See here the work we are delivering thanks to the Community Fund
Apr25- May 2025 8 Week Mindfulness & Meditation course
Week 1- Orientation
Week 3 Meditation, Mindfulness & Physical pain
Week 1- Orientation
17 Participants have started our first 8 week programme. This evening is about getting to know the group, our reasons for wanting to learn these tools and an introduction to how it all works. We finish with a guided body scan meditation and the group have access to the recorded guided meditations for the whole 8 weeks which they do daily at home.
Week 2 stress
Week 3 Meditation, Mindfulness & Physical pain
Week 1- Orientation
Why does stress cause over 80% of illness??
The foundation of working with stress is about listening to your body and becoming aware of sensations.
How the Autonomic Nervous System is the key to mitigating any harmful effects of stress.
Understanding the science of stress and the evolution of the autonomic nervous system - the ultimate survival machine.
Changing our reaction to response is a skill and takes practice. This is why the body scan is crucial. It helps us to become familiar with thats happening in the body - this sensitivity helps us to notice when we are slipping into stress reaction or getting activated.
In our break everyone sampled some home made kefir - this probiotic drink offers stress related benefits.
Week 3 Meditation, Mindfulness & Physical pain
Week 3 Meditation, Mindfulness & Physical pain
Week 3 Meditation, Mindfulness & Physical pain
We discussed how we can work with pain in a similar way to how the 2 broad types of meditation work and how we need to pay attention to the mental commentary that takes place alongside it. This is a radical and counter intuitive approach that takes time and practice. We also discussed how body alignment and posture are so important for our overall health and function of the body.
In the break everyone enjoyed some nettle and lemon balm water kefir that Dawn made with ingredients from her own back yard and foraged from the local park.
Study from The university of Manchester-
Meditation reduces the emotional impact of pain
Meditation training to overcome pain
The effects of brief mindfulness meditation training on experimentally induced pain - PubMed
Week 4 Emotional Stress, Anxiety & Depression
Week 3 Meditation, Mindfulness & Physical pain
Key points we worked with are
1- Deal with emotional pain by being present in the body when it arises.
2-Using the body as a tool to not get involved in the mental story line that is unravelling.
3- Training ourselves to feel all the emotions we experience with no judgement- YES THIS CAN BE DIFFICULT. It takes time.
4- We broke down the 3 elements of an emotion; The narrative, the physical reaction in the body and the mood/energy that creates. How we get stuck in these loops and how to break free.
All of this takes practice, time and self compassion. The more we practice in the good times, the easier it will be in the challenging times.
And in our break time we shared some home made seasonal Rhubarb and Ginger kefir.
Week 5 Role Stress & Time Pressure
Key points we worked with:
1- We can become imprisoned in a particular role because we have developed fixed views about whats appropiate.
2- Our indentification with them it what causes stress. We are more than our roles, sometimes we can use a role as a mask.
3- Time pressure is a universal problem.
4- Flow- "Flow is a state of consciousness in which a person is completely absorbed in their actions and experiences a unity of mind and body"
We now move onto a different type of breath meditation called following the breath. Each participant goes off and does their daily practice by listening to the guided audio. Everyone was also asked to consciously be 100% mindful in at least one daily task- and then write down afterwards in their journal their experience.
Week 6 Taking Care of yourself
Key points of this session are:
1- “ Your life is a creation of your mind”- Meditation & mindfulness helps you to develop awareness and resilience to life’s challenges and see more clearly those activities that nourish you and deplete you.
2- Meditation practice is an important part of your programme of taking care of yourself.
3- Very important to expand your mindfulness practice into other parts of your life.
4- Meditation is a tool to improve your relationships.
5- Do what makes you come alive.
As with every week we first start with a check in on how the weeks meditation practice has gone. This weeks has been following the breath. We are not supressing thoughts and feelings in this we are just not investing them , we just keep returning to the breath. With practice and over time we are training our attention and the minds becomes less flighty and reactive in every day life.
We had a break, drank our home made kefir and caught up with what’s been happening in the week.
We finish with a group following the breath meditation and then the class continue with their daily practice through a guided meditation with dawn that they access on an audio clip. The class have also been asked to write down each day something they are grateful for on post it notes and stick them where they can see them each day. This is a proven method of creating a feeling of happiness in everyday life and modern day physics now tells us – What we think we become and what we feel we attract.
Week 7 Elevated Function
Started the session off with an acknowledgment of how wonderful it was to see the daily expressions of gratitude coming through from the course particpants on the group’s whats app channel from the previous week. This practice of gratitude really is incredibly powerful. By writing it down it creates a mind- body coherence that when embodied creates a release of feel good chemicals and hormones that have a positive impact not only on mood but also the immune system. Energetically too we get back what we put out- think in terms of frequency, energy and vibration.
We covered some of the amazing research that’s coming out about the benefits of these practices including; Focus and concentration, psychological wellbeing, increased empathy and creativity and problem solving. For all those out there who want to delay the aging process ; There is research now that those practicing meditation for 5 years were physiologically 12 years younger than their non meditating counterparts!!!
So far on this course weve covered how the practice of mindfulness & meditation is good for our health on many different levels. But how can we go beyond this? How can we use these practices to boost or elevate the function of our body-mind.
In Japan theres a long tradition of people going to zen temples to learn and practice meditation to equip them for success in their life- many of these people are from politics, the arts, business leaders and sports. How can we in sunny Blackburn do the same we ask??!!!
We talked about how when people embark on this course they are generally feeling a bit off , theyre looking for solutions to help them feel better. Around about now or week 7 people often notice a difference in their mood and by the end of the course some can stop their practice because they think the are “fixed”. We talked about how to not let this happen for this to be part of daily life to maintain that sense of wellness but also to go beyond that
So we looked at areas of life we would like to excel in. Choose one and focus on that with awareness and intention.
Only one more week left now and we now also move onto the practice of presence meditation.
Week 8 Changing your Life
At the start of this course we talk about how habits are formed, taken from research from University College London and Dr Philippa Lally. According to this research it takes on average 66 days to form a habit. Whats a habit? Something that’s weirder to not do? For mindfulness and meditation to work and the benefits of this to manifest it must become a formed habit.
How long does it take to form a habit? | UCL News - UCL – University College London
If done daily, the mediations and daily mindful practices of this course takes people to 56 days. So we had a discussion about how each person would remain with their practice to take them to this point and beyond to 100 days and how the group can support each other moving forwards.
Working in collaboration with the University of Oxford, Zenways embarked on a research project some years ago to collect results data for this 8 week course. As teachers we continue to use these these tools to assess results. At the start and at the end each participant is asked to complete 3 surveys and these are the results. This is the sixth course I have taught- 2 since I graduated as a teacher. I delivered 4 of these as part of my training.
Satisfaction with life scores
The average Increase in their scores was 63.22% - this is the biggest increase so far, I have seen in all the groups I have taught.
This gives a general indication of how happy and fulfilled an individual is. It reflects their satisfaction with their work as well as home life.
Stress Scale
Students were 10 points more stressed than the national average at the start and finished 5 points less stressed than average. This equates to a positive change of 50%. The average for the group overall was a decrease in stress of 47%
This reduction is strongly linked to future stress proofing. This reduces the risk of negative consequences of stress and likelihood of future medical interventions or time off work due to stress.
Mindful Attention Awareness Scale
We saw a positive change of 28%.This is good obviously, but it’s the lowest increase in all the groups I have taught. I wonder why that is? Looking at the average data- and I’m not a data analyst of course, it was quite high to start with. Some people on this group were already meditators in different traditions and interestingly many of them were from creative backgrounds.
An increase in present moment awareness is related to improved attention and creativity, reduced forgetfulness, carelessness and consequently accidents.
I am so grateful to be able to deliver these courses. It is truly a privilege to see such positive change in people over that 2 month period. I will be doing a follow up post on peoples feedback to go with this 8 week collection.
June 2025- Events in Darwen
Zen & Forage Day
Sunday marked our very first donation-based event here in Darwen – and what a beautiful day it was! We welcomed 30 wonderful participants who joined us for a full, nourishing experience grounded in nature, movement, and community.
We began with a Spring Zen Yoga practice, easing into the day with mindful movement. So, what is Zen Yoga? A good way to describe it is as Hatha Yoga meeting Zen – a practice deeply rooted in the understanding of the human being as an energetic phenomenon. It’s based on the principle that our energy can be cultivated and enhanced, or depleted and dispersed, depending on how we move, breathe, and focus.
(Stay tuned – I’ll be writing a full blog post on what exactly Zen Yoga is and why it’s so powerful. I’ll share it next week, just before we begin our Summer Zen Yoga course, also here in Darwen!)
Spring is associated with the energetic systems of the liver and gallbladder. When these are balanced, we tend to feel expansive, kind, and creative. When imbalanced, we might experience anger, frustration, apathy, or a sense of giving up. These organs are linked to specific energy lines in the body/meridian lines – often referred to as fascial planes.
We began by placing our awareness in the tanden – the core of the body and considered the physical and energetic centre. In Zen Yoga, this is seen as the source of growth and expansion, much like a seed growing outward. Our practice started gently, with subtle movements, gradually building in strength and energy. As we moved through the sequences, we traced and opened the energy lines, inviting in the fresh, vibrant energy of spring – loosening the body, awakening our senses. It was a full-bodied practice in mindfulness – of the body, of sensation, of aliveness.
After our practice, we headed up to Whitehall Park for the second part of the day – a guided forage led by the incredible Pete Compo from Pendle Plant Craft. I'm hoping we’ll be seeing a lot more of Pete in Darwen!
Pete is a leading voice in the foraging world. His first book, Thirteen Cycles, is a beautiful blend of plant knowledge and seasonal wisdom, and his second book, Wild Recipes & Remedies, launches on June 21st. During the walk, Pete showed us just how much natural medicine we have right on our doorstep – plants rich in serotonin-boosting compounds, anti-inflammatory properties, and microbiome-enhancing nutrients.
We busted some common myths, shared our own wild food experiences, and learned that even introducing just 1% of wild food into your diet can boost your gut microbiome by up to 60% – incredible! Pete effortlessly weaved together magic and science, speaking about biodiversity, seasonal harmony, and the intelligence of plants, trees, and fungi.
We explored the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), which is even prescribed by doctors in Japan for mental health, and touched on morphic resonance theory from the brilliant Dr Rupert Sheldrake.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us – rain, wind, or shine, it didn’t matter. It was a powerful and inspiring way to spend a Sunday, and there will definitely be more to come.
For more info about Pendle Plant craft or to buy Petes books visit
https://www.facebook.com/pendleplantcraft
June- July 2025 8 Week Zen Meditation & Mindfulness Course
Week 1- Orientation
10 June 2025 saw the second cohort of the 8 week meditation & mindfulness course kindly funded by the National Lotteries Community fund. A big thank you again to Acer Lodge in Blackburn who kindly host us – again as their gift to the community.
Everyone says what their intention is for committing 2 months of their precious time to this process. Reasons are on the board on the photo- please excuse my writing -oopss! In this session everybody completes 3 surveys which are provided by the University of Oxford- quality of life, perceived levels of stress and mindful awareness and then we return to complete the exact questions in 2 months time. See previous results from other courses that I have delivered.
We delve into what exactly is meditation and mindfulness and the origin of these practices. This is not a course on religion or spirituality, it is taken from the practices of Bompu Zen- which is purely about improving health and the science of neuroplasticity.
We talk practicalities and the need for committing to the meditation as a daily practice for form a healthy habit.
This week and next week are all about the bodyscan meditation. We discuss why this is so important and then everyone goes off and listens to the audio bodyscan for a week and then hopefully everyone will come back for next week. The topic is stress!!!
Thank you again to the staff at Acer Lodge for making us all so welcome. Its such a lovely place to deliver this work.
Week 2 17 June 2025- Stress
Stress - the silent killer. 80% of all illness is caused by it. Why though?
We break down breakdown what’s happening in the body and give the solution to overcoming the harmful effects. Teaching people who to use their ultimate survival machine - their autonomic nervous system.
How zen meditation is a proven scientific way of doing this and also improving heart rate variability. This is linked to improved physical health and emotional regulation.
Week 3 24 June 2025- Pain
Zen Meditation for Pain Relief – Backed by Science
Did you know that mindfulness based practices like Zen meditation are scientifically proven to help manage chronic pain?
Zen meditation helps us rewire how we relate to pain—reducing emotional reactivity and allowing the body to settle into healing.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction - Wikipedia- Jon Kabat Zin brought this into the mainstream back in the 80s. He wasn’t teaching anything new- these are ancient teachings – nothing to do with religion or sprituality. Just powerful and effective solutions for health.
He popularised MBSR- mindfulness based stress reduction clinics, starting in the US and then they came over here to the UK. Sadly they don’t seem to be around anymore.
We are lucky that the National Lottery Community Fund have kindly funded these.
Week 4 1 July 2025 Emotional stress, Anxiety & Depression
As always we started with a group check in on how everyone found their counting the breath meditation which everyone does each day through the audio clip provided as part of the course. Challenges, questions and wonderful stories shared as always.
We discussed how posture is so important in this – we are working with gravity entering the body which relaxes the muscles and organs, encouragement of diaphragmatic breath and how we hold our bodies has a direct impact on the mind. How this is not just about relaxation but about training which overspills into our everyday lives- how our relationship to our thoughts changes which has a huge impact on the quality of our lives.
The key element here is about awareness, acceptance and allowing. When we are willing to accept and allow our emotional pain that’s when thing start to heal and lives change. This work is not for the faint hearted; it takes courage, patience and loads of self-compassion.
One of the biggest barriers to this is our unwillingness to see things as they really are. We so much want things to be different. The unwillingness creates the suffering.
We can approach this by using one of the four different foundations of mindfulness. It’s much easier to practice mindfulness of the body and so that’s what we focus on in this course- and in our yoga practice too. With training and practice cultivating a relationship with the body helps us in so many ways. In relation to emotional stress, we are training ourselves to become aware of bodily sensations related to thoughts- EMOTION= energy in motion; it just wants to move, but life often doesn’t allow that and also its too much and so we generally suppress these emotions. Neuroscience is now confirming what these ancient teachings have been saying for nearly 2600 years- this suppression and repression of emotions is causing illness.
Key takeaways: When emotion arises instead of going to the story instead focus on the feeling. Tune into the body. Stop identifying with thoughts and emotions. Become the observer- create the gaps. This is the path of our meditation practice.
Everyone now goes off to continue with counting the breath meditation and also seeing if they can practice each day just being with each emotion- feeling in the body and letting it pass.
Week 5 Role stress and time pressure
We will have several roles in this life that we are required to play. We can often develop very fixed views and expectations of what’s appropriate in these roles and this often doesn’t harmonize with who we really are. These roles then can then turn into what feels like prison. We discussed how it’s not the role per that causes us the stress but our relationship to it. And no, we are not talking about running to the hills to live in a cave. That is not realistic nor is it was is necessary to have a good life.
That’s why these skills are so important what we learn here. They are tools and training that integrate ancient wisdom for modern day.
We discuss time pressure and the opposite of being in flow and how it’s important to incorporate more activities that allow us to access this flow state. Typically, people who practice meditation and mindfulness are far more able to access and stay in flow states.
In our break we drank some raspberry, blackcurrant and apple kefir before we went onto a new zen meditation practice of following the breath.
Homework for this week- do your following the breath meditation each day with the audio. Take some time each day to carry out a task in mindfulness. THIS IS SOOOOO UNDERRATED BY THE WAY!!
As always thank you to the Community fund and Acer Lodge who kindly gift us the use of their wonderful space. Thank you to Steph who works alongside me and all the ladies here who are showing up and putting the work in.
Week 6 Taking Care of Yourself
Life is a creation of your mind - a saying used for many years across many cultures and traditions. What does it mean?
A consistent meditation and mindfulness practice will show you .
With this consistent practice we start to see more clearly and the lens that we see the world through starts to change. we start to see what’s nourishing us and whats depleting us.
We look at how we can approach these depleting things differently as to minimise the negative effects. This is why this work can be called stress proofing.
We start to see that our thoughts are often not accurate and we don’t need to identify or cling to them as truth. We start to see how our our minds have often created prison cells that have prevented us from
living.
We also touch on forgiveness and a gratitude practice as being a potential super power. We looked at our joy generators and concluded we should try and cultivate more of these daily in life.
In our break we shared a tulsi basil herbal tea which is known for stress relief, respiratory health, blood sugar regulation and more.
Home work for this week is to carry on with following the breath meditation each day and write down each day at least 3 things you are grateful for. Stick them on a post it note and put them on display. Maybe share this amongst the whats app group to inspire others. I love the week coming up and reading the messages of gratitude -it truly is humbling to be part of it all.
Week 7 Elevated Function
22 July 2025- Week 7 Elevated Function
We started as aways with a check in on how everyone’s meditation practice of following the breath had gone and also the homework of a daily gratitude practice. What also materialized was a couple of people were having realisations and gaining clarity on areas of their life. This is a side effect of a daily meditation practice; we are training the mind to focus and to concentrate.
We also talked about how sometimes it can be difficult to be grateful and then the self-condemnation kicks in that one “should” be grateful etc etc. The shoulds cause the suffering too, we need to drop the should and coulds. A tip I gave when we are having days like this is to recall a memory of love, happiness or even just one of feeling safe. Bathe in the feeling by invoking every sense and making it so real that the brain doesn’t know if this experience is current or not. Another thing we can do to prep us for days like this is to memorise the feeling in the body when we have a joyful experience, so that we can reproduce that feeling on command. The more we do this the more life experience will change.
So far in this course we have looked at how meditation can prevent ill health on mental and physical levels and how it can help to insulate you from the negative effects of stress.
Now we go on to look at ways in which meditation can boost or elevate the function of body- mind
These include; delaying the aging process Wallace et al., 1982, International Journal of Neuroscience http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/00207458209147602
Increase in empathy, IQ, creativity and problem solving, heightened senses, sexual function and joy.
In Japan they talk about the hara (belly, guts). They believe the hara a function you can develop – a combination of vigor and groundedness. When you meet someone with a strong hara, you can feel yourself in the presence of a forceful energy. We’re exploring the development of hara on this course. Certainly you can expect your meditation to give you more energy to get through the day.
On our break we drank kombucha and kefir- loads of great info out there about the positive effects on our health with these super drinks. Also had a chat about what was on Beccy’s T shirt- “ Let them” And no Mel Robbins DID NOT invent the concept!
Everyone now gores off to practice a more advanced form of zen meditation “The practice of presence” Here there is no anchor for awareness unlike previous weeks.
Thank you again to Acer Lodge.
Welcome Summer- 20 June 2025
20th June 2025- The launch of our TNL Community funded summer zen yoga in Darwen, Lancashire.
We had the pleasure of Beccy Jones from Beccy Jones Health Solutions joining us to share her wisdom and cook a seasonal and healthy lunch. Sadly I didn’t get any photos of the yoga- myself and volunteers can’t be in the same place at the same time! 22 people showed up to practice yoga together- many of them never experiencing yoga before ever! Totally out of their comfort zones. 18 stayed on to eat lunch together.
Honouring the Energy of Summer Through Zen Yoga
Zen Yoga combines mindful movement, breathwork, and meditative awareness, drawing on both Zen philosophy and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In summer, our practice aligns with the element of Fire—connected to the heart, circulation, joy, and outward energy. Physically, the heart and small intestine are the organs associated with this season, and Zen Yoga sequences in summer focus on opening the chest, improving circulation, and promoting emotional clarity.
Research shows that slow, mindful movement practices like yoga can significantly improve cardiovascular health, respiratory efficiency, muscle tone, and flexibility. A 2019 systematic review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that regular yoga practice improves heart rate variability (a marker of nervous system balance) and reduces stress-related inflammation. These outcomes are especially relevant in summer, when high energy and increased activity can lead to burnout if not balanced with conscious rest and mindful embodiment.
Many of these people had never done yoga before. Reasons why range from " Its not for me" "Im not flexible enough" "Ill look daft"
Something so good for health should not be perceived as inaccessible because of the limitations we put on ourselves.
These sessions are also a reminder that given the right setting and approach, people will come out of their comfort zones- and be happy they did. Its also a reminder that wellness is also about what we eat, how we gather, and how we connect to nature and each other.
This is what Beccy had to share: The Elements of Nutrition Health Clinic | Facebook
Seasonal Eating, Soil Wisdom & The Power of Local Food
In a beautiful blend of mindfulness and nourishment, I recently joined a Zen yoga group for an evening of seasonal soul food. After preparing a vibrant, locally sourced summer meal for 18 guests, we sat down together to explore the connection between our food, digestion, and the shifting needs of our bodies through the seasons.
I spoke about why eating seasonally and locally isn’t just trendy—it’s biological, economical, and energetically aligned. Our bodies crave succulent, water-rich foods like watermelon, berries, and cucumbers in summer—not just for hydration, but because they’re gentler on digestion and rich in vital nutrients. Each season invites a natural shift in what we eat, offering the perfect opportunity for a gentle detox or reset.
We also discussed the vitality of our soil, the power of wild food, and how supermarket produce often lacks the richness of nutrients and flavour due to mass farming and early harvesting. Choosing local growers, foraging when you can, and mixing supermarket staples with more vibrant sources can transform your health and your plate.
Here are some of the quotes from lunch.
“Water doesn’t just come from your bottle — most of it comes from your food. Juicy fruits and veg are hydrating, light, and exactly what your cells crave in summer.”
“When you eat the rainbow, you’re not just getting different vitamins — you’re feeding your brain, your gut, your immune system, and your future self.”
“Our local farmers are our allies. Their regenerative methods keep the soil alive — and that’s where our minerals come from.”
“Plants grown wild or under natural pressure produce protective compounds like fire flavonoids and polyphenols. These are powerful, anti-ageing, gut-loving allies you won't find in factory-farmed crops.”
“Have you tasted the difference between a winter strawberry and a summer one? That’s nature’s calendar telling you what your body’s ready for.”
Thank you to everyone that showed up. Mostly for themselves. Many by their own admission don’t do enough exercise of look after themselves on many levels. Let’s change that. 6 more weeks of this and hopefully many more to come, in our sunny town of Darwen- Lancashire.
Dawn June 2025
Zen Yoga Course- Darwen June 2025
Week 2
Zen Yoga in Darwen
Today 14 people came together in Darwen for a beautiful morning of Zen Yoga, made possible thanks to Community Fund support. With gentle movement, mindful breathing, and a sense of shared presence, we explored how slowing down and connecting to our bodies can bring calm, clarity, and renewed energy.
After our practice, we gathered to share a delicious, homemade seasonal soup—a simple act of nourishment and community. The soup was lovingly prepared with fresh carrots, leeks, green beans, and broccoli—all celebrating the abundance of the season. And for a naturally sweet treat, we enjoyed a bowl of summer berries, bursting with flavour and colour.
These moments—of movement, mindfulness, and shared food—are what make Seasons of Transformation so special. They're a reminder that well-being is rooted not only in how we care for ourselves, but also in how we connect with others and with our relationship with nature.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us and to the National Lottery Community Fund for making these sessions possible
Week 3 Zen Yoga in Darwen
Good vibes only here in Darwen
Neuroscience – the study of the nervous system, now confirms teachings from over 2500 years ago. That the body and mind are deeply connected – how we move can shift how we feel.
Through slow, mindful movement, we help the nervous system move from “fight or flight” to “rest and restore,” creating space for calm, clarity, and healing. This is the a key element of zen yoga – mindfulness of the body.
I wrote a blog the other day to go into detail about what summer zen yoga is all about and the elements to it- literally the fire element, the energetic components of it and the fascial planes. Please see blog on home page- scroll to the bottom.
Today 13 turned up to move, connect and share conversation and lunch.
We ate a seasonal veg and lions mane soup sprinkled with home grown cress microgreens thanks to MossHiill Mushrooms for your generous discount , its much appreciated. This is great for brain health, mood and immune support, and we sampled 2 probiotic drinks. Tibetan Kombucha and Jun, both support gut health which as we learnt the other week has a multitude of benefits including; gut health, immune system boost, liver support, mental clarity, increased energy, joint health, blood sugar balance and heart health. Please go and look for your self and start brewing your own today- once you get the habit it becomes easy! No need for the expensive shop bought stuff! And Oscar brought the mangoes.
Again I want to reiterate that many in this group have never done yoga – and they keep coming back! Totally out of their comfort zones and given they are returning I would assume they are enjoying it!
We finished with some songs from Darren- one of the class particpants and Bob Marley.
Week 4 Zen Yoga in Dawen
Friday the 11 June 2025 was a really hot day for everyone so many of the group sent apologies in advance. But still 12 people turned up. As my blog – I go into great detail about what our summer zen yoga practice is all about. We focus on four key fascial planes that correspond to both physical anatomy and energy pathways of the heart, pericardium, small intestine and triple heater- please go and read the blog on www.reconnection2wellness.org.
Our class runs from 11am to 1pm each day, aligning with the body's natural energy cycle. This time corresponds to the peak of heart and small intestine Qi in traditional Chinese medicine, an ideal window to support emotional balance, circulation, and digestion.
The beauty of zen yoga- and there is so much beauty to it is that you go at your own pace and your own limits. In my Wednesday class I have a lady who sits in a chair and follows along. Studies have shown that mentally rehearsing an action can activate the same brain regions as physically doing it. In some cases, you can gain up to 80% of the benefits through vivid mental practice alone.”
— based on Ranganathan et al. (2004), Driskell et al. (1994), Decety (1996) Gives a whole new meaning to the word PLACEBO doesn’t it!
The other important aspect of these sessions in relation to overcoming stress and all of this being good for your health is the confirmation of the importance of social engagement. I talk about this in the zen meditation and mindfulness course- polyvagal theory. It is now accepted that connection is vital for health. Along with what we eat obviously!
For lunch we ate a chickpea and seasonal veg broth followed by dessert of pineapple, organic blueberries, raspberries and bananas. Thank you to Darren and Christine for bringing these in for all to share.
Thank you everyone for showing up, good conversation and connection.
Week 4 Zen Yoga Darwen
.
Summer Zen Yoga – Nourishing Body & Heart
Today’s session was all about embracing the vibrant energy of summer – working with the element of fire and supporting the heart and small intestine, the organs linked to joy, vitality, and connection in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
We moved mindfully, opened our heart space, and tuned into summer’s natural invitation to connect and radiate.
After practice, we shared a nourishing summer red lentil soup, topped with fresh pea shoot & cress microgreens, followed by cooling watermelon ; food to balance fire and keep the heart happy. Who said also that to eat well it costs the earth? I calculate that it cost about 86 pence each. Using store cupboard ingredients and boosting the nourishment with the high vibrational microgreens and seasonal courgettes.
We drank Rose petal tea- which has so many benefits including; supportive of emotional health and regulation- please go and have a look for yourself about the abundance of benefits this beautiful tea brings.
Im now passing the accompanying playlist decision baton to someone else from next week- dexys midnight runners didn’t go down so well! Or did it?
These Summer Zen Yoga sessions continue until Friday 15th August after which we shift into the Late Summer phase – aligning ourselves with the Earth Element, governed by the spleen and stomach. These new sessions will run on Fridays, 10–11am, as I’ll be travelling to Pendle afterwards to deliver the 8-week Zen Meditation & Mindfulness Course.
Booking is essential for both – visit the website to reserve your space. www.reconnection2wellness.org
Let the seasons guide you back to balance 🧡
Thanks to the community fund, thanks to everyone for showing up, thanks to all my helpers and supporters who without them none of this would be possible.