There is no way to happiness, happiness is the way. Buddha

Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life. Eckhart Tolle

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. Dalai Lama

If you could only keep quiet, clear of memories and expectations, you would be able to discern the beautiful pattern of events. Its your restlessness that causes chaos. Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

Everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein

With winter approaching, many skiers will be busy preparing themselves for the ski season. Although at first glance it may seem unlikely, yoga and skiing have a lot in common. Balance, flexibility and strength are essential for both activities, so it should come as no surprise that yoga can be hugely beneficial when combined with a suitable pre-ski fitness programme in order to optimize preparation. It goes without saying that a gentle yoga practice is a great way to unwind after a long hard day of physical exertion on the slopes. Physical benefits Developing all the key major muscle groups used in skiing - such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals and abdominals - by practising yoga can have a very positive effect on the body; even before you even set foot on the ski slopes. Many of the common injuries that affect skiers, in particular those who lead sedentary lifestyles, are knee-related. By practicing balancing and strengthening poses, such as the warrior sequences, you strengt

There are five billion human beings and in a certain way I think we need five billion different religions. Dalai Lama

I spent last weekend running a weekend of yoga in the beautiful town of Lewes, near Brighton. It was a mixed group of students some of whom knew each other, and some who met for the first time. The group was quite varied in terms of yoga experience, with some people having practiced a lot of yoga and some real beginners. This can sometimes be difficult for more advanced students, but on this occasion there was patience and tolerance abound. We practised asana, pranayama and yoga nidra. The yoga nidra session on the Saturday night was pretty changing to say the least… There was a teenage party going on at the hotel and Abba and Katie Perry blasting away in the background. "I Kissed a Girl" really doesn't encourage relaxation. Nonetheless, everyone in the group managed to stay focused on the nidra, until someone decided to empty the entire contents of the bottle bank. At this point we all roared with laughter and called it a day… The common denominator of the weekend was

I have faith, therefore, that if, in spite of our shortcomings, the big thing does happen, it will be because God wanted to help us. Gandhi

I believe that it is essential to appreciate our potential as human beings and recognize the importance of inner transformation. Dalai Lama

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. Buddha

The power, when it comes, will belong to the people of India, and it will be for them to decide to whom it placed in the entrusted. Gandhi

I think in many ways narrow minded-attitudes lead to extreme thinking. Dalai Lama

I believe that in the history of the world, there has not been a more genuinely democratic struggle for freedom than ours. Gandhi

Last night I went to the launch of the lovely Jemma Forte's first novel entitled Me & Miss M . She and her family are great friends. She is a bright, talented, witty woman and her book looks great. I am about to start reading it and I can guarantee there will be some of Jemma's fantastic sense of humour, somewhere in the book. The event was in Waterstone's on The King's Road. It was packed with family and friends and she delivered an amazing speech, which was both moving and hilarious. She is also one of my yoga students and I love having her in my classes. We always laugh a lot when she is in class. I am really proud of her and wish her lots of luck. The book is on sale in the UK from today, and Jemma describes it as "Chick Lit"; my sisters will be getting a copy for Christmas.

Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . Pose of the day. .Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana

We have sufficient cause to be cynical about humanity. We have seen enough injustice, strife, division, suffering, and pain, and our capacity to be massively inhuman. Nelson Mandela

Neither my life of luxury in the palace nor my life as an ascetic in the forest is the way to freedom. Buddha

World economies are always so tenuous and we are subject to so many losses in life, but a compassionate attitude is something we can always carry with us. Dalai Lama

Ours is not a drive for power, but purely a non-violent fight for India’s independence. Gandhi

The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose. Khalil Gibran

So the first step in seeking happiness is learning. We first have to learn how negative emotions and behaviours are harmful to us and how positive emotions are helpful. Dalai Lama

When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. Gandhi

It enables me to go to bed with an enriching feeling in my soul and the belief that I am changing myself. Nelson Mandela

I sometimes think that people in the public eye often get a bit of a raw deal about practising yoga. Well-known yoga students are often referred to as “yoga gurus” or are mocked for having an opinion about yoga, as if being a celebrity does not entitle you to a spiritual journey or makes you an expert on the subject. One such personality is the model Christy Turlington. She, of course, has made a living from how she looks. She has also embarked on a yogic path and has studied and written about the subject in a very in-depth way. Her book Living Yoga is a beautifully written and illustrated. She talks about her life, in what is considered to be a superficial profession, and how it fits in with her yogic lifestyle. She also talks about being a practising catholic and, having studied theology, she has a great deal of knowledge on the subject of religion and why it does not impose on her yoga and vice versa. She has visited Ashrams and attended The Kumbh Mela in India. From her photograp

In the democracy which I have envisaged, a democracy established by non-violence, there will be equal freedom for all. Gandhi

Here's a video I saw on Youtube. It's not related to yoga at all, but it made me laugh. Just out of curiousity, my dog is also a keen musician. Must have the camcorder ready at Christmas when he does his Liberace number! :o)

What the word God means is the mystery really. It's the mystery that we face as humans the mystery of existence, of suffering and of death. Ram Dass

The question how do you choose a yoga teacher came up in a workshop that I recently attended. At the time my response to this was that it is an intuitive feeling you have when you come across a teacher that you seem to connect with. Having pondered over this some more, I looked at what has attracted me to the yoga teachers, that I still look to for guidance, and why I have let go of some teachers along the way. My thoughts on this are: The yoga teachers that I really connect with are the ones who have something that I would like to learn myself. They display all elements of yoga, not just the physical asana practice. They teach with kindness and compassion, I trust them to adjust me in postures, especially poses that I am fearful of. My trusted yoga teachers have enabled me to work through some of these poses and move on when I was ready… They don’t look to hold me back. A good teacher for me is someone who wants to share their knowledge and growth with their students and is able to

Life without love is like a tree without blossoms or fruit. Khalil Gibran

I truly believe that compassion provides the basis of human survival. Dalai Lama

We are the same as plants, as trees, as other people, as the rain that falls. We consist of that which is around us, we are the same as everything. Buddha

David Swenson, teaching first part of the Ashtanga primary series.This clip allows you to really observe the flow of the Sun Salutations. So many yoga poses come from the strength and awareness of the Surya Namaskars. I like the way David teaches the primary series, while it is obviously still dynamic, it is not as fast as some teachers like to practice.

Sometimes, whether a desire is excessive or negative depends on the circumstances or society in which you live in. Dalai Lama

Kino shows some poses from the intermediate Ashtanga practice. It shows some poses that I personally can only imagine experiencing, but as Pattabhi Jois says "practice all is coming....and who knows what is possible?".

Humility is the key to success. Gandhi

Bhujapidasana Arm pressure pose , originally uploaded by yogamama.co.uk . This is the Bhujapidasana Arm pressure pose.

The dance goes from realizing that you're separate (which is the awakening) to then trying to find your way back into the totality of which you are not only a part, but which you are. Ram Dass

In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Truth is the breath of my life. Gandhi

When thy mind leaves behind its dark forests of delusion, thou shalt go beyond the scriptures of times past and still to come. Bhagavad Gita

I saw this video on Twitter thanks to CoraYoga and thought I would share it with you. Now it is not to be taken seriously at all, but it is interesting that the misconception that people who practice yoga do nothing but prance around making fools of themselves is not a recent thing. The teacher could not be any more English even if she tried!! Anyone for tea, vicar?!

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Khalil Gibran

If we utilize our favourable circumstances, such as our good heal or wealth, in positive ways, in helping others, they can be contributory factors in achieving a happier life. Dalai Lama

Religion is one of the most important forces in the world. Whether you are a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew, or a Hindu, religion is a great force, and it can help one have command of one's own morality, one's own behaviour, and one's own attitude. Nelson Mandela

Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action. Gandhi

This is a shortened version of a Buddhist meditation. It can be directed to oneself or directed at someone else, by replacing the “I” with “ you” and thinking of that person. It is, as the name suggests, an invocation for loving kindness… Even for those people you may have difficulties with. May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well. May I be peaceful and at ease. May I be happy.

Compassion automatically brings happiness and calmness. Then, even if you receive disturbing news, it will be easier to take, as your mind is still. Dalai Lama

Here are some pictures taken during the yoga weekend in Wiltshire last weekend. Nancy Gilgoff Nancy Gilgoff and myself Photo taken during yoga session

I have just returned from a fantastic weekend in Wiltshire where I attended Ashtanga yoga workshops with Nancy Gilgoff. Nancy was one of the first western women to practice Ashtanga yoga in Mysore with Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) back in the 70's. She and her partner at the time, David Williams, brought SRI Pattabhi Jois to the USA and opened up the door of yoga to the west. Nancy has been practising this style of yoga for more than 34 years and has an amazing ability to share her knowledge of Ashtanga yoga, as it was taught to her, by her guru, Guruji. As the Ashtanga yoga practice has been embraced by the West, it sometimes gets slightly diluted or changed. Change will always naturally occur as traditions are passed down, but sometimes the changes are not always for the best. Nancy has kept true to the Ashtanga traditional teachings, but is able to see when a western body needs to do something differently to continue on their yogic journey. I am lucky enough to have practiced with Na