Eddie Stern and the supporters of LIFE Camp walking the walk with yoga. Truly inspiring.

" That (true knowledge) which cannot be realized, merely by reading and studying, becomes real only through application and practice of yoga" Yoga Makaranda-The Nectar of Yoga  Krishnamacharya 

Ashtanga yoga is a flowing dynamic form of yoga, where each pose is linked and synchronised using a breath and movement system . Developed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga yoga is a set series of postures that are linked to the breath in a flow of movement, increasing strength and flexibility. The discipline of this system allows us to develop a deeper understanding and awareness of ourselves. It is both empowering, and liberating and allows us to move through life with a calmness and steadiness of mind and body. Ashtanga Yoga courses at Yoga Mama In addition to our Friday morning (9 -10:30am) Ashtanga Led Yoga course, we have added a new Tuesday morning (9:30 - 11am) course too. Both of these courses last for 8 weeks and cost £120. Come along and join our yoga classes to gain muscle strength, flexibility and improve your posture to help prevent re-injury and to achieve a mind-body connection. More information and bookings For more information or to book your place on

Sad to hear the news of BKS Iyengar passing on to the next life What a truly remarkable man who studied and shared his knowledge of yoga to millions of people. His books have certainly influenced me-his dedication and wisdom stayed with him to the end. His mark on the world saw him nominated for the Noble Prize for peace.....lets hope we see more yogis follow in his "giant"  footsteps.

This is a great image that really shows why posture is important, and why people working at computers should be especially mindful. Carrying around a 42lb head is going to hurt. Tuck that chin in and lengthen the spine. Thank you to The Putney clinic of Physical Therapy for displaying this on their notice board.

By Cherie Lathey, senior yoga teacher and director of Yoga Mama Many skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and atopic dermatitis can be triggered by or, indeed, made worse once an outbreak is present by stress. Some suffers will become self-conscious and even depressed which then causes a circular negative effect on the condition. Practising yoga and meditation can have a really positive effect on both the mind and body. We know helping to relieve stress can help to alleviate some of the symptoms or aggravating factors of skin conditions brought on by stress. While I am not suggesting yoga and meditation alone will cure psoriasis, it can definitely help. A gentle yoga practice and breathing techniques can have a profound effect on how we manage stress, and how we perceive ourselves in the world. Helping to balance moods and enabling a positive connection to the body by letting go of the negative feelings that might occur when a skin condition is present. Gentle poses

Asana is to be seated in a position which is firm but relaxed Yoga Sutras

I am out of action at the moment. I have a hip impingement which has been going on for a quite a while. I've seen all the great and good in the London hip scene (pardon the pun) and have continued my yoga practice the best I can whilst working around the injury site and not taking myself into a point of pain. A recent stint which had me sat at a computer for more hours than I care to count has aggravated the impingement and the steroid injection I had in August has started to wear off. One of the problems I now have is pain and inflammation causes muscle inhibition. As I currently have pain,  I have been advised to rest to see if the pain subsides. Continuing to work through the pain inhibits the muscles around the injury site and stops them from working efficiently; therefore doing more damage than good. Once I  am relatively pain free, I will work the muscles (in this case the glutes and other core stabilisers) in isolation to try and gain back the strength that has been  

After a week of "super clubs" in Ibiza my son busts his version of Eka Pada in a "Trapstar" hat and "Nike Huarache" trainers. While the attire is pretty cool, it is not recommended with this yoga pose.   :-) 

A wonderful video clip of an inspirational man. I was moved and inspired by Matthew. He will be running workshops at Triyoga in London in September 2013. Matthew Sanford realising the inner body + adapting yoga for everyone: a weekend of workshops + two-day intensive Wednesday 11 - Sunday 15 September.

So I'm here in Mysore India to practice yoga at the Ashtanga yoga institute. I could write a long monologue of my practice, the shala, the students, the gossip and all the other "stuff" that keeps the yoga students entertained when they are not practising asana. Instead I will give you a glimpse into the life of the people of India who are teaching me lessons every day that I am here.

Tittibhasana-Whats that in the distance Santa's sledge? Er, think it might be my feet...

According to the Hatha yoga Pradipika, "Both the mind and the breath are united together like milk and water and both of them are equal in their activities. The mind begins its activities where there is breath, and the prana begins its activities where there is the mind" Hatha yoga Pradipika

Not planning to give up my London life just yet-but this is a job I could possibly do-Rickshaw driving in Mysore India. Although I spent 5 weeks in Mysore I have no idea what the road rules are? (there don't appear to be  any, as far as I could see). I do know they drive on the same side of the road as we do in the UK and that you must not injure the cows that hang out in the middle of the road. You may also come across the odd herd of goats Blissed out yoga students And Monkeys eyeing up motor bikes for a spot of Joy riding. I think a rickshaw driver must be fairly entertained by the influx of yoga students that pass through Mysore during the season-Especially when they are asked to be taken to "magic school",  "you know like Harry Potter" -when in fact its "mystic school" and not a Harry Potter in sight....I reckon your day would be fairly interesting, and definitely one that requires nerves of steel, and a

Big thank you to Zico for keeping me well hydrated throughout the festive period. Chilled this drink is delicious-although fortunately for me I was the only member of my household to enjoy the taste-therefore did not have to share them-Oops my yogic halo slipping....

It's getting crowded on the road to enlightment...  This is the title of third item in three weeks that the Times has written about yoga and "enlightenment". This is obviously a good selling tactic at the moment, but it might be useful if they got their story straight. In the first item they wrote "how wonderful yoga is for you". Item two said the opposite "yoga is not good for you". Item three mixes up yoga, Buddhism and Kabbalah and how many people are rushing off to India in search of enlightenment, and how much it's all costing us gullible Westerners. The item then goes on to say Julia Roberts converted to Hinduism after appearing in Eat, Pray, Love;  Demi Moore, Britney Spears and Madonna are all followers of Kabbalah; Tiger Woods said his Buddhist Faith would help him recover from sex scandals;  Steven Segal announced in 1997 that he was the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama... Is the Times therefore using the above statements to reassur

I am trying out my beautiful Polka dot yoga mat bag from DevonRed. DevonRed is a small independent business based in Exeter, making handmade yoga bags and products. The yoga bag is bright and sunny and has enough room inside it for me to place my keys and lipstick should I need to. I am loving my bag and eye pillow. To view all products go to www.devonred.com or to follow  DevonRed on Twitter

On a recent trip to Wiltshire to practice yoga, I stayed at this beautiful hotel; Bishopstrow House. Having had months of "full-on" work commitments, this was a real treat indeed. My room was beautiful and looked out over a private garden that made me think of Watership Down, with rabbits (that looked rather big, but then again I am a true Londoner) hopping around the lawn. I had an evening swim in the heated outdoor pool, which is a rarity in itself; finding an outdoor pool in the UK that is actually warm enough to swim in. I headed over to the spa and had a steam and sauna followed by what can only be described as the most unusual shower I have ever had. Being a new spa the double shower gave you a push button choice to the kind of shower you would like to choose. I choose the Caribbean storm. I stood in the shower and closed my eyes as a fine warm mist sprayed onto my face; gorgeous! There were sound effects playing too, so when a thunder clap started, I should have take

I often use mantras to clear a "head space" for myself. Here is one I came across that is said to help soothe the nerves, and aid relaxation. It is the bija mantra, or seed sound SOM ( pronounced "sohm") Repeat it to yourself until the body and mind, feels calm and relaxed.