Yoga Arts and Crafts

Dear Students, thank you so much for your continued support and your dedication.  Namaste, Sejel " Sejel has a natural talent as a Yoga teacher. Her calming manner and extensive knowledge makes her classes a real pleasure. I come away feeling calm & centered. I can't recommend her enough." L Murray, Yoga with Sejel in Maida Vale and St. John's Wood Sejel's classes strike the perfect balance be tween the mental and physical, the spiritual and the practical, and relaxation and invigoration. When leaving her class I always feel calm, peaceful, more focused and stronger in both body and mind. It's the best yoga class I've found." L Scott, Yoga with Sejel in Covent Garden "Attending Sejel 's Yoga class is often the highlight of my day. My job is pretty stressful but regular practice has helped me to improve my mental and personal strength so I can cope with stressful situations more effectively. I have even been inspired to enr...

Yoga is an art as well as a science with many different forms and styles. It is a beautiful way to find harmony, courage and self knowledge and also to explore our relationship with others and with our world. The following chant expresses yogic compassion for others:  "Lokah samasthah sukhino bhavantu," or " May all beings everywhere find happiness and freedom".

Welcome to my blog where I am sharing articles on yoga and the healing and transformative arts.    With thanks to students, teachers and all who visit.  Namaste and Peace. Sejel

  “You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny." Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

Pranayama involves the use of various breathing techniques, and can be translated as "control of the breathing", or "breathing exercises." However, the use and effects of pranayama are much greater than this. The word p rana actually refers to the “vital life force” and ayama means “to control or extend”, so pranayama can also be defined as “extension of the life force”, which is why it can help to restore, to heal and to relax. . The yogis figured out in ancient times that “when the breath wanders, i.e. it is irregular, the mind is also unsteady, but when the breath is still, so is the mind, and the yogi lives long. So one should restrain the breath.” (Hatha Yoga Pradipika). The yogis also believed that the length of our lives could be measured in terms of how many times we are destined to breathe, rather than in terms of days or years. We can observe the same in the animal kingdom, animals such as tortoises, elephants, and snakes have a slow breathi...

Like two golden birds perched on the selfsame tree, Intimate friends, the ego and the Self dwell in the same body. The former eats The sweet and sour fruits of the tree of life While the latter looks on in detachment. (Mundaka Upanishad)

In Ayurveda, the element corresponding to each finger Thumb = Fire Index finger = Air Middle finger = Heaven/Ether Ring finger = Earth Little finger = Water In yoga, the chakra corresponding to each finger Thumb = Solar plexus/manipura Index finger = Heart/anahata Middle finger = Throat/vishuddhi Ring finger = Root/muladhara Little finger = Sacral/svadisthana

"The illumined sages say Knowledge is twofold, higher and lower. The study of the Vedas, linguistics, r ituals, astronomy, and all the arts, Can be called lower knowledge. The higher is that which leads to Self realisation." (Mundaka Upanishad, I, 1)

Yoga is a means to find health, happiness, healing, transformation, and peace. This ancient discipline with the philosophy of non violence at it's core, and its clear understanding of nature, brings art into science and science to spirituality. It is a pursuit that benefits both the individual and society. Yoga can be practiced in a way that suits the personality of the individual and is able to bring to each person what they need at that point in time. I have listed the main paths to yoga. Please note that these paths overlap and are not mutually exclusive. We can practice them all if we want to! - Hatha Yoga - postures, breathing, cleansing (kriyas) & meditation. The yoga for the active person or for those who need to improve their health. Hatha Yoga can be taught in different styles such as Classical Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar Yoga and Yoga Therapy, and these all exist to suit the needs and personality of different yoga students and teachers. - Raja Yoga - meditation...

 

Your sankalpa is a word or phrase that you choose yourself that reflects your most important intention in life, (what gives you your sense of purpose). We silently repeat our own individual sankalpa 3 times during Yoga Nidra (systematic yogic relaxation). Repeating this whilst in a relaxed state (when we are most receptive), and with the guidance of an experienced teacher can strengthen our will power and brings us the energy to pursue our intentions in a non - harming way, with respect for others and at a comfortable pace. (Remember, that the first natural law of Yoga is non -violence, or ahimsa, and that every posture must be firm but relaxed. We not only apply this in the physical yoga postures, but take this into whatever we do, so we can see the relaxing and strengthening benefits of yoga in our daily lives). You find your sankalpa by observing sensations, thoughts and feelings during your practice. If you dont find it on the first lesson, don't worry! The sankalpa can ...

What is real never ceases to be. The unreal never is. The sages who realize the Self know the secret Of what is and what is not. (Bhagavad Gita) I have selected this verse as it talks of the truth and the reality of existence. When we are able to contemplate the idea of truth with the clarity of a peaceful but focused mind, we can prevent getting caught up in one perspective, misunderstanding, and being distracted from our aims. Yoga and meditation are excellent tools for cultivating our ability to do this. A long term and dedicated practice is necessary as the thoughts in the mind will always change.

"Practicing yoga whilst being pregnant has provided me with the chance to gain strength, flexibility and balance; to strive to transform stress into harmony; and equally importantly, given me the ability to further my spiritual journey. It has helped me improve my posture; avoid aches and pain; and enabled me to feel healthier in mind and body. Hopefully, the benefits will also mean that I regain my pre-pregnancy shape more quickly too!" Archana G, Private Yoga Tuition with Sejel in Warwick Avenue "I started yoga with Sejel when I was about 7 months pregnant because pregnancy yoga had been recommended to me so many times. It was incredibly calming and yet revitalising, really stretching and moving my body without pain - quite a challenge at 8 months pregnant! I felt renewed, fit and relaxed after each session which I had weekly up until the day I went into labour - about 5 hours after my last class with Sejel! She was a very good teacher and I would recom...

                                                     

Surya Namaskar 

 

"When the five senses are stilled, when the mind is stilled When the intellect is stilled, That is called the highest state by the wise. They say yoga is this complete stillness In which one enters the unitive state, Never to become separate again. If one is not established in this state, The sense of unity will come and go." The Katha Upanishad

A selection of Sanskrit terms interpreted into English. Yoga is an all inclusive way of looking at spirituality that can lead to physical health, mental clarity, relaxation, strength and fulfillment of one's life purpose. Yoga is about "union" and the belief in the basic unity in all life. The below lists a just a few concepts in yoga, Ayurveda, and Indian mythology, found within the tradition of Indian spiritual thought , from which not only religious traditions evolved, but also science, philosophy, art, culture, music, dance, and literature. Please note, this is not an exhaustive or authoritative list, but one that may be a helpful reference point to start with and build upon. It is advised to refer to more than one translation from Sanskrit to English as there is often no equivalent word in English for Sanskrit concepts. Abhava - non-being Abhaya mudra - seal of fearlessness Abhyasa - focus, to wholeheartedly apply one's efforts towards a...

Your Sankalpa is your deepest desire. Relaxing in the relaxation posture of savasana allows us to create the space to look inwards and naturally reflect on our life's purpose. The deep relaxation and feeling of peace and unity that can be experienced in yoga is essential for our true creative nature to thrive.  Yogis believed that once we look inward it is easy to set intention. If this is done in the spirit of truth all that follows is pure flow - natural joy, light, unity, connection to all life, reverence for nature, ease of movement, presence.