So here I am day three ( I think?) in Mysore...well two sleeps ( sort of)...It feels quite odd to be the new kid in town. All the yoga students seem to be well settled into their routines, and know where to eat shop etc, I on the other hand can just about remember my name, although I have a great room mate who has taken me under her wing and given me a guided tour of Goklum. I have also managed to find a very nice swimming pool and have a massage, so not bad for the new kid in town. I start my yoga practise in the shala tomorrow and I feel ready for it after my rest days-I have a feeling once I start practising I will feel more settled, after all that is why I am here. I have a room with a view... My own room with a make shift bedside table... My transport over the past few days... So for all of my friends who thought I was on a jolly holiday at the Taj-this is it!

SO I have arrived in Mysore for the first time in what will be the year of my 50th birthday. I have registered at the shala, and as suspected I am one of the older students.  I think there will be pros and cons of making my first trip to practise at the home of Ashtanga yoga at this stage of my life-My body is not what it once was, and some of the poses do not come as easily as they have done at various stages in the past....The up side to having many years of practise is that the other seven limbs are growing, and I have a pretty firm foundation in the subtle aspects of both myself, and this amazing yoga practise although there is a long way to go.  I have left my nice comfy home and family, to rent a room in a shared space with fellow yogis, with whom I will share this journey...... I have not come to "find myself" as im not lost ( this is what some people thing you come to India for).  I have not come to Mysore to get more poses, nor to get certified a...

Here is a short clip of a new video filmed at the Ashtanga yoga institute in Mysore. Thank you to Claudia for sharing the link ASHTANGA YOGA MOTHER EARTH earthyogi . blogspot.com 

Home yoga practise 2 004 , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Practising yoga at home means Pyjamas some days. Sporting my favourite leopard print here :-) Lululemon eat your heart out.

I love this-happy, happy, happy.

Cat pose or Viralasana is a fairly accessible pose for most people-It is a great pose for practising vinyasa (or breath and movement) and can help to establish a rhythm with the breath. It can also help to ease some back pain, and encourages mobility throughout the spine without strain. I personally practice inhaling when the head is up and exhaling when the head is down, lightly drawing the lower belly in with each exhalation. The last pose; child's pose or Balasana is a fantastic pose to compliment cat pose, and not only stretches out the spine but can also be really relaxing and nurturing.