At university when I was struggling to complete my final exams owing to a double combo of ill health and a painful wrist injury my tutor sent me a note (haha pre-email days!) that said ‘courage -- in a French accent’. I loved it. I think of it still when things get tricky. It made... Continue Reading →
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 →
Belonging in the family
My parents are aging. Although they are doing OK, I watch them negotiate the new challenges of their increasing years. There are social changes as their friendship circle diminishes (I don’t think I need to spell that one out more). Physical changes in aging bodies with joint issues and weaker muscles and lowered energy, hearing... Continue Reading →
Dabbling
I'm dabbling a little in Vedic chanting right now. I'm not fully committed, just dabbling. Like a duck or a duckling, just very unlike a baby crow 🙂 I am drawn to the simplicity of this form, just as my mother was in a previous life drawn to plainchant. These limited tones carry an infinity... Continue Reading →
Open for business
In England our lockdown rules change again on Monday as part of the easing of restrictions. We will be allowed to socialise indoors and hospitality venues can offer indoor service. Hugging will be also officially permitted, with some advice on frequency and contact time 🙂 It’s actually coincidental that I’m visiting my parents this week,... Continue Reading →
Being vocal
One of my close friends called. Her mum’s dying in hospital in US. She hasn’t been able to travel to visit her because of Covid restrictions. When I answered her call, she told me “I just wanted to hear your voice”. So we chatted a bit about nothing much, there being nothing really we could... Continue Reading →
Feeling the love
It was my birthday recently. My second lockdown birthday. The idea was a bit grim, not what I expected — not again! Ordinarily I’m a big fan of birthdays — I feel as though we should celebrate our own birth — but I had a hard time getting into the mood on this one. When... Continue Reading →
Love from the inside out
Until relatively recently I used to watch myself practise and not recognise myself. Who was that strong girl who moved through vinyasas with grace and ease? Where was the girl with dark rings of exhaustion under her eyes, the unwashed hair (simply too much effort), and the cautious movements that anticipated pain and weakness in... Continue Reading →
Feeding the wolf
They say the wolf that grows bigger and thrives is the one you choose to feed. Lately I’ve been taking care what I ‘feed’. Or to put it another way I’ve been taking care how much I listen to the inner critical voices (the wolf inside of me), lessening the amount of fuel I give... Continue Reading →
Yoga conversations
I had a lot of ‘conversations’ about yoga today, albeit in a lockdown kind of way. A stranger wrote to me asking for advice. They know I teach part time and they asked me how I could do this, and didn’t I feel divided because I wasn’t a full time yogi. For them yoga was... Continue Reading →