The definition of yoga is often given to be ‘yoke’ or ‘union’. It isn't a definition I can relate to! Yoga philosophy says that there is a universal and absolute consciousness that we have departed from and need to regain access to! Uh oh! This loses me. I wasn’t brought up with the idea of a God or supreme being and, for me, that ‘union’ idea isn’t working. On the other hand, there is a spiritual side of life that I want to access and be better at.

Isn’t it great to see flexibility progressing and postures getting a little easier! And yet, it isn’t the gymnastics and contortionism that keeps us coming back. The flexibility yoga offers is in the mind… yoga really doesn’t have an opinion about your hamstrings or backache! This is crucial in Coronavirus times.

In honour of the fast approaching Valentine’s Day, I thought that writing about the Heart Chakra might be the thing! Whether you think chakras are actual anatomical parts of us, or miniature washing machines in our cosmic composition, it doesn’t matter. It just offers another point of view and might open up the imagination, and perhaps inspire strength and purpose.

Look at these words! They might apply to any of us when we have moments of doubt and I thought they would give a bit of steel to the backbone:

“I was a whole person the moment I was born. I was a whole person, yes, even in my teen years. I am a whole person now. Even near death, even in death I am a full and whole person… I now evolve, change, morph in ways neither of us can predict or understand – I am still me!

“Never will I be three-fourths of a person, half of a person, nor 1/73 of a person. There has not, nor will there ever be a moment in my life when I am not a complete Human Being. Please get this”.