Like a Long Necked Goose

Dear Yogi Friend.

If you’ve ever had back ache, or generally need to loosen up, I really have to insist that you check out Tias Little next time he comes into the country. I spent last weekend in workshops with him and I have never had such a stretch. I walked out of Triyoga like the loosest goose and shimmied down the street with an entirely unnecessary supermodel hip swing. Write to me if you want an example of three of the hip openers.

Talking of Triyoga (I mention their workshops quite a bit) here’s a class I took last year with Kino MacGregor at Triyoga Soho. I think there are over 70 yogis in there – and a filmmaker! If you fancy a practice at home or if you want to start an Ashtanga yoga club at work, this is what is called a ‘led’ class - half of the Primary Series. She’s a wonderful teacher. I recommend practicing with this if you’re familiar with the Ashtanga practice.

Home Studio

There’s waiting list only for Wednesday and Thursday this week, I’m afraid. We’ve been doing Tias Little stretches... Sometimes the body and the emotions need a stretchy, non-dynamic practice. Come and have a go.

Training Abroad

If you happen to reside in Washington or know anyone who does, the Kennedy Centre has free yoga in the Grand Foyer from March 4th to August 19th.

I booked two workshops in Valencia on April 4th and 5th with Manju Jois but I’m not available to go any more. Let me know if you might want these tickets or if you know anyone (in Spain) who might want to buy them.

Yoga in the news

‘He said he could do what he wanted'. Sound familiar? Here’s an article about Bikram Choudhury, the ‘celebrity yogi’ with a personal fortune estimated at $75m including a fleet of 43 luxury cars. If you have any interest in Hot Yoga and the ‘megalomaniac in Speedos’ this is a good article.

Now It's Personal!

Dear Yogi Friend.

I have been talking about the old Mula Banda in class for the last two weeks. Much tittering and smirking has taken place... and then some real and unexpected achievements found in certain postures.  I found a paragraph about The Squeeze (!) in a wonderful book that I'm reading that might inspire in you some horror... (and some gratitude that I only say that word!!!) See the attachment from 'Guruji, a portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois through the eyes of his students'.

Home Studio

As you know, nothing gets in the way of our love for Plank Pose. On Tuesday, one of my red heart-shaped valentines balloons popped like a gun shot in the middle of our favourite posture and despite our many violent heart attacks, our strong arms and abs kept us up! Come and have fun with us. Book early - my waiting lists have been long this week. If you are interested in a 6.00pm Tuesday Ashtanga class, let me know.

Training

I’m spending this weekend at Triyoga Soho with Tias Little with a weekend of workshops entitled The Yogi + The Buddha. I’m sure there are still places if you want to join me.

Yoga in the news

Mens Health has an odd article called a ‘Beginner’s Guide to Yoga for Men’. Strange because men invented the yoga system that we practice and men are the top teachers in the world. However, Men’s Health has some manly tips!

The Standard has an article about finding the right yoga for you, whether you want to deal with anxiety or insomnia or boost your gut health or even beat a cold!

I hope to see you on the mat soon.

From Shapes to Sensations

Dear Yogis.

Tomorrow is my fifth anniversary of teaching. My first ever class was in Virgin Acton and I was petrified. I had ‘R’ and ‘L’ written on my toes so that I wouldn’t get my right and left mixed up. (I should have kept that up). I also drew a little picture of a tree and a boat on my feet so I wouldn’t forget those poses. I had reminders drawn all over my mat. I spent about an hour before the class repeating ‘Right foot forward, left heel down’. Before class I felt nauseous and took a plastic bag into class with me. That carried on for weeks. And suddenly, it’s five years later. If you want to be a yoga teacher I’ll do whatever I can to support you.

Gurus

Five years later I get to train with the best teachers in the world. If I had money I would train with Tim Feldmann in Miami. As it is, Miami comes to me. He says inspiring things such as: ‘Yoga is located not in muscle and bone but in the esoteric. When we feel that, we get better. From shapes to sensations; then to the inner reality and what goes on in the mind’.

Home Studio

Places are filling up but there are spaces left. Book as soon as you can or drop me a line to get onto the waiting list. Monday saw four cancellations for one class so the waiting list was very successful that night.

My lucky Home Studio had its first ever chair yoga class this week. It’s an absolutely lovely way to teach yoga. The twist while holding the back of the chair is really satisfying. Try it in the office. Pigeon pose is fantastic. Hamstring with belt is surprisingly nice. All of it is nice. Take a look at the attached if you want ideas.

Training

Come with me! Next up is Tias Little with a weekend of workshops entitled The Yogi + The Buddha next weekend. I also have training in Valencia with Manju Jois lined and up and then again with Manju in Finland in August. Follow the links if you fancy coming with me.

Yoga in the news

The great teacher Pattabhi Jois said that we should take one posture and hold it for three hours. Here’s someone who held Cobra for six hours. (Yoga will save your life!)

Happy Valentine’s Day

All You Need Is Love (and Yoga)

Dear Yogis.

The treat of Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. As yogis, we are completely suited to a day of love – this is almost our day. Heart chakras spontaneously pop open up and down the land in yoga classes. After all, we are all about the truer self, the broader consciousness, the higher mind, the deeper connection and a whole lot of devotion (Bhakti). We’ve got this love thing down to a ‘T’. We get this from our hippy forebears. In my experience, love is a much broader and deeper tarn (!) the more you delve into yoga. You just seem to have more love to give - probably because you've joined a positive and supportive community. According to the wonderful teacher Scott Johnson from Stillpoint, yoga is all about relationships: how we respect each other, grow with each other and support one another...it’s something we just naturally end up doing as yogis.

Valentine’s Day

To share the patron saint of love day with someone, Yoga West is offering the chance to take someone you love for free. Any amount of yoga clothing brands make a declaration of love on the torso! Take a look at the Yoga Rebel website. For the guys, Bad Yogi T shirts have been making an appearance in the studios, and look cool and funny!

Home Studio

Stretchy joy and sweaty zeal on the mat this week. Ashtanga on Thursday was taught courtesy of a John Scott DVD leaving me to run around adjusting, and leaving yogis spent and hugely deserving of a 10 minute savasana. If you fancy a yoga session that won’t wring you out like a wet rag, come on Monday and Tuesday. Those are the stretchier classes. Otherwise, Wednesday and Thursday are the classes for the vinyasa fans!

Training

I’ll be training with Tim Feldmann in Triyoga Camden this weekend. (He and Kino MacGregor run the Miami Life Centre.) Come with me! I’m sure there’ll be space. He says "The body is the way to our spirit, to our true Self. That's what asana is for".