On practising when tired

Teachers often caution against practising when tired: it's when the injuries happen. Your attention lapses or you're not well set up. It's sensible advice, but sometimes it really bothers me and I hear it too personally. My inner demons wickedly translate these words into "you're sick and you have no place here and this practice is... Continue Reading →

November 30, 2016 3

Lone goose

I'm doing one of Norman Blair's Yin Yoga workshops soon so I was browsing his website and reading some of his writings. The one that struck me was his reflections on his experience of acute appendicitis and the recovery after surgery. He had difficulty allowing himself to be ill -- continuing to teach a workshop even though... Continue Reading →

November 26, 2016 1

Tuning in and reprogramming

I adjusted the hands of a student in down dog the other day; she had one much further forward than the other. She twisted to look up at me anxiously: "Are you sure? That feels really weird!" I reassured her that weird was OK. She does this every single down dog and she's been practising... Continue Reading →

November 23, 2016 0

Hello Physio!

Ah, what a way to start the weekend -- a 9am physio appointment. At least it was softened by meeting Hubby for brunch straight afterwards -- and actually it was quite fun in its own way. Physio seemed strangely interested to see me again and quizzed me about my yoga practice and teacher training -- surely... Continue Reading →

November 19, 2016 2

Exploring the three corners of the world

First question of teacher training (the yoga equivalent of those terrible corporate ice-breakers you have to deal with in management seminars and what-not) - what's your favourite and least favourite yoga pose? Tricky question. So many to choose from -- in the 'least favourite' category that is! 🙂 One of them was definitely Trikoṇāsana. I... Continue Reading →

November 18, 2016 2

When a rest is as good as a change

I was telling Hubby about recent experiences of sitting practice and the feelings of frustration that arise, turning recent attempts into something of a patient sitting out, a waiting for this to pass, to resolve itself in time. I feel OK with that, for me it's no big deal in the grander scheme; I've been... Continue Reading →

November 17, 2016 2

Not (yet)

I got an unsought for lesson in acceptance today. Part of it involved letting go my dislike of city rain. Countryside rain is good: think dramatic cloud-driven skies, damp earthy scents, animal footprints filling up with water on a muddy path... I could go on; I love that. So evocative. City rain on the other hand is all impatient pedestrians seemingly intent... Continue Reading →

November 16, 2016 0

Taking refuge in yoga

Despite the title, this isn't a blog about yoga and politics -- though there's a lot of that about these days. Maybe too much. And incidentally as I write I have half an ear on J. Brown's latest podcast which begins with a reflection that yoga teachers shouldn't feel the need to comment on politics... Continue Reading →

November 15, 2016 2

Longing and belonging

We started in Paścimottānāsana. A strange sensation, never an opening pose surely? Brain started to question this, frustrations threatened. How could I be expected to take this shape without any warmup or hip work... But I'm here because I trust the teacher, that he has an idea he's exploring and offering, and who I am... Continue Reading →

November 11, 2016 5

The new morning habit

I met with a fellow new graduate this week. We caught up on life and work, and of course yoga. We both admitted feeling a bit disconnected with our practice recently. "At least you've been doing it, though" was her comment to me. For reasons of life changes and injury she's not been practising at home... Continue Reading →