#360fit: Yoga to help you refuel after F1 weekend

Kara Martin 01:37 24/11/2016
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  • Time for a pit stop: With Jen Stewart’s Pop-Up Yoga Series.

    As much as we love Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi, we also can’t wait for the fast and festive weekend to take its toll and return us to a state and lifestyle of relative normality.

    For that reason, we think Jennifer Stewart and her series of rooting and re-energising yoga workshops, starting next week, have come to town at the ideal time.

    We first met Jen on the mat in Abu Dhabi many years ago, when she quickly became one of our favourite freelance teachers, but she isn’t nicknamed the ‘Traveling Lotus’ for nothing, and we’re glad the UAE capital still holds a special place in her heart for repeat visits.

    “After a hugely successful yoga retreat in Andalucia, Spain, in August 2015, I’ve been aiming to offer more international opportunities, so this trip back to Abu Dhabi seemed too serendipitous to pass up – it’s the perfect time for me to lessen the distance with so many wonderful world yogis,” said the American, who has teamed up with BodyTree Studio’s Saadiyat base to run three unique sessions inspired by nature.

    “Everything in nature is made up of five basic elements: earth, water, fire, air and space. Learning to harness the energies of each can lead to creating proper balance in ourselves for a healthier, happier life.

    “Over time these elements can get out of balance by way of our diet, lack of movement, limited fresh air/exposure to nature, diminished sleep, excess stress, etc., and so I wanted to incorporate these elemental energies to offer yoga students an opportunity to rebalance. Students can utilise it in their own way – feeling where they may be depleted or stuck, then drawing in exactly what they need.”

    Pop-up Yoga Series

    • What: Jennifer Stewart Pop-Up Yoga Series.
    • Where: Saadiyat Beach Club
    • When: “Utilize Your Fire” – Sunday, November 27, 19:30-20:45; “Yin-spirational Grounding” – Monday, November 28, 19:3020:45; “Flow Like Water” – Tuesday, November 29, 19:30-20:45
    • Cost: Dh90 each or Dh250 for all three Bookings & info: 02 443 4448, www.bodytreestudio.com

    Stewart was first exposed to ‘Earthing’ (connecting the body and mind with nature) while on a Yin Yoga training regime with Insight Yoga creator Sarah Powers. It is believed that exploring this link helps to rebalance the ions in our bodies, which leads to natural harmony.

    “In a nutshell, Earthing gives students the tools to selfheal,” she adds. “And my elemental series classes will draw on these same ideas and empower students in unique ways. Each class can stand alone, or if done together they’ll offer a really strong opportunity to rebalance.”

    “Utilize Your Fire” is the name of the opening session this coming Sunday night, a strong 75-minute flow incorporating a variety of fun core work to build adequate heat (‘Fire’ isn’t in the title for nothing, prepare to sweat). If you make it over after the F1 finale, we’d be mightily impressed…and you’ll also be rewarded for your efforts ahead of Monday.

    “Ever have moments of feeling overwhelmed, out of sorts, extra heavy? Utilising the most cleansing element of our practice, Fire, allows us a chance to re-balance and re-align from deep within,” said Stewart. “Twists and kapalabhati pranayama will also be sprinkled in to round out the detox process.”

    On Monday she will lead a “Yinspirational Grounding” class, also suited to all levels; powerful too but with a lot less intensity than the previous class. “Life is balance. This class is all about harnessing yours. After all the movement and creating and doing, it’s now time to relax and release,” she said.

    Rev-Up-Your-Engines

    Within the 75 minutes, students can expect to really sink in to longer-held restorative postures, a number of which are specifically designed to activate the stomach/ spleen meridian.

    “Not only does this meridian combination enhance the internal cleansing process, it also allows time to refresh mentally and reconnect to ‘feeling at home in ourselves’.”

    Last but not least, you can join her in the soothing surroundings of Saadiyat Beach Club for Tuesday’s “Flow Like Water” class – the one we most like the sound of. Focus on alignment takes a backseat in this class in favour of simply feeling your way through the 75-minute flow – the same way water might easefully adapt to suit its vessels or environs.

    “Postures will be strategically married together to create a seamlessly-fluid flow, from seated postures to standing series to more challenging asana, we’ll find our inspiration from the ground up,” concluded Stewart.

    “Advanced postures like crow and headstand will inevitably be available with newfound ease. This class is all about finding enjoyment in the here and now (atna) and tapping in to our own water-like strength and versatility.”

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