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

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

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 →

September 27, 2023 4

Getting creative

Once upon a time creativity in yoga would have meant to me something about nifty sequencing or exploring unusual transitions between poses. Yep, I’m a vinyasa girl! Nowadays creativity is more about generating something for myself rather than being creative or artistic in my yoga practice. I’m exploring how to create more of what I... Continue Reading →

September 14, 2023 2

In doubt, in hope

My philosophy teacher told me that you know yoga is working when your relationships improve. Or did they simply say ‘change’? I’m kind of hoping it’s the latter as a bunch of my relationships just lately seem anything but improved. I’m suddenly feeling that my communication skills and ability to read and relate to people... Continue Reading →

August 24, 2023 4

Darshana in the Arctic Circle

I think my handstand coach must have some advanced degree in psychology, he reads me so well. His latest drill for me is what we came to call ‘enjoying the view’. A kick up to the wall, time here simply feeling the wonder of my body upside-down, knowing my alignment is good and my body... Continue Reading →