Try Yoga With Me - April Cook

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Try Yoga With Me - April Cook

I am a 200hr RYT with Yoga Alliance certified in Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga, and Restorative Yoga.

I am also certified in Chair Yoga with Silver Sneakers.

23/12/2025

We will be closed for the Christmas holidays on December 24th and 25th. Have a very, merry Christmas!!

23/12/2025

Bingo calling card
Day 23
Japa Mala Beads
A Japa Mala is a string of 108 beads, plus a larger "guru bead," used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and other traditions as a tool for counting mantra recitations or breaths during meditation (Japa) to focus the mind and deepen spiritual practice, acting as a sacred rosary for mindfulness and prayer. Each bead is touched while repeating a prayer, helping the practitioner stay present and track repetitions, often involving 108 repetitions for spiritual completion, with the guru bead signaling the start/end of a cycle.

Key Components & Symbolism
108 Beads: A significant number representing spiritual completion, cosmic connections (Sun/Moon to Earth), or energy lines (nadis) converging at the heart chakra.

Guru Bead (Meru Bead): The 109th bead, marking the beginning and end of a cycle, signifying the divine connection, and never crossed over; you reverse direction at this point.

Materials: Made from various sacred materials like sandalwood, tulsi (holy basil), rudraksha seeds, or gemstones (agate, amethyst, etc.), each chosen for specific energetic properties.

How It's Used (Japa Meditation)

Hold: Hold the mala in your hand, typically with your thumb and middle finger.

Recite: Begin at the guru bead and move one bead at a time, reciting your chosen mantra or prayer (e.g., "Om," "Om Namah Shivaya").

Focus: Use the physical sensation of the beads to keep your mind from wandering.

Complete Cycle: Once you reach the guru bead, pause, offer gratitude, and reverse direction without crossing it.

Types of Japa: Practice can be loud (Vaikhari), whispered (Upanshu), or silent (Manasika), depending on focus and environment.

Purpose & Benefits
Focus &
Concentration: Helps anchor attention during meditation.

Spiritual Connection: Deepens mindfulness, intention, and connection to the divine.

Energy Work: Beads absorb your intentions, becoming powerful spiritual tools over time.

22/12/2025

Day 22 yoga bingo
Reverse or reclined warrior
click the photos to read the details!
Comment bingo if you won four corner bingo or blackout bingo.

21/12/2025

We spend so much of life searching for happiness in the outside world — in people, in achievements, in moments that rise and fall like waves.
Yet the Buddha reminds us that true happiness is not something we chase, but something we clear space for. 🌿

Ego whispers, “I need more.”
Desire whispers, “I want more.”
And between these two voices, our peace becomes distant. ✨

But the moment we release who we think we must be,
and let go of what we are constantly reaching for,
a silence appears —
and in that silence, happiness naturally rises on its own. 🌙

Happiness is not found in adding things to your life.
It is found in removing everything that blocks your inner light. 🌼

When the ego softens and desire quiets,
what remains is the simple, effortless joy of just being. 🌅

21/12/2025

Join me at Workout Anytime Leeds this Monday 12/22 at 11am for Restorative yoga.

Restorative yoga is a slow, passive practice focused on deep relaxation and healing by holding gentle, supported poses for extended periods (5+ minutes) using props like bolsters, blankets, and blocks, allowing the body to fully release tension and activate the parasympathetic nervous system for stress reduction and rejuvenation. It's about "active relaxation," promoting physical and mental rest rather than building strength, making it accessible for all levels, including beginners, those recovering from injury, or anyone needing to decompress.

If you plan to attend class please make sure to bring your props as we have very limited amounts to offer. You can register for class online using the WOA app or by calling the gym at 205-702-2789 today to be put on th list.

You can also register for class at tryyogawithme.offeringtree.com

21/12/2025

Bingo calling card
Day 21

Yoga Mudra Gyan-mudra Yoga Gesture Hands (or Chin Mudra) is a common yoga hand gesture where you gently touch the tip of your thumb and index finger to form a circle, keeping the other three fingers straight, symbolizing the union of individual consciousness with universal wisdom, calming the mind, improving focus, and boosting creativity, often used in meditation for spiritual connection and mental clarity. It connects the fire (thumb) and air (index finger) elements to harmonize energy, stimulating the Third Eye and Crown chakras for deeper insight.

How to Perform Gyan Mudra

Position: Sit comfortably in meditation (like Lotus Pose or Easy Pose).

Hand Placement: Rest your hands on your knees, palms facing up.

Form the Circle: Gently bring the tip of your thumb and index finger together to form a circle.

Extend Fingers: Keep your middle, ring, and pinky fingers straight and relaxed.

** Breathe:** Inhale and exhale slowly and deeply through your nose.

Benefits of Gyan Mudra

Mental Focus: Enhances concentration, memory, and mental clarity.

Spiritual Connection: Facilitates connection to higher consciousness and inner wisdom.

Calming Effect: Promotes relaxation, reduces negativity, and eases tension.

Energy Flow: Harmonizes the fire and air elements, transforming energy for spiritual growth.

Variations
Abhay Gyan Mudra: Perform Gyan Mudra with arms raised, palms facing forward, to inspire fearlessness.

20/12/2025

Bingo calling card
Day 20

A Complete Guide to Balance and Heal Your Solar Plexus Chakra ...

The Solar Plexus Chakra, or Manipura, is the third energy center located in the upper abdomen, symbolizing personal power, self-esteem, identity, and willpower, associated with the color yellow and the fire element, and governs digestion and motivation; a balanced Manipura brings confidence and purpose, while imbalance can lead to low self-worth or aggression, manifesting physically in digestive issues, notes.

Location & Meaning

Location: Upper abdomen, between the navel and the breastbone.

Sanskrit Name: Manipura (meaning "lustrous gem" or "city of jewels").

Key Associations

Color: Yellow or gold.

Element: Fire, representing transformation and energy.

Mantra: "I can" or the sound "RAM" (Beej Mantra).

Governs: Personal power, self-esteem, ego, identity, willpower, purpose, decision-making, and digestion.

Signs of Balance & Imbalance

Balanced: Confidence, motivation, self-respect, sense of purpose, reliability, and strong will.

Imbalanced (Underactive): Low self-esteem, indecisiveness, lack of motivation, feeling like a victim, fatigue, and digestive problems (IBS, ulcers).
Imbalanced

(Overactive): Aggression, control issues, arrogance, inflated ego, anger, and resentment.

Healing & Balancing

Yoga & Movement: Poses like planks, cobra, boat pose, and twists (e.g., Cat-Cow) that compress and decompress the abdominal area.

Visualization: Imagining a bright yellow light or sun glowing in the solar plexus area.

Affirmations: Using "I am..." statements focusing on strength and capability, such as "I am powerful," or "I accomplish tasks easily".

Diet: Foods associated with fire and the sun, such as yellow fruits, grains, and spicy foods (in moderation).

Meditation: Focusing on the solar plexus with breathwork and mantras.

Why It Matters
This chakra is crucial for manifesting your goals, acting on your will, and processing emotions, serving as your inner powerhouse for self-efficacy and personal transformation, according to spiritual traditions.

19/12/2025

Bingo calling card
Day 19
King pigeon

Make sure to click each picture to read the details.

18/12/2025

Bingo calling card
day 18

Sacral Chakra (Svadhishthana): Meaning, Location, and ...
The Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) is the second energy center, located in the lower abdomen, governing creativity, pleasure, emotions, sexuality, and flow, associated with the color orange and the water element, representing our right to feel and enjoy life, and balancing it involves practices like yoga, meditation, and creative expression to harmonize desires and emotions.
Location & Meaning
Location: About two to three inches below the navel, in the pelvic region.
Sanskrit Name: Svadhisthana, meaning "one's own place" or "sweet space".

Associated With
Emotions: Pleasure, joy, passion, sensuality, feelings, desire.

Creativity: Creative expression, fluidity, movement.

Element: Water.

Color: Orange.

Physical Body: Reproductive organs, kidneys, lower back.

Balanced vs. Imbalanced

Balanced: Healthy emotional expression, creativity, vitality, pleasure, and healthy relationships.

Imbalanced (Blocked): Emotional detachment, anxiety, low libido, lack of creativity, addictions, or lower back/hip pain.

Balancing Practices
Yoga: Hip-opening poses like Bound Angle (Baddha Konasana).

Meditation: Visualizing orange light in the lower belly.

Affirmations: "I embrace my creativity and passion".

Creative Activities: Dancing, painting, writing.

Diet: Orange-colored foods (oranges, carrots, mangoes).

17/12/2025

Day 17 bingo card
Cat pose
Here are to ways to practice it. The seated version can also be practiced in a chair.

16/12/2025

Bingo card day 16
Pigeon pose

How else can we practice pigeon pose? Drop your answer in the comments!!

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	11:00 - 12:00
	17:30 - 18:30
Tuesday	11:00 - 12:00
	13:00 - 14:00
Wednesday	11:00 - 12:00
	17:30 - 18:30
Thursday	13:00 - 14:00
	18:00 - 19:00
Friday	18:00 - 19:00
Saturday	08:30 - 09:30

Telephone

+12056013253

Website

http://Tryyogawithme.offeringtree.com/

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