The Slow Yoga Movement

Yoga is a process, not a thing. It's not about what you do, but more about how you do it.  Practising mindfulness while you move can help you integrate different aspects of yourself...the nervous system, muscles, fascia, the immune system, our minds, the subtle body of prana...Helping you to have a healthy immune system, be emotionally and mentally resilient with a sense of well-being and choice in how your act.

This is possible when we slow down, develop mindful awareness, move with intention and allow ourselves to feel our body and synchronise with the breath.

Slow movements paired with the breath, and intentional holds are emphasised in Banksia yoga classes. Classes are different to a fitness focused class, but you will still find ways to develop strength, flexibility and grace of movement. 

There are 3 main benefits of practising yoga in this way:

1. Slow practices build vagal tone in the body (our emotional brain in the gut), which helps us develop a healthy nervous system and increases our emotional resilience, 

2. Slowing down increases proprioception and interoception skills, which increases our immune function, as we become more aware of how our body responds to internal and external stimulus.

3.  When we move slowly, we can be more mindful, which strengthens the parts of your brain responsible for concentration, considered action and empathy.

Just like cleaning our teeth, mindful movement is a life long commitment.  We can't expect to achieve the benefits without practice, just like we can't expect our teeth to stay healthy without regular brushing. 

The good news is there is always a way we can show up for ourselves, and slowing down also makes it easier to find our own way to be in our body regardless of our circumstances. We can adapt the practice for heat, cold, grief, anxiety, tiredness, physical injury and illness.  What is important is that we show up - regularly and with kindness to ourselves.
Join me - classes start January 31