Cogitate, Calculate, Consider and Craft?

Dear Yogis.

A few years ago I did a New Year’s Day class with a wonderful and inspiring teacher called Celest Pereira about gratitude and setting intentions for the coming year. As I remember it, Celest made us write speedily and without hesitation: 1) highlights of the previous year, 2) what you're grateful for now, and 3) hopes and wishes for the coming year. We spent two or three minutes on each. Speed is of the essence! The idea is that without allowing ourselves time to think, cogitate, calculate, consider and craft an answer, the subconscious comes flowing through the pen. This exercise can reveal to you things that you already know but have either buried, dismissed or pushed aside for later. It’s a surprising and delightful exercise.

Home Studio

There are plenty of places next week. The 6.00- 7.00 Monday class is back and bookable. I’m thrilled to see new yogis come and give it a go, including New Year Resolution people, and yogis who have specific goals or poses they want to work on. I’m elated that the current Home Studio yogis keep coming back, many bringing family members if tow. I just couldn’t be more honoured.

Corporate Yoga

I often get enquiries about yoga in the workplace but it usually takes a dedicated yogi to get it off the ground and galvanise colleagues and office managers. I thought I’d write some words of encouragement. If you’ve already suggested it, you’ll still be trudging through the gale of "I'm not flexible enough". I read somewhere that ‘thinking you shouldn't go to a class because you're not flexible enough is like not going to dinner because you're not full’. Neat! (And, anyway, touching your toes is really the least of your concerns on the way to Nirvāṇa-at-work!)

Yoga in the news

Have you been out of practice and found yourself in the first class of the year shuffling around like a wizened yoda? Perhaps a yoga holiday in a warmer climate might help. The Guardian has an article about the “25 of the best yoga holidays and retreats”. Mine isn’t in there (sad face) but I was incredibly proud to see a teacher that I have practiced with at Stillpoint, Scott Johnson, is acknowledged and his retreat in Scotland highlighted. (He’s also teaching tomorrow in London – see here)

Nutrition

The trendy food of 2017 is apparently a teaspoon of turmeric every day! Jeremy Vine on Radio 2 had a turmeric feature this week which you can find here (wind forward to 36.54). The piece addresses its anti-inflammatory properties - in cancer, diabetes, dementia, and use of statins. (I’m a runner and my legs often ache so I’m instantly drawn towards people who say the magic words ‘anti-inflammatory’). Turmeric and black pepper in smoothies is gorgeous! 

New Year's Resolutions

Dear Yogis.

It’s a foggy day... in London Town. As I write this I’m planning my New Year's resolutions. Yogis are very practiced in resolutions and setting intensions. There are various ways we might do this: resolving to get up for an early class, or travel great distances, or leave a busy work desk and ringing phone to practice! We’re pretty good at that! We turn up on the mat again and again, repeating the same postures, knowing that we are involved in a practice of changing ourselves for the better – whether the hamstring or the heart, we all come with our own resolution.  

Some of you may have come across the idea of a Sankalpa – the idea of creating the life we are supposed to lead and avoiding a life without authenticity. That takes a while to develop. In the meantime, a teacher might ask you to ‘set your intention’ at the beginning of a class or they might ask you to ‘dedicate your practice’ to someone. This means that we listen to the heart and meditate on ‘right motivation’ which puts us beyond the present moment into a space of focus and commitment. We practice putting our heart and our goodness in the in the centre of our regular resolutions.

Look at that! We’re masters at resolutions! I’m sure whatever your New Year’s Resolution is, you’ll be an Olympian in achieving it.

Home Studio

There are plenty of places next week. Only Wednesday is full. There will be two classes on Monday evenings – the 6.00- 7.00 Monday class is back and bookable on the website. There will be no Thursday class but, because of that, I’m putting on an extra one-off class on Friday 6th at 6.00. There are two spaces left if you would like to claim one or both.

Attachment

I might put wishes into a jar this year instead of calling them ‘resolutions’: Northern Lights. Park Runs. Yoga retreats (one booked). Karaoke. Boxing. New Studio. Travel. Applaud the sunset.

Happy 2017

Happy Vegan Detoxed Christmas!

Dear Yogis.

Twas the last email before Christmas.... Before I settle my brain for a long winter’s nap I need to say a huge thank you to the Home Studio yogis, corporate yogis, gym yogis, BJJ yogis, the Greek Retreat yogis and, of course, to all the new yogis. You are all a joy to teach, always. It is said that you never regret taking a yoga class and that you always feel better after the class than you did before the class. Teaching is the same. I owe that to you.

Detox

I’ve been thinking about useful postures for digestion this week. You really only need three or four. If your stomach feels like concrete you don’t need too much movement. Try these and don’t rush through them:

1.    Lie on the back and pull both knees into the chest. Massage the back.

2.    Pull one knee into the chest and straighten the other leg – then swap sides

3.    Pull both knees into the chest then drop the knees to the right for a twist - then swap sides.

4.    Happy Baby Posture. Pull both knees into the chest. Part the knees. Bring your elbows in-between the knees. Let the arms cross in front of the shins and take hold of the feet. Show the soles of the feet to the ceiling and pull downwards - pulling the knees towards the armpits.

5.    Happy Baby is very much like squat pose. From Downward Facing Dog, step the feet forward to come outside the hands and lower into squat. Put support under the heels if you need it or support the back against the wall. Just stay there.

6.    Finally, instead of Childs pose, try ‘Puppy Dog’. From Table Top / hands and knees on the floor, walk the hands as far forward as they’ll go and put the forehead on the floor. Feel the armpits and chest sink downwards. It’s a back stretch. Perhaps lift the gaze and put the chin on the floor. This is a great abdomen stretch.

7.    Go back to the posture that feels the best.

Also, I’ve been looking at juicing detox recipes on the website of the nation’s juicer-in-chief, Jason Vale. He offers a free download of recipes.

Home Studio

I don’t plan to do any classes here next week. I had planned to make my escape. I’ll let you know if I stay around and put on classes.

Favourite Vegan Jokes

I’ve mentioned before, I’m the total cliché of a vegan yoga teacher. I’m attaching my favourite vegan joke of yesteryear. (My contribution to the Christmas table is a ‘Chestnut Paté en Crôute´. It’s pretty easy and amazingly tasty.)

 Happy Christmas

Yoga Presents

Dear Yogis.

I can see that people are already planning their New Year Resolutions. New people are booking places in my Home Studio and I’m getting enquiries about introducing yoga at work. It’s exciting.

Talking of the New Year... Triyoga is offering its yearly New Year's Day free classes. Any donations go to local charities.

Home Studio

My lucky home studio last week welcomed new yogis, full classes, near-empty classes and total fun. (I mean enlightenment!) There are plenty of places left in my Home Studio classes next week. Book a place! (I won’t be holding classes here in between Christmas and the new year.)

Christmas

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Here are some present ideas for the yogi in your life! A perennial favourite is the ‘I’m Only Here For The Savasana’ T shirt. Although I’ve never actually seen it in class, I know that's what you're thinking! I have it on good authority that Ohmme yoga pants for guys is a great gift. If you are thinking of getting a mat, or asking for one, take a look at the Friday Emails I have written on the subject here and also here. I know how some of you slip slide away in your Downward Facing Dog and it’s not all that conducive to meditation! Kino MacGregor’s chanting CD is gorgeous. I noticed that TK Maxx has yoga Dharma Wheels and Manuka mat cleaner for a stocking filler. I also noticed some Calmia Ultra Grip Vinyasa mats too for around £30. People who come to my Home Studio love the Feet Up Stool to help with no-pressure headstands/inversions. And here are some ideas about yoga jewellery. If it tickles you to see cats in yoga postures, see here. Finally, expensively, a ticket for Yoga at The Shard would be a real treat.

Yoga in the News

50 Cent tried yoga for the first time. It’s a rapper-type reaction to yoga = all these hot chicks do it so it can’t be that difficult... Hilarious.

Have an exciting, pre-Christmas week.

Yogic cheating and enlightenment

Dear Yogis.

More fun with belts this week (!) but yogis can be concerned, when I offer alternatives and blocks and belts, if a ‘proper’ yogi would do it like this or if it’s cheating. May I generalise and say that people generally don’t know how fantastic they are! You already know how much you improve with every class and you can feel the body responding. Where’s the cheating in that? Also, think about what we are doing when we ‘practice’ yoga: breathing, dristi (gaze point), and postures, all with the hope and intention of stilling the fluctuations of the mind. Ashtanga yoga has ‘eight limbs’ which include Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and enlightenment... which doesn’t care if we’ve used a belt or not! 

Also, I get asked about yoga music often. Given that Christmas is coming, a really nice present is the CD I play in my Home Studio all the time: Kino MacGregor, ‘The Mantra Collection’. She has the most beautiful temple-like voice. 

Home Studio

Given the usual rush of New Year resolutions that take people to the gym, running clubs and Military Fitness groups, I will reintroduce the early Monday class from 6.00-7.00pm. If there is demand, I can also introduce an earlier class on Thursdays. Let me know what would suit you. There are plenty of places left in my Home Studio classes next week. Book a place!  

Hit & Run

It’s been a year since I was knocked off my bike in Shepherds Bush. It’s been a year since I was surrounded by massive Shepherds Bush-ian kindness while traffic had to creep around me sharing one lane. A year since the driver drove around me and apparently barely missed my feet. I spent weeks really loving having feet. The settlement agreement has just come through bringing up memories... mostly of the lovely people who came to cover me with their jackets, hold my hand and stay with me till the ambulance came. I’ll never forget their love and care. 

Writing from the Heart

I’ve been watching my dying Uncle Bill over the last few months and often found myself reflecting on his best qualities and, by extension, the best qualities we should practice in preparation for the end; kindness and manners; generosity and appreciation of others; helping whenever opportunity arises. Even when there was barely any life left in him, he rustled up a smile and a ‘thank you’. A nurse asked (insensitively) why he never married. He answered that ‘when they dropped a bomb on our house and killed 6 people, all I wanted to do after that was put a roof over people’s heads’. He showed that the qualities you have at the end are the qualities you practice all your life.  

New Year Resolutions

Sort it out now. Don’t wait for midnight on the 31st... plan something interesting.

Second Series? Third? Fourth? More?

Dear Yogis.

I get the loveliest feedback to my Friday emails. Thank you very, very much.

I have a question... Did you know that many of my group classes are based in some way on the Ashtanga ‘Primary Series’? There’s a second and an unreachable third... all the way up to totally impossible, don’t-even-think-about-it sixth. Last week I taught Second Series from the chart of prescribed postures in many group classes and it seems to be going down well; just the change some people needed. Take a look at the chart and I’m sure you’ll recognise a few of the postures. 

Home Studio

In yesterday’s class we all tied ourselves up in knots with yoga belts. I attach a picture I found on Google but I must ask your permission to take a photo next time. You don’t need the blocks. There are plenty of places left in my Home Studio classes next week. Book a place!  

Yoga in the News

The Guardian tells us that: ‘Yoga joins Unesco world heritage list’. India’s soft diplomacy with yoga as its main weapon continues. If the article last week about manning the barricades gave you pause for thought, here is the answer. The Indian Foreign Ministry said this would help India to: ‘which would enable it to 'potentially foment a dialogue of ideas of peace and tolerance with other countries' and play a leading role in the global dialogue of inter-cultural relations’.

Favourite Vegan Jokes

If you didn’t know, I’m the total cliché of a vegan yoga teacher. I’m attaching my favourite vegan joke of the moment.

Teach Because You Love It

Dear Yogis.

I spent last weekend training with my guru, David Swenson, my Ashtanga teacher. Next year I might have to insist that you come with me, especially if you’re considering taking a yoga retreat or teacher training. Guru Swenson was asked what he would say to an aspiring yoga teacher:

• Teach because you love it.

• Teach when you have students.

• Don't teach to make money. 

• One person is a class. Give your heart and energy and passion for yoga to that student.

• The people who are good teachers would have been good teachers despite their training or where they qualified.

• Teach with sincerity, integrity, and respect the (Ashtanga) system.

• The duty of a teacher is to facilitate and inspire.  

Home Studio

I love to hear: ‘I couldn’t touch my toes when I started coming to yoga’. Yup, I relate to that! I love seeing postures going from absolutely impossible to merely difficult to doable to easy. I love seeing backache or sciatica ease. I find it so exciting to teach you. There are a couple of places left next week. Book a place!

Eden Fitness, New Class

The two Friday morning classes last week, the first with 15 yogis and the second with 20, worked like a charm. Introducing the earlier class has eased the numbers perfectly. Don’t forget the midweek class, Wednesday at 2.30-3.30, too.

Yoga in the News

This writer saw that I’ve turned off the news, lost interest in protest and made yoga my life. I’ve been spotted. “Time to roll up the yoga mats and man the barricades” by Brigid Delaney was in the Guardian this week.

Book Review

I can't help it... I'm attaching an extract from the delightful Running with the Mind of Meditation by Sakyong Mipham 

Under The Mat

Dear Yogis.

Today (November 18th) is the exciting day that the back-to-back classes start at Eden Fitness. It might be time to invest in a mat topper to put over the gym mat which are rarely cleaned and, in any case, weren’t intended for yoga! The last time I wrote about mats was in August, but that was about normal mats. Mat toppers (I think they are generally known as 'travel mats') are thin and light so easy to travel with and, in a gym, will give you a grip that the gym mat wasn’t designed for.

Yoga Mats

Here are a few suggestions. My first mat topper was the Lulu Lemon Un Mat (1.5mm thick ) which is super thin and  inspired many people who come to my classes to get their own. There is grip on one side and a smooth side for practicing jump-throughs. I’ll bring one to class if you want to have a go. Let me know.

The provided mats at the Yoga Show this year were so extraordinarily slippy and anti-practice that I was forced to by a mat. The cheapest I could find was the prAna Mat (1.5mm thick - probably last season’s design on sale) and it wasn’t bad as well as being a jolly design. In the wide-leg forward fold, though, I felt the dreaded slip. Try it if you come to my Home Studio.

Also at the Yoga Show also, the Milochie Mat (3mm thick) really caught my eye. It’s just so lovely, made from rubber, ethically sourced and is foldable. (I have folded my Lulu Lemon mat but a crease is left.) It’s not as thin, but the blue one that caught my eye has a pattern that promises to help with alignment – that pesky 45 degree-angle foot in the standing poses. I spoke at length with the designer who is the daughter of a yoga teacher. She says she would like to offer my readers an exclusive discount code offering 20% off any product across our entire range valid until 31st December. She says: ‘Please use code: goodtimesyoga’. It might make a nice present now that we’re entering the season of presents.

Please send me a review of your mat if you think yours is the best. Look here at the Yoga Studio for a 20% discount.

Training

I will be spending most of this weekend in workshops with David Swenson, my Ashtanga teacher and guru. He's a wonderful teacher who makes clear again and again that yoga is not for an elite club of athletes and that it is our responsibility as yoga teachers to teach anyone of any ability or disability. ‘It is our duty as teachers to figure out how anyone interested can participate’. I agree with this wholeheartedly. See if you can get a place.

Home Studio

Most classes are booked next week but there are spaces left. Quite unlike the summer when the classes are pretty Bikram, now the heater is on and the blind hides the rain outside. I have all kinds of mats for you to try here and plenty of time and equipment to help you achieve those illusive postures.

Enjoy your weekend.

Living with the Mind of Meditation

Dear Yogis,

One of the privileges of being a yoga teacher is seeing the herculean effort some people put into turning up to class. Honestly, I was never so brave as some of you. People come to my class after bereavement or with PTSD or depression or anxiety or panic attacks. I admire you so utterly.  I’ve been thinking about some of you because an esteemed yogi student gave me a present of a book that I treasure more and more with every page: Running with the Mind of Meditation by Sakyong Mipham. Here’s an example of a quote but there are so many delightful thoughts that almost any page offers something for me to pass on to you.

“Imagine that your mind is like your hand, holding a dumbbell. That dumbbell is all your issues and concerns. Being present in meditation is like putting the dumbbell down. Immediately there is less stress in the body and mind.”

Home Studio

Book a place! I watched a class leaving here one evening this week, walking off together into the cold night and smiling and chatting, and I felt overwhelmingly lucky. You’re all such fun to teach – especially when teaching core work. Please remember that groaning is an indication of an exhalation. Take a bit of time to inhale as well  However, groaning, I’m sure, is a sign of ‘being present’ which is very yogic!

New Class

The number of yogis coming to the Friday morning class at Eden Fitness has been growing and growing. Finally, 35 people in the groaning studio last week spurred Eden into Action and we have a new class starting from next Friday (18th November) at 8.30am-9.30am. The regular class at 9.30am to 10.30am remains the same. Back-to-back means a swift turn-over time.

Stay present!

Physio or Yoga?

Dear Yogis,

I sometimes get questions about very, very specific injuries and conditions such as yoga for post meniscus surgery or rotator cuff injury. Other questions that crop up are to do with the upper hamstring insertion pain or many and various back pains. Please see a physio and follow their advice. There’s nothing like their expert analysis. They’ve studied hard for exactly your visit! If you want a recommendation, I have a suggestion of a physio in Ladbroke Grove. I couldn't have healed properly after being knocked off my bike with just yoga - much as I love yoga and it's wondrous benefits. After seeing a physio, a yoga teacher can step in with suggestions that will support the physio advice.

Home Studio

Something really nice is happening in my small yoga studio. People are coming along with family members and friends. I have to admit that I don’t like to go to a yoga studio on my own. Why would i?! I like to share yoga and have fun with a friend. This seems to be happening naturally in my Home Studio. Long-timers know each other anyway and newcomers are quickly made to feel like regulars. Book a place! 

Please don’t forget to give me as much notice as you can if you can’t make it to class. Your confirmation email gives you the option of cancelling and the class will show up on the website for someone else to book.

Yoga in the News

Mick Jagger is in the news for being and Aerial Yoga practitioner. All the articles are so badly written, though, that I can’t include them! This is more interesting... and baffling. There are almost 20,000 unemployed yoga teachers in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand who have a long-standing ‘demand for jobs in state owned schools’. According to this article, ‘In the past, these agitated teachers have held many protests, rallies and demonstrations besides burning effigies of the government officials/ministers and threatening self-immolation.’ Gosh!