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Yoga Practices Supporting Your Wellbeing at Every Life Stage Challenge, Transition, Growth

Ancient Wisdom Modern Context
This page is dedicated to sharing thoughts, views and experiences of our students and network. We hope you find some of these articles interesting - and welcome your comments.
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Munay Ki Rites: Transformational Initiation for Yoga Teachers, Space Holders & Community Leaders
There comes a point in your journey as a yoga practitioner, facilitator, or community leader when we need to work deeper to create the transformation our practitioners crave. You feel called to hold deeper transformation.And internally, you sense there is another layer of growth available to you. The Munay Ki Rites offer a sacred path of spiritual initiations into that next level. The Munay Ki Rites- A Sacred Lineage? Rooted in the sacred lineage of the Q’ero Shamans of Peru,

Melanie Ashley
Feb 213 min read


The Munay-Ki Rites
A Transformational Companion For Burnout Recovery As holistic practitioners, we often support others through deep transformation—but our own inner evolution is equally essential. The Munay-Ki Rites, drawn from the Andean shamanic traditions and restructured for modern seekers by Dr. Alberto Villoldo, offer a structured series of initiations that can profoundly support your personal journey and professional practice. Why the Munay-Ki for Practitioners? Many stepping into the

Melanie Ashley
Jun 29, 20252 min read


Exploring Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa's Impact on Social Development, Philosophy, and Traditional African Traditions
research and co-writer Kimmy Soko In honouring Black History Month, we would love to introduce you to some less famous yogis from the Afro-Caribbean heritage. Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa was best known for his spiritual practices as well as his philosophy which challenged the growing status quo of his home land. Thus, he was a yogi of Bhakti Yoga – the path of devotion and spirituality and Jnana Yoga – the path of wisdom. The remaining paths of yoga are: - Raja Yoga f

Melanie Ashley
Oct 30, 20245 min read


Exploring the World of Herbalism
with Mary Seacole :A Journey of Healing & Wellness research and co-written with Kimmy Soko October is Black History Month in the UK, while February is American Black History Month. As a black business owner of Clarity Yoga Shala, I thought this could be a good time to acknowledge yogies from the Afro-Caribbean community and share their untold stories and celebrate heroes and heroines. This month at Clarity Yoga Shala we will be sharing the stories of individuals whose ex

Melanie Ashley
Oct 29, 20244 min read


A Community Class For Peace & Unity?
Every class at the Shala is a community .... so what would make another one any different? Many people may not know this, that the word Shala is often translated as ‘a place of refuge’. And in creating this space our Shala prides itself in being an open space for absolutely everyone. And there is no need to identify the various sections of society that this might relate to. Everyone is all-encompassing and needs no further explanation. By this definition, every class we ho

Melanie Ashley
Jun 18, 20244 min read


Be Steeped In Serenity
How To Create Mindful Moments When Life Is Too Busy No matter how busy we are, most people have time for a cup of tea - whether it is made for your or you make a cuppa for yourself. In either case, that warm textured fluid drink can offer a moment to escape from the extreme focus and pressure of a task in hand. Yet, it can be more than simply a cuppa. From the art of the Japanese Tea Ritual, to creating space for indepth converation to problem solving to exploring politic

Melanie Ashley
Feb 2, 20242 min read


Reduce Overwhelm And Become Crystal Clear
How to harvest inner peace with a crystal meditation As well as being beautiful and stunning to the eye, Crystals have a way of calming the mind and bringing about a sense of inner peace simply by holding them. Part of this is because the sensation of touch often brings about a sense of security and safety which can pacify the racing mind. Coupled with the unique quality of each crystal - in terms of its shape and visual appeal - this simple mineral can become a great tool

Melanie Ashley
Dec 19, 20232 min read


The Golden City That Achieves Balance in a Storm
The yogic system views the human body in accordance with the five elements of nature: Earth, Fire, Water, Space, Ether. Reflecting on the relationship between humanity and the earth could, therefore, be akin to how individuals treat themselves or one another according to the characteristics of the five elements. This mix elemental mix and their expressions can create our unique identity. Let's take Sukhothai, an ancient city in Thailand, as an example. Their advanced irriga

Melanie Ashley
Nov 24, 20235 min read


Introducing Our New Team Member at Clarity Yoga Shala - Judit Alemany
Reach new hights with your physical yoga practice with Judit on Wednesday mornings from 9:30am to 10:30am About Judit: What drew you to...

Melanie Ashley
Apr 21, 20232 min read


What Does New Moon In Taurus Mean
First eclipse of 2022 - what does the New Moon in Taurus will mean for you? Here's a look at some of the astrological influences and how...

Melanie Ashley
Apr 21, 20232 min read


Meditation for Grounding and Self Protections
A Reiki Master once shared this meditation with me many years ago - and I've used it ever since in my classes. Especially if people are...

Melanie Ashley
Apr 21, 20232 min read


Nepal Earthquake Recovery Fund
Clarity's charity of the year is this St Albans group who created the charity following a visit. This means that throughout the year...

Melanie Ashley
Apr 21, 20234 min read


Abhyanga Daily Self Massage
Daily self massage is strongly advocated in Ayurvedic practices. Best as part of the morning routine, it stimluates blood flow, moves the prana around the body an nourishes the skin ... and it only needs to take 5 mins of your shower time! Once you know your energetic profile, you will also know the best carrier oils to use in the practice. VATA Constitutions would use a high quality Sesame Oil to add warmth into the body PITTA Constitutions would use a high quality Coconut

Melanie Ashley
Apr 21, 20235 min read


Would spirituality get in your way of practicing Yoga?
Introduction At Clarity Yoga Shala, we believe Spirituality is a feeling of being connected to something bigger than yourself. It's a way of life that can help you find peace and meaning in the chaos of everyday life. However, many people think of spirituality as something abstract or out-of-reach, but it doesn't have to be that way. You can start living a more spiritual life today, regardless of any religious beliefs or lack thereof. Spirituality doesn't have to be complica

Melanie Ashley
Apr 21, 20237 min read


Introducing Mark Pawlett : A Facilitator In The Autumn Equinox Celebrations
This year, we're going to play with the edges of the primordial forces of nature to find the nature of balance within ourselves. RAJAS : TAMAS: SATTVIC. Fast moving energy which spur growth and direct, energy; The slower energies for nurturing and the balance between the two. Extremes of either creates imbalances in the mind and body! And so we bring together two spiritual practices to embody these principles : Taekwondo & Yoga & Ceremony on the 11:30am to 2:00pm 25th Sept

Melanie Ashley
Apr 21, 20232 min read


The Forgotten Secrets of Hatha Yoga - 108 Sun Salutation -
Despite the initial thought of 108 Sun Salutations - such a practice leaves you with an amazing feeling of lightness and deep cleanse of the mind and body it makes it the perfect practice for the summer equinox. Each round of the traditional ashtanga yoga Surya Namaskar A is composed of a series of 9 asanas (postures) featuring co-ordinated breath with movement to build strengthening with amazing stretches for every major muscle group in the body as the body glides through 97

Melanie Ashley
Apr 21, 20234 min read


Yoga At Any Age
Age and expectations have a real difference in modern society as compared to the traditional approaches of many indigenous cultures. A common societal belief is that age limits what we can do, preventing many people from exploring the benefits of yoga. Many people believe that you have to be young and flexible to do yoga, but this is simply not true! Anyone can do yoga - regardless of age or physical ability. In this blog post, we will dispel the myth that you have to be you

Melanie Ashley
Apr 21, 20236 min read


Benefits of Online Yoga & Meditation
Online yoga and meditation Online yoga is the most advanced way of keeping yourself mentally and physically fit. Nowadays, doing yoga and...

Melanie Ashley
Nov 2, 20224 min read


Yoga Online Courses, Pranayama Meditation Breathing Course: Beaming in from St Albans
Join our 10-day yoga online course with a powerful intention. Reset your inner self using yoga , meditation, & breathwork. Contact us...

Melanie Ashley
Aug 17, 20225 min read


Online Stress Management St Albans, Stress Reduction Courses
Join our 10-day online stress management course with a powerful intention. Reset your inner self using yoga , meditation, & breath work. ...

Melanie Ashley
Aug 17, 20225 min read

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