| My first yoga retreat | | | | three of the many practices that originate from the |
| I never wanted it to stop. It was a wonderful feeling | | | | East. |
| of joy, love compassion and connection to everyone | | | | Shiatsu is a system of full body massage taken lying |
| who was there with me. This was despite the fact | | | | down on a futon. But it's more than just massage. |
| that I had only met these people just three days | | | | Many part of your body are pressed and massaged |
| ago. But at that moment, it felt like I had known | | | | where the subtle energy lines meet. The effect is |
| them all my life. | | | | both invigorating and relaxing at the same time. My |
| This was my first yoga retreat. Four days of total | | | | first massage was so good I fell asleep. |
| immersion in the practice, philosophy and life of hatha | | | | Acupuncture is a curative system that is accepted by |
| yoga. We practiced yoga twice a day. Spent several | | | | the western medical establishment because it works. |
| hours in sitting and walking meditation and learned | | | | Needles are inserted so they connect with the |
| about the philosophy of yoga through talks and | | | | energy channels in your body. By placing these |
| discussions. | | | | needles at the right points your energy and health is |
| We helped prepare and ate the most delicious | | | | both rebalanced and restored. |
| home-made vegetarian food. I was on an energy | | | | The ancient art of yoga |
| high. I had so much stamina. It was the best short | | | | Yoga, stretching and pilates is about exercising your |
| break I had ever had. | | | | muscles and ligaments, but it's more than this. The |
| So why did it effect me so profoundly? | | | | gentle stretching of muscles releases trapped energy |
| Our subtle energy body | | | | and energises the muscles and ligaments the pose is |
| Yoga works on our bodies and minds at many levels, | | | | working on. |
| and in a way that traditional medicine fails. Infact, | | | | Yoga involves stretching into a pose and holding the |
| many of the alternative therapies and practices, that | | | | position while breathing in or out deeply and |
| have become so popular, work on our mind and | | | | completely. There is a dynamic to this apparent |
| body in powerful ways. | | | | stillness. You may be holding the position, but your |
| You may not realise it, but your body has a network | | | | deep breathing is moving energy and refreshes the |
| of unseen energy channels. They follow the | | | | parts of your body other exercise cannot reach. |
| pathways of our nervous system and provide a | | | | So, the slow and steady movements free trapped |
| constant supply of subtle energy that keeps us alive. | | | | energy, energise muscles and ligaments and refresh |
| This complex mesh of energy channels, or 'meridians' | | | | your whole body. At the same time you are |
| as the Chinese call them, focus around 7 energy | | | | developing strength and stamina while holding these |
| centers or 'chakras' that are vertically aligned from | | | | poses. |
| our crown to our abdomen. Yoga, and many | | | | Mind and body health |
| alternative therapies and practices, increase, balance | | | | Traditional medicine and therapies work with |
| and harmonise this energy network. | | | | symptoms, known illnesses and diseases. Holistic and |
| Lao Tsu, the revered Chinese sage and chi kung | | | | alternative practices and therapies view illness as a |
| master, said, | | | | warning that your system is out of balance. Many of |
| "When human beings are born, they are tender and | | | | these practices work on you at different levels, |
| soft. At death they are stiff and hard. All things, the | | | | especially your subtle energy body. |
| grass as well as the trees, are tender and supple | | | | It's all about re-balancing your mind and body so that |
| when alive". | | | | it works properly once again. It's a 'whole'-istic view |
| It's this hidden energy system that keeps us alive, | | | | rather than a piecemeal view. |
| vibrant and healthy. | | | | Maybe that's why modern medicine seems unable to |
| Shiatsu, acupressure and acupuncture | | | | cure some illnesses and health problems. |
| The study of our energy bodies can be seen in | | | | We have so much to learn. |
| shiatsu, acupressure and acupuncture. These are just | | | | |