I just took my first overseas trip since covid began. Not long planned, just a sudden realisation that I could join my husband for a few days of his work trip in Greece and use up a travel voucher that was about to expire. That gave me two nights only. Not long to orientate oneself... Continue Reading →
Holidaying at home
I was talking with my teacher recently about how wonderful I felt when I was on holiday. I felt physically much freer, more flexible and more confident in my energy and strength. I loved the fact that I went off for a morning run by the sea before it got too hot -- and before... Continue Reading →
Holiday pleasures
Before I left for my holiday my yoga theme in practice and teaching was about examining preferences. I was mostly thinking about how to learn to let them go, following the philosophy that preferences are a cause of suffering, preventing one achieving the equanimity that the Bhagavad Gita teaches yoga to be. Now I'm on... Continue Reading →
Expect the unexpected
It's definitely the end of summer in Greece. The temperature dropped nearly 10 degrees overnight. Yoga practice is always an interesting lens through which to see what's going on more generally as I observe how my practice differs with the weather. As the temperatures varied my practice went from a joyful and adventurous exploration of... Continue Reading →
Looking at feet
I'm always a bit obsessed with feet -- show me a yogi who isn't! And on holiday it's magnified since I wear shoes (even) less than in normal life. I love the sensations of walking barefoot and how much more alive this makes me feel — from head to toe! Back in London my Rolfer... Continue Reading →
Beach time
We've been on the beach most days while we're in Greece. The weather is still fabulous, so how could we not! Although the scenery is beautiful with clear calm waters filled with little fish and acres of gold sand, in truth I find long hours at the beach pretty dull. But Aussie Hubby totally loves... Continue Reading →
Life in the slow lane
Sometimes in my everyday life I feel as though I'm a terrible yogi -- off the mat I mean. I feel as though my attention is fragmented, I struggle to fit into my days all the things I want to and I always feel as though I should be somewhere else, doing something else. It... Continue Reading →
Moments of disbelief
My class laughed when I said I was going to miss them while I'm away for a few weeks. They often laugh incredulously at the things I say. They don't believe that I will actually miss them, just as they don't believe that teaching times are my favourite times of the working week, that I... Continue Reading →
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 →
On parade
It was Greek Independence Day last Sunday, so I went to watch the parade. I was even given a Greek flag to wave! Now I knew this was going to be a military thing, but I was still a bit overwhelmed by it. I stood for two hours or so watching endless ranks of military... Continue Reading →