Gaining the upper hand

Some of my fellow trainee teachers have arranged to meet up today for some practice together. I'm feeling a little FOMO. Only a little -- I've never been a tribal kind of person, so I'm pretty happy walking my own path. But the path feels a little cluttered just now, as I try to negotiate a balance between teaching... Continue Reading →

July 9, 2016 4

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 →

July 6, 2016 0

Podcast Practice

People often recommend particular online classes or youtube videos to me -- well-meaning suggestions for my home practice. Although I know these sorts of resources are very popular I've never used them. How is it even possible to practice while watching a screen? Anyway I find the value of home practice is in having to... Continue Reading →

June 29, 2016 1

Is preparation everything?

I got home from work the other day with one thing on my mind -- that I was going to be home early enough for a totally indulgent, non-rushed, much-needed yoga practice. Time to be alone, away from any responsibilities to others, time for rebuilding myself a little after fragmenting, splintering a little, under competing... Continue Reading →

June 24, 2016 0

Plus one

So today was another sharing day, with my friend allowing me to guide her through a practice with me. We've not managed to get together for weeks so this was a real treat for me. And it was awesome! I can only really say this from my own perspective (I had lots of fun!), but... Continue Reading →

June 6, 2016 0

Warrior 3 with a coffee

I sometimes wonder if I should give up coffee. Not because I'm a yoga fundamentalist who thinks that this kind of drug is incompatible with a dedicated yoga practice (please no!), but simply because I'm now more aware of how it makes my body feel and the aftermath of a strong coffee isn't so great: it... Continue Reading →

June 4, 2016 5

Beloved hamstring

My hamstring is grumbling again at the moment. I can't deny I'm a bit scared by this: I start TT in less than a month and I can't help wondering what that would be like with an injury. But if it is, it is. I'll just have to figure it out. My classmates will also... Continue Reading →

June 3, 2016 10

Wants and needs

I want to be in class right now, to be listening to what my teacher is sharing today, to be sweating along with my yoga crew, synchronising my breath and my movements with them in an expression of belonging and togetherness. But wants and needs aren't the same thing. And for more than one reason... Continue Reading →

May 31, 2016 2

Terrible yoga, amazing yoga

"That was a terrible, terrible, terrible class" I told my teacher as I sat in his office afterwards trying to stop the tears running down my face, waiting for my heart to stop thumping, and slowly allowing the tremors of emotion to ease and resolve into something of a smile. He took it well, concentrating on... Continue Reading →

May 25, 2016 6

Savouring the moments

I'm currently having an emotional wobble, trying to ride the sweet spot between the warm glow of nostalgia and the darkness of melancholy. I've been with old friends these past few days -- such sweet reunion and now such sad farewells. During this time we've had coffee, drunk wine, and shared lunch, dinner, and breakfast -- and done yoga! We've relived our youth... Continue Reading →