Mastering Yoga Breathing For A Faster You!

Apr 7, 17

Mastering yoga breathing for a faster YOU!

Time is ticking by and with twenty five days to go to the BH Great Limerick Run, you still have time to get the most out of your body. Include yoga breathing in your routine and you will enjoy a super fitter you.

However, it takes years to master certain yoga breathing that will actually condition your lungs but I will share some simple tips with you and all I can say right now is watch this space!

Deep breathing for powering on

Over the years I have worked with many elite athletes and across the board, not one of them every thought about their breathing patterns. The practice of yoga is immersed in breathing techniques and how to use your breath as you move. In a blog situation, I have to keep it simple and main stream but if you are serious about changing your pace, it is necessary to book a One to one consultation with me. For now I can only advise you to become aware of your breath and learn to breathe in and out through the nose. Start by counting to 4 on the inhalation and 4 on the exhalation. Keep the breath steady and slow. I can not advise you at this stage to move on to the next level as the lungs are very delicate organs and must be treated with respect. But believe me, I can help you to take your sport to another level with time and practice.

Improve the quality of your life

Fruits and vegetables get their colour from the micronutrients they contain. This is why it is so critical for you to eat all the colours of the rainbow. If you are running in BH Great Limerick Run, you must think energy, feel energy and literally eat energy! Increase your vegies and fruit intake for the next four weeks. Literally include the colours of the rainbow in every meal for optimal health and fitness.

Pumped up with Prana

First things first: What is Prana? The word pranayama extends from two words: prana, which is often described as life force, and ayama, which means to lengthen or stretch. In yogic traditions, the breath is used to control the prana and to help it flow properly through the body. Now we have established that Prana is energy that surrounds us. Imagine how better you would feel if you could tap into this amazing high powered force. The answer is yoga breathing.

Tip for you:

Learn the abdominal breathing because it is the most efficient way to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. Let your stomach expand as you inhale and contract as you exhale. Take large, complete breaths and exhale fully. Ideally you should be practicing yoga breathing while resting. Lie on the floor and place your hands over your tummy, Breathe in through your nose allow the tummy to expand first then feel the rib cage expanding, front ,back and sides (no forcing) and as you exhale through your nose, allow the reverse to happen. This is a very simple technique which is a good start to a proper breathing technique.

Finally always breathe in and out through the nose !!

There is still time to Register now for the most exciting race on the May bank holiday weekend.

Join in to my classes either at my studio- The Loft Yoga Studio Clonlara Co Clare or UL Sport Arena every Wednesday at 6pm.

Paulette Egan 0863183646

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From Physio to Game Fit – Yoga Therapy

Dec 5, 16

From Physio to Game Fit – Yoga Therapy

In Your sporting career, how many times have you been side lined due to injury, the Physiotherapist has given you the all clear, but not deemed fit to return to your game. I am sure that this is a familiar scenario for a number of athletes . Physiotherapy is a well respected health care profession that uses evidence-based treatment methods to help clients restore and maintain optimal movement and function, as well as provide education on health maintenance and injury prevention. However Physiotherapists will only deal with the physical aspect of the injury .

Yoga therapy is the adaptation of yoga practices for people or athletes recovering from injury or health issues. Yoga therapists prescribe specific regimens of postures, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to suit individual needs. Medical research shows that Yoga therapy is among the most effective complementary therapies for injuries and re-hab.

I hold a Diploma in Yoga Therapy from Yoga Therapy Ireland along with over 15 years of experience as a yoga instructor. In 2011 I founded SportsYoga.ie a business specifically aimed at assisting athletes achieve peak physical and mental performance.

In addition to supporting healthy athletes uncover new levels of performance I have also worked with a number of elite and professional sports people to rehabilitate from injury.

Yoga therapy can be used as an extension to any physiotherapy program and initially I would work with the physical body but the concept of the two therapies differ greatly. Yoga therapy is an integrated body -mind system aiming to re-balance the body as one unit, mentally, physically and emotionally. The first consultation comprises of a discussion on the aliment in question, but I have been trained to watch for body language which may indicate fear,anxiety in the player, or self-doubt in themselves to return to peak performance. Athletes are comfortable with an introduction to Yoga Therapy through the physical aspect but are enthusiastic and eager to learn techniques of remaining calm, increasing their lung capacity but more importantly learning to allow the body to recovery to full health by simply lying still.

The services and supports that I offer to Athletes are designed to complement the work of Physiotherapists by encouraging correct alignment while also developing balance between stability, flexible, mobility and strength. Yoga therapy helps individuals facing health challenges and injury to manage and relieve their condition, deal with pain, relax and restore well being, increase vitality and improve attitude and form.

You may be asking yourself, what makes yoga so different to any other form of exercise, and let me explain it in the best way possible. The practice of yoga can be compared to a moving massage where by we compress, stretch and twist with awareness. Toxins and waste products are released and deep blockages are removed to promote the flow of energy. Yoga is unique in the sense that it can strengthen and lengthen the muscles. Dealing with the injury in question, I would construct a program for each individual, encouraging a tolerable range of motion and hold it there with awareness.

Allow your body to recover quickly by taking one step back to move four steps forward and to continue your journey as a athlete with confidence and the knowledge that your body is your life so it pays to look after it !!

Besides getting your physical body back into peak condition, You may also decide to purchase some new training gear so look no further! My daughter and I have launched our very own range of Lifestyle, fitness and Yoga clothes. They are stylish, flattering and eye catching and are manufactured with the best quality material. Show them how great you are and click on to our website I-SPY Clothing and enjoy !

Take your Sport to another level with:

Regards

Paulette Egan

The Loft Yoga Studio,

Clonlara,

Co. Clare.

086 3183646

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Twenty five years of Yoga and Life gets better every day!

Nov 11, 16

Twenty five years of Yoga and life gets better every day!

My story begins…..

In 1990 I was travelling around Australia on a one year visa and I happen to pick up a magazine. As I flicked through it, I came across a sequence of poses which caught my attention.I was impressed and tore out the page and continued on my adventure.

Our trip home was to take us to Nepal and a trip over the Himalayas. I was drawn towards the people and their simple ways. We trekked for days and as we came into each village, we were greeted with prayer flags. Once again I thought of the sequence and for some reason, I felt that there must be a connection between the two. YOGA!

On arriving back in Dublin, I enrolled in my first yoga course and my first teacher was Karen Ward from RTE Health Squad .Karen suggested that I should aspire to become a yoga teacher. Food for thought,I dare say!

Some years later, I did enrolled in my first yoga teacher training and the journey continues. We had a few busy years rearing four children but I wanted a new challenge and I completed many teacher training courses. Three years ago, I took my qualifications to another level and became a Yoga Therapist. I fell in love with teaching for many reasons: not only because I can share the practice that I love, and watch my students transform but it also gives me access to see the lighter side of myself.

The Loft Yoga Studio….

We built the Loft Yoga Studio at our home in Clonlara Co.Clare. It is situated in the countryside and the silence is magic. Sometimes less is more, and most of my students travel for miles to enjoy the quietness.

The Loft Yoga Studio is a sanctuary to most of my clients where they leave feeling better about themselves and about the people around them. I utilize the different aspects of yoga and when combined, students can experience a shift in their emotional and physical lives.

When you teach yoga, you have to learn to get out of the way and take yourself less seriously. You must have a positive outlook and give an aura of calmness both in and outside of your classes.

The Loft Yoga Studio

The next chapter …..

In 2011, I launched SportsYoga.ie where I have created a new concept in sports training, I work with athletes to improve their performance through yoga, mindfulness, visualisation and balance . Over the years I have worked with many elite athletes including Munster rugby players, Olympians, Irish adventures and mountaineers,Tipperary football team, to name but a few and are currently working with the high performance swimmers in UL.

The Next next chapter….

This year my daughter and I launched our very own yoga clothes brand called I-SPY .We saw a niche opening in the Irish market. I-SPY has become Ireland’s first yoga brand. Our range of clothes have been designed by Louise and myself. I have 25 years of experience in the yoga industry and I know exactly what is required to ensure that your yoga practice is comfortable and enjoyable.

The I-SPY journey has just begun and last weekend I-SPY clothing was voted overall winner of the Bank of Ireland Limerick business start-up award.

We do have an on line shop and please visit if you are looking for some inspirational ideas for Christmas. Ireland’s first yoga clothes brand.

However, If you are interested in improving your sport performance and taking your sport to another level, feel free to contact me on info@sportsyoga.ie .

Thanks for your time.

Namaste Paulette

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I-SPY Clothing win first prize at Limerick Start-up Weekend.

Nov 10, 16

I-SPY Clothing win first prize at Limerick Start-up Weekend.

I- SPY Clothing have won first prize at Limerick’s Start-up Weekend,which is sponsored by Bank of Ireland. Paulette and Louise Egan from Clonlara, Co. Clare won the judges over with their stylish yoga clothing range and vibrant personalities. The three-day event took place in Bank of Ireland’s newly launched Workbench. It began on Friday 4^th of November and finished on Sunday night with I-SPY taking home the top prize. Start-up weekend is an event that is held globally around the world. The event gives individuals such as developers, designers, business people and start-up enthusiasts the chance to come together. They all get the fantastic opportunity to share ideas, form teams and validate business. On the last day of the Startup Weekend, the teams present their businesses to a panel of judges. The eventual winners are awarded with support to execute their business plans and take their business to the next level!

Limerick Start-up weekend

I-SPY was founded by Paulette and Louise Egan. The mother and daughter team are natives of Clonlara, Co. Clare. Paulette is a successful yoga therapist and founder of SportsYoga.ie. She is owner of the Loft yoga studio located close to her home in Clonlara. Paulette’s 17-year-old daughter Louise is currently doing her leaving certificate in Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh.

I SPY Clothing began when Paulette and Louise spotted a gap in the women’s yoga clothing market. They believed that suitable clothing for both lifestyle and yoga was not available in Ireland. While Louise was completing her work experience with The Pudding branding agency in November 2014, Paulette asked Louise to consider starting a clothes brand, based on their mutual love of fitness and yoga. And so, I-SPY was born. Shop on line at Ireland’s first yoga brand

The I-SPY’s yoga clothing range launched in June 2016 and since then the mother and daughter team have been working hard to develop and promote their I-SPY brand. Paulette and Louise were invited to take part in the Start-up Weekend to further develop their clothing range and marketing strategy. The pair pitched I-SPY on Friday night. Out of a total of 25 pitches, I-SPY were voted as one of the seven successful pitches to make it through to the final stage.

The final stage involved forming teams of 4/5 people to develop their ideas and pitches to form a viable business. Of all the start-up enthusiasts attending the event, Paulette and Louise recruited Product Design students Billy Verlinden and Conor Murray from University of Limerick and Marketing & Management student Stephen Ryan-Doyle from Limerick Institute of Technology. From Friday evening until Sunday afternoon, the team pulled all their skills together and worked tirelessly to make the I-SPY yoga clothing range a true reality. The I-SPY team focused on developing new innovative products to add to their range and a unique marketing plan called ‘The I-SPY Movement.

I-SPY Irish first yoga clothes brand.

On Sunday night, all seven finalist presented their start-ups to a panel of judges consisting of Grainne Barry (COO/Director of Salaso), Paul McSweeney (EVP Product Websio), Adrian Flemming (CEO of Accuvio), Roisin Crotty (Manager of Bank of Ireland Branch at 125 O’Connell St, Limerick) and Eamon Ryan (Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office, Limerick). I SPY clothing were announced as the winners of Start-up Weekend. Paulette and Louise’s inspirational and passionate presentation of what they developed over the course of the Startup Weekend captured the judge’s attention and won them over. The judges related to the problems Paulette and Louise were solving with their I-SPY yoga clothing range. The worthy winners have won incubation space in Nexus and tickets of the Uprise Festival in Amsterdam in April 2017. I-SPY will also receive further mentoring and support from a wide range of business experts. This is only the beginning of what is going to be a very successful business.

Shop on line at www.i-spy.ie

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Yoga Therapy: Head Rush/Light-headedness

Oct 16, 16

Yoga Therapy : Head Rush/Light-headedness

Getting a little dizzy while practicing yoga isn’t uncommon and it can send alarm bells ringing for new students but the majority of the time it is no cause for alarm. However, if you regularly experience light-headedness, you should get the green light from your GP. We move in and out of poses during a yoga practice, and many of these include forwards folds where you allow your head to move below your heart.

Two of the most practiced yoga forward folding poses are uttanasana and prasarita padottanasanna and initially when you move forward , you will feel the blood flowing into your head, warming up your face and ears, resulting in a hot tingly feeling and then after a while, a sense of relaxation. On some days, when you inhale while lifting your head to fully stand up, you feel slightly off balance and dizziness. This is a common feeling of head rush.

There is a scientific reason for a head rush. When you move into a forward fold, the head moves below the heart and closer to the floor increasing upper body vasodilation(blood vessels wide, which reduces blood pressure) and possible venous compression around the pelvis. When you release from the pose, the sudden pressure can cause dizziness. As a Yoga therapist I would like to share six yoga therapy tips to ensure that you will continue to enjoy your yoga practice for many years to come.

Eat a small meal before starting your yoga practice.
Drink water an hour before your practice especially before an early morning practice.
Move out of your forwards folds slowly and never hold your breath.
Pause half way on the way back up and squeeze into your calf muscles, this encourages the blood to leave the head and move to the lower body .
If you are a yoga novice, avoid moving into the full pose, but place your hands onto your hips and move half ways and enjoy the main action of the asana – strengthening of the legs.
Be willing to slow things down and enjoy where your body will allow you to go in any particular day.

Please note that the above are guide lines but if you suffer from high or low blood pressure, always contact your GP before committing to a yoga class or any other physical activity .

My name is Paulette Egan and I was first introduced to Yoga while trekking in Nepal twenty five years ago. Yoga has become a lifestyle for me and as a Yoga Therapist, I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge of how Yoga Therapy may help you. On a more exciting note, My daughter and I have just launched our own range of lifestyle and fitness clothes. The first Irish yoga brand so Show them how great you are with I-SPY Clothing !!

I can highly recommend Yoga Therapy Ireland if you are interested in training to become a yoga teacher and they run excellent workshops throughout the year. Namaste Paulette

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Sun Salutation for Golfers

Oct 14, 16

Sun Salutation for Golfers

Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) is a set of 12 postures, preferably practiced at sunrise. The regular practice of Surya Namaskar improves circulation of blood throughout the body, maintains health, and helps a person to remain injury-free which is why it is highly recommended by all yoga teachers.

Morning is considered to be the best time to practice Surya Namaskar as it revitalizes the body and refreshes the mind, However the twelve poses will energize the body instantly at any time of the day .

I include the Sun Salutation in my SportsYoga for Golfers program . I work with golfers from many different clubs including Castletroy Golf Club Limerick Golf Club and East Clare Golf Club.

When playing golf, each and every detail is of importance. Any advantage will make the difference between a good day and a great day! Golfers generally want to eliminate pain as long as possible so that they can play for many years. Yoga gives this much needed advantage by increasing flexibility, range of motion of joints, and enhancing concentration.

There are many golfers who complain of low back pain due to repetitive spinal rotation due to swinging golf club when playing. Increasing flexibility of spine goes a long way in preventing injuries. One of the main benefits of yoga is that it increases core muscle strength and stronger trunk muscles means greater spinal support and reduced strain on low back.

Have a look at my video of the Sun Salutation and feel free to contact me regarding any of the programs that I teach at the Loft Yoga Studio.

Concluding on an exciting note, my daughter and I have recently launched our own range of lifestyle, and yoga clothes so “Show Them How Great You” are with I-SPY Clothing

Namaste

Paulette

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