The Fuzz Speech and smiling
BY les | Mon 16 Jan, 2017
Dear Yogis/Yoginis
I wish you a prosperous and Happy New Year. I always find it strange that we make new year resolutions. What a great start to a New year – we often set ourselves unrealistic then beat ourselves up as we may not have achieved it all. This really does not make any sense to me but if you have set yourself targets I truly wish you every success.
Every morning I make resolution to be a better person. I always try but don’t always succeed but I don’t beat myself up or tell myself I could do better. I just try to take life moment to moment. If taking the 'better person' approach to speech we would all benefit from applying Rumi's questions 'Is it kind, is it true, is it necessary?'
The Fuzz Speech
Gil Hedley, Ph.D., gives a lesson on the importance of movement and stretching to maintain the sliding properties of tissues in the body. Not for the feint hearted, this clip shows a close-up of a cadaver, but Gil Hedley is such an extraordinary teacher it's well worth watching - keep stretching.
Smiling
Those of you who have done Yoga with me will know that I am passionate about smiling, especially when doing Ujjai (Victorious) breathing, and I would like to remind everyone of the benefits of smiling:
The breath is fuller and deeper.
If the face is tight the body will be tight so when you smile it relaxes the body
Smiling releases T cells to boost the immune system, endorphins our natural pain killers and serotonin which helps us feel happy.
Smiling makes you feel good – remember you are allowed to enjoy your Yoga practice.
Other reasons to smile
Smiling Makes Us More Attractive: We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away.
Changes Our Mood: Next time you feel down try putting on a smile. There's a good chance your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood. As Claire says 'fake it until you make it'.
It Is Contagious: When someone smiles they lighten up the room and change the mood of others.
Relieves Stress: Stress can really show on the face. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking and feeling tired, worn down, and overwhelmed.
Lowers Blood Pressure: When you smile there is a measurable reduction in blood pressure.
Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger: The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger.
Makes You Seem Successful: People who smile appear more confident and approachable. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.
Smiling Helps You Stay Positive: Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. When we smile our brain sends the rest of our body a message that "Life is Good!"
Yogatone...yoga holidays in Andalucia, Spain
Imagine taking some time out from your busy life, hitting the pause button and resting in a warm tranquil oasis of calm.
Only one hour from Malaga, deep in the Andalucian hills and olive groves, the Retreat will provide you with the perfect sanctuary where you can stay and practice yoga, overlooking the stunning mountains close to the Mediterranean.
Our yoga retreat is ideal for your yoga holiday in Spain. Anyone looking for a peaceful time away from the crowds will enjoy the relaxed surroundings and warm hospitality.
Whether you are a complete novice curious to experience yoga for the first time, or an experienced yogi seeking time and space to deepen your practice, your yoga holiday will be tailored to your needs.
The attitude is relaxed, and as far as food and drink are concerned we will leave it up to you as to how much you indulge...
FYI: A donation is made to our favourite Spanish dog rescue charity with every booking.
Retreat dates 2017
Feb 22-25th - limited availability
Apr 19-22nd
May 10-13th - limited availability
June 14-17th
July 12-15th
Book now only £395
Rated 5 Star on TripAdvisor
Peace and Calm after the excesses of Christmas
This morning, a doctor on TV said that the way to get over the ‘winter blues’ and achieve inner
peace is to finish all the things you have started. I looked around my home to see things I'd started and hadn't finished so before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bottle of Baileys, a butle of wum, a pockage of Prunglies, tha mainder of bot Prozic and Valum scriptins, the res of the Chesescke an a box a chuclets. Yu haf no idr how bludy guod I feel rite now. Plaese sned dhis orn to dem yu fee ar in ned ov iennr paece.
Quote: ‘Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be’ - Abraham Lincoln
As always, if you come across anything you think might be worth passing on please let me know.
Yours in Yoga,
Les
TAGS: yogatone, yoga holidays, spain