Bad weather

There’s no such thing as bad weather, as the saying goes -- provided you have the right clothing. I’m thinking of this now very literally as the weather in my little corner of the world has got quite suddenly much colder. Out comes my winter-weight parka with the ridiculously furry hood, my favourite mittens --... Continue Reading →

December 1, 2023 2

On parade

It was Greek Independence Day last Sunday, so I went to watch the parade. I was even given a Greek flag to wave! Now I knew this was going to be a military thing, but I was still a bit overwhelmed by it. I stood for two hours or so watching endless ranks of military... Continue Reading →

March 28, 2018 2

At the end of the day

Such a personally terrible day yesterday. If I say the suspect heart attack I was called to attend at work was not the worst bit, you'll get a sense of it... So how to ease the pain I am feeling? Of course by a bit of yoga escapism! Now usually I think of yoga as all about... Continue Reading →

April 12, 2017 3

Longing and belonging

We started in Paścimottānāsana. A strange sensation, never an opening pose surely? Brain started to question this, frustrations threatened. How could I be expected to take this shape without any warmup or hip work... But I'm here because I trust the teacher, that he has an idea he's exploring and offering, and who I am... Continue Reading →

November 11, 2016 5

Meditating on teaching

I went round to my new yoga-friend last night to practise teaching. She'd done a day's work, taught a yoga class at work, and now it was her turn for some time on the mat. So there we were in a corner of her home (which made for some fun cues involving directions like 'stretching... Continue Reading →

September 8, 2016 0

Together alone

I've just left Hubby in Greece. He's staying out longer than I can, given my other commitments. We have a long history of airport/train station goodbyes as our relationship gradually shifted from two separate continents, to the same continent, then to the same country, and finally to the same town. What we don't know about... Continue Reading →

July 12, 2016 2

Giving it up, gladly

I've been having more fun with my āsana practice the last few classes I've been to. How does this sometimes occur and other times I make a meal out of the simplest practice? Is it setting an intention to be more focussed on joy? Is it keeping the practice lighter and deliberately having fun in... Continue Reading →

June 11, 2016 1

Body of peace

My teacher came to check on me (or rather my hamstring) before class and offered some words of wisdom for my practice -- to observe, not to go deep, just to feel and explore. To this I mentally added my own intention to cultivate joy and compassion. I really appreciated his care. I felt well-looked... Continue Reading →

June 7, 2016 0

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

I'm quite a fan of Christmas. I love my family, faults and all. They love me back, they always have and I know they always will. The liberation and contentment that comes from unconditional love is the most special thing on earth I think. In my last yoga class before Christmas my teacher urged us... Continue Reading →

December 27, 2015 5

Hello equanimity!

As I walked to class this morning I looked up at the wintry trees swaying in the strong wind, those with leaves fluttering madly, those without swaying their bare branches. Grey clouds scudded wildly behind. It was early and there were few people about. It felt like my kingdom, my territory: I had my place in... Continue Reading →