You Will Know Your Path

Dear Yogis 

It’s the season of mists and mellowness and I find myself making a decision this week that I really didn’t want to or expect to make. A summer of dreaming came to an end and I let go. Endings are really beginnings and I found great support in a book I only mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Stephen Cope’s The Great Work Of Your Life. This next passage is about making a decision to leap forward and even though I didn’t in this instance, I know my real leap forward and a more vivid dream is coming:

“Concerning all acts of initiative, and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself then providence moves in too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man would have dreamt would come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s concepts: “Whatever you do, or dream you can do, Begin It, Boldness has genius, power and magic in it’”.

Cope’s book is about finding your calling which will literally call you and pull you. For me, the pull wasn't strong and summer's dream wasn't right.  Cope says: “When difficulties arise, see them as your dharma. Your dharma is the work that is called forth from you at this moment. And like everything in this impermanent world, the work of the moment can change on a dime”.

Home Studio

I have to say, when I moved back home to Ealing and started my little studio, providence moved in too. It’s my favourite thing, my lucky space, it’s where the nicest people in Ealing gather and it has joy in its fabric. Many people have commented that they feel a special vibe in the studio. Of course, it’s what they bring!  Come and see! The added Ashtanga class on Thursday at 6.00pm was full so I’ll keep it on the timetable. See attached for class availability.

Christmas Presents

Stephen Cope’s book is perfect, I think, for a teenager taking a great step forward to A Levels or university and anyone who likes a contemplative read.. If you have contemplated buying a yoga mat for someone, I have two Decathlon mats in my studio for you to try. Their top-of-the-range one is £39.99 and lovely and grippy, 4mm in thickness, quite narrow and liked in my small sample group. Some don’t like the texture, though. The next one, £29.99, is smooth, thinner (3mm), wider, nice and grippy and nicely designed, with inspiring writing down the middle. They have a thicker one like this which is 5mm for £39.99. When I think of other suggestions I’ll let you know.

Yoga in the News

The Sydney Morning Herald has:  As Insta posers get injured, have we finally reached 'peak yoga'? Interesting ending... “After all, people are injuring themselves generally trying to get the perfect Instagram shot and I've heard of plenty of other fitness professionals snapping tendons and generally hurting themselves as they try to out-do one-another for social media.”

The New York Times has: How Did I Get That Yoga Story? You Really Had to Be There. This is about ‘adjustments’ in yoga classes and how teachers intervene, hands on, in a student’s practice, to bring out the best posture. Take a look at the video in the article and... try to pick your jaw off the floor.