All Categories - The Yoga Zoo

Meet Petunia Westcott the Third

3/11/2020

Where to start?
This new fan dangled technology is so beyond me. They said "Ms. Westcott, you need to put yourself out there, create some hits, get social media savvy." I said let me put you straight you jumped up little nerdy geeks... FIRSTLY my name is Petunia Westcott the Third. That said you will drop the Ms. and add the Petunia and the Third before we go any further. SECONDLY...I have no intention of singing some silly song to create some hits. I have no intention of auditioning for a talent show with a couple of complete strangers. Absolutely no way will Simon Cowell herd me into his next manufactured girl band.
Hmmm now then, where was I?
Yes, yes, yes Hello to you all, my name is Petunia Westcott the Third. I wrote a fun little book and it's caused quite the stir with some people who want to 'get it out there', whatever that means! They've asked me to write a Block. Goodness knows what that is supposed to mean...infact, could anyone please help me?

Our Animation Project

22/9/2020

We are working on animating The Yoga Zoo book. So excited! It is so much fun.

Preparing for Candle - Salamba Sarvangasana

28/6/2017

Thank you Ruby for requesting Candle and Bridge.

Reclined Half Hero - Ardha Supta Virasana
Izzy was an awesome hero; still grinning!

Down Dog - Adho Mukha Svanasana
Emily makes a very cute little doggy.

Low Lunge - Anjaneyasana
Ankles under knees - go girls!

Reverse Warrior - Viparita Virabhadrasana
So elegant Scarlet.

Round Half Moon - Ardha Chandrasana
A tough balance nicely done.

Camel - Ustrasana
You demonstrated this beautifully girls. I reckon we could fit you in a box. What an enormous lengthening in your front thighs.

Bow Pose - Dhanurasana
Just love it Izzy. You showed an amazing rocking too.

Bridge - Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

Child - Balasana followed by Seated Forward Bend - Paschimottanasana

Plow Pose - Halasana leading to Shoulderstand (Candle) - Salamba Sarvangasana

Crazy Corpses - Savasana
Spot the zombie, the fallen from a cliff, sleeping beauty and the comedy corpse. At least it got them to stay completely still for at least a little while......
Gorgeous Girls!!!!!!

Working into Horse - Vamadevasana

22/6/2017

Hello and Flow
So..... Emily asked for Horse and by the end of the class we all said "Oh Emily!!!!!".
Take a look at this to see the full pose.

Your Free Flow (Vinyasa) is awesome to watch; incorporating deep demanding poses with ease, grace and beauty.
Your ability to listen to your body; avoiding pain or hardness in your postures is evident.

Bouncing Butterfly - Badha Konasana
A nice opening to the hips.

Rock the Baby
Treat your twins to some loving!

Full Lotus (Padmasana) Test
You make it look so easy but these strong (for some of us!!!!) leg rotations allow you to see if you are ready for Full Lotus.

Compass (Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana)
Working to keep both sitting bones firmly into the ground once the leg is over the shoulder.

Horse - Vamadevasana
We got so carried away playing with horse that I didn't manage to get any photos!!!! sorry.... You finished with Happy Baby (Ananda Balasana) and Child's pose (Balasana) (or Mouse). We ended our time together finding our hearts, and the biggest smile we could muster, then shared an OM.

Pose of The Week...

21/6/2017

So this week Emily has requested Horse and Mouse pose. Mouse pose you will already know....have a think and show me your thoughts tomorrow. Horse pose; now this really is a demanding one so I will think about how to best prepare ourselves for it!
See you tomorrow Yogis. Jx

A Strong Upper Body and Core

15/6/2017

Hello and Flow
We missed you Scarlet. Hope you feel better soon.

Your free flow never ceases to amaze me.....straight into the demanding stuff!

This week we explored how to make our upper body and core strong for inversions (upside down work); headstand (Sirsasana) and handstand (Adho Mukha Vrksasana). Aim to do this practice 3 times a week to improve your flexibility and strength.

Knee to Chest
From high plank bring your knee to your chest, then to your tricep, and then toward your opposite tricep, 5 times with each leg.
Why? - This makes your arms, shoulders, core and hip flexors strong.
Repeat - 3 times.

Half Boat (Bent knees)
Focus on keeping your arms straight and your chest lifting, aim for 15.
Why? - Makes your core, hip flexors and spinal muscles strong.
Repeat - 3 times.

Full Boat
Now straighten your legs and aim for 15.
Repeat -3 times.

Leg Lifts
Legs stretched long and keep them together with your arms straight overhead on the floor. Now turn your core on and lower the legs together to the floor. Aim for 15.
Why? - Makes your core and hip flexors stronger.
Repeat - 3 times.

Dolphin
Keep your elbows shoulder distance apart and lengthen your spine as you push up through your feet. Try to hold the position for 1 to 2 minutes each time.

Towel Slides
In high plank, have a towel under your toes. Slide your knees to your chest and then to both triceps. Aim for 10.
Why? - It's good fun and will make you strong.
Repeat - 3 times.

Down Dog
Focus on keeping your arms and legs as straight as possible and practice holding for 1 to 2 minutes.

Active Child's Pose
Reach forward coming high onto fingertips and extend through your spine. Hold for 1 to 2 minutes.
Why? - This move stretches the lower back and arms.

Wide Legged Forward Fold
Interlace your hands behind your back and push your hands away from your shoulders; this will create space for you to lift them further. Enjoy your breath and as you feel ready push away again with your hands and make more space....can you lift your arms further?
Why? - Opens the chest.

Wall Triceps Stretch
Resist temptation to 'sink'; keep your hips, shoulders and head in a good straight line. Now feel those shoulders and triceps work!!!!
Why? - Strong arms hold poses for longer with greater balance.

Open Heart Meditation and OM
Connecting with your heart during meditation is wonderful; you feel your heart open and 'grow' in size. Try it; close your eyes but remember to give it the best chance possible with the most massive smile ever:
The bigger, the better
The more to stretch your sweater

Izzy's Session (sideways crow pose)
Wow Izzy! We did manage the sideways too but no photo proof; sorry.......

I love your confidence to teach the group and I am so impressed how everyone else supported you by listening and participating.

Until next time......don't forget that feedback you promised and pose of the week suggestions.

Pose of the week - What will it be?

12/6/2017

Hmm...... wonder if the girls will send me a pose request or should I choose one?

Working into Camel - Ustrasana

9/6/2017

Hello and Flow........
As usual you amazed me with your creativity and ownership of your Vinyasa; I saw newly learnt poses being incorporated with ease and beauty.

We worked through:
Cat/Cow (Marjariasana / Bitilasana)
Downward Facing Dog (Adho mukha svanasana)
Cobra (Bhujangasana)
Variations on Table (Bharmanasana)
Threading the Needle (Parsva Balasana) - take a look......

Half Camel (Ardha Ustrasana)

Full Camel (Ustrasana) - Benefits:
Strong thighs
Big stretch deep into your hips
Strong flexible shoulders and back
Open and expands the tummy making room to digest your food before elimination
Improved posture
Big stretch across the chest for better breathing
Nice deep stretch through the spine

After such a massive stretch and flexion we needed to cool the body with:
A lovely longggggggggggg Child's Pose - (Balasana)
Happy Baby - (Ananda Balasana); look at these very happy babies......

Pigeon (Kapotasana)

Finishing with one of:
Forward Fold (Uttanasana),
Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana) or
Plough (Halasana)

We shared Open Heart Meditation and an OM before Emily treated us to some Star Wars Yoga. Thanks Yogis; I really enjoyed our time together.

Working into Bow Pose - Dhanurasana

2/6/2017

Another lovely practice together; thank you Yogis. You moved to your own space impressing me with your knowledge and ownership of poses (asana). Your beautiful movements weaved together to create your personal flow sequence (vinyasa).

You look so comfortable Izzy

We then reconnected to work towards Dhanurasana.
We moved through Cobra (Bhujangasana), Locust, (Salabhasana) Hero (Virasana), Reclining Hero (Supta Virasana), Upward Dog (Urdhvamukha Shvanasana) and Bridge (Setu Bandha Sarvangasana).

Great strength and focus in Cobra Scarlett

There's enough room for a truck to go under that bridge!

Amazing flexibility in Reclining Hero Rosie

Then came our crowning glory....boy did we shine!

So easy for you guys

The Benefits of Dhanurasana:
1. It opens our shoulders
2. It opens our chest
3. It opens the hip flexors
4. It strengthens our upper back
5. It massages the digestive organs

Free choice time saw Scarlett lead the class and put us through our paces. Not only are you awesome yogis but budding teachers....go spread the word and give the gift of yoga.

We finished with open heart meditation....such beautiful smiles shared.

How about you use the feedback page to request a pose of the week.
Until next time....
Namaste

Yesterday's Class

19/5/2017

Lovely to watch my young yogis moving into their own space and enjoying their personal flow practice. We trained the Dragon and tried not to set fire to each other! Partner Warrior was strong and we managed quite a long Dog Chain until some of our links broke and we collapsed in a heap of laughter. We tried Heart Meditation for the first time and shared reflections.

You were awesome!!!!