"I love getting this mail every Friday. You really must write more/blog more. It's enchanting and informative every time"
This blog gives a view of yoga from a student’s point of view. That’s me! I have been teaching since 2012 but always a student. I love being part of the yoga world and continually learning. I write about the top teachers, the yoga shows and festivals, the studios and workshops, and the promise of yoga’s self discovery. In this blog I include retreat information, workshop recommendations and Yoga In The News.
The class I’ve introduced on a Wednesday evening is a class I’ve honed from years of teaching corporate classes. People who turn up to yoga-at-work have a multitude of reasons for taking time out of their busy day for an hour of yoga. I’m a huge believer in Ashtanga but it doesn’t cover all needs.
Read MoreHappy Diwali! Happy Halloween. Happy November! That must mean the OM Yoga Show at Alexandra Palace has come and gone. It marks the end of October and the time of year when the clocks go back and we begin the descent into the darkness of winter.
Read MoreFor the last few weeks I’ve been checking weather reports hourly to see if the clouds will change their minds. When we get our balmy summer evenings, stretchy classes outside are very sweet.
Read MoreI wonder, these days, if there’s a proper sea-change happening with Ashtanga. I think it’s coming out of its strict unwelcoming phase back to its rightful no-drama, be-mindful home. I do hope so. Ashtanga is such a valuable practice. Everyone should do it or an approximation of it.
Read MoreWell! Strength & Conditioning on Monday lunchtimes, 1.00-2.00, is getting overbooked so it’s Almost time to start a second one. Here’s a taste of things we do: for a warm-up we do modified Sun Salutations. These are actually Fun Salutations because stay awhile in plank and do plank variations. Then arms with weights. Then legs including ‘Bulgarians’ and some knee strengthening. Core work including ‘Russians’ and, everybody’s favourite, Lying Leg Raises.
Read MoreI’ve been thinking a lot about faith recently. My friend died. Often he referenced his Catholic beliefs as part of his reasoning. But that’s not what brought me to my little lightning strike of realisation. Faith, I think, is in yourself; in your inner trust and confidence that you will do the right thing. My precious friend did this with mountainous kindness and natural generosity.
Read MoreI saw this quote about the meaning of Christmas from A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens.
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”
Read MoreHappy December 1st. Have you thought about your New Year’s Resolution? Start early so you get a good lead-in. Be up to speed by January 1st 2024!
Read MoreHappy November!
One of the classes I took at the October Yoga Show last was all about the Vagus Nerve: ‘The Vagus Nerve, Psoas, Anxiety Connection Workshop’ with Janie Larmour from The Centre of Yoga in Australia. Have a look here at the class plan of the workshop we did.
Read MoreFinally, back in Blighty, The Yoga Show is the this coming weekend, October 13th, 14th and 15th. I've got tickets just for the weekend and I've paid for a workshop with David Sye and a menopause thing which is the last workshop on Sunday.
Read MoreGood Times Yoga: Vinyasa Yoga in gyms, Corporate Yoga in your workplace, and private sessions in my studio in Ealing Broadway. Yoga on YouTube: short, simple sessions to get you moving.
Yoga to enjoy! Good Times Yoga!
I always read your emails and am uplifted, this one I had to recognise as very special.
“So enjoyed Tuesday’s stretchy session – such a good way to end the day – thank you 😊”
“Yoga is so misunderstood and you gave me the insight to interpret myself and give me more self understanding. Some might say ‘peace'“.
“I love your Friday email, it is really uplifting!”
“I look forward to reading your email, always a font of knowledge and food for thought. Just wanted to thank you for the thought you put into our classes and Friday newsletter.”
“Just read your email and, as usual, it’s lifted my spirits as well as acted as a reminder to take care of myself too. ”
“Thanks again for another enthusiastic practice. You really come over as upbeat and I urge you to keep this up for the sake of all your yogis during these tough times!”
“I love the Ashtanga class and will try to do both this week. It’s odd practicing alone to a screen and not being in a studio with others, but this is just another adjustment to our new lives! Thank you so much for offering these free classes.”
“I really don’t want to miss out on your wonderful sessions. At the moment the internet is acting like it has a whole new obstructive personality disorder and doing just weird stuff.”
“I’m sorry to keep showering you with positive feedback, but ... I particularly enjoyed this week’s email. It’s inspired me to practice a little more yoga this morning. Your Friday emails kickstart my weekends!”
“I’ve been meaning to say for a while that I’m amazed you manage to create such fresh, interesting and varied blogs week after week for years now. Thank you.”
“I can honestly say there have been weeks when your Friday Email has been the only sparkle of light”
“You are truly a yoga poet! Great newsletter, which I’ve just enjoyed over a coffee. Thanks for all the work you put into it and your inspiring language.”
“This is beautiful writing.”
“I still can’t tell you how much I love these emails each week; they are food and thought for the soul.”
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