More?

Before class last night one of the other students asked me if I was teaching at all yet. Yes, I am a little. But she wasn’t satisfied. “When are you going to teach more? And are you going to do another training course soon?” Woah, slow down! Why can’t it be enough right now? Last... Continue Reading →

February 3, 2017 1

What am I really teaching?

My own teacher's professional biog has something about him teaching to affect head and heart. I don't remember the exact words but I do remember the wonder I first felt in his classes, still feel very vividly even a few years on. In my own practice I'm still very much figuring out the power of... Continue Reading →

January 27, 2017 2

Teaching prep

Prep for teaching today: a couple of hours on the sofa, clutching a hot water bottle against my stomach cramps, a box of tissues within hand's reach. I have a cold and it's rocked my system a bit overall; it doesn't take much to throw me off balance. It's OK, it'll pass, I know that.... Continue Reading →

January 25, 2017 4

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

On friendship

I'm starting up my little bit of teaching again in a week and my thoughts are turning from my own practice to my teaching. I have a weekly semi-private with two former colleagues who sit on the edge of my friendship circle: we do a little bit of mostly in-office socialising, lunch and stuff. Ordinarily... Continue Reading →

January 9, 2017 2

Gone surfing

Destination reached and now we're properly on holiday after an epic journey. So much impatience in the modern world about arriving when really the idea of travelling half way round the world for a week's holiday is on a certain level quite bizarre. Certainly an indulgence, however you look at it, but one I'm prepared... Continue Reading →

December 24, 2016 3

Validation and witness

"I give you permission NOT to do full Chaturaṇga each time". I wondered at this comment from my teacher in class today. Do people really need this permission? Do they feel some necessity for this action in every vinyasa? If they do, would the validation of the teacher make a difference? I wonder... I don't do... Continue Reading →

December 18, 2016 6

Saplings

I was teaching a complete beginner recently. What an experience! A challenge, but mostly just a delight. And an honour. Teaching challenge: How to describe the shapes, when the names of postures are meaningless? How much to demonstrate as a short-hand description but how to avoid setting an impossible standard (not that my shapes are... Continue Reading →

December 17, 2016 0

Winter break

My regular weekly semi-private has finished for the year now. The girls are busy with pre-Xmas stuff next week and then I'm travelling over the Christmas period visiting far-flung family. They were (gratifyingly!) disappointed that I wasn't around more to continue teaching them once they were done with their parties. It reminded me of years... Continue Reading →

December 8, 2016 1

Easy does it

Hubby's started practising a little at home again now. I'm so pleased for him to have got to the point where this feels like a good thing for him. He's rehabbing himself gently and I am so immensely proud of his patience and his quiet efforts. I'm learning so much from him, from hearing him... Continue Reading →