Yoga
I have been practising yoga since I was 5 years old! I’m not a qualified yoga teacher, but I have an Advance Learning Certificate in “Yoga for a Healthier Lifestyle”. I hope to do yoga teacher training in the near future. It’s definitely something that complements hypnotherapy. I have practised various forms of yoga, primarily those coming from the tradition of Hatha. My favourite is Dru yoga, which I find very soothing and spiritually uplifting.
What I love about yoga, is that it’s for everyone. It doesn’t matter what age you are – from babies to the elderly – everyone can get something out of yoga. Yoga means ‘union’. Union, that is, of the body and mind. When the body and mind are in harmony, the health benefits become clear. As you go on, you begin to realise how this practise can have a positive impact in your life. Your body will achieve the poses as it is ready to, and not a moment sooner. There is no point in comparing yourself to anyone around you in class – they are simply at a different stage than you. As your mind accepts and relaxes, so too will your body.
I also practise kundalini yoga. Kundalini is visualised as energy at the base of the spine, coming up through the various chakras, opening them as it rises. Chakra means ‘spinning wheel’, and as each chakra spins and opens, it allows the energy to pass through. Chakras represents all the things that make us human: sexuality, creativity, intellect, love, communication, intuition and spirituality. We open up to these seven aspects in the meditation, relaxing the corresponding muscles, letting the energy flow and ascend. I also like to meditate on each aspect of my life as I reach each individual chakra point. Finally, once the six more ‘earthly’ requirements have been meditated upon, I am ready to think about my spirituality. At this point, I might visualise the life energy coming down through the crown chakra and healing my entire body.
These types of visualisations and relaxations, together with self-hypnosis, have helped to lower my blood pressure significantly. I try to make sure I continue them on a daily basis, prior to doing my yoga poses.
My morning yoga poses usually include the fish and the shoulder stand poses, both very good for helping you to become more alert, before going into a fuller workout. Usually, I do lying, sitting, standing and balancing poses, before concluding with some yoga nidra (relaxation). It’s a great way to start the day!
In the evening, I tend to stay away from the warrior poses, as they seem to reflect our daily activity. I may do some gentle floor poses, resting poses and relaxation. Also a great way to end the day!
I also attend yoga classes. I try out various ones, as each teacher brings something different to your awareness. I’d absolutely recommend yoga as a form of exercise and therapy to everyone. Do join a class, though. The benefits of having a good teacher are incomparable to practising on your own, even if you decide just to go to one class a week and practise that week’s routine at home.
Click here for my Yoga page, where you can access lots of chakra asana videos!
Click here to join my Facebook yoga page for more information on yoga practice and poses.
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Alyson Dunlop, MA (Hons), DipCBH
I am Alyson and this is my website.
Achilles Healing Hypnotherapy 