Page 73 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 73
YOGA & MEDITATION GET ACTIVE
Yoga of the Life Force
by Emer Duffy
Mind body exercises such as Yoga have been demonstrated to be an effective holistic, side effect free
method to maintain wellbeing. The practice of Yoga and Meditation has boomed over the past decade
with people of all ages and walks of life are reaping the benefits. Along with this boom in practice
there has also been an increase in research and there is now an impressive amount of evidence to
support and encourage us to invest some time in our own wellbeing.
In my practice as an Occupational takes 12 minutes a day. This meditation Yoga and Chair Yoga. Your local
Therapist I encourage all of my clients has been researched with people with community centre may run a class that
to try to find a mind body exercise such Alzheimers Disease and their carers would be suitable. If you require a Yoga
as Yoga, Meditation or Tai Chi that fits and has been associated with increased Therapist to address a specific health
their routine and interests. It can take blood flow in the brain and improved condition, Yoga Therapy Ireland has
time for these practices to become brain skills, mood, fatigue, stress levels, listings of therapists across the country.
part of our daily lifestyle so it’s useful quality of sleep and blood pressure. My Alternatively, you can also start with the
to choose a practice that is achievable research involved looking at the bene- simple and effective practice of Kirtan
within your schedule. fits of Kirtan Kriya for those with Kriya as outlined here.
One style of Yoga that I teach regularly Parkinson’s Disease. This short, simple I am fully convinced that everyone in
to over 65s across Dublin is Kundalini and free practice was associated with the world at every age would benefit
Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. This improved higher level brain based from some form of Yoga and meditation,
practice places equal emphasis on Yoga skills such as planning skills. Enhanced it’s just about finding the right style
movements and Meditation to give the mental and emotional wellbeing have that fits. Kundalini Yoga offers a wide
body, mind and brain a workout. Don’t also been observed as well as boosting variety of movements and meditations
let the name put you off, Kundalini sim- immune system function. Kirtan Kriya is that may just be the right style for you.
ply means “life force”, and it’s a practice one of many practices that are offered Always check with your medical
that very gracefully boosts vitality using at a Kundalini Yoga Class. Kundalini practitioner first and if you have any
movement, mantra (chanting) and med- Yoga is dynamic, fun and incredibly conditions please inform the Yoga
itation. Kundalini Yoga is a considered a efficient. It can offer a challenge yet is Teacher. Common contra-indications
very effective, safe and efficient way of accessible for everyone. include avoiding stress to the spine if
increasing energy levels. SO HOW DO I GET STARTED? suffering from Osteoporosis or
One of the main advantages of Looking for a Kundalini or Hatha Yoga Osteopenia, avoiding bandhas (locks)
Kundalini Yoga and meditation is that group or a 1:1 class is a good way to or breath of fire if suffering from high
you can reap benefits even with only start. The Irish Association of Kundalini blood pressure and listening to your
short practice times. Many people Teachers is a resource to find body being gentle in cases of injury
start at 3 minutes and increase times Kundalini teachers. Contact the teacher or strain. It is advisable to start with
as they feel confident. A practice that in advance to find out if the class will simple and gentle exercises and to
I teach (and have researched as part be suitable for over 65s. If you require a progress slowly always listening to your
of an M.Sc) called “Kirtan Kriya” only gentle seated Yoga class, many body and respecting limitations.
teachers will advertise this as Gentle
Emer Duffy is a Specialist Occupational Therapist in Brain Health and Yoga teacher living in Dublin. She has a nationwide private practice, aiming to educate, enable
and empower people to live life well, in the here and now. Emer also researches meditation and the brain and is training as a Yoga Therapist.
www.livinglife.ie emer@livinglife.ie 089-4166922 www.kundaliniyoga.ie
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 73
Yoga of the Life Force
by Emer Duffy
Mind body exercises such as Yoga have been demonstrated to be an effective holistic, side effect free
method to maintain wellbeing. The practice of Yoga and Meditation has boomed over the past decade
with people of all ages and walks of life are reaping the benefits. Along with this boom in practice
there has also been an increase in research and there is now an impressive amount of evidence to
support and encourage us to invest some time in our own wellbeing.
In my practice as an Occupational takes 12 minutes a day. This meditation Yoga and Chair Yoga. Your local
Therapist I encourage all of my clients has been researched with people with community centre may run a class that
to try to find a mind body exercise such Alzheimers Disease and their carers would be suitable. If you require a Yoga
as Yoga, Meditation or Tai Chi that fits and has been associated with increased Therapist to address a specific health
their routine and interests. It can take blood flow in the brain and improved condition, Yoga Therapy Ireland has
time for these practices to become brain skills, mood, fatigue, stress levels, listings of therapists across the country.
part of our daily lifestyle so it’s useful quality of sleep and blood pressure. My Alternatively, you can also start with the
to choose a practice that is achievable research involved looking at the bene- simple and effective practice of Kirtan
within your schedule. fits of Kirtan Kriya for those with Kriya as outlined here.
One style of Yoga that I teach regularly Parkinson’s Disease. This short, simple I am fully convinced that everyone in
to over 65s across Dublin is Kundalini and free practice was associated with the world at every age would benefit
Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan. This improved higher level brain based from some form of Yoga and meditation,
practice places equal emphasis on Yoga skills such as planning skills. Enhanced it’s just about finding the right style
movements and Meditation to give the mental and emotional wellbeing have that fits. Kundalini Yoga offers a wide
body, mind and brain a workout. Don’t also been observed as well as boosting variety of movements and meditations
let the name put you off, Kundalini sim- immune system function. Kirtan Kriya is that may just be the right style for you.
ply means “life force”, and it’s a practice one of many practices that are offered Always check with your medical
that very gracefully boosts vitality using at a Kundalini Yoga Class. Kundalini practitioner first and if you have any
movement, mantra (chanting) and med- Yoga is dynamic, fun and incredibly conditions please inform the Yoga
itation. Kundalini Yoga is a considered a efficient. It can offer a challenge yet is Teacher. Common contra-indications
very effective, safe and efficient way of accessible for everyone. include avoiding stress to the spine if
increasing energy levels. SO HOW DO I GET STARTED? suffering from Osteoporosis or
One of the main advantages of Looking for a Kundalini or Hatha Yoga Osteopenia, avoiding bandhas (locks)
Kundalini Yoga and meditation is that group or a 1:1 class is a good way to or breath of fire if suffering from high
you can reap benefits even with only start. The Irish Association of Kundalini blood pressure and listening to your
short practice times. Many people Teachers is a resource to find body being gentle in cases of injury
start at 3 minutes and increase times Kundalini teachers. Contact the teacher or strain. It is advisable to start with
as they feel confident. A practice that in advance to find out if the class will simple and gentle exercises and to
I teach (and have researched as part be suitable for over 65s. If you require a progress slowly always listening to your
of an M.Sc) called “Kirtan Kriya” only gentle seated Yoga class, many body and respecting limitations.
teachers will advertise this as Gentle
Emer Duffy is a Specialist Occupational Therapist in Brain Health and Yoga teacher living in Dublin. She has a nationwide private practice, aiming to educate, enable
and empower people to live life well, in the here and now. Emer also researches meditation and the brain and is training as a Yoga Therapist.
www.livinglife.ie emer@livinglife.ie 089-4166922 www.kundaliniyoga.ie
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 73
