I have posted before my love of handbags & of course my love of yoga....these bags by agoya combine the two. I'm currently rolling my mat and shoving it in my hand bag when I'm on the run ...this might be the way to go for me, as these bags/mat carriers are the most stylish I have EVER seen. For more details about these beautiful hand crafted items contact  hello@agoya.cc

Yoga for birth preparation classes are tailored for the final stages of pregnancy (from 32 weeks), where what we need most is to quieten the mind, let go of time pressures and constant doing and be in a consciously relaxed state, where we can connect with ourselves, our babies and our inner birthing wisdom. The course runs over four weeks and each week a different topic is discussed at the start of class: Week 1 :  The natural physiology of birth : what to expect at different stages of the labour process Week 2 :  Managing fear : Trusting your body and nurturing a sense of empowerment Week 3 :  Creating a positive intention and guided relaxation : Letting go of the intellect and connecting with intuition and instincts Week 4 :  Using breath as your anchor in labour : Detailed breath techniques for the different stages of labour After the initial discussion, the session becomes more body focused, incorporating yoga postures that can help move the labour process along and

" Practice implies a certain methodology, involving effort. It has to be followed uninterruptedly for a long time, with firm resolve, application, attention and devotion, to create a stable foundation for training the mind, intelligence, ego and consciousness." Light on the yoga sutras of Pattanjali.  BKS Iyengar No quick fix here and this section really is about the inside not the outside (Asana) 

Here are are few photos from my trip to the Western Ghats. Beautiful Indian country side (after being in the city for quite some time). Elephants, waterfalls, coffee plantations and national parks...

Sharath said "new asana new pain" last week in the conference here in Mysore. Anyone who practises Ashatanga yoga can probably relate to this.   I think practising some "old" asanas with a new approach can also create pain (both physical and emotional)... In my experience, if we stick with it and trust in the process, we can overcome some of of this pain (both real and imagined). He also said he took two years with one pose. I would love to know what pose that was, but I am not quite brave enough to ask. :-)

My daughter Cally is taking part in this year's London Marathon in aid of the World Wildlife Fund. This is a huge task for her as she is an inexperienced runner. The interview below in which she tells us about her preparation was originally posted on The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy blog and I thought I would share it with you all. :-)   A beginner runner's account of Marathon training On Sunday 13th April, the 34th edition of the Virgin Money London Marathon will take place. The 26-mile route, which starts in Greenwich Park and Blackheath and ends in The Mall, attracts elite athletes from all around the world, as well as thousands of runners raising money for their favourite charities. One such runner is 23 year-old fashion graduate Cally-Siân Lathey from Putney, who is also a patient at the Clinic. She will be participating in this year's Marathon on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund and has kindly agreed to tell us about her preparation for the event.

Some of  my favourite photos of life in Mysore, India

I survived a 4.30 am led classes here in Mysore. Thats it! :-) I missed last Sundays led class because I was still awake at 2am and due to get up at 3am (it didn't happen). So when my alarm went off at 3.15am and I had had at least 6 hours sleep, I was on it! By the time I reached the shala at 3.45am-ish, there were lots of people sitting outside the gates in the road (yes, in the road). I had been told there would be the "gate keepers", those who sit facing out into the crowd as though to keep a watchful eye on proceedings and the rest of us facing them as though expecting a sermon. It is a very surreal sight. The calm friendly group sat peacefully together turns into something quite different as the shala lights come on and the gates are opened  (imagine the Harrods sales but with yoga mats instead of posh handbags). I decided to put my mat in the lobby and not run the gauntlet of the shala. This turned out to be a great spot for me and was, in fact, the fir

I really like how David Kiel Anatomy talks. Here he discusses Janu Sirasasa and my nemesis pose, Setu bandhasana. I would highly recommend his adjustment DVDS too (if you teach and like to adjust students of all abilities).