I have just returned from a long journey – both physically and mentally, travelling overseas to the most beautiful spiritual country of Sri Lanka. It is a place of vibrant colours and contrasts, attacking and awakening all the senses, and, above all, a place of tremendous depth and calm. The Buddhist religion shines through Continue reading »

I have spent a glorious autumnal day today in the garden basking in the sunshine… mostly barefoot, walking on the soft grass, touching the earth, flowers, weeds, pruning the roses, listening to the birds singing and smelling the sweet air.   I was so so grateful to be alive … We find it all too easy Continue reading »

Where did that glorious summer go – in the blink of an eye the summer we were looking forward to has passed and we are breaking into the golden days of autumn.  But like the autumn leaves we do not want ourselves to become crisp, dry and rigid, feeling trampled underfoot but we do want Continue reading »

Whilst the dizzy height of this glorious summer still feels so present, as we move towards mid August there is that sense that something new is just around the corner: New school terms, new courses, new season’s wardrobe to be unpacked and commitments for a new “academic” year. I am sure we can all remember Continue reading »

I have always felt and was myself taught the idea that practicing the same yoga asanas each day allows our mind to be free to “observe” rather than get caught up in the postures.   However, having said this, after many years of following pretty much the same flow of postures in our sessions I have Continue reading »

The Yoga Sutras were delineated by Patanjali in the Eight Limbs of Yoga. These precepts were and are intended as guidelines to leading a life with meaning and purpose, a kind of map for seekers of greater happiness and spiritual fulfilment. The Yamas are the first limb and they are seen as universal  ethical observances, Continue reading »

After a break from the Eight Paths of Yoga I thought I would return to its teachings this week.  Each time we visit these paths we will see, hear and learn from them differently and find something new to help us grow as individuals. Traditionally when yoga was taught there were several steps of learning Continue reading »

Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.                                     Viktor E. Frankl I spent last weekend on retreat in the outstandingly beautiful area of Dartmoor.  It is the most inspirational and natural place to be with Continue reading »

Bramacharya, the fourth Yama.  The Yamas are the first step on the 8-fold path of yoga as written by Patanjali, the father of modern day yoga and the author of the Yoga Sutras.  When we I say “modern” – it’s all relative, they were written around 440 AD!!  Bramacharya means practising everything in moderation so Continue reading »

One of the wonderful things about yoga is that it is all about you!! It is your practice and a great opportunity to learn all about yourself.  Whilst on the mat it is so important to listen to our body and heart as we move through our flow. However, it can be so difficult not Continue reading »