Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2025 i YOGA Magazine

Dear YOGA Magazine Readers, Greetings and Blessings! As we move into September, there is always a sense of transition — the slowing light, the shift of seasons, and the invitation to balance outward busyness with inward reflection. This month’s issue embraces that rhythm of change, bringing together stories and practices that remind us of yoga’s power to guide, steady, and transform in uncertain times. One of the recurring themes is resilience — both physical and emotional. Whether through Yin Yoga’s quiet stillness, mindful walking in nature, or exploring yoga therapy as a personalised path to healing, our contributors highlight how yoga supports us not by erasing life’s challenges, but by deepening our capacity to meet them with strength and compassion. We also look at the role of energy and subtle…

Bridport, Dorset, July 2025 – Leah Miles, a yoga teacher based in Bridport, Dorset has been named Yoga Teacher of the Year at the National Corporate Livewire Prestige Awards 2025, in recognition of her unique, environmentally-conscious teaching style that blends traditional yoga philosophy with a deep respect for nature and seasonal living. The judges were particularly impressed by Leah’s commitment to aligning yoga practice with the rhythms of the natural world, the quality of her offerings and the impact she is making on her community and environment, both during the sessions and beyond the mat. Her sessions are primarily held outdoors – on local beaches and in natural spaces – and are thoughtfully adapted considering lunar cycles, weather patterns, and the shifting seasons, as well as to the needs of…

“Life is said to exist only so long as there is vayu in the body. Its departure is death.” What is Prana? Prana (life) ayama (expansion) is a practice, listed as the fourth limb in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras and is a major focus in Hatha Yoga. When yoga came to the West, prana was incorrectly translated with the English term "breath," and pranayama as "breathing practice." This is when pranayama got lost in translation. Prana is neither breath nor energy. It is "life," which circulates within us and all other living creatures on this planet. Prana moves like wind (vayu) within living bodies, and when it departs, death occurs. “…constant motion (vayu) commences as soon as we are conceived in our mother’s womb.”[1] It makes us evolve and grow,…

From hospices to refugee centres, The Society of Yoga Practitioners celebrates its first year as a charity by shining a light on members transforming lives through compassion and connection. This year marks a significant milestone for The Society of Yoga Practitioners (TSYP) — its first year of accreditation as a charity. To celebrate, TSYP is offering a rare insight into the quiet dedication of its members and their impact on community health and wellbeing. Based in the UK and boasting an international membership of yoga teachers, therapists, and practitioners, TSYP’s reputation is built on the contributions of its members and their commitment to supporting a wide range of community projects. Its initiatives include training programmes that exceed current UK standards and meet the highest European and international benchmarks. TSYP also…

Continued from the previous issue of YOGA Magazine… I took some fresh air near the pine trees and then returned to the Yoga Bhavan. I thought in my mind that I must have imagined that one of the snake charmers was changing into a snake. The charmers were on their way home and Yogi Ji was explaining to them, “When the path seems unclear, chant ‘Aum Shreem Hreem Kleem,’ and let it be your inner compass.” The charmers were pleased, “Thank you, Yogi Ji,” one of them said. “You have given us a gift more precious than any riches.” Before they left Yogi Ji presented them with a bowl made of woven silk and inside were a delicious collection of rice and pomegranate cakes. As they departed, their footsteps fading…

In a world that often pits activism against stillness, Reggie Hubbard stands at the intersection of both—offering a powerful reminder that inner work fuels outer change. A certified yoga and meditation teacher and founder of Active Peace Yoga, Reggie brings together his background as a senior political strategist with a deep commitment to inclusivity, healing, and conscious leadership. Whether on the mat or in policy meetings, his work challenges the wellness world to be more just and the justice world to be more well. In this conversation, Reggie speaks with honesty and heart about recovery, resilience, radical presence—and how yoga became not just a personal refuge but a revolutionary practice. 1. Your yoga journey began as a response to extreme professional adversity. Can you walk us through that experience and…

Not One Yoga to Rule Them All Picture this: a room full of people doing Yoga. One's a bendy teen, another a mum-of-three juggling Downward Dog (Adhomukhaśvānāsana) and dinner plans, and someone in the back looks suspiciously like they came just for the tea and biscuits. They're all doing the same poses, the same breath counts, the same awkwardly long savāsana. Is that really how Yoga was meant to be? In Viniyoga, a personalised and adaptable approach to Yoga is emphasised. It rejects the notion of treating everyone like they're training for Cirque du Soleil. Viniyoga acknowledges that what you need at 16 vastly differs from what you need at 60. This approach is not just ancient wisdom—it is proven by modern, evidence-based research in neuroscience, physiology, and psychology. Let's…

It wasn’t that long ago when the only option as a venue to teach yoga was the trusty local church hall. However, whilst still a great option, often they are fully booked. It’s time to get creative when it comes to teaching yoga and seek out those secret spaces in your local community that are full of inspiration. From teaching at an old Bank to the Beach, a Florist to a Farm and a Studio that was once a Stables, Eva and Georgina are thinking outside the box when it comes to venues. Georgina’s favourite secret spaces Forage and Fleur St Leonard’s on Sea- florists and café One place I teach yoga workshops at is a florist’s which is a feast for the senses. When students arrive they immediately step…

Allowing yourself to fully experience all emotions—both pleasant and uncomfortable—can be a powerful step toward emotional well-being. When we block or suppress difficult emotions like sadness, anger, or fear, they often resurface in more harmful ways. Acceptance doesn’t mean liking these emotions, but rather acknowledging their presence without judgment. This openness allows emotions to move through us, rather than becoming stuck. Yoga meditation combines breath awareness, gentle movement, and mindful stillness, helping to ground us in the present moment while releasing emotional tension stored in the body. It teaches us to stay present with discomfort, rather than avoiding it, building emotional resilience over time. Through regular practice, we develop greater self-awareness, inner calm, and the capacity to respond to life with clarity. Accepting all emotions with compassion leads to a…

"Honour your memories and emotions, not bury them" The moment that changed everything Sometimes in life we get a sense of what may be for us: who we may one day become. It may happen in the middle of the night as we wake ourselves up from a scary dream, it may happen on a sunny day with nothing but the sounds of birds filling the space between thoughts. It may overwhelm and knock you over, or leave you feeling calm and settled – perhaps even a bit chirped, knowing what you now know; that something is possible… that you are possible. A version of you that you didn’t even know existed .Until now. However, none of it happened like this for me. And yet, it happened exactly as it…

Yogi Maharaj Dr. Malik our Editor (since 2003) is a recognised international expert and an authority on the subject of Yoga. He started his training under the guidance of Yogis from the Himalayan region at the age of six and also received instructions from Sufis, Lamas and Sadhus. He is an accredited Yoga teacher specialising in Kundalini, Hatha and Laya Yoga. Founder and pioneer of Yogology, a spiritual technology which combines ancient traditions and principles of Laya, Hatha, Kundalini and meditative practices, Yogi Malik began teaching this over 20 years ago. He has spent a lifetime dedicated to researching, teaching and sharing his knowledge on yoga. He is also a practitioner of related alternative therapies, including Shamanism. Q – My yoga teacher told me that September is a time to…

PRANAYAMA LOST IN TRANSLATION FROM THE HATHA VERSES TO PRACTICE By Angela Andrea Ashwin Angela Andrea Ashwin’s Pranayama Lost in Translation is a much-needed reminder of yoga’s roots. Far removed from the Western tendency to equate yoga with stretching and breathwork, this book takes us back to the sacred verses that shaped the tradition. Drawing on decades of practice and study, Ashwin explains pranayama not as a fitness add-on, but as a spiritual discipline designed to purify the nadis and awaken deeper awareness. The writing balances clarity with reverence, offering both historical context and practical guidance. Press endorsements highlight its authority, while Ashwin’s own voice brings warmth and accessibility. A rich and transformative read for any serious yogi, it challenges us to see yoga not as something we own, but…

INTRODUCTION: RESILIENCE AS A PRACTICE, NOT JUST A TRAIT Emotional resilience is often misunderstood. It is not simply the ability to endure hardship or push through discomfort—it is the art of responding rather than reacting, of navigating life’s challenges with awareness and grace. In a world driven by speed, Yin Yoga offers a counterpoint: a space where stillness becomes a teacher, guiding us toward deep emotional stability. Through long-held postures, mindful breathing, and the exploration of sensation, Yin Yoga cultivates presence in the face of discomfort, helping us meet emotions—fear, frustration, grief, uncertainty—without resistance. Science supports what ancient wisdom has long known: resilience is not built in avoidance but in acceptance. THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND EMOTIONAL REGULATION How Stillness Affects the Nervous System The human nervous system is wired for…

Imagine walking into a yoga session where the teacher does more than demonstrate postures – they truly see you. They might recognise that tension in your shoulders stems from chronic stress, that your shallow breathing patterns reveal underlying anxiety or that the way you move tells a story of both challenges overcome and battles still being fought. This deeper, more personalised approach isn’t wishful thinking – it’s yoga therapy. From hospital cancer wards to GP surgeries, from trauma recovery centres to your local community hall, yoga therapy is revolutionising how we approach healing. But as this powerful practice gains recognition, an important conversation is emerging about what makes it truly effective and safe. A tailored approach to healing If you’ve ever left a yoga class feeling like something was missing…

“I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”John Muir Walking is a humble yet profound activity that we often take for granted. We walk from here to there, without having to think about how we move around and usually without making the most of the journey, however short. Taking a walk isn’t just about putting one foot in front of the other; it opens the door to a magical world that exists in plain sight. A world that shows us what it means to be truly alive. One where time slows and our innerness glows. In the midst of our busy lives, walking is a precious gift. It offers us the chance to slow…

Today in the yoga and meditation sphere there’s a lot of focus and conversation around sacred feminine wisdom, practices, and teachings. One reason for this is a large percentage of practitioners today are female. It’s natural to begin to inquire as to where are women’s voices and examples within these ancient transformative traditions? Also, with the ever-growing environmental concerns around the planet and a current world paradigm which doesn’t seem to be able to effectively address these issues, where is there a belief system that can assist? Longstanding, South Asia has been a repository and steward of sacred feminine wisdom, giving rise to a tradition called Śāktism which is a body of practices, knowledge, and ritual traditions that have thrived unimpeded for thousands of years. Originally, teachings were transmitted orally…

One of the most influential individuals bringing Eastern spiritual teachings to the West in the 20th century was Paramahansa Yogananda. In his book, How to Have Courage, Confidence And Confidence, he tells of a man who approached him asking for help in dealing with anxiety which was so chronic that he was experiencing a serious heart issue. The man explained that after seeing several physicians, “I am unable to get rid of my heart trouble.” Listening to the man and then sitting quietly for a few moments, Yogananda asked the man to bring him a pair of scissors. Surprised and perhaps alarmed, the man asked Yogananda: “Are you planning to do an incision on my heart?” Yogananda laughed and replied, “I am not a doctor, and you have never heard…

ARIES (MESHA) MARCH 21– APRIL 20 In September, Jupiter blesses your financial house, bringing potential for abundance and material gain. Channel this prosperous energy by focusing on your higher chakras with empowering yoga poses that can instil you with the necessary confidence to pursue your ambition. Also choose nutrient-dense foods like nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens to maintain strength and mental clarity. This month, consider small acts of generosity to connect with Jupiter’s energy. Sharing your abundance can attract even greater prosperity. TAURUS (VRISHABHA) APRIL 21 – MAY 20 Venus moves direct in your sign this month, bringing a fresh wave of positivity to relationships and self-worth. For a sense of grounding and abundance, focus on root chakra practices like Mountain Pose or seated meditation. Embrace nutritious root vegetables…