Yoga Om 036 , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . I generally practice the Virabhadrasana A ( warrior 1) position. where the back foot is on the floor. If I am feeling tightness in the poas (hip flexor) I will use this variation to ease the area at the top of the thigh/hip-dropping the back knee towards the floor.

Mark Shand with Tara I attend Tara the Elephant's 50th birthday party at "Quintessentially" smart London office this week. Tara is an Asian elephant who enchanted Mark Shand and inspired him to set up the charity, Elephant family. There were wonderful paintings and sculptures on display by Angela Conner, Richard Symonds and George Butler. Last year Mark was the driving force behind the display of 260 elephant sculptures, dotted around the streets of London. These elephants were all beautiful painted and many designers including Tommy Hilfiger and Matthew Williamson were involved in this project. These sculptures were auctioned and raised vast amounts of money for the Elephant Family charity. Elephant Family has calculated it needs to raise £50 million in the next 10 years if it is to secure a long term future for the species in India. www.elephantfamily.org My son Jake and daughter Cally with an Indian Elephant.

Niyama ; is the second limb of yoga and concentrates on self observances. Saucha : Cleanliness both internally and external Santosha : "Contentment" acceptance to life as it comes. Tapas :Austerity-disciplined practice Swadhaya : " self study" the study of spiritual text Ishwara pranaidhana : "surrender to a higher being"

This is an interesting talk by Kino on forward bending in Ashtanga yoga. If you have problems with your hamstrings,or back muscles in forward bends you may find this useful.

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.

Here is an ink image created by my art student daughter. She has been unwell for 7 months with glandular fever and a post viral condition. She had to defer her studies at Central Saint Martins in London, and take to her bed, not easy for a creative free spirit. This is one of five beautiful paintings she did recently ( she has been unable to do any art, during this period of ill health). It has been a very difficult time for her, but I think she is getting her Mojo back... HURRAY! CallyHearts blog @CallyHearts

Yama the first of the eight limbs described in the yoga text of Pattanjali This limb recommends five ethical practices or restraints Ahimsa: Applying non-violence/non harming to yourself and others. Satya: Truth -living according to your own truth. Asteya: Non stealing. Brahmachharya : Abstinence ; containing sexual energy. Aparigraha ; Non coveting ; letting go of desires. My take on these, is to practice to the best of my ability in the same way as I practice Asana ( Yoga poses).

W imbledon qualifiers 10 (3) 021 , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . I love this photo of the ball boys and girls at the Wimbledon qualifiers-Shoes strewn here and there, and the look of concentration on their faces is priceless. I have been teaching this warm up/yoga session for 18 years, and my son and daughter will be working at Wimbledon Tennis this year, and will therefore be my students :-) .

Pink Power walk 20011 -2 169 , a photo by PinkPowerWalk on Flickr. What a fantastic day we had at yesterday's PinkPower Walk event. The 16 mile walk was the 8th event we have held. To date, more than three quaters of a million pounds have been raised for two Breast Cancer charities: Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Caron Keating Foundation. Caron Keating was a TV presenter and mum to two young boys when she died at the age of 40 from Breast Cancer. Over the past eight years of being together, the team have all had personal experiences of friends and loved ones being affected by this disease. While sat around a kitchen table planning the event, there has been much laughter and some tears shed. So as the blisters start to fade and the money raised is put to good use, we are meeting to start planning 2012. I'm so proud to be a part of this event and am completely humbled by the participators, who all have their own story to tell. I would like to say a big thank to all volunteer...

Uttanasana-Forward fold , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Uttanasana-Forward fold

The Gita says: "Yoga is not for the person who eats a lot or for the one who starves. Yoga is not for the person who sleeps too much or for the one always keeping vigil". We shouldn't go to extremes, but should have limitations. The Yogasutra of Patanjali

QPR Headstand , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Yesterday saw QPR win a place for the first time in 15 years into the Premier League. Coming from a family of lifelong QPR fans, I was not going to miss this game. Despite losing 2-1 to Leeds United, the team went on to lift the NPower Championship trophy. Celebrations in Shepherd's Bush were ear-splitting. I, being a yoga teacher, celebrated with a cheeky pitch invasion headstand, as you can see in the photo above, much to the amusement of a very happy Boy child.

Wimbledon common , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Living in London, we are very lucky to have so many beautiful parks in the centre of the capital. This photograph was taken on Wimbledon Common. Finding a quiet space to meditate in the city is possible.

023 , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Another beautiful day here in London meant we could take our yoga practice outside into the garden. Lying in Savasana with the birds singing was wonderful. Pictured here two of my yoga bunnies practicing their downward facing dogs. :-)

Yoga Om 101 , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Tadasana-Mountain pose

Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. Zen saying

Some of the comment that came with this clip made me smile.