When I attended a David Swenson workshop recently entitled somewhere along the lines of “hands on adjustments” I had thought I might pick up a few tips, on assisting, my students into a couple of poses. David Swenson had been my first yoga teacher many years ago (16 to be precise). A lot of things have happened in my life in those years (and no doubt in his too) and I felt like a different person to the one who was introduced to yoga by this man all those years ago. We chatted briefly after the workshop and I thanked him for introducing me to Ashtanga yoga and, therefore, changing my life direction for ever. Amazing how one chance meeting on a Greek island can open up a whole new dimension! In fact I had gone to Skyros to attend a workshop called “Creative Change”. I changed my mind and moved to the other side of the island to do yoga and windsurfing. The workshop worked in a funny kind of way. David Swenson was just as I had remembered him; he had hardly changed at all... A little lig

Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have found this tip for Bhuja Pidasana really useful while teaching. I would have like to have known this tip when I was learning this pose. Many thanks to @Arkieyogini for sharing this with me on Twitter.

The virtues, like the Muses, are always seen in groups. A good principle was never found solitary in any breast. Buddha

My family really enjoyed this gratin. You can make this a purely vegetarian by not adding the bacon and or using a cream substitute. Prep time: 15-20 mins Cooking time: 50 mins Ingredients (serves 4 people as a main dish or 6-8 people as a side dish): A splash of olive oil 2 rashers of smoky bacon (optional) 1 large onion and/or leek, finely chopped 3-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 500g root vegetables (swede, celeriac, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, even potatoes), finely sliced* Sea salt and freshly ground pepper A pinch of ground cloves or a handful of thyme leaves 1 mug of double or luxury pouring cream ½ mug of vegetable or chicken stock, or water A handful of oats 1 mug of breadcrumbs A handful of nuts (chestnuts, if you can), chopped A nugget of butter A handful of grated cheese (optional) *Swede, celeriac and other big root vegetables need to be peeled and cut into more manageable pieces before slicing. Instructions: Preheat the oven to 190°C/Gas 5. Place a large frying pan o

Love is trembling happiness. Khalil Gibran

The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted. Mother Teresa

Means we use must be as pure as the ends we seek. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Utthita Hasta Padanusthasana B , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Utthita Hasta Padanusthasana B

Love and doubt have never been on speaking terms. Khalil Gibran