MindFlex - Yoga, Psychotherapy, Counselling.

A recent post in my Yoga WhatsApp group about Downdog (below), started an exchange of super cute yogi doggy (and a cat) pics. Really proud of our Yoga community.

Downward Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

History

Reflecting the strength and courage of a dog during the practice of Adho Mukha Svanasana
In Sanskrit, adho means "down", mukha means "face", svana means "dog" and asana means "pose". In this pose, the body looks like that of a dog (Svana), relaxing and stretching while burrowing its face (Mukha) downwards (Adho) towards its shoulders. Its multi-purpose nature makes it great for serving as a starting, transitional, resting, and strengthening pose.

One can find many references to dogs in Indian narratives. According to one story, once a group of cowherds went to Lord Indra’s court for help. All their cattle had gone missing and they were unable to find them. They suspected that someone had stolen their cattle, snatching their livelihood from them. Known for helping people, Lord Indra decided to send the best of his skilled soldiers to help them get the cattle back, but to no avail. He even sent a bird Suparna to look for the stolen cattle but this attempt failed as well. Finally, Lord Indra decided to take the help of his dog, Sarama who had a strong sense of smell and hearing. She sniffed around in the jungle and after a few hours, she found the cattle hidden in a cave. Cowherds got their cattle back and Lord Indra praised Sarama a lot.

In another story from Mahabharata, after the battle of Kurukshetra, Pandavas decided to go to Heaven which was not an easy journey. It required them to climb a mountain to board a chariot to heaven. Yudhisthira, the eldest Pandava, led the way with Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahdeva and Draupadi following him. A dog also accompanied them. Unfortunately, only Yudhisthira could make it to the final point along with his dog, while the others collapsed and could not continue the journey. Lord Indra appeared to take Yudhisthira to heaven. However, he placed a condition to the Lord that he would only go there if the dog was allowed to accompany him since he was touched by the loyalty and companionship shown from the start of the journey. Although he was not in favor of allowing the dog to enter heaven, Lord Indra eventually gave in to Yudhisthira’s request.
Bhairava, an avatar of Shiva is known to ride dogs. In the narrative of Nath Yogis, Bhairava gets transformed into Dattatreya who is associated with four dogs representing the four Vedas.

Last but not least, in a tale from the Jatakas, the king of Varanasi was taught the value of evidence in matters of justice by a dog. He had decided to kill all dogs in his kingdom except for the one belonging to his royal palace when he found that the leather of his chariot was chewed and torn. The dog (Buddha to be born) at the crematorium decided to protest and asked the king to prove that it was not the dog at the royal palace who spoiled the leather. The king had no way to prove it and eventually, the dog was made to vomit and reveal the leather in his stomach.
Symbolically, the dog represents qualities like loyalty, unconditional love, and companionship. A yoga practice can be encouraged to meditate on these qualities and reflect on the strength and courage of a dog.

Anatomically, the pose deeply stretches the hamstrings, shoulders, calves, arches, hands, and spine while building strength in the arms, shoulders, and legs. Its practice also comes along with the numerous benefits of inversion including relief from mild depression and anxiety. On an energetic level, this pose is believed to activate the Manipura and Ajna Chakras. Activating the Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus) is perceived to dispel fear and insecurity, while the Ajna Chakra (The Third Eye) stimulates perception and inspiration.

I'm pleased to announce that I am now providing therapy sessions Leeds Physiotherapy & Pilates Practice. This beautiful and serene venue allows for clients to feel comfortable and at peace.

As a Psychotherapist in advanced clinical training, I help individuals overcome challenges such as depression, anxiety, bereavement, relationship issues, and low self-esteem. My goal is to guide you towards healing, positive transformation, and overall well-being.

I have some availability for lower-cost sessions,, at Prime Anatomy Fitness - Tadcaster (Scarthingwell
LS24) or at my new venue physiotherapy & Pilates, (Oulton LS26).

Please get in contact for a free 20 consultation

Stunning new venue for a mid-week morning class. Saxton Cricket Club Wednesdays at 10:30am, this open level class offers the opportunity to practice inside or out, amongst sounds of birds and nature it really is a treat. Book online here and check out my timetable of classes.

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex

Spaces still available in the Prime Anatomy studio, Scarthingwell tomorrow at 10.30am. Hit the link in the comments below to secure your space 🧘🏻‍♀️ 😊

Beginners - Improvers Yoga 🧘

Prime Anatomy Fitness - Tadcaster - Scarthingwell.

Let’s Stretch - Strengthen - Lengthen - Relax and unwind.

Yoga for everyBODY!! Tonight at 7:45pm.

5 week beginners course Saxton Village Hall - starting this Sunday (18th February) 10am - Just £45

MindFlex - offers a friendly, non-competitive, nurturing space for you to learn the fundamentals of Yoga regardless of your previous experience, if you are a complete beginners or wanting to deepen your knowledge and practice, you will benefit from the expertise of an advanced Yoga teacher with over 20 years experience. Follow the link below to book or get in contact with any questions 🙏

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex/e/ev-sg5r-20240218100000

Special offer 👇👇👇👇

The perfect way to end your Monday 7:45pm - 8:45 - Slow Flow Yoga suitable for all levels!! Prime Anatomy Fitness Tadcaster. Please book your class using this link.

https://mindflex.bookwhen.com/schedules/z8p2l9flnk9t #

You will receive a free taster session for the gym/ a free class from the prime anatomy class timetable - with your first booking with MindFlex Yoga. Details of classes can be found on the Prime Anatomy website https://primeanatomy.com/group-training-%26-classes

New Class - Slow Flow yoga - open level - Monday 7:45pm Prime Anatomy Fitness - Scarthingwell Tadcaster. Follow the link below to book….



https://bookwhen.com/mindflex

What’s your window of tolerance? I LOVE being able to combine Psychotherapy theories with Yoga Practice - I use this piece of theory with clients experiencing overwhelm, stress and anxiety.

Yoga helps broaden our window of tolerance and therefore capacity to deal with stressful situations, in turn helping of to thrive rather than survive 🙏

Window of Tolerance and Emotional Regulation (Dr Dan Siegel) The window of tolerance was originally described by Dr. Dan Siegel as the optimal zone of emotional arousal. If you stay within your window of tolerance you ...

We’ve spent some time in classes over last couple of weeks setting intentions for the year ahead, thinking about what we may get chose to leave behind from 2023, we’ve practiced gratitude- what are you grateful to be taking with you in 2024?

Why we do Wednesday morning Yoga - to re-charge, reset and revive, ready for the rest of the week! Always a pleasure to practice at Prime Anatomy Fitness a serene space set in picturesque surroundings of Scarthingwell.

Beginners are welcomed!! Practicing Yogis/Yoginis are offered challenge!!

Follow MindFlex - Yoga, Psychotherapy, Counselling. Or book using the link below 👇

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex

This morning brought the first beginners course 2024 to Saxton and what a privilege to be able to share this Yoga journey with so many, a privilege to be able to share the many benefits Yoga has to offer. 🙏

Start your journey in 2024 to a healthier new you, mind and body. MindFlex Yoga classes offer a relaxed, friendly non-competitive environment for you to work on flexibility, strength, posture and alignment, we welcome complete beginners to experienced Yogis/Yoginis.

Please get in contact if you have any questions or follow the link below to our timetable of beginners courses and open level classes.

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex

Spaces for January’s 5 week beginners Yoga course are filling up fast - MindFlex - offers a friendly, non-competitive, nurturing space for you to learn the fundamentals of Yoga regardless of your previous experience, if you are a complete beginners or wanting to deepen your knowledge and practice, you will benefit from the expertise of an advanced Yoga teacher with over 20 years experience. Follow the link below to book or get in contact with any questions 🙏

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex/e/ev-sf8l-20240114100000

Every expert was once a beginner!! Start your journey to a healthy mind and body with MindFlex beginners Yoga.

5 week Beginners course starts 7th January at Saxton Village Hall - introductory offer £45, follow the link 👇

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex/e/ev-saek-20240107100000

Beginners course with MindFlex is the ideal way to begin your practice and discover yoga in a safe and fun space. It is perfect for beginners and suitable for anyone looking to revisit the fundamentals of yoga.

The practice builds week-by-week, introducing you to the basics of yoga postures (asanas), sequencing, healthy alignment and breath techniques (pranayama). You'll also learn simple meditation and relaxation techniques. You will receive personal attention from an experienced teacher and work at a pace that means you learn slowly and thoroughly, step by step.

Strengthen🧘Lengthen🧘‍♀️Relax - Yoga for all levels of ability in a Saxton and Scarthingwell- complete beginners welcome. Follow the link below for class times abd bookings.

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex

Every expert was once a beginner!! Start your journey to a healthy mind and body with MindFlex beginners Yoga.

5 week Beginners course starts 7th January at Saxton Village Hall - introductory offer £45, follow the link 👇

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex/e/ev-saek-20240107100000

Beginners course with MindFlex is the ideal way to begin your practice and discover yoga in a safe and fun space. It is perfect for beginners and suitable for anyone looking to revisit the fundamentals of yoga.

The practice builds week-by-week, introducing you to the basics of yoga postures (asanas), sequencing, healthy alignment and breath techniques (pranayama). You'll also learn simple meditation and relaxation techniques. You will receive personal attention from an experienced teacher and work at a pace that means you learn slowly and thoroughly, step by step.

Yoga is so much more than a Physical Practice where we make shapes and work through asanas (postures/poses) – it offers tools that we take into our everyday lives which help us navigate the relentless compound pressures of daily living and in turn reduce anxiety and stress.

Breathing - helps regulate and calm the nervous system – imagine what happens to the body and mind when you sigh – the autonomic response to a prolonged exhale triggers messages from brain to body to brain through the nervous system allowing us to regulate and calm. Yoga practice incorporates breathing techniques which soothe the nervous system allowing us to create space and respond rather than react to stressful situations.

Cultivates a deeper understanding of mind body connectivity – We spend much of our time in our heads thinking, we become cut-off from our bodies and are unable to identify stress until it manifests into pain. Yoga helps us identify stress signals in the body prior to pain. Are your shoulders tense do you clench your jaw – some examples of areas of stress in the body.


Start your journey to a healthy mind and body with MindFlex Yoga – Yoga for EVERY (BODY)

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex

“I’m not flexible enough to do Yoga!!” ……Something I often hear. You don’t have to be flexible to practice Yoga, you come to Yoga to improve flexibility, one of the many benefits.

Yoga is a practice not a destination, we are all on our own journey, let your journey towards freedom from mental/physical tension and wholistic health start with MindFlex Yoga.

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex

Please book in advance for next week - spaces are filling up fast - beginners more than welcome!

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex

What a pleasure it was to teach Prime Anatomy Fitness this week, a lovely bunch of ladies some experienced Yoginis and some complete beginners - well done everyone, thank you for the help with my lefts and rights 😖🫣 Thank you Michelle Smith for welcoming us to your gorgeous space, a unique gym, set in picturesque surroundings, you have created such a wonderful ambiance and atmosphere. Namaste 🙏

I’m delighted to be working with Prime Anatomy Fitness, a community fitness, health and wellness centre, nestled in the picturesque surroundings of Scarthingwell. I will be offering an open level Vinyasa Yoga class where complete beginners to advanced yogis will benefit from the strengthening lengthening and relaxation which flow Yoga has to offer. Class starts Wednesday 27th September 10:30. Spaces are limited se please book using the following link to avoid disappointment…..

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex

Yoga for every”body” - friendly community class for all levels of ability - BEGINNERS warmly welcome! 🤗🙏🤗

Book you place using the link below or get in contact with any questions.

https://bookwhen.com/mindflex

It was great to be back to classes this evening, thank you to everyone that came, you’ve been so patient, loyal and kind, I feel totally blessed 🙏🙏

It's been the busiest of months for us, and we couldn't be happier! 🤗
It's also been a month of inversions, with our twice weekly handstand classes being our most popular. Who'd have thought you'd all be so keen to turn yourselves upside down when the world is completely upside down at the moment!? A new perspective maybe... 🤔
Anyway, October is nearly upon us, which means our 50% off deal is ending today! Grab your half price class passes while you still can!

Be the first back to class after lockdown. We are now taking bookings for our Yoga courses, spaces are limited so register your interest asap to avoid disappointment!!