Super Duper Moon

“ACTION, NOT REACTION.”

image by Christine Irving and Michelle Anglin “Action not reaction." The Muladhara chakra sits at the root of the body. This is the charka of action, it is our connection with our true path, it helps keep us grounded and true. In Kundalini Yoga this is where the snake sleeps in his 108 coils and through the practice of Kundalini you awaken the snake, raising him up through your central column, the shushumna nadi, pas the 6 other chakras to the top of the head. But this 'raising of the snake' can feel dangerous sometimes. When your energy is lifted so much that the wildness begins to burn through and you lose control and you react. This is where the yoga comes in. We use our practice to 'still the fluctuations of the mind.' Pacifying. This full moon, as it was also a super moon and I am aware of my tendencies of lunacy I decided to work it in my favour. Using my practice and breath not to raise my snake too high! I meditated on my root charkra, the Muladhara and grounded myself with action. For the first time in a long time I was not knocked off my feet by the moons rays. I wish you all a wonderful week and hope to see you on the mat (or off) very soon. So much love. Aquila. x                YOGA NEWS.... If you like yoga and you like camping and the festival thing get your ticket for Exhale and there are only 300 spaces, so get yours while you can. I will be teaching there along side some incredible yogis from all around the world. I have now sold out for the Indian Summer Yoga Intensive 12-14th September. But if you are interested in any other retreats in the UK or abroad please email me. aquila@dunfordwood.com Yoga teaching festival dates.... Exhale festival 22-25th August Rollright Fayre 29th-31st August If you ever have any questions about classes, 121's or private and corporate sessions please drop me a line.

I am off to Cornwall for a belated holiday, bot long, but won't be around Friday or Monday. See you this week or on the mat from Tuesday. xxx WEDNESDAY  ....6:30pm @ STRETCH ADA STREET E8 4QU £12 THURSDAY .....8:30am @ 18 Belsham Road E9 £8 ...6:30pm @ STRETCH ADA STREET E8 4QU £12  TUESDAY ....6:30am @ STRETCH COLUMBIA ROAD E27RG £12 ....12:30pm @ STRETCH ADA STREET E8 4QU £9  I made this for my birthday cake minus the dairy bits. It was so delish!!! Carrot cake: 1/2 cup regular olive oil, not extra-virgin, plus more for oiling pan 3 tablespoons pine nuts 2 medium carrots, grated (about 2 cups) 1/2 cup golden sultanas 1/4 cup rum 3/4 cup superfine sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 eggs 2 1/2 cups almond meal/flour 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 lemon, zest finely grated and juiced Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line the base of the springform pan with a nonstick silicone liner or baking parchment. Grease the sides with olive oil. Add the pine nuts to a small dry pan and toast them over low heat. Grate the carrots in a food processor or with a coarse grater, and put them on a double layer of kitchen towels. Wrap the towels around the carrots to soak up the excess liquid. Put the sultanas in a small saucepan with the rum, and bring to the boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Whisk the sugar and 1/2 cup of oil in a stand mixer or by hand, until creamily and airily mixed together. Whisk in the vanilla and eggs in a large bowl. Fold in the almond meal/flour, nutmeg, grated carrots, golden sultanas (and any rum that clings to them) and finally the lemon zest and lemon juice. Scrape the mixture into the prepared cake tin and smooth the surface with a rubber spatula. The batter will be very shallow in the tin. Sprinkle with the pine nuts and bake until the top is risen and golden and a cake tester comes out sticky but otherwise more or less clean, about 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the cake from the oven and let it sit on a rack for 10 minutes before removing the sides. Let cool until ready to serve. Transfer the cake to a serving platter. Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/venetian-carrot-cake-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Sound of Atma

“Cosmic consciousness can be considered in a way to be the soul of Nature, limitless as the universe, all-embracing.”

image by Christine Irving and Michelle Anglin “Cosmic consciousness can be considered in a way to be the soul of Nature, limitless as the universe, all embracing.” BKS Iyengar I am slowly learning to embrace the world fully. It is taking time and a huge amount of courage to let go of those strange fears that we pick up along the way, surrendering to the deep knowledge within. Slowly, very slowly, with practice and with the strength of my yoga practice my surroundings are beginning to respond to my calls. This true conscious vivid living is something that I see as so important in this world of fluff and fog. Opening my eyes a little wider, listening to the rhythms of the wind. I had the honour to teach alongside two wonderful women, Gabby Hayes and Molly Harragin on Sundayfor the Secret Yoga Supper Club. The theme was Opening Your Heart. With a room full of people I had never met, each yogi stepped out of their fears to embrace the wonders of forgiveness and truth in their practice. It was a brave two hour workshop. I felt the immense power of these people as we sat down for dinner after. It made me so grateful for being able to facilitate such work. Yoga is a bloody great thing! So much love. Aquila. x P.S. It's my birthday Friday, so come and join in one of my classes and we'll have a good old flow together. xxx                YOGA NEWS.... I would like to announce I have been asked to be a Lululemon Ambassador and I said YES! Wahoo! Very excited to be working with the wonder women (and men) at the Islington showroom. So expect some fun events and classes announce soon. I have a two spaces come available for my Indian Summer Yoga Intensive 12-14th September. If you would like to secure a space, email me. aquila@dunfordwood.com Tickets have gone on sale for Exhale and there are only 300 spaces, so get yours while you can. Yoga teaching festival dates.... Exhale festival 22-25th August Rollright Fayre 29th-31st August If you ever have any questions about classes, 121's or private and corporate sessions please drop me a line.

TUESDAY ....6:30am @ STRETCH COLUMBIA ROAD E27RG £12 ....12:30pm @ STRETCH ADA STREET E8 4QU £9 WEDNESDAY  ....6:30am @ STRETCH COLUMBIA ROAD E27RG £12 ....6:30pm @ STRETCH COLUMBIA ROAD E27RG £12 THURSDAY .....8:30am @ 18 Belsham Road E9 £8 FRIDAY .....9:30am @ STRETCH ADA STREET E8 4QU £12 ....1:15pm Express class @ STRETCH COLUMBIA ROAD E27RG £7 ....7-8:30pm Wind Down class @ STRETCH COLUMBIA ROAD E27RG £14 MONDAY .....7am @ STRETCH ADA STREET E8 4QU £12 .....9am @ 18 Belsham Road E9 £8 Gluten free blueberry muffins by Minimalist Baker that require just one bowl and about 30 minutes from start to finish. Hearty, sweet and packed full of healthy ingredients. I blew out my blender trying to make my own rice flour. Yes, it's stupid, don't try it at home! INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup rice flour 1/2 tsp baking soda pinch salt 2-3 Tbsp brown sugar 1 small egg 1 Tbsp coconut butter, melted 3 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk ½ tsp vanilla extract 1/4 cup blueberries + more for topping INSTRUCTIONS PREHEAT OVEN TO 375 DEGREES F AND LIGHTLY BUTTER TWO SMALL RAMEKINS WITH NON-DAIRY BUTTER. IN A LIQUID MEASURING CUP, ADD FLAXSEED AND WATER AND SET ASIDE. IN A LARGE BOWL COMBINE FLOUR, BROWN SUGAR, BAKING SODA, SALT AND WHISK.TO THE LIQUID MEASURING CUP, ADD ALMOND MILK, VANILLA, MELTED BUTTER AND STIR. ADD TO DRY INGREDIENTS AND STIR UNTIL COMBINED. IF BATTER APPEARS A BIT TOO THIN, ADD ANOTHER TBSP OR SO OF FLOUR. TOSS THE BLUEBERRIES IN 1-2 TBSP OF THE FLOUR SO THEY DON'T SETTLE TO THE BOTTOM WHEN BAKING. THEN FOLD THEM IN TO COMBINE. DIVIDE BATTER EVENLY INTO THE TWO RAMEKINS – ABOUT ½ TO ¾ FULL – AND SPRINKLE WITH A FEW MORE BLUEBERRIES. IF USING A STANDARD MUFFIN TIN, IT WILL LIKELY MAKE 3 OR 4. BAKE FOR 25-30 MINUTES OR UNTIL THE TOPS ARE GOLDEN BROWN AND A TOOTHPICK OR KNIFE INSERTED COMES OUT CLEAN. LET COOL FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN REMOVE FROM RAMEKINS AND SERVE WARM.