A Steady Ship in Seas Of Storm

Dear Yogis.

I came across a quote in the news this week that couldn’t be more yogic. It’s from an unlikely source. Here it is:

"You need to have broad shoulders and nerves of steel. You need to stay calm and not get caught up in emotion or tension. You need to rationalise every emotion because the goal is important and fundamental."  Nicola Gratteri

It’s from the Italian mafia prosecutor. He has lived under armed guard since 1989. That’s real Lock Down! With this quote he shows us a fundamental truth for anyone who needs to get through a tough time, big or small, towards a fundamental goal.

It’s also New Year so I thought I would remind you of what yogis call  ‘Sankalpa’.  Yogis understand this to mean an intention from your heart that you commit to. It’s a sentence that could only belong to you and is for the purpose of directing your life to a higher goal. It’s about the person you want to become. The translation of ‘kalpa’ in Buddhist tradition is an endless amount of time. My Mum (one time Sunday school teacher – the best!) explains that the Buddha tried so many kalpas (existences) before he finally made it to enlightenment. He had the intention of enlightenment all the way through his many reincarnations, from his very first birth!

When you find your sentence, that intention, it’s like a steady ship in seas of storm. It keeps you heading in the right direction.

Zoom  Classes 

I can’t tell you how much I love Zoom Yoga! Cities and countries and states represented in class so far are: London (of course) and the surrounds, Paris, Athens, Florida, and I’m hoping for NY, Germany and South Africa soon! 

I’m putting on a one-off class tomorrow at 4.30-5.30. It will be half Ashtanga and half stretch. And don’t forget the 4.30 class today!   You can book classes here.

Yoga in the news 

Marie Claire has:  Face Yoga Exercises: Anti-Ageing Benefits & How-To.  "Since the muscles on our faces can't lift weights or go on the treadmill, when you apply pressure with your fingertips or make certain facial expressions, you're toning and strengthening the muscles."

The List has:   Lockdown Valentine's date night ideas and inspiration. videos including yoga for couples and HIIT partner workouts, among others. Date night deserves something a little different.

Bright Green has:   IWGB union launches new branch for yoga teachers. Yoga teacher Norman Blair said: “pay rates for teaching yoga classes have stayed substantially the same for the last twenty years”, and many teachers struggle to earn a living wage, despite the growth of the yoga industry. He accused studios of pressuring people to teach classes for free as a matter of course.

Have a relaxing weekend