Footprint Yoga

Adding stress to your initial problem won’t help to solve it.

Kinda obvious, right?

Yet, how often do we actually DO the total opposite of it?

You have a big deadline coming up, instead of focusing on the task at hand and what you can do, you focus on the worry about the deadline, will you make it, will it be ok, will you be amazing, or perhaps on the contrary, worry things will go wrong, which in turn creates more pressure and stress.

Stress inhibits your ability to make good decisions and the spiral continues.

Break the cycle.

Take a deep breath before you react.

It can make all the difference.



(photo by Tom Ramalho from Unsplash)

How good intentions lead to terrible outcomes (and 3 ways to improve the outcome).

We often have incredibly good intentions, and yet the results maybe not quite as expected.

I worked with someone recently who was trying to incorporate more movement into their life.

Walking was a great first step.

It started well and then as life does this, things got busy at work, at home, social life is getting busier to run up to Christmas too, scheduling walks became a cause of stress (“there is so much to do, and I am just wasting time on the walk” – sounds familiar?)

So not only the primary intention of moving more (walks began to slip away as more “important” things got brought forward) was met, but an additional pressure and stress was added for missing them and cutting them short.

As a result, health problems were getting worse (gut was speaking loud and clear).

This is often how the cycle works.

So what can you do to change it?

- Approach it in a relaxed way
- Decide realistically what you can do
- Work in small increments




P.S. Feel free to get in touch if you would like some help.

It’s sometimes so difficult to navigate the power dynamics in yoga therapy (and in yoga).

There is a lot of looking up.

A lot of following.

So it does take for some clients more than one session to realise that the power is with them, not with the yoga therapist.

They have the insights.

They know their body best (even if takes time to re-learn the forgotten skill).

P.S. I have a FREE spot for the case study for my yoga therapy training (5 sessions). If you are interested, just give me a shout and let’s see if you are a good fit.

Why is yoga so effective?
(well, ok, perhaps I am the only person who has been asking this question 😊)

But in case there is one more person interested in the answer, then here it is:

It deals with the WHOLE body,
With the WHOLE self,
With the body’s knowing as well as the mind’s knowing,
It brings the unity into your disjointed reality.

And in case you are missing out the point WHY this is so important, here is a little thing I got out of the book “Radical Wholeness” (work in progress, haven’t finished it yet, so don’t ask me if I would recommend it) –
Wall Street traders who know their bodies (by that I mean their inner world, interoception *, in case you like neuroscience words) make more money.

So here you have it – yoga is not an exercise, it’s a way of being.
(and quite possibly making more money 😊 )

* interoception is the ability to sense internal signals from your body, like noticing the heartbeat, breathing, when you are hungry and when you have overeaten. In my personal view, this extends to sensing, how you are feeling, or rather how that affects your body – where are you feeling tense, where are you feeling relaxed, spacious, etc.




P.S. I didn’t need a book to tell me what I already KNOW in my body, but the Wall Street mention was an interesting one 😊

Can you belive it's almost February? -

Can you belive it's almost February? And yet, one cannot think I wasn't doing much. I have been busy. Working on a group yoga therapy course for belly issues alone is taking it's time. I don't think I am alone slipping into "do, do, do" mode (oh, and do some more). When that happens, unsatisfaction, unhappiness, unjoyfulness creeps in....

Nah, I wasn’t hallucinating, nor on drugs.

That’s just one of the meditations.

And as everything, it can be addictive (although some get hooked onto the breathing exercises more than on meditation).

One of the learnings to not get attached to the outcomes of meditation.

If you are expecting calm, you are likely not get it.

The more you seek for a particular experience, the more elusive it becomes.

The more you let go, the more you are able to connect with calm & inner peace.

The quietness within.

😊

When you’ve been through hell…

(and came back).

Everything else becomes easy.

All you need is TEA * 😊
Time.
Energy.
Attempt.

(no, I am not talking about anything weird, just to have the energy to do things, the energy to leave your bed, i.e. the opposite of fatigue).

Simply being alive is amazing.

To !

* A nice cup of tea definitely helps too along the way.




P.S. When going through times because of illness, it’s easier when you have someone to talk to and help you process what’s going on, or guide you discover better ways of dealing with symptoms (and perhaps fatigue is just one of them). That’s what yoga therapist can help with.

The key difference between yoga therapy and yoga class is

That in yoga therapy you are in the driver’s seat.

That’s your chance to tune into your body and

Let it be your guide.

The yoga therapist is just facilitating, and you are discovering, you are taking charge of yourself.

Happy Monday 😊

Aren’t Mondays just the best?

What does generosity mean to you?

As far as I could remember I have been generous with my time.

Other areas were a little bit of a different matter.

So I am changing them.

The truth is that you get a real happiness booster when you help someone else.

I still have no idea who the generous person is who has donated to the good cause for .

YOU have made my weekend absolutely amazing!

If you are getting an envy bug, you can donate too!

The link is just here: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/support-for-pinnt

Make a difference to someone else’s life.

And experience that lovely sense of happiness and joy flooding you.

And that’s how you increase your happiness.




(Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash)

Are you struggling to find the rhythm in January?

It can be really tough.

And you are not alone.

I am working out my own schedule and finding it a challenge.

I also know I am getting close to making it absolutely wonderful.

How do I know that?

I have been observing my behaviours for several months now,
Making little tweaks here and there.
Asking for help when I needed.

So I can feel it’s all coming together.

And when things look grim, like on a Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year, all I need to do is to take a leaf from my own book and

Take a deep breath.

Then another.

And another.

Keep repeating until I have the calmness that I wanted 😊




P.S. In case you need encouragement to take a breath (or two), you can now join my online yoga Monday classes with 40% off for the rest of this month - just use the code 40PERC22 😊 Although normally we practice at 18.00 GMT / 13.00 EST, today it will be 17.00 GMT / 12.00 EST start. Link’s to book: https://book.stripe.com/6oE3gj45q0X7dMYbJ3

(Photo by Guilherme Stecanella)

Will the New Year be better than the last?

Statistically, yes.

Probabilities are in my favour, so I will go with that 😊

Last year I picked a word, very much thinking about my business (a practice I adopted from E. Marlow – The Ikigai Guy – thank you!) and that word was GROWTH.

I had so many plans and hardly any were accomplished.

I have very much followed the word, yet it was nothing to what I envisioned initially.

It turned into a journey of personal growth, of learning how much stronger I really am, of overcoming obstacles I wouldn’t wish onto my worst enemy…

This year I am finding hard to pick the word.

And I finally understood why.

You can’t pick something and be solely focused on one aspect of your life.

It needs to encompass it all.

So this year I choose BUILD (as a verb, not a noun).

I choose to build
- Stronger relationships (both personally and professionally)
- A community of likeminded people
- Stronger support network so that no one has to go alone when being ill.

Let’s see what this year will bring and if it’s anything as I envision.




(Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash)

One of the best decisions I made last year.

I love walking – anyone who has been long enough with me would know that (I hope 😊).

So it was tough when I couldn’t walk for some time.

Then I finally concurred my nemesis – The Stairs.

And at last was up for longer walks (it was the best time!).

Nothing as I used to do, not even close to 12-16mile hikes.

But every mile I did, my heart would be full of joy.

So when I saw Sherreard post about one gloomy day in November – I did not hesitate to jump on it.

I have already made a commitment to my business to invest in the charities more and it simply combined my two goals – more giving & more walking nicely.

Little did I know that I would injure my ankle and could hardly walk for yet another 6 weeks.

I stayed committed though to contribute what I could recording my little trundles to take out the rubbish (I live in the flat, so it’s quite far, well, for taking rubbish “far” 😊 ).

It would have been all so easy to just do nothing, but gave me the motivation to do a teeny bit that I could (and quite possibly was helping my ankle recovery too) when I could.

It’s a wonderful app for just £3.99 / month to add the extra motivation for your walks and help the outdoor charities along the way.

New Year’s Resolutions – love it or hate it?

What is it about one day in the year that many get so excited about it?

If you think it’s an arbitrary day in the calendar to start the new year.

And yet…

It feels a bit more magical when the year starts.

It feels you can do more.

For a breath moment, it feels less gloomy.

If your intentions for the year is to be healthier, to learn to slow down, to calm down, then INVEST in yourself, start your yoga journey.

We begin today at 18.00-19.05 GMT / 13.00-14.05 EST.

Link to book: https://book.stripe.com/6oE3gj45q0X7dMYbJ3

I had the sh**iest year (no way to sugar coat it)

and 12 life’s lessons.
1) In illness, like in death, you stand alone.
2) However, there will be those who would like to help. Accept the help – you most likely needed it yesterday. Or a week ago…
3) Many will turn your backs on you, and some will surprise and come for you in need.
4) Enjoy (and accept) what is – that’s the path to happiness.
5) Among the darkest, most chaotic & stressful times, you can find peace & joy within.
6) You always have a choice. Always!
7) Health is the most important thing in life – take steps to protect it. You only have one.
8) If you lose it, recovery does not follow a straight path, it’s a rollercoaster! You can choose to enjoy the ride (see point 6!).
9) Relearning to walk as an adult is brutal. So pack your bags of perseverance. In fact, keep them with you at all times, they are helpful for anything you want to achieve.
10) Be grateful for the small things – as that’s what life is made off.
11) You are stronger than you think.
12) Second most important thing in life is sleep. Guard it, treasure it and don’t anyone steal it from you.

So…
It is not a year of earning 6 figures…
It is not a year of buying a new house…
It is not a year of hundreds of clients…
Nor a year with multiple holidays abroad, hiking in the mountains…
(And a multitude of other things that I thought could have been possible at the start of the year).

But it is a year, in spite of everything, of
Happiness,
Gratitude
And inner strength.

It’s a choice I make every day.

I think that’s pretty self-explanatory 😊

What are you up to today?

5 learnings that reading 36 books this year taught me.

A little bit of a background:
I have set the intention at the end of last year to read / listen to at least 36 books.
I wanted at least 8 of those to be paper / kindle book, i.e. involve actual reading rather than listening.

I achieved one, but not the other (4 paper books – so I know what to improve next year).

(and yes, I know that the year isn’t finished yet and it’s quite likely 1 or 2 more books might be added, as I have a couple unfinished).

Here are my top 5 learnings:
1) Variety is key in keeping this interesting and engaging. I don’t stick to just one genre – I dip my toes (or is it fingers? 😊 ) in multiple. It helps you increase understanding of different cultures, different points of view.
2) Often there are more learnings in a fictional book than that of a factual nature. Plus they bring by far more joy than one of those self-help books.
3) Children’s / Youth books are often way more interesting and have many hidden meanings than adult books. Yeah, I do read a fair amount of those. Identifying hidden meanings helps in life in general.
4) I never can quite identify what it is about the classical literature that makes it withstand the time. As you read one of such texts, you can’t help and notice how they seem to contain the deep truths, even if the times have changed, there are golden nuggets in there.
5) You cannot miss out on magic books – they can brighten up the worst of the days. Who can resist a bit of magic in their lives?

What’s your biggest learning this year?

What’s your favourite book?



(Photo by Laura Kapfer on Unsplash)

One thing that made this Christmas Eve and Christmas an absolute blast.

I finally ate just enough 😊

After a decade of perfecting my little system of how not to overeat – I finally made it.

So no more feeling like I am about to explode.

When it’s hard to move.

Huffing and puffing,

And everything hurts.

And I must say it feels really good.

Considering my year (on that a bit later on this week), I am taking this as a huge win.

Living a yoga philosophy – of being satisfied with what is and that’s enough.

I now actually have time to do what I love – a walk and a bit of yoga (rather than spending time feeling sick).

All can be achieved when listening to the body.




P.S. I have left the FREE guide to stress-free Christmas open for a couple more days, as it does include the steps to take to stop overeating. That’s a huge stress on your body, so one can’t have a stress-free anything without stopping overeating.
You can download it from my website footprintyoga.co.uk (use the same browser to access the link for download as you did to fill in the form).

(Photo by Martin Brechtl from Unsplash)

The secret of sustaining exercise over the holidays in 3 easy steps.

Or more precisely sustaining a yoga practice.

1. Set an intention to do it. Don’t go for grand 60min or 90min practice schedule, as you are just setting yourself to failure before you even start. What about committing rather to 5-10min per day? Surely you can find the time for that?
2. Decide exactly when you will do it. To set yourself for a greater success, choose the time that you have the most control over and when you can easily move things around.
3. Do it. Sticking to it is key. And most importantly, you will create a great habit to take into January.

And if you missed your dedicated slot, maybe you can do a short couple of minutes breathing practice – just sitting and observing your breath.

This may set you up to tackle the next day better.

And in case you need an inspiration – just look at my Christmas card 😊




P.S. The FREE Guide for a stress-free Christmas is still available till the end of Christmas Eve – so last chance to grab it. Just go to my website footprintyoga.co.uk and fill in the details. Do use the same browser to download the guide as you did to register, as it won’t work otherwise 😉
P.P.S. All images in the card are taken from Bored Panda that reference each image source: https://www.boredpanda.com/funny-animals-doing-yoga/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic (but I think I have picked the best ones 😊 )

Absolutely fantastic news!

Remember what I posted on Sunday about reflecting my values in business better? (for me that was a value of generosity and giving, in case you missed it)

So I finally got it sorted.

The page for donations is up and running
https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/support-for-pinnt
Yoohooo!

So what am I talking about?

PINNT – a charity that supports those on artificial nutrition – a nutrition in a liquid form that is given through a tube. (sadly, there are more and more children who are on it).

For any donations made I am throwing in some handmade, one off a kind slippers (made by yours truly) for those who would like them.

So if you make a donation, just drop a comment which pair you would like (you will need to DM me your address (or someone you would like to gift this to) as otherwise it would be hard to send this to you).

I won’t be able to get the slippers to you by Christmas, but they would keep your feet warm whenever they arrive.

‘Tis the season to be jolly…
‘Tis the season to be giving…



P.S. The slippers have a story to tell but you would have to check out the donations page for it 😊

Aiste Kalinauskaite is fundraising for PINNT Make a donation and help me reach my fundraising target with Give as you Live Donate.

Your body is your treasure chest.

Full of gems.
Full of wisdom.
Full of insight.

The question is are you ready to look inside?
Are you ready to start listening?




P.S. I am here if you want to start the journey, DM me.
(Photo by Ashin K Suresh on Unsplash)

This is the best news you will hear today.

After today the light is coming back.

(for those in Northern Hemisphere, sorry guys in the South).

It’s Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year, longest night.

It’s been tough for so many of us.

So many things outside our control (like the energy crisis).

But I do feel a teeny bit of lightness coming back into my body (pun intended 😊 ), an extra spring in the step.

It will be very small increments of extra light, but what a joy.

Small things, as always, bring the most of it.

My husband is going to Stonehenge tomorrow to see the sunrise, so I am rather jealous I can’t go.




(Photo by Artem Sapegin on Unsplash.
It isn’t Stonehenge but it captures the magnificence of the Sun rising)

Have you got your Christmas tree decorated?

Mine is finally up.

Even though I haven’t hung a single bobble this year 😊

In all honesty I do prefer to look at the tree rather than decorate it – when it comes to my own Christmas tree.

I very much enjoyed decorating the Christmas tree with the other neighbours in the building – it was great fun.

So on those dark days, I can now enjoy the twinkle of the lights when practicing yoga.

When do you decorate your Christmas tree?

Do you enjoy it?

Is the thought of meeting all your family members for Christmas driving you nuts?

I know – it’s really not for everyone.

And I have been a real grinch when it comes to Christmas in the past, but a lot has changed.

In fact, a little bonus I added in has changed it all.

I have created this little guide for those who are feeling rather overwhelmed by Christmas gatherings and just want to have a stress-free holiday.

All you need to do is go to my website www.footprintyoga.co.uk, subscribe and download your copy.

No spoilers in the comments for others though 😊

You are welcome to message me directly instead.




P.S. As promised the giving continues 😊

I made a terrible mistake when setting up my business.

I have neglected some of my values that I hold dear.

I love helping and I love giving to others, yet that didn’t seem to have quite transpired into the business side of things.

So I am not going to wait till next year to rectify things – as the best time to do anything is NOW.

I have already started with giving a few FREE yoga therapy sessions and will continue to support those who can’t afford my services in the future too.

But going forward I will be supporting more charities.

Given my focus on gut and all things digestive, I will be starting with a charity for when things go quite wrong with the digestive system as they would be the ones to support you.

I was about to go and create a JustGiving page for it, but I couldn’t find the charity I wanted…

So this is turning a bit into a teaser for now (really sorry about that), as I am trying to work with the charity (don’t worry, I will reveal it shortly 😉 ) to get it all set-up.

I don’t know quite why but people don’t trust when it’s a fundraiser to a personal account (even if my intention would be to donate every penny).

I am going to throw in some handmade, one-off a kind slippers (made by yours truly) for those who would like them (and make a donation).

So for now you can just take a look at what’s available and think of making a donation when I get that sorted (hopefully, shortly).

Of course, due to this set-back, no chance you will get it by Christmas – but it’s a lovely gift to yourself or a loved one nonetheless.




P.S. Yes, I know slippers have nothing to do with nutrition, but I can’t knit someone a new intestine, and we all need a bit of warmth in winter 😊
P.P.S. There is more giving coming up 😊
P.P.S. I am also not changing my business to knitting, even if I enjoy this as my hobby (plus, there is a story to all these slippers that I will tell you another time). However, if you would like some knitted goodies (hats, socks, gloves, sweaters, you name it), then you should really get in touch with Stephen Hayden .

The power of…

The group.

There is definitely something special when people come together.

We are likely to do something if we are doing it with others.

Perhaps that’s simply because we made a commitment, and we are sticking to it.

If you are a spontaneous person, then joining today’s 18.00 GMT / 13.00 EST yoga class is for you:

https://book.stripe.com/6oE04731mfS16kwdR9

P.S. If you would like some more free tips how to either get back to into moving more or to get started, then subscribe to the newsletter at www.footprintyoga.co.uk

December is a month of worry and anxiety.

(even if some of it is more like excitement – the only problem is that your body doesn’t necessarily can distinguish between the two)

You will probably try to be nice to a lot of people.

(that may result in forgetting your boundaries – pumping more negative emotions)

Be nice to your body.

Stop treating it as a machine.

Cause when it breaks, you won’t be able to take it to the mechanic for a quick fixer-up.

It will take time to heal.

No amount of wishing to heal faster will make it work – that’s called additional stress.

Are you looking forward to Christmas?

P.S. I missed the giving Tuesday, so will keep open another FREE slot for a yoga therapy session. DM by Monday, 5th Dec and I will pick another winner 😊
P.P.S. The previous winner has been chosen.
Is December the most stressful month of the year?

Buy, buy, buy… How annoying is that?

(Anyone else has their inboxes inundated with more stuff to buy?)

It’s Cyber Monday, so unless you are actually learning about cyber risks, I am not sure how that relates to buying more stuff.

I am doing something different – offering a chance to get a FREE online yoga therapy session instead – DM if you would like to be included by 29 Nov 14.00 GMT / 9.00 EST.

No strings attached, not selling any products or services, you simply get 75min of time for yourself, to work on your gut issue, moving into the New Year feeling less stressed, having better quality of life.

P.S. Don’t you just love my design abilities in the photo? 😊

“Not all the knowledge comes from books.”

Says me preparing my assignment for the training and rereading some portions as part of revision 😊

Our guts have knowledge.

We call it a gut feeling.

But really it’s just part of your body’s wisdom.

Start using its wisdom.




P.S. If you would like to win a FREE yoga therapy session in December, got a gut issue and are overwhelmed by it, but want to change, then DM me to be put into the draw (winner will be picked on 29 November). Got a gut feeling you can win? 😊

One lucky person will win a yoga therapy session *



Is this you?



- Do you have a gut issue that’s affecting your life?

- Are you feeling stressed as a result?

- Would you like to make changes in your life?

- Do you want to improve your quality of life (starting December)?



If you answered “yes” to the above, then DM me with “I am in”.



That’s me giving thanks to the amazing clients (hemmm… is it a client if we haven’t worked before?.. Well, you get the idea though…)



* Yoga therapy has nothing to do with counselling, psychotherapy, psychology. It looks at the whole person – mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, not just your mind.









P.S. I could have called it Black Friday Sale, but let’s be honest, you can’t sell something that’s freely given.

Give thanks to your body.

Whether you are observing Thanksgiving or not.

This is the vehicle that carries you around in this life (not a huge fan of this translation of the yogic philosophy, as it could imply we are a machine – we are not, and treating our bodies as such always has detrimental effects).

What are you grateful for?



(Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash)