{"id":6319,"date":"2017-08-16T06:10:30","date_gmt":"2017-08-16T05:10:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/healthylivinglondon.com\/?p=6319"},"modified":"2017-11-05T20:35:32","modified_gmt":"2017-11-05T20:35:32","slug":"how-my-body-changed-after-a-month-of-the-derose-method-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthylivinglondon.com\/fitness-in-london\/how-my-body-changed-after-a-month-of-the-derose-method-london\/","title":{"rendered":"How my body changed after a month of the DeRose Method"},"content":{"rendered":"

I knew something was up when my husband told me he was going to meditate before bed. For those who know my husband, he doesn\u2019t meditate. I immediately wondered if he were having an affair. I later discovered he\u2019d started something new \u2013 the DeRose Method<\/a>.<\/h4>\n
\"derose

My husband, myself and another student all hanging about in crow pose. Or Bakasana.<\/p><\/div>\n

It\u2019s hard to know how to to describe the DeRose Method. Whilst it is similar to yoga in that it uses asanas, there\u2019s no traditional flow, no downdogs in sight and no terms, such as Warrior Pose. And it doesn\u2019t do it justice to call it \u2018yoga\u2019; it\u2019s so much more than that. It\u2019s been described as \u2018a fusion of physical techniques and philosophical concepts, inspired by ancient traditions and taught through a combination of classes, courses and workshops.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

As a beginner, it also involves breathing exercises and snippets of history (which the instructors like to add in whilst you\u2019re holding poses \u2013 you have to pray that they\u2019re short otherwise everything starts to hurt even more!) When you\u2019re considered more advanced, harder breathing exercises, choreography, meditation and other elements are introduced.<\/p>\n

At my first class, I was nervous but excited. The DeRose Method is held at the Ady Centre a few minutes from Oxford Circus tube. It\u2019s an inconspicuous building off a side street, one I\u2019d never normally have wandered down. The Ady Centre is small but simple with all the necessities. I appreciate the small touches of hairbands in the toilet if you forget yours and an area for making tasty teas after (ok, so I’ll admit, I only go for the chai tea after…).<\/p>\n

I\u2019m greeted at the door by Paulo, one of the two instructors who taught me over the month. He\u2019s Portuguese and strong. And bendy. We start with breathing exercises and over the course of the month, I\u2019d come to learn that breathing really is an art, as well as a way to alter the state of the body. It also turns out I\u2019ve been breathing ineffectively all my life, which has most likely contributed to tense shoulders and hasn\u2019t helped with the anxiety I can get during periods of extreme stress.<\/p>\n

After breathing exercises, we move onto asanas \u2013 balances, poses and positions which push our flexibility, test our strength and require focus. And the way you breathe very much impacts your success with these. The main difference I noticed with these positions was that whilst there was a connection between one position and the next, there wasn\u2019t necessarily a flow. And thankfully, there weren\u2019t a thousand sun salutations in sight (ugh, does anyone else find these so dull?) although I do have a fondness for downdog to chaturanga to cobra and missed them so much, that I started including them into my WARRIOR fitness classes.<\/p>\n

Some asanas are intense stretches, some require strength, some require balance \u2013 all are challenging and fun. The practice room is specially built with a foam floor so if (or should it be when<\/em>) you face-plant, it\u2019s not scary and doesn\u2019t hurt. Even your ego remains intact as the other students are so lovely that no one cares, as long as you do your very best<\/strong>, <\/em>a phrase which you\u2019ll hear a lot during your session.<\/p>\n

The hour flies by quickly and almost always finishes with a brief savasana (thank goodness, because I\u2019m just here for the savasana, right?!) to seal the practice.<\/p>\n

Over the month, no one lesson was the same \u2013 the depth of knowledge and variety of challenges that the teachers have at their fingertips seems limitless. Manu, the other teacher, also occasionally includes aspects of choreography which can be likened to a more traditional yoga flow except for the fact that it\u2019s much more beautiful and dance-like. During these, I learn a little about mudras and deepen my respect for the DeRose Method.<\/p>\n

Manu is also Portuguese and similarly strong. Manu likes to give you tidbits of the DeRose Method history which is interesting but they\u2019re always craftily timed during particularly challenging poses. Both Manu and Paulo are fantastic teachers who are great at knowing when you can be pushed more. And some of the things they can do with their bodies are, in the true sense of the word, awesome.<\/p>\n

The benefits of the DeRose Method were first noticeable during a Fit Friday session at Studio One<\/a>, when I not only realised I was able to keep up better than most others in a Method session<\/a> (I\u2019d been to one the month before and massively struggled) but the instructor, also remarked that I was strong. This really surprised me as I\u2019d not felt strong since before I got pregnant in August 2016.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s true, the changes I can feel after a month of the DeRose Method are many. These are, for me, the most prominent and important:<\/p>\n

I\u2019m more confident in my body:<\/strong> It\u2019s hard to know how to describe this. It\u2019s less about thinking I look good and more about a stronger connection between my body and mind. I know my body better and it can do so much more than I\u2019m allowing it to!<\/p>\n

I can breathe!<\/strong> Only those who have experienced anxiety or that familiar panic as the tightness in your chest sets in, can understand how this freeing this is. I am better equipped to deal with this and I\u2019m starting to notice when my breathing isn\u2019t as effective as it could be. When this happens, I remember the techniques which we start the sessions off with. <\/p>\n

\u2018Normal\u2019 yoga just isn\u2019t the same:<\/strong> I surprised myself when I went to a Rocket Yoga class (which I usually love) and ended up feeling disappointed. I really missed taking the time to get into and remain in positions. I also injured my neck after feeling rushed to get into a headstand. I don\u2019t mind more gentle yoga sessions but the frequent sun salutations are just a bit\u2026 boring\u2026 DeRose, YOU\u2019VE RUINED YOGA FOR ME!<\/p>\n

My body is stronger:<\/strong> I\u2019ve recently been working on my cardio through the occasional boxing session at Studio One<\/a> or Moreno Boxing<\/a>, but nothing specifically around strength. But the benefits of the DeRose Method were first noticeable during a Fit Friday session at Studio One, when I not only realised I was able to keep up better than I thought in a Method session (I\u2019d been to one the month before and massively struggled) but the instructor, Stephanie Tam, also remarked that I was strong. This really surprised me as I\u2019d not felt strong since before I got pregnant in August 2016! Yay!<\/p>\n

My body constantly amazes me:<\/strong> The way Paulo and Manu casually lead you into inversions before you even realise what you\u2019re doing means that I\u2019ll be in some balance with my leg over my shoulder and then my mind goes \u2018WTF! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?!!\u2019 and inevitably I lose it and face plant. But the DeRose Method has taught me that my body can do things I never thought it could. And it\u2019s happened with stretches where I\u2019ve opened my eyes after a couple of minutes of breathing only to realise my nose is inches off the ground instead of half a metre.<\/p>\n

Proprioception<\/a> has improved:<\/strong> I\u2019ve always been quite \u2018good\u2019 at proprioception, but the combination of having mirrors in the room and the fact that small classes mean that there\u2019s lots of one on one attention, means that you can really get a feel of how your body should be. I\u2019ve now found that I\u2019m automatically conscious of how my body should be during other fitness classes.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Practising DeRose Method on a Spa Break weekend at Careys Manor in the New Forest.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"derose

Not a good asana to try after a meal.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"derose

Making shapes with my sister in Hyde Park<\/p><\/div>\n

\"derose

The torture \/ practice room. A fun session with my sister.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"derose

Eka Pada Bakasana – or Flying Crow. This took me several months before I didn’t face plant.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"derose

No idea what this balance is called!<\/p><\/div>\n

\"derose

Face-planting happens a lot. Thank goodness for padded floors.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"derose

Partner fun in the session<\/p><\/div>\n

\"derose

Using up my last remnants of strength in Highbury Fields after a tough Warrior Method bootcamp<\/p><\/div>\n

\"derose

Stretching it out.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"derose

The flying crow again. Because I still can’t believe I can do it!<\/p><\/div>\n

I now go to DeRose Method classes twice a week (I wish it were more!) Word is getting out about it and so I\u2019ve noticed more people in classes (but never more than 6 so far, and often there\u2019s only me or just a couple of us) but the quality and attention to teaching is still the same. They\u2019ve even got more teachers which is fantastic as each teacher brings his or her own twist to the class. One thing I’d say which could be considered a con, is that it’s highly addictive. So much so, that I HATE missing classes. Seriously, it totally disrupts my week. <\/p>\n

More Information about DeRose Method London<\/span><\/h4>\n

Book yourself a trial here: derosemethodsoho.co.uk<\/a><\/h4>\n

The Ady Centre, 1 Ramilles Place, W1F 7LE<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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