“An arc spans and connects” writes Heinz Grill. This beautiful sequence of movements flows from halasana, the plough, which digs deep into the earth, via the arc of setu bandhasana, the bridge pose – spanning and connecting, to sarvangasana, the shoulderstand, which rises gracefully up from the heart centre like a plant growing towards the light.
For more videos of yoga poses see my Youtube playlist
For more about this artistic approach click here.
Are you interested in mantra singing? On Monday evening a small group of us gathered to sing Sanskrit mantras. Our aim was to focus on the thoughts expressed in the words, and thus to radiate out peace for the world. We plan to meet on a monthly basis. All are welcome. Please email Karen if you would like to join us.
Enjoying the beautiful spring weather, I felt inspired to practise outside. Halasana – the plough, is a pose that stretches the spine to the utmost. Her you can see how the movement is consciously guided, so that maximum growth can be achieved in all parts of the spine. The final position is a symmetrical form. Out of the centre of the back it grows in two directions into the arms and legs. Finally an advanced variation is done in which the knees are taken behind the head. It has taken me decades of perseverance to finally achieve this!
Further training day for yoga teachers – the basisSaturday 30th October
9 am – 5 pm
Extons Barn, Milverton, TA4 1RG
£50 including a vegetarian wholefood lunch.
For enquiries and bookings please Email Karen
You can read some of my short articles on the immune system on my sister site https://self-governance.co.uk/
6 week beginners’ yoga courses are held several times a year in the Yoga in Somerset yoga studio just outside Milverton, 20 minutes from Taunton. These courses are suitable for those completely new to yoga or to this approach and will equip you to join the general classes afterwards.
You will learn to practice some of the basic stretching and energising yoga movements, and will be taught to work with your body in a natural and graceful way combining strength with lightness in your movements. Week-by-week you will gain confidence in your practice as you repeat the movements, understand more of their principles and learn new exercises.
You will quickly experience various health benefits; your spine will become stronger and more flexible and your posture will improve; your energy levels will increase and you will feel both calmer and more alert.
Classes are held on Tuesday afternoons and evenings and last for 1 and 1/4 hours. Click [link title=”yoga classes”]here[/link] for more details of dates and times.
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Yoga in Somerset Yoga teacher training course with Karen Patterson and guest teacher from Belgium Rudy Vancoillie
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Module 1: The solar plexus
Part 1: Combining stability, activity and lightness
in the yoga poses and in our lives.
Saturday 7th February – Sunday 8th February 2015
at Extons Barn, Milverton, TA4 1RG
“When an asana is structured with distinct components, each component can be experienced more clearly and each can function according to its true purpose.” Heinz Grill
This weekend will focus on the energy centre at the solar plexus (manipura chakra) and you will learn how to structure the asanas (yoga poses) related to this centre correctly. You will experience three different quaities that work together in these asanas: A stable base produces calmness, an active centre generates energy and stimulates a healthy ability to stretch and lengthen the spine upwards, and a light upper region gives a relaxed, overseeing mental clarity and a feeling of open, free space. We will practise many different asanas and study two central ones – the triangle and the bow – more thoroughly in their practice and their inner meanings. The weekend will contain two full length, active yoga classes in addition to interactive teaching sessions.
Course cost::
Members: £60 per weekend. £55 if booked before 17th January.
Non members: £75 per weekend. £70 if booked before 17th January
Membership fee: £60 per year. You can join at any time.
(Bartering schemes available – please ask).
The weekend will run from 9 am – 6 pm on Saturday, and from 9 am – 1 pm on Sunday. Lunch will be provided on Saturday at a cost of £6. Booking is essential. To request a booking form, please email karen.patterson57@gmail.com or ring 01823 400122.
The teacher training course consists of monthly weekend workshops and follows a modular approach. To complete each module you need to attend the two or three weekends which make up that module and complete a written or verbal assignment. A yoga teaching certificate will be issued following completion of 10 modules. This flexible, modular system means that you can join the course or come for a trial weekend at any time. For more details click [link title=”yoga teacher training”]herelink]