Guru in cyberspace

Before I left home for a few weeks, a couple of my students came to talk to me about how they could continue practising while I'm away. I had this great conversation with one student in particular, a newbie who's attended two classes only. I asked her what she wanted in her practice, so I... Continue Reading →

March 8, 2018 9

Change of scene

After all the drama about the weather, of course our travel plans ran very smoothly! I'm glad I didn't expend too much energy worrying about it 🙂 I've now escaped the snow and ice back home and relocated (albeit temporarily) to somewhere significantly warmer and sunnier -- Athens. First day was just for settling into... Continue Reading →

March 5, 2018 3

Yoga BC

It's quite a relief to be in British Columbia now, where I can happily speak English, with none of the confusion of bilingual Québec Province where I always felt I was speaking the wrong language, no matter how I played it. Here my sister in law took me to class at her local studio, shame-facedly... Continue Reading →

August 2, 2017 2

Pioneering on and off the mat

The days that we spent out east in British Columbia were wonderful. It's technically a desert environment and the scenery was beautiful. It reminded me of parts of the Mediterranean: the desert sage brush looked from a distance like maquis and smelt a bit like it too. I was a bit frustrated that I... Continue Reading →

July 31, 2017 4

Change of scene

When I'm at home I love to roll my mat out in the same place each time. I know exactly where I need to be to avoid the lampshade in Urdhva Hastasana... In my local studio I have my favourite spots also, depending on which class it is, how I'm feeling... Oh yes, many attachments... Continue Reading →

July 27, 2017 6

Hotel yoga

Hubby and I are away for a few days' holiday by the sea as a birthday treat. OK, April in UK isn't exactly beach weather, but we've been enjoying some lovely sunshine, a lot of ozone, and the most wonderful sea view from our balcony. Hotels are fun as a temporary home offering all sorts... Continue Reading →

April 19, 2017 4

Awesome mindfulness

The really hard thing about mindfulness, moment to moment non-judgmental awareness, is in overcoming the over-familiar, not going on auto-pilot and missing half the story because it's so obvious it doesn't seem worth noticing. Changing some aspect, creating a different background, shakes things up and helps you notice more. I feel this in yoga asana: putting the... Continue Reading →

December 28, 2016 0

Gone surfing

Destination reached and now we're properly on holiday after an epic journey. So much impatience in the modern world about arriving when really the idea of travelling half way round the world for a week's holiday is on a certain level quite bizarre. Certainly an indulgence, however you look at it, but one I'm prepared... Continue Reading →

December 24, 2016 3

Winter break

My regular weekly semi-private has finished for the year now. The girls are busy with pre-Xmas stuff next week and then I'm travelling over the Christmas period visiting far-flung family. They were (gratifyingly!) disappointed that I wasn't around more to continue teaching them once they were done with their parties. It reminded me of years... Continue Reading →

December 8, 2016 1

First practice (again)

I've just done my first home practice after the initial teacher training weekend. A practice I've been looking forward to and dreading in equal measure. Of course it all feels weirdly different and I'm as self-conscious as a beginner! Now I have part of a teaching script running in my head, and the first part... Continue Reading →