editor's blog

If you thought it was all over for yoga/alternative festivals this year, think again!

This year, there's in a new kid on the growing block of summer UK yoga events: The Yoga Groove Festival (YGF) in East Sussex, running from September 17-19.

YGF promises to bring festival-goers 'eclectic dance workshops, show-stopping performances, holistic therapies of your wildest dreams', and delicious food (raw and Indian, amongst other options). 

And, of course, there's the yoga - from Anusara and AcroYoga to Astanga, flow classes and beginners' sessions.

There will even be a Rhythm and Dance tent and Shakti stage; the setting for live acts and cabaret.

A three-day festival pass costs £150; yoga abode readers can take advantage of  20% off this price (enter YOGAABODE in the discount code box when booking via www.yogagroovefestival.com - offer valid until September 10). 

Apart from the enticing programme, there's an interesting story behind the festival, which wlil be run under the umbrella brand of Yoga Groove Foundation.

Triyoga and Life Centre teacher Lisa Sanfilippo is the brains behind the festival and charity; she comes from a 15-year background of managing non profit organisations, and says the guiding ethos is 'sharing a spirit of celebration that connects body, mind and spirit'. 

It sounds like a fun, wonderful way to wave farewell to the summer. For details or to book, contact the team at info@yogagroovefestival.com or see www.yogagroovefestival.com

Lucia Cockcroft, editor

It's always exciting to hear of a new yoga centre opening - and this new launch is hot off the press.

Based in South Kensington, London, evolve is described as a 'wellness centre' where the local community can enjoy yoga and pilates from leading teachers; and go for some pampering with massages and treatments.

There is also a 'talk suite', for those interested in environmental issues: a space dedicated to educational discussions and presentations on urban, sustainable living and nutrition.

Founder Adrian Kowal says this focus on sustainable living sets evolve apart from conventional yoga centres.  Talks will include 'how to live with less of an impact' and 'which chemicals are safe in your cosmetics'?

A full timetable will roll out from September 2010; for more info, see www.evolvewellnesscentre.com

Lucia Cockcroft, editor

An article in last week's Times, Body & Soul, threatens to throw a giant spanner in the works of any fitness professionals teaching awareness of core strength.

In last Tuesday's Body & Soul, well known health journalist Peta Bee quoted several experts arguing that the benefits of core strength have been significantly over-stated.

Worse, the feature argued that the commonly given instruction of 'drawing in the naval towards the spine', to activate the core muscles, could even cause more harm than good.

This debate is as almost as relevant to the yoga industry as it is to pilates - though it's the latter that works specifically with strengthening the core, just about every yoga pose can indirectly strengthen this area of the body.

Moreover, in yoga terms, the area around the deep muscles of the lumbar spine, pelvis and abdominal region have a huge energetic and spiritual significance (to read more about core strength and yoga, click here).

We will be publishing a full response to Peta Bee's piece shortly. In the meantime, do you have any views on the importance, or otherwise, of core strength? (Please  do log in and leave a comment).

Lucia Cockcroft, editor

If you're about to set off on holiday, don't forget to pack your yoga mat.

You may find you need it for a myriad of reasons: recovering from jeg lag (take Viparita Karani - legs up the wall pose, or a long Down Dog); mustering up energy after over-indulgence the night before; to feel centred after a demanding day with the kids. 

Being immersed in new surroundings can itself be motivating to begin a new routine.

If you commit to practising for 15/20 minutes before breakfast, or/and before dinner, you can go one step further by making an intention (or sankalpa) to begin a daily yoga practice once you're back home.

For further holiday survival advice, read on!:

• For some inspiration for stress-free travel, check out Caroline Sylger-Jones' article here.

• And it's good to remember that a calm piece of mind is yours to be had for the taking, wherever you are; for some simple meditation techniques from Stillpoint meditation expert Ralph Marzen, click here.

The Yoga Abode team will be taking its own August break next week. We look forward to engaging with you after that.

Wherever you are, and whatever you'll be up to, do enjoy these precious August days, and long, still-balmy evenings.

Lucia Cockcroft, editor

It's often the case that life's simle things - a home-cooked meal, the feeling of release that comes with stretching into a Down Dog after a day at the computer, the scent of a rose in high summer - are the most memorable.

Now there's evidence that friendship and old-fashioned human connection doesn't only enhance life: it prolongs it.

A fascinating new study (that tracked the social interactions and health of almost 309,000 people over 7 years) has found that a strong social circle massively boosts wellbeing and longevity.

According to research, people have a 50% better survival rate if they are part of a wider social group - be it friends, neighbours, or relatives (or all three).

Astonishingly, being lonely was found to be as bad for a person's health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, or being an alcoholic. It can be as harmful as not exercising and twice as bad for the health as being obese.

Yet while messages from the government, peers and health professionals about the danger of smoking and drinking too much have never been clearer, the subject of loneliness and isolation is little mentioned.

Perhaps loneliness is one of western society's last taboos? Certainly, social networks seem to be far stronger in some developing world community.

I will always remember being amazed, when I first visited India at the tender age of 19, at the how cheerful and connected people seemed, despite (or because of?) overwhelming poverty.

Mobile phones and the internet have made it far easier than ever before to chat to others on a superficial level.

But ultimately there's no substitute for real life friendship, and the love and support of other human beings.

Lucia Cockcroft, editor