Tired of tired

I've seen a couple of news items recently about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Two different research teams coming up with different hypotheses about what triggers abnormal fatigue. Both firm in their message that this is a physiological, not psychological, condition. There's even some hint of a drug treatment... perhaps. The New Scientist piece was even accompanied... Continue Reading →

March 1, 2017 6

Mantra-asana

I boldly offered my teacher some unsolicited thoughts recently about how to chant the mantra we're working with in class at the moment. I should probably refrain from doing that, but it was interesting to receive a comment back about how the mantra changes with time, as he repeats the chant. I wonder how much chanting... Continue Reading →

February 28, 2017 4

The silence of yoga

I was introduced to the concept of mauna this week. Silence, the silence that underlies everything, the real essence and heart of things. Not just an absence of noise, but something more profound. Something essentially beyond description. I wonder: is the practice of yoga just about learning to get comfortable with this quality of silence, the essential loneliness of existence? And perhaps... Continue Reading →

February 26, 2017 0

Optimistic hopping

Spring is in the air -- I've even opened the window during home practice today. I'm feeling a bit uplifted. I had a wonderful one to one with my teacher this week and it's perked me up as always and inspired me. I had optimistically hoped to be handstanding like a pro after some dedicated attention, but... Continue Reading →

February 24, 2017 5

Barriers and hurdles

I was at a workshop at the weekend in London with a fancy American teacher, someone whose published work I really like. It was a fascinating afternoon and I learned a lot, even though it was more a very long led sequence than a workshop as such. There was no time for questions or discussion, unfortunately. I... Continue Reading →

February 20, 2017 3

Open invitation

Jon Kabat-Zinn (the father of secular mindfulness) could have been talking about yoga when he said "As long as you are breathing there is more right with you than wrong with you". But he wasn't. He was (as I recall) talking about living with a chronic illness and finding a place of positivity from which... Continue Reading →

February 17, 2017 4

Sticky negativity

I always learn so much from a visit to the physio. It's fascinating observing similarities and differences between therapeutic exercises and manipulation and the practice of āsana and physical assists in class. I was back yesterday with ongoing shoulder issues which is turning into a longer story than I wanted. No boring details here, but... Continue Reading →

February 10, 2017 4

In praise of husbands — and KD

So I am BEYOND EXCITED that I have just booked tickets for Krishna Das's kirtan in London this summer. Anyone else going, I wonder? And I am also beyond excited that a beautiful friend of mine (lost for more than a decade, recently very happily reunited) is coming with me. She's new to KD, new... Continue Reading →

February 9, 2017 6

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

Resistance is futile

I sometimes wonder whether I will ever have enough humility to practise yoga with any true commitment. Two snapshots from class today: We were in Child's Pose and I could tell what was coming: it wasn't intended as a resting pose as often in class, rather it was meant as a posture to bring us to our... Continue Reading →