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 dreaming as I practised. What is a daydream?

Day 7, full cobra and increased seated forward fold. The yoga takes about half an hour each morning, plus sitting time afterwards. Stiff after clearing a tree yesterday that had fallen across the lane at Dell.

Minus eight celcius again this morning when I left the chickens out. They are very tentative as they leave the warm coop, standing on the plank, eating snow, and not moving very far. It took one a few minutes to jump off the gangway, standing on the edge in a ‘do I, don’t I?’ diving board type of situation. She did, then ran over to the feeder. Glad the small wild birds have also found the grain pellets there. We are deep in snow; the most I’ve seen since a child. All looks ballooned and clean, apart from the poos.

Hittleman on the modern condition: “tense, irritable, overweight, flabby, depressed, and complaining of many aches and pains.” And this in 1969. Has it got any better?

Yoga is the perfect answer since only a brief, enjoyable period is necessary to overcome tension on a daily basis. Yoga will not drain energy; it’s movements are pleasant and stimulating.

Krishnamurti, Book of Life, 7 Jan:

You are listening to yourself and not the speaker. If you are listening to the speaker, he becomes your leader, your way to understanding – which is a horror, an abomination, because you have established the hierarchy of authority.