The Vagus Nerve and Why It Matters in Yoga

Vagus what? I often mention the vagus nerve in my yoga classes, particularly in my Slow Sunday workshops and Slow Down Yoga weekly class. As stimulating the vagus nerve can help our body to come into its 'relaxation response' and that exactly what we are looking for in these yoga classes and workshops - relaxation, calmness and rest in the body and mind. There's a lot of talk about it from wellness experts and since scientists began discussing its incredible significance, especially pertaining to inner peace and decreasing stress in the nervous system. Lets take a look at how we can trigger the vagus nerve and help our nervous system to calm and rest and help to optimize our health.

How to Hygge yourself happy

Hygge is not the secret of personal happiness, not is it the only reason the Danes are consistently ranked as one of the world’s happiest nations. But while Hygge may not be a miracle cure for discontentment, it does have a really positive impact on the daily life of the people of Denmark and therefore probably has something to offer the rest of us too. What follows is simply a compilation of hygge inspired things that could add to your store of happiness. They are not authentically Danish, and I cannot promise they will make any difference to your sense of well-being. But as most of them require nothing more than a few small, pleasurable adjustments and a slight shift in thinking, there is little to be lost in giving the ideas a try...

HyggeSusan BradleyNovember 1, 2017hygge, hygge yoga, slow sunday, slow yoga, yoga york

Diwali - the beautiful festival of lights

The moon on the 19th October is new and ushers in the Hindu New Year as millions in India around the world celebrate Diwali, the joyful festival of lights. Diwali is the biggest event in the Indian calendar (which goes on for 5 days) is often called the festival of lights, the most significant spiritual meaning behind it is “the awareness of the inner light”. It represents the victory of good over evil and is marked with a deep spirit of joy. Find out more about how it relates to yoga here...

About yogaSusan BradleyOctober 26, 2017diwali, slow sunday, slow yoga, yoga york

Revitalising Summer Treats

I always love to share a little something edible and homemade at the end of my 'Slow Sunday' yoga workshops. After an afternoon of letting go, relaxing and nurturing the body and mind is lovely to revitalise with a small delicious treat. I often make chocolates, but this week I pushed the boat out (as it was the last Slow Sunday before a Summer break) and made some nutritious raw brownies and some cooling jasmine and melon iced tea. Sound good? Here's the recipes.....

FoodSusan BradleyJuly 12, 2017slow sunday, summer, recipe, chocolate Comments

The Hygge - Yoga - Mindfulness connection

Hygge has been brought to us by the Scandinavians, and it’s specifically a Danish concept. The Danes are amongst the happiest nations on the planet, so they must be doing something right! Featured for a while now in the press in interiors and lifestyle magazines, it perhaps brings to mind snuggly woollen blankets, copious soft cushions, and an abundance of candles (the Danes burn more candles per head of population than any other country in Europe apparently).But it’s far more than an uber fashionable fad for fans of Scandinavian design or Scandi noir tv series, it’s actually a part of Danish culture that really puts self-kindness, presence, and space for yourself at its heart, just like yoga and mindfulness does. The similarities are hugely striking.

mindfulness, Hygge, About yogaSusan BradleyFebruary 5, 2017hygge, mindfulness, slow sundayComment