Finding my feet

The two colleague-friends I've been teaching a little recently have insisted on paying me now and we've firmed up the arrangement to every week, rather than as and when. Their various summer holidays and business trips are over and now they're ready to settle in. So all of a sudden I have a weekly commitment with... Continue Reading →

October 31, 2016 2

Continuing with Iyengar?

So I've completed my baby Iyengar course now (6 introductory sessions at the Iyengar Institute in London). I was sad to miss the final class with the usual teacher since I was (ahem) teaching a class myself. So I hauled myself down one evening after work to catch a session with another teacher. It was interesting to... Continue Reading →

October 29, 2016 10

Perfect yoga leggings

I wear a Ganesha pendant on a chain that I originally thought was long enough for it to disappear under my clothing most of the time. But it doesn't. And people keep commenting on it. A lot just recently, for some reason, so I'm feeling hyper-sensitive. At work people simply ask what it is; at... Continue Reading →

October 25, 2016 4

All in season

The season is changing. Autumn is at the pretty stage: golden leaves that crunch pleasingly underfoot and there are still blue skies to enjoy and days warm enough to encourage me to walk more slowly, to saunter and enjoy the sunshine. The horse chestnuts are looking a little bit drab because they drop early, but... Continue Reading →

October 23, 2016 3

Days of love

I had a lovely phone chat with my mum today. All seems well with her and my dad, so I'm happy. And they are coming to stay soon too. This feels like a gift to me to have them in my home and be able to look after them and keep them fed and comfortable. Not that they... Continue Reading →

October 21, 2016 0

Stretching into space

My teacher seems to talk to me differently now that I've done TT with him. As just a regular student he was oh-so-careful not to bring any expectations to our conversations. I can appreciate why, even if sometimes it felt a little strained. So I was highly amused by his more genuine response to what... Continue Reading →

October 19, 2016 4

Come on, ego!

My teacher's theme in class at the moment is driving me a bit mad. It's a good theme -- of course! -- but I'm finding it too hard to process; I don't want to hear it. He circles round the idea of ego and effort and honesty. Today was about 'unveiling', letting go all the accumulated cr*p from... Continue Reading →

October 18, 2016 0

Opening up

I taught a community/charity class at my studio recently. I got some wonderful emails of support beforehand from fellow new graduates. One of them told me that I'd be great provided that I taught from my heart. She's a wise one. She sought me out afterwards: "So how did it go? Did you open your... Continue Reading →

October 16, 2016 4

Sitting and standing

"Don't teach if you're tired or not feeling well" my teacher advised us during TT. I'm sure this is overall good advice, but a little hard to put into practice in the real world. Especially for me. I'd got a good early night, definitely not feeling well. Just low-level stuff. It could be a cold... Continue Reading →

October 13, 2016 9

P*ssing about in yoga

I went to my penultimate Iyengar class (5/6 introductory classes done) this weekend. Arriving early at the Institute I decided to roll out my mat in the neighbouring park. The October sunshine was warm enough to roll lightly through some parts of my teaching sequence, establishing it in my body-brain ready for a few classes I'm leading this... Continue Reading →