Free Resources...
This page has been set up with some free recordings and suggestions for you to use as and when you need them. I'll aim to update this page from time to time but in the meantime I hope you enjoy these practices.
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With love, Radha xx
Yoga Nidra for Relaxation
Be still and rest your bones for a while. Allow yourself to be guided into a state of deep, restorative sleep. As the body sleeps, the minds surfs the border between waking and sleeping. Experiencing this liminal space can lead one to better sleep, enhanced memory, creativity and a heightened awareness of the body. Lay down comfortably and allow yourself to be guided. Yoga Nidra is an inclusive practice and can be enjoyed by all regardless of age and physical ability and health conditions. Can be enjoyed during pregnancy. This practice is unsuitable for those suffering with schizophrenia.
This 20 minute recording was made on 06/11/20 during Lockdown 2.0. I hope you will find it to be a useful way to relax, allowing the body to re-calibrate.
Pranayama - Alternate Nostril Breathing Tutorial
Pranayama is the practice of breath control in yoga. There are many different Pranayama exercises, some of which we have practiced together in class such as Ujyai breath and equal breathing. This practice of alternate nostril breathing or Nadi Shodanna is one of my favourites. Some of the benefits of this breathing technique are that it can help to calm an agitated mind and reduce stress and anxiety. This ancient practice helps to calm and rejuvenate the nervous system. Nadi Shodanna can be practiced by everyone and at anytime of the day. Once you get the hang of it you will be able to practice for longer without any instruction. I hope you enjoy this 5 minute tutorial on this simple and powerful practice, let me know how you get on!
6:6 Breathing - The Breathing App
6:6 breathing is a breathing technique where you inhale for 6 counts and exhale for 6 counts. This results in 5 breaths per minute versus the usual count of 15-18 breaths per minute. With each breath we take we move between the two branches of our nervous system - the rest and digest branch and the flight or flight branch. Both these branches of our nervous system are equally important in our daily lives, however modern day life tends to lean towards activating our fight or flight branch more. 6:6 breathing helps us to reset this imbalance and allows us to find some calm and peace.
There has been lots of research about the benefits of this type of breathing; it can increase resiliency, have positive applications for depression and anxiety, lead towards emotional balance, lower blood pressure as well as many other benefits. ​More information can be found at eddiestern.com/the-breathing-app. The FREE app can be downloaded via your app store.
I am a big fan of this type of breathing and I aim to spend 20 minutes a day breathing like this. You can do your breathing while watching TV, reading, working at the computer or even while you sit and watch nature. I hope you enjoy this app and practice.
