CLASSES CANCELLED at The Ananta Yoga Studios - please read below. Classes in Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh cancelled tomorrow too.

CHAIR YOGA - ARKLOW I'm running a FREE 10 week class in Arklow starting Wednesday 7th March 11am to 12 noon. Ring/Text Louise 087 6032202 to book.

CHAIR YOGA - We got the Sunshine Again in Laragh this week. Bookings and enquiries to Louise 087 603 2202 Class times/venues: Mondays: Bray 11am - 12noon Tuesdays: Aughrim 10.30am - 11.30am Wednesdays (from 7th March): Arklow, Arus Lorcain Hall 11am - 12 noon Thursday: Laragh, Brockagh Resource Centre 11.30am - 12.30pm Friday: Wicklow Town, The Ananta Yoga Studios 12noon - 1pm

Saturday morning Vinyasa Yoga at The Ananta Yoga Studios is with Louise this weekend 3rd February. 10am - 11.30am Mixed Level - All welcome! €12 Drop in rate €10 If 2nd/3rd class this week Booking essential to Louise 087 6032202 www.anantayogastudio.com General enquiries to Liz Richards on 086 8963425

Here's a modification (or advancement?) from Chair Yoga. Thank you Carol Anne for sharing. Watch it all the way through x

Thank you YTI (Maureen, Elma and Jakki) for a great Chair Yoga course this weekend. A great reminder as to why I'm teaching Chair Yoga, some lovely new ideas and a happy place to share.

My 2018 Schedule of Vinyasa Yoga and Chair Yoga classes at The Ananta Yoga Studios and various other locations in Wicklow. New Chair Yoga class in Arklow. Ring/Text Louise for details or to book: 087 603 2202

Vinyasa Krama Yoga with Stephen Brandon. This workshop is at The Ananta Yoga Studios 27th to 29th April. I am currently studying with Stephen with visits to the UK and I am quite sure you too will learn and benefit from his incredible knowledge and ability to explain Yoga's rich philosophy in a clear way. And the asana and pranayama practice comes with heart from his learnings with Srivatsa Ramaswami who was a student of T Krishnamacarya for 3 decades. Bookings to Liz Richards 0868963425

We keep hearing on the news - the FLU is on it's way. But it's not inevitable - we can keep our immunity high to avoid it as much as possible. A few good tips from www.ayurveda.ie January heralds the start of the Kapha season, and its cold, dull, damp and heavy weather tends to increase Kapha within the body. We often think of winter as a time for Kapha-associated diseases, such as colds and flu, yet Ayurveda maintains that winter is not weakening but strengthening, and the best season to improve your immunity. By Peter Brown. Bala is the term Ayurveda uses for immunity and general strength, whether it be physiological, psychological or spiritual. As each of these aspects of ourselves are intimately connected, a disturbance in any area will affect your overall health and immunity. By increasing Bala you will automatically improve your natural resistance against disturbance in any area of your life. The three levels of Bala Ayurveda cites three levels of Bala immunity and strength: Sahaj (hereditary) is the innate level of Bala you are born with Kalaj (changable) is the Bala that fluctuates due to seasonal changes, different stages of life, and cycles of the planets. Here we need to look to the cycles of nature as a guideline for maintaining immunity Yuktikrit (established) is the permanent, balanced immunity that can be created by following an balanced lifestyle and diet. Tips to increase and maintain your Bala 1. Eat well during the cold season When the weather is cold, your internal homeostatic system compensates by increasing internal Agni or heat. This means that your digestive fire and appetite is generally stronger during winter. Thus, if you eat fresh, wholesome food, this is the season where your body tissues, and thereby overall strength and immunity, can be built up. A major reason why winter is often seen as a time for low immunity, where colds and flu abound, is that, with all the socialising during the festive season, we can end up eating too much or eat junk foods or hard-to-digest, heavy foods. Our immunity is thereby weakened. Eat immunity-increasing freshly cooked foods during the cold weather, and follow an Ayurvedic daily routine – nourish your mind and body by eating well and getting more rest. 2. Winter is the best season to take Rasayanas While autumn and spring are the traditional times for purification, winter is the time to build up and nourish the whole physiology, from the internal organs and tissues, to the skin, hair and nails. It’s also the best time to take Rasayanas (rejuvenating preparations) and other Ayurvedic herbal products – because your digestive fire is naturally higher, your ability to assimilate the herbals and enjoy their benefits is boosted. 3. Eat immunity-boosting foods Go for organic, fresh, easily digested, wholesome and unprocessed foods. These include fresh, organic milk and yogurt (though yogurt should be diluted with water and only drunk at lunch), fruits, nuts, vegetables, whole grains, lentils, beans, and ghee. 4. Avoid hard-to-digest foods Processed, canned, frozen, and packaged foods have little Prana (life-force) left in them, and easily create Ama (toxins) in your body tissues. One example is that pre-prepared foods – when stored for any length of time – tend to oxidise and, when eaten, create free-radicals. Avoid eating leftovers, foods grown using chemicals, and foods with preservatives, as they over-tax your digestive system, block the channels of circulation, create sluggishness and compromise immunity. Avoid cold foods and iced drinks, as these weaken digestive fire. 5. Change your winter diet for the Kapha season During the cold, dry, autumn and early winter Vata-increasing period, sweet, sour and salty tastes foods help nourish and balance your body, and you are recommended to eat less astringent, bitter, and pungent foods. When the Kapha season starts (in Europe this is generally in January), the astringent, bitter, and pungent tastes are recommended, as they prevent the over-accumulation of Kapha. The light, dry, heating and penetrating qualities of such foods balance the heavy, wet, cold and sticky qualities of Kapha. Of course, your own Doshic body-type will also come into play and you must be careful to keep this factor well-balanced at the same time. Those who have more Vata in their constitution need to be cautious when increasing astringent, bitter, and pungent foods. Pitta body-types should be careful when increasing astringent and pungent foods. 6. Keep up your Ayurvedic routine A poor routine will have a strongly negative impact on your Bala strength and immunity. Eating at irregular times, subjecting your body to stress and fatigue, working at night, staying up late, and sleeping during the day can all affect both your body rhythms and your digestion and ultimately compromise your immune system. To maintain high immunity, keep your digestive clock, and other bodily rhythms, working smoothly and follow a balanced daily routine. 7. Take advantage of the natural tendency to rest Winter is an inward season. The days are shorter, the nights longer and nature is at rest. Take advantage of this natural tendency by giving your mind and body the nourishing rest it craves. Go to bed a little earlier, and you will wake up feeling more freshness and vitality. Yet, when the Kapha influence becomes prominent, from late winter onwards, take care not overindulge and sleep late or else dullness and lethargy will result, and toxic Ama (the seeds of disease) will accumulate. 8. Lifestyle tips to balance Kapha From January onwards, have in mind to balance the increasing influence of Kapha. The best way is to cultivate the opposite qualities of the heavy, dull, stay-at-home qualities of Kapha: Get out and be more dynamic and active A daily brisk walk in the fresh air is an excellent routine, especially during Kapha season – though make sure you wrap up well Look out for new activities and interests, and for things that will stimulate and bring joy Get up early (before 6am) and avoid sleeping in. 9. Spice-up your immunity Spices not only provide wonderful flavours to a meal, but also provide certain therapeutic values, such as anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Spices, such as ginger, black pepper, turmeric, cumin, coriander and cinnamon, also help to provide the astringent, bitter, and pungent tastes that help balance Kapha. Maharishi AyurVeda provide Kapha Tea and Kapha Churna (spice blend), that contain spices and herbs that help balance Kapha. You can create your own immunity-boosting spice mix: Ingredients 6 parts fennel powder 6 parts turmeric powder 3 parts coriander powder 3 parts cumin powder 1 part black pepper powder 1 part ginger powder ¼ part cinnamon powder Directions Mix all the ingredient together in a bowl and store in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight When adding to a meal, sauté some of the spice mix in a teaspoon of ghee or coconut oil. When you smell the spicy aroma, immediately remove the pan from the heat to prevent burning You can stir in the spice mix to a pan of cooked dhal, vegetables or grains (don’t add the mix to every dish in your meal, or else everything will taste the same!) Try stirring steamed vegetables into the spice mix while it is still in the pan You can add the spice mix at the beginning of cooking vegetable soups or stews Try sprinkling the sautéd spice mix on top of vegetables or grains before serving If you go out for a meal, you can take some of the sautéd spice mix and sprinkle it onto your food. 10. Take Maharishi AyurVeda supplements to strengthen Bala Maharishi Amrit Kalash is the most powerful ayurvedic supplement for supporting immunity and overall well-being. Produced in 250 meticulous steps, using numerous ingredients, the functions of the different herbs in Amrit Kalash are important. There are Hridya herbs for the heart; Medhya herbs for the mind and nervous system; herbs that balance all three Doshas, such as Amla; and nurturing herbs such as Ashwagandha which helps nourish all seven body tissues, particularly the reproductive tissue, and Shatavari which helps increase the production of Ojas (the highest product of good digestion and very supportive of immunity). Cold Season Defence supports your immunity before symptoms appear. It strengthens digestion, clears the Shrotas (channels that supply nutrition), removes toxins, supports the immune system and helps prevent viral attacks. When colds and flu are around Digest Tea supports your body’s defences by strengthening your digestion and supporting the balance of mucus and moisture in your sinuses and lungs. 11. Give yourself an oil massage Daily Abhyanga (Ayurvedic massage) is a pleasurable way to support your immunity. Massage helps stimulate all organs of your body; it helps flush away impurities; and it builds up resistance to stress and disease. You can choose from Vata Massage Oil (moisturising), Pitta Massage Oil (soothing). 12. Try apple and cloves at breakfast Try starting the day with a stewed apple. It will help build a good appetite for lunch, encourage regular bowel movements, increase alertness and vitality, and provide a light and satisfying start to the day. Ingredients 1 large or 2 small sweet apples 5 cloves 1/4 cup of water Directions Core and peel the apple Cut the apple into small pieces Put the cloves, apples and water in a pot Bring to the boil, turn the temperature down to simmer and cover Cook until the apple is soft Remove the cloves and enjoy your breakfast.

CHAIR YOGA classes at various locations in WICKLOW with new venues coming soon! Class times/venues: Mondays: Bray 11am - 12noon Tuesday: Aughrim 10.30am - 11.30am Thursdary: Brockagh Resource Centre, Laragh 11.30am - 12.30pm Friday: The Ananta Yoga Studios, Wicklow Town 12noon - 1pm Bookings and enquiries to Louise 087 603 2202 What students are saying about the classes: I can put my socks and shoes on more easily since starting chair yoga classes I am better able to look around when turning and reversing in my car I have more mobility in my feet and ankles now I have less pain in my arms and shoulders About: Chair Yoga is suitable for those who may find our regular yoga classes too strenuous – those who may be completely new to yoga, recovering from injury or illness or generally less active and mobile. It is also – of course suitable for all yoga students who simply would like to try this method of practice. The class takes students through centring and breath-work, followed by postures that let the joints move through their range of movement whilst seated or through use of the chair whilst standing. These postures will provide gentle stretching, improved strength and flexibility, as well as helping students to find balance and calm in everyday life. Booking essential – Call/text Louise 087 6032202