Teaching prep

Prep for teaching today: a couple of hours on the sofa, clutching a hot water bottle against my stomach cramps, a box of tissues within hand's reach. I have a cold and it's rocked my system a bit overall; it doesn't take much to throw me off balance. It's OK, it'll pass, I know that.... Continue Reading →

January 25, 2017 4

On friendship

I'm starting up my little bit of teaching again in a week and my thoughts are turning from my own practice to my teaching. I have a weekly semi-private with two former colleagues who sit on the edge of my friendship circle: we do a little bit of mostly in-office socialising, lunch and stuff. Ordinarily... Continue Reading →

January 9, 2017 2

A further taste of Iyengar

Finally I got to an Iyengar class! I had attended an introductory course at the Iyengar Institute in London a couple of months back, but given the distance and awkward schedules I haven't made it back there for a 'normal' class. Meantime I was recommended a teacher locally, and although her small class is regularly... Continue Reading →

January 4, 2017 6

Awesome mindfulness

The really hard thing about mindfulness, moment to moment non-judgmental awareness, is in overcoming the over-familiar, not going on auto-pilot and missing half the story because it's so obvious it doesn't seem worth noticing. Changing some aspect, creating a different background, shakes things up and helps you notice more. I feel this in yoga asana: putting the... Continue Reading →

December 28, 2016 0

Airport weirdo

I'm on the road right now. So I'm practising the yoga of travelling. The yoga of patience and allowing events to unfold without the ability to change much of what happens. I am a passive player in this and the experience of recognising that and just flowing along is quite interesting. Could I maintain this attitude... Continue Reading →

December 22, 2016 3

Easy does it

Hubby's started practising a little at home again now. I'm so pleased for him to have got to the point where this feels like a good thing for him. He's rehabbing himself gently and I am so immensely proud of his patience and his quiet efforts. I'm learning so much from him, from hearing him... Continue Reading →

December 4, 2016 1

On practising when tired

Teachers often caution against practising when tired: it's when the injuries happen. Your attention lapses or you're not well set up. It's sensible advice, but sometimes it really bothers me and I hear it too personally. My inner demons wickedly translate these words into "you're sick and you have no place here and this practice is... Continue Reading →

November 30, 2016 3

Tuning in and reprogramming

I adjusted the hands of a student in down dog the other day; she had one much further forward than the other. She twisted to look up at me anxiously: "Are you sure? That feels really weird!" I reassured her that weird was OK. She does this every single down dog and she's been practising... Continue Reading →

November 23, 2016 0

Exploring the three corners of the world

First question of teacher training (the yoga equivalent of those terrible corporate ice-breakers you have to deal with in management seminars and what-not) - what's your favourite and least favourite yoga pose? Tricky question. So many to choose from -- in the 'least favourite' category that is! 🙂 One of them was definitely Trikoṇāsana. I... Continue Reading →

November 18, 2016 2

When a rest is as good as a change

I was telling Hubby about recent experiences of sitting practice and the feelings of frustration that arise, turning recent attempts into something of a patient sitting out, a waiting for this to pass, to resolve itself in time. I feel OK with that, for me it's no big deal in the grander scheme; I've been... Continue Reading →