Journal

Swimming the Dart 10k - what's it like?!

Catching up with 'Helen's Sound Meditation' to find out more.....

To Dry Robe, or not to Dry Robe, that is the question......

Yoga seeks to be as inclusive as possible. It is not about having the ‘right’ body, the most expensive mat, or the jazziest set of leggings…but seriously, you cannot underestimate the importance of incorporating props into your practice. I’m sure you are no stranger to the use of props in yoga. Teachers often request that their students take a block or a bolster before class begins, to assist their practice. Whilst yoga is for everybody, not every pose is for every body. So, it is essential that you tap into your own body and use props where and when they are needed. Using props to assist your practice is not something to be ashamed of. It is an act of self-love that reflects kindness towards yourself and your unique journey. The problem is, you might not even be aware that your body would benefit from using props. Unless you are an extremely experienced practitioner who has cultivated both strength and flexibility, it is likely that there will be at least some positions where the use of props would benefit you. Let’s take the pose Trikonasana (triangle pose) for example. Most people cannot actually put their hand on the floor without side bending and causing a kink in their spine. Despite this, so many people will strain, side bend and put their hand on the floor without realising that they are compromising their spine. Performing a lateral bend when they don’t have the strength, mobility or flexibility offers great potential for injury. Here, it would be essential that you incorporate blocks into your triangle pose as it would allow you to keep your spine straight and not force your body into a position that may cause harm. ‘‘But I can’t afford blocks and straps’’ I hear you say… I totally get you. Though investing in yoga equipment will benefit you in the long run, I know not everyone wants to invest. So, we’ve created a little list of household items you could use as props instead of splashing out on the real deal: Blocks: Pile up a few heavy books. Or perhaps use nature as I do sometimes on the beach, many rocks around! Straps: Scarfs, tie, a belt or towel. Yoga mat: A hard, non-slippery surface in your house can do the job. Bolsters: Roll up a blanket or use a pillow. Another person is often helpful to check form or support your body in certain positions: If you don’t have another person, utilise chairs and walls to support your body in positions you are not comfortable with. There are many ways around the problem. The priority is not that you have the most advanced or expensive props, it is that you learn to incorporate them throughout your practice in a way that suits you. Remember, in yoga, there is no one to impress. It is your own journey, and props are there to help you through that! 

The sun is out, there’s only a gentle breeze and today is the day you feel inspired to dip in the ocean….. Later, on instagram, you’ll call it a ‘wild swim’ but in reality it’s going to be a quick, yet refreshing, full body salt water submersion. It will be enough to leave you feeling invigorated and energised. You’ll be left wanting more of the same every day of your South Devon holiday. Decision made, you’re going for it. Next question, where to go? There are a few key beach features that make an ocean swim (or dip) in the South Hams a truly wonderful, and safe, experience! Stunning scenery - beautiful views are a wonderful distraction when you find yourself edging slowly into the bracing cold water. Calm water - sheltered coves and beaches are protected from the wind and swell making swimming easier and safer. Sandy under foot - let’s face it, numb feet hobbling over large pebbles or slippery rocks is not for everyone. Warm up options - if you forget your coffee flask then we think it’s essential to be able to buy a hot drink to warm up. Where to find these amazing swimming spots: Outer Hope in Hope Cove: A beautiful sandy beach nestled into the rocks along the South West coast path. A low man made wall in the water allows protection from any waves or swell making this a perfect safe spot for an ocean dip. The award winning Cove Cafe in Outer Hope is a great post swim destination for a barista coffee or even a craft beer for your well deserved reward. Mill Bay, East Portlemouth: Opposite the pretty town of Salcombe, Mill Bay is a stunning sandy beach that is very well protected from the wind and waves due to its location on the banks of the Kingsbridge estuary. There is limited parking (National Trust car park) but there are many other more adventurous ways to access this beach, such as hiking from Gara Rock, or taking the passenger ferry from Salcombe. A short walk along the beach at low tide and you’ll find the Venus cafe serving hot drinks, snacks and ice cream. South Sands and North Sands, Salcombe: A pair of very popular beaches in the pretty and bustling town of Salcombe are the ideal spot for salt water submersion. Soft, golden sand, beautiful views and multiple options for hot drinks and lunch (Bo’s Beach Cafe, South Sands or The Winking Prawn, North Sands) make these beaches lovely spots to spend the whole day. Arrive early to avoid the crowds! South Milton Sands: Check the wind direction and wind strength before setting off. An easterly low breeze will mean calm water on this west facing beach. At mid/ low tide there is a natural sea lagoon where rocks provide some protection from any swell. The really adventurous and strong swimmers could even head off to swim through Thurlestone rock (a natural rock arch way in the sea) but this is only advisable for very strong swimmers in calm waters. The Beachhouse cafe is also right next to the beach offering cosy indoor seating in case the post swim shivers take a while to ease off! Remember, always check the tide times, scan for dangerous currents, read the weather forecast carefully and swim with a buddy. See you in the water! Love from the Yoga Field & Sea team xxx

Let me take you back to your first yoga class..... Your palms are sweaty, your mind is racing, and you feel hyper aware of your own body in the yoga studio. "Why are they more flexible than me?" your mind wonders. "I am not good enough" you tell yourself. "Everyone is judging me." Before you know it, you’ve spent the entire class comparing yourself to the students next to you who can hold themselves in crow pose for what feels like forever. A pang of envy comes over you as you watch them draw a leg up to their ear in Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (extended hand-to-big-toe pose). In an attempt to look good and keep up with your classmates, your yoga ego pushes your mind and body beyond what they are capable of, which inevitably ends up in injury and mental suffering. This is a prime example of how yoga ego shows up in the yoga studio. In fact, yoga studios are often rife with ego and it is rare to find a class where comparison, fear, anxiety and competition are not present. Known as ‘Asmita’ in Sanskrit, ‘egoism’ causes you to identify too much with the physical, emotional and mental aspects of your body. Thought of as the second of the five ‘Kleshas’, or ‘poisons’, ‘Asmita’ seeks to obscure and hide your truest nature. When you identify too much with your ego, you will find yourself stuck in a negative mental state and it can be a huge hindrance to your practice. How has COVID-19 offered us the opportunity to dismantle our yoga ego? Although many of you will be missing your trips to the yoga studio, covid-19 lockdowns have gifted us the prime opportunity to re-centre ourselves in our practice and let go of the 'yoga ego’ that so often plagues us in a live class. With the pandemic forcing us out of the studio and back into our homes, online classes mean that, with the flick of a switch, we can turn our cameras off and be entirely alone in our practice. Practicing in the comfort of our own homes means we can more easily avoid the inner battle with our ego that seeks to compare and judge ourselves and those around us. No one can see you or judge you and you can’t see or judge anyone else! Home practice removes the obstacle of self-comparison and allows us to turn our gaze inwards. Take a moment to reflect on your own yoga ego and practice: How has your yoga ego shown up in class before? How has your practice changed during lockdown? What opportunities for growth have occurred during your online practice? Have you felt less distracted during class? Do you prefer practice at home or in the studio? Why? Jotting down some of your answers in a journal is a great way to reflect on how COVID-19 has transformed your experience of yoga ego and your own practice. Increased awareness about your own relationship with Asmita will ensure that, whenever you return to practicing in a studio, you will be prepared to notice and observe your ego before it gets in the way of your flow. As the current UK lockdown starts to slowly ease, we really look forward to seeing you all for in person classes and retreats, and maybe we will all have learnt to let go of our egos a little bit more :-)

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