You're out of your mind!

Dear Yogis.

About a decade ago I had depression. I spent a lot of time sleeping on the sofa! There was absolutely no way of lifting my energy or positivity. Today I don’t have depression and I can hardly comprehend what it’s like to have it. When I was in it, I couldn’t imagine coming out of it. I wish I had understood yoga better then but the inner ruminations of the practice was not something that was ever mentioned!

I’m reminded of this because of passages in the book about Sri K Pattabhi Jois that I am finding all-consuming at the moment. The following thoughts on integrating the body and the breath are from Graeme Northfield, a trained nurse with a rare spinal condition before he took up yoga. He says we should aim to practice with feeling... ‘to actually feel our body, to have sensation in our body.’ ‘Westerners tend to be in their minds. It’s important that we transform from being in our heads to being in our bodies in a feeling way.’ ‘You want to get out of your mind.’ Graeme Northfield says that’s how we let go of the chitter-chatter of the mind and become conscious of the feeling in the heart – where you find acceptance, non-judgment and being present.

I think if this had been explained to me, it might have helped. Who knows! Once you learn the repetitive Ashtanga system you move through it instinctively, just watching the breath and letting go of the mind. This isn’t just for conditions like depression. This is for all of us. Taking a break from the chitter-chatter is the whole point of yoga. It's how we attempt to make the mind a more skilful instrument for daily use.

Home Studio

My new Beginners’ Ashtanga class on Tuesday 6.00pm was a rip-roaring success – no one booked! I have a feeling you’d like another stretchy class. However, I will persist. We will learn the ‘opening chant’ and the names of postures and go into some anatomical detail of postures – you can bring a notebook and take notes. There’s plenty of space in all of the classes next week. You can book here.

Yoga in the news

Uh oh! This is worrying. We yogis are polluting the seas with the fibres from our yoga clothes! The Times (subscription only) and ABC News tell us that ecologists in Florida found that microfibres from synthetic fabrics are more common in the seas than the micro-beads recently banned from cosmetic products. ABC reports on one clothing company that is supporting research into microfiber pollution ways to minimize microfiber shedding in laundry. Uh oh!

Runners

The London Marathon is just around the corner and I’m lucky enough to teach a lot of runners. They will know that yoga is not an hour of excruciating judgement on how flexible they are! It’s about improving range-of-motion and minimizing injury when pounding the pavement. This a lovely article on why runners should befriend their yoga teacher! (PS. Runners come to class with a lot more strength than most and therefore have an advantage in many postures.)

This Sunday has perfect weather for running! Enjoy!

Full Moon Yoga?

Dear Yogis.

This week, a yogi and I stood at the front door after a Home Studio class and admired the moon – a Waxing Gibbous! (Put that in a sentence today!) On March 12th, in two days, we will have a Full Moon and you may find yoga teachers cancelling classes or teaching only Yin and Restorative classes. Does this leave you perplexed? Some people feel that their energy is reduced, sleep patterns disturbed (there have been Western studies on this) or they are prone to snapping during a full moon period. Over in the East many people prepare for a temple day by dressing in white, perhaps buying flowers and incense and cooking special foods to take as offerings. (Over in Sri Lanka I remember seeing a sea of people dressed in white and flowing towards the temples, carrying white flowers.) All kinds of tradition attend the day. (I remember that we even prepared special rice for the temple crows!) A day off has been marked out by ‘shastras’ (commentary on Buddhist or Hindu scripture) and so, of course, they carry folklore and ancient ways of thinking. Shlokas (poetry/chants) have carried these beliefs through time. If you’re interested, the attachment from my favourite book of the moment gives a sense of those who unquestioning believe in this tradition.

Home Studio

It’s been a lovely week in my Home Studio, so I’m adding another class! From this Tuesday (14th) I’ll be adding a new regular 6.00-7.00 Beginner’s Ashtanga class. I have added it to the website for booking in the normal way. We will take time over postures, the sequences, learning the names of poses and learning Sanskrit numbers. In yesterday’s ‘Ashtanga-based’ class we worked our way up to Astavakrasana – the eight-pointed posture named after a sage with a body that was bent in eight places. If there is a posture you want to work towards, let me know.

Yoga in the News

Time Magazine, the very one that made Donald Trump their Person of the Year, now helpfully tells us that Yoga Helps Depression. Guess what... it’s the breathing that does it! The New York Times offered a long article last year on the Benefits of Deep Breathing with the very helpful quote: ‘It’s meditation for people who can’t meditate’!

Podcast

I enjoyed this episode from Jason Crandell which addresses some pretty detailed questions about asana: Do you jump back to straight-armed plank or bent-armed chaturanga?; The ideal look of the yoga pose verses what shape the body can make?; Alignment and hip position in Triangle? Jason Crandell says that Triangle pose has been ‘taught wrong’. He does his best to tell us why. This might be a podcast more suitable to teachers, or it might give you a break from normal radio fare.

Vicissitudes of Life

Dear Yogis.

A yogi who is very dear to me is upset at work. Things haven’t turned out as expected and my treasured yogi is angry. That upset me. This describes a lot of us in past or present circumstances. By coincidence I was reading about the unshakeable spirit of Sri Pattabi Jois in the face of the vicissitudes of his life. When asked to describe him, a friend compared him to this: ‘I recall a passage from the Ramayana where King Darsharatha summons his son Rama and tells him to assume the throne and later, through a quirk of circumstances, orders him to go into exile to the forest. The passage wonderfully illustrates the level of equanimity that Rama showed on both occasions. Apparently, he was unmoved, untouched, and completely bereft of excessive emotion... It says that Rama’s face not once betrayed even a hint of anger or animosity when he was ordered by his father to forfeit his kingdom. His face was calm as the day as he was asked to ascend ceremonially to the throne’. Yoga is trying to show us how to be calm and unshaken in storms and circumstances. Our task is to try.

Home Studio

Next week I have unexpected spare time on Wednesday 8th so I’ll teach an extra class at 6.00pm. It will be an Ashtanga class. The following class is at 8.00 so we have time, if you can stay, to go a bit further than normal. Let me know if you would like to come.

From the following week on Tuesday 14th I’ll be adding a new regular 6.00-7.00 Beginner’s Ashtanga class. Closer to the time I will add it to the website for booking in the normal way.

Yoga in the news

Which Prime Minister said this: “Today, when the world battles challenges posed by terrorism and climate change, yoga has become more relevant than ever before as it shows the way to peace” ? I’ll give you a clue. It’s not ours. 

This ‘article’ is self explanatory: 23 All-Too-Real Thoughts That Go Through Your Head During Yoga.

Feedback

I enjoyed this in an email from an esteemed yogi: ‘The latest OmYoga mag has an article 'Is 2017 the year of men's yoga?' It won't be if W H Smith carries on putting yoga mags in the Women's Lifstyle section and the mag follows this article with 20 pages of 'Yoga Style Guide' devoted entirely to women's clothing. Just getting that off my chest!’ (I enjoy all of the feedback I get from you. Thank you for taking the trouble to write.)

Wishing you an unshaken mind this weekend.

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".

How to Make a Masterclass

Dear Yogis.

A very generous friend of mine invited me to join him in his private yoga class recently. It made me reflect that until you see a particular example of generosity, that act wouldn’t occur to you. Now that I know what it is to have such specialist dedicated attention and share it, I’ll make sure it’s on my list of things to do. My friend’s generosity and the masterclass experience made me want to bring a whole lot more to my mat – more concentration, more intention, more dristi, more bandha, more commitment. It was an incredibly special morning.

Retreat

I start with this memory because our teacher that day was Andy Gill and he has a retreat coming up. I couldn’t recommend his teaching more – the calm and easy way you climb up to your best self and your finest yoga with him. That’s how I felt. If you’re looking for a yoga retreat, allow me to recommend this one. It’s in June, 18-24 in a place near Bergerac in France. It’s an Ashtanga retreat and perfect for all levels; beginners will be welcome and supported and advanced practitioners will be challenged. You’re in completely safe hands. (As yet, I’m not planning on holding a Greek Retreat this year. Do this one!)

Home Studio

Plenty of spaces next week apart from the Monday 6.00 class which is full. It makes me wonder if you would like an extra class on Tuesday at the same time. Let me know.  If you're wondering about teacher training or how to use a teacher training qualification, let me help you. I’m always grateful that the yoga life has put me in contact with such lovely people as those I teach. I'll help you on your path.

Training

You might like this: David Sye is back with his Chocolate Tequila Workshop on 23 April in Canterbury. He usually does this at The Yoga Show in October. His company, Yogabeats, along with his peace movement projects, is a whole other universe of yoga. David is unique, irreverent and a lot of fun. He says that he wants to de-programme people; that he wants people to be wild and free! Tickets are £30.

Be warm this weekend!

Seal The Plank

Dear Yogis.

By far the most entertaining moment of my yoga week was learning all about the male pelvic floor in my lucky Home Studio. Here’s what I learnt: Men in a pub don’t want to ‘break the seal’ (go to the bathroom) after just one pint; this somehow means that when I teach forearm plank which engages the pelvic floor, men run out to the bathroom in horror, leaving the women to greedily enjoy plank pose! (I just love being a yoga teacher. Journalists are fond of saying that no two days are the same in their profession. They have absolutely no idea!)

I have consulted Dr Google about this pub etiquette and all the Mula Bandha yoga forums for men and I’m none the wiser... but slightly less spiritual! Rather than get into technicalities, I suggest less alcohol and more plank.  

Home Studio

Come and have fun, do yoga, make friends, learn lots, leave with unexpected new information. I have everything you need to have a fulfilling yoga class – a variety of mats, blocks, belts, good company and anything else you might need. (A new review from a yogi can be found over the picture here.)

Training

This weekend I’ll be training again with John Scott. He’s the one who said: “If you face the sun, all your shadows fall behind you” – a Māori Saying. At the beginning of February I’ll be training with Tim Feldmann at Triyoga. (He’s director of Miami Life Center, founded with his wife Kino MacGregor.) More Ashtanga! It looks as though there are places left if you want to join me.

Closing Chant

Today might be a good day to draw your attention to what is known as the 'Ashtanga Closing Chant' or the ‘Mangala Mantra’. My Ashtanga teacher, David Swenson, says that the closing prayer tradition was established after 9/11. Take a look at the words (an interpretation):

'May all of humankind be happy and well.

May the leaders protect the earth in every way by following the right path.

May there be goodness for those who know the earth to be sacred.

May all the worlds be happy.'

Edvard Munch on Yoga

Dear Yogis.

Is the freezing temperature making your body ache or hunch up or just feel downright reluctant? Practicing yoga in the wrong temperature is not any kind of path to enlightenment for the body or spirit. However, skipping yoga practice only encourages more stiffness in the joints. Even if you don’t feel like coming to class, you could just move through the various joints; from rolling the shoulders to rotating the ankles and everything in between. This is called Sukshma Vyayam (Subtle Yoga). It’s a style that was invented by Indira Gandhi’s controversial yoga teacher. Here’s a list of seated things you can do . If you have energy, here is a standing version! It's nice for arthritis sufferers or stiffness after a long run/workout. You might like it

Home Studio

Classes were pretty full this week (until the snow came!) Many places are already taken next week so I have added a 6.30-7.30 class on Thursday. If there is demand, I’ll keep the extra Thursday class. My lucky little studio is welcoming more new yogis, and current yogis are bringing family members and friends. The atmosphere grows more and more lovely. You can book classes here.

New Teacher

Claudine Van de Vyver trained with my teacher, Valentina Candiani, and has taken my classes at Eden Fitness. I’m proud to say that she has her own class now at Virgin Active Fulham on Tuesdays at 0645.

Yoga in the news

The Mail has an article about how yoga is the best remedy for back pain. I hesitate to include the Daily Mail (!) and their analysis of how back pain originates is ridiculous. It also doesn’t take 6-12 months to reduce back pain! In fact, I wish they’d asked a yoga teacher to write the article, but at least the article headlines the beneficial effects of yoga.

Free Yoga

Lululemon in Westfield, Shepherds Bush, has free yoga every Sunday at 10.30-11.30. They provide yoga mats and they just ask that you get there 15 minutes early. Pretty good, eh! (All Lululemon stores have yoga classes in the store and the new Regent Street store has meditation classes). You can see their events on here Facebook, whether you use Facebook or not.

Attached

Attached is the most accurate diagram of hamstring anatomy I have ever seen.