About Yoga and Qi Gong

Yoga is becoming increasingly popular in the West – Geri Haliwell, Madonna and Sting are just a few of the more famous champions of the discipline and many premier league footballers and athletes are beginning to incorporate yoga into their training regimes. The benefits of a regular practise are numerous for example it increases flexibility, improves posture, reduces stress and calms the mind.

• Postures - these have many benefits including increasing flexibility, strengthening muscles, nourishing and cleansing the body, balancing the hormones and improving balance and mobility. Hatha yoga postures can be both slow and meditative or more dynamic so it is a practise that can be enjoyed by everyone whatever your ability or experience. Manjula uses her knowledge of yoga and remedial massage to ensure that you are practising in a safe way and will suggest ways to adapt the postures to suit your individual needs.
• Pranayama (breath control) - these ancient techniques are particularly important today.  When we become stressed and anxious there's a tendency to hold the breath or shallow breath.  This prevents vital oxygen being drawn into the body and leads to a host of health problems.  The breathing techniques taught in yoga help to re-establish a healthy breathing pattern.  Regular practice helps us to, release toxins, stimulate digestion, increase lung capacity, relieve sinus problems and purify the nervous system.  Also by controlling the breath we are able to more easily quieten an overactive mind and this helps to prevent stress building up again.
• Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation) - each class ends with Yoga Nidra or the 'yogic sleep' as it is sometimes known.  This is intended to induce full-body relaxation and a deep meditative state. In our chronically exhausted and over-stimulated world, yoga nidra is a valuable method to help slow down the brain waves and unwind the nervous system.  It is a deeply nurturing and restorative practice and leads to a state of ultimate harmony. 
• Meditation - our minds are often on overdrive and we are constantly looking to external things to make us happy, even when we realise that this happiness is only transient.  Meditation techniques help us to restore peace and teach us how to take control of the mind, rather than the mind being in control of us. Meditation has been referred to as "food for the soul" and through regular practise we begin to experience a lasting sense of bliss and happiness.

The culmination of these practices is a wonderful sense of peace and well being.  Over time and with regular practice we begin to open on all levels.  A yoga practice should be taken at a pace that is comfortable for you, this way there will be no unease in the body or mind.  As the mind and body begin to quieten and find a place of stillness and we are able to experience that peace which lies within each of us.

Chi Yoga

Manjula also teaches Chi Yoga, this is a beautiful fusion of flowing chi gong (similar to t'ai chi) and yoga postures aimed at generating and protecting energy.  This powerful combination will promote flexibility, strength, vitality and is a great stress-buster! Classes consist of dynamic postures, breathing practices, deep relaxation and meditations.  If you try it, you'll love it!

Yoga and M.E.

Manjula has received specific training for teaching yoga to those with M.E. and Chronic Fatigue. Currently it is thought that some 250,000 people suffer from this condition. It has numerous associate symptoms which can range fro mild to debilitating.  Yoga, if undertaken with a qualified instructor, can provide a great deal of relief. It helps to increase circulation, release stored tensions, help an inflexible spine, loosen stiff joints, help breathing and muscle atrophy.  It also helps alleviate anxiety and depression and aids the individual along the road to recovery.

Manjula is an experienced teacher who brings both wisdom and humour to her classes.  She completed her yoga training at the Integral Yoga Institute in American and trained as a practitioner of Medical Chi Gong at the London College of Traditional Acupuncture.  She runs regular classes, workshops and retreats.  Group classes and one-to-one lessons are available.

The Practitioners

Manjula Coté
For many years Manjula worked in the media industry in London. Her work, although rewarding, gave a definite insight in... READ MORE »