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

Measuring yoga

Covid-19 cases and deaths in UK remains high (higher than anyone cares to notice or talk about) but strangely life is returning to something vaguely akin to the 'old normal' for many as formal restrictions have been largely lifted. I've been going to in person yoga class again regularly for a while now. The studio... Continue Reading →

October 9, 2021 3

You are your own best teacher

"You are your own best teacher." How many times have my teachers told me this? I get what they mean -- but I've been taking a bit more literally lately. I just did my first ever video recordings for my students, to help those who can't make my regular class times. And of course the... Continue Reading →

September 22, 2021 1

Picking up

I taught my first in person, indoor class this week after.... what is it now? 18 months or so? I've lost track. In England we've had multiple lockdowns, so many government u-turns and obfuscating changes of regulations... Throughout that time I maintained a zoom community of students. Bar a couple of necessary pauses I've brought... Continue Reading →

September 17, 2021 7

Full moon, full heart

It's guru purnima this weekend and I always use the date as a prompt to spend some time reflecting on the learning of the past year and the teachings and teachers that have guided me. My immediate thoughts always turn to my yoga teachers, but I also try to expand out to other influences of... Continue Reading →

July 24, 2021 2

Moving and shaking

I trust my teacher. So when he gave me a ball at the start of our yoga session together I tried to go with it — even though ‘it’ was an excruciatingly awkward exploration of shoulder and hip mobility and how to connect the two. The ball balancing aspect added challenge, or focus, or maybe... Continue Reading →

May 29, 2021 1

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 →

May 15, 2021 4

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 →

May 9, 2021 2

Vaccination joy

Hubby and I got our first vaccine two days ago. Astra Zeneca, our least preferred option, but it’s not a time to act all choosy and I am truly grateful for this. But the 48 hours following were not physically pleasant. Alternating sweats and chills, dizziness and nausea, depleted energy levels, brain fog, muscle and... Continue Reading →

April 22, 2021 2

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 →