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This springtime 2013 we at AdventureYogi ran our first intensive 5 night springtime detox and yoga retreat.  It was 5 days long, starting on the Friday and finishing on the Wednesday and our yoga teacher Tammy Jones began a month long detox just prior and during the Easter detox retreat and she has written about her experience for you all to read and feel support if you decide to take on this challenge!

Our raw food and detox expert Eloise Minton lead the detox yoga retreat with her wealth of knowledge in this area and delicious culinary skills, the pictures you see are all her own creation so thank you Eloise for your passion and sharing of knowledge.

Tammy’s 1 month challenge detox experience

The Spring equinox this year fell on March 20^th and here in the UK it was recorded as the coldest March in 50 years. Dark gloomy days, random snow blizzards, bitter cold frosts… anyone would have thought that we were heading right back around towards winter!

With such testing climate conditions, one would be forgiven for not feeling the tenacity to have yet embarked upon a ‘spring detox’.  Actually I reckon it was wise  to have conserved your energies and postponed any detoxing thus far. It was just way too cold for such austerities!

I practice and teach Flow Yoga. This way of yoga is not just about fluidly linking your breath and movement in class but moreover it’s about how you flow in your life, with life. It’s about applying your energies optimally by cultivating an awareness of, and a respect for, the natural ebb and flow of all things. It’s about aligning oneself harmoniously with this ebb and flow. Otherwise the alternative is swimming against the current of life, which creates struggle, disunity and disharmony.

SO now that FINALLY the weather has cheered up and it actually feels more like spring, NOW is a great time to start your detox. AND 10th April is a New Moon, and it’s always auspicious to start new projects on a new moon.

As we all know, Spring is the time in the lifecycle when nature renews herself and creates life in the plant and animal kingdoms. It is the time to awaken, renew and blossom. Therefore traditionally across cultures it is considered as a good time in the year to align with nature and shed that which is no longer needed.

5 Reasons to Spring Clean

1. A chance to clean out and de-clutter our lives.
2. Get perspective and reflect  upon your needs and what is holding you back.
3. Shift out any toxins whether they are physical, mental or emotional.
4. Release negative habits, attitudes, thoughts and behaviour patterns.
5. Create the space in your life for more of what you need and love.

So what is a Detox?

The concept of detoxification is an age old practice across cultures and traditions.  The body stores toxins and foreign substances in our fatty deposits. The accumulation of toxins in the body affects our ability to absorb nutrients from food which in turn, adversely affects our various bodily systems.

Toxins are an inevitable part of life and the human body has the natural mechanism to detoxify itself. However, it is sometimes helpful to give the system a helping hand, especially because we are living in an environment with an increased presence of toxins and carcinogens. Involuntarily, we are exposed to toxins on a daily basis through pollution from industrial waste and industrial chemicals, pesticides, electromagnetic radiation and also food additives. Also lifestyle choices expose us to toxins for example, poor diet, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, drugs, etc. In addition, our bodily system can be put under stress due to circumstances that lead to illness and disease, fatigue or emotional factors such as stress, anxiety or depression.

Any of the below ailments may suggest an accumulation of toxins:

Always feeling tired, low energy, exhaustion, PMS, Digestive disorders, Constipation, Excess Weight, Excess Mucus, Insomnia, Depression, Stress, Brittle Nails, Bad breath, Allergies, Joint Pains, Headaches, Skin Problems, Poor Memory, Low sex drive, Poor immune function; i.e. frequent colds/flu/coldsores, Candida a.k.a thrush, Bloating, Irritable, thinning hair, acne.

Therefore, undertaking a detox can help rid the body of toxins or the effects of such in order to strengthen the immune system and purify the blood. This can lead to better nutrient absorption and health benefits.

Benefits of a Detox

• Abundance of more sustained energy throughout the day
• Better Sleep
• Easier waking up
• More cheerful mood
• Clearer head
• Clearer Skin
• Higher sex drive
• Lighter feeling in the gut
• Faster Digestion
• Weight loss
• Increased willpower
• Deeper understanding of your relationship with your body, food and hunger
• Increased sense of taste
• Stronger immune system
• Faster metabolism
• Less sugar cravings
• Reduced appetite

PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT A NUTRTIONIST AND THE BELOW RECOMMENDATIONS COME ONLY FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AS A YOGA PRACTITIONER AND CONSCIOUS EATER. THESE TIPS ARE NOT NECESSARILY SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR PHYSICIAN BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY KIND OF CHANGE TO YOUR DIET

Normally I’m vegetarian but this detox is vegan. Personally, I found having a break from dairy very beneficial but I must stress that it is very important that you ensure you do get all of the nutrients that you need daily.

I found that doing a detox requires much time and financial investment. I’ve done the detox for a month already and so here have done some of the groundwork to make it easier for you to now try!

 What’s Involved

• A vegan yogic diet
• Avoiding toxins  in your diet
• Make sure you eat an abundance of the sources of the necessary nutrients
• Daily dry skin brushing
• Regular Epsom Salt Baths
• In addition to dental brushing, mouthwash and flossing teeth daily
• Daily Exercise
• Keeping a journal

What you may need

• A blender
• A Juicer
• Skin brush
• Epsom Bath Salts
• Home Enema Kit
• Glass bottled mineral water
• Water Filter

The Avoid List

• Meat
• Fish & Seafood
• Dairy or Eggs
• Caffeine (inc green tea!)
• Cigarettes
• Alcohol
• Drugs of any kind
• Sugars (some fructose is OK)
• Wheat
• Fried Foods
• Saturated Fats
• Preservatives and Additives such as MSG
• Salt
• Chilli or too much Garlic
• Soya derived processed products such as soya milk, soya margarine, Quorn, Linda Macarthy Sausages etc (the traditional eastern style is fine i.e tofu) see www.whatissoya.com you’ll see what I mean!
• Tinned produce

 Essential Vitamins & Minerals from Vegan Sources

A detox is as much about getting an abundance of what you do need as it is about getting rid of toxins. If you starve the body of essential vitamins and minerals you gravely compromise your health. The below list below is not exhaustive but is indicative of where to start to find what you need:

 THE SHOPPING LIST

Each week choose a selection from the below categories, be experimental and mix it up a bit to get a broad variety of goodness

Throughout the month, choose from the below

SUPERFOODS

The detox is a great chance to introduce superfood boosters to your diet. Superfoods are Powerful nutrient dense foods.

 Super Greens – Choose  any from the below list; they have the best combination of easily digestible nutrients and fat burning compounds, digestive enzymes and aid with optimal digestion

 Other lush superfoods that I love and think are worth adding to the mix:

• Chia Seeds – Amazingly packed  with minerals and great source of Omega 3, 6 & 9
• Goji berries – full of  antioxidants and all -round goodness
• Pure Cacao – Good for the neurotransmitters in the brain – increases serotonin, the happy hormone!
• Maca – balances hormones and energy and libido booster

I AM NOT A NUTRITIONIST AND THESE ARE MY OPINIONS BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCE SO PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR NUTRITIONIST OR DOCTOR BEFORE TRYING THESE SUPPLEMENTS:

Supplements that I found supported the detoxification process

15 Helpful Hints

Here are some tips that will help you optimise your detox.

 1.            WATER

We all know it but we still don’t do it! You have to drink loads of it all day long. Especially when detoxing as the toxins become dislodged out your system, you need the hydration to shift them right out. Also, more often than not, we think we are hungry, but actually we are just plain thirsty. Try reaching for the water rather than a snack!

Choose your water source

There is much debate over where to best source your fresh drinking water from.  Personally, I avoid tap water but you read around and make up your own mind!

Water around meal times

Best to drink a glass of water 30mins (no sooner)before meals. Try not to drink during nor after meals, because it dilutes your digestive enzymes and reduces the effectiveness of digestion and leads to bloating. After meals slowly sipping herbal teas like peppermint, liquorice and ginger can help aid digestion.

2.       OILS

It is best to avoid cooking with vegetable oils including olive oil because their composition is less stable at higher temperatures. This means that the heat changes these oils molecular structure which makes the oil really unhealthy, potentially carcinogenic even. Best is to cook with coconut oil and drizzle the olive oil raw on salads etc.

http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/what-oil-is-best-to-cook-with-and-which-oils-should-never-be-heated

3.       Eat Slowly

The Yogic and Ayurvedic Principle on eating is that “You are what you digest” . Efficient digestion is essential for optimal health.

At dinner time, as a kid, my mum always used to say this Chinese Proverb: “Drink your food and Eat your Drink” . It means chew the food so well that it becomes liquefied in your mouth before you swallow and drink so slowly that you really taste it. Consuming slowly & mindfully, preferably in silence and definitely not whilst multi-tasking will allow the message ‘i am eating’ to get from the senses to the digestive system so that your digestive enzymes are released and available to digest the food.

Oh, and also, avoid eating when distressed or emotionally upset, again because it effects your digestion.

4.       Food Combine

Different enzymes are required for breaking down carbs as they are for proteins therefore it is best to eat carbs and veggies or proteins and veggies but not proteins and carbs together in a meal.

5.       Be Prepared

Get into a Routine with it. For example, Soak your nuts or legumes the night before. Make a packed lunch. Prep your shopping list. Make sure you always have a healthy snack option available so that you don’t get hunger attacks that jeopordize your detox. Also Rotate Foods so that you get as much variety as possible, lots of nutrients and you don’t get bored!

6.       Meal timings, Don’t Eat Too Late

Start the day with water. Warm water with lemon is cleansing for the liver. Then, the biggest, most calorific meal of the day should be breakfast, followed by lunch. Best to east very little or just soups/ broth for the evening meal.

Make sure your evening meal is not too late, give yourself at least 3 hours digestion time between your last meal and bedtime.

7.       Fruit

Its good to snack on fruit. But fruit is a source of sugar, fructose so just be mindful how much you intake in a day.

Always eat fruit 30mins BEFORE other types of food because it digests the quickest and if you eat fruit after other food it will get held up in your intestines and start to ferment, which can wreak havoc with your digestive system!

8.       Soaking, Juicing, Sprouting

Now may be a great opportunity to explore healthy and cheap food preparation options to your life. Its a really good idea to soak nuts overnight because the impurities can be removed and they begin to sprout and the enzymes become active so they become even healthier and also easier to digest when soaked.

I invested in an Oscar 900 Vital Max Juicer £219 wow! pricey but for life! Makes really amazing juices, even juices wheatgrass, and a whole manner of green veggies. For me, it’s main benefit is that it maintains all of the food enzymes and goodness and is quick and easy to clean too.

9.       Choose RAW

Eat at least 51% raw veggies as part of any meal because the live enzymes that we get in the food are killed off when cooked. Too much cooked food weakens our immune system because the body cannot recognise the composition of cooked food as good for us and so the white blood cells attack it, which puts the body under stress. Crazy huh?

10.   Listen to your body

I found that by week 2 my appetite reduced as I was getting plenty of the nutrients that I needed and by week 3 any cravings that did arise were pointing me in the direction of what I needed. I found I would crave tofu or nuts after a 2 hour yoga session and that was a good sign as certainly protein is what is needed after a hard workout. Start to really listen to the body’s intelligents and go with it. Of course don’t be fooled by ccravings and old habit patterns that perhaps tell you you ‘need’ a coffee or a white wine!

11. Caffeine

I was a coffee drinker, I loved the aroma, the taste and even the ritual of buying an expensive little flat white from a trendy London coffee house.  But enough was enough, because it became an addiction and I could feel all the negative effects the caffeine was having on me. Energy rollercoaster rides every day, I felt totally over –adrenalized, exhausted and drained and often really overwhelmed and sensitive and irritable and anxious and I know if was the caffeine because since I quit November 8^th 2012 all those feelings have gone!  Anyways, basically what I’m saying here is I can totally relate to you if you are someone that has coffee daily and will find it hard to detox it. On the day I quit I got the biggest headache of my life, I could barely move. I also got really weepy but if you can bear to get through that day of torture without giving in, then it does get easier! Just try! If like me it was the ritual of the coffee, substitute it for Barley Cup, with some coconut milk, which you can buy at health food stores.  It doesn’t really smell or taste like coffee but it looks a bit like it, so may make it a bit easier

12.   Keep a Journal

Going through a detox can be quite a transformative learning experience as toxins are shifted out. I find that keeping notes of your process can be very insightful. Perhaps keep note of what you eat, what you crave, your moods, energies, and sleep and digestion pattens or if anything emotional arises

13.   Get lots of Sleep, early to bed

As you shift toxins out and you break bad habits, you may find yourself particularly exhausted initially. But worry not, its worse before if gets better and by week 2 or 3 you will definetly fell your energies increase and you sleep more deeply and wake more easily.

14.   Relax and Meditate, do yoga

Doing so keeps you connected to your body and supports the detoxification process.

15.   Socialising & Eating Out

I found that socialising & going to restaurants was definetly challenging. Your willpower is really tested when surrounded by other people enjoying lots of the delicious contraband foods.  Personally I found it easier to just stay in a lot during my detox. Actually it was really nice preparing yummy colourful fresh food and besides, I’d already spent lots of money on all the quality ingredients! Some socialising can’t be avoided and rather than put yourself at the scrutiny of well meaning mates who may tease or persuade you to break your detox, I’ve always found it easier not to make a big deal out of it and just discreetly choose non-alcoholic drinks and vegan options on the menu. Finding yourself in these situations with peer pressure is a really good test of discipline and strength of character, even as an adult.

And If you Cheat ? ….well, if you do end up cheating and uncontrollably scoffing a muffin, never mind, don’t beat yourself up about it afterwards. Accept it happened but do get back on the wagon! All is not lost!

OTHER THINGS TO DO:

Daily Exercise :

Yoga!!!!  Yoga class is an ideal detox activity. The postures all work on a deep level, regulating hormones, improving metabolism and digestion for stress –free weight loss. My classes are as scheduled here: http://www.tammysyoga.co.uk/classes-2/classes-timetable/

Pilates and swimming are also great low impact, good for the core and the joints, mindful toning and strengthening without losing flexibility.

Minimum of anything that gets your heart rate up at least 30 minutes each day.

 Enema

You can buy a home enema kit for about £10 from amazon. Not as daunting, uncomfortable or messy as you may think. Pretty straight forward procedure that helps you really shift toxins out faster. OR Trip to a Colonic hydrotherapists – If you’re really gonna go for it!

 Daily Dry Brushing of body

Brush your whole body when skin is dry, maybe before having a shower. Brush lightly in upward strokes towards the heart to help with circulation and lymphatic drainage and firm and tone up your muscles and condition your skin. I found the results very good.

Weekly Epsom Baths

Epsom salt is Magnesium Sulphate. It is readily available in chemists. Put about 1kg in a not-to-hot bath and the soak helps draw out impurities from your body and helps reduce water retention to help with circulation, lymphatic drainage helps you firm and tone up.

 Visits to a Sauna 

Great to sweat out impurities

 Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Treat yourself!

DETOXING CAN BE A CHALLENGE BUT WELL WORTH IT! GOOD LUCK! EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS, AND TAMMY WE AT ADVENTUREYOGI WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW YOU GET ON SO GET IN TOUCH AT hi@tammysyoga.com and info@adventureyogi.com ! XX

Read here for more  about our 5 day detox yoga retreats or if you prefer an intro into detoxing then join us on our 3 day detox yoga retreats and our detox team: our detox chef  Eloise Minton our fabulous yoga teacher Tammy Jones and our therapist, hostess and co-founder of AdventureYogi Claire Hamilton

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How long have you been working with AdventureYogi?

Since it was born! I helped set up Adventure Yogi with Claire and Michelle. After two wonderful yoga holidays in the Alps (SnowYogi 2007!) and Sardinia (WaterYogi 2007!) I decided to focus on my business, AyurvedicYogi but I think of the two companies as close sisters still.  I’ve since had two children but now they are a little more independent am really enjoying teaching on these yoga weekend retreats near to our new home in Somerset.

 What do you think of AdventureYogi yoga retreats and holidays?

I love the concept of ‘active relaxation’ and about 5 or so years ago the yoga retreats on offer were largely just yoga- and sometimes the food or venues were not that ‘yogic’” Having been on yoga retreats for 15 years and had a range of experiences, it is lovely to find an organisation that knows what they are doing in looking at all the details from the venue, to the food, to getting the right balance of planned activities to free time.  And of course combining yoga with other sports and activities is brilliant for using the body and mind in different ways, and bringing along friends and partners who otherwise might not be keen on a yoga holiday!

What is your favourite retreat?

The 2 or 3 night breaks in beautiful Somerset- the Wellbeing Yogi yoga weekends- which are perfect for a quick top up of ‘prana’, away from our busy lives. It is amazing how quickly connections are made in the group, and people start to deeply relax despite it being only a weekend.

 What is your current yoga background?

I have been practicing yoga since a university student where it definitely kept me sane in the face of intense pressure. I started teaching 9 years ago, and became an Ayurvedic practitioner 4 years ago. Marrying the two sister sciences has been an ongoing exploration for me. Ayurveda is really catching up with Yoga’s popularity which is great, as the two work beautifully together in helping us feel balanced, fulfilled and that we are on the right path in life.

 Who do you teach?

I teach clients one to one as part of my Ayurveda clinic- I always include some yoga postures and pranayama in each clients’ prescription. Over the past decade I have taught to many different audiences such as corporates, drug rehab centres, festivals, yoga holidays, schools and in my living room where I ran a ‘Yoga Supper Club’ for several years when I lived in Bristol.  I have also really enjoyed training and teaching pregnancy yoga, whilst pregnant myself. This process nourished me throughout both of my pregnancies and afterwards.

 What other interests do you have?

We’re just renovating a 17^th Century house in Somerset so I’m busy reading up on how to look after chickens, goats and bees. And then there is the third of an acre to grow on- a walnut and mulberry tree have just been planted. I also love any crafting and have just discovered the joys of needle felting.

Thanks Jojo!  Learn more about Jojo Webber and if you would like your own personal Ayurvedic consultation she is able to do it over the phone also.  Come and join Jojo on AdventureYogi and AyurvedicYogi yoga and Ayurveda weekend retreats in Somerset.

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Our Ayurvedic expert Jojo Webber has some advice to ease you into spring summer in gentle Ayuvedic way.

The weather is getting kinder, and the evenings lighter as a bitter winter comes to a close. As the seasons changes, our bodies require a different diet and lifestyle to stay balanced. Mind body awareness techniques, such as yoga, help us to naturally want to make such changes. Spring is a time of increased warmth and wetness. Winter is predominantly a cold, damp season which causes Kapha dosha to accumulate (earth and water elements). Now is the ideal time to reduce this build up of Kapha (such as excess weight gain) to prevent feelings of sluggishness, as well as other Kapha related problems such as a sluggish feeling, spring colds and hay fever.

To stay well this spring:

• Set your alarm for 7am at the latest, and preferably earlier as sleeping later will further aggravate Kapha. Massage your body with warm sesame or sunflower oil, followed by a warm shower.  Dry skin brushing is excellent for stimulating lymph and reducing cellulite. Use firm sweeping strokes towards the heart to aid the elimination of fluid. Saunas can be a useful for drying up excess secretions.
• Practise vigorous exercise to get the lymph moving in the body, preventing congestive problems. It is also one of the best ways to stimulate a sluggish digestion and aid detoxification. See below for specific yoga recommendations for this time of year.
• A spring Ayurvedic diet recommends more bitter tastes (eg: herbs such as dandelion), as well as spicy (eg: fresh ginger herbal tea) and astringent (eg: all pulses). These tastes open the channels of elimination, clearing excess mucus and moisture from the body. Reduce Kapha aggravating sweet, sour and salty foods which could cause water retention at this time.  In common with the winter diet, minimise raw and cold foods, favouring warm, lightly cooked meals. Lighter grains such as quinoa, millet and barley are all Kapha reducing, but minimise wheat dominant foods.
• Use a neti pot to give the nose a daily rinse with warm, salt water over a sink. This not only helps ward off colds and hay fever, but will also improve your pranayama.  Read David Frawley’s ‘Neti: Healing Secrets of Yoga and Ayurveda’ which includes information on adding herbs to your neti to aid detoxification.
• For a spring cold help clear mucous by eating light, warm, simple foods as you rest. Soup is ideal. Avoid dairy products, sweets, fried foods and yeasted bread which increase congestion. Fresh ginger tea is excellent, especially with raw honey added once the tea has cooled down. Raw honey clears mucous and Kapha due to its heating, drying and channel clearing effect.  It is the best sweetener for Kapha types and is good for all in spring.
• Herbal help: Chywanprash is a delicious Ayurvedic herbal jam to boost immunity and strengthening the lungs, Pukka herbs is our favourite (you can try it on toast for breakfast). For persistent colds, try Trikatu (ginger, black pepper and long pepper) which dries up mucous and clears channels. It should not be taken in pregnancy or with aggravated Pitta (eg: heartburn or hyperacidity). Use copious turmeric and black pepper in your cooking. Turmeric has antiviral and antibacterial properties and can be used in medicinal doses for all respiratory tract infections. Pepper enhances its effect.

Some specific postures recommended for Spring:

1. In a nutshell, make your yoga practice dynamic and stimulating.
2. Faster sun salutations or other vinyasa flow sequence are ideal as they build up heat, working all the major muscles. Opening the chest area is especially good for shifting sluggish Kapha. Best time is Kapha kala, between 6-10am.
3. Lion pose or sitting poses with warming pranayama (right nostril or solar breath) to prevent daydreaming. Kappalabhati pranayama is also good for generating internal heat and burning toxins.
4. Warrior poses which open the chest, and Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon)
5. Down dog, Up dog (and all poses which again open the chest reduce congestion and aid breathing)
6. Inverted balancing poses like handstand, peacock, headstand and Shoulderstand, bridge and plough (excellent for opening lungs) and their variations
7. All backbends, especially camel pose and bow pose (stimulates digestion). Less emphasis on forward bending as it contracts the chest.
8. A shorter savasana

The following books are recommended for more detail on tailoring yoga according to Ayurvedic wisdom:

1.    Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy, Mukunda Stiles (2007)
2.    Yoga and Ayurveda, D Frawley (1999)
3.    Yoga for Your Type: An Ayurvedic Approach to Your Asana Practice, D Frawley, S Kozak (2001)

Written by Jojo Webber, Director of www.ayurvedicyogi.com Ayurvedic practitioner and yoga teacher.  Join Jojo for he Ayurvedic yoga retreats with AdventureYogi in Somerset Easter bank holiday 29th March – 1st April and 25th – 27th October 2013.

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Just weeks after welcoming in 2013 with our New Year yogis in Cornwall and as detox fever and new years resolutions sweep across the cityAdventureYogi yoga teacher, Sally Lovett has launched her brand new book, The Wellbeing Guide to London.

This beautifully designed, hand-bag sized book is a guide to London’s healthiest and most holistic places – including vegetarian, raw & vegan places to eat, the very best yoga and meditation centers and fun places to work up a sweat and get high on endorphins. Each review is accompanied by gorgeous photographs and there’s also expert advice from leading London practitioners on all aspects of health and well-being. Look closely and you might find a page on AdventureYogi too!

We will be running a competition to WIN a copy in the February newsletter so sign up here to be in with a chance!

For a fine £10 it is yours.  A pocket hanbook indispensinble if you are new to London or simply don’t have time to find out where the best places to eat, drink, do yoga, pilates or workshops.  A must have. You can buy the book directly at www.wellbeing-london.com.

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How long have you been working with AdventureYogi?

I have been working as part of the AdventureYogi family now for nearly 2 years and it has been an absolute pleasure.

What do you think of AdventureYogi yoga retreats and holidays?

I can honestly say that every AdventureYogi yoga retreat that I’ve been part of has been unique and unforgettable experience. The way it’s all put together is brilliant and when you’re there, it often feels like a bit of a time warp, whereby those few precious days seem extra long and become a sanctuary away from the everyday routine and a chance to really reconnect to our true Selves. The combination of being in beautiful nature, practising yoga, wholesome cuisine, healing treatments, making great friendships, soulful conversations…etc is all really transformative. I’ve witnessed time and again how focusing on wellbeing from the inside out leads to dramatic results. People leave totally rejuvenated and inspired with a greater perspective on what brings them quality to their life.

What’s your favourite yoga retreat or yoga holiday to teach on?

I would say that my favourite retreats are the Alpine & Winter yogi’s. I feel totally peaceful when surrounded by awe-inspiring and majestic mountains, whether in the summer or winter plus I love adventurous outdoor sports.

What is your current yoga background?

I have over 1000+ hours of teacher training, 15 years yoga practice experience and have been teaching yoga for over 5 years now. My training and teaching experience allows me to combine traditional Indian Yoga styles with a contemporary western approach to authentically help guide others to find their own love for, and benefits from Yoga. I most often teach vinyasa flow yoga that follows from the Krishnamacharya lineage but I can confidently and fluently teach people rather than styles of yoga and so adapt sessions to meet the needs of the students. I am also trained to teach dynamic reformer pilates and like to incorporate the principles into my yoga classes.

Who do you teach?

In London I have a range of clients from Premiership footballers, professional cage fighters to company executives, pregnant ladies and even the over 60’s, so I know that one size does not fit all when it comes to yoga practice!

What other interests do you have?

If I’m not teaching or practising yoga, I’m probably reading about it! Other than yoga I love being at home with my cats, partying with friends and also absolutely love snowboarding.

Thanks Tammy! We LoVE working with you too! To see what yoga retreats Tammy is teaching on for 2013 check our calendar page here

Read more about Tammy Jones here

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8 simple yoga moves for suppleness for your skiing holiday

Skiing is a combination of speed and grace that we achieve gradually over time, whether our experience is for a whole season or just a week’s holiday squeezed into our busy schedule.  And it’s usually the latter that leaves one feeling in need of another holiday to recover from the experience!  As every annual skier knows, we use muscles on the slopes in ways or intensity that aren’t used that way during the rest of the year.  So unless we warm-up properly on a base of plenty of pre-ski training, stress, strain & at worse injury ,can dominate.

Yoga is the opposite of skiing in that it is calm and meditative. Although skiing and yoga are two extremes they compliment each other.   The movement and positions required in yoga can benefit skiers and help reduce the physical demands put on the body by the sport.  Yoga helps to stretch out the muscles that skiing strengthens yet at the same time shortens.  It seems obvious then, that yoga can help to reduce physical injury from the sport, especially if the yoga practice is specifically designed for skiing.

Balance, concentration, flexibility and strength are the most important skills to develop to get down the mountain and yoga can help in all aspects of these.  These skills come from doing the poses, by helping to lengthen muscles, like the glutes and quads, that are usually strengthened and shortened; and to also lengthen the opposing muscles, such as the hamstrings, hip flexors and lower back, that are normally tightened from overuse.  Concentration in yoga comes from arriving at each pose and holding it, focusing on the breath to ease the body into position and calm the mind, being present in each movement, mindful of each move and careful not to over-stretch.

It is important to focus on equally strengthening and stretching all muscle groups in the legs, otherwise the knee joint ends up taking the strain, which can lead to serious injury around the knee.  The quadriceps become overdeveloped when skiing and this in turn tightens and shortens the hamstrings.  Inner thigh muscles can be shortened and tightened too, which can strain the knee joint by limiting range of motion.  It is important to lengthen all four sides of the upper leg, hamstrings and quads, inner and outer thigh, to minimize strain on surrounding joints.

1. Forward bend: Yoga pose for hamstrings as it helps to loosen the back and stretch hamstrings and calves.
2. High Lunge: stretches hip flexors and hamstrings on the back leg whilst strengthening feet, ankles, glutes and quads on the front leg
3. Chair pose: classic ski pose, warms up and builds strength in quads
4. Reclined cobblers pose:  improves flexibility of inner thigh muscles, which can cause knee injury in skiing if not stretched.

Hip flexors are very important in maximizing agility in skiing.  However these muscles are rarely used nowadays due to our primarily sedentary way of life.  We sit to eat, sleep, relax, work and drive; whereas our ancestors were outdoor hunters and gatherers, using their bodies continuously, giving strength and force to their muscles.  This is why our largest muscles are around the hip area.  By building more strength and flexibility in the hip area for skiing, it enables us to have a broader base of equilibrium and muscle foundation, which in turn improves the support to our upper body.  Hip flexors also help with angulations of a turn, which means helping a skier to make sharper, cleaner lines.  Powerful and flexible hips encourage balance and good turning habits; otherwise skiers end up jerking their upper body to initiate a turn instead of using the lower body, which can lead to upper back pain from this awkward movement.

5. Forward kneeling lunge – improves flexibility of hip flexors, which improves posture and lower back stability and improves calf flexibility which is beneficial to both sports

Engaging the core muscles of the abdomen also enhances good turns on the slopes and alleviates pressure from the knees, protecting the joint from injury. Strengthening the core muscles helps to improve balance that is essential for skiing and also helps redirect weight bearing that often falls onto the knees.  Awareness of your centre allows you to initiate movement, helps you turn more efficiently and distribute weight more evenly making each move less strenuous on the whole body.  Core strength also offers support in falls and supports the spine in bending and twisting and stabilizing.  If the core isn’t engaged properly and tightness resonates in the hamstrings and hip flexors, then the lower back starts to be put under strain and can create an injury.

As the lower body is predominantly utilized in these sports, it is important to also strengthen the upper body so that there is not an imbalance in the lower and upper halves.  This is also helpful when finding yourself stuck in a snowdrift whilst pursuing powder off-piste!

6. Spinal twist – improves spine mobility, glute flexibility and outer thigh muscles.
7. Downward facing dog – good for core stability.  Going into plank and press up back into downward dog.  Builds upper body strength.
8. Tree pose – this helps with balance, tones and strengthens quads, calves, ankles and spine whilst stretching hip flexors, inner thighs, chest and shoulders.  Improves balance and promotes mobility in hip and knee joint, which is important when making turns.

So with some careful preparation& planning and a bit of patience you will be ready for your mountain top holiday, pain free!

Forward Bend (Uttanasana)

1.Stand in Tadasana, hands on hips. Exhale and bend forward from the hip joints, not from the waist. As you bend forward, engage your core muscles to help stability and to create space for a greater stretch. As in all the forward bends, the emphasis is on lengthening the front of the body as you move more fully into the position.

2.With straight knees place your hands or fingertips by your feet or round your ankles.  If this is too much then bend your knees to be able to put your hands flat on the floor and/or grasp each elbow and hang down.

3.At each in breath lengthen the body, engage your core and on each outbreath try to deepen the stretch.  Do this for 1 minute.

4.to come up, slowly release your elbows or hands from ankles or floor, keeping knees bent, or bending the knees slowly roll the spine upwards feeling each vertebrae and part of the muscle stretch.

Benefits -Yoga pose for hamstrings as it helps to loosen the back and stretch hamstrings and calves.

Warrior 1: Virabhadrasana 1

1. Stand in Tadasana. With an exhale, step or lightly jump your feet to 4 feet apart. Raise your arms 90 degrees and firm your shoulder blades against your back and draw them down toward the pelvis.

2. Turn your left foot in 45 to 60 degrees to the right and your right foot out 90 degrees to the right. Align the right heel with the left heel. Exhale and rotate your body to the right, squaring the front of your pelvis as much as possible with the front edge of your mat. As the left hip turns forward, press the left leg into the left foot to stabilise.  Lengthen your coccyx toward the floor, and arch your upper torso back slightly.

3. With your left heel firmly anchored to the floor, exhale and bend your right knee over the right ankle so the shin is in line with the floor. More flexible students can align their right thigh parallel to the floor.

4. Lift your arms above your head, reaching strongly through your fingers, lifting the ribcage away from the pelvis. Ground yourself through the back foot, strong through the back leg that helps to lift through the torso and chest and up into the arms.  Put the hands together if you can.  Keep your head in a neutral position, or tilt it back and look up at your thumbs, keeping your shoulders relaxed.

5. Stay for 30 seconds to a minute. To come up, inhale, press the back heel firmly into the floor and reaching through the arms straighten the right knee. Turn the feet and body forward and release the arms with an exhalation, or keep them extended upward for more challenge. Take a few breaths, then turn the feet to the left and repeat for the same length.

Benefits -stretches hip flexors and hamstrings on the back leg whilst strengthening feet, ankles, glutes and quads on the front leg.

Chair Pose (Utkatasana)

1. Start in Tadasana. Inhale and lift both arms above your head, ensuring that shoulders are relaxed.  Feel the space between your pelvis and ribcage.

2. Exhale, bending the knees and bending the body forwards to 45 degrees.  Make sure the back is straight, with a natural “sunken” arc in the lower back.  Breathe deeply into the stomach and chest and allow the body to sink into the pelvis and for the calf muscles to relax so that weight can be distributed evenly through the feet.

3. Do this for 1 minute, focusing on the correct position of chest, back and pelvis

Benefits – classic ski and board pose, warms up and builds strength in quads

Reclined cobblers pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)

1. Firstly, get into cobblers pose.  To do this, seated on the floor with legs outstretched.  Inhaling, bring the knees up to the chest, then allow them to fall to both sides, feet turning inwards keeping the outer edges of the feet touching so that the soles of the feet are turned upwards.

2. Keep the spine long, engaging the core muscles for stability.  Breathe in and bend forwards, stretching the inner thigh muscles. Breathe in to come up.

3. To get into reclined cobblers pose straighten the spine.  On the out breathe put your arms behind you and leaning on your elbows first lower yourself down so the spine is on the floor. If this is uncomfortable for the lower back then use a block.

4.  Stay in this position for as long as you like.  To come up, breathe in and lift your body up through the elbows first until you are in sitting, then put your legs in front of you and give them a shake.

 Forward kneeling lunge Anjaneyasana

1. From Tadasana, forward bend as if beginning a sun salutation.  Exhale, lunge left leg backwards placing hands on the floor next to feet and knee on the floor, keeping the right leg bent.   Inhale and sit the torso upright and then sink the pelvis down, keeping back straight and coccyx pointing to the ground.  Lunge the pelvis forward.

2. Rest arms on the knee right knee, or for a deeper pose raise the arms upwards, reaching to the sky, palms together.   Lift upper torso from base of spine, look forward. Exhale draw shoulders back & down towards buttocks. Keep hips lunging forward. Draw left thigh downward, stretching left groin & quadriceps. Breathe and hold for 40-60 seconds. Not moving right foot inhale and come to standing.  Do the same on the opposite side.

Benefits: improves flexibility of hip flexors, which improves posture and lower back stability and improves calf flexibility which is beneficial to both sports.

Spinal twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

1. Kneel and sit on your feet, with heels pointing outward.Slide your torso to the right side of your feet.  Raise the left leg and cross it over the left leg which stays still. Place the foot flat on the floor to the outside edge of the right leg.  Keep the spine erect.

2. Inhale, raise the right arm above your head, rotate the torso to the left and at the same time bring the right arm across the body and place it on the outside of the left knee and hold your left foot with your right hand, placing your left hand on the floor behind you. As you exhale, twist as far as possible to the left. Look over the left shoulder.

Benefits – spine mobility, glute flexibility and outer thigh muscles.

Downward facing dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

1. Come to the floor on your hands and knees (table pose).  Inhale, tuck toes under and lift hips to the ceiling.  Spread out the fingers for stability and to distribute weight fairly.  Push into the hands to lengthen the back and push into the toes, trying to flatten the feet to the ground, stretching out the calf muscles.  Engage the core and stay in this pose and take long deep uuji breaths.

2. To intensify the upper body strengthening, Exhale and bring the body into plank.  Holding the breath as if moving into cobra, lower the body slowly to the ground but then push back up as a push up.  If this is too difficult then before going into plank rest your knees on the floor.

Benefits – good for core stability.  Stretches the back  and opens the chest.  Going into plank and press up back into downward dog.  Builds upper body strength.

Tree pose (Vrksasana)

1. Start in Tadasana.  Exhale and bring the left foot to the thigh at any height that you feel most comfortable and can hold it there. Have the toes pointing towards the ground.

2. Inhale and lift the arms out sideways to 90 degrees.  Exhale and bring the hands together in prayer pose.  Fix your gaze on something to help maintain balance and at the same time inhale and keeping palms together lift the arms above the head. Lower the shoulders and relax them.  Hold, breathing deeply and through the stomach.  Repeat on the other side.

Benefits – this helps with balance, tones and strengthens quads, calves, ankles and spine whilst stretching hip flexors, inner thighs, chest and shoulders.  Improves balance and promotes mobility in hip and knee joint, which is important when making turns.

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Yoga is more than an exercise and surfing is more than a sport.  They are lifestyle choices.  Yoga and surfing help you learn not only about yourself on a physical and spiritual level, they help you to understand your surroundings.  Yoga seeks enlightenment of your spirituality whilst surfing makes you feel at one with nature.  When you are practicing them they make you feel that you are in a place of freedom, a place of peace and a place without time.

Many pro surfers have taken on yoga to support their surfing in terms of building strength, increasing flexibility, enhancing balance and concentration, peace of mind and breath work to increase lung capacity.   The likes of Taylor Knox and Kelly Slater, 9 times world title holder, incorporate yoga into their training and feel the benefits.

 Endurance and strength

Surfing is an exceptionally demanding sport on the body that, if you want to get any good and improve, you must work on building strength and physical endurance to last in the waves.  Surfing is obviously the best way to build this endurance, but if you can’t get to the sea very often then yoga can help build endurance through a dedicated yoga practice.  By practicing for more than 1 ½ hours of yoga a couple of times a week, endurance levels will rise, as will strength.  It is also good to tie the yoga in with swimming, so that you are getting used to being in the water and developing an aptitude for it.   

Endurance helps to keep you in the water for longer which in turn allows you more wave time to improve.  Strength is necessary in surfing in all aspects but the first 2 stages in surfing require the most strength.  They are paddling out and the pop-up.  Paddling out requires intense use of the arms; forearms, biceps, triceps, rotator cuff muscles in the shoulder joint, serratus anterior and pectoral muscles.  The back muscles are also used as the back is arched back in order to help project the arms forward in paddling.

The pop-up

This is when you have caught the wave and are ready to push yourself up into standing. First of all, straighten the arms.  This is called the push-up.  This pushes down the nose of the board and distributes weight equally along the board, not just in the legs that would make it tough to go into standing.   This makes it easy to pop-up which is when you go from lying to standing quickly.  Here you need arm strength, as if you are doing a press up, so triceps, biceps, rhomboids, pecs and serratus, as well as rotator cuff.  Core strength is very important here because ideally you want to be in a standing position as quickly as possible.  In yoga, the sun salutation sequence is an excellent body warmer and strength builder, especially if you do the sequence as the Ashtanga suryanamaskar 1. In Ashtanga, there are a lot of jump moves which increase strength and enhance balance and control.  The jump through move, when going from downward dog into standing in the sun salutation is what you want to be able to do in surfing so practicing on fine-tuning this will help with the pop-up.

Increasing flexibility

Although surfing is good exercise, it is not perfect because it is not completely symmetrical. Surfing does not work all body parts as it concentrates only on some especially the shoulders and arms. Therefore stretching and counter poses are essential in maintaining the equilibrium in the body.  Flexibility is just as important as strength.  Flexibility will help to re-align and re-balance the body and various muscle groups, as some muscle groups are overworked and some are hardly used at all.  By practicing counter poses, such as the seated forward bend for the back, this helps with the overworked back muscles that are practically in locust position whilst paddling out. By doing this, you are ensured that you have a complete activity for your entire body.

Balance and concentration

Once you are up on the board, you want to stay there.  You also want to be prepared if the power of the wave speeds up the board. When watching a good surfer, they make it seem effortless.  They are completely relaxed, the body is loose, the hands are slack, nothing is tense.  How do they do this?  It is all in the lower joints of the body. Try doing tree pose with locked knees and toes.  When the body sways it is much easier to fall.  If you keep them relaxed, like a real tree, the body will bend into the sway and you will feel strongly rooted and balanced yet relaxed and calm.  Stay loose in difficult times and you will stay on your board for longer.

In surfing you are facing side on.  The streamer is the centre line of the board and that’s where you want to be.  You want to imagine that you are between 2 sheets of glass.  Half moon pose is helpful here, you can even practise it on your board, balancing on 1 leg with your body running along the streamer line. These 2 poses also enhance concentration.

Pranayama to increase Lung capacity

One thing that surfers, beginners or experienced are scared of is getting held under water for too long.  Pro surfers train by anchoring themselves under water with heavy bricks and holding their breath for as long as possible, up to 2 minutes or more.  This is if you are surfing big waves, but it is important to increase your lung capacity anyway, so if you were to be held under, you would be prepared and would be able to stay as calm as possible until you re-surfaced.  Pranayama techniques enhance lung capacity and encourage calmness.  Holding the breath is predominantly pshcological and pranayama acknowledges this too, working with the mind to help increase lung capacity and overcome mental obstacles.  Anuloma viloma is a great technique.  Consult your yoga teacher.

Yoga for surfers: postures to improve your surfing

Dolphin pose

This pose is an excellent pose for opening and strengthening the shoulders, back  and core stability. It is also good for stretching out the hamstrings, calves and arches of the feet which can aid balance on the board. Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute

1. Come onto the floor on your hands and knees. Set your knees directly below your hips and your forearms on the floor with your shoulders directly above your wrists. Firmly press your palms together and your forearms into the floor.

 2. Curl your toes under, then exhale and lift your knees away from the floor. At first keep the knees slightly bent and the heels lifted away from the floor. Lengthen your tailbone away from the back of your pelvis and press it lightly toward the pubis. Against this resistance, lift the sitting bones toward the ceiling, and from your inner ankles draw the inner legs up into the groins.

3. Continue to press the forearms actively into the floor. Firm your shoulder blades against your back, then widen them away from the spine and draw them toward the tailbone. Hold your head between the upper arms; don’t let it hang or press heavily against the floor.  Straighten your legs.

Ardha chandrasana: Half Moon Pose

This pose is excellent for improving balance, co-ordination and concentration, as well as strengthening many parts of the body including the ankles, claves, knees, buttocks, shoulders, chest, spine and core.  If practised on your board you will also be able to line yourself up to the streamer to help with side-balance, which is key in surfing. Hold the pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

1. Perform extended triangle pose  to the right side.  Slide your left foot about 6 to 12 inches forward along the floor. At the same time, reach your right hand forward, beyond the little-toe side of the right foot at a 45 degree angle.
2. Exhale, press your right hand and right heel firmly into the floor.  Straighten your right leg, simultaneously lifting the left leg parallel to the floor. Extend actively through the left heel to keep the raised leg strong. Don’t lock the standing knee: make sure the kneecap is aligned straight forward and isn’t turned inward.
3. Rotate your upper torso to the left, but keep the left hip moving slightly forward.
4. Bear the body’s weight mostly on the standing leg. Press the lower hand lightly to the floor to aid balance.  Lift the inner ankle of the standing foot strongly upward, as if drawing energy from the floor into the standing groin. Press the sacrum and scapulas firmly against the back torso, and lengthen the coccyx toward the raised heel.

Parivrtta Janu Sirasana: Revolved head to knee pose

We spoke about strength, balance and concentration.  This pose increases flexibility.  It helps with flexibility in the hamstrings, groin and hip flexors, latissimus dorsi, and teres minor and major which help to open up the shoulders and armpits.  It also extends the spine, opens up the rib cage and offers a good stretch to the deep lower back stabilising muscles. Hold for 1 minute then repeat on the other side.

1. Sit on the floor with your torso upright and your legs wide. Bend your left knee and snug the heel into your left groin. Straighten your right leg out to the side.
2. Inhale, lift the left arm above your head, lean the body to the right and allow the right thumb and forefingers to grab the big toe.  Twist the rib cage so that your chest is opening up to the sky.
3.  Press the left femur firmly to the floor to act as an anchor for the body. Gradually rotate and extend your left side so that eventually your right shoulder is soft against the inside of the knee.
4. Exhale and lower the left arm behind your left ear and take hold of the outside edge of the right foot. Press the elbows away from each other, using them like a crank to help twist the upper torso further. Turn your head to look at the ceiling.

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It’s that time of year when the British summer peeps go crazy for festival fun.  It is important to look after oneself in this time of party madness and this is why festivals have amazing healing areas, where you can go and release tension from dancing or walking around lots with massage treatments of all descriptions and yoga classes to energise and revitalise weary, aching bodies.

Here I will let you into some yoga secrets of how to cure hangovers from hell, either during or post festival fun.  Most importantly, before embarking on a yoga class or practice, remember to drink plenty of water before and after especially if you have been having a very good time the night before!  And if you are saving your practice for after the festival, try these postures to help squeeze out the toxins and increase blood flow around the body which also aids the breakdown of toxins in your system too.

Firstly, warm up with a couple of gentle sun salutations.  This warms up the whole body, increasing blood flow and preparing the body for the postures you are about to do.

In yoga, twists are known as the best detoxing asana (postures). The reason why is that they have a wringing affect on the internal organs.  Twisting the torso to one side compresses the internal organs of the side that you are twisting to, massaging the internal organs, whilst the effect on the opposite side is stretching, lengthening and toning of the internal organs and muscles fibres.  Both processes also stimulate blood flow to the areas, encouraging the build up of toxins to move round the body and eventually be removed.

Ardha Matseyandrasana

Sitting on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you, bend the right leg towards your chest, foot flat on the floor, back remaining straight. In hale, lift up the right arm and twisting to your right, place the right arm behind your left buttock.  On the next inhalation, lift up the left arm, making space between the ribcage and the pelvis, and twist to the right, placing the outside of the left upper arm on the outside of the right thigh, using this position to act as a lever by pushing the upper arm on the thigh, to twist the torso more to the right.  Keep the shoulders away from the ears and on every inhale, lengthen the body and on the exhale, twist more to the right. Stay for 5 breaths and then on the exhale, gently unravel the way you went into the posture.

Shirshasana: Headstand

Headstands are also great for helping to remove the headache side affect that alcohol brings on and energise body and mind.  Don’t be put off when I say this! You don’t have to do the full posture to reap the benefits of the headstand.  In yoga, a headstand is called an “Inversion” posture, which means going upside down, like shoulder stand or bridge. If headstand is too advanced for you, then break it down into stages. Just allowing yourself to be upside down is an energising and revitalising position to be in. These stages will be described below.  Headstand is beneficial because the pressure that builds up from the hangover is relieved by resting the forehead on the floor. It is also nice, in the initial variations of headstand to place a wet flannel on the ground and rest the forehead on this. It is energising to be upside down because it gives the circulatory system a break. Blood flow to the brain is easier than usual for the heart and brings a greater quantity of oxygenated blood to the brain, bringing along with it energy and cleansing.

Stages of headstand:

Always start in childs pose, resting the forehead on the floor arms by your side.  This helps to prepare the body for the inversion by allowing the blood flow to start moving more so into the head. Then sit up, Hands holding onto the elbows and lean forward and place your forearms on the ground whilst keeping hold of the elbows.  Release the grasp at the elbows, bring your hands in front of you and interlace the fingers. Place the little fingers and outer edge of the hand on the floor.  Place the crown of your head in your palms.  Keep length in your neck so that your shoulders don’t fall around your ears.  Either stay with back curved and knees on the ground as in child pose, or straighten your knees and bring your hips into the air.  Stay here if this is as far as you feel you can go. These 2 beginner variations are enough and if you are a competent yogi then go into a full headstand.

 Back Bends

Back bends also massage the internal organs by placing pressure on them whilst lying on the abdomen.  Backbends also stretches the internal organs and muscles of the abomenal region, stimulating circulation and therefore detoxification.  Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) is a favourite of mine.  The hands clasping the ankles helps to open the chest, stretches out the hip flexors and creates a natural rocking motion to happen on the abdomen, which, like the twist has a massaging effect on the internal organs.

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

Lying on your abdomen, chin resting on the floor, bend the legs so your feet are raised to the ceiling.  Next, keeping your chin on the floor, reach behind you with your arms and hook your hands around the outside of your ankles. Press your pelvis into the floor, lengthening the lower back.  Squeeze the shoulder blades together, opening the chest and lift the head and chest off the floor.  Press the ankles into the palms of your hands, allowing more lift in the chest and lift the thighs off the floor. With each inhalation, lift the crown of the head and press the chest forward whilst pressing into the hands to stretch out the thighs.  Gradually on the exhalation lower the body slowly to the beginning posture and rest for a couple of breaths.

Liver help for festival fun!

So it’s that time of year again, the sun (tries) to come out and British culture goes mad for camping, glamping and dancing around in muddy (or hopefully not) fields embracing the great outdoors and going “back to nature.”  Within all of this fun, sometimes our health is neglected and we come home with our tails between our legs, experiencing pain which we first think is back pain, however, it is in fact your kidneys crying out for some love.   A few natural remedies to set you up and support your liver and kidneys can be taken as a warm up to all of this fun and post-fun to help keep your energy and spirits high.  A splendid herb that acts as a “liver tonic” is Milk Thistle. The most active ingredient is silymarin which contains both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  The silymarin present helps to stimulate the growth of new liver cells and can prevent certain toxins getting inside the liver by altering the outer layer of it.   The seeds of milk thistle protect the liver from various toxins such as alcohol, pollution and all kinds of medications. Modern researches have proved that the medicinal affect of this herb contains detoxifying agent which is helpful in curing all kinds of liver ailment. So get prepared for your summer of fun and make your friends wonder why you feel so great after a party!  If you are going to the Secret garden Party, come and say hi in the healing area as AdventureYogi will be there looking after the great team of therapists we have in this space J

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Today I am endorsing and reviewing a company called EasyYoga.  A successful yoga clothing label based and sold predominantly in Asia, a company called GreenVogue have decided to bring it to the UK because there is something to boast about with the clothes, materials used and company ethos.  They work closely with yogi’s and yogini’s around the world, even having “Ambassadors” to constantly give them feedback on their products so that they produce the very best.

I loved the men’s shorts when I saw them, as my boyfriend struggles to find comfortable yoga clothes that allow him the freedom to move into postures and that are breathable and durable for more dynamic yoga practices.  Have a look.  A great pressie for the male yogi!

Made from a variety of different materials for optimum movement, comfort and durablility here’s a summary of them.  New to me is bamboo charcoal.  Used throughout Asia,  it is an eco-friendly sustainable fibre and contains anti-bacterial, anti-static and e-odorizing functions.  Its micro-pore structure allows breathability and absorption of moisture helping to stay dry. Bamboo charcoal even produces negative-charged ions, helping you to stay positive and keep a calm mind!

Their “Flycool” fibre’s lower the temperature by 1 – 2° on skin contact and combined with moisture absorption helps you to stay dryer and cooler in strenuous workouts.  Other great things about the materials they use are the “SOfit” fabric they use.  Their own exclusive design and made from supplex and lycra, they provide a 4 way stretch, breathability and moisture wicking.  Plus supima cotton, considered the worlds finest and nicknamed “the cashmere of cotton” is incredibly durable and blended with Sopra cotton for softness and stretchiness.

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