Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Mudras
A Mudra (Sanskrit word meaning sign or seal) is a gesture or position, usually of the hands, that locks and guides energy flow and reflexes to the brain. By curling, crossing, stretching and touching the fingers and hands, we can "talk" to the body and mind as each area of the hand corresponds to a certain part of the mind or body.
From the little finger to the thumb: each finger represents earth, metal, fire, wood, and water, respectively. The entire universe  lies within your ten fingers and it is also said that there is an infinite number of Mudras even though we only have 10 fingers. Mudras can be used both for meditation and/or healing.

How to do a Mudra
Mudras are easy to do start each Mudra session by "washing" your hands (rub your hands against each other about 10 times, hold hands before your Navel Chakra) this will help energy to flow in your hands. Sit with your back straight, either with legs crossed or on a straight backed chair. Put your fingers together as described in the Mudras below. In each Mudra, exert enough pressure to feel the flow of energy but not enough to whiten fingertips.

The Om Mudra
This is probably one of the most well known Mudras and is very easy to do.
   
How to do it:
Start by "washing" your hands as explained above. Sit with a straight back. Create the sacred OM mudra by connecting the index finger with the thumb on the same hand (both hands). The thumb is the gateway to Divine Will (represented by the Crown Chakra) and the index finger is the Ego (represented by the Navel Chakra). As you do this Mudra you can do an affirmation or just chant OM (pronounced AUM). If doing the affirmation say to yourself when you breathe in: "I am one with the Universe" and as you breathe out "The Universe and I are one". This mudra is very good when your life is in need of peace and tranquility.

By pressing or squeezing the sides of the fingers, according to your needs, you can affect both the emotion and the corresponding organ. This is how the fingers work:

    * The thumb represents the element earth, the stomach and worry.
    * The index finger represents the element metal, the lungs, the large intestine and the emotions depression, sadness and grief.
    * The middle finger is the element fire, the heart, small intestine, circulatory and respiratory systems, the emotions are impatience and hastiness.
    * The ring finger is the element wood and is connected to the liver, gall bladder, nervous system and corresponds to anger.
    *The little finger corresponds to water, the kidneys and fear.

So if you are overwhelmed by an emotion, just squeeze the corresponding finger a few times and you will feel better. It works!

Am I too old for yoga??
I often hear this question and the emphatic answer is NO!!! I teach yoga according to my students ability and with many students they start to understand how hard they need to work themselves. To show you what I mean here is a picture of Masie who showed the whole class that you don't need to make a fuss if you can not do the full pose - you can improvise using the yoga equipment. So, here is Masie doing the splits in a safe, supportive way (one of my students kindly took this photo).

What is the meaning of Yoga

What is Niyama and Yama

Yama

Niyama

 
Being BKS Iyengar: The enlightened yogi of yoga (part1-2)
Being BKS Iyengar: The enlightened yogi of yoga(part2-2)

What is Yoga?

Understanding your body, it is your responsibility to understand your body from the outside to the inside. We start with postures first (outside of the body) but this then leads to the inner body. Excercising the muscles, organs and helping with the various forms of circulation, so it encourages self-awareness. This deep concentration means you're automatically in a meditative state and rhythmic  breathing follows from the effort of maintaining the poses.

Diagram of the Skeleton

Weight Loss

I often get asked if yoga can help weight loss. The answer I give is 'yes' if accompanied with a sensible eating programme. Here is an article from the paper recently.