As we come to the end of summer here in England, I'm setting new intentions to maintain my positive energy throughout autumn and winter. That's why this is the perfect time to open our yoga studio at The Tallow Factory in Dedham. It is a lovely big room with plenty of head space provided by a high beamed ceiling in the top floor of a Tudor candle factory. As always I'm flying by the seat of my (yoga)pants so will not have photos of the space until the eve of opening In the meantime, use your imagination. Some of you may instantly get the poetic symbolism of practiSing yoga and meditation in a candle factory. Others of you may not. Either way is fine. Yoga is, after all, a personal journey and therefore what it means to me, may not have the same meaning for you. So for now, let me share with you what it means to me.
While reciting this, I visualised the sun's rays streaming forth into the world, entering my heart, then streaming out from my heart centre and back into the world. It is a powerful and life-enhancing meditation which led me to where I am today. While working to illuminate my inner light, I was also setting the intention to let my inner light shine through action. I was aware that my mother needed help and rather than resisting the natural urge to do so, which I had done for many years due to a fear that I would lose sight of my own goals, I embraced the opportunity to show her my gratitude. Her response was to help me in return. By allowing my inner light to shine, I created a positive environment for myself and those nearest and dearest to me. So to come full circle, back home to this magical place where candles were made for centuries to help illuminate the lives of the surrounding community, I can now use the same space to help people illuminate their own inner, metaphorical, candles.
As the days start to get shorter, and we have less opportunity to soak up rays of sunshine, it is still possible to generate a warmth and positivity from within ourselves. By setting our intention to generate a positive inner glow and by choosing to spend our time doing restorative and energising activities we can appreciate the beautiful changes of the season without letting darkness cloud our perspective.
2020 update ~ i was reminded to re-read this blog post after being on an amazing (safely socially distanced) yoga retreat with Kate pryor at browning bros where we celebrated our inner lights with the hindu version of the gayatri mantra....
Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ
Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt
Word meaning: Om: The universal sound; Bhur: the physical body/physical realm; Bhuvah: the life force/the mental realm Suvah: the soul/spiritual realm; Tat: That (God); Savitur: the Sun, Creator (source of all life); Vareñyam: adore; Bhargo: effulgence (divine light); Devasya: supreme Lord; Dhīmahi: meditate; Dhiyo: the intellect; Yo: May this light; Nah: our; Prachodayāt: illumine/inspire.
Please enjoy singing and dancing along to my favourite version of this on youtube below...
While I'm at it, may as well share what classes I am offering this autumn ~ currently I have unlimited space in one weekly zoom class on tuesdays 10:00am-11:30am BST/GMT. I'm also collaborating with the non-profit flip your dog for mental health to highlight homelessness awareness week 7th-13th october with two of my shakti flow yoga zoom classes. you can join by clicking here and please donate the cost of the class to FYDFMH.
starting in November, I'm also offering three weekly classes in the studio, with 5 spaces available to practise safely 1 metre apart. Join me for energising Shakti flow yoga on Tuesdays 10:00am-11:30am (waitlist only), Restorative inner light shine yoga on tuesdays 2:30pm-4:00pm (waitlist only) and the osteopathic myofascial release practice of yoga with ELDOA™ on wednesday evenings 5:30pm-7:00pm. All of my classes are tailored to be inclusive of all levels and my main objective is to help you establish your own personal practice. view the schedule and book a class by clicking on button below. It is worth adding yourself to the waitlist and note that all classes are available to join via zoom as well.
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However you choose to spend your autumn, I wish you all a warm and balanced transitional season.
Let your inner light shine.
Blessings ~
Lou
xox
