A Beautiful Mind
/Hello Yogis! Hello Kingdom!
I hope you’re OK. As I write this I am wearing a bracelet for visiting the Lying in State. Mum had seen Churchill’s Lying in State so, as we came out of the Great Hall and looked back at the Palace of Westminster last night, I asked Mum for her impressions. She couldn’t remember being in there!
Cue rushing around to the disability access again and going in again. Running with a wheelchair makes you feel like you’re in a movie. Police and volunteers and staff were so kind. We went through again. It was a surprise to Mum that the Queen had died and was lying in the middle of the room! Total surprise.
It always makes me think of the Buddhist and Yogi instruction to ‘empty the mind’. I know this concept is actually about emptying out the unnecessary thoughts, to quieten down the chatter that clouds the mind, to understand that the mind plays tricks and gives an impression of things rather than letting us see ‘things as they really are’. It’s the practice of non-attachment to our obsessions. I’ve heard this all my life.
I’m glad that I’ve heard it all my life because when in the presence of a mind that is actually emptying I have a certain veneration. I love my role as a carer. I love filling the void with love. I love seeing friends come along and pour all their spare love into Mum’s company. Non-attachment is about letting go of the way you want things to be and living with the way things are. And, wherever you are, add more love!!!
Classes
I have a new evening class. From next week my lucky home studio will have a Wednesday 7.00-8.00pm Ashtanga-based yoga class. It won’t be as quiet a practice as the Friday morning class which starts with meditation. Wednesday evening will carry the personality of an evening class when the energy and chatter and fun of the day comes to the mat. Sun salutations draw you right back to the mind and the breath. It’s magic. Everyone is welcome. Beginners are welcome. You can book all classes here. Don’t forget, if you are coming on a Friday morning and plan on driving, please don't drive into The Grove after 8.15am. This is a school street with cameras! People have been fined, regrettably!
Yoga In The News
The Guardian has: Hundreds of yoga teachers call out lululemon over coal-powered factories. “Burning coal to make hoodies and ‘Hotty Hot’ high-rise pants is unacceptable,” says one yoga teacher. “The pollution from the production of lululemon’s apparel is a threat both to human health and climate change,” writes another.
The Independent has: Vegan yoga instructor couple refuse to eat sugar or salt. ‘After struggling with digestive problems, Allee decided to go vegan seven years ago before switching to a full high-raw vegan diet in 2017, the same time as Hendry.’
Lancashire Business View has: Yoga may reduce menopausal symptoms by up to 59%. ‘Taking part in yoga for the menopause sessions over five weeks decreases the average response to a range of 23 symptoms by at least 25.27 per cent and at most by 46.36 per cent.’ (I don’t believe it!)
New York Post has: Yoga to the People 'tax cheat' is flight risk who pals around with mobster, fugitive: feds. (Has anyone bought the option for film rights yet?) ‘One yoga instructor Gumucio allegedly threatened was so frightened that she began to carry a gun with her after the encounter, according to the prosecutor.’
The Great Fail podcast has: Bikram Yoga, From Super-Heated to Overheated. The implosion of Bikram Yoga, the red flags, the abuse of power and the man behind the brand with his rags-to-riches story.
