Yoga: (Not Just) A Personal Journey - Lara Chandler, YogaBrats.co.uk

Yoga: (Not Just) A Personal Journey

Vinyasa Yoga: moving with the breath. A sequence of asana, poses that tune in the mind, body and breath. Yoga means to yoke or to unite.

In today’s fast-paced society where everything is demanded yesterday, patience is so very much needed to deal with the constant challenges. The ability to take a deep breath and quieten the mind could save you from issuing snappy remarks to the wrong person, or otherwise cause damage in a professional or even family environment.

Although a yoga class or personal yoga practice may seem, on the outside, something personal you only do on your own, it can also have a stunning effect on those around you. Whether you mean to or not, soon you will be taking the yoga principles off the mat and in to your environment. Ideas of non-violence against yourself and your body, non-competitive behaviour, truthfulness and peaceful discussions will all stem from regular yoga practice and begin to permeate the world around you.

From a daily salute to the sun, set of standing poses to seated quiet time, the effects of your calmness can, in turn, soothe others. If you have had experience of a grumpy manager, you know when to ask certain questions…ie, when not to approach a bear with a sore head! By radiating relaxed emotions, a calm voice and approachable body language will eventually become a part of you through your yoga practice, and daily work life can become much more smooth-running.

Others notice your tone of voice and stress trigger points quicker than what you may realise. Whilst stress can show and foster weak spots, yoga helps by focusing in on the breath and staying in the present moment – thereby affording you an ‘aura’ of peace.

Whether it’s a difficult work conference or a fraught family dinner there are always dilemmas and dramas that we have to face. But by having your own time to reflect at the start and end of each day, through yoga, this can seriously shift your methods and approach towards a situation.

A student of mine who runs a busy PR firm began to regularly practice yoga a year ago. When she arrives at the class, she’s usually a bundle of nerves and stress but afterwards always heads back to her desk feeling calm and level-headed. She says her staff always notice the difference if she misses a few classes and they goodnaturedly joke she better go back quick, whenever she seems particularly tense or short-tempered!

This month's stretch

A yoga stretch to practice at work or at home, before a difficult encounter: forward bend onto a desk, or ‘ardha uttanasana’, which translates as half intense stretch forward. First, ensure your desk is clear of keyboard and paperwork, then

• stand a leg-length away from your desk....chair well out of the way.
• feet hip-width, apart and parallel.
• hands to your hips.
• firm your legs and hinge from the hips towards the desk.
• reach your arms out and place your hands on the desk palms down.
• keep your legs firm as you lenghten your spine - spread your fingers on the desk.
• the head and neck stay inline with your spine for maximum stretch.
• if your hamstrings feel tight, bend your knees.

This exercise works the legs, hamstrings and calves, also stretches the spine. It will also give you a few moments to regroup and feel calm before facing the challenges ahead.

Lara Chandler

Lara Chandler has nearly 10 years' experience teaching yoga and is a qualified instructor accredited by the British Wheel of Yoga. She specialises in Vinyasa Flow, a discipline which uses props to achieve safe poses. She's co-Founder of Yogabrats.co.uk, which teaches children yoga in schools and after-school/holiday clubs.