Fusion confusion

I am still struck by the poignancy of my dad’s late in life wondering about where he belonged, where he fitted in -- maybe if he fitted in, even. I have felt this throughout my life too and, were it not for the nonplussed confusion on my mum’s face, I could easily have assumed it... Continue Reading →

March 22, 2024 1

Groovy chanting

In my online Veda class recently we fell into a group discussion about the challenges of sending our chant recordings to the teacher, the vulnerability of being obviously sh*t at something and doing it anyway, the importance of feedback for correction as well as encouragement, the joy of being seen (or heard) especially in these... Continue Reading →

March 12, 2024 3

Life saver

Years ago (when we were all younger!) my teacher would often do a breakout time in his vinyasa class to allow people to practise handstand against the wall. He would come around the room ensuring everyone was working to their level and had an appropriate challenge. When he got to me he kindly asked “can... Continue Reading →

December 30, 2023 5

Counting

He taught me not to kill spiders just because I am afraid of them. I’m thinking of that now as I make my morning coffee. There’s a spider that’s set up home in the join of the wall to the ceiling. It’s right above my head, as I spoon coffee into the pot. I’m thinking... Continue Reading →

September 27, 2023 4

In doubt, in hope

My philosophy teacher told me that you know yoga is working when your relationships improve. Or did they simply say ‘change’? I’m kind of hoping it’s the latter as a bunch of my relationships just lately seem anything but improved. I’m suddenly feeling that my communication skills and ability to read and relate to people... Continue Reading →

August 24, 2023 4

In my hands

I met with my philosophy teacher this evening. I don't meet with her often enough. She doesn't push it, she lets me find my own way. We're both finding our way. She's kind. She lets me talk. She hears my questions and my hesitancy. We talk about commitment and discipline, teachers and authority, prayer and... Continue Reading →

June 1, 2023 3

Mindful teaching

I'm part way through teaching a short course on mindfulness to a small group of students. It's my first time teaching a sustained course over two months and my first time teaching mindfulness. I was not at all sure it would work, that I could do it, or what the students would bring to it... Continue Reading →

May 28, 2022 2

Three, two, one… Go!

"OK, 10 burpees in 3, 2, 1... GO!" The trainer clicked his stopwatch and looked at me expectantly. He had the power-stance that trainers adopt, almost military-style with feet apart, one hand 'at ease' behind the back, stopwatch held in the other. I didn't move. "I don't know how to do that," I told him... Continue Reading →

November 16, 2021 0

Pinca Mayurasana

I tried Pinca Mayurasana today for the first time in years. It’s one of my ‘avoidance poses’, ones I am so freaked out by that I never try them. But the past year or two has been a slow process of beginning to understand where the fears come from and how to tiptoe forwards, keeping... Continue Reading →

April 15, 2021 1

Viva la Evolucion

“Ksero ta vasika Ellinika” my husband proudly announced to me recently. “I know basic Greek”. He’s been using a language learning app every day for nearly a year since UK went into first lockdown. He does a couple of exercises everyday with an occasional splurge of more concentrated work. It’s a classic case of the... Continue Reading →