A quiet revolution

I saw my physio again today for my rotator cuff injury. We've been working on this together for 5 months or so. I find these appointments really interesting. They become a ground for self-observation as much as āsana practice or meeting with my yoga teacher are. When I first needed physio appointments I was not... Continue Reading →

March 11, 2019 2

First session

My yoga teacher is master of the annoying question. They make me want to groan out loud -- but he slightly tells me off for doing that, so now I try not to react so obviously! 🙂 And secretly I love these questions! They open my eyes a little wider to the world, hinting at... Continue Reading →

May 11, 2018 1

Storm in an anatomical teacup

I am used to getting funny reactions from every physio I consult. They can't equate the regularity of my yoga practice with what they see in my body. "Is that all you can do?" one of them once asked me, and another actually laughed at loud at the lack of depth I achieved in whatever... Continue Reading →

February 28, 2018 4

Wonder-ful

A yoga friend today told me that her physio advised against asana practice for 24 hours after any bodywork. I'd stopped her as she was rolling up her mat after class and asked her please to sit with me a few minutes. I wasn't ready to leave the room and rush straight back out into... Continue Reading →

January 18, 2018 4

Yoga with my fitbit

I’ve started wearing a Fitbit recently. I feel bizarrely self-conscious, wondering if it labels me as aggressively sporty or something. I keep expecting people to engage me in conversation about split intervals, HIIT, Fartlek or whatnot... Actually I’m just trying to meet the advice of three health professionals who are currently helping me look after... Continue Reading →

December 11, 2017 10

Heart and hearth

Some time ago my yoga teacher suggested I meditate on the difficulties I'm having physically: on why my physio has identified limited thoracic spine mobility along with grumbling shoulders and neck. What is this really? It's been weeks since he dropped this idea on me and I have been avoiding it ever since! Bad yoga... Continue Reading →

November 24, 2017 1

Uncomfortable truth

Life has been full of physical discomforts recently. Terrible toothache at times so bad I was maxing out on various types of painkiller, and for the final 45 minutes or so before the next dose reduced to whimpering, foetal position pain. It’s nerve-related and there’s no relief to be had from that. Just an extended... Continue Reading →

October 14, 2017 0

First and Last

One first time and one last time today — and I’m pretty happy with both. Maybe I’m getting the hang of this non-perfectionism thing. Or maybe the doubting voices in my head haven’t woken up yet! Whatever... So it was the first time teaching in my workplace gym. A lunchtime session which is now mine... Continue Reading →

October 11, 2017 2

Physiotherapy is no joke

I knew it wasn't going to be a laugh-a-minute when the physio started off the session by insisting that I speak up when (not if) the discomfort got too much to take. Cue instant muscular tension in my whole body in anticipation! But I find I've learnt a thing or two from yoga practices about... Continue Reading →

August 31, 2017 0

Keeping it in the family

I'm realising that when people know you're a trained yoga teacher there are two reactions: they either expect you to 'fix' anything that's ever been wrong with them and assume you live some kind of austere ascetic lifestyle, or there's mistrust and cynicism, doubting that you know anything of any value. I don't think I'm... Continue Reading →