Getting a handle on yoga

We've just got new internal door handles at home! Not big news in the grand scheme, but curiously significant in my small domestic world. We'd just been putting up with the style that existed when we moved in quite a few years ago now. Neither of us liked them one bit, but they were serviceable.... Continue Reading →

September 18, 2017 1

Far perception

Homework from my teacher this month has been to think about proprioception: how my body feels in space and how it makes me feel. I've just written him some rather convoluted reflections based on observations in recent practices. Such a range of feelings in my mind and my body, impossible to summarise. I'm sure he... Continue Reading →

September 17, 2017 2

Meditating on teaching

I went round to my new yoga-friend last night to practise teaching. She'd done a day's work, taught a yoga class at work, and now it was her turn for some time on the mat. So there we were in a corner of her home (which made for some fun cues involving directions like 'stretching... Continue Reading →

September 8, 2016 0

Whispers of love

I'm back. I'm back in my body. And I'm back in class. Happily so. OK, so I've been here all along in this same body, but now it feels more at ease, less as though I've gone a few rounds in the ring and come off distinctly the worse. So practice in class today was less... Continue Reading →

September 6, 2016 2

Gaining the upper hand

Some of my fellow trainee teachers have arranged to meet up today for some practice together. I'm feeling a little FOMO. Only a little -- I've never been a tribal kind of person, so I'm pretty happy walking my own path. But the path feels a little cluttered just now, as I try to negotiate a balance between teaching... Continue Reading →

July 9, 2016 4

The colour of judgement

I am picking up a minor theme of class recently where the teacher reminds us to observe without judgement. Since I came to yoga āsana from mindfulness practices, this notion isn't a new one to me and I often like to think that I'm getting pretty good at it, that I'm pretty aware of the... Continue Reading →

June 27, 2016 3

Is preparation everything?

I got home from work the other day with one thing on my mind -- that I was going to be home early enough for a totally indulgent, non-rushed, much-needed yoga practice. Time to be alone, away from any responsibilities to others, time for rebuilding myself a little after fragmenting, splintering a little, under competing... Continue Reading →

June 24, 2016 0

Healing — with champagne

I usually run fast away from anything that has the word 'healing' associated with it. The mere word triggers an angry reaction in me that there's something broken that needs fixing, that I'm vulnerable or impaired, to be felt sorry for. I feel patronised. But... I ended up at a Yin workshop yesterday that was all... Continue Reading →

June 19, 2016 3

Body of peace

My teacher came to check on me (or rather my hamstring) before class and offered some words of wisdom for my practice -- to observe, not to go deep, just to feel and explore. To this I mentally added my own intention to cultivate joy and compassion. I really appreciated his care. I felt well-looked... Continue Reading →

June 7, 2016 0

Plus one

So today was another sharing day, with my friend allowing me to guide her through a practice with me. We've not managed to get together for weeks so this was a real treat for me. And it was awesome! I can only really say this from my own perspective (I had lots of fun!), but... Continue Reading →