Rupture and continuity

One of my best friends nearly died recently. A ruptured appendix, a bungled diagnosis and delayed surgery. I've been visiting her in hospital, feeling helpless in the face of drips, oxygen, and the indignity of surgical gowns. She was weak and confused. I'm not sure she remembered if I'd been with her or not; she... Continue Reading →

May 16, 2019 0

Change is hard

My boss in the office often tells me that change is hard. My yoga teacher tells me the same. Change is the name of the game right now, in both worlds corporate and yoga. And they're right: it is hard! In yoga I am trying my practice a new way. Sure, it might not end... Continue Reading →

April 16, 2019 1

Wedding belle

I'm not one for crying at weddings. But I almost cried at this one. The wedding of an old work colleague, more recently friend, most recently a yoga student. She is, in fact, one of my oldest students, allowing me to practise teach her immediately post TT graduation, until the arrangement solidified into something more... Continue Reading →

October 28, 2018 0

Thoughts and blessings

What does it mean to hold someone in your thoughts? I wrote a condolence card to a friend recently, a Christian friend, and I offered some words like this. I couldn't say I was praying for her in her distress and grief since that's not part of my practice but I am holding her in... Continue Reading →

September 4, 2018 4

Posing for the camera

Hot on the heels of the afternoon with my artist friend I got an email from my photographer friend. I'd also spent an afternoon of yoga with her a couple of months back. She's not a yogi, but she'd asked if she could photograph me practising at home. I agreed. With a certain sense of fear... Continue Reading →

September 2, 2018 2

All too human

Recently I spent the day in London with an old friend from way, way back. I was interested to go to the All Too Human exhibition at the Tate. It seemed to me a rather eclectic collection of paintings (plus a few photos) from various artists which "celebrates the painters in Britain who strove to... Continue Reading →

August 23, 2018 1

Weed in my hair

The heatwave continues in the UK. I love it. The warmth brings me alive. I have more energy, my body is more open. The days are lighter for longer and I am filling them. Also in this weather, I don't feel guilty for taking a siesta in the afternoon when I get home from work!... Continue Reading →

July 22, 2018 2

Days worth celebrating

The days are busy. Sometimes it feels like crazy busy. But actually they're joyfully busy. It was my birthday last week and that's always a time for me to pause and take notice of how things are and the people I have in my life. It all feels very precious right now with much to... Continue Reading →

April 22, 2018 4

It’s not on my list

"Did you do any yoga while you were away?" my teacher asked me. I gave a ambiguous response -- confused, not quite believing this was a real question. "So what exactly did you do while you were away?" this time from my boss, and I gave a slightly more considered answer, because after all he... Continue Reading →

April 6, 2018 2

The significance of small talk

I acquired the little Greek language I know in slightly random ways, mostly informally. Some of it is very simple, some of it is quite formal. Years ago I remember being at dinner and I turned to speak to my friend at the exact moment all conversation fell suddenly quiet in that way it does... Continue Reading →