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Welcome to the OCTOBER CHARLIE YOGA newsletter.
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LOVE YOUR SELF
YOUR PHYSICAL SELF - BODY IMAGE, SELF ESTEEM AND ACCEPTANCE
 
 "Yoga takes self-esteem to its boundary….Yoga itself is the process of recognizing that you are nothing more than a total, utter miracle, one of a kind, remarkable human being full of mystery, individual charm, and distinct attributes, no matter what kind of package you arrived in."
~ Amy Ippoliti

The defining moment for me in self-acceptance came when I realised that I wasn't my body.

Our bodies are such a conundrum. They are both the facilitators and inhibitors of our yoga journey. How so? Well back in the day the yogis would just sit down and meditate - their bodies were pure, they didn't suffer from aches, pains, wind, stiffness and the like. And you want to bet they didn't worry about wrinkles, grey hair, stomach rolls and dimply thighs.

When you identify with yourself as the body then you enter into a somewhat depressing cycle of inadequacy.  You perceive that your body looks and feels good - you are winning, you perceive your body looks and feels bad and you spiral down into disappointment over the loss. You attach your own self-worth to an object.

How do you know you are not your body?
Well if you were your body then everytime you broke a nail or had a hair cut or heaven forbid loose a limb you would be less of yourself that you were before and that is simply not the case. In yoga we believe that the body is the vessel, a kind of chariot in which the Self is the driver (a metaphor which occurs often - from Plato to the Upanishads to the Bhagavad Gita - see here).
 
So how about we stop thinking of the body as ourselves and stop taking our appearance so personally. When you start to see your body as a single use object in which you travel you start to treat it with a bit more reverence and a lot less judgement. After all you didn't choose to have this body - it's the one you have been given and it has a lot of lessons to teach you. Most importantly it is the only way that you can experience the wonderment of being a human being.
UNDERSTANDING SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH THE THREE MALAS

In Tantric Shaivism there is system called the The Three Malas which basically outlines why we feel crap about ourselves. They liken these Malas to layers of dust or thin film that coat our being clouding our view of our existence and causing pain. We all have them and we have to accept that they are a part of us. 

ANAVA MALA - this is uber low self esteem, the pain that comes when we are blind to our own divinity. It usually leads to insecurity and sadness.
MAIYA MALA - this is the preoccupation with others views, worrying about what they think of us. This usually leads to jealousy and anger.
KARMA MALA - this is powerlessness, that feeling of helpless and needing to sticking your head in the sand. This usually leads to feelings of worry and fear.

Through the practices of yoga we are better equipped to observe them as they arise and remember that they are just feelings and not actually who we are.

COMPASSION AFFIRMATIONS


A while back I watched a TED talk in which a Buddhist nurse who had helped villagers in war torn Afghanistan said that you must be completely detached in order to be truly compassionate.

This absolutely applies to our own bodies...you can practice detached compassion for your body with these affimations, try writing them on your bathroom mirror with a Sharpie or repeating them internally during relaxation or meditation.
  • I accept my body the way it is
  • I aim to nourish and look after my body
  • My body just is
  • I honor and trust in this body
  • I see beauty and love in all things
  • My body is ever changing
  • I am kind to the body I have today
SELF-LOVE THROUGH SIMPLE PLEASURES

This might seem pretty obvious but attending to your favourite simple pleasures is hugely rewarding. Top of my list of self-love prescriptions is of course YOGA...getting on the mat, moving my body, then sitting and breathing, some time in meditation - all of these help to make me feel more ME.

The other night I was inspired by one of my students (thank you Katherine) who said that Wednesday's are her 'me' night and that after my yoga class she stays screen-free, makes herself a roibois tea and retreats to bed with a good book.

 So here is my version of her 'me' night: Warm a milk pan and add a few chunks of raw cacao paste or good quality dark chocolate, add to it a mugful of milk (I use Koko or Oat milk or if I've made some raw almond mylk), then I add dashes of maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla essence to taste. So yummy!


 
  • 2. Meditating and drawing a card
I do this most evenings:  Sitting on or beside my bed with great care I take my deck of cards, holding them between my palms I spend time reflecting on my day followed by some quiet time. I then focus on what I might need guidance on for the next day/week/upcoming challenge. When I am ready I cut the deck and draw a card. The other night I drew Radha, the supreme Goddess of devotional love, missing my family as much as I have been these last few weeks of intense work this was exactly right -  a confirmation that in all that I do, love is my gift to the world.
  • 3. Indulging in a great book
In this instance my newest cookery book; Friends, Family, Food by Sasha Wilkins aka Liberty London Girl (catch up on her blog here). I love to cook for my family but sometimes the inspiration dwindles, this tome has renewed my vigour with its delicious recipes and heartfelt message of cooking & good food as the centre of a happy home.
 
NEWSFLASH
- free Lululemon class

ON SATURDAY 18TH OCTOBER I WILL BE TEACHING THE COMPLIMENTARY CLASS AT LULULEMON'S GUILDFORD SHOWROOM FROM 11-12 midday.

SPACE IS LIMITED AND IT IS FIRST COME FIRST MAT (WHICH LULULEMON KINDLY PROVIDE)

HOPEFULLY SEE SOME OF YOU THERE!

For more details see below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/358049571039703
CLASS INFORMATION

Please join me any of my regular classes where you will experience a dynamic flowing style of Hatha yoga…if you have any questions as to the suitability of the class of you please get in touch - I am always happy to chat yoga!

MONDAY
TIME: 7.30PM TO 9PM
LOCATION: Yoga Mila http://www.cafemila.co.uk, Godalming
STYLE: This is a dynamic hatha yoga (aka Vinyasa Flow).  Expect to move!
COST: £12/class drop in or £60/6 class card

WEDNESDAY 
TIME: 8PM to 9.30pm (term time only)
LOCATION: All Saints Church Hall, Onslow Village, Guildford
STYLE: This is a flowing hatha mixed ability class
COST: £9/class drop in or £50/6 class card
NOTE: NO CLASS OVER HALF TERM 29/10/14

SATURDAY
TIME: 9.30am to 11am
LOCATION: Yoga Mila 
http://www.cafemila.co.uk, Godalming
STYLE: This is a dynamic hatha yoga (aka Vinyasa Flow).  Expect to move!
COST: £12/class drop in or £60/6 class card
WANT TO PRACTICE YOGA ANYWHERE? THEN CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON BESPOKE HOME YOGA PRACTICE CARDS
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Copyright © 2014 Charlie Anderson Yoga, All rights reserved.


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