Supta baddha konasana, or reclining bound angle pose, is the king of restorative yoga poses. It opens up the front of the body so that shoulders move back, chest broadens, abdominals and inner thighs lengthen, groin and hips release. It's quite a vulnerable position, as you're placed in a backbend, your soft front body exposed to … Continue reading The ultimate relaxation pose

Yoga does, inevitably, involve a lot of stretching. You don’t, however, always need to find the stretch. If you are constantly striving for a feeling of lengthening muscles, you may end up overdoing it, losing the simple pleasure of being in the pose, or even adding tension. Stop trying so hard all the time. It … Continue reading Unravelling tension

Every time you set foot on your yoga mat, you’re making a voyage of discovery. You don’t have to do a whole long practice. If you have ten minutes to spare, strike a pose, take a few deep breaths, and notice how you are today. Try it now. Something really simple. Lie down on the … Continue reading Wave your hands in the air (like you don’t care)

I'm not super-stretchy. Or super-strong. Or super-anything. I do yoga because it makes me feel better and I teach yoga because I love it. Just as you have to use your muscles to keep them strong, you need to explore your range of movement to retain or improve it. I experienced yoga before children (BC) and after children (AC). … Continue reading Why do yoga?

Mindfulness – it seems to be the word of the moment, and yet it's an age-old concept. What exactly is mindfulness? It’s a way of paying attention to the present moment, becoming more aware of your thoughts and feelings without self-criticism – using a ‘witness’ mind rather than being so wrapped up in your emotions … Continue reading Mindfulness – in case you were wondering…