Social media lineage

I saw a thing on social media today. Looking at it one way, it was just a dumb marketing message. Looking at it another way, it was a teaching from my teacher’s teacher on the three things that make a good teacher: A lineage connection – A good teacher is part of a lineage and... Continue Reading →

January 22, 2024 3

Upside down joy

I’ve written before how I could swear my handstand trainer has a degree is psychology. He seems to know the right thing to say, how to motivate and encourage even while remaining super-strict about form and attention to detail. Now that I’m a bit wiser or more experienced with physical trainers (not just lofty yoga... Continue Reading →

January 13, 2024 5

Life saver

Years ago (when we were all younger!) my teacher would often do a breakout time in his vinyasa class to allow people to practise handstand against the wall. He would come around the room ensuring everyone was working to their level and had an appropriate challenge. When he got to me he kindly asked “can... Continue Reading →

December 30, 2023 5

Yin’s a tonic

I just came back from a Yin class. It was a ‘treat’ from Hubby. I say ‘treat’ with a tone of cynicism as I’m not super keen on going to yoga classes at the moment. It’s not that they’re bad in themselves, please don’t misunderstand me. It’s just recent history with yoga studios and what... Continue Reading →

December 23, 2023 4

Bad weather

There’s no such thing as bad weather, as the saying goes -- provided you have the right clothing. I’m thinking of this now very literally as the weather in my little corner of the world has got quite suddenly much colder. Out comes my winter-weight parka with the ridiculously furry hood, my favourite mittens --... Continue Reading →

December 1, 2023 2

Running changes

When I first started practising yoga asana it seemed like such a miracle to me. To move my body, encountering the mysterious world of mind-body connection, to recognise that my world-view was changing. I developed a new vocabulary around movement principles and yoga philosophy, my wardrobe included more lycra, my diet changed... These thing happened... Continue Reading →

November 25, 2023 2

Holding tightly

I’ve hurt my wrist a little, a niggle more than an injury I decide (after the usual several days of panic when the sensations were most intense with all the old fearful voices telling me it’ll never be right again. Ever!) Phew, panic over and I begin to think more clearly what caused it. Something... Continue Reading →

October 19, 2023 0

Yoga magic

The choreography of a group yoga class is always a dance between the instructions of the teacher, the harmony of the group, and the needs of the individuals. I often introduce a bit of ‘controlled chaos’ in my class -- aka offering variations, modifications and alternatives, especially if we get anywhere near a ‘peak pose'.... Continue Reading →

October 10, 2023 2

A Narrative of Ease

I was messaging a teacher recently about her upcoming classes and workshops as I tried to decide which to attend: should I make a weekend of it, involving intercity travel, and overnight accommodation for a two day teachers course which would be very worthy and useful? Or should I just pop to London for a... Continue Reading →

October 5, 2023 0

Counting

He taught me not to kill spiders just because I am afraid of them. I’m thinking of that now as I make my morning coffee. There’s a spider that’s set up home in the join of the wall to the ceiling. It’s right above my head, as I spoon coffee into the pot. I’m thinking... Continue Reading →