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I spent most of June this year coming up with a name for my business; one that wasn’t already taken, one that was future-proof (ie not CambridgeMovement or similar – I made that mistake in London!) and one that really emphasised the focus of my work.  When I came up with Fusion Massage + Movement (with the help of Himself of course!) I knew it was the right name because it resonated with me in all the right ways.

Both words “Yoga” and “Pilates” come with their own baggage.  This is mostly to do with who we think we need to be and what we think our bodies need to be able to do before we can join a class.

That’s all rubbish of course.  With the exception of getting the all clear from our doctors for pre-existing medical conditions before starting a new practice, we don’t need to be anything other than our beautiful selves to start a movement routine.

But those words “Yoga” and “Pilates”, they instill fear in so many people who have begun to lose touch with their bodies or who haven’t moved for years.

Which is why I chose the word movement for my business, because to move is just to stretch an arm up high, to wriggle your toes, to feel the expansion of your ribcage on a deep breath in.  Start to bring that movement together with the breath, with awareness, conscious movement, beautiful, spontaneous, efficient movement and you’re there!  And then you can start to bring that movement off your mat, out of your class and into the world, helping to create less pain, fuller breathing, increased energy and joy.

And none of the baggage of labels.

Who wouldn’t want that?!

We don’t have to push and strive and grunt and groan and take on too much and give up.  There is enough of that in life as it is.  All we need is an open mind,  a willingness to arrive on the mat and a desire to reconnect with breath, body and big smiles!

And that’s movement.  And I don’t care what you call it: Pilates, Yoga, Thai Chi, Roller Derby….. it’s all movement!

Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness
–Joseph Pilates

Yoga is to attain what was previously unattainable
–TKV Desikachar

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Originally written for my other blog

It’s coming up to that time of the year again.  That time of year when we all want to buy an ethical yet awesome present for our loved ones.  Now I wish I could help you on the whole “what the hell to buy for Dad?” question.  I can’t.  My own father is the man who owns everything and is, therefore, impossible to buy for.  But if you’ve got a yoga lover in your life (or if you just want to buy something for yourself this holiday season), some of these suggestions might help.

1) Yoga mat

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Well this is the million dollar question.  If I had it my way none of us would have mats but that’s another story for another day.  I get the need for them, especially if you practice at a studio or dusty old church and I get that a lot of yoga teachers don’t have the storage space to provide their students with mats (I’m lucky in that I do).  Basically, whatever I may think, a mat is still a primary necessity when it comes to practicing yoga.

I’m not going to give the big speech on ethical and eco yoga mats.  I’m not 100% convinced there is such a thing.  Just make sure it’s non-PVC OK?

The Manduka is a very popular one.  I’m not a fan as I find them too thick and heavy and really £60 is a lot of money for a mat right?  For a thinner cheaper option there is the Manduka Lite.

I much prefer the Prana e.c.o but this wouldn’t hold up to a really vigorous practice like Astanga (it does work really well for Pilates though especially if you put a yoga rug down.  I like these from YogaMatters.co.uk.

The Prana Revolution is a great big mat, wider and stronger and much better for Astanga.  If you buy this from YogaMatters.co.uk they donate £1 to Yoga for Unity.

Finally for Astanga/Hot/Power Yoga practitioners – sometimes the sweat makes you lose your grip right?  Try this liquid chalk.  I swore by it back in my Astanga days.

2) Bolsters

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In my mind there is nothing so liberating as lying back over a yoga bolster at the end of a busy day.  They are supportive and comforting and perfect for restorative poses as well as sitting on in the more general scheme of things.  They are also one of the few yoga props I am willing to spend a lot of money on.

These are my own favourites.  As they have removable covers they are great for classes and also if, like me, you sit on them to eat your tea and you spill a lot…. hmmm….;)

These ones are slightly more expensive but are stuffed with buckwheat rather than cotton which moulds into the shape of your body over time (great for personal practice, not so great if you are sharing them with your students).

3) Mat Bags + Eyepillows

There is only one place to go for the best in yoga mat bags and eye pillows and that’s Devon Red.  Clare handmakes all the gorgeous stock and has it ready and shipped to you within a week.  Who could ask for more?  And as she says, anyone who has ever tried Savasana with an eye pillow over their eyes has never gone back.  Perfect stocking fillers, I’m sure you’ll agree!

4) Books

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There are thousands upon thousands of yoga books out there and a lot of them are (ahem) dodgy to say the least, but here are a few of my favourites.

At risk of sounding like a stuck record, if you or the yogi in your life hasn’t read Darren Main’s Yoga and the Path of the Urban Mystic, then this is the time to buy it.  Darren has a fabulous new book out as well called The Yogi Entrepreneur which is perfect for anyone thinking about training to teach yoga or just trying to set themselves up as a teacher.  I wish it had been around 6 years ago to be honest.

Then there’s The Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar – the book to read as you start to take your yoga journey forward, Writing Yoga by Bruce Black – for hints, tips and prompts on keeping a practice journal (a practice journal is  a great way of taking your yoga off the mat), and for something a little bit more, well, hardgoing most serious yogis have at least attempted to read Eliade’s Yoga: Immortality and Freedom (warning: this took me a year to get through!).

For a little bit of lighthearted fun, Kimberly Wilson’s Hip Tranquil Chick is a perfect balance between life and mat, and Judith Hanson Lasater’s Relax + Renew does exactly what it says on the tin!

5) DVDs

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I’ve never been 100% convinced about yoga DVDs.  It’s really hard to find that focus and clear sightedness when it’s you, your TV and an instructor pretzeling themselves on screen (yes that is a word in my world). However, yoga classes are expensive and home practice is hard to maintain without some sort of instruction so I would recommend the following DVDs only if you or the yogi in your life is a) not a beginner and b) sees a teacher or goes to class at least semi-regularly because nothing beats input from a real actual person

Gary Kraftsow’s Viniyoga DVDS – one for the upper body, one for the lower body;

Rodney Yee’s AM/PM yoga – two 20-minute sequences plus use of props/modifications etc for the time of day most appropriate for you.

Paul Grilley’s Yin Yoga DVD – a great way to start a home practice.

There are a lot more practice DVDs and you may all have your own individual favourites that I haven’t seen.  Do let me know in the comments (and likewise for any books or props that you particularly love)

NB:  Most of the links here take you to YogaMatters.co.uk, a UK yoga supplier.  There are many other suppliers of all these products around the world and Google is your friend.  I have no affiliation with YogaMatters at all, it is just somewhere I have always trusted for my yoga equipment. Neither do I have any affiliation with Amazon.co.uk

I do have affiliation with Devon Red and using the links to Devon Red in this post may result in commissions for SuburbanYogini.com

For all of you who entered last week’s giveaway take a look at the video to see if you won!

And for those of you who didn’t win, Nadine has kindly offered a 10% discount on her YogAttitude cards and workbooks which you can buy here!

Simply click the link and follow the purchasing instructions and then put in the code IMWITHRACHEL at checkout to get your discount!

Thank you Nadine

PS: Readers I’m away Pilates training again this weekend so there’ll be no Friday Five this week.  See you after the weekend x