QED

I walked in on coffee-time conversation at work this week, with colleagues discussing how they hated the fact that the gym instructors don’t actually do the class themselves. The point was that they just didn’t believe some things were possible. The teacher screams at them to do another set of reps, to go deeper, push... Continue Reading →

June 3, 2018 2

The long goodbye

It seems to be a story of farewells at the moment. A succession of changes, none of which feel like a change for better, only a termination of something I valued or a relationship I cared for. One of my team at work, one of my own hires so particularly dear to my heart, recently... Continue Reading →

May 29, 2018 4

Observation

It seems to be all about observation at the moment. Trying to see (or feel) with more clarity and dispassion. Less drama, less judgment. I've been trying to prep for a private with my teacher, which is always a time for reflection and evaluation, but I'm trying hard within this work not to find myself... Continue Reading →

May 28, 2018 7

Updating my preferences (nothing about GDPR!)

"The greatest obstacle to the practice is one’s own prejudices based on one’s own preferences" हानमेषां क्लेशवदुक्तम् ॥२८॥ hānam-eṣāṁ kleśavad-uktam ॥ PYS 4.28 I'm contemplating this sutra a lot recently; it’s the backdrop to my practice. It’s intrigued me since my teacher first introduced me to it. What are these preferences? In the physical body?... Continue Reading →

May 24, 2018 4

First session

My yoga teacher is master of the annoying question. They make me want to groan out loud -- but he slightly tells me off for doing that, so now I try not to react so obviously! 🙂 And secretly I love these questions! They open my eyes a little wider to the world, hinting at... Continue Reading →

May 11, 2018 1

Pretzel time

Limiting beliefs are wonderful things to have! Aren't they? They keep one's expectations nicely contained, prevent you aiming so high you set up for an embarrassing fail, and just keep everything safely within reach. I'm not known as a shirker among my friends, family and work colleagues: I have the reputation for being hard working,... Continue Reading →

April 28, 2018 2

Dormouse yoga

Many years ago my mum gave me a postcard with a picture of a dormouse on it with the message "do not disturb". It was kind of a family joke, the amount of time I spent curled up in bed. Then I was sick and just trying to rest. I couldn't face being part of... Continue Reading →

April 24, 2018 2

If Goldilocks practised yoga

Porridge that's not too hot, not too cold, but just right. A chair that's not too big, not too small, but just right. I reckon if Goldilocks practised yoga, it would be not too forced, not too relaxed -- just the right amount of effort for sthira sukham asanam. My own yoga fairy story is... Continue Reading →

March 10, 2018 4

Change of scene

After all the drama about the weather, of course our travel plans ran very smoothly! I'm glad I didn't expend too much energy worrying about it 🙂 I've now escaped the snow and ice back home and relocated (albeit temporarily) to somewhere significantly warmer and sunnier -- Athens. First day was just for settling into... Continue Reading →

March 5, 2018 3

Promises, promises

I feel that yoga promises much. Inherently. If you listen carefully. Sure, there are sometimes big bang fireworks moments where everything (and I mean everything) suddenly hits you with a crystal clarity that life is epically awesome, that you are awesome, and the cosmos is perfect. I feel fortunate that I have experienced something of... Continue Reading →