It’s my turn

So guru purnima is coming up and this is always a time of year when I take a little more time around and through my practice to reflect on my teachers, what they offer me, how I respond to that and how I might carry forward their teachings within my practice -- or not (yet).... Continue Reading →

July 19, 2018 0

Illuminating contrast

I was talking recently with a student who volunteered that she finds meditation in noisy places easier than in silence. She has stopped getting up so early for practice because she found the deep silence too difficult, whereas the noise of rush-hour traffic was much easier! I've found this to be true for myself too.... Continue Reading →

July 12, 2018 2

Once good, twice even better

So I just gave my Second Ever Yoga Workshop today. I'm feeling super-proud and a teeny bit accomplished! But I'm keeping things really modest, baby steps and all. The groups were really small, a handful of students each time, and the second workshop was essentially a repeat of the first for those missed it. Repetition... Continue Reading →

June 16, 2018 2

Holding space

Holding space. It's an expression that pops up a lot in yoga, as perhaps in more directly therapeutic work. I guess the idea is about creating a safe container for someone, to allow them to have their time and space. The teacher's role is to provide the context for the examination but not the answers.... Continue Reading →

June 14, 2018 4

QED

I walked in on coffee-time conversation at work this week, with colleagues discussing how they hated the fact that the gym instructors don’t actually do the class themselves. The point was that they just didn’t believe some things were possible. The teacher screams at them to do another set of reps, to go deeper, push... Continue Reading →

June 3, 2018 2

Dormouse yoga

Many years ago my mum gave me a postcard with a picture of a dormouse on it with the message "do not disturb". It was kind of a family joke, the amount of time I spent curled up in bed. Then I was sick and just trying to rest. I couldn't face being part of... Continue Reading →

April 24, 2018 2

The significance of small talk

I acquired the little Greek language I know in slightly random ways, mostly informally. Some of it is very simple, some of it is quite formal. Years ago I remember being at dinner and I turned to speak to my friend at the exact moment all conversation fell suddenly quiet in that way it does... Continue Reading →

April 3, 2018 3

Beware the scorpion

I know I've said it before, but one again I think I've just been to the hardest yoga class ever. Physically, I mean. Well, along with that of course come the challenges of managing my emotions, reactions and fears, as well as trying to keep up some regularity of breathing... So not just physically. I... Continue Reading →

March 21, 2018 7

Just enough Greek

I went to a different studio for class today -- in the company of an old colleague I've not seen for some 15 years! She was using me as her excuse to get to class after losing the habit somewhere between work, marriage, and a couple of children. It amuses me that now I'm known... Continue Reading →

March 14, 2018 2

Yoga in the hood

Watching the news last night I learned that the Greek for 'mafia' is 'mafia' and drugs are 'narkotika'. Both words featured in an item about drug taking and gang violence in a nearby neighbourhood. The same neighbourhood that friends recently warned me about, as a foreigner. Also the neighbourhood where the nearest yoga studio is!... Continue Reading →