May workshop: get fired up with Flying Dragons

Sometimes, a busy mind responds best to a quiet, passive practice: slowing the breath, withdrawing the senses, calming the body.

And sometimes, you just have to let off some steam…*

Anyone who’s ever enjoyed a dynamic, challenging yoga class knows that one of the best ways to ‘switch off’ mental chatter is to become completely absorbed in physical effort.

My next workshop (on Saturday 31^st May, 3-5.30pm) offers an opportunity to do just that. We’ll practice one of my favourite dynamic sequences – Paul Grilley’s “Flying Dragons” – along with a menagerie of other creature-inspired postures, including eagles, flamingos and maybe even the odd crocodile. An emphasis on balance and control will help to keep our attention focused as we move in and out of the postures, looking for a still point at the centre of the spiral.

For inspiration, here’s a video of Mr & Mrs Grilley demonstrating “Flying Dragons”. The sequence is full of graceful, expansive movements that are really exhilarating and fun to master.

The extended session ensures that we have plenty of time to work up to the more challenging asana. And after all that flying around, we’ll use a series of partner-assisted stretches to warm down, finishing with a long guided relaxation (Yoga Nidra).

I’ve designed the workshop to appeal to people who enjoy a dynamic, flowing yoga practice. It’s not suitable for beginners but should be accessible to confident novices with no major wrist or shoulder problems!

As usual, it takes place at Yoga Body Centre in Clapton, a bright and airy third floor studio overlooking Clapton Pond. Directions and booking info here.

* With apologies to HBO, which in no way endorses my yoga workshops. Unfortunately.