The Yoga Tree

18/01/2023

Did you know that In the Ashtanga tradition one doesn't practice a complete asana series on days when the moon is either full or new?
Instead these "Moon Days" offer a time to regenerate and also explore other limbs of yoga, (eg pranayama) and discover aspects of postures hat you might overlook when practicing the same series every day.

In the Ashtanga tradition it is also highly recommended that women don’t practice for at least the first two days * of their menstrual cycle (*or whenever it is most appropriate for each individual )

During these so called “rest days” it's nice to do a restorative practice, so that your practice doesn’t come to a complete halt, but instead you learn the almost forgotten art of listening to the body and to work with our energy and not against it.

Practicing in a more restorative way can support women during the low energy ebbs associated with the hormonal fluctuations of her menstrual cycle or at the various stages of a woman’s life. ( postpartum, peri menopause)

Of course these practises can really benefit any body, male or female, undergoing the negative effects of stress, recovering from illness or surgery, or at any time in our lives when we need to slow down and nurture ourselves.

During this class, props like bolsters, blankets and yoga bricks will be used to support the body, enabling you to really rest and ‘be’ in a yoga posture for relatively long periods of time - blissfully passive - as you relax, breathe and soften into the support, ✨

We will be completing the class with a yoga nidra while in Savasana and then gather in a circle for questions and discussion and enjoy a delicious and soothing ‘moon milk’ (vegan) as a treat before floating home! ✨🌝💫🌌

Looking forward to seeing you this Friday 20th January from 7-9pm

Link to booking page :

https://www.theyogatree.info/booking-calendar/ashtanga-moon-day-practice?category=f8319f0c-833c-402f-abea-08b7b1cecefe&referral=service_list_widget

Warmest wishes
Gabriella

14/12/2022

Winter Solstice Slowdown class
Wednesday 21st December 7:30-9pm

This class is suitable to all levels and a great reset if you are tired, need a boost of energy or have an injury that needs some very restful yoga!
This gentle session uses props to support the body in various poses, resting in gentle supine twists, forward folds, and mild backbends with the use of props while also remaining mindful of your spine, neck and shoulders to release tension and tightness.
We will practice poses like Cobra, Sphinx, and Bridge poses to open our heart space 💖
An open heart chakra allows us to see all the beauty and love around us, and truly connect to ourselves, our loved ones and the natural world. Balancing this chakra also helps direct love back to ourselves to truly be able to love and accept ourselves and our bodies as they are.

Regain strength by slowing down, repairing through rest, and allowing your nervous system to recalibrate to a new place. Find reassurance that you're exactly where you're supposed to be and create space in your life to align body and mind.

In this relaxing nurturing evening we will include some heart calming chants and meditation and end with a long Yoga Nidra!✨

Booking at : www.theyogatree.info

12/12/2022

✨LIGHT SHINES THROUGH a stained-glass window, painting a rainbow of color on the wall. Without the sun's light, the colors look less vibrant. The window's beauty is more apparent when it is illuminated. We too are more vibrant when we allow our inner light to shine. Don't let you light be dulled by circumstances. You can still shine when things are hard. Your soul is a beacon to bring you back to joy and remind you that you have everything you need.🌟🙏🏼
Our regular classes to support you during these busy, wintery days are still on this week on 12th, 15th,17th and even next Monday19th as well And we have some special classes, to nurture your inner light, so make time for yourself 🥰💫🤗🙏🏼

01/12/2022

20/11/2022

✨Relax your body and quiet your mind by encouraging stillness while moving slowly through long-held, prop-assisted postures is the intention behind all of my yin / restorative classes that I offer in my Seasonal Slowdown series once a month!

The next one of these classes is coming up this Friday 25th November at 7:30-9pm✨
This month we will focus on gentle stretches for the neck, side body and shoulders first before we will wring out tension and stress with a range of twist-based postures, including a Dragonfly straddle stretch and Cowface pose which is also a great release for the hips.
Of course 💜 heart openers won’t be missing from this carefully curated practice, like supported bridge, and fish poses. 🌉🐠
As always we will end with a long held savasana and a deeply profound yoga nidra practice.

There are a still a few spaces left and I would love to see you there 🤗✨🙏🏼

Booking is open on my website
Only £10 includes chai, treats and chat after wards ✨

28/10/2022

Another Seasonal Slowdown class is coming up this evening and I have still a couple of spaces available for anyone wanting to treat themselves to a restorative class that will soothe and soften your body and release mental tension. We hold way too much pressure and compression in our low backs and we need restorative practices to allow ourselves to decompress,release tension, and find ease using as many props as possible. So please bring your bolster or big cushion and blanket if you have. 🥰

20/09/2022

Seasonal Slowdown; this Friday evening class is the ultimate seasonal treat to leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed for the change in the seasons.

We begin this restorative class with an alternate nostril breathing practice to clear and balance our subtle energy channels. We then move into a short meditation and contemplation followed by a gentle movement sequence. I will then guide you into some longer held postures and show you how to utilise bolsters and blankets for some supportive self care to unwind your mind, relax your entire body and release of deeply held tension and stress.
We end the practice with a yoga nidra that helps us to reaffirm our intentions for cultivating healing and fulfilment🧡💫🧘🏽‍♀️

15/06/2022

Yesterdays breakfast was a smoothie bowl inspired by the Strawberry Super Moon 🌝🍓🥰
Ingredients :
1 small cooked organic beetroot (vacuum packed)
1 banana cut in pieces 🍌
About 10 beautiful ripe strawberries hulled 🍓
a handful of pomegranate kernels optional
2 big spoonfuls of vegan Oatly greek style yogurt
1 tablespoon of chia seeds
I had some leftover of porridge and added it to thicken and make it more filling ( you could use a handful of oats maybe soaked overnight or just add hot water and soak for 10 minutes
You could also add flax or hempseeds instead.
I added a teaspoon of super-fruit powders like baobab and shisandra for added nutrition but this is optional👍🏼add whatever you have at hand

Add everything to Nutribullet or blender add some plant milk of choice and blend a few seconds until you have desired consistency
Serve in a bowl with strawberries, pomegranate and of course my yummy homemade golden spice granola 🌟 I’m selling the granola at my studio if you are interested let me know ☺️🙏🏼