Dandelion sankalpa

The dandelion is a symbol of resilience and regenerative strength

Dandelions are a crop. That’s according to Ross Gay, avid gardener, poet, and author of The Book of Delights. He loves the taste of dandelion greens, and he turns our perception of them upside down. ‘Weed’ is not part of his vocabulary. Dandelion In choosing a dandelion as the symbol for Transition Yoga, I had […]

The day I learned to think

I have a clear memory of the day I learned to think. One sunny morning, Mum and I were in the front yard. I was four years old. I know I was four, not five, because I started going to school at five. Before that, I had a lot of quiet time at home with […]

You don’t have to be flexible like Simone Biles to do yoga

Images like the one above give us the impression that we should be able to compete with gymnast Simone Biles to be good at yoga. I led a small group through a grief yoga practice the other day. A few days before the class, two thirds of my students got in touch to warn me […]

Getting ready for a private yoga lesson at home

You’ve just scheduled your first private yoga lesson. What do you need to prepare? The teacher is coming to your home this week. Maybe she’s already on her way there and you suddenly think, I don’t have a yoga mat. How are we going to do this? A yoga teacher who offers private lessons will […]

The joy of yoga in bed

When mobility is limited, yoga in bed is a life-enhancing and joyous activity.   At home with yoga Yoga studios are incredible places of sanctuary, peace, and well-being. I’ve been to many, all over the world, and I feel right at home at each of the yoga studios I’ve visited. But the truth is, yoga […]

Can I do yoga if I’m dying?

“Well, the people at our hospice wouldn’t be doing that.” This is what someone told me at an event I went to on the weekend when I said I specialized in yoga for people at the end of life. It’s understandable that people think yoga is not for the dying. We’ve all seen Instagram-worthy photos […]

Getting clear on the meaning of “yoga”

Everyone has an idea of what yoga means and these days it’s hard to find anyone who has not tried at least one yoga class. You might have done some yoga without being aware of it. If you’ve ever practiced mindfulness, you’ve done yoga. If you’ve taken a deep breath to calm down, you’ve done […]

Pranayama has gone mainstream

Pranayama has gone mainstream In the past few years, I’ve come across all kinds of professionals—from doctors to school teachers—who are telling people to breathe. Deepen your breath and count to four, for example, as you inhale. Hold for four. Exhale for four. Hold for four. That’s known as box breathing. A few breaths are […]