Elephants, god, and sex: lost in translation

I've been learning Sanskrit for a few slow months now. Progress is not as fast as I'd like. But then when is it? But actually I high-fived my rather staid class-mate yesterday -- we'd read a page together reasonably fluently during that lesson. OK, it's really simple stuff: stories my teacher has written with really basic grammatical constructions (strictly... Continue Reading →

January 20, 2016 5

Do your yoga pants vibrate?

I was always a bit of tech girl. I do like a cool gadget if it does the job well. My reaction to the prospect of having to buy a new iPad after mine took a bit of a hit recently? -- Squee!!! But yoga's changing me a bit. I'm actually starting to have second thoughts about... Continue Reading →

January 17, 2016 8

National Iyengar Day, UK (almost)

Today is apparently the first ever National Iyengar Day in UK and Ireland. I had thought to mark this occasion by going to my first ever Iyengar class. A local teacher was offering a free session as an intro and it seemed like a great coincidence since blogging friends (you know who you are!) have... Continue Reading →

January 16, 2016 4

Yoga by moonlight

I was chatting a friend over coffee today and conversation turned as often to yoga. We're both busy with relationships, work, family, keeping well/feeling ill... the usual flow of life stuff. And for myself I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by work right now (I'm covering the essentials of my boss's workload while he's on extended leave).... Continue Reading →

January 13, 2016 7

Contented locusts at home

Class vs home? Today my continued cold made the decision for me. Trekking across town was several steps too far for me today -- especially in the rain! So home won out -- and happily. I had a fascinating practice. Lots of deep listening to my body in a way I don't/can't usually in class.... Continue Reading →

January 10, 2016 3

Sick of winter?

Last autumn I made a commitment to myself to try to approach my least favourite season of the year with a lighter attitude, hoping to lessen the winter darkness with a bit of positive thinking and some constructive actions. Now we've passed the shortest day I'm breathing something of a sigh of relief. I'm on the home straight,... Continue Reading →

January 7, 2016 3

Blogging and practicing yoga — more similar than you think

My domain renewal came round today reminding me that it's been about a year since I set up my blog. In my little life this is quite a big deal! So I'm celebrating what this means to me. Blogging would be nothing but an online journal if it were not for you reading. Nothing wrong... Continue Reading →

January 6, 2016 4

When stepping onto the mat is hard

You know those days when practicing is the last thing you feel like doing? And in your heart you know that you'll feel better if you do, but your inner gremlin is trying to sabotage you? I'm sure it's not just me, right!? Yesterday was one of those days. Hubby and I have both got a... Continue Reading →

January 3, 2016 6

New year without resolutions

Although I used to be quite an advocate, I'd really like new year's resolutions to go out of fashion! I always love a project, especially if it's focussed on my favourite topic of all -- myself! And on the face of it, making intentions to improve ourselves in some way can only be a good thing. But... Continue Reading →

January 1, 2016 5

Ostrich yoga

First yoga class after the Christmas hiatus was not on the face of it very much fun. My tricky hamstring is not at all happy right now and after a fraught Christmas I was in a very emotional place too. The opening chant lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu reduced me to tears before we'd even done a single... Continue Reading →