Menu
Aurayoga_SurgicalMenopause

Surgical Menopause – Not Your Typical Menopause

, , 0

I feel so privileged to be part of this wonderful new book – Surgical Menopause #NYTM @SurMenoNYTM edited by the brilliant Helen Kemp

It is to be published around the 8th April 2021 but my preview copy arrived in the post recently and is such a great resource for those contemplating a surgical menopause, post-surgery and beyond, as I see many women suffering symptoms at the Menopause Café’s I host, in Aura Homoeopathy Clinic and Aura Yoga with Geri classes many years later.

The stories of these 12 women who all went through very different experiences of surgical menopause are inspiring, informative and empowering.

I wrote the chapter on the benefits of Yoga.

There is also a section dedicated to ‘what might help?’

Why not pre-order your copy now?

#perimenopause
#menopause
#surgicalmenopause
#internationalwomensday2021
#climacteric
#menopausecafe

Jan21SoireeUpdate

January 2021 Soiree Update

0

Our online soiree was well attended by glamorous ladies and gents. We had feather boas, high heels, smart shirts, sequins galore and lovely dresses. The drinks varied from San Pelgrino Limonata, to Prosecco with raspberries, cocktails and mocktails galore.

Our wonderful quiz host used a wheel of fortune type app to offer us a choice:

  • Yoga Question
  • Yoga Move
  • General Question
  • Question Help
  • Challenge
  • You Ask Anyone
  • Truth
  • Story

We had so much fun, often with side-splitting laughter. It was great to discover hidden talents, learn more about each other, relax and have fun off our yoga mats. I particularly enjoyed the singing a few lines of a song from a well-known Musical for us to guess the name of the Musical and mime a film title. Some of the stories were hilarious. Our challenges included balancing a teaspoon on the nose, using a banana to make a pretend phone call, balancing a cushion on the head for 10 seconds.

Soiree_Jan21_4
Soiree_Jan21_2
Soiree_Jan21_1

I had anticipated that we’d finish early and there’d be a rush to end the event to don our pyjamas but I was wrong. It left us all wanting more as it was the perfect prescription for the pandemic blues.

I was glad for a rest after the last round as I was expected to answer questions (general knowledge is certainly not my strong point), tell a story, truth, challenge and strike a yoga pose – several in fact!

We had a tie for first place quiz prize so I was pleased to present a £5 Aura Yoga & Homoeopathy Gift Voucher to each of our worthy winners.

We’re hoping our next online soiree scheduled for Friday 19 Feb 2021 will be just as good or even better.

47448636_1935503773213603_762345863132479488_n

A Virtual Soirée of Cocktails, Quiz, Song and Dance

0

I’m hosting this event as a big “Thank You” to my Aura Yoga with Geri students and because we enjoy spending time together.

Yogapedia.com defines the Sanskrit word ‘KULA’ as a “community”, “clan”, “tribe” a “community of the heart”. “This kula, or community, of yogis is considered sacred because it is a group of people who come together freely, with intention and a shared sense of purpose.” This definition describes what I refer to as my ‘yoga family’, perfectly.

Aura Yoga Xmas Party 2017
Aura Yoga Xmas Party 2017
47578836_2274863736080519_4959214937860734976_n
Aura Yoga Xmas Party 2017
47396643_1943039422481936_4325583789980909568_n
47572339_324574321711804_6606546680714100736_n
Aura Yoga Xmas Party 2017
Aura Yoga Xmas Party 2017
Aura Yoga Xmas Party 2017
Aura Yoga Xmas Party 2017
47429993_2300415100241146_4433141530693206016_n
47576709_218229805736765_4052170831957065728_n
47575051_264297630909518_646881048973541376_n
47572935_512875882567300_2029916902616203264_n

Some Photos from our earlier Parties

Last term we enjoyed a Christmas Advent theme whereby each week we adorned a particular theme. There were lights, sequins/sparkle, animal print, Christmas accessories, Christmas jumpers and fancy dress. Most students embraced these and each week was filled with a great deal of fun and laughter. I dressed as a pirate and Beyonce. It was the perfect prescription to lift our spirits and soothe our souls during ‘firebreak’, ‘lockdown’ and living life in the Covid19 Pandemic.

Thankfully, I’m able to continue to run a few yoga classes via ‘Zoom’ and I’m eternally grateful to those students who continue to support these sessions, especially when there are so many other yoga classes available online.

At the start of each ‘Zoom’ class we enjoy up to 15 minutes time to chat and I take the register. There’s lots of chat – shared experiences, joy and sorrow, coping strategies at this time. Every class is friendly and supportive with lots of fun and laughter. I’ve created a What’s App group for each class and we regularly keep in touch this way – sharing quotes, jokes and photos.

Lockdown 3 is certainly taking its toll, on the majority of us, as its ongoing, currently with no end in sight. We are missing our family, friends, freedom, holidays and our Aura Yoga with Geri social events. We do like to party!

I’m quite a frugal soul but last year I bought not one but three new dresses for a wedding, however, it was cancelled so the dresses remain in my wardrobe. I miss dressing up in nice clothes, high heels, jewellery, wearing make-up and doing my hair to got out to eat, drink, dance and be merry. I love dancing.

Then I decided to host a Soiree for Cocktails, Quiz, Song and Dance. I’ve applied my self-tanning lotion and decided on my outfit. At this week’s online classes we’ve been discussing the forthcoming event and what we plan to wear. I’m not quite sure how smoothly it will run however I know it will be memorable and fun.

I will let you know how we get on and perhaps share the quiz and some photos if you would like?

Wales Circuit Break Lockdown

News Update Friday 8th January 2021

, , 0

Alert Level 4 Lockdown will remain in Wales for at least another 3 weeks

Aura Yoga with Geri classes will continue via Zoom as timetabled below.

Hatha Yoga

Monday 9.30-10.30am & 7.00-8.00pm

Wednesday: 9.30-11.00am

Meditation

Thursday 7th, 14th, 21st January 2021 6.15-7.15pm

Yoga for ‘Hot’ Women

Thursday 28th January, 4th & 11th February 2021 6.30-7.30pm

Please contact me directly to reserve your place or complete and submit the new yoga student questionnaire.

£5 per session

Aura Homoeopathy Clinic will continue online via FaceTime, Skype, What’s App and Zoom.

Please check out my website for further details or message me directly to book a no-obligation 15 minute chat.

ComeMeditate_Jan21

Come Meditate with Me – Zoom Sessions on Thursdays 6:15-7:15 pm

, 0

Aura Yoga with Geri Meditation is hosted by me, the most unlikely of meditators, as my mind is naturally very restless. Regular Meditation practice has transformed my life. In my youth I was plagued with anxiety, worry, stress, digestive issues, skin problems, insomnia and fear that was so self-limiting.

  • Do you feel worn down by the un-quiet of your own thoughts?
  • Do you feel anxious?
  • Do you worry constantly?
  • Do you have trouble sleeping?
  • Do you feel isolated, alone, foresaken?
  • Do you suffer panic attacks?
  • Do you feel apathetic?

Would you like to regain mastery of your mind?

Our minds already know how to naturally retreat from the stress and strain of our frenetic lifestyles and the many environmental factors that impact us deeply.

Mindfulness and Meditation may offer a retreat from these feelings, emotions, sensations and symptoms. Now more than ever we need to regain control of our mind, breath and body. This pandemic and lockdown life is directly impacting our mental health as well as our physical well-being.

Mindfulness and Meditation has so many benefits that ultimately help restore balance, harmony, equilibrium to us physically and emotionally.

We begin each session by focusing on the correct way to breathe, recognising how we hold tension in the body and mind and how to release it.

Breathing in expands the muscles of the diaphragm down and out. Simultaneously we then amplify the tension in your body by making fists, scrunching your toes up, stiffness in your limbs. Drawing in life giving Prana (life-force/vital force/universal energy) into your body, flowing into your organs, bathing your entire body and cleansing it.

When we exhale we push the diaphragm muscles in and up, possibly allowing the air to flow from your open mouth, sighing the breath out. Simultaneously we let-go and release the physical tension you’ve amplified. Perhaps visualising fatigue, anxiety and exhaustion being expelled from your body.

In this way the lungs fully expand, air rushes into them, then is vigorously expelled.

After a minute or two of breathing this way you will notice a difference.

Do you remember the Mary Hopkins song “I’d like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony”?

Well I’d like to teach the world to meditate in perfect harmony.

Do come and join me on Thursday 7th, 14th or 21st January 2021, 6.15-7.15 pm via zoom, £5 per session.

Please contact me directly to book your place.
#meditation
#mindfulness
#yoga
#pranayama

Wales Circuit Break Lockdown

Wales Circuit Break Lockdown

0

Due to the Welsh Government imposing a national lockdown in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 from this Friday 23rd October 2020 until midnight 8th November 2020 our proposed classes for next term will be postponed a week.

We will provisional begin our next term on 9th November (if lockdown restrictions lifted by then)!

I will continue via zoom Monday 7-8pm the Wednesday 9.30- 11am class w/c 2nd November.

Some of you are £5 or more in credit from week’s sessions I cancelled this term.  This can be carried forward or used for other sessions.

I’m happy to run more online classes too subject to demand.

Stay safe and well.🙏🏼

MindTheGap

How to deal with Anxiety using the “Mind the Gap” breathing technique

, , 0

👀 Turn off the news, notifications.

🤳🏾 Take a break from your ‘tech’.

📱 Temporarily become ‘unplugged’.

⌚️ Take time to breathe, pause and enjoy the spacious of your soul.

🚵 Breathe deeply and easily, focusing on the out breath.

🌬 Sighing is a great way to do this but perhaps just 3-5 ‘sighs’ at a time and tune in to what’s happening within you.

🌫 The space created by these good quality exhalations will result in slower, deeper, mind, breath, body connections.

🚇 This ‘Space’ is where the magic happens.

When you travel on the London Underground there’s signs and announcements to “Mind the Gap”.

🎼 I highly recommend you to do just that and notice the ‘gaps’, pauses, space in between your breaths. They are an integral part of the music of our soul.

🕸 It’s not just a matter of breathing In and Out. There is a pause after each Inhalation and a pause after each Exhalation.

🕊 There is peace, stillness, beauty, a certain magic in the pauses, gaps, rests.

I invite you today to “Mind the Gap”🙏🏼

yoga_class_7

Face-to face Yoga Classes – Update 2nd September 2020

, 0

I am happy to announce a return to face-to-face Hatha Yoga classes, however, at a different venue initially.

Everyone already on the register for set days will be contacted soon to check if they require their place as prior booking is part of the new regime, no drop-in, with online advance payment via BACS or Paypal. Some of you are in credit from the winter term before lockdown as we finished 2 weeks earlier than scheduled.

Aura Yoga with Geri will continue via ‘Zoom’ next week and possible on a Monday evening until we can resume at our regular venue on that day but subject to sufficient bookings.

Monday 7th September 2020 7.00-8.00pm
Wednesday 9th September 2020 9.30-11am

Meeting ID and Passcodes will be issued on receipt of payment and for newcomers, completion of a new student questionnaire/signed disclaimer.

Face-to-face Yoga Classes

Studio 54, High Street, Blackwood, NP12 1BB is our new venue from 15th September 2020 for a 6 week term, with a small car park and plenty of local free parking nearby (time restrictions may apply).

Tuesday 7.30-8.45pm 15th September – 20th October 2020
Wednesday 9.30-11.00am 16th September – 21st October 2020
Thursday 6.15-7.30pm 17th September – 22nd October 2020

There are provisionally 15 spaces available.

Prior booking and your own equipment, including your own drink, will be required please.
£30 for 6 sessions or £6 per session. (Space is limited to adhere to social distancing guidelines so block bookings will take priority).

Only the general Hatha Yoga classes will run initially before the introduction of short specialist courses such as Introduction to Meditation, Meditation, Yoga for ‘Hot’ Women, Chair Yoga, Yoga for Children, Yoga for Pregnancy, etc., will hopefully start up.

COVID 19 Policy

Numbers will be limited to comply with Welsh Government/Public Health social distancing guidelines.

You will need your own equipment – yoga mats, possibly blocks, straps, resistance bands, blankets and drinks.

2m social distancing is recommended.

There will be a 15-30 minute gap in between sessions to reduce contact between groups and allow for cleaning. The venue will be deep-cleaned daily and sanitised in between sessions.

There will be handwashing facilities and hand-sanitiser available. Toilets will be available.

Please remove shoes on entering the main studio hall and store along the back wall.

The kitchen will not be open.

It is a personal choice to wear a face covering.

A register with your contact details will be kept to comply with Track and Trace guidelines.

Please do not attend if:

You have any symptoms of COVID 19

  • New continuous cough
  • High temperature
  • Loss of smell or taste
  • Have been in contact with someone who has symptoms in the same household or elsewhere or via Track and Trace.
  • On returning from some countries you may be required to Quarantine for a period 14 days.

Any questions please contact me directly.

I’m looking forward to welcoming new and familiar faces to your yoga mat to create some yoga magic @ Aura Yoga with Geri.

Facetofaceyoga

Autumn Term 2020 update

, 0

Our Autumn Term will begin Monday 7th September – 23rd October 2020 hopefully ‘face to face’ and ‘zoom’ sessions.

I’m currently awaiting further guidelines from Welsh Government for teaching yoga indoors. I will post updates on the Facebook page, group and my website.

I can confirm that pre-booking will be required, no ‘drop-in’, so numbers can be managed to comply with social distancing. Payment will need to be in advance.

Numbers will be limited so there may be back-to-back sessions with a 15 minute time gap in between to reduce contact between groups.

A register of attendees will be kept in line with Public Health ‘Track and Trace’ guidelines.

The venue will be deep-cleaned daily and sanitised in between sessions.

You will need your own equipment – yoga mats, blocks, straps or resistance bands, blankets, drinks.

Hand sanitiser will be available.

Toilets will be available and hand washing facilities.

The kitchen will not be open.

2 metre distancing is recommended.

It’s a personal choice to wear a face covering.

Please do not attend if you have symptoms of Covid 19 or have been in contact with someone who has within the period of Public Health suggested quarantine.

Any questions please contact me.

I’m looking forward to welcoming new and familiar faces to your yoga mat for Aura Yoga with Geri.

Many thanks for your ongoing support.

Load More