Off The Mat - Yoga On The Edge

Off The Mat Blog

A Legacy Left Behind

December 6, 2024 / ashtanga, community, yoga, yoga off the mat, yogateacher

The yoga community suffered a devastating loss recently, with the untimely passing of Sharath Jois. As many of the teachers at Yoga on the Edge, including Studio Lead Clare, are Ashtanga practitioners, and so many of us practice Ashtanga Yoga, we wanted to note this huge loss for the yoga world.

Core Matters…

October 9, 2024 / core, exercise, fitness, health, self care, wellbeing, wellness, yoga

Why is core strength so important? A strong core is essential for our longevity and movement. No matter what we do during the day - whether we’re desk-bound, driving a car, up on our feet, working out or chasing around little ones, we can all benefit from a strong core.

Whose line is it anyway?

September 9, 2024 / exercise, explore, fitness, health, history, mindfulness, philosophy, self care, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat

In the western world, the modern yoga that we practice today is very different from the classical yoga which has roots spanning over 2000 years. It’s part of the rich cultural heritage of India. So, what is Lineage in Yoga?

Yoga and Sport

July 29, 2024 / exercise, explore, fitness, health, injury, mindfulness, recovery, self care, Sport, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga practice

If you’re new to yoga and looking to see how yoga might assist your existing sports training, then you may be surprised to know just how helpful yoga can be in complementing your activities, and why so many professional athletes are rolling out their mats!

Maggie’s Mini Yogathon

June 5, 2024 / charity, community, explore, health, mindfulness, recovery, self care, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice, yogathon

Hot on the heels of our Yogathon success, we held a Maggie’s yoga mini-marathon! ‘Maggie’s Manchester’ is based at the Christie Hospital. It’s a centre to support those with cancer, at any stage of their journey. Maggie’s offers practical support – such as financial advice – as well emotional support. This could range from talking support groups and helping to manage emotions, or how to have difficult conversations with loved ones.

Yogathon

April 11, 2024 / charity, community, explore, health, mindfulness, recovery, self care, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice, yogathon

Our annual Yogathon is back. For the last 9 years, our yogi community has pulled together to make this a highlight of the Yoga on the Edge calendar. If you’ve never experienced one of our yogathons, join us in making this year the best one yet!

Your place in the Sun

March 13, 2024 / adventure, explore, health, mindfulness, nourish, Nuture, recovery, retreat, Seasonal, self care, travel, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

As the calendar turns to Spring, but the weather lags behind, you could be forgiven for daydreaming of sunnier days. Yoga on the Edge specialise in healthy, nurturing retreats in sun-soaked destinations in luxurious escapes from the outside world.

Imbolc

January 31, 2024 / health, mindfulness, nourish, Nuture, recovery, Seasonal, self care, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

Now as we turn our focus to the coming months and as January draws to a close, the first signs of Spring are starting to appear. The ‘beginning of the end’ of winter is marked by Imbolc. In the turning of the wheel, following pagan traditions and celebrations, It’s the midway point between the winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and it falls on the 1st-2nd of February. This is known as one of the ‘cross quarter’ festivals – these days mark the midway points between the main seasonal celebrations of the Spring/Autumn Equinoxes and Summer/Winter Solstices.

28 Days Later

January 1, 2024 / autumn, healing, health, injury, mindfulness, nourish, Nuture, recovery, Seasonal, self care, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

What can you do in 28 days? As we begin a new year, we might reflect on the months gone by as well as setting intentions or making resolutions for the months ahead. These might not be sweeping, life-altering intentions – but they don’t always need to be - sometimes small shifts in your behaviour or thinking can be the beginning of something wonderful.

Embrace Winter Wellness with Reiki: Nurturing Your Body, Mind, and Soul

November 29, 2023 / autumn, healing, health, injury, mindfulness, nourish, Nuture, recovery, Seasonal, self care, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

As winter blankets our world, it's a time for introspection and self-care. The chilly months invite us to turn inward, focusing on our well-being and finding solace amidst the cold. One powerful way to embrace this winter season is through the ancient healing art of Reiki. Derived from Japanese tradition, Reiki is not just a practice; it's a holistic experience that can rejuvenate your body, mind, and soul during the winter months. Let's explore why Reiki is a beacon of warmth and wellness, in the midst of winter.

New Season, New Challenges

November 2, 2023 / autumn, healing, health, injury, mindfulness, nourish, Nuture, recovery, Seasonal, self care, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

We're turning our focus towards cosier days – warm clothes, woolly blankets, candle-light nights and other comforting ways to sustain ourselves through the colder days (and nights). BUT it’s important to find a balance and not hibernate completely. Staying active during this season can help to combat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), as well as keep your mind sharp and your body working – so you can hit the ground running come Springtime!

Autumn Days

September 29, 2023 / autumn, healing, health, injury, mindfulness, nourish, Nuture, recovery, Seasonal, self care, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

Autumn brings a promise of harvest, bounty and colour. For sun-seekers and summer-lovers, this seasonal shift can mark the slow slide towards winter days and long nights. For some of us it can feel cold and dreary as we mourn summer’s end. Whilst it’s important not to underestimate the effects that the changing seasons can have on mind and body, remember that with every ending, something new begins. We can try to find beauty in all the seasons - even if this one isn’t your favourite - as the wheel keeps turning, and we find ourselves in the next season of our life.

Yoga and Injury

September 1, 2023 / athlete, exercise, healing, health, injury, mindfulness, recovery, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

Injuries can happen to us at any time. On or off the mat, and sometimes with far-reaching, even life-changing consequences. More people are turning to yoga as part of their injury recovery, from total yoga-beginners, to professional athletes. So, could yoga benefit your recovery? You may already be feeling the benefits of yoga in your day-to-day life, but what about when you’re injured?

What to expect from your yoga class

July 19, 2023 / healing, health, meditation, mindfulness, Types of yoga, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, Yoga Class, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

At Yoga on the Edge we are always refining our timetable to make our classes as accessible as possible. With new members, new teachers, and new classes, it feels like time to get into detail about some of the classes we offer, and what you might expect to draw from these practices.

The fun in fundraising…

June 5, 2023 / charity, community, donations, fundraising, healing, health, Intentions, meditation, mindfulness, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

One of the most important elements of what we do at Yoga on the Edge doesn’t feature much on our timetable. We don’t have a special page of the website devoted to it. And we don’t talk about it as much as we probably should… It’s our fundraising. But it underpins everything we want to build at Yoga on the Edge. Community is at the core of what we do. Karma yoga – the yoga of unselfish action – inspires acts of service. Our charity efforts create connections within our immediate yoga community and far beyond.

Dealing with stress…

April 19, 2023 / community, healing, health, Intentions, meditation, mental health, mindfulness, stress, stress management, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

None of us are immune to stress. But the way we view stress, how we respond to it, and how much space it occupies in our minds and bodies can be detrimental. If stress takes over, we risk being overwhelmed. And without paying equal attention to rest and restoration, stress can have a damaging effect beyond measure. Here are some ways to reduce and manage your stress.

5 Ways To Spring Clean Your Practice

March 28, 2023 / community, healing, health, Intentions, meditation, mindfulness, practice, reading, season, spring, summer, wellbeing, wellness, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

How about a few shifts to reinvigorate and energise your practice? Renew your energy on the mat and let it flow through all that you do. Here’s 5 easy ways to invite spring into your practice - Yoga on the Edge style!

World Book Day

February 27, 2023 / community, healing, health, Intentions, meditation, mindfulness, practice, reading, wellbeing, wellness, world book day, yoga, yoga off the mat, yoga practice

World Book Day (March 2nd) is a charity-run endeavour to encourage the habit of reading for pleasure in children and young people. It’s now observed in over 100 countries around the world, so if you’re a parent or teacher you may be well-versed in the last-minute World Book Day costume… But, do you ever get a chance to enjoy World Book Day for yourself? Whatever your age, it’s a great opportunity to connect back into reading as a pastime! If you’re looking to take your yoga off the mat, reading something yogic is a great way to deepen your practice.

No Year’s Resolutions

January 31, 2023 / community, healing, health, Intentions, meditation, mindfulness, morning, new year, practice, resolutions, sound, wellbeing, wellness, winter, yoga, yoga practice

New Year’s resolutions aren’t for everyone. Now that January is (finally) over, it raises the question: If you made New Year’s resolutions - have you kept any? Do you envisage them lasting the year? If the answer is yes - then that is fantastic! If you are one of the lucky few who find them easy and helpful, then read no further and carry on doing what works. If no: Well, then you’re not alone…

Winter Solstice

December 18, 2022 / community, healing, health, meditation, mindfulness, morning, practice, sound, wellbeing, wellness, winter, yoga, yoga practice

December 21st is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. It is the counterpart and opposite of the June 21st summer solstice and brings us to the final part of the year – a reminder that the wheel keeps turning as we move from darkness towards the light, and once more look ahead to spring. To celebrate the solstice, and honour the season, here are some easy ways to bring some ritual and meaning to the days of December.

Winter Morning Warmers

December 1, 2022 / community, healing, health, meditation, mindfulness, morning, practice, sound, wellbeing, wellness, winter, yoga, yoga practice

Colder, darker months don’t always inspire us to leap out of bed and roll out the mat. But, with a few tips, you can build a routine for healthy, happy mornings whatever the weather.

Gong Baths

November 3, 2022 / community, gong baths, healing, meditation, mindfulness, practice, sound, wellbeing, yoga, yoga practice

Many of us love to step into a long, relaxing bath at the end of a hard day. Soaking in, allowing troubles, tensions and stresses and aches to melt away. A bath has long been a traditional, healthy way to unwind. A gong bath offers much the same levels of tension-releasing, muscle-relaxing ease, but with no suds required (and clothing firmly on).

Autumn Equinox

September 19, 2022 / autumn, community, equinox, meditation, mindfulness, practice, Seasons, wellbeing, yoga, yoga practice

Well, it depends on who you ask! For some, autumn begins on September 1st - which is the start of autumn, meteorologically speaking. Its the time of new school term with feelings of rhythm, routine and newly sharpened pencils. But some take the official start of autumn from the Equinox, which marks the start of astronomical autumn - this year it falls on September 23rd. Whichever date you prefer, autumn is definitely upon us. Read more about the equinox and how to celebrate the beauty of the changing season, on or off the mat.

Yin is In

August 23, 2022 / community, Masterclass, meditation, mindfulness, practice, wellbeing, Workshop, yin, yoga, Yoga Class, yoga practice

Workshops are a really important part of our program at Yoga on the Edge. It's an opportunity to really dive deep and immerse yourself into an aspect of your yoga practice. We offer a wide range of specialised workshops from our experienced team of teachers. But we are also proud to host some of the most well-known names from around the yoga world. Next in our impressive line up is Dhugal Meachem. On September 10th, Dhugal will be arriving at Yoga on the Edge to lead you on a Yin workshop like no other...

Yoga to Beat the Heat

July 17, 2022 / community, Heat, Hot yoga, meditation, mindfulness, nature, practice, summer, wellbeing, yoga, Yoga Class, yoga practice

With a UK heatwave on the cards this week, it's a good time to consider how yoga can help to beat the heat. As summer stretches out before us, here's some ideas for your yoga practice - for when you need to cool down from within!

Summer Solstice

May 6, 2022 / celebration, community, meditation, nature, practice, solstice, summer, wellbeing, yoga, yoga practice

June brings with it the Summer Solstice. On the 21st June we reach the shortest night and the longest day. The solstices have long been a point of celebration, so why not honour this auspicious time of year as part of your yoga practice?

Yoga for Mental Health

May 6, 2022 / anxiety, community, depression, meditation, mental health, practice, wellbeing, yoga, yoga practice

It may be widely accepted that yoga improves flexibility and health of the body. But what about the mind? In 2022 - post-lockdowns, modern society has a combination of stresses unique to our time. So, can yoga – an ancient, holistic system – have any benefit in modern-day management of mental wellbeing?

Community at our Core

April 20, 2022 / charity, community, meditation, mental health, practice, yoga, yoga practice

At the core of Yoga on the Edge is the community we build. We want our studio space to act as a retreat from the outside world as well as a place to connect to those within it.

(Why you can’t) Beat a Retreat

March 1, 2022 / Beach, meditation, Portugal, practice, retreat, yoga, yoga practice

Fancy working on your asana for a weekend in Wales? How about a savasana on sun-kissed shores? You’re not alone… Yoga retreats have exploded in popularity in recent years, and with good reason.

Good Intentions

January 31, 2022 / Intentions, meditation, practice, yoga, yoga practice

Have you ever been sat on your mat, ready to start your yoga practice, when your teacher asks you to ‘set an intention’… only to have your mind go blank, or start worrying about the massive ‘to-do’ list you need to get through after your class, or what you’ll need to get for tea, or that you snapped at your partner on the way out of the house. No? Ok, you probably don’t need to read any further.

Introducing A Beautiful Therapy

November 17, 2021

By Maria Pringle I’m so excited to meet some new faces, but before I do I thought I’d introduce myself and share my background story. My name is Maria, I’m

What’s the Difference Between Stress & Anxiety?

October 12, 2021 / breath, meditation, mental health, mindfulness, pranayama

By Sonia Morales, Integrative Health and Wellness. Mind Body Medicine

What is stress and anxiety and when does it become an issue? In this post Sonia explores these topics as well as providing some techniques and coping mechanisms to deal with day to day stress and anxiety.