Beware yoga sheep — baaa!

I intended to go to yoga class this morning. Hubby was off to the hairdresser so I had the morning to myself. Perfect for sneaking in an extra class, I thought. I don't usually practice on a Saturday. Not for me an aṣtanga thing, that's not my style -- just an acknowledgement that Saturday needs... Continue Reading →

October 31, 2015 4

Taking a beginner’s brain to yoga class

I was talking over dinner last week with a friend who's new to yoga. I rather provocatively asked her what yoga was for her right now. I was curious to know. I've been trying to define my yoga for myself since I started and some of my earlier notions now strike me as surprisingly naive.... Continue Reading →

August 26, 2015 2

Well, hello aching muscles! You haven’t been around for a while!

I totally surprised Hubby the other day (and I mean surprised to the point of speechlessness) when I ventured that I don’t really think of myself as ‘sick’ anymore, more as someone pretty well, but just being careful. [If not you’re not a regular reader, I was diagnosed with ME (aka Chronic Fatigue Syndrome more... Continue Reading →

August 21, 2015 5

Taking Hubby to yoga class

I think Hubby's yoga is awesome. He has some pretty uncomfortable physical conditions to work with, and he does so with such equanimity and acceptance that I sometimes slip into thinking that he's totally happy with the way his practice is. Really I know that's not true, but he deals with his limitations so consistently.... Continue Reading →

August 7, 2015 1

Brahman and bacteria

Class started today with the teacher asking what came before Siri. His rhetorical line was to trace back a sequence of ‘what came befores’. What was before the internet, before reference books, spoken language, sound, breathing… "What was before breathing?" I volunteered "anaerobic respiration" which got a laugh at least (I am in a very... Continue Reading →

August 4, 2015 4

The mad dream that is a yoga intensive

Real email exchange at work today: Me: Would you please let me know soonest if it's ok to book off the above dates as annual leave? Manager: Sure. Me: Thank you! I’ve logged it in the holiday tracker now. So I’m now committed to 28 hours of yoga in 3 days… Manager: Wow. Have you told... Continue Reading →

June 15, 2015 3

Sick and scared, but going to yoga class anyway

I don't remember what Sunday mornings used to be like before the introduction into my routine of a 2hour vinyasa class. Now I look forward to springing out of bed at 8am for a quick shower then getting a couple of miles across town without stopping for breakfast. Well, I always look forward to the idea of... Continue Reading →

June 14, 2015 3

Support at home — exploring asana with props

A friend remarked to me recently how she hates it when her teacher quietly gives her a second block to sit on at the start of class. She knows its an ego thing, but she feels frustrated every time. My own teacher strongly encourages props in class, but I've rarely seen him impose one on... Continue Reading →

June 8, 2015 3

Being upfront or staying at the back — where is my place in class?

A friend was recently telling me about a novel she read where the protagonist's inner self appeared as a character, a literary device to explore how hard we are on ourselves and dramatise the effect our self-criticism has by making it visible to the character in the book. We agreed that we often say things to... Continue Reading →

May 31, 2015 3

Finding energy in class

I've been thinking a bit recently about teachers and classes, wondering what makes a good class experience and what the role of a teacher is in that. I'm coming at this from a couple of angles, so brace yourself for more posts as I work through some thoughts over the coming months -- and do... Continue Reading →