is about every aspect of our existence, especially how we react to our external reality. When you add up all these decisions they make up the sum of how people see us, and how we see ourselves.

No matter how hard we try we have no control over the global circumstances we find ourselves living in, but we can control small parts of our lives and thus have the illusion of control. Here is where free will comes into the mix, we definitely can choose how we react to these outer circumstances, and more often than not we react unconsciously, tapping into past experiences and reacting from an unconscious conditioned level.

When it comes to how we react, we have a couple of choices. We can make negative choices, like sending that sarcastic e-mail, or you make the choice not to call someone back. You make the choice to cut that person off at the junction. You make the decision not to say hi to your neighbour, and hurry into your house.

Or we can make positive choices. You make the choice to call a friend and listen. You make the choice to be nice to someone. You make the choice to forgive. You make the choice to be kind.

Most of us all too often only like to take responsibility for the positive choices we make and their consequences; while ignoring the millions of negative tiny decisions we make every day, as if that's nothing to do with us.

Choose to be conscious of the tiny decisions, see things as they are right in front of you today, switch off your autopilot setting and choose positive choices, thus, in turn, will start to create a more positive mindset, and finally choose to be attentive to every breathing moment on this planet.

Blessings, stay humble, always be kind, keep breathing deeply, and own your peace and joy, if you never try you'll never know, namaste.

Stevan

We are holding a First aid training course in September for our teachers and we’ve got a few spaces available for you to join in.

If you are interested in certifying in basic first aid skills, please get in touch with us to book your spot!

This is a 3 hours course which at the end you’ll get a ITC assessed certificate, valid for 3 years.

Dates: Saturday 14th September 1.45pm- 5:15pm
Cost: £60

If you have any questions, please get in touch.

This month's posture is "Supta virasana", Reclining Hero pose. In Sanskrit, "Supta" means reclining, "vira" means hero and "asana" means posture.

“Vira” derives from “Virabhadra”, a fierce warrior, who was created by Hindu deity Shiva to avenge the death of his consort Sati, consumed by grief and rage Shiva pulled a lock of his hair out and turned it into Viradhadra. Hence this posture is said to embody the warrior’s strength, energy, power and courage.

As the name suggests, this is a reclining variation of Hero pose. This is one of the basic postures which can also be used for meditation, this posture compared to the other meditative postures has a larger area of contact with the ground thus it gives you a greater sense of grounding.

Start in Virasana / Hero Pose sitting on, or in-between, your heels.
Bring your hands behind you to the mat.
Press the tops of the feet to the mat and firm the inner ankles in.
Bend your elbows and slowly lean your body back as you exhale, lowering onto your forearms and then your upper back, if that still feels ok for your knees and lower back.

If your back is on the mat you can bring your arms alongside the ears, out to the sides or place your hands on your belly.
Stay here for 5 breaths.
Try to come out of the pose the way you came into it – mindfully. Engage your abdominal muscles as you inhale, pushing your hands or elbows to the mat to lift back up to Virasana.

Avoid this pose if you have knee or ankle injuries or any issues with your lower back.
You may feel a gentle compression in the lower back but if you feel pain or pinching come out of the pose.

Variations
This is a great restorative pose – lie back onto a bolster or stack of cushions, use as many as you need to be able to release muscular effort.
Try a single leg version of Supta Virasana by keeping one foot planted on the floor (knee pointing up) this can be helpful if you find you feel the pose more in your back than your thigh.

☀️Happy Wednesday yogis, whatever happened to the first part of 2024 hey, that has whizzed by, perhaps because most of it was overcast, grey and windy, but not anymore, now we get to enjoy this warmer, brighter less grey weather, haha, don’t hesitate and let it pass you by, get out there and enjoy as much of it as you can.

☀️Due to popular demand, we’re adding one more Barre class with Martha to our schedule. Every Wednesday morning 7:30am- 8:30am from the 7th of August. This class will be a 60 minute class, but it’s still going to be challenging in every way possible.

☀️Still haven't experienced the good vibrations from Bev's sound bath, here’s your chance to get in there.
Saturday 31st August 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Saturday 28th September 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Saturday 19th October 1.30pm - 2.30pm

Bev will play various instruments, Tibetan and Crystal bowls, Gongs and gentle drums which can engage with alpha theta brainwaves, also known as the meditation state, this is a place of creativity, healing and deep rest.
Price for the sound bath is £18, 6months members get 10% discount.

☀️Our annual beach volleyball at Yellowave is back this August. We’ve had some great fun the past 2 years, diving into the sand, chasing the ball, recreating the scene from Top gun. Hopefully we’ll be playing in the sunshine with shades on again this year.
Saturday 31st August 4pm- 6pm at Yellowave
£5 per person, book online via our schedule page or ask at reception.

We are so stoked to share this super review from one of our amazing yoga students at Ekah Yoga. 😍 Their words are seriously inspiring and motivate us to keep spreading those good vibes and helping you on your yogic journey.

💫 Come join our awesome community today and see for yourself how yoga can totally transform your life! 🌟 Drop a comment below and let us know how yoga has impacted you. We're all ears for your story!

Atman is regarded as eternal and imperishable, distinct from the physical body, mind and consciousness. It is believed to be found within every living being, though some individuals do not recognize this true self due to ignorance or illusion, known as Maya.

Practices such as yoga and meditation can help to increase Atma Jnana, a form of self-awareness or self-knowledge that lifts the veil of ignorance and relieves practitioners of suffering. - Yogapedia

Join us this Saturday at Ekah Yoga for a transformative workshop on the incredible benefits of a Gong Bath! Immerse yourself in the soothing vibrations and experience deep relaxation like never before. Don't miss out on this opportunity to nourish your mind, body, and soul. Only a few spaces left, so book your spot now!

Dear Yogi's Namaste one and all, blessings of love, light and gratitude to you all.

This month’s quote reminds us that whatever we do in life, make sure you have a clear goal. Otherwise, you’ll definitely be wasting your precious time focusing on things that not only won’t bring you closer to your dreams, but may even be sending you in the complete opposite direction.

I’ve always believed that even doing the things that aren’t moving you towards your goal is not a complete waste of your time, whilst you don’t know what your goal is we’re constantly learning and gaining new experience, once you know what your goal is however you should be doing everything that you possibly can to make that dream a reality.

Knowing precisely what you want will help you to keep a higher level of focus and motivation. It will also encourage you to do whatever it takes until your goal is accomplished. But if there’s no dream or vision that fuels all your actions, you’ll find yourself spending your time running in circles, chasing tails and eventually giving up. Don’t fall into this trap, know what you want, take as much time as you need to figure out exactly what that is, then give it all you have and go make it happen.

Blessings, stay humble, always be kind, keep breathing deeply, own your own peace and joy, if you never try you'll never know, namaste.

Stevan

🌿✨ Join Us for the Next Ekah Retreat in Picturesque Tochni! ✨🌿

Escape to the charming town of Tochni and experience life in a traditional stone-built village home. 🌸 Stroll along narrow cobbled paths, sip coffee in the village square, and immerse yourself in the easy-going Mediterranean lifestyle that celebrates timeless traditions.

Before you know it, you'll feel like a part of the local community, enjoying the warm Cypriot hospitality perfectly captured by the word "kopiaste," meaning "come and join us!" ❤️

In this idyllic setting, your daily practice will lead to rejuvenation and tranquillity, offering a harmonious blend of relaxation and adventure. Spend your free time reflecting quietly or engaging in various activities. You'll leave feeling renewed, with an enhanced sense of well-being and positivity. 🌟

This retreat, guided by teachers Stevan and Laura Vuylsteke, provides the perfect environment to decelerate and reconnect with yourself. 🌿💫

👉 Click the link in our bio to discover more about this paradise in the hills and secure your spot today!

This month's posture is "Eka pada Koundinyasana 1", also known as twisted one-legged arm balance 1 or Pose dedicated to sage Koundinya.

Eka pada Koundinyasana 1 is an asymmetrical arm balance, a variation of side crow with a deeper twist, this posture works on your core, legs and upper body strength simultaneously. With consistent practice, you build confidence, boost energy, and increase your focus along with clarity of mind. Why not dedicate our practice of this month’s posture to something or someone, it could be happiness, it could be peace or freedom, someone special or yourself.

How to:
Start in side crow pose with the left leg underneath the right resting on the right lower triceps. Your elbows are pulling into the midline so they don’t fall out to the sides, fingers wide gripping the mat.
Straighten the left leg out to the side.
Lift your right knee off the left and slowly start straightening the right leg out, up and back behind you. Your toes are now pointing in almost opposite directions. Core stays strong and elbows in a 90 degrees angle. Both shoulders should stay parallel to the floor so avoid one shoulder to drop down.
Hold the pose for a few breaths.
To get out of the pose return the right knee on top of the left. Bend the left leg and lower the feet back down to the floor.

Modifications
If you feel this pose in your wrists you can, to reduce pressure, roll up a mat and place the palm of the hands on the mat and the fingers on the floor.
If elbows fall out to the sides you can tighten a strap around your arms just over your elbows to keep them together.
If you fear falling over place a pillow below your head.

Happy Saturday yogis

✨This month we are bringing an exciting new workshop - Somatic breathwork. In this immersive session, you'll learn to harness the natural rhythm of your breath to release tension, boost your energy, and connect deeply with your inner self. Whether you're new to breathwork or a seasoned practitioner, this workshop is designed to guide you through a profound experience of self-discovery and healing.

What to expect:
✨ Guided breathwork techniques
✨ Somatic exercises for relaxation and grounding
✨ A supportive and serene environment

Bring an open mind, a yoga mat, and a willingness to explore the incredible potential of your breath.
Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your spot!
Head to our schedule to book your spot. 🙌
Saturday 13th July 1 pm- 2 pm
£18 per person, 6 months members get a 10% discount.

✨For this month’s social we will be indulging in the arts, our long-time student Chess Dillion-Reams is presenting the performance of her work “M-Othering” at The Dance Space. Martha, our amazing Barre teacher has been collaborating on this project.
Saturday 20th July 3:30 pm- 5 pm
✨M-Othering is a fiercely physical, comedic and moving new live dance work, performed by an intergenerational cast of women and girls aged 11-76. You can get your tickets as well as directions from the south-east dance website. We hope to see as many of you as could fill the venue.

✨ Still haven't experienced the good vibrations from Bev's sound bath,
The next workshop is on the 27th July 1.30 pm - 2.30 pm.
Rest is a practice all on its own, a time to process, reflect and heal, sound bathing cleanses us and enables a deeper connection to settling both mind and body.

Bev will play various instruments, Tibetan and Crystal bowls, Gongs and gentle drums which can engage with alpha-theta brainwaves, also known as the meditation state, this is a place of creativity, healing and deep rest.
✨Price for the sound bath is £18, 6 months members get a 10% discount.
Book on our schedule page for a class.

Join us on Saturday, July 13th at 1 pm for a transformative and enlightening experience at our Holotropic Breathwork Workshop with Katie and Kelly. Discover the power of deep, conscious breathing and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! 🌬️🧘‍♀️✨

Holotropic breathwork is a therapeutic breathing practice that is intended to help with emotional healing and personal growth. It's said to produce an altered state of consciousness.

Dear Yogi's Namaste one and all, blessings of love, light and gratitude to you all.

This month’s quote reminds us that, as important as movement is to the body, stillness or calming of the mind is equally as important.

When we move, especially within a strong dynamic practice we strengthen our heart, remove stagnant air, revitalise our nervous system, increase our aerobic capacity, increase flexibility and benefit our immune system, overall it leaves us feeling great.

Equally when we meditate, we reduce stress, anxiety and negativity, we also become more focused, present and our mood improves, it also leaves us feeling great.

From my own experience it’s easy to forget about the stillness, feeding our senses with constant stimulation from all the activity and movement, distracting ourselves to the extreme that there’s never even a second for stillness or quiet of the mind, even in shavasana, we’re already thinking ‘what’s for dinner’ ‘what do I need to do next’, stillness for me was harder than all the challenging flows and asanas, if that’s the same for you, then maybe gradually work your way towards stillness with softer and slower classes, perhaps a pranayama practice before a full meditation practice, as it is written in Patangali’s 8 limbs of yoga, after Asana comes Pranayama and then comes Dhyana, from outside we’ll eventually return inside ourselves, where all we could possibly need, we’ll find.

Blessings, stay humble, always be kind, keep breathing deeply, own your own peace and joy, if you never try you'll never know, namaste.

Stevan and ekah team🙏🏽

This month's posture is "Natarajasana", dancers pose. In Sanskrit, "nata" means dance, "raja" means royalty or king, "asana" means posture.

It is said that the Nataraja image is a symbolic visual depiction of Vedic wisdom, where the moving hands and feet represent the ever-changing world, Shiva (Nataraja) holds up his hand in the abhaya mudra telling us not to be afraid of the changing world but to focus on the still foot on the ground which represents the soul. The soul is neither created nor destroyed, it is the true essence of us.

Just like no 2 dances are ever the same, no 2 asana practices can ever be the same. Appreciate what is happening right now, because we can never recreate or re-live the experience exactly. For June, while we practice dancers pose in as many classes as possible, focus on the steady and strong foot, and be present with each breath we take.

How to:
Begin in Tadasana / Mountain pose.
Press firmly and evenly through your feet and take a point on eye level to focus on.
Exhale bend your left knee, bringing your left foot to the buttock, and hold the outside of your left foot with the left hand. Firm the right hip and engage your right thigh and knee to strengthen the standing leg.
Keep the torso upright, the chest open and lengthen your tailbone down. As you inhale, push the left foot back into the hand, raising the leg so the thigh bone ends up parallel to the floor and the lower leg in a right angle with the thigh bone and vertical with the floor. You can lift your right arm up in front of you, parallel to the floor or a little higher next to the ear.
Stay for 5-10 breaths.
To come out of the pose, release the leg as you exhale. Repeat on the other side.

Tips:
Don’t lock the knee of the standing leg. You can keep a micro-bend in the knee to avoid this. This is a strong backbend, make sure you are properly warmed up and prepared by sequencing this pose after other backbends like Cobra, Locust and Bow pose.
You can hold onto your bent leg with both hands, to intensify the opening in the chest.

Happy Saturday yogis⁠
⁠
🏏Saturday ,22nd June 12:45pm- 3:00pm⁠
We’ll be meeting at 12:45pm (to pick teams and start playing at 1pm), our playing field will be Hove Green in D**e Park (entrance is at the top of Glendale road and Ferndale road). Spectators are most welcome.⁠
We have added this social to the schedule to make it easier to book and to confirm the number of participants, just £2 to book your spot. Ask at reception or get in touch if you have any questions.⁠
⁠
💦Saturday 22nd June 6:30pm-7:30pm⁠
The steamy toasty sauna session at beautiful Saunadelic is back as an ekah social. Like last time, limited spots are available, get your spot early as it’s first come first serve. It’s on the same date as our rounders social, great remedy for those sore muscles. Meeting at Saunadelic, BN3 4LX⁠
Bring 2 towels (1 to sit on), a padlock for the locker, flip-flops or sea shoes, and come hydrated. Book your spot on our schedule, £17 to secure your seat.⁠
⁠
🧘🏽‍♂️Sunday 23rd June 4:30pm-6:00pm⁠
Our one-time student Jamie is returning from his time abroad to share with us the practice of Qigong this June, who knows, it might become a regular session. Jamie trained in China and has been sharing Qigong passionately for 7 years. Much like a moving meditation with some stillness too, the class will be an introduction to Qigong with some space for sharing at the end. There will be a standing meditation where you'll be guided into a space of emptiness and full relaxation of the body and from there you will stay as the effortless witness. In that, it allows Qi which is stuck and causing pain to flow and disappear. £10 per person, 6 months members get 10% discount. Book on our schedule page for the workshop.⁠
⁠
🧘🏽‍♀️Saturday 29th June 1.30pm - 2.30pm⁠
Rest is a practice all on its own, a time to process, reflect and heal, sound bathing cleanses us and enables a deeper connection to settling both mind and body. Bev will play various instruments, Tibetan and Crystal bowls, Gongs and gentle drums which can engage with alpha-theta brainwaves, also known as the meditation state, this is a place of creativity, healing and deep rest. £18, 6months members get 10% discount.

🌞If you're still unsure about where to go for your summer vacation, why not come and hang out with us at our next ekah retreat in the beautiful town of Tochni? You'll have the chance to live in a cool traditional village home, stroll along the cute little paths to the village square, grab a coffee with the locals, and enjoy the laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle that respects and celebrates timeless traditions.

🌞In this awesome setting and with the two daily practices (plus some mini sessions), you'll feel totally refreshed and calm. It's the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure, and during your free time, you can either chill and reflect or join in on the exciting activities we have planned. Trust us, you'll leave feeling like a whole new person, with a mind full of positivity and a supercharged sense of well-being. It's a golden opportunity to slow down and really connect with yourself.

Dates: September 21st - 28th, 2024

Teachers: Stevan and Laura Vuylsteke

Prices per person
Single room: £940
Double/Twin room: £820
All rooms have a private bathroom.
Members who have been with us for 6 months get a 5% discount.

For more info, head over to our website's retreat page, or hit us up with any questions. Can't wait to see you there!

Dear Yogi's Namaste one and all, blessings of love, light and gratitude to you all.

This month’s quote reminds us to always strive for self-improvement and to make the best choices possible with the information and knowledge available to us at that time.

We will all make mistakes, period, the key is not to be too hard on ourselves for those past mistakes, instead, we should be using the knowledge we now have to make better decisions going forward. Whether it’s in our careers or our personal relationships, we should continuously strive to communicate and understand better.

We are all constantly learning and growing, and therefore it’s important to take responsibility for our actions and make amends when we know better, growth is an ongoing process and it’s never too late to make changes, keeping an open mind, learning from others and being willing to change your perspective when you do indeed know better is key to personal growth.

In short, this quote hopefully serves as a constant reminder to reflect on past actions and make amends when necessary, never stopping in our quest to do better and be better.

Blessings, stay humble, always be kind, keep breathing deeply, own your own peace and joy, if you never try you'll never know, namaste.

Stevan

This month's posture is "Pincha Mayurasana", feathered peacock pose. In Sanskrit, "pincha" means feathered, "mayur" means peacock, "asana" means posture. The name of the posture comes from the resemblance to a strong and powerful peacock lifting its tail to show its beautiful colourful plumage.

How to:
-From an all four position, place your elbows, directly under your shoulders. You can take hold of the elbows with the opposite hands to ensure that your elbows are shoulder-width apart.
-Place your palms flat on the floor with your forearms parallel.
-Press down through your forearms and engage your hands by pressing down with the fingertips, hollowing out your palms slightly (Hasta Bandha).
-Tuck your toes, lift your hips to the sky and come up into Dolphin pose.
Keep pushing the ground away with your forearms, firm your shoulder blades and bring them down your back.
-Externally rotate your upper arms (outwards) and without moving your forearms, sense that you’re actively drawing them in towards each other.
-Step one foot in closer to the middle of your mat. Keep that knee bent.
On an exhalation, press into the foot of the bent leg to lift your other extended leg up.
-Start with some small hops to practise feeling the weight in your upper body.
-When you become stronger and your body becomes used to the feeling of being in the first stage of the pose, press into the foot of your bent leg with a little more energy to lift your extended leg completely.
Eventually, you will kick both legs up straight.
-Once up in the pose, keep pressing into the forearms and palms, knit your front ribs in, focus on your core by drawing your navel towards your spine, and lengthen your tailbone towards your heels
-Maintain energy in the legs by internally rotating your inner thighs and lengthening out through your heels or your pointed toes
-To come out of the pose, lower one foot, followed by the other back into Dolphin pose, bend your knees, and rest in Balasana (Child’s Pose) for a few breaths before coming up.

Happy Saturday yogis, now that the celebration is over, let’s focus our attention towards what we all hope will be a wonderful summer ahead, keeping up with your practice indoors while enjoying the great outdoors, we’ll be doing our bit too by trying to keep as much of the summer socials outdoors, making the most of every ray of sunshine that the summer blesses us with.

-Aussie Football
Last year we went to watch and support Emilia (a long-time member of the ekah community) play Aussie rules football, it didn’t disappoint, a fun day out, this year we’ll be doing the same, come along and join us if you fancy.

Saturday 11th May 12 pm- 2 pm at Waterhall Football&Rugby pitches. Waterhall Rd, Brighton, BN1 8YR

-Quiz night
The first ekah quiz night back in February was such a success, we had a fantastic time sharing the knowledge, there were questions about animals, science pop culture and Stevan!

This time, Johanna the quiz master is pumped and ready to throw some Hungary related questions into the mix. If you’re free we’d love for you to join in this time, bring your own drinks and snacks.

Saturday 25th May 5 pm- 7:30 pm Coffee, 20 Western road BN3 1AE, just around the corner from the studio.

Book your spot on our schedule, just £2 to secure your seat.

-Hove lawns yoga
Our Hove Lawns yoga will be back for the duration of the summer on Friday mornings, practicing with the sound and smells of the sea as a wonderful backdrop.

Starts: Friday 31st May 9am- 10am with Mai

We’ll be practicing in our usual spot on Hove Lawns, directly down from Brunswick square, just look out for the ekah flag.

If there’s bad weather we’ll let you know in plenty of time the morning of the class, keep an eye on your inbox, on those hopefully rare occasions we’ll bring the class indoors to studio 2.

Bring your own mats and props with you if you need any, as those won’t be provided, arrive a few minutes early to settle down to the outdoor vibes.

Book on our schedule page for a class. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

Ganapataye is actually the alternate name for Ganesha, which is Ganapati. The ending 'aye' indicates that something is for or to Ganapati.

Namaha means salutations. This word is in most prayers and is also in the commonly used word “namaste”; which means my salutations to you. Thus, the mantra means "Salutations to Lord Ganesha."

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha is used to invoke the blessings of Ganapati and avail ourselves of his peace, knowledge and prosperity. Ganapati or Ganesha is the Hindu god mostly recognized as the remover of obstacles and the grantor of success. As a result, he is extremely popular in India for those that practice Hinduism worldwide.

Ganesha is imaged as a short, stout, elephant headed god with four arms. He is always seen with a single tusk and each of his hands are holding something symbolic of his virtue and power. In three of his hands he is holding, a hatchet, a lasso and sometimes a conch shell. The fourth hand is often seen in giving the gesture of granting a boon or holding a sweet treat, a laddu. He is usually shown riding or accompanied by a rat, which is a demon that he has subdued. There are several stories as to why he has an elephant head. They all follow the mythology involving the many gods in Hinduism.

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha is a common prayer to invoke Ganesha, but it is also calming and grounding all on its own. It can be chanted once or used in the repetitive way known as japa. If you do japa, the mantra is usually repeated 108 times or in multiples of nine and can be chanted with mala beads.

Dear Yogi's

Namaste one and all, blessings of love, light and gratitude to you all.

As this month's quote so beautifully puts it, when we reach beyond our comfort zone when we go beyond ourselves in pursuit to better ourselves in any way imaginable, we inadvertently shine our light for everyone else to see, we may be vulnerable as we step into the unknown, but the courage and resourcefulness you exude makes others courageous and resourceful too.

You may then also become aware that through having someone else shine their light for you to see, that was in fact the catalyst for your own change. Thus the cycle goes on and on, shine and inspire for more people to shine and be inspired, as change happens what you begin to observe around you is both wondrous and amazing, never be too shy to shine your light bright.

Blessings, stay humble, always be kind, keep breathing deeply, own your own peace and joy, if you never try you'll never know, namaste.

Stevan🙏🏽