Another great video posted on youtube by Givondakai . This is a led intermediate class in Mysore, focusing on karandavasana. Enjoy!

The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows. Buddha

Here is a very interesting article about Mulha Bandhas by David Keil (originally published on his website Yoganatomy.com ) that was recommended to me by @AshtangaLife on Twitter. Mulha Bandha Anatomically Speaking by David Keil © 2010 The bandhas are perhaps the most difficult aspect to grasp in the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. For me personally, I think I know what they are. But then I look back at my little life as an Ashtangi, amazingly at 11 years now, and realize, I thought I knew what they were 10 years ago. Then just 5 years ago I understand them even more differently than I do today. My experience of them has changed over the years and will continue to as I'm guessing your experience of them will. As an anatomy teacher I do try to bridge the gap between the subtle esoteric aspects of the energetic system and the practice of yoga and put it into western terms of anatomy. In the area of bandhas, I am careful to not too strongly make it into a physical anatomical ...

Life without liberty is like a body without spirit. Khalil Gibran

Peace begins with a smile. Mother Teresa

Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others? Martin Luther King, Jr.

Here is a video of a led intermediate class in Mysore, focusing on Suryanamaskara B.

I think I am going to have to purchase some toesoxs. One of the studios where I am teaching yoga has really cold floors, which is fine when you are practising yoga and are standing on your mat, but not so good when you are wandering about barefoot while adjusting students. I did notice my favourite teacher wearing them recently. If they are good enough for her, then they are good enough for me.

The mind is everything. What you think, you become. Buddha

Raw fairies 008 , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . My food for the day has magically appeared from Raw Fairies - it looks delicious, and I have already had my berry smoothie....here is todays menu Berry Smoothie with Goji Berries, Ginger and Purple Corn (blueberries, rasperries, cherries, blackberries, banana, goji berries, fresh ginger, purple corn powder) •Green Smoothie with Chlorella and Spirulina (kiwi, banana, spinach, chlorella and spirulina) •Mock Tuna Salad with Cashew Mayo (sunflower seeds, walnuts, celery, carrot, black olives,red pepper, red onion, garlic, tomato, cashews, nutritional yeast, salt, mustard powder) •Beetroot and Carrot Cakes with Red Pepper Dill Sauce (walnuts, sunflower seeds, carrot, beetroot, red onion, garlic, red pepper, cashews, fresh dill, cumin, harrissa, Himalayan pink salt) •Oriental Mushroom, Wakame, Red Cabbage and Mung Bean Sprout Salad with Brown Rice Vinegar Dressing (oriental mushroom: shiitake, oyster; red cabbage, wakame, broccoli, ca...

A saucy Bolognese is great for veggies. It contains staples such as onions, carrots, celery and leeks; and you could even toss some finely diced parsnip or swede into the mix (but not too much). Another thing that works wonders in a Bolognese sauce is mushrooms. You can make a veggie/vegan version by just using mushrooms, or you can compromise by just taking out the meat. Preparation time: 15 minutes. Total cooking time: 45 minutes-1 hour Ingredients (serves 4-6 people) 500g minced beef or 500g mushrooms, finely chopped like mince A few splashes of olive oil Sea salt and black pepper 2 onions and/or leeks, finely diced 4 large garlic cloves, chopped 2 large carrots, finely diced 2 sticks of celery, finely diced (optional, but good) A large glass of red wine 2 tbsp tomato purée 2 tins of tomatoes A few bay leaves (if you like) A few sprigs of rosemary and/or thyme, leaves finely chopped Instructions: Place a large frying pan or pot over medium heat. Add a glug of oil and brown the meat...

Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit. Khalil Gibran

I will be a doing a one day raw food detox on Friday. I have chosen this day as it is my day off (well almost) and I will be using foods provided by Raw Fairies. Raw Fairies is a London-based company that delivers freshly-prepared, healthy raw food. The spaghetti is made from courgette ribbons and comes with a red pepper and walnut Bolognese sauce; the avocado almond burgers are served with raisin ginger chutney; and breakfast smoothies contain chlorella (marine algae) to support your immune system and flush out your gut. The Friday menu looks amazing. I can't wait. For more information, visit the Raw Fairies website

Student protests London , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Does she look like a violent protester? I think not! Check out the police behind her though. The media has a lot to answer for in the way they portray these demonstrations.

Here is a short video of a led intermediate class in Mysore, focusing on bakasana. Enjoy!

Our life of poverty is as necessary as the work itself. Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them. Mother Teresa

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?" Martin Luther King, Jr.

Janga crow, Sunder peak, Everest; Nepal , originally uploaded by Eric Lon . Crow Pose on Sunder Peak, Mount Everest, Nepal Eric Lon, French masseur and physiotherapist - along with his Nepali spiritual son, Janga - went to the Everest base camp in order to prepare the first Everest - yoga - massage - trek in April 2011. The trek will take them to Gorak Shep, with an altitude of 5,180 metres. Will this become the highest yoga camp in the world? To view Eric's photos, visit: Eric Lon's Flickr photostream

The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground. Buddha

On Wednesday 24th November 2010, from 7pm until 8:30pm, Hala El-Shafie will be holding the Mindful Eating seminar at the Evolve Wellness Centre in South Kensington. About the seminar This seminar will cover the following topics: What is Mindful Eating? Why we eat what we eat? Conscious Eating – Listening to your body Ways to eat mindfully : The 20 minute rule Know yourself – identifying trigger foods Giving appreciation + gratitude The price of this seminar is £15 per person . To register, please call evolve reception on 0207 581 4090 or visit www.evolvewellnesscentre.com Hala El-Shafie Hala El-Shafie is Health Editor and Director of Nutrition Rocks and is an expert nutritionist and state registered dietician with more than 10 years experience in this field. She has a unique and exceptional understanding of the emotional and psychological issues often associated with food and has created a successful holistic client-centred approach that has brought her an extensive and loyal followin...

Kino MacGregor talks to Girls Gone Gorgeous about beauty, the body and beyond.

Headstand practice in Mysore, with what seems like a very slow count :-)

Knowledge of the self is the mother of all knowledge. So it is incumbent on me to know my self, to know it completely, to know its minutiae, its characteristics, its subtleties, and its very atoms. Khalil Gibran

One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody. Mother Teresa

I love this video clip and it will definitely make you smile. Enjoy!

Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Here is a recipe for a dessert that is delicious, healthy and ideal for vegetarians and vegans. Roast spiced plums with soya cream... Makes my mouth water just thinking about it! Ingredients (serves 4 people): 10 plums, halved and stoned 2cm cube of ginger, peeled and grated 200g soft, dark brown sugar 2 small cinnamon sticks, or 1 large stick broken in half 2 star anise Juice of 1 lime Instructions: Preheat the oven to 190C/gas mark 5. Put the plums in a bowl with the ginger, sugar and lime juice. Mix together to coat the plums, then place cut-side up in an ovenproof dish where the plums can lie in a single layer. Arrange cinnamon and star anise in dish, around the plums. Pour 75ml cold water around the fruit and bake for 30-40 minutes (cooking time depends on how ripe the fruit is. The harder the plums, the longer you will need to cook them for). Toward the end of cooking, spoon syrup mix over the plums to baste them. Remove from oven, allow to stand for 10 minutes. Spoon into wine g...

Handstand Practice , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Handstand Practice

Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. Buddha

Knowledge cultivates your seeds and does not sow in you seeds. Khalil Gibran

The Basics of Pranayama Yoga with Richard Freeman. I found this a really interesting clip on pranayama. Richard touches briefly on Mula bandha too (very briefly, but quite specifically). He seems like quite a chracter. Enjoy!

Many people mistake our work for our vocation. Our vocation is the love of Jesus. Mother Teresa

It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Baddha Konasana B , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Baddha Konasana B

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without. Buddha

Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children. Khalil Gibran

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. Mother Teresa

Here is a recipe for a delicious leek and potato bake. The dish is nutritious and warming, ideal for the forthcoming winter months, and is easily adaptable for vegan needs. Ingredients: 225 g (1/2 lb) potatoes 2 medium leeks 250 ml single cream 2 medium eggs One large handful of grated cheese and/or breadcrumbs Salt and pepper to taste Instructions: Peel and slice the potatoes. Clean the leeks (by slicing then lengthways and fan them out under running water) and slice them. Layer the potatoes and leeks in a greased baking dish, sprinkling a little salt and pepper over each layer. In a separate bowl, mix the cream and eggs together. Pour the mixture over the potatoes and leeks. Sprinkle some cheese and/or breadcrumbs on top. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and the top is browned. Tip for vegans: This recipe is adaptable for vegans. Simply take out the eggs and replace the cream with soya cream. Add some onions and mushrooms to the dish to intensify the flavour. Ve...

Upavishta Konasana , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Upavishta Konasana

It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him. Buddha

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. Khalil Gibran

Following the recent film Eat Love pray, I thought I would post an item on my favourite yoga retreat in India, not to be confused with an Ashram in India (as depicted in the film). Purple Valley yoga retreat is a beautiful peaceful retreat set off the beaten track in Assagao, Northern Goa , where you can practice yoga with some of the world’s most highly respected Ashtanga yoga teachers. It is situated close enough to be able to venture into other parts of Goa, but feels like a cocoon if you wish to stay put on the retreat. The beautiful shala (studio) is very peaceful and is situated at the far end of the retreat. The amazing birdsong you hear while practising yoga is just wonderful. The accommodation is within two main houses or in small cottages located in the gardens. You can share rooms or pay a nominal fee to have your own room, if there is space available. I personally choose to take my own room, as I share my life with a family on a daily basis and Purple Valley is a bit of “...

Love begins by taking care of the closest ones - the ones at home. Mother Teresa

Ushtrasana camel pose , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Ushtrasana .Camel pose

It is incontestable and deplorable that Negroes have committed crimes; but they are derivative crimes. They are born of the greater crimes of the white society. Martin Luther King, Jr.

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. Buddha

Mayurasana variation , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Mayurasana variation. Peacock Pose

If your heart is a volcano, how shall you expect flowers to bloom? Khalil Gibran

Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action. Mother Teresa

I recently had the pleasure of attending Nancy Gilgoff’s Ashtanga workshop, the only one she will be holding in the UK this year. I have practised with her on many occasions and it is always a privilege for me to spend time with one of the world’s most renowned Ashtanga yoga teachers. Nancy was one of the first Western women to practice Ashtanga yoga with Sri Pattabhi Jois in India back in the 70s. She arrived at his shala with a lot of physical pain and, with the help of Pattabhi Jois, she was able to begin her wonderful Ashtanga yoga journey, which has now continued for more than 30 years. She was able to work through her physical pain using this physical form of yoga. Nancy has also studied with the "silent sadhu", Baba Hari Dass, and will sometimes refer to his teachings. She says that what she learnt from him has also helped her as a teacher. I missed the Friday evening led class, but I could tell immediately when I joined the Saturday intermediate class that there had b...

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees. Khalil Gibran

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. Buddha

“I would rather go naked than wear fur” was a very successful ad campaign by PETA the animal rights campaigners back in the 90s. I mention this, as recently, while out walking my dog on a cold autumn day here in London, a young man approached me and said “ You F***ing bitch, wearing that fur coat”. I smiled sweetly at him and continued on my way. The coat in question is 100% polyester fake fur. I have never worn fur and never will. This is a personal choice and I don’t feel the need to attack those who have different opinions to mine. I do, however, have an opinion, should anyone wish to ask me; but I’m not about to roam the streets of London, butt-naked, in order to prove my point. I choose to lead by example. This has filtered through to my grown up children and they are able to make conscious choices, at to whether they wear fur or not. They too choose not to. My daughter is about to embark on a career in fashion and textiles, where hopefully she will be able to bring about some cha...

Kapotasana Adjustment , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Kapotasana Adjustment from the Ashtanga yoga intermediate series. This picture was taken at the Nancy Gilgoff workshop I attended recently. I love to see adjustments being made in yoga poses.