What Does Paragliding Have to Do with Yoga?

Not very much, is the short answer :-). However, in my philosophical mind, there are actually many parallels and lessons that can be applied.

For those of you who don’t know, I recently started learning to paraglide. Something I’ve been dreaming of doing for 20 years is finally becoming a reality - but the journey is not what I expected. To my own surprise, I’m facing many fears, my anxiety is kicking in quite a lot, and I’m finding it all much more difficult than I had anticipated.

Just to paint a picture - before my first solo flight, I almost couldn’t sleep at night (which never happens to me). However, a wise friend told me: “It’s about feeling all the fears but not nurturing them.” That, combined with three meditations in the morning, gave me the strength to fly for the first time—and this is how my journey began. Now, after completing 24 solo flights, I feel more secure, but I still have a long way to go…

Anyway, back to my original question - what does paragliding have to do with yoga?

As I’m still learning, there are many days or times when I can’t fly because the conditions are too strong for me, and I need the support of an instructor. However, what I can do is practise on the ground - something called ground handling. Many pilots think it’s too boring, but one can learn a lot from it and really improve the technique. So, whenever I’m in a suitable place, I try to get in some practice.

Sometimes the conditions are too strong even for ground handling, but I simply say to myself: “I’m going to open my paraglider and see what we can do.” Sometimes, I get two hours of solid practice; other times, I ‘fight’ with the glider, get pulled along the ground, collect new scratches on my body, and pack it away. But every time I open the glider, I learn something new.

And it’s the same with yoga.

All you can do is open your yoga mat and see what happens. One day, you might do a full 90-minute class or master a challenging posture; another day, just a few gentle stretches or a three-minute meditation. Sometimes, all your body is capable of is savasana (deep relaxation). However, simply by unrolling your mat, you are making progress.

Maybe not the kind of progress you want. Maybe not the kind you see on Instagram. But it’s your own progress, and your body, mind, and soul are grateful for it.

This is why learning to paraglide reminds me of yoga. Because learning a new skill is hard. Showing up is hard. Being consistent is hard. But it does pay off. Small, steady steps forward really do add up over time.

So, just as I’m going to open my paraglider- even when I can’t fly, even when I can’t even practise on the ground - because I know I’ll still learn something new, I invite you to open your yoga mat and see what happens.

Without expectations. Without pressure. Just open the mat and be present. Your body will tell you what it wants and needs. And I promise you, doing this regularly will help you grow as a person immensely.

To us all…

Let’s have the courage to turn up.
Let’s have the curiosity to explore and grow.
Let’s be present, supported, and guided.

In yoga, paragliding, and in life.

Love, light, and peace to all. Daria x

P.S. If you are looking for ways to show up, here are your opportunities to join me on the mat this week:

Tuesday 6 - 7.30 pm Kundalini Yoga class

Thursday 6 - 7 am - Jupiter Kriya Meditation for Prosperity

Thursday 7.15 - 8.45 pm Kundalini Yoga class

Sunday 8 - 9 pm Meditation class

Join here https://highonyoga.co.uk/onlinekundaliniyogamembership

5 Reasons Why Your Relationship with Yourself Is the Most Important One

In a world obsessed with external validation—followers, likes, job titles, and perfect relationships—it’s easy to forget the one connection that shapes everything: the relationship you have with yourself.

Our relationship with ourselves is absolutely crucial, yet we are often our own worst enemies. We criticise ourselves, break promises to ourselves, and, to put it lightly, we are not always the most loving towards ourselves. Ask yourself this: if you spoke to your friends the way you speak to yourself—would they still be your friends? Probably not, right?

Loving yourself is the foundation for living a happy, fulfilling life. But it requires ongoing commitment: consistent reminders, healing, and embodiment.

Here are five powerful reasons why building a deep, honest, and loving connection with yourself is essential to your growth, healing, and empowerment:

1. You Are the Source of Your Power (Third Chakra Wisdom)

The solar plexus chakra (Manipura) is the energy centre of personal power, self-worth, and direction. When you’re disconnected from yourself, you give that power away—through people-pleasing, indecision, or self-doubt.

When you cultivate inner strength, set boundaries, and trust your instincts, you begin to live from your centre—not from the expectations of others. Empowerment is an inside job.

TIP: Strengthen your Third Chakra with Kundalini Yoga.

2. Inner Clarity Leads to Outer Alignment

When you know who you are, what you value, and what you need, your decisions become clearer and more aligned. You stop chasing validation and start choosing experiences, relationships, and goals that genuinely support your growth.

Practices such as Kundalini Yoga, meditation, and self-reflection help quiet external noise so you can hear your own truth—and act on it.

TIP: Spend some conscious time with yourself, whether on the yoga mat or off it.

3. Self-Acceptance Builds Emotional Resilience

Your inner relationship determines how you respond to life’s challenges. When you treat yourself with compassion—especially during times of failure, rejection, or self-doubt—you build emotional safety and the resilience needed to move forward.

The more you accept yourself, the less approval you seek from others. This creates a steady emotional foundation that external circumstances can’t shake.

TIP: Be kinder to yourself.

4. Your Inner Dialogue Shapes Your Reality

The way you speak to yourself becomes the story you live by. Harsh self-talk reinforces insecurity, fear, and limitation. Loving, empowering self-talk builds confidence, courage, and creativity.

When you develop a kind, honest, and supportive inner voice, it becomes easier to take risks, follow your intuition, and stand up for yourself.

TIP: Connect with the Divine within you, and your inner dialogue will begin to shift.

5. Healthy Relationships Start with You

You attract and maintain relationships that mirror the way you treat yourself. If you don’t trust, respect, or value yourself, it becomes difficult to accept those things from others—or even recognise when they’re missing.

When you cultivate self-love, you naturally create stronger, more respectful boundaries and invite in relationships rooted in mutual empowerment—not dependency or performance.

TIP: Be grounded in yourself and everything else will flow.

Final Thought

Your relationship with yourself is the blueprint for every area of your life—relationships, work, health, creativity, and purpose. Strengthening this bond isn’t selfish; it’s foundational.

Make it a daily practice to return to yourself—through Kundalini Yoga, meditation, breath, reflection, and truth—and watch how everything around you begins to shift.

This is our focus at High On Yoga Online Membership. Join us for weekly live classes on:

• Tuesdays at 6pm

• Thursdays at 7.15pm

• Sundays at 8pm

Or access the recordings whenever it suits you.

Now your turn!

How would you like to improve your relationship with yourself? Let us know in the comments.

The Power Within: 5 Transformational Benefits of a Strong Navel Point

Most people rarely think about their belly button unless it's beach season—but what if I told you that this tiny point at the center of your body is actually the epicenter of your power, balance, and even your spiritual growth?

Known in different traditions as ‘Nabhi’, ‘Xia Dan Tien’, ‘Hara’, or ‘The Egg’ - the navel point has been known for centuries as the foundation of strength and transformation. In yogic, Taoist, and martial traditions, it's seen as a vital energy hub—a place where physical vitality, emotional stability, and even spiritual awakening begins.

Here are five reasons why strengthening your navel point might just be one of the most important things you can do for your overall well-being.

1. Your Navel Point Is Your Center of Physical Power

The navel, also part of the Manipura chakra (Third chakra) or solar plexus center, is where we generate and store prana (life force) and qi (energy). It’s the physical center of gravity in the human body—and when it's strong, you feel strong.

A healthy navel point helps you:

- Build core strength and endurance

- Maintain good posture and balance

- Cultivate stamina and personal drive

Simple practices like stretch pose, leg lifts, bow pose, and archer pose stimulate and strengthen this point. Think of it as your energetic powerhouse—if it’s stable, you’re more likely to feel grounded, capable, and energized.

2. It’s the Seat of Emotional Stability

Emotionally, the navel point relates to the fire element. Fire can warm your house or burn it down—it all depends on how it's managed. A balanced navel gives you the strength to ‘digest’ your emotions instead of being ruled by them.

An imbalanced navel can manifest as:

- Anger, greed, pride, or emotional instability

- Lack of willpower and poor boundaries

- Overthinking, anxiety, or obsessive thoughts

But a strong, balanced navel point brings emotional resilience, courage, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. You feel secure in yourself, and that steadiness radiates into your relationships and choices.

3. It Connects You to Your Inner Wisdom

Your navel point is more than just a center of energy—it’s your ‘second brain’. In fact, the gut has a dense network of neurons, giving it intuitive intelligence. Ever had a ‘gut feeling’? That’s not just a metaphor—it’s your navel talking.

In Eastern traditions like Taoism, this is called the Xia Dan Tien, or ‘Sea of Original Qi’. It’s the wellspring of instinct, perception, and inner knowing. Strengthening this area helps you:

- Trust your intuition

- Feel more grounded and clear-headed

- Align the ‘3 brains’: your ‘gut brain’ with your ‘head brain’ and ‘heart brain’

When the third chakra (navel) connects with the sixth (third eye), you combine instinct and insight — a powerful duo for navigating life with clarity and purpose.

4. It Holds the Key to Your Personal Power and Projection

The navel point is the launchpad for your ability to act, speak, and manifest. When you speak from your navel—literally engaging your core with each word—you add power to your voice. Your energy becomes more focused, magnetic, and impactful.

This is especially important for:

- Teachers, therapists, coaches, or anyone in leadership

- Creatives and entrepreneurs seeking to bring visions to life

- Anyone wanting to feel more confident and effective

As the saying goes, ‘She’s got guts’, or ‘He’s got fire in the belly’. A strong navel gives you the courage, commitment, and follow-through to walk your path with purpose.

5. It’s Central to Spiritual Awakening

In yogic science, the journey of Kundalini awakening—a rising of consciousness—starts at the navel. This is where prana (life force) and apana (eliminating force) meet and ignite the spiritual fire. From here, energy flows upward through the spine, unlocking deeper levels of awareness.

Practices like:

- Sat Kriya

- Breath of fire

- Stretch pose

- Maha Shakti Kriya

...all help balance and awaken this vital center.

When your navel point is in balance, it becomes the bridge between the ‘lower triangle’ (physical needs and emotions) and the ‘upper triangle’ (heart, intuition, higher self)**. It’s how we turn instinct into insight, and emotion into devotion.

In Summary: What’s In It for You?

When your navel point is strong, you become centered, powerful, and peaceful. You have the energy to act, the courage to speak, and the wisdom to follow your truth.

You’ll feel:

• Energetic and focused  

• Grounded and emotionally stable  

• Confident and committed  

• Able to manifest your dreams  

• Connected to your gut, heart, and higher purpose  

But when the navel is weak, you may:

• Feel scattered or unmotivated  

• Lack boundaries and emotional strength  

• Be reactive or easily manipulated  

• Struggle with digestion or low energy  

• Seek validation outside yourself

Would you like to start strengthening your navel point today? Join us at High On Yoga online membership all classes are focused on strengthening, balancing and connecting you with the power of the Navel point. 

You can also try: 

- Stretch Pose (Hold for 1-2 minutes daily)

- Breath of Fire

- Leg Lifts

- Bow Pose or Camel Pose

- Meditation on the Solar Plexus (Visualize a glowing fire)

- Sitali Pranayam (Cooling breath for excess fire)

- Diaphragmatic breathing (Slow, deep, calm breath)

The navel point is not just the place where you were once nourished through the umbilical cord—it’s still the energetic center that fuels your life. Strengthen it, and you strengthen everything.

A Journey to Your Heart: 5 Reasons to join Our Kundalini Yoga Retreat in Spain

Nourish Yourself, Nourish Your Spirit

This retreat is your opportunity to let Kundalini Yoga and Meditation deeply nourish your body, mind, and soul. Through daily morning practice, inspiring workshops, and profound meditations, you will recharge physically, mentally, and spiritually. Reconnect with yourself, embrace your essence, and reclaim your personal power. With the energy of the Solstice supporting our practice, this is a time for deep healing and transformation.

Heal Your Heart

The heart center is the core theme of this retreat in Spain. Our hearts hold immense power, yet we often struggle to access it due to past wounds, emotional blockages, and pain. Kundalini Yoga and Meditation can help heal the heart—allowing you to cultivate compassion, acceptance, self-love, kindness, and joy. More importantly, it gives you the courage to live from the heart. Let the power of your heart guide and uplift you.

Make Yourself a Priority

This six-day luxury kundalini yoga retreat is a chance to deeply reconnect with yourself and prioritize your spiritual well-being. It’s an invitation to fill your own cup—because when you are content and nourished, you radiate joy and naturally give to others. Gift yourself this soul-enriching experience in the Spanish sunshine.

Relax, Recharge, and Let Yourself Be Pampered

This isn’t just a yoga retreat—it’s an all-inclusive yoga holiday. Imagine having delicious, nutritious meals prepared for you three times a day while you unwind in tranquil surroundings. Spend your days basking in the Spanish sunshine, swimming in the sea or the on-site pool, and fully embracing the beauty of the moment. With everything taken care of, you can let go of stress and simply enjoy the experience. This could be the yoga holiday of your dreams.

Connect with Like-Minded People

Surround yourself with people on a similar journey—those who share your passion for yoga, self-discovery, and spiritual growth. Connect on a deeper level during practice, meaningful conversations, and moments of relaxation. Sharing experiences can be inspiring and transformative, and this retreat is a beautiful space to form genuine friendships with those who truly understand your path.

This Kundalini Yoga retreat is running from 17th to 22nd of June 2025 in Spain (1.5 hour from Barcelona). Here is more information and booking https://highonyoga.co.uk/kundaliniyogaretreatspain    

Do you have any more questions? Look at some of the questions my clients already asked.

You can also email Daria directly, click here.

Featured on www.bookretreats.com

Freeing Yourself from the Past: A Mind-Body Approach

Our mind and body thrive when we are fully present. But what does it truly mean to be in the moment? How can we embody the here and now?

Mind: A Path to Clarity and Healing

Being mentally present means focusing on what we are doing and experiencing in this very moment, rather than being caught in the web of past memories or future anxieties.

When we dwell on the past, it often manifests in various ways: lingering regrets, unresolved grief, guilt, or even old grudges that weigh us down. If these feelings from the past continue to influence our present, they signal a need for healing. Such emotions are not merely inconveniences; they are important messages from our inner world. By listening to them, we gain insight into our wounds and identify areas ripe for growth and transformation.

It’s essential to recognize that we are not our feelings—our emotions are like signposts, guiding us toward healing and liberation. Acknowledge your feelings with compassion, but resist the urge to fully identify with them. Doing so allows you to transform pain into growth, and confusion into clarity.

On the other hand, when our mind leaps into the future, it often reflects a sense of uncertainty or insecurity in the present. This is a reminder to ground and center ourselves. Practices like meditation, pranayama (breathwork), and mantra can help anchor the mind, bringing a sense of calm, clarity, and contentment. By cultivating the ability to shift our perspective, we empower ourselves to heal meaningfully and deeply.

Body: Reconnecting to the Wisdom Within

To be present in our body means embracing physical sensations as they arise—with acceptance, curiosity, and without judgment. Our body holds profound wisdom. It often carries the echoes of past wounds, traumas, and difficult experiences. As the saying goes, “the issues are in the tissues.”

Sometimes, these stored experiences are painful enough that we unconsciously disconnect from our bodies, numbing ourselves to avoid discomfort. Yet, this disconnection doesn’t just shield us from pain—it also limits our ability to feel joy, peace, and fulfillment. By avoiding discomfort, we unknowingly build barriers to true happiness.

Healing begins when we gently reconnect with our body. As we learn to feel safe, grounded, and present within ourselves, we unlock a deeper capacity for peace, joy, and wholeness. This is not just physical—it’s a holistic process where mind and body work in harmony, each influencing the other.

A healing journey that synchronizes mind and body fosters self-acceptance, compassion, and love—not just for ourselves but also for others. When we nurture this connection, we create space for authentic healing and growth.

If the echoes of the past are keeping you from fully embracing the present, now is the time to take the first step toward healing. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone.

As a yoga therapist, I’m here to support and guide you in reconnecting with your mind and body, transforming old wounds into newfound strength and clarity. Together, we can create a personalized plan that integrates proven yogic practices like meditation, breathwork, and movement to help you feel grounded, balanced, and at peace.

The path to freedom, joy, and self-acceptance begins today. Reach out to start your healing journey—because you deserve to live fully, here and now. Click here to book a free consultation today.