Consent From The Inside
Gem Maryan Gem Maryan

Consent From The Inside

Why consent in yoga cannot be reduced to a script, and what it means to teach it from the inside as an interoceptive practice.

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The Four Minute Mark
Gem Maryan Gem Maryan

The Four Minute Mark

The nervous system science behind a long yin yoga hold, and what staying past the four-minute mark asks of us as teachers and practitioners.

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Performing Regulation
Gem Maryan Gem Maryan

Performing Regulation

On co-regulation, the nervous system, and what it costs a yoga teacher to hold the room when their own life is the thing coming apart

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Somatic Sensations and Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation

Somatic Sensations and Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation

Our bodies are gateways to a whole host of somatic sensations which enable us to sense both our internal world and the world around us. Somatic sensations, which include touch, temperature, pain, pressure, tension, vibration, and proprioception, all provide important clues about our health, playing a crucial role in the mind-body connection, which is all entwined with our emotions. I wanted to explore this topic even further, putting into context the synergy between the profound practise of yoga nidra, its effects on brain wave states, and how it calms the nervous system to promote deep relaxation and general wellbeing.

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Standing Between Light & Dark
Gem Maryan Gem Maryan

Standing Between Light & Dark

On yoga, the body, and self-acceptance, and what it means to stand honestly between light and dark in a practice of becoming whole.

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WINTERING - A YIN PRACTICE FOR WINTER SOLSTICE
Gem Maryan Gem Maryan

WINTERING - A YIN PRACTICE FOR WINTER SOLSTICE

Wintering is a Yin Yoga practice inviting you to pause, reflect, and prepare for the return of the light. As the darkest day of the year embraces us, find rest, renewal, and stillness, mirroring the quiet of nature. Let this practice guide you inward, offering a moment to contemplate the transformation that reflection and renewal can bring.

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Nurturing the Heart Meridian: Embracing a Heart-Centred Practise as Summer Approaches

Nurturing the Heart Meridian: Embracing a Heart-Centred Practise as Summer Approaches

Embrace the Summer Solstice with a heart-centred practise that nurtures balance and connection. Explore Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga, and breathwork to cultivate love, kindness, and joy. Relax with guided meditation and awaken your heart's energy. Prioritise self-care and mindfulness. Enjoy a rejuvenating summer with deep connection. Happy practising!

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Embracing the Present: Liberating Ourselves from the Weight of Time

Embracing the Present: Liberating Ourselves from the Weight of Time

In today's fast-paced culture, we frequently find ourselves burdened by the weight of the past and the uncertainties of the future. I recently came across a quote that struck a chord with me when reading Evelyn Waugh's masterwork "Brideshead Revisited": "Sometimes, I feel the past and the future pressing so hard on either side that there's no room for the present at all."

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Unveiling Tranquility: Taoism and the Yoga Sutras on the Path to Inner Stillness

Unveiling Tranquility: Taoism and the Yoga Sutras on the Path to Inner Stillness

Discover the ancient wisdom of Taoism and Yoga Sutras for inner peace. Explore the Tao's emphasis on harmony with nature and the interdependence of reality. Uncover the Yoga Sutras' systematic path to enlightenment. Learn to recognise and overcome external distractions. Embrace detachment and non-attachment to find peace and liberation. Harness the power of meditation to cultivate inner quiet. Experience self-realisation and unity with the cosmos. Integrate mindfulness, detachment, and a connection with nature into your personal journey to inner peace and self-realisation.

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Using the Wisdom found in Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra to Relax and Reduce Anxiety.

Using the Wisdom found in Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra to Relax and Reduce Anxiety.

Using the Wisdom found in Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra to Relax and Reduce Anxiety: Finding Inner Peace

It's critical to discover efficient techniques for unwinding and regaining our inner equilibrium in the fast-paced world of today, where tension and anxiety seem to be permanent companions. While there are many ways to manage stress, Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra together have become well known for their extraordinary capacity to encourage deep relaxation and reduce anxiety

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YOGA NIDRA: HOW IT WORKS + 20 Minute practice

YOGA NIDRA: HOW IT WORKS + 20 Minute practice

Yoga Nidra, also known as "yogic sleep," is a guided meditation and relaxation technique that induces a state of deep relaxation and conscious awareness. It is a systematic practice that takes the practitioner through different stages of relaxation, including physical, emotional, and mental relaxation.

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YIN YOGA: FOR BELTANE

YIN YOGA: FOR BELTANE

Yin yoga can be a wonderful practice to honor the energy of Beltane, which is a celebration of fertility, abundance, and new beginnings. Here is a simple yin yoga sequence you can try to connect with the energy of Beltane

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How yin yoga works - Part 3

How yin yoga works - Part 3

As we age, our bones can weaken and lose density, making us more susceptible to osteoporosis and fractures. However, practising yin yoga several times a week, along with other complementary activities such as weight lifting and eating a nutrient-rich diet, can help stimulate the formation of new bone tissue, improve joint mobility, and reduce tension and anxiety. 

This is especially important because elevated stress levels can lead to increased cortisol production, which contributes to bone loss by negatively affecting our insulin sensitivity and bone metabolism. The gentle, sustained pressure we place on our joints in yin yoga can help stimulate bone remodelling and encourage new bone tissue formation, while the mindfulness aspect of the practice can reduce stress levels.

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YIN YOGA: for menopause and Perimenopause

YIN YOGA: for menopause and Perimenopause

In this article I discuss the benefits of practicing yin yoga as we age and how it may help woman going through the menopause, with maintaining bone health.

As we age, our bodies undergo several changes, including a loss of flexibility, decreased mobility, and increased stiffness and Yin yoga can be beneficial for bone health in several ways.

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