Past life

I took a bit of a trip down memory lane this week. In my past life I was an archaeologist and my old field director was in town for just a few hours giving a seminar in the university. Nearly 20 years ago I was an enthusiastic grad student and he was an up-and-coming lecturer,... Continue Reading →

January 23, 2018 2

In and out of the comfort zone

It's often said that Patanjali has little to offer on asana practice. Even so, I reckon that sthira sukham asanam (YS 2.46 "asana should be stable and comfortable") is one of the better known sutras. But I confess Patanjali's advice here has always just seemed something that might possibly apply to other people, but definitely not to me.... Continue Reading →

March 23, 2015 4

Enjoying sufficiency — on and off the mat

Being away from home with limited possessions, clothing, books, company, and vocabulary even has paradoxically made it easier to focus on what I have, rather than what I don't have. On this trip I often feel that everything is simply sufficient, all that is required. Amazing preparation and uncanny packing abilities or just my state of... Continue Reading →

March 16, 2015 3

Changing my (mental) landscape

My asana practice has taken a knock of late owing to a hamstring injury and since I'm away from home for a few weeks I've been finding it difficult even to keep to my routine of physio exercises. When I rolled out my mat yesterday I was actually full of dread. That's not an emotion I... Continue Reading →

March 10, 2015 2

On stopping half-way

If you read my last post you'll know I'm in Greece for a while. We've left Athens now and are staying for the next week or so near Sparta, in the Peloponnese. It's very dramatic scenery, with snow on the mountains still, and we have lovely cosy accommodation that already feels like a home away from home.... Continue Reading →