Body and Soul Yoga

I loved International Yoga Day this summer at Alexandra Palace. With a whole day of yoga led by greats like David Sye, Robert Milletti and Leah Bracknell what’s not to like. But, if I’m honest – and in the spirit of Satya (one of the Yamas as defined by Patanjali) I have to be honest – I missed the shopping that comes with the main event in October.

I have no trouble resisting designer shoes or handbags but one whiff of yoga goodies and I turn into Carrie Brads...

I love yoga in almost all its forms – even those I can’t do – but Laughter Yoga is one aspect I’ve never been much interested in. I’ve experienced it a few times, but usually only as a small part of the class and it’s always struck me as forced and gimmicky. I put it in much the same box as Dog Yoga and Surfboard Yoga as “yogas” I’m unlikely to be taking part in myself. It takes a lot to make me laugh out loud. I would be pretty useles...

When I graduated with a Dru Teaching Diploma in January my next step was to start teaching. The problem was who to teach and where. During term time it proved to be impossible – my plan to teach other teachers at the college where I work (my “real” job is teaching ESOL to adults in Ilford) never happened because no-one, myself included, had enough time. There was plenty of enthusiasm and good intentions but quite honestly, with OFSTED breathing down our necks, we were al...

This article is written mindful of the Yamas which form the first limb of the eight limbs of yoga (Astanga yoga) as found in Chapter 2 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The guidelines are subdivided into five different sections but the ones that concern this article are: Asteya – not desiring what we may not have (a Sweaty Betty vest top maybe); Brahmacharya – moderation, non-indulgence of the senses (do I really need a £100 Bodyform yoga mat or will the Primark one do?) and ...