Paula is passionate about teaching Yoga and has been doing so since 2001, and explores holistic well-being through Hatha Yoga, Dynamic Yoga and freeing energy flow through the Chakras.

Paula's Background
"I have been practising Yoga since childhood (with a couple of very large gaps!) and have a British Wheel of Yoga Teaching Diploma and a Diploma in Chakra Dancing. I have also studied with Godfrey Devereux in Dynamic Yoga.

Twenty years ago I trained as a Homoeopath for two years. Prior to that I worked with various techniques involving body awareness and hold Diplomas in the 'Medical Principle Relating to Exercise' and 'The Californian Work-out' ".
 

Yoga Teaching Style
"My teaching style is a diverse and individual mix. I integrate Hatha Yoga, Dynamic Yoga, pranayama, philosophy and meditation / relaxation with a focus on enhancing energy in the subtle body towards a true sense of well-being".

Direction: Chakras and Prana
"Throughout my life, my interests have been in various forms of holistic well-being. The study of Homoeopathy cultivated this holistic and intuitive approach to health. Homoeopathic philosophies and those of Yoga are compatible and interlinked; they both acknowledge the spiritual aspect of being human. This study has added another dimension of awareness to my Yoga teaching and has developed an emphasis on the holistic nature of us as human beings. Focusing on our physical, mental and spiritual attributes, and how these parts of the whole reflect and affect each other.

This has lead to the recognition of how influential the Chakras (energy centres in the subtle body) can be in enhancing our well-being. They affect energy in the physical body as well as the mental and subtle bodies. When 'Prana' (internal energy) is flowing freely and in a balanced way through these energy centres - optimum well-being is experienced. Regeneration, and even rejuvenation can then occur".

Paula has written an article on 'Prana' which has been published in Healthy Life Magazine, March 2007 issue.

Yoga's Physical, Mental and Spiritual Benefits
Physically, Yoga offers innumerable benefits, from a lithe and youthful body with ease of movement and increased flexibility to a regenerating effect on the whole system. It also induces a calmer and more focused state of mind. Yoga is a method for experiencing the spiritual aspect of our nature. Yoga is holistic and based on the fact that we are mind, body and spirit beings. Among other things, Yoga is a system of physical exercises that covers an enormous range of body movements which have an immense impact on the whole self. It is safe and builds a firm foundation for health. It can benefit young and old alike, regardless of your shape or fitness level.

Paula Cunningham 2007

Current Projects and Plans

BRITISH WHEEL OF YOGA FOUNDATION COURSE
I am planning to offer a ‘British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course’ commencing later this year (2008) in East Essex.
This is a prerequisite to the Teacher training course but also offers an opportunity to delve more deeply into your own Yoga practice, purely for the experience without a view to teaching.
The course will be covering Yoga philosophy and different Yoga traditions and teaching styles as well as practical steps in Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Kriya, Chanting and Relaxation/Meditation. We will also be looking at the Eight Limbs of Yoga as set out by the ancient sage, Patanjali, and their application in modern life.
Applicants are required to have had a minimum of two years Yoga experience with a qualified teacher.


MAYURA YOGA TEACHER TRAINING MODULE
Also in 2008 begins the ‘Mayura Yoga Teaching Training Module’ this will take place within the ‘Chakra Dancing Teacher Training Diploma Course’ run by Elizabeth Whiter in Brighton.
The module will enable teachers of Chakra Dance to incorporate within their repertoire, basic Yoga moves, that will resonate with the Chakra they are working on.
This teaching module will be progressive and therefore divided into Levels 1, 2 and 3. There will be a DVD as a teaching aid for each Level, along with detailed tuition of the methods used for each of the postures or sequences I have devised, and it will be called ‘Dance-in-Yoga’!


‘CELEBRATION OF LIFE’ DAYS
I will be continuing with these increasingly popular days with my wonderful team of musicians, therapists and teachers.

Celebration Of Life days are literally just that… a celebration of the life that is inside each one of us, exploring through the senses to awaken this even further.
These days are a very potent mix of Yoga, Meditation, Chanting, Live Music, Pilates and Holistic Therapies.
Each of the days focuses on a specific Chakra and using related Yoga postures and breathing techniques, philosophy, sound and visuals we embark on a deep journey into ourselves.
This can open the gates to a surge of energy flow through the particular Chakra we are working on, unblocking and releasing energy and leaving you with an enhanced awareness of the flavour and purpose of the Chakra in question and a little closer to your true nature as a human being.
Please see ‘Events’ section for the next scheduled day!

Yoga: a multi-dimensional practice

"We can all find benefit from yoga starting from exactly where we are now, wherever that might be".

Om Shanti...

 Paula

steevi/Mayura Yoga 2007

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