Barley Yoga and Dance

2 Spaces left! For Yoga on Deck with Breakfast

Only to be booked through website / momoyoga

“Here's to the bridge-builders, the hand-holders, the light-bringers, those extraordinary souls wrapped in ordinary lives who quietly weave threads of humanity into an inhumane world. They are the unsung heroes in a world at war with itself. They are the whisperers of hope that peace is possible. Look for them in this present darkness. Light your candle with their flame. And then go. Build bridges. Hold hands. Bring light to a dark and desperate world. Be the hero you are looking for. Peace is possible. It begins with us.”
~L.R. Knost~

Image by Leah Dorion

A Year of Living Your Yoga

✨April 29th✨

Attachment is what arises in us when we don't get our preference.

Living Your Yoga: We all have preferences: the blue shirt over the red, tea instead of coffee, yoga over wrestling. Preferences do not limit our life. What limits it is the feeling that arises when we don't get our way. This feeling is attachment, which constricts enjoyment. Today when the feeling of attachment arises, notice it and consciously let it go. What happened?

From A Year of Living Your Yoga by Judith Hanson Lasater

April 20th

Time is big.

Living Your Yoga: Our belief that we don't have enough time is false. We have all the time there is to have. We just fill it up with too much. Today when you feel rushed say aloud, "time is big," and notice yourself relax.

Thank you to all those who attended Dragon Dance transforms Qi / a moving meditation and yin practice it was such a joy to see you all. Very special practice to empower delight and bring back wonderment of being by tapping into dragon energy,… found a new word as I looked up into the night sky last night with heartfelt gratitude

Goodnight Poetry lovers ❤️❤️
(Pinterest)

On a daily basis 🌷

Tonight welcomes a new moon, including in some parts of the world, a total solar eclipse during which the sun, moon and earth align. Although those of us in the UK won’t be able to see the eclipse, we can still benefit from this powerful time for healing and setting intentions.

It is also the start of a new lunar year, and with spring in the air, the ideal time to set annual intentions. What would you do if anything were possible?

Anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of Yin , the fabulous Norman Blair is running a course . Great teacher with practical knowledge, witty, and full of wisdoms!

Yin Yoga Nine-Day Advanced Teacher Training with Norman Blair.

In-person at Zolder Studio/London N22; cost £975 (bursary places have now been taken; you are welcome to get in touch if finances are an issue, see email address below)

Thursday 11–Friday 19 April
Thursday 12-Friday 20 September
10.00am-5.00pm

Norman is one of the most experienced Yin yoga teachers in the UK; he has been running Yin yoga trainings since 2013 and his book ‘Brightening Our Inner Skies: Yin and Yoga’ was published in 2016.

Numbers on course are limited to ten. This small group experience can be a significant factor in encouraging the process of learning. Training hours (60 in total) are eligible for Yoga Alliance continuing education.

More details https://www.yogawithnorman.co.uk/yoga-training/nine-day-yin-yoga-training
For booking please contact [email protected]

In the words of previous participants:
“Best TT I have ever been on…warm, wise and inclusive teaching. Amazed by the quality and amount of teaching materials provided. Thank you for creating such a nurturing space for us to learn in.”

March 3rd

To understand union, you must understand separation.

Living Your Yoga: Union with another can only occur when we fully occupy our place in the world. Let yourself expand to fill your place, so that coming together with loved ones can be that much sweeter.

What do you do to fill your cup? Comment below!

One Year Ago Today in Rishikesh 🙏😂

Thankyou for all your lovely messages. I am so grateful.

For those that didn’t get the memo
I am unwell with a stubborn chest infection and unable to teach this week so I have cancelled all classes 🙏 so sorry for the inconvenience

See you Monday 🤞

Hello everyone! Tomorrow begins the Year of the Wood Dragon!

In honour of this celebration, I thought I'd share a newsletter I wrote the other day about the coming dragon year, which includes a fun legend about dragons and why they are so beloved across China and much of East Asia. Hope you enjoy it!

Wishing you all auspicious blessings and a smooth journey through what could be a never-a-dull-moment year ahead!

***


Get ready! There will never be a dull moment in 2024 as the powerful, visionary Wood Dragon soars in on Saturday, February 10 – the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. For myself, I'm ready for the transformational energy promised by these mythological creatures. Unlike most evil and lecherous Western dragons (exception goes to the Red Welsh dragon!), Chinese dragons are benevolent and good. If all goes well, the lucky dragon will bring about some welcome changes in our personal and collective worlds.

The triphibious dragon is highly adaptable and innovative. These expert problem-solvers never turn down a challenge and regularly take up risks to help achieve a better future for all. In Chinese culture, they are famous for compassion, warding off evil, protecting the innocent, and bringing safety to all (read below for a fun legend about the dragon's role in creating China's rivers). They also breathe clouds rather than fire, representing soft, cooperative power. We need this in this world now, don’t we?

With the energy of Wood behind it, this year's dragon has the potential to be regenerative, like the energy of blossoming flowers and expansive growth in spring. When welcomed, a dragon year can usher in courage, confidence, integrity, and benevolent leadership. But dragons are not always welcome, and this can reveal their downsides. Like strong spring winds, mishandled Wood energy can howl and rage, blowing the dragon into an out-of-control brat.

Indeed, when overtly challenged or thwarted in their efforts, dragons can become like an emotional, highly critical, and temperamental teenager. They can also become prideful, aloof, and unwilling to admit mistakes. If they take on too many must-save-the-day roles, they can also become impatient, self-centered, ambivalent, or meek. They can lose courage and throw in the towel prematurely, losing the wherewithal to act.

So, what is the best way to align with a Wood Dragon year? Here are 5 ways:
1. Establish steadfastness in the face of transformation and change.
2. Moderate your energy and efforts; too much exercise or activity can deplete the Water energy in your kidneys.
3. Summon your dragon-like benevolence and compassion when irritation and anger arise.
4. Embrace shake-ups by remaining creative, resourceful, adaptable, and resilient.
5. Be willing to admit your mistakes.

Lastly, remember to look to Wood's ability to stay rooted and strong. The deep roots of trees enable them to remain steady through the gale storms of life.

Wishing you all a Happy Dragon Year! Gongxi facai! 恭喜发财！

***

The Legend of the 4 Dragons and the Jade Emperor:
Once upon a time, four dragons observed a devastating drought ravaging the lands of ancient China. These majestic beings decided to intervene and implored the Jade Emperor, ruler of the Heavens, Earth, and Seas, to bring forth rain. The Jade Emperor agreed, promising to send rain the next day. However, burdened by numerous responsibilities, he forgot his promise. Ten days passed with no sign of the promised rain, and starvation began to afflict all living creatures.

Witnessing the plight of the inhabitants, the dragons resolved to take matters into their own claws. They filled their colossal bellies with water from the seas, transforming it into rain and thus ending the drought.

All seemed well until the Sea God noticed the disappearance of his waters. Incensed, he confronted the Jade Emperor, demanding an explanation. Learning of the dragons' actions, the Jade Emperor grew furious and decided to punish them, enlisting the aid of the Mountain God to thwart their power.

The Mountain God set about imprisoning each dragon beneath a different mountain. However, this did not deter the dragons from continuing to support all life. Each time one was imprisoned, it gave rise to a river. The Yellow Dragon created the Yellow River, the Long Dragon the Yangtze River, the Black Dragon the Black River, and the Pearl Dragon the Pearl River. These four rivers flowed from north to south and west to east.

Despite their punishment, the four dragons remained forever compassionate, resourceful, and generous. They found solace in knowing that the lands of China would never lack water again.

This is why dragons are so loved across China and much of the Far East!