Welcome

Welcome to our warm, snuggly new December issue. Inside

Contributors

Eryn is a full-time writer and yoga teacher living

My secret place

We think anywhere in France is a special space, especially

N@maste

Love OM magazine and want to tell the world? Here’s your chance

YOGA CHANGED MY LIFE

Alan Elworthy found yoga to be the perfect complement to a strong martial arts practice

Spoilt rotten

A massage isn’t just for Christmas. Here are five tips for incorporating ‘spa’ into your life

WHAT’S YOUR AFFIRMATION?

An affirmation for empathy, trust and intuition

More yoga in schools, please

What do we want? More yoga in schools! A new petition is keen to rally support for our nation’s youngsters

Yoga & Aromatherapy

When you walk into people’s homes during December you

Amazing spaces

Stylish and inspiring studio design ideas and interiors

Om loves

Beautiful things for beautiful people

Mother earth

Sustainable and spiritual fashion from bindu

Planet yoga

Stories from around the weird and wonderful world of yoga

Subscription Benefits

Subscribe today for £36 (12 issues) and receive 3 x 350ml bottles of Pure Raw Coconut Water Passion Fruit from TIANA Fair Trade Organics*

Om books

Fat Yoga

Yoga is for every body

Your pictures. Your community

A PAIN IN THE NECK

There’s more to yoga than asana. For Victoria Jackson, that means trips to the physio and problems with her left levator scapulae, for starters

Happiness toolkit

Welcome to part 2 of our happiness toolkit

OM meets… Fearne Cotton

A keen Vinyasa enthusiast, TV personality Fearne Cotton tells OM she’d love to further explore the big wide world of yoga

An overview of… Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)

A common measure of flexibility is the ability to touch your toes and this pose is the perfect way to get there.

Yoga for better digestion

Ease your tummy troubles this festive season with yoga, and a little understanding of ayurveda and the chakras.

Duvets are a girl’s best friend

Meg Jackson shows how we can combine our two great winter loves: yoga and our beds

Self-care for the winter months

Simple personal care tips to help you soar through the winter.

MAN ON THE MAT: WITH MATT MULCAHY

Stemming from the Hindu warrior, Virabhadra, Reverse

HIGH FLYERS

Max Strom is pushing yoga, breathing and topics like forgiveness to the business world’s most senior figures. Here, he shares his thoughts with Sinead Lynch

Yoga Mat Guide

Love yoga, love your mat too. Inside this special report

In the studio

Built to last, you’ll find these hard-working, durable mats put through their paces every day at yoga studios up and down the land

Flexible friends

Versatile multipurpose mats that will see you through all yoga class eventualities. Okay, so these mats won’t do your handstand for you, but whatever style you’re into you’ll be in safe hands here

The professionals

Superior mats for the serious practitioner: these are yoga mats that will help elevate your practice no matter what your level of enlightenment

Find your way home

Choose your yoga mat wisely and it will lead you on an epic journey of self discovery, inner peace and enlightenment. These mats are great for all adventurers out there on their world travels. Pack your bags – and your mat – and head off to yoga wonderland

The special ones

All yoga mats are special, but these little beauties all have something wonderfully unique about them - from strong eco credentials to age-old Indian traditions, even mats that will help improve your alignment

Bed of nails

And now for something completely different….a special kind of mat for an altogether more therapeutic and healing experience

V.I.P. Yoga

Go on, treat yourself: this unique wool-based mat may cost you a little more but it’s a wonderful new addition to the world of yoga mats and boasts strong environmental and performance credentials

Make the time

Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. A meditation for procrastinators the world over.

Manicure & meditation

A trip to the hairdresser’s may never be the same again

Debunk your Funk (in 5 simple steps)

“Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is.” ~Bhagavad Gita

Make a wish

How to open your eyes and your heart.

Carved of stone

One amazing woman producing lots of amazing artwork, OM talks to sculptor Ahuva Zeloof about how yoga inspires her both on and off the mat

Chakras: an introduction Part 2 of 9 - muladhara chakra

Yoga therapist Sarah Swindlehurst continues a nine-month exploration of the Chakras

Eat drink yoga

Healthy eating goodies

Festive foods

A seasonal plant-based feast to grace any dining table this Christmas

Are you getting enough?

The Christmas count down is officially here. As the

PROJECTION & PROTECTION

Raising young ones, we need as much help as we can get. Sometimes the invisible kind is best.

My Story…

Mary Kahn turned 50 this year, but 2017 didn’t quite go to plan after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Here, she explains how yoga helped her through her greatest challenge…and continues to support her

My Yoga Biz

Tips from the experts to help you grow the yoga business of your dreams

YOGA & GLAUCOMA

Modifying yoga for glaucoma: Julia Thorley explains how she guided one of her students to a safer practice

Taking care of number one

Do you prioritise your own practice?

We all need to be fed

It’s good to take time just for you sometimes.

Om travel

Awe-inspiring retreats and ideas for yoga explorers

Footloose & Fancy free

Dance-phobic Natalie Hammond visits the first MindBodyRetreat in Cornwall for a celebration of all things yoga, wellness and…dance. Here, she tells OM she loved every bit of it

Finding your path

What retreat is best for you? Sarah Tucker highlights the holidays most suited for people struggling with issues such as loneliness or anxiety

The Festival of the Roses

Nena Stojova describes her journey to Morocco’s Valley of the Roses, a visual feast of colour, beautiful flowers and vibrant people