On parade

It was Greek Independence Day last Sunday, so I went to watch the parade. I was even given a Greek flag to wave! Now I knew this was going to be a military thing, but I was still a bit overwhelmed by it. I stood for two hours or so watching endless ranks of military... Continue Reading →

March 28, 2018 2

Singing, not singing

I used to love singing as a child. As a small child that is. I used to happily hum away to myself in the back of the car, so much so that if I was quiet my parents tell me they had to turn to look to make sure I was still there! When I... Continue Reading →

March 26, 2018 2

Head first

I was talking with my teacher last month about how frightening I find yoga. I can't figure out why other people don't also seem more scared by it. I was thinking big at the time, about the shifts in one's sense of self and personal identity, about developing a different perception of reality, a new... Continue Reading →

March 24, 2018 3

Beware the scorpion

I know I've said it before, but one again I think I've just been to the hardest yoga class ever. Physically, I mean. Well, along with that of course come the challenges of managing my emotions, reactions and fears, as well as trying to keep up some regularity of breathing... So not just physically. I... Continue Reading →

March 21, 2018 7

Owls not included

I was up before dawn this morning. Not for morning practice or observance of the Brahma Muhurta! Rather, Hubby had read that the Scops Owl (a cute little thing, I must say) lives in the woodland on the hill just above us in Athens. Although these owls are hard to see, they have a distinctive... Continue Reading →

March 18, 2018 2

Just enough Greek

I went to a different studio for class today -- in the company of an old colleague I've not seen for some 15 years! She was using me as her excuse to get to class after losing the habit somewhere between work, marriage, and a couple of children. It amuses me that now I'm known... Continue Reading →

March 14, 2018 2

Yoga in the hood

Watching the news last night I learned that the Greek for 'mafia' is 'mafia' and drugs are 'narkotika'. Both words featured in an item about drug taking and gang violence in a nearby neighbourhood. The same neighbourhood that friends recently warned me about, as a foreigner. Also the neighbourhood where the nearest yoga studio is!... Continue Reading →

March 12, 2018 2

If Goldilocks practised yoga

Porridge that's not too hot, not too cold, but just right. A chair that's not too big, not too small, but just right. I reckon if Goldilocks practised yoga, it would be not too forced, not too relaxed -- just the right amount of effort for sthira sukham asanam. My own yoga fairy story is... Continue Reading →

March 10, 2018 4

Guru in cyberspace

Before I left home for a few weeks, a couple of my students came to talk to me about how they could continue practising while I'm away. I had this great conversation with one student in particular, a newbie who's attended two classes only. I asked her what she wanted in her practice, so I... Continue Reading →

March 8, 2018 9

Change of scene

After all the drama about the weather, of course our travel plans ran very smoothly! I'm glad I didn't expend too much energy worrying about it 🙂 I've now escaped the snow and ice back home and relocated (albeit temporarily) to somewhere significantly warmer and sunnier -- Athens. First day was just for settling into... Continue Reading →