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.

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!