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Breathe In, Breathe Out: Your Lungs Are Your Connection to the World Every breath you take is a reminder that you are connected to the world around you. We often think of our skin as the boundary between ourselves and the outside world but our lungs are one of our biggest points of contact with…
What Fashion’s Trunk Shows Can Teach Us About the Future of Movement Education Fashion brands are seeing a resurgence in invitation only trunk shows. If you’ve never heard of one, they’re small, intimate events where a designer presents their collection in person to a select group of customers. Rather than browsing online, people get to…
Neighbourhoods & Banana Bread What struck a lot of people about the Barnes & Noble story wasn’t that a hedge fund bought it. It was what happened next. The new owners, Elliott Management, could easily have done what struggling chains often do: centralise everything, cut costs, standardise stores, squeeze margins and chase efficiency. Instead, they…
Oh the glory of inconvenience. After decades spent pursuing convenience, people are beginning to choose inconvenience again. Not everywhere, of course. Nobody is queuing up to abandon online banking or navigation apps. Most of us are quite happy to let technology handle the things we’d rather not think about but look a little closer and…
Pockets We talk a lot about community in yoga. Building community. Supporting community. Growing community. It’s one of the most commonly used words in the wellness industry but sometimes I wonder if what we’re really talking about is something much smaller. Most of us don’t serve “the community”. We serve a pocket of it; our…
The Borrowers? There is a particular kind of confidence that exists inside modern wellness culture. A soft confidence. A confidence wrapped in low lighting, slow speech, spiritual language and the reassuring suggestion that what is being offered is both ancient and unquestionably true. The older I’ve become as a teacher, the more suspicious I’ve become…
The 1920s were called the Roaring Twenties because the world sped up. Jazz clubs. Fast money. Art deco. New freedoms. New technology. People wanted movement after years of war, grief and uncertainty. Society dressed up, danced harder and chased optimism wherever it could find it. A century later, our own twenties have roared too… just…
One of the most interesting wellness trends right now might actually be people wanting less technology. Not better tracking, not more optimisation, just less access. There are now companies building physical devices that block apps from your phone, alongside more retreats, gyms and wellness spaces experimenting with phone-free experiences. I get it. Particularly in gym…
Smells Like Endurance Culture Trail running. Hyrox. Ultra events. Long-distance challenges. Recovery metrics. Electrolytes becoming a personality trait. According to recent reporting from Fit Insider and wider wellness trend forecasting, endurance culture is having a real moment right now. Maybe it’s a Covid hangover. People started walking more. Running more. Spending more time outside. Endurance…
The Devil Rides Peleton There’s a scene in The Devil Wears Prada where Andy laughs at fashion. She thinks she’s outside of it all. Above it. Unaffected. Then Miranda Priestly calmly explains that the “random” blue jumper Andy is wearing was actually chosen for her years earlier by the fashion industry itself. Trends trickle down.…
Like a Victorian Novel. A lot of people think yoga only “works” if you do a lot of it. Long classes. Daily practice. Retreats. Challenges. The kind of commitment that requires a colour coded diary and a level of discipline most of us don’t have. But maybe yoga is more like reading a long novel……
The Flat Cap: The Costume of Spirituality in Modern Wellness In the north of England, the flat cap wasn’t originally fashion. It was practical. It kept rain off men working long days outdoors. Men grafting in factories, fields and shipyards. Men hunting because they needed food on the table, not because it was a leisurely…
Walking is brilliant – BUT Your bones don’t get stronger from just walking. Bone is living tissue, it adapts to load just like muscle. Use it and it gets stronger. Don’t use it and it gets weaker. So what actually fills bone? •Mechanical loads •Muscle force •Impact •Progressive overload Your bones and joints need stress…
What Are We Really Selling? A coffee shop sells coffee. Or does it? Of course, there is coffee involved but people also buy a pause between meetings. A familiar face behind the counter. A place to sit alone without feeling lonely, a reason to leave the house. The beauty industry sells products and treatments. Yet…
In Supercommunicators, Charles Duhigg argues that many conversations happen on different levels. Sometimes we’re having a practical conversation, trying to exchange information or solve a problem. Sometimes it’s emotional, where the real need is to feel heard, understood or supported. Other times it’s social, exploring identity, values or belonging. Communication often falters when people are…
The Frying Pan Of Pain People can struggle with the idea that many things contribute to pain, especially when most of us grow up with — and have that belief reinforced — the idea that pain means something is broken and needs to be fixed. While the biopsychosocial and emotional model of pain is accurate,…
The Return of Old Things “In times of economic, geopolitical and general uncertainty, consumers are drawn to nostalgia because it’s easy to romanticize the past as ‘safer’ or ‘happier’ when the future is uncertain.” Alice Crossley, The Future Laboratory If that quote is true, it might explain quite a lot about what’s happening in the…
There comes a point in many yoga journeys when we find the studio. The teacher whose classes just make sense. The room that feels like home. The familiar faces. The mat in the same corner. The Tuesday evening ritual that quietly becomes non-negotiable. It becomes the place to be. There’s nothing wrong with that. Community…
When pain lingers or keeps coming back, it’s easy to think something must be wrong with the body, with your approach, or even with you. If you’re a movement professional, you might start to wonder if you’ve missed something, if you have failed or not met your brief. If you’re the one in pain, it…
Sometimes we think we’re buying yoga but really we’re buying the story. The story that says; I’m someone who takes care of myself.The story that says; Today I chose to pause. The story that says; I listened when my body whispered instead of waiting for it to shout. Corporate wellbeing works the same way. Management…
A hairdresser explained why highlights don’t cost £60 anymore. Not because of the cost of living. Not because salons have suddenly become more expensive to run but because no one is asking just for highlights anymore. They’re asking for something that sounds simple – but isn’t. Effortless colour Soft blends. Something that grows out naturally.…
The Thing Isn’t The Thing Kurt Vonnegut, the novelist known for finding profound truths in ordinary moments, once told a story about going out to buy a single envelope. His wife suggested he buy a hundred and keep them in a cupboard. It would be more efficient. More sensible , yes, but efficiency wasn’t really…
Is being positive a coping mechanism or a defence mechanism We’ve all met people who seem endlessly positive. They always find the silver lining, remind us that “everything happens for a reason,” or encourage us to “look on the bright side.” Sometimes that’s exactly what we need. Other times it can feel dismissive, as though…
What if your discipline is just your anxiety in a nicer outfit? One of the stranger things I’ve noticed in yoga is how often tidiness becomes a moral virtue. Teachers jokingly shame students who don’t put props away. Mats must line up perfectly. Blocks must be stacked just so. Somewhere along the way someone quotes,…
Why are some wellness businesses booming… while SoulCycle is closing studios? At first glance, it doesn’t make sense. One report says that for the first time, service businesses now lease more retail space in the US than traditional retailers. Fitness facilities account for nearly a third of those new leases. Wellness, it seems, is booming…
Ahhh the wellness summer super yacht. Yep, we’ve all seen it. Alo the active wear brand has turned a 72 metre luxury yacht into its floating headquarters for the summer, filled it with celebrities and influencers and described it as ‘an elevated expression of wellness’. Brands have always sold aspiration. Chanel, Dior and Rolex aren’t…
Blind Spots, Blame, Bad Logic & Bias One of the most common thinking traps in health is believing that if someone becomes ill, there must be a reason they brought it on themselves. We see it everywhere. Someone develops an autoimmune condition. “There you go. They should have lived differently.” Someone gets cancer despite exercising,…
The Curious Case Of Yogas Favourite Villain: Lululemon Every few months, the yoga side of the internet rediscovers its hatred of Lululemon. The matching sets, the prices, the branding, the commercialisation of yoga and yeah some of those criticisms are very valid. However, I’m interested in why women associated wellness brands attract such uniquely moral…
The Value of Taking the Scenic Route We seem to be living in an age of optimisation. Faster internet. Faster deliveries. Faster workouts. Faster recovery. Artificial intelligence promises to write our emails, summarise our meetings and answer our questions before we’ve even finished thinking of them. Efficiency has become a moral virtue but…
What Timothée Chalamet Accidentally Taught Me About Being a Yoga Teacher Over the past week there has been a small but interesting conversation happening in the arts world. Actor Timothée Chalamet recently faced criticism after remarks suggesting he wouldn’t want to work in ballet or opera because they are art forms that “no one cares…
From Podcast To Proof: Chatterjee And The Fascia Fiasco Dr. Chatterjee’s recent podcast on fascia training with the man who runs Human Garage, a company selling movement courses, has been widely shared and enthusiastically received – let’s look at why this is pretty bizarre. The episode explored the idea that we can train fascia in…
January Tells Lies, Yoga Wears Truth Goggles In yoga philosophy, the “grooves” or recurring patterns of thought, behaviour and emotional imprints in the mind are called samskaras. These can be good, bad, old or new. Helpful or not, they undeniably make that part of the brain stronger and that’s visible on scans. Think of them…
Vairagya (pronounced vai-RAHG-yah) is often translated as non-attachment but that can sound a bit cold or distant. In yoga it’s actually much more tender than that. Vairagya is the practice of letting go without hardening, of releasing your grip while keeping your heart open. It’s not about pushing feelings away or pretending you don’t care,…
Scans, Imaging & Pain: Helpful Information But Not the Whole Story When you’re in pain it’s completely natural to want a scan. Many people feel reassured by seeing something ‘concrete’ like an X-ray, MRI, or report that appears to explain what’s going on. For some imaging feels absolutely essential for understanding pain, reducing anxiety and…
January injuries aren’t proof you chose the “wrong” hobby. They’re usually a load + novelty issue, not damage. So we are sore, what’s the next steps? Pause. Calm it all down. Then build capacity back up. Movement helps you heal, it’s not the enemy. Trying something new and feeling sore dosn’t mean that movement…
Uncertainty is the technology of possibility. What a great sentence. Could doubt really be a place of discovery? The idea that NOT knowing is a super power to harness, not to fear or avoid. Uncertainty can show up as finances, the future or even simple daily events such as what we should eat or what…
The Farmer & The Field A simple yoga teaching from The Bhagavad Gītā. In the Bhagavad Gītā, the body is described as a field. The Sanskrit word is kṣetra (k-sheh-truh) , ‘the field’. Then equally as important, there is the one who knows the field, kṣetrajña (k-sheh-truh-gyah) , ‘the knower of the field’. To make…
A lot of us grew up thinking exercise had one job: shrink us. So of course it feels like a chore. Of course it’s easy to skip. If the only measure of success is a number on a scale or seeing visible change then any day without these “results” feels pointless and any discomfort feels…
Chidakāśa: The Kind of Space We All Need Yoga philosophy is full of beautiful concepts that sometimes feel like they belong more in a candle lit cave rather than everyday life. Chidakāśa is one of them. It translates roughly to “the space of consciousness,” but before you switch off stay with me because this idea…
When “Don’t Make a Cookie-Cutter Shape”… Turns Into Cookie-Cutter Careers In yoga we spend so much time telling our students that they don’t need to squeeze themselves into a set shape. There isn’t one right angle for a knee or one perfect version of a posture. There are options, variations, ways in and ways out.…
When Everything Feels Like a Conflict Lately it can feel as though even the simplest interactions are heavier than they used to be. A quick email, a text, a conversation about something small can suddenly feel like a misunderstanding waiting to happen. It’s not just you. When the world feels uncertain economically, socially, emotionally, that…
WHY PAIN REMAINS AND RETURNS AND WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS When pain lingers or keeps coming back, it’s easy to think something must be wrong with the body, with your approach, or even with you. If you’re a movement professional, you might start to wonder if you’ve missed something, if you have failed or not…
We get into shaky territory in yoga and especially yin yoga when we start suggesting it can fix pain. Pain is personal, complex and multifactorial. It doesn’t neatly dissolve after a class or a stretch and even speaking anecdotally about an individuals persons experience of their pain improving through yoga can be irresponsibly misleading. It…
When Even the Famous Can’t Sell Out It’s not just you. I’m going to say that again, it’s not just you. Across yoga and wellness, people are finding it harder than ever to sell events or trainings whether online or in person. Barely a week goes by without another studio, centre or hub sadly closing.…
When Yoga Isn’t Always the Right Fit: Pregnancy and the Question of Responsibility A gentle challenge to the “yoga for everyone” mindset It’s easy to see why yoga appeals to people during pregnancy, it’s calm, mindful and often framed as “safe for everyone” but perhaps it’s worth pausing before assuming our usual classes are suitable…
It can look slick to have your own branded class or signature method, but sometimes that shiny box becomes a cage. When you chain yourself to a fixed style, you lose the freedom to adapt, shift with evidence or simply meet people where they are — and yoga, at its heart, is about fluidity. Yes,…
Group Classes: The Meeting Point of Movement and Philosophy The online yoga space loves a dichotomy. Scroll long enough and you’ll notice the tension: on one end, group classes are dismissed as exclusionary or superficial, and on the other, there’s the idea that realyoga is found only in stillness, study or pure philosophy. I’ve seen…
Most of us have had that awful feeling where someone posts a photograph of us looking like a potato. You know the one, your face looks like a melted candle and now everyone’s seen it. Bit embarrassing. But imagine being Arjuna (main character of The Bhagavad Gita, yogas ancient philosophical guidance text) You’ve just had…
Stronger Bones From Your Bottom Step If you’re around my age you will remember that if you were lucky your home had a telephone and it was situated usually in your hallway on a special table or piece of furniture dedicated just to that device. Long chats were conducted sitting on the staircase, bottom step…
Less is More: Why Simplicity Sticks in Movement Teaching As movement teachers, many of us, especially in yoga, feel the pull to create ever more elaborate sequences. To keep clients entertained, to keep things fresh. Clever transitions, intricate links and choreography that impresses our peers can become the standard we hold ourselves to. Yet there’s…
Pricing a pop-up or one-off yoga event can feel like a guessing game, especially in today’s climate and seeing sessions priced at magical numbers like £11, £22, £44 feels kind of made up, plucked out of the air to seem special. That’s where the idea of palatable pricing comes in, setting a fee that feels…
From Newspapers to Nesting: Why Yin Editing Matters When you work in newspapers, every single word has to earn its place on the page, each word is revenue and the words are the power not the rag itself. There’s no room for fluff and yin yoga carries a similar lesson. We don’t need to fill…
When ‘Trauma-Informed’ Becomes the New ‘Vino & Vinyasa’ IS trauma really a selling point for yoga? Interestingly, you don’t see this phrase in the Pilates space or in personal training, it seems to be very much the reserve of yoga teachers. Of course, there is a place for having awareness around trauma. In a one-to-one…
As yoga teachers, we’re often encouraged to find and articulate our why—why we teach, why we practice, why this path feels like a calling. And while that reflection can be meaningful, it can also quietly become a distraction. The truth is, the day-to-day reality of teaching yoga is often less about lofty purpose and more…
A Portable Practice A practice in your pocket isn’t about downloading an app you can tap into anywhere or belonging to a club, gang, or team. It’s about knowing how to access your practice without needing to recall a single pose. Like good personal trainers or physiotherapists, yoga teachers should advocate for agency—helping students take…
Savasana. Yes its the whole point but we have more information now than when we trained so lets look at what we know. For every person who feels it is their highlight of the yoga class, there will be somebody that is deeply uncomfortable with it. Whether it’s mental health, ADHD, neurodiversity, trauma, stress or…
Cycles, Samskāras & Self‑Study: Yoga for the Looping Of Life One of the most quietly powerful gifts of yoga is its invitation to notice. The patterns, pulls and pushbacks. To step back. To observe without judgment. While the rest of the world encourages pushing forward, yoga asks us to pause and look at the loops,…
Why We Get Stuck, Yoga’s Take On Human Habits One of yoga’s strengths is that it gives us language for things we’ve always felt but couldn’t quite name. The kleshas are a perfect example—five core mental emotional human patterns said to cloud perception and drive suffering into cycles and behaviour habits. You don’t need to…
Core. The middle of an apple and not much more yet it’s the movement myth with main character energy. Struggling with lower back pain? Strengthen the core! Need better balance? Strengthen the core! Lower joint issues? Strengthen the core! The list goes on, the promises are endless. Yet when we weed it out what on…
“Glass Back Gripes & Bending Beliefs” Bending over and picking things up is one of the most basic human movements — something we should all be able to do without fear,overthinking or hesitation. Yet, how we bend has become a surprisingly controversial topic. Some lean toward the ultra-cautious advice to “keep your spine neutral at…
“When Sugar Slips Us Into The Self‑Talk Sewer: Joe Wicks, Pain, Yoga and the Power of Our Words” Joe Wicks recently shared on Instagram that he’s been in a sugar slump, “eating his emotions” and bingeing on ultra‑processed foods that left him feeling sluggish, bloated, and moody. He described the drive as “so highly addictive…
Ever had brain freeze? That sudden sharp pain in your forehead after a cold drink or ice cream is actually a great example of referred pain. When we have something cold, the blood vessels in the roof of the mouth suddenly contract sending a discomfort signal to the brain. The brain is used to having…
The Body Odyssey: explaining and understanding pain care providers 🙃Everyone has bias including those with the best intentions. 🤸🏽 The mobility teacher will always advocate that becoming more flexible with mobility drills will resolve pain. 🏋️♂️ The personal trainer will advocate that losing weight lifting weight will eradicate pain. 🥼The physiotherapist will advocate that…
Why Blending Buddhism With Yoga Is Like Saying A ‘Hand Manicure’ Philosophy on top of philosophy, when does more becomes too much?Should we be looking at subtraction not addition to remain faithful to yoga at its core? Is the quiet power of yoga no longer enough? It’s easy to get caught up in the desire…
Treatonomics For Teachers: What the psychological phenomenon of the ‘lipstick effect’ & the current rise of Labubu’s have to do with your yoga class attendance? Why are we obsessed with little treats? *Did someone say more recession indicators? Millennials and Gen Z are deep in their little treat era. A £4 coffee here, a limited…
Why Rethinking Running & Resilience Helps Non Runners Too There’s a persistent belief that there’s a “right” way to run. A perfect form that keeps us efficient, fast, and injury-free. Yet, when we look at the evidence, that idea starts to fall apart. Heel striking, for example, is often blamed for injury. However, there’s no…
Why Your Email Might Be the Most Valuable Thing You Create I recently listened to an interview with Graydon Carter — former editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair and the cultural force behind the now-iconic Vanity Fair Oscars party, which many argue has eclipsed the Oscars themselves. For those of us who came of age in the…
Going Wider Isn’t the Same as Going Forward Under Armour was flying high. Once called the “Nike killer,” they expanded fast and looked unstoppable. Then came a big gamble — they bought three fitness apps, hoping to become the Facebook of fitness. The problem? There was no synergy. No shared ecosystem. No clear message. The…
Function Over Fixation- A Shift In How We Talk About Pain When someone’s been in pain for a while, it’s easy – understandably – to make being pain-free the main goal, but in truth, that binary thinking of ‘pain or no pain’, can be frustrating, disheartening, and misleading. It might even stop people from noticing…
We live in a time where wellness is everywhere—on our screens, in our social feeds, in endless suggestions for what to eat, drink, breathe, or buy. Yet with access to all this information, many of us don’t actually feel more well. In this $7 trillion industry, it’s worth asking: has the flood of wellness advice…
Taming Pain & Yoga: Can Ancient Wisdom Meet Modern Science One of the great strengths of applying yoga to pain care is that it sees the whole person—not just the pain, not just the body part, but the human experience and the individual at the centre of it all. Yoga teaches self-acceptance. It grounds us…
10,000 Steps a Day – Gimmick, Gullible or Good? If you’ve ever worn a fitness tracker, opened a health app, or even just overheard someone at a coffee shop say “I’ve still got 4,000 steps to go,” chances are you’re familiar with the 10,000-steps-a-day goal. It’s neat, it’s memorable, and it’s everywhere. But it didn’t…
To Photograph or Not to Photograph? A Look at Filming in Yoga Classes, The Gym & Pilates Every so often, a familiar topic circles back around in the yoga community: should teachers take photos or film their classes? I don’t, ever but it’s not about right or wrong, but about pausing for a moment to…
Rethinking Yin Yoga Claims for ADHD: Yoga Claims & Sketchy Aims There’s a narrative that Yin Yoga—a slow, still, introspective practice—is especially good for people with ADHD. You’ll hear claims like: “It helps you build tolerance for stillness,” “It supports regulation,” “It teaches you to feel your feelings,” “It gives you permission to pause,” “It…
When Tech Fails: What M&S Can Teach Us About Grace Under (Cyber) Fire Marks & Spencer was hit by a cyber attack. Not ideal, obviously. In fact, pretty disastrous, especially for a company that runs on logistics, online orders, and the kind of reliability we expect when we buy pants and Percy Pigs in the…
🤕 Okay, so you have just winced in pain again around THAT recurring painful issue. You have tried everything and nothing works, you are totally despondent so what now? 👌Here’s how I often start to work with my one to one clients with recurring pain and be warned, exercise and poses don’t feature so exit…
Is Fascia Still Fascinating? If we could release, free or deform our fascia in the way that we once thought; our feet would collapse by walking, our face would look rearranged after vigorously washing it, our bum would be flat after sitting and falls would be frequent and could be fatal. What we know for…
How Does Yoga Teach Us the True Meaning of the Glass Half Full? Now I love being in a good stinking mood every now and again but have you ever caught yourself stuck in a cycle of negative thinking? Pratipaksha Bhavana—a concept from the Yoga Sutras (2.33)—is all about shifting perspective. It’s the ultimate “glass…
What? As the name suggest batch cooking is a really useful way of planning several classes at once. (On my Yin Yoga Teacher refresher course I use this as an expanded idea and show you how to create a years worth of classes in one sitting) Find my digital course here: Finding The Yoga in…
What Makes a Great Physio—And What Yoga Teachers Might Learn From It Knowledge, expertise, and experience: the classic trio we tend to look for when we seek out a physiotherapist. But are they enough? Or perhaps more importantly—are they the right things to prioritise? A recent study by Kleiner et al. (2023) explored what people…
What causes pain may not be what maintains it. When someone experiences pain—whether it’s acute, nagging, or persistent—the natural question is, “What’s causing this?” For both patients and clinicians, this often leads to a hunt for a specific tissue or structure to blame. A muscle, a joint, a disc. But pinpointing a source of pain…
It turns out those so-called “grandma hobbies” like knitting, gardening and birdwatching are quietly becoming the next big thing—and not just because they’re charming and nostalgic. These cozy pastimes are surprisingly powerful when it comes to mental health. Researchers in Sweden have found that knitting can bring a sense of calm and structure with its…
Is Wellness Something We Share—Even in Silence? We hear a lot these days about what’s good for our bodies—step counts, early alarms, protein targets, brain-boosting supplements. And yes, they all have their place. But what if some of the most powerful wellness tools aren’t things you do alone with a stopwatch, but the quiet, shared…
Money is political but only, a dirty word and a nuanced one if you work in yoga. Penny for your thoughts ? Heres mine from my working class mind on wonga and what its worth in yoga. Why do we often avoid clear terms like price, cost, or fee when talking about money in yoga…
The Five Pillars of Health: More Than Pointers of Privilege? When we talk about health, it’s easy to slip into checklist mode—eat well, exercise, sleep eight hours, don’t stress, stay social. These are the “pillars” we’re told to build our lives around, and to be fair, they’re based on solid research. But health isn’t just…
What Doesn’t Own You Makes You Stronger Yoga isn’t about perfecting a shape, holding your breath just right, or nailing some version of stillness. It’s about practicing without being owned by the practice itself. Aparigraha is a yoga philosophy often translated as non-attachment but it isn’t about having nothing. It’s about nothing having you. The…
When I did my first yoga trainings I clung to everything | was taught for years. ‘Stretching lengthens your hamstrings, twisting detoxifies the body, headstands reverse blood flow.’ (Spoiler: all wrong) The parts of me that needed that sureity, that definite answer, that firm unarguable set of facts clung to these, yet allowed me to…
Although many of us in yoga are onboard with the idea that not all POSES are one size fits all physically, can we look through the same lens for other concepts too? A lot of teaching, cues and ideas are based on everyone being neurotypical when in reality we are all somewhere on a spectrum…
For years, we’ve been told: keep your spine neutral, don’t round your back, lift with your legs—not your back. Sound familiar? But what if most of that advice is more fear-driven than fact-based? Here’s why you can stop stressing about keeping a “perfect” spine position: 1. There’s no solid evidence spinal flexion is dangerous. Research—even…
If you are relatively new on your teaching path, here’s six things I wish I’d implemented earlier. 1. Craft the language of permission. This is the number one reason people will come back and stay 2. Learn your ABCC’s – Agency Boundaries Collaboration Connection 3. Teaching is always WITH not TO or AT 4. Practise…
Is the current structure of yoga education just one more example of demanded obedience? The guru structure of no questions asked, being told and then expected to follow blindly? Updated quality education is executed WITH someone not TO someone – and should be a collaboration and application rather than a parroting of information that’s never…
Smrti: The Power and Weight of Memory in Yoga Smrti (Smrit-tee” or “Smri-thi” ) a Sanskrit word for memory—reminds us that our past is always with us. But here’s the thing: memory isn’t the same as truth. Our minds are master storytellers. Some memories become wisdom, shaping us in powerful ways. Others turn into weight,…
5 Reasons I Don’t Bother With Yoga Challenges—And Why You Don’t Need Them Either Yoga is about presence, patience, and lifelong learning. Yet, the rise of yoga challenges seems to pull in the opposite direction—toward urgency, performance, and short-term results. I get the appeal, I’ve done them. A structured 30-day challenge can feel motivating, like…
Are Fitness Trackers Doing Us More Harm Than Good? Fitness trackers and wearable tech promise to help us stay on top of our health—tracking our steps, monitoring our sleep, measuring our heart rate. It all sounds helpful, even empowering and of course can be essential for health issues. But what if, instead of improving our…
How Does Yoga Teach Us the True Meaning of the Glass Half Full? Now I love being in a good stinking mood every now and again but have you ever caught yourself stuck in a cycle of negative thinking? Pratipaksha Bhavana—a concept from the Yoga Sutras (2.33)—is all about shifting perspective. It’s the ultimate “glass…
Batch Cooking For Yoga Teachers What? As the name suggest batch cooking is a really useful way of planning several classes at once. (On my Yin Yoga Teacher refresher course I use this as an expanded idea and show you how to create a years worth of classes in one sitting) Find my digital course…
Title: Seated & Completed What: Chair Yoga Teacher Training Course Who For: A Structured Guide for Educators & Wellness Professionals Providing Continued Educational Development Course Overview This training is designed to equip teachers, wellness professionals, and caregivers with the skills and knowledge to confidently lead chair yoga sessions. The course explores the foundations of chair…
Having a handy blurb template on your phone is an invaluable time saver. We all know there is no worse text than a studio or employer asking for a picture and a little bit about yourself, urgh. Heres one I bashed out in December and its been well received, feel free to copy it, I…
I lost my job teaching yoga, here’s what I did- it’s one for the yoga teachers. I’ve worked in a lot of different places from the salubrious to the scruffy and I’ve also left places – and been asked to leave. Sometimes your personal life changes, your workload shifts, sometimes you don’t like the working…
How does repetition help your students learn? How does teaching repetitiously allow things to land overtime? How’s does teaching repetitiously allow evolution in the student as we meet the same teachings at different ages, stages, views and life experiences? How could repeating ideas, classes, posts & concepts help you? Saying the same things in different…
I’m going to keep this short and sweet. You don’t own Facebook, you don’t own Instagram, you don’t control the algorithms and your accounts can be taken away or hacked in the blink of an eye. What you DO own and completely control is a website and your newsletters. Heres 3 tips for websites: Get…
Hear me out. This could be a good, maybe great, component to your next event, retreat or corporate offering – that you probably aren’t offering right now. I remember back in the day hosting my first day retreat and they were so uncommon people were a bit unsure as to what it all even involved.…
Consistency is a word I feel a bit icky using in regards to yoga as it has so many toxic connotations of working hard, gruelling schedules and well, it sounds like a drag. However, consistency can be the key to that elusive feel good quality you probably started yoga for in the first place –…
LOOKING AT YOGA: Drishti Translated as sight, view, vision, gaze and more, Drishti is basically a focused gaze. In every yoga pose, there’s a spot we can choose to look at (like a finger, wall or toe) and it can change to where our body is accessible or comfortable, but it’s not really about the…
If yoga was dramatically anti ageing, something undeniably measurable and with guaranteed results for all, well, I’d be typing this from my retirement compound full of dogs with an ageing portrait of myself in the attic. However, there IS evidence that yoga in both its physical and philosophical forms does have some pretty positive impact…
Comfy & Curious These two concepts can be great cornerstones to a yoga practice whether you are a student or a teacher. Could they even be an extreme simplification of all you need to remember in class? So, what do they mean and how can we use them? It’s easy to look at the words…
Kirtan Kriya is a traditional meditation practice from Kundalini Yoga. It involves using the mantra (‘muntra’) “Sa Ta Na Ma” while touching the thumb to each fingertip in a sequence, but don’t lose interest just yet, you may be surprised at a modern application. There are lots of different types of meditation and landing on…
Understanding the Gunas in Yoga Philosophy, to me, is exactly like the fable of Goldilocks. I am no academic so the way I make sense and apply philosophy may seem silly or disrespectful to some but I strongly believe in finding an access point that everyone can understand immediately from the get go rather…
4 ideas for freshening up a set yoga sequence without changing a thing. 1️⃣Try adding the concept of ‘up and down’. In every shape invite the option to explore reaching up an inch, reaching down an inch and feel into what they prefer, the qualities that both have and give to the shape and being…
Yoga Like A Fine Wine? We all definitely end up settling into a style of yoga or a teacher that suits our tastes. Something tried and tested , does what it says on the label and dosn’t make us feel funny or leave us with a nasty taste. Like a good wine, yoga needs a…
Let’s lower some barriers to meditation. Play around with what feels good, and manageable for you individually. And understand there is no rule book, no blueprint, and no way to get it right or wrong. You can meditate in the morning, or in the evening, or both – there are no rules. You can sit,…
Let’s talk about tissue healing, recovery from injury, and what that means to everyone, including movement enthusiasts. Tissue healing simply means the bodies regeneration and repair by replacing destroyed or damaged tissue with new living tissue. So what are these tissues of the body? They include fascia, tendons, muscles, ligaments and bones and we cannot…
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…
Chakras: Beyond the Myths and Misconceptions Chakra, pronounced “chu-kra,” not “sha-kra” commonly translates to “circular wheel-like disc.” However, the common terms we often hear, like chakra blockages, balancing, opening, or healing, can be misleading. Traditional Yoga texts suggest that chakras don’t need opening because they aren’t closed, nor do they need healing because they aren’t…
Have you ever felt a sense of peace when you’re near water or found yourself mesmerized by its gentle movement? Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols explains in his book “Blue Mind” that being near water helps our brains enter a semi-meditative state called drifting. This special form of attention means we’re engaged with the world…
The five kleshas (‘clay-shas’) in the Yoga sutras as known as afflictions, often translated as poisons and seen as the root of our discontent. We could simply think of them as obstacles in our minds that make us unhappy. They are: 1.Ignorance/delusion avidya 2.Ego asmita 3.Attachment raga 4.Aversion dvesa 5.Fear of death/change abinivesah These can…
Choosing to use a prop in yoga isn’t always a practical decision but more often an emotional one. Each prop carries a unique energy and symbolism, resonating differently with individuals. Whether it’s the comforting embrace of a bolster or the grounding stability of a block, or your nervous system feeling supported nestled into a meditation…
Ever been bored in yoga? I have. Yoga is a mirror, it reflects us back to ourselves. It teaches us something about ourselves- What I can tolerate today and what I can’t. Whats comfortable and what am I forcing? What are my habits and tendencies, can I unshackle from them? What keeps cropping up in…
Unlocking the Secrets of Flexibility: Nature vs. Nurture Are we born flexible, or do we become flexible over time? It’s a question that’s intrigued fitness enthusiasts and scientists alike. Let’s delve into flexibility and uncover the truth. Contrary to popular belief, our exercise routines and physical activities play only a minor role in determining our…
The Bhagavad Gita in a Nutshell: A Timeless Guide To Finding Purpose and Peace Have you ever felt torn between duty and desire? Unsure of your path in life? If so, you’re not alone and this ancient text provides guidance to timeless problems we can all relate to, it is the key text of yoga…
Have you heard of the Tibetan Five Rites? I once had a private Dru yoga teacher who taught me them. They are considered to be an ancient practice with relevance for today’s busy world. Let’s look at what these rites are all about and how they might benefit us in our everyday lives. The Tibetan…
If you’re experiencing pain or know someone who is, this message is for you. “Move for Soothe.” It’s a simple yet powerful reminder that movement is key, especially when pain comes knocking or wants to overstay its welcome as a house guest. When discomfort strikes, our instinct is often to stop moving, to freeze. But…
Soothing Somatic Solutions: A Roadmap to Relaxation? Somatics has gone from being a tiny slice of the wellness cake to now being a considerable chunky wedge. The word “somatic” originates from the Greek word “sōma,” which means “body” and in general, “somatic” means “of the body.” In the context of somatic practices like somatic exercises…
The Marvels of Nasal Breathing: Boosting Brain Power and Health In our hustle and bustle, we often overlook the simple act of breathing through our nose. Yet, this unassuming practice holds potent benefits for both mind and body. Let’s delve into the wonders of nasal breathing: 1. **Brain Boosting Benefits:** – Did you know…
🤕 Okay, so you have just winced in pain again around THAT recurring issue. You have tried everything and nothing works, you are totally despondent so what now? 👌Here’s how I often start to work with my one to one clients with recurring pain and be warned, exercise and poses don’t feature so exit now…
To be clear, sound has a completely different relationship to yoga and rest…but playlists, tracks and tunes… what’s the nitty gritty? There are so many great conversations out there and personally I love that challenge to my own comfort and narrative as a teacher and practitioner. Here’s my flip flops on music as a key…
Despite what many wellness gurus, podcast experts and editors will have us believe, sitting is not the new smoking. It is worth bearing in mind that most people who advocate these strong absolutes and black and white opinions usually have something to sell… It is a huge over simplification to say that sitting is the…
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory that arranges human needs in a pyramid. It suggests that people strive to meet five levels of needs: physiological (food, water), safety (shelter, security), love and belonging (relationships), esteem (self-worth), and self-actualization (fulfillment of potential). As each lower need is satisfied, individuals pursue higher ones. This model…
So what is an injury? Injury often happens when there’s too much force applied to a body part, like a bone or muscle, which exceeds its strength or capacity. This force can come from accidents, falls, or occasionally repetitive actions. When the force is strong enough, it can lead to damage, like broken bones or…
Plantar fasciitis is a common foot condition causing heel or sole pain. It’s caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot, ‘itis’ means inflame. Common among runners and those who stand for prolonged periods, it can lead to stabbing pain in the heel, usually…
Sit up straight! Did you know there is no evidence to support the idea that slouching is bad for you? So if you find yourself slumped watching the television, in awkward shapes whilst reading or hunched over a desk, fear not. Stillness, being sedentary & slouching is a normal part of being human, whether it…
If you have ever tweaked your back or know someone who struggles, it’s really common that we stiffen up in an act of protection and try not to move much. Even in exercise, we are often told to only move from our hip, hinge or isolate, certain areas (spoiler alert: nothing can truly be ‘isolated’)…
The practice isn’t the problem. In fact, the practice is the solution (not asana, the ‘other’ bit) We may actually be the problem… who recognises this arc either as your own journey or someone who know? We start going to yoga classes. We go a LOT. Going to yoga defines us and we…
So what is solid, what do we know for sure when working with people in pain? Pain changes how we move. Changing the brain changes pain. Pain changes affect how we feel. I teach yoga teachers & personal trainers how to coach for this. We can start with a few pointers: A lot of…
Your yoga practice is a personal journey inwards, an interiorization. One concept connected to that is the inward turning of the mind and senses, pratyahara. It is often misunderstood as pushing away experiences and shutting the world out, forcing yourself into avoidance and isolation, believing this is true withdrawal. These are the teachings of Kaya…
Savasana, also known as Corpse Pose, symbolises the ‘death’, end of the physical practice and the beginning of the deeper inward yoga practices. It is a foundational yoga posture that embodies the essence of non-sleep deep rest or NSDR. In this pose, practitioners lie down, allowing their bodies and minds to enter a guided tour…
7 reasons to avoid saying ‘the full expression of a pose’: 🌟There is no such thing if we all acknowledge the irrefutable fact that our skeletons alone are completely unique as well as the rest of individual anatomy. 🌟It breeds a culture of hierarchy, those who ‘can and those who ‘can’t’. 🌟Perfection dosn’t exist –…
The more physically dramatic the practice the more outward it takes you.The more subtle the practice the more it draws you inwards. This interiorisation is yoga. Choose any practice that clears the path inwards and repeat it. Again and again. The more we can practice this the easier it becomes to drop into tranquility within…
Your yoga practice is a personal journey inwards, an interiorization. One concept connected to that is the inward turning of the mind and senses, pratyahara. It is often misunderstood as pushing away experiences and shutting the world out, forcing yourself into avoidance and isolation, believing this is true withdrawal. Kaya Mindlin poses a beautiful question…
Does bull**** really baffle brains? Well, yes, it can. We can all apply this to our workplace and people we encounter but in yoga and the fitness world there are a lot of self styled experts to avoid and a red flag is often dealing in absolutes not possibilities. For example ‘doing *this fixes xyz’…
Triangle pose I always teach with ‘lightness and lift’ cues rather than sink down, dump down and reach ideas, thinking about up rather than down but for as many different ways to approach the shape there are different ideas around its symbolism too. There is the tale of Parvati inspired by her reflection to adopt…
A red flag that your physio, pain coach, yoga teacher or movement professional is seeing dollar signs when they look at you is their conversation around the importance of posture assessment, corrections or analysis. Human beings are perfectly imperfect and imbalanced. From iris to ears, knees to noses and spines to squats we are…
Hear me out. Has consent clouded our reasons for adjustments in yoga? Of course personal choice, agency and respect are important, as are the deeper elements of trauma, triggering and the freeze/fawn response- but what about the really, really simple and most obvious reason? Is there merit to weight loading a body that neither you,…
Less can be more. Try: Less talking, more listening. Less jargon, more plain language. Less finding weaknesses, more finding strengths. Less pain reduction, more pain resilience. You may also enjoy: Is Your Pain Plan broken https://yogabyrose.co.uk/is-your-pain-plan-broken/
As things currently stand, there are no treatment protocols, exercise, programs, or yoga poses to prevent or treat paid efficiently and reliably. The current focus of physical and biomechanical, even medical, simply isn’t enough. So what do we do? Firstly, we need to recognise that exercise has multiple values, but we cannot claim in relation…
When recovering from an injury it is common to experience pain or discomfort after exercise. Infact it is somewhat expected and in the majority of cases it is no cause for alarm. We can think of this aggravation to the existing injury as a hangover. While the discomfort might be unpleasant, it is typically temporary…
Recovery from an injury can be like a game of Snakes and Ladders. Each step forward in the recovery process is like climbing a ladder, bringing you closer to healing and regaining your strength. However, just as in the game, there may be setbacks or unexpected challenges represented by the snakes. These setbacks can take…
I’m just going to leave this blog here in case it helps anyone as it is a common term used in medical diagnosis for individuals as well as trainings for movement professionals yet we are all expected to magically understand all these terms – I hope it helps! In this case I discuss how the…
The post hoc fallacy, also known as the fallacy of false cause or correlation does not imply causation, is a logical error in reasoning. It occurs when someone assumes that just because one event happens before another, the first event caused the second one to occur. This is so handy to know when trying to…
Debunking the Myth: Bodyweight and Joint Pain Joint pain can be a debilitating condition that affects individuals of all ages, sizes and backgrounds. It is a common belief that bodyweight plays a significant role in the onset and development of joint pain. However, recent research suggests that bodyweight alone is not the sole cause or…
Here is a great pocket sized handy yoga class planning hack and yoga teacher tip: MY ADDITION SUBTRACTION METHOD We often feel we need to be endlessly creative in our class planning but sometimes life takes over or we are just generally tanking too much time into planning. * This tip isnt for sustainable planning…
It’s quite easy to make someone physically exhausted. It’s not impossible to set difficult physical feats or challenges. Indeed these have an important place in health & movement but in YOGA there is a warped message in making a class physically tough then offering relaxation or savasana as a reward for our exertion. Its stealth…
The biopsychosocial model of pain is a comprehensive framework that recognizes the interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors in the experience of pain. While it offers valuable insights into pain management, there are potential misinterpretations that can arise when applying this model. One common misinterpretation is reducing the model to a simple formula where…
I can promise you that the toes are not the goal. I can confirm that there are multiple directions of travel, not just down. I can guarantee that there are good things to discover with lightness and lift, not just depth and down. It can be a beautiful approach for both the body and mind…
Desire Paths Whilst walking the British coast & countryside with my little Flossie, I notice two main types of path: a bridleway/trail and a desire path. The first path has been deliberately made and often laid with the clear intention of getting you from A to B. Not only is it intended to make the…
When movement isn’t punishment or goal orientated what could it be? Potential Informative Curious Reassuring Discovery Nurturing Therapeutic Joyful What would you add?
Consistency. Is it one of the most toxic words in the wellness industry? Consistency requires extreme privilege. It is patronising, patriarchal and has negative consequences, suggesting that if we only made the effort things could be different for us… And we all know that there is a plethora of research around the impact of language…
8 simple things I wish I’d known about delivering private yoga sessions: •Some clients want to talk more than do, there are many reasons for this and it’s perfectly ok •Some clients want to do more than talk, there are many reasons for this and its perfectly ok •This may be the only time they…
Pain is a complex and multifaceted experience that extends far beyond a mere physical sensation. To fully comprehend and address the complexities of pain, the biopsychosocial model provides a comprehensive framework. This model recognizes that pain is multi factorial and influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors and emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach…
In a fast-paced and demanding world, maintaining good mental health is crucial. While there are various approaches to achieving this, one practice that has gained significant recognition for its positive impact on mental well-being is yoga. Beyond its physical benefits, yoga offers a multitude of advantages for mental health. Let’s explore some of the ways…
One of the most common questions I am asked as a yoga teacher peer mentor is about expanding into teaching regular private sessions and client retention. Teaching a one-off session isn’t difficult, retaining returning weekly, fortnightly or monthly clients requires a whole different skill set. So let’s start at with the basics to put in…
Pain can always cause us concern, but often the words of our doctor, physiotherapist or even friends can cultivate more alarm. The words ‘degeneration’ and ‘herniation’ are the most common when we have pursued imagery of the spine. They can be very daunting and the use of, impact and associated qualities of these words can…
As we head into spring and summer the inevitable slew of wellness and yoga festivals start to jostle for our support and attention. Personally I started to turn down working at these and attending as my awareness grew to how they didn’t use their position for positive change and instead of employing a wealth and…
Still in pain a year or more later? Still in pain after pills, meds, injections, operations, massages, treatments and interventions? To treat pain we need to understand it. We need to let go of ideas of a single cure or that a combination of certain ideas may find the perfect mix to resolve it and…
Ever been told strengthening your core will help your bad back ? Correcting your posture will solve that stiff neck or even working on your pelvic tilt will help your pain? These are all well disproven, old fashioned movement myths with no supporting evidence. In fact red flags should pop up when ever we hear…
Yoga has been repackaged by the west to look luxe, aspirational and effortless but when it comes to meditation realities this image could not be more misleading and is why meditation can feel so difficult and full of disappointments. It is also often confused with mindfulness, seeing the words used interchangeably. Practicing mindfulness is bringing…
Neutral isn’t a magical land where injury doesn’t occur. Neutral isn’t a unique zone where you are bulletproof and protected. Neutral isn’t a special place of safety where movement is executed perfectly. Neutral is not a rare sought after unicorn but it is absolutely a myth. Neutral simply cannot exist. If you accept our bodies…
We have had man buns, apple cider vinegar shots, barefoot shoes and now the current trend of ice baths. Don’t get me wrong, I love a new cult trend but the way the physio bro science of the internet has taken to warring over their value is frankly the best entertainment I’ve had since we…
It is a common misconception that more of anything is ‘better’. However, when it comes to exercise and indeed yoga, there is a strong case for less is more. Pushing into shapes and poses on the yoga mat can be a counter productive stress signal to the body, whereas backing off, building your stretch tolerance…
Paper cuts, bruises, blisters. All damaged tissue but *generally the ‘damage’ is minimal. But the pain they cause? Massively out of proportion to the damage. A bruise can have you wincing, a paper cut can be invisible but makes you shake your hand and change your behaviour and a simple blister can stop you from…
What if yoga wasn’t the womb or the moon? What if yoga wasn’t crystals or cards, Reiki or angels? What is yoga wasn’t fast or fitness, hot or physical progression? What if yoga wasn’t affirmations or journalling, boss babes or zen vibes? What if yoga wasn’t juice cleanses, ice baths, body brushing or indigenous medicine?…
Think of this post as your hall pass, your permission slip to pause, stop being a good girl and rest – because sometimes trying to do very little is actually hard work. We self sabotage rest. We feel we need to be productive and making progress, to tick things off a never ending to do…
What does a yoga teacher actually need to know about anatomy that has useful connections and practical applications to the reality of teaching? I am very guilty of over learning, overly pursuing advanced anatomy, courses for physios and deep dives into fascia and cadaver work. Anatomy has become seen as a badge of knowledge in…
When we talk in yoga of losing weight, strength or fitness goals we immediately prioritise the body over the soul. Talk of ‘sweating out sins’, ridding yourself of guilt through practice? Centralises the body over the mind. Narrative around practicing postures to improve, achieve or attain? It ranks the future abound the now. Placing importance…
We keep rescheduling rest. We deprioritise slowing down. We distract with highs. We tell ourselves rest must be earned. We convince ourselves only physical progression counts. We long for what’s next, what’s been, not valuing the now. We honour ‘more is more’. And we wonder why our minds struggle. Yet we keep on rescheduling rest.
Think of yoga as having the right coat for the weather. When we start we often reach for fashion, what style is popular and cool, what style gives us that instant shoppers high, immediate gratification but often unethical and unsustainable. When we find out feet, over time, we instinctively listen to the forecast of our…
Celebrities swear by them, colleges provide them for staff and students, recovery centres use them for addiction, trauma and now pain – but what exactly is a sound bath and will you have to get wet? They may sound like a revolutionary new age wellness trend, especially with city sessions selling for around £70, but…
Teams don’t make it to the Super Bowl the first time they step out on the pitch. It can take years, a whole career – and they may not make it even then. This dosn’t stop them trying, training or enjoying the process. We can apply the same idea to savasana, corpse pose, the relaxation…
Movement ‘Snacks’ No, not the kind you eat! A 2018 study shows that breaking your movement into just a few minutes through the day is more effective and has multiple benefits preferable to several long workouts. Current guidelines suggest moderate exercise is when you feel warmer, are breathing harder and your heart beats faster but…
Ahhh, the joy of being outside. We are not talking about exercise or 10,000 steps a day, just simply spending time outside in nature. By being engaged in the world around us – listening to birds, feeling the weather and touching the earth we become less introspective and it reduces our anxiety and lowers cortisol and…
5 Reasons For A Private Yoga Session How a one to one yoga class can benefit you. 1. You have specific needs such as persistent pain, an injury, limited mobility, fear of movement or return to sport goals 2. You feel uncomfortable with the public group class model; it is too fast or too exclusive,…
5 Effective Ways Of Mitigating Pain & Moving Forward. Instead of focusing on what the reason, cause or pathology is, treat the pain itself. Modern pain science show us that the best approach is to not aim to rid yourself of all discomfort and make a goal of being pain free, but to instead aim…
I CAN’T BALANCE! Really? Or do we just get taught that a balance is standing on one leg and completing other tasks at the same time? Walking is a multitasking single leg balance which most of us do everyday, but sometimes yoga can be overly elaborate and end goal focused, leading us to struggle unnecessarily.…
Let’s look at lowering to the ground as a yoga transition and that knees, chest, chin is an alternative to chaturanga Firstly what is the purpose of the pose? What are we trying to achieve here? I don’t teach chaturanga to up dog as a transition anymore and rarely teach chaturanga at all but…
Creaky, snapping, clicky, popping, crunching – our bodies do love to get loud and vocal with us when we move! And the good news is the sounds alone are perfectly normal when they aren’t accompanied by any other symptoms. We are not fully clear on why they happen, it can be joints or soft tissues…
Do you need anything special or fancy to practice yoga?
No, of course not but just like running or going to the gym there are some pieces of kit that can make a difference and help distraction free practice.
If we took up running we would invest in some good running shoes and a good mat will enable no hand or feet slips or surfing across the floor in warrior two.
Use your common sense, patterns may wear, pale colours get grubby and just like run shoes expect your mat to have a mileage life span rather than last forever – I usually update mine every year or two.
After buying virtually every yoga mat going, wasting money on ones that didn’t meet their promises of non slip and feeling frustrated at ones that don’t perform well- I can honestly say lululemon make the best ones and was in love with them well before my working relationship with the brand. I usually buy a 5mm one to be kind to knees and joints but if carrying mat weight is an issue the 3mm are lighter but less padded.
If you are happy with any colour keep an eye on their sale section as they always pop up in there too.
A yoga block and strap can be good investments too.
Props are definitely not for people who cannot do something, they are a brilliant aid to help engagement, cultivate play and switch up what we doing – your body loves variety and in fact your tissues respond better to variety rather than depth in the poses.
For my yin lovers, a bolster and eye pillow make for a transformation of your yin experience and lights out in savasana and if you attend either my community classes or private sessions you will be familiar with the beautiful handmade bolsters, meditation cushions and eye pillows from Yogipod at www.yogipod.co.uk which we use all the time.
