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

Will my mum give up yoga?

My mum is awesome. I reckon she invented the concept of unconditional love. She has always been my number one fan, even when she didn't quite get what I was up to or why it was important to me. She has been my rock through the years, the person I turned to for advice and... Continue Reading →

April 6, 2015 3

On my mat with the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

I love audiobooks. They are terrific for me when I'm too tired to read and want some easy entertainment. Recently I've been revisiting my childhood and listening to an audiobook of the Narnia stories by C.S. Lewis. One of the plot devices in the stories is that Narnia time is different, and that however long... Continue Reading →

March 21, 2015 4

Me and my physio

It seems like a long time ago that I frantically asked my teacher for physio recommendations. Now I feel as though I practically have A on speed-dial! She's been great in helping me heal the damage to my hamstring tendons and very patient with me, despite the fact that she more often deals with proper... Continue Reading →

March 18, 2015 3

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 →