Traditionally yogis chant Om at the beginning of the class to clear the mind         for meditation, and bring about an expansion of our energy by drawing in the vital energy of the universe (cosmic prana). It is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, combined together, make the sound Aum or Om. This sound brings us closer to the outside world, to other human beings and to ​our true nature - our own pure self. This can lift the veil of 'separateness' and bring us
​into harmony.

The energetic sound of Om is considered to be the sound of creation and the sound that can be heard when we tune into our pure inner self. Patanjali  (the father of yoga) wrote in The Yoga Sutras (from which Iyengar is based) that the chanting of Om can make us free from obstacles and provide us a glimpse of the inner self.

The sound vibration of the chanting draws a current up the spine through the chakras and out the top of the head bringing deep healing energy into the subconscious mind and removing negativity.

At the beginning chanting can seem a little strange and it is ok to just sit and listen, in fact it is just as important to listen as it is to chant - both must be done at the same time. With the focus on listening, gradually you can relax more and maybe some time in the future you will feel comfortable to join in with the chanting.


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New block of half term classes resume this week. If you would like to secure your place why not book for the block of classes. Get in touch with my via my contact page or just call.

Private classes come to an end this week. There will be a week's break and the new half term block starts week beginning Monday 22nd February. Full details of the class dates on the 'Classes and FAQs' page.

Surya Namaskara is a sequence most yogis will know regardless of which school of yoga they come from. The combination of asanas linked together by breath provide a complete workout for the physical system as well as empowering us to break free of compulsive cycles and patterns - the connection of the breath to the movements help to quiet the chatter of the mind and connect us deeper to our inner being. 

Surya Namaskara (Surya = Sun, Nama = to adore, to bow to) is traditionally performed in the morning to greet the new day. The sun has a powerful energy and the salutation is a way of reaching out for the sun and its life-giving, life-nurturing powers (Urdhva Hastasana  reaches up to the sun and Uttanasana bows down in honour).  It is about having a gratitude to the life giving force of the sun and also to our own personal life force.

The alternating backward and forward bending asanas flex and stretch the spinal column and limbs giving a profound stretch the the whole of the body. A daily routine can help to revitalise the body and mind, stretch and tone the muscles, as well as taking you on a spiritual journey. So just hop on your mat and make a start with the Surya Namaskara sequence which I have uploaded onto the sequence page.