Barriers and hurdles

I was at a workshop at the weekend in London with a fancy American teacher, someone whose published work I really like. It was a fascinating afternoon and I learned a lot, even though it was more a very long led sequence than a workshop as such. There was no time for questions or discussion, unfortunately. I... Continue Reading →

February 20, 2017 3

Sticky negativity

I always learn so much from a visit to the physio. It's fascinating observing similarities and differences between therapeutic exercises and manipulation and the practice of āsana and physical assists in class. I was back yesterday with ongoing shoulder issues which is turning into a longer story than I wanted. No boring details here, but... Continue Reading →

February 10, 2017 4

In praise of husbands — and KD

So I am BEYOND EXCITED that I have just booked tickets for Krishna Das's kirtan in London this summer. Anyone else going, I wonder? And I am also beyond excited that a beautiful friend of mine (lost for more than a decade, recently very happily reunited) is coming with me. She's new to KD, new... Continue Reading →

February 9, 2017 6

Who wants a strict teacher?

Someone has asked my teacher to be more strict. He mentioned it in class last night. I don't know what he made of this request (inscrutable yoga teacher!) but it rang alarm bells to me. More strict? Seriously? For me he's strict enough already. But subtly so and only if I choose to meet him there (some... Continue Reading →

January 13, 2017 5

On the homefront

One of the things sensibly impressed upon us in teacher training was about recognising the limits of one's knowledge, not to get caught up in wanting to help, or wanting yoga to help, and therefore over-promising or trying to over-deliver. We are not training to be physical or mental therapists (or magicians!), just yoga teachers.... Continue Reading →

January 10, 2017 4

Physio for the brain

I was back with my physio this weekend, checking progress with the exercises I have for the pain in my right tricep. Initial diagnosis was that this was related to stiffness in my neck. She had expected it to resolve in a week. Three weeks on and my neck and scapulae seem to have increased... Continue Reading →

December 11, 2016 0

Hello Physio!

Ah, what a way to start the weekend -- a 9am physio appointment. At least it was softened by meeting Hubby for brunch straight afterwards -- and actually it was quite fun in its own way. Physio seemed strangely interested to see me again and quizzed me about my yoga practice and teacher training -- surely... Continue Reading →

November 19, 2016 2

Getting (un)comfortable

My teacher often talks about playing the edge. I'm still not sure I get where this is exactly. Maybe that's part of the game, part of the playing -- first finding it, then flirting with it, finally staring it down rather than running away. I always thought I was good at the staring game, unblinking,... Continue Reading →

October 3, 2016 1

Waking up at sunset

Hubby's got himself a new osteopath and a new diagnosis for his back pain. It all sounds like progress to me. I like the sound of his osteo -- and not just because his description of our yoga together recently got her thumbs up!! So now he's accommodating to a new way of perceiving his body and... Continue Reading →

August 25, 2016 2

Close to home

Call me precocious but since it's A WHOLE DAY since my TT graduation, I feel different. I feel more responsible to others and to myself. I feel my relationship to yoga has changed. I wonder if this will persist or if it's just a settling-in period. When will my habitual imposter syndrome kick in again?... Continue Reading →