SingingTreeYoga

Here in the Borough of Haringey North London, SingingTreeYoga is dedicated to fixing a problem. We have a problem here in Haringey and the statistics show that it's happening all around Great Britain. I started SingingTreeYoga in 2016 when I arrived 'fresh off the boat' to London from NZ and could see what was happening. A government group Trust's For London published an alarming article that showed the levels of obesity of children in London and here in Haringey, 24% of Children in Year 6, in 2016, were categorised as obese. These numbers, these stats, have only got worse. 'Wait here's a new stat; 1 in 3 children are now overweight by the time they reach age 11.' Hugh Fernley BBC. The U.K has become a plethora of advertising of fast food. The biggest country-size banner you can publish with all sorts of eye catching rubbish and sugary temptations. I don't know how Children today cope with the bombardment. How do Parents in fact counteract thi...

It's so beautiful here in Marrakesh. Words can hardly describe what I am seeing. The sunsets, stunning. The sounds multiple and overwhelming. Last night under my bedroom window were donkeys braying, students laughing, people praying, nightclubs buzzing... life in all it's jumble of assortment, going on around me. I walked to the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. A must for any visitor. He took this city into his heart and donated this amazing museum, with a beautiful peaceful cafe area and tranquil Majorelle Gardens to explore. Just the books in that place alone, are enough to warrant a book buying holiday. My taste buds are equalised as fresh fruit and juices are sold everywhere. So while I get acclimatized I can hydrate on health! (More on the food in Marrakesh to come). Wow, a trip into the Medina today we wander through the markets, and yes, here I sample some local craft women's Mendi skills - for a song my hands are adorned with beautiful original patterns. I saw ...

Yoga today is a quick 15minute cycle. Starting with legs up the wall in Viparita Karani followed by some standing asana Prasarita Padottanasana, Utthita Trikonasana and a long supported four minute Uttanasana. Stack the bricks one on top on the other and balance a soft cushion on top, then rest the top of the head on the soft surface. Mm...nice and relaxing and it's a good routine for the soul. You feel ready to face the world today. Reading the latest releases in Children's books in The Guardian, I've gained some insight into their world. Teenage girls are taught to fear either food or fitness in this world. With the pressures for success today and the overwhelming exposure to bad news it's important to stay connected and to talk through the issues. Keep talking, keep active and get involved, immersed in fitness, exercise, food, nutrition, cooking, sharing that experience together, as mothers and daughters it can have a very lasting and positive outcome. Passi...

Imagine an expansive Oak floor with an open fireplace and a large wooden Kitchen table for everyone to sit at and chat together. You no longer have to imagine a spectacular view of the English countryside, it's outside your window. Now think of how it feels after a day of Yoga, Meditation (staring at the rambling remains of a mote and castle) and forest walks. After the day of healthy salads and vegetables,  locally organic farmed produce and fresh fruit and vegetables....how it feels to snuggle into your warm bed. Retreats around England can be luxurious. We are spoilt for historic scenery, canal-side walks, craggy romantic cliffs and pubs to sample new craft beers galore in. Check out this website that lists UK luxury Yoga Retreats  Posh Yoga Retreats ' Some people will only love you if you fit inside their box. Don't be afraid to disappoint.'    Tiny Buddha

The only obstacle is the obstacle that is in the mind. You have pushed the voice in the head down, the one that pops up with negative things. You've moved through mindfulness sequences learning the fine art of controlling the more controlling thoughts and letting things move on. "Watching the traffic' as some teachers call it - but now life throws up for you: Grief is unavoidable, but there is help and there are methods to be able to deal with it. I've seen first hand a senior Iyengar Yoga instructor move a student through the stages of grief with one-to-one classes. It's incredible to watch as physically a person changes with their ability to cope with sorrow and sadness over time. Yoga can be the brick in that foundation that you can use to structure a positive thought framework. Unlike rigorous exercise you have time to feel the emotion in the body shift and leave. Not that I wouldn't recommend rigorous exercise for someone experience real grief.......

Well this is exciting. I'm creating my first free-bee gift for you loyal and avid readers of SingingTreeYoga. Here in the Yoga Blog background, the factory of invention and ideas we're brewing up something exiting for your Yoga enjoyment. When storm Emma hit London, I went out onto the Heath and ran around for hours in the snow. Thanks storm Emma for providing us with time to stop, think and possibly re access things. With my friends' daughters home from school and having fun on the toboggan, with other kids of all ages, we were able to pretend we had our own veritable St Moritz or Cortina ski resort. Without the outrageous expense! A sudden winter wonderland has luckily descended. Free Play has been proven to be essential for normal emotional development. In play children learn how to regulate their fear and anger and thereby how to maintain their emotional control in real-life threatening situations. There are also positive cognitive benefits associated specific...

We are often, sometimes mostly thinking about food. Nourishing your body and mind is about supplying the system with healthy options. Sugar is a basic boon, but should only be consumed on occasion alongside a healthy balanced diet. I know people who read health reports and suddenly cut out nutritious fruit because it contains sugar! But fruit contains fibre, vitamins and minerals UNLIKE candy, crisps and fizzy drinks...fruit contains Potassium, Vitamin C's, D's, Calcium, Phytonutrients (which helps the body from the detrimental effects of free radicals). It's crazy to not eliminate the bad sugars first. Anyway that's my 2 cents. Stay with fresh fruit and vegetables and feel your energy stabilise and sustain you better. Next focus on exercise and the energy you need to keep you actively exercising. Remember the freedom of running around constantly as a child? If anyone is desperate to avoid fruit, well I think you are crazy, having lived in a tropical hot countr...