Barefoot shoes and yoga feet

I'm getting more and more obsessed with my feet. It's that time of year here in UK where I've just about transitioned from my trusty Uggs to wearing something less warm and cosy for getting to and from yoga class. I've rediscovered my very light and cool (they are more mesh than anything else) barefoot running shoes.... Continue Reading →

May 17, 2015 3

Vinyasa in the real world

In my early classes I was as graceful as a hippo: I didn't feel graceful and I'm sure I didn't look it. One of the first things my first yoga teacher explained to me in my very first class was what vinyasa meant -- placing in a special way, deliberately, thoughtfully, with intent. And as with... Continue Reading →

May 14, 2015 3

Practicing honesty

I see a lot of dishonesty going on in yoga. I don't mean this as a big name and shame piece. So not cool, and certainly not my place. I simply mean the petty dishonesties we all entertain in asana, in yoga (in life too, perhaps, but that's a way bigger topic). In last night's... Continue Reading →

May 6, 2015 4

Learning to love the questions

I just can't not offer feedback, when I love something or when I hate it. 'Continuous improvement' (to use the business jargon) is central to who I am, and I can't help but foist that on others, even if they don't ask it or necessarily want it. So I offered my comments to my teacher... Continue Reading →

April 30, 2015 4

Coming home in a Hatha class (of all places!)

Further to my explorations in restorative yoga last night, I followed up the spirit of trying new things with a Hatha class today. OK, so for most people I imagine [but please correct me if I'm wrong!] Hatha is the beginning, the vanilla yoga, the basic style from which they might then choose to diverge.... Continue Reading →

April 25, 2015 2

Breaking down my defences – with a bolster (and some Bollinger!)

I did my first restorative yoga class this evening. It's a new offering at my studio that has focused up to now largely on more dynamic flowing practices plus hot yoga. I'm keen to explore new ways of practicing and my hamstring is hopeful that I'll lighten up on the surya namaskars, so this is a... Continue Reading →

April 24, 2015 2

What my toothache is teaching me about asana

So I've had toothache for a while now, and my dentist can't quite figure it out. She's put me on antibiotics, slightly out of desperation I think. I'm naturally trying to avoid the pain so I'm eating differently at the moment. I don't mean diet-wise. More in terms of my physical actions. So I'm eating... Continue Reading →

April 21, 2015 2

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday me! I'm 40 today. I thought I'd get the number out of the way up front. If I say it quickly enough, maybe we won't any of us notice it... My day started beautifully across town in my home yoga studio. My first two-hour class in a long while. Perhaps even the first of... Continue Reading →

April 19, 2015 3

Why I love it when my muscles ache

Nearly 48 hours after my last class. I didn't think I'd been working my body too hard. I kept very firmly within my (new) limits - ahimsa to the hamstring! I'm loving being able to practice sun salutations now, though I suspect they are the least graceful ever executed and must be excruciating to behold -- but... Continue Reading →

April 16, 2015 2

Last night’s music and yoga

Yesterday evening I was way too excited and jittery feeling. I was not at all in the right headspace for yoga class. Music helped to calm my mind a little. I listened to something intense and sobering on my walk to the studio: Pergolesi's Stabat Mater. Too beautiful. Such passion (in our current sense of... Continue Reading →