I am an avid reader and love listening to Radio 4s Poetry Please because I wish I understood it more. So when I heard poetry read out loud reduces anxiety and depression it sounded like the wellness territory I wanted to do a dive in to find out more. It’s the reading aloud part that…
We often hear phrases like, ‘going to the gym is my therapy’ or ‘running is my meditation’, even, ‘training sorts my head out’. It’s always great when we can make those mind body connections outside the confines of the yoga studio or the latest bio hacking app- but is it meditation? Well, no but that’s…
A large percentage of my private clients often find me originally with some sort of pain and injury after running the gamut of contradictory advice , money draining services and no change or improvement despite doing everything their physios say. That said, I work collaboratively with some fabulous physios and have even trained a couple…
One of the key things I ask a prospective new private yoga client about is their current activity and as soon as someone says they are a keen gardener it speaks volumes. Digging, lifting, raking, crouching, squatting, reaching overhead, leaning over, gardening has ninja warrior written all over it in my book. In fact an…
When you’re dealing with an injury, it can feel frustrating and slow. However, two key biological principles can shed some light on how your body actually responds and adapts over time: Wolff’s Law (1892) and Davis’ Law (1867) These laws explain how both bones and soft tissues like muscles and tendons change based on the…
Nothing makes me more unkindly to people than the pious ‘be kind’ movement. I hate being told how to behave and the popular hashtag #bekind is very often guilty of bypassing peoples own poor behaviour, smokescreens around transparency and guilt trips. But today we are reclaiming ‘be kind’ in the name of wellness! We often…
Weirdly I have taught and trained yoga to three Nordic walking coaches so far and it really seems to be growing in popularity. One coach I worked with was training in yoga to offer it additionally on her popular Nordic walking holidays and retreats. Like any sport or activity there is some technique to consider…
A study in 2021 found four main psychological factors that increase injury risk in running – and they are quite shockingly absolutely nothing to do with your shoes, gait or terrain or anything you may guess straightaway. The research showed them to be: Identity – meaning identifying as a serious athlete can lead to risk…
Finding Inner Peace: The True Meaning of Santosha In a world filled with constant change and external pressures, finding inner peace can seem like a daunting task. Yet, there is a concept in yoga philosophy that offers a pathway to lasting contentment, no matter what life throws our way. This concept is known as Santosha.…
Is International Yoga Day Problematic? Each year on June 21st, people worldwide celebrate International Yoga Day. Social media lights up with photos of yoga poses and inspirational quotes, and large groups gather to meditate in public spaces. However, this celebration can have a troubling side that many might not be aware of. The idea for…