Being and laughing — good in any language

In the next thrilling instalment following my farewell to the Sanskrit professor and his super-fast class, I'm happy to report I've already found myself a new teacher! He teaches an adult group for just one hour a week, and it slots in perfectly right before my favourite yoga class of the week. Wow! Now Sanskrit feels like... Continue Reading →

November 10, 2015 6

I laughed my socks off

Last night's yoga practice was reduced to some simple stretches in the lounge while Hubby and I talked and caught up on each other's days. There wasn't space in my day for more. To start with Hubby kept poking me and making me laugh. We joked about a lot! But I kept on with my stretches... Continue Reading →

November 5, 2015 5

The Upward Spiral

There was a bit of reporting earlier in the year on the inter web (like this article) summarising some recent research by Alex Korb which -- as I understand it (I've not actually read it) -- he published in book form as The Upward Spiral. The book is marketed as the neuroscience of depression, but the popular reportage was entitled... Continue Reading →

October 8, 2015 4

The upside of power cuts

When I woke up this morning and looked at the alarm clock I smiled. As I turned on the lamp in the semi-darkness I grinned. I padded off to the shower where I positively gurgled in pleasure at the feeling of the hot water on my skin. Why so exuberantly happy? Because all these things depend... Continue Reading →

September 10, 2015 2

Cleaning, sharing, and still smiling

Up early. Time for cleaning: hot shower, hot water and lemon to drink, floor to sweep. My friend comes over for yoga. Can I guide her in practice? I somehow do, though the words come out wrong and I don't know how to read another's body. Am I teaching or are we just practicing together? I... Continue Reading →

August 31, 2015 2

Simple smiles

It's a long weekend in the UK. That in itself is enough to make me smile. Just a bit more time to do whatever presents itself. A feeling of a bonus day. It's been a day full of things to make me smile: Surprising sunshine on my way to class this morning. I felt properly... Continue Reading →

August 29, 2015 4

Expressing happiness

I realised recently that I've developed an emotional tic of biting my lip. Not an anxiety thing, but as a way of controlling the insane grin that's liable to break across my face at odd moments when I relax. I notice this a lot while I'm out and about, walking to work, doing the shopping. It's less a... Continue Reading →

June 11, 2015 0

Back to class

My alarm went off at 5.45 today -- not a mistake! I was up early to walk across town (no cycling allowed yet) to my yoga studio for MY FIRST CLASS IN 3 MONTHS! Excuse the shouty capitals, but I was just a little bit excited by this (as regular readers will have noticed!). And the... Continue Reading →