I had a very interesting chat with a healer friend and colleague today, not surprisingly, about healing. We were chatting about what we’ve each learned and added to (or taken away from) our healing in the month or two since we last met.

I was telling him about my trip to China to gain an advanced qualification in acupuncture and how various types of ‘bloodletting’ are used in the clinics. While it sounds quite severe, the techniques that we saw used are actually very mild, just two or three tiny drops of blood sometimes, from the tip of the ear or from a finger tip, and the results can be very dramatic for things as varied as headaches to back pain. These are quite modern techniques today in China (although based on tradition) and are no longer used in the west.

While I was aware that medical doctors in the west used techniques of bloodletting in the past and had since abandoned them, I had never heard of the traditional ability to stop bleeding. Yes, this is the opposite of bloodletting, but this is how the conversation went…

I had of course heard of the ability of French and English Kings to cure scrofula via the laying on of hands, I have heard many striking stories of bone setters and faith healers here in Ireland and abroad. However, for some reason I had never, until today, heard of the inherited ability to stop blood flow. When my friend mentioned it to me I thought he was referring to the ability of some yogis (and non-yogis) to control blood flow in their own bodies. Not this either. The ability or gift is apparently passed from generation to generation and at its best can be used to stop blood flow immediately!

How this can work is another question. It is well known that the power of thought can be used to slow and stop blood flow within ones own body and that the power of suggestion could be used to invoke this ability in someone, is it possible however, that a healer can influence the energy in another person’s body? According to my friend, not only are there many people in Ireland who can do this, but there are many right here in Wexford and in Gorey!

In the practice of acupuncture various points on the body can be used to stem epistaxis (nosebleed). One of these is located on the little toe, as far from the site of the bleed as is anatomically possible. While the physiological cause and effect  is not known, experience has shown this to be effective. Is it possible that a gifted healer is somehow influencing the same energy network that the acupuncturist routinely uses in their work, except that they are able to achieve this effect without needles?

If anyone has experience of this remarkable gift, has a story to share on the topic or would like to be put in contact with someone who practices this healing art, please feel free to email us at info@yogagorey.com or to call us on 086 408 2428.

For information on yoga, yoga classes or for an acupuncture consultation call us on 086 408 2428.

See you on the yoga mat!

Liam Byrne

Director & Teacher at the Gorey Yoga Studio

As you might be aware, we practice Usui Reiki Energy Healing at the Gorey Yoga Studio. As holistic therapies go, Reiki is not the most studied scientifically and thus has less of a ’sound’ scientific basis according to western biomedical standards. However, this is not to say that some excellent research has not been done in support of this wonderful therapy. In fact some studies now suggest that Reiki does have a simple, direct and measurable effect on health, including a direct effect on the functioning of the heart.

For more information about this and about the true history of Usui Reiki (based on scholarly research rather than psychic revelation) check out this very well structured and researched article by William Lee Rand.

http://www.reiki.org/reikinews/ResponseBishopsStatement.html

Certainly one of the best I have read in a long time.

Om Shanti,

Liam.

How to beat Recession stress?

It’s hard to ignore it and maybe even unwise to try to shut it out

completely. So how can we deal with aspects of the current recession that go beyond our personal control?

The answer is to take a look at your personal reaction to this kind of news, because this is the only part of the news that you really can control. For some people, this is a straightforward task. Easygoing and relaxed by nature, dodging or not reacting to negative news is a cinch. But then there is the rest of us who fear the radio reports and discussions of rising dole queues and fearfully search for another channel or switch off TV or radio to block out the news.

Rather than fighting the news and the emotions that arise around it, we can take a sideways, indirect approach that makes this kind of head on approach unnecessary. With stress arising in the body, sometimes the best way to approach it is through the mind, through positive thinking. Likewise, with stress in the mind, sometimes the best approach is through the body, using the link between the two to our advantage.

Most forms of intelligent exercise use this philosophy in one form or another and yoga is one of the most sophisticated of these. Many exercises in a typical yoga class are deceptively simple and deceptively one-dimensional. Common forward bends, standing or seated, may seem like just a simple way to lengthen hamstrings and stretch the lower back (which they are), but they also work on a much deeper level than this, relaxing the mind in a way that is far from subtle or ephemeral. Forward bends have a profoundly relaxing effect on the parasympathetic nervous system and provoke the opposite of the adrenaline/noradrenaline flight or fight response in the body. Thus, pupils un-dilate, heart rate and blood-pressure go down, breathing naturally slows. There is no self-hypnosis, positive thinking or visualization (all great things and easily combined with yoga by the way!) involved. All you need to do is make a forward bend, slowly, consciously and with measured breath for this effect to take place on the body and through the body, on the mind.

The forward bend is only one exercise in a complete yoga routine so you have to imagine that this remarkably easy (and yet elusive for many) effect to produce is only one small part of the results you can achieve from a regular yoga routine with a trained teacher. Of course you can practice from a book, DVD or a Nintendo Wii. These are all great ways to do yoga for those who for whatever reason cannot find the right teacher, but we guarantee you that there is absolutely no substitute for joining a class of real people, practicing yoga together, breathing and moving in harmony to the rhythm and pace of a class.

If you live in Wexford or Wicklow then check out our home page at www.yogagorey.com and www.therapyandyoga.com. We run yoga classes 6 days a week. You can join anytime and you will feel better from the first session. Affordable payment options available.

Contact us on 086 408 2428 or info@yogagorey.com.

Just spent the morning with a good ‘Reiki’ friend of mine, Mr. Brian Lawlor.  In the course of conversation it came up that Reiki is actually used and endorsed by the NHS in the UK. Brian lived in the UK for a long time and heard of it through its use as a complementary therapy to help with the distressing side-effects of chemotherapy.

Seems like a very enlightened view to me. If anyone has any personal experience with this, we would love to hear about it.

If you are interested in this topic or are new to Reiki, Brian’s Reiki teacher in the UK, Sue Bailey, has an interesting blog site where you can learn more:

http://hubpages.com/hub/REIKI-REALLY-WORKS

Brian himself is based in Courtown and I can’t recommend him highly enough. He is a practitioner in the true spiritual and healing tradition of Reiki.

You can check out his website at:

http://www.brianlawlor.com/

I just visited his therapy room today and there is a really feeling of peace and healing in the space.

Needless to say, if you are in Arklow or Gorey, you can also contact me for Reiki therapy or just to learn more about the subject. 086 408 2428 is the number or info@therapyandyoga.com

And remember, whatever you do tomorrow, just for today – don’t worry…

Liam.

Asthanga Workshop with Senior Teacher Anthony Kearney

Anthony will be holding another of his popular Ashtanga intensives at the Yoga Sacred Space in Wicklow Town on Saturday November 29th, 2008. These workshops are an opportunity to take your practice to another level, experimenting with more advanced poses and going more deeply into the postures you are already familiar with.

This may be your last chance before the Christmas blowout to prepare your body for all the fun and games during the traditionally hearty Irish yuletide festivities. Arrive at your first Christmas party lean, toned and purified with Ashtanga yoga and then have at the banquet table for a couple of weeks without a guilty conscience!

Anthony meanwhile, will be fresh back from further workshops in Berlin at the Asthanga Studio Berlin with brand new continental tips and tricks to enhance and improve your yoga practice.

The duration of the workshop will be three hours with a cost of Eur 40.

To register your interest contact us at info@yogagorey.com or call Anto on 087 907 7505.

To stay up to date with all events and up and coming workshops, subscribe to our monthly newsletter!

Is Yoga Suitable for Seniors?

Every stage in life brings with it changes both physical and psychological that we need to learn from and adapt to. Retirement is no different and just like the transition from home life to school life or from school life to work life, should be exhilarating, challenging and a fresh opportunity to live and experience life in a new way.

The Stages of Life

Just as each new stage in life brings with it new activities and leaves old ones behind, so does retirement. At 65 or 70 or 80 plus years it may no longer be quite as feasible or desirable to continue with activities that you enjoyed in your youth, whether it be football, rugby, hurling, hockey or whatever else. Yoga, however, unlike most sports, is a timeless activity that can be enjoyed by all.

Physical Changes

Some of the physical changes we experience with age are a gradual loss of muscle tone, decreasing flexibility, mental acuity, changes in blood pressure and weakening bones to name just a few. Desire and motivation to keep active and fit may also become a problem.

Yoga can be done very actively and dynamically or very gently and slowly, depending upon the needs of the practitioner. There is no competition, no level to attain, no better or worse practitioner, only people enjoying the practice and benefits of an enriching activity.

Energizing Yoga

Unlike many other physical activities, yoga does not exhaust the practitioner but rather energizes, leaving you feeling stronger, happier and more relaxed after a class. In addition to graduated strengthening exercises, yoga includes balancing, stretching and relaxation exercises combined in logical sequences which directly benefit us as we age.

Yoga for Octogenarians

Many renowned yogis have continued to practice physical yoga exercises into their nineties and beyond. There is no age limit to the practice of yoga and no age, however advanced that cannot benefit from a gentle, focussed, energizing yoga practice.

Vanda Scaravelli is an excellent example of the age transcending power of yoga. Coming later in life to yoga, Vanda was already in her 40s before she was introduced to asana practice by BKS Iyengar and continued an inspiring practice until her death at the age of 91. Vanda’s flexibility at this advanced age is legendary in yoga circles and serves as an inspiration to us all as we mature in life and in our practice of yoga.

The Gorey Yoga Studio

The Gorey Yoga Studio is committed to providing quality yoga classes to the senior community. If you know of an individual, group or organization of seniors that would be interested in exploring this life-enhancing and age friendly activity, please do not hesitate to contact us on 086 408 2428 or email us at info@yogagorey.com

To stay up to date with everything happening at the Gorey Yoga Studio, sign up now to our newsletter.

Yoga and Meditation

Sunday November 9th, 2008.

It is no secret that for many, Yoga is as much a way to manage and deal with the stress of everyday life as it is to gain flexibility, strength and the other physical benefits of asana practice. The origins of Yoga as practiced in India are inextricably linked with the practice of meditation which has been shown to be a highly effective tool in reducing stress and beating the symptoms of stress at their point of origin, deep within ourselves.

The Goal of Yoga

Today, the link between yoga and meditation is often lost sight of in the enthusiasm students and many teachers have for the, very satisfying and rewarding, practice of physical yoga. The goal of yoga was originally to quiet the body and still the mind in preparation for the practice of meditation – the ultimate inner journey which leads ultimately to a more fulfilling life and engagement with the outside and every day world.

Mindfulness

This workshop in November will allow you to experience the effects of a full Hatha Yoga session upon a guided meditation practice. Following a Hatha Yoga class of 90 minutes, with myself (Liam Byrne) you will led by mindfulness trainer, Fidelma Farley, into two basic meditation practices that will enhance physical and mental stillness, and enable you to live more fully in the present.

Regular Breaks

This promises to be a very interesting workshop and I, for one, am looking forward very much to the extended mindfulness meditation after the yoga session. No need to worry about tortured legs either, this is a workshop (not a sweatshop!) and there will be no prizes awarded to those who can sit cross-legged the longest. There will be regular breaks to stretch the legs and opportunities to ask questions and discuss. Personally I can’t think of any better way (well, not many anyway) of spending a Sunday afternoon.

Cost and Duration

The duration of this workshop will be three hours with a cost of Eur 40.

To register your interest contact us at events@yogagorey.com or give me (Liam) a call on 086 408 2428. You can reserve a place on the workshop by sending a Eur 20 deposit to myself – just ask for details when you contact me.

PS Best to reserve early as places are limited to maximum 12 people.

Meditation

Some of us sit cross legged in the Lotus position to meditate. Others relax in a chair with a cup of tea.

Here at the Studio, we would like to encourage you to do both. While the original goal of Yoga was to achieve stillness of body with a view to cultivating stillness of the mind, this goal is often lost sight of during the daily or weekly practice of yoga which then becomes a mere stretching exercise. Not that stretching is bad, but to an extent it is selling yoga short not to enjoy the real fruit of ones efforts with asana (yoga postures) practice. This is a bit like having an aeroplane at home and then using it only to nip down to the local shop for a pound of butter now and again.

The Ideal Yogi – Asana vs. Meditation

Ideally, a yogi should be spending at least as much time in meditation as they are in asana (yoga postures) practice. If the balance tips the other way, as it does for the vast majority of us, then something is amiss. To help redress this balance we now offer a donation based class which will consist of one half hour of yoga followed by two 15 minute meditation sessions with a small break to stretch the legs in between. Afterwards, all are welcome to join us in a cup of tea, either at the Studio or around the corner in one of Gorey’s many boutique cafes.

Yoga Community

These combination classes (Yoga and a Cuppa) will be scheduled for weekends, one per month and are a priceless opportunity for people to come together in a true community of yoga, going beyond the atmosphere of the routine yoga class.

Please register your interest by phone or email. Liam can be reached at 086 408 2428 or emailed at info@yogagorey.com

See you all soon,

Liam and Anthony.

Morning Yoga

The early morning was traditionally the time for Yogis to practice their asanas, before the heat of the Indian sun became too intense. Here in Ireland there isn’t much danger of sun stroke as you go through your daily practice, however, with the advent of magical, modern technology including central and ‘electric’ heating, we too can enjoy the benefits of a good yoga routine when it is likely to do the most good – first thing in the morning before going out to meet the world.

At the Gorey Yoga Studio in lovely County Wexford we offer several mid-morning classes and are thinking of adding another on Friday, and early morning yoga for those who have the gumption to make it to the Studio before heading off to the office, building site, clinic or wherever it is that you earn your daily crust. Yoga improves flexibility, reduces stress and anxiety and will make you feel balanced, content and happy throughout the day!

If any are interested, just send us a quick email to info@yogagorey.com.

Namaste,

Liam.