Yoga with Loreta
YOGA TEACHER IN CANARY WHARF, ISLE OF DOGS, ISLAND GARDENS, LONDON & ONLINE. YOGA-WELLNESS RETREATS IN EUROPE
Meditation & Breath Work. Reiki
Breathe deeper. Feel better.
Practice awareness & mindfulness
Regardless of the yoga style I teach, I prioritise mindfulness of breath, body, movement, and stretch — immersing students in the present moment. Every yoga class serves as a journey into awareness and mindfulness, fostering a gentle attentiveness to our actions and surroundings. Meditation stands out as a pinnacle practice for cultivating mindfulness. These practices serve to relax, harmonise body and mind, and evoke a heightened sense of presence, peace, focus, and mental energy.
I integrate these principles into my classes and retreats, such as the upcoming Yoga-Wellness Retreat in Algarve, Portugal, scheduled for May 14-20th. Click here for details.
Scroll down to read more about Meditation, Pranayama (Breath Work) and Reiki.
Meditation
On a basic level, meditation is a quieting of the mind. “This inner quiet enables the meditator to listen to the infinite well of wisdom that lies within us.” - Conrad Paul. In Eight Limbs of Yoga, The Yoga Sutras Patanjali made Meditation the 7th limb (Dhyana). In order to sit for long periods of time the body must be flexible and fit, and the breath is used to help deepen the experience. This is why Asana (postures) and Pranayama (breath work) are the 3rd & 4th limbs, respectively. It also works in an opposite way: practicing meditation helps to focus, relax and hold a physical balance or other posture for longer. However, when meditate, you do not necessarily have to sit cross legs position. You can also kneel or sit in a chair; you can lean near a wall. Whatever you choose, always ensure that your spine is upright, feels long and spacious in relaxed way. Close your eyes to focus inwards, but feel free to keep your eyes gently open with low gaze, if it feels better. Beginner’s tip: it can help to do some stretches and movements to open the body and prepare it for sitting in meditation. You can start with 5 min and gradually increase the time. Consistency is most important!
There are many types of meditation. Usually it focuses on breath/body awareness or positiveness.
- Movement meditation is a physical yoga class, can be Thai Chi and similar practices
- Mindfulness meditation is very popular - mindfulness of bodily sensations or breath
- Metta is loving-kindness meditation, cultivates love, kindness and positivity
- Object gazing meditation, Trataka (helps to focus, induce intuition, good for the sight)
- Mantra meditation when you repeat mantras or affirmations, also called transcendental meditation, can be empowering
- Visualisation meditation
- Walking meditation and more
I practice and teach all the types above except walking meditation but very likely in future yoga retreats. At the moment I teach meditation in my Hatha Flow and Meditation class on Tuesdays 6.45-7.45pm. Book here
I also include short mindfulness/breath meditations in other classes, depending on a class sequence. You can join me for sessions from the comfort of your own home over Zoom, or in person in the Isle of Dogs. Private and personalised one-to-one or groups of up to 4 people are also available. All ages and levels of experience are welcome! Click here to view my free meditation video.
To arrange your first individual session, please get in touch
Pranayama (Breath Work)
“Inhalation - a gift Universe gives to you, Exhalation - gift you give to Universe.” - Judith Lasater.
Pranayama is composed of the words Prana and Ayama which is Sanskrit means ‘extension of the life force’.
The quality and awareness of your breath while practising yoga is very important. You are aiming for a smooth and even inhalation and exhalation. It can be very challenging to maintain a calm and steady breath while you move through increasing levels of difficulty in your postures.
Important is to never sacrifice your breath for the posture. Use the breath as your guide as to whether to ease out of a posture or explore and move deeper into it.
Full yogic breathing is from the bottom of the belly all the way up to the top of the chest, and all the way down. This is taught at the beginning of every class. It is also a natural introduction to Ujjayi breathing (used in yoga therapy to calm the mind and soothe the nervous system). Then this breathing can be maintained during a class. With practice you naturally start breathing deeper more efficient breaths in your day to day life. This induces your lung capacity, supplies more oxygen in your organs, all body systems and ultimately is a great addition to your physical and mental health.
There are many types of advanced Pranayama (breath work) which can be practiced for longer periods of time. It leads to cleansing the lungs and airways, reduces anxiety and/or depression, stabilises blood pressure, boosts energy levels, improves immunity, and much more.
I include Pranayama in every class. You are welcome to book a private only Pranayama (breath work) session one to one or for a small group, online or in person.
Reiki
I am an experienced Reiki practitioner, having gained my training and Initiation with Reiki Master Teacher Andy Chrysostomou. Rei translates to universe or life force, and ki refers to the physical energy of the body (known as prana or qi), coming together to mean “universal life force energy”. The Usui System of Natural Healing, now commonly known as Reiki, is a natural form of energy healing using Reiki of the Universe. Discovered by Mikao Usui in the early part of 20th century in Japan, Reiki is a unique and distinct therapy. Today, Reiki is practiced throughout the world by millions of people.
Reiki therapy is a way of guiding energy throughout the body to promote the recipient’s self-healing abilities. The Reiki practitioner doesn’t cause the healing, nor are they the source of that healing energy; they’re a channel for the energy, - according NCCIH.
The Reiki process involves the hands being held above a person’s body or gently touching areas where energy flows and where you most need healing. The purpose of Reiki is to release energy blocks, restore balance, reduce the mental and physical effects of stress, and promote self-healing. This is usually done with a person laying down on a treatment couch in a comfortable position, fully clothed and covered with a blanket or a towel. No massage is involved. A session can be induced by essential oils, relaxing music etc.
Distance Reiki also can work very well.
Other potential benefits of Reiki: improved mood and emotional well-being, increased relaxation, better sleep, lower blood pressure, less anxiety, enhanced pain management.
Sessions can be booked at the O'Fit Sports Clinic E14, your home, or distanced Reiki online.
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