Yin’s a tonic

I just came back from a Yin class. It was a ‘treat’ from Hubby. I say ‘treat’ with a tone of cynicism as I’m not super keen on going to yoga classes at the moment. It’s not that they’re bad in themselves, please don’t misunderstand me. It’s just recent history with yoga studios and what... Continue Reading →

December 23, 2023 4

Lockdown blues

Someone asked me recently if I had been writing during lockdown, for myself at least even if not for sharing. The answer’s pretty much a no, though I’ve thought about it often, and rather wish I had captured the fluctuating tide of thoughts day by day, week by week. Despite rarely venturing more than a... Continue Reading →

December 19, 2020 2

Hearing voices

Hubby jokes that I'm a wannabe Ashtangi because I usually take Saturdays off physical practice. It's not actually planned, it just fits with the flow of my week and I think a day off is good for mind and body. But now I'm on holiday with family my whole routine is out the window and... Continue Reading →

December 26, 2019

Counting the days

I like to think I'm a pretty organised kind of person. So why does Christmas seem to take me by surprise every year? It starts so early in the shops, after all, and I seem to dwell in the self-righteous opinion that they're spoiling the season by over-exposure -- until all of a sudden it's... Continue Reading →

December 5, 2019 0

Loss and gain

Am I the only healthy person who lost weight over Christmas? Not much (nothing to worry about!), but I don't ever drop weight, nor do I try to, so I'm quite surprised. It's not just the number on the scales though, my jeans don't fit any more. Actually they've started to hang so low on... Continue Reading →

December 30, 2017 11

Being at home

As assist in class today helping me move a little deeper in Agnistambhasana (Firelog pose) was offered with the words: "don't do anything, just breathe". It was undoubtedly the most reassuring instruction I'd heard in a good few days and filled me with quiet relief during those moments. After all, outside of the movies, Christmas... Continue Reading →

December 28, 2017 2

All I want for Christmas

It's funny how the build up for Christmas all too easily takes on a life of its own, even for those of us who don't feel particularly strongly about this festival. Expectations mount; things must be just so. I had been moaning a little about Christmas this year: my first vegetarian Christmas with my own... Continue Reading →

December 25, 2017 4

A little bit Christmassy

This week my yoga boss offered me a bag of Santa hats in case I wanted to give them out during the last class of the year... ...I didn't! But I did offer my class a festive treat my own way -- I taught them to chant lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu, with some of my... Continue Reading →

December 23, 2017 3

Best offering

Class started in full praṇām. Prostrate, arms outstretched, palms turned upward. The ultimate giving pose. Deeply humbling, stretched out on the floor, no defense. It's impossible to transition easily out of this posture. But then this pose is not about moving on: it's about being committed here. It's not about the look of it, and... Continue Reading →

December 18, 2017 2

Flotsam

I went to my local supermarket today and turned up the usual aisle for veggies, salads and what-not and instead found myself surrounded by endless packets of meat. Of course, they've rearranged again! And because it's nearing Christmas all the meaty stuff has made its way nearer the front of the store. Curiously I felt... Continue Reading →