Monthly Archives: January 2010

The ugly, the sad, the joyous, the exhilarating, the dark, the funny, the weird, the enticing. All the thoughts and feelings are close by. Asana somehow raises the energy level allowing the experience of all of this, and much more. … Continue reading →

I chose to breathe fully throughout the whole practice, extending the inhalation to the maximum extent and then a long, smooth exhalation to the every end. All the air out. Before too long it wasn’t a choice but a natural, … Continue reading →

Into the second half of the course. I decided again to practice in the afternoon, in the period after dialoge and before supper. But overall it seems more suitable for the morning, to start the day with something other than … Continue reading →

I am really appreciating this staff retreat. We spend time each day listening to an audio of someone passionate about life and the possibility of revolution in consciousness. We spend time in the afternoon talking together in a group of … Continue reading →

Woke early, around 0430 and that was the time for today’s practice. The introduction of the shoulderstand, my favourite posture. Since the Kripalu Teacher Training Course I have much prefered the half shoulderstand. It is much easier on the neck, … Continue reading →

If you eat chickpea tagine the evening before, your yoga will be farty. Today was a review day, going over the 15 postures learnt so far on the 28-day course. I very much enjoyed it, the opening and the fluidity … Continue reading →

Didn’t want to get up into the cold tower room at 7. Could have slept for a few more hours. But we are on our staff week and there’s set breakfast times and our group are on cleanup after each … Continue reading →

Yoga this morning in the Tower Suite of Yewfield Guest House in the Lake District. New postures on the course today are the Locust and Side Bend. It was very cold – didn’t want to get out of bed. The … Continue reading →

Thermal underwear on. Mind all over the place, thinking about this and that, random remembrances popping in, all the while the body is doing its stretches. Could have done with a couple more hours sleep; I think I was still … Continue reading →

The deepest snow outside I’ve seen in the UK since I was young. Outside is white with a hint of… mauve. Exploring sitting still after asana. I feel a definite energy generated or stimulated by the yoga practice, and it … Continue reading →

No asana this morning, today’s class (in-a-book) being all about breath. Practising the complete breath, also known as dirgha breath or full yogic breath. Just what I needed today, slow breaths filling the body from abdomen, chest and into the … Continue reading →

A little easier today, a little less rushed, and in the warmer living room. Every fourth day is a review day, going over the postures learnt over the previous three days. My back is opening up again, less tight, and … Continue reading →

An impatient session, like I wanted to get to something else, something later in the day. These sessions tend to feel rushed although they take the same amount of time, an unsettled stretch. But not trying to slow it down, … Continue reading →

The second day is a tougher day; I felt heavy and reluctant. But I am going to feel bad whether gently stretching or whatever I do today, the only difference is how in touch I am with my body, breath, … Continue reading →