Sweatember Day 3: Yoga and Mindfulness with Jude

On August 7th, 2017, my Dad lost his battle with lung cancer.

Since then, I am always looking for ways to raise money for Cancer charities, in the hope that one day we may find a cure. In the meantime, I hope that my posting and fundraising will raise awareness, so that other people don’t have to go through what our family did, losing Dad at the age of 59.

This year, I am doing Sweatember. The idea is to exercise every day throughout the month and get sponsored to do so.

I am taking this a little further though – I am lucky to live in Bicester, a small (ish) town that is packed full of exercise and dance classes – so I am taking this opportunity to try out as many as I can and blogging about the process in the meantime.

DAY 3: YOGA AND MINDFULNESS WITH JUDE

I know, I know, it’s a bit of a cop out doing yoga again so soon after the last one – twice in three days, in fact – but this was a different style all together.

I’ve known Jude for many years – she won’t thank me for this, but she used to teach yoga to us in Secondary school! I have done Pilates and Body Balance with her in the past too, so I know she’s a wonderful, relaxed and powerful instructor.

Yoga and Mindfulness is a different way to think about poses – using the bhanda to centre your movement around a lifted pelvic floor and core. This practice encapsulates the breath with the body movement and encourages you to work with your ‘second mind’ – the way things feel, rather than the actual brain.

Movement in Jude’s yoga is strictly to where you are comfortable – no lofty expectations of being able to touch your toes or put your heels on the floor in downward dog – instead, stretches are worked around rather than forced – if you can’t maintain a steady breath then you are pushing too hard and using the wrong mind.

Centring your roots in either your hands or your feet and leading the movement with your bhanda means that all motion is fluid, no stress on joints or overworking – and the process is as relaxing as it is sweat-inducing!

BEST BITS

The whole class was excellent, but I think my favourite bit was that it was just me and another lady (Hi Lorna, if you’re reading this!) and Jude – so it felt almost like a private yoga session. Jude tells me that it is usually much busier, but with the schools going back tomorrow a lot of her regulars couldn’t make it.

WORST BITS

I genuinely can’t think of anything I didn’t like about the class! I came away feeling both relaxed and energised, my mind was clearer, and I had a real sense of accomplishment being pushed into deeper poses and twists – and even managed a great Crow pose at the end!

ABOUT JUDE

Jude has been teaching yoga and associated disciplines for many years and has a dedicated following of students. She can often be found on the mat – or dancing – and would love to see you at one of her classes.

She has a Facebook page, although she admits that she hasn’t been great at keeping it up to date!

ABOUT DOJO SPORTS

Dojo Sports in Launton boasts a fully matted martial arts studio and offers judo, Pilates and dance classes as well as yoga.

THE INFO

Location: Dojo Sports, Grange Mews, Launton - https://www.facebook.com/DOJO-Sports-802540260095542/

Day/Time: Tuesday 1815 - 1930

Cost: First Class Free at Dojo Sports!

Contact: Facebook - Yoga with Jude