If your baby is struggling to breastfeed there is plenty of information and support out there to help you both. You can seek advice online or from breastfeeding groups, lactation consultants, tongue tie specialists and your midwife. Not to mention tips from friends and family! But did you know that these specialists are increasingly recognising the role that cranial osteopaths can play to help your baby feed? At an appointment your osteopath will check the muscles, ligaments and joints that are involved in feeding. For example osteopaths check to see if your baby can turn their head comfortably to feed from each breast. Your osteopath will look at the jaw movement to check that they can open their mouth wide enough to feed. He or she will also check tongue movement for signs of tongue tie or weak suck. Osteopaths can also give advice on feeding and winding techniques specific to you and your baby. Cranial osteopathy is a gentle treatment which may improve the way your baby feeds.

I have been doing the warm-ups at Wimbledon tennis qualifiers for many years. Indeed some of the young things I worked with back in the day are now 40+. I have introduced hundreds of people to yoga this way and hopefully a few will have picked it up from "Yoga Mama" Here is the lovely group from this year's event busting their yoga moves. Many tops sports people now use yoga as part of their training programme and, indeed, many top tennis players use yoga to increase flexibility, strength and mental focus. Who? My lips are sealed.

by Fleur Borrelli, Nutritionist Here are some excellent tips to help you stay young. Aerobic exercise Exercise on an empty stomach Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit Avoid environmental chemicals Eat whole foods Live! Laugh! Love! For more information or appointments, you can contact Fleur at The Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy on 0208 789 3881 or send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk or visit our website. Nutrition and Superfood website: www.nutritionandsuperfood.co.uk Telephone: 07766 883 522 for a free consultation.

by Fleur Borrelli, Nutritionist How effective we are at exercising aerobically all depends on our mitochondria. Mitochondria are little sub-units, known as organelles, inside our cells. These are the power-houses of the cell, the engines, where make most of our ATP which is the body’s energy currency is generated. Apart from producing energy for us, they coordinate other actions such as becoming a skin cell or a muscle cell. They also manage cell death which needs to occur in a way that does not cause collateral damage and can even be beneficial to us. Our mitochondria are so vital to health that we need to treat them well. They are semi-autonomous and reproduce independently of the cells they live in a way that is very similar to a bug. In fact microbiologists believe that at the beginning of time they might have lived freely as bacteria, until they took up resident in larger cells. They even have their own DNA to produce proteins which help our cells to work. When we engage

I love this...Thank you to  Amanda Manfredi  for sharing.

Nice hip opener here from Kino MacGregor 

From Sharath's book Astanga Yoga Anusthana . Satya means being truthful to others both in words and and actions, not telling lies, and following a path that is true and honest. Speak the truth that is sweet, do not speak the truth that is not sweet. Do not lie to please. This is the eternal dharma satyapratisthayam kriyaphalasrayatvam ys 2.36 By being truthful whatever action you take will be successful.

My blog has been a bit neglected of late as life is pretty hectic at the moment. I continue my daily Ashtanga yoga practice (mostly) and come to child's pose when things get busy in my world. Balasana or child's pose is both relaxing and calming, allowing the back brain to rest towards the front brain, encouraging a restful mind.  While I don't recommend you drop to your knees every time you feel a bit of stress (could make for interesting business meetings), I do recommend finding time for child's pose for quietening the mind, and connecting with the child within.

Wonderful rare clip of Sharath both teaching and talking at  Astanga Yoga Copenhagen . Beautifully filmed -what a treat. Big thank you to Jen's and Susanna for sharing. I believe Sharath will be joining them again this summer-see website for details.

Not understanding yourself is not understanding the truth. Soan S.A.

Bountiful, beautiful, blissful... A wonderful pregnancy yoga book full of wisdom. I love all the positive affirmations in this book. Gurmukh is very honest and open about her own pregnancy and life experiences, which is always very refreshing. While my prenatal yoga teaching is a bit different from this style (physically), my philosophy and ethos are definitely along these lines. I would highly recommend this book to pregnant women and will use it as a reading book on my own prenatal yoga teacher training.

Always good to hear Sharath count the led class. Thank you to Govinda Kai  for sharing.

However often the restless mind may break loose and wander, he should rein it in and constantly bring it back to the self. Bhagavad Gita

My daughter has been practising yoga on and off for a number of years. She and my son grew up in a household where yoga is a way of life for me. I have never imposed yoga on my family, but I have to say I love having my daughter in my classes. She has started to have a much deeper understanding of yoga and this understanding is helping her through a very difficult and stressful period of time as she prepares for her degree show at Central Saint Martins in London. I am currently her only yoga teacher but I am hoping she will be able to practice with my own teachers, Nancy Gilgoff and with Sharath Jois when they are in London over the summer. I remember discussing with Nancy many years ago how it felt to see her daughter practising with her. She had said she always loved looking through her legs and seeing Vanessa on a mat beside her. Vanessa now assists her quite often when she is teaching around the world. My daughter and I discuss yoga. All limbs. Not too much because, in a way

Okay not a long item on the pros and cons of a home ashtanga yoga practice (or any yoga for that matter). That I feel is for another day. The pros, as shown in this photograph, are that I get to practice with unbrushed hair in my pyjamas at home. The cons are fairly obvious here. My beautiful old Labrador likes to come and practice his down dogs on my mat and occasionally licks my face when I fully absorbed in my drishti. I wouldn't have it any other way :-)

Lovely video clip by these yogis in production. Saw a number of familiar faces from this years trip to Mysore in here :-)

A burning desire must fuel your discipline. You must make the effort to continuously study the subject. You must devote all your efforts to the supreme self. These are the actions to be taken to realise yoga. Tapah: Yoga Sutra 11.1 by Patanjali

Thinking we can find some lasting pleasure and avoid pain is what in Buddhism is called Samsara. A hopeless cycle that goes round and round endlessly and causes us to suffer greatly when things fall apart. Pema Chodron

So this is the one thing in Sharath's new book ASTANGA YOGA ANUSTHANA that took me slightly by surprise. At the end of the yoga practice Sharath says "take rest". In Mysore he says "go home and take rest". Many, many books and teachers (including myself) refer to the pose below as savasana. Sharath says in his book this is NOT  savasana as no asana (pose) is being done. Thoughts anyone?

Some great old footage. Not sure when this was taken, but Sharath looks quite young. Thank you to  Dmitry Baryshnikov  for sharing.

To know oneself is to know one's body, mind and soul. The inward journey will allow you to explore and integrate each of these aspects of your being. from your physical body, you will journey inward to discover your "subtle bodies"-your energy body, where breath and emotions reside; your mental body, where thoughts and obsessions can be mastered: your intellectual body, where intelligence and wisdom can can be found; and your divine body, where the universal soul can be glimpsed. B.K.S Iyengar (Light on Life)

Here is Asteya one of the Yamas from the ashtanga yoga eight limbs. This is from Sharath's book Astanga yoga Anusthana .   I have heard him discuss some of the things mentioned here, including the stealing of poses. I think if we could all practice this to the best of our ability (both in and out of the yoga community), life would indeed be a better place. I think quite often non-stealing is associated with material theft. This item clearly defines a number of areas to be considered. " Asteya means non stealing property or wealth that belongs to others. This includes not stealing work, ideas or even attempting to perform Asana that are not taught to you. If you practice non-stealing, you will reap all the gems of life, which are not necessary monetary. Real gems are peace of mind, joy and ultimate happiness. According to the yogis, there is no gem like the peace of mind and ultimate joy that we can attain through spiritual practice, and non-attachment,  Indeed, non-atta

I'm lucky enough to have a copy of the Sharath Jois book filtering its way out of Mysore. It is a beautiful simple book with some fabulous images like the ones above, displaying the humility and parampara shared between Guruji and Sharath. Parampara "the uninterrupted succession: the direct and unbroken transmission of knowledge from a teacher to his or her student" The book gives all asana (poses) with the sanskrit count and offers a few asana for therapy, including respiratory problems and back pain. Interestingly for me, the poses for back pain are amongst some things my husband will give his patients, when he is treating them for back issues. There is a short pranayama Nadhi Shodan which I take to mean you can practice this technique whilst doing primary series (this book is only primary series); not only once you have gotten through 3rd series, as I have seen recommended recently. There are beautiful mantras and clear definitions on Sharath interpretat

I would highly recommend David Keil DVDs for both yoga teachers or students that would like to understand more about yoga adjustments or how to approach a yoga pose in a different way. His teaching technique is very clear. He has obviously spent a lot of time studying the body (and yoga). I've learnt a lot from watching these DVDs and I think they are very useful reference tools, especially if - like me - you like to give hands on yoga adjustments.

A lovely short film from Stillpoint yoga in London Bridge. It shows you can find peace and tranquilly in the middle of this great city. I have had the pleasure of practising yoga in this space recently. It is a beautiful "understated" yoga space where Scott and his colleagues are sharing  Ashtanga yoga without the hype. Go and see for yourself!

Touch of over indulgence expected today. My favourite chocolate bunny. 

Another great clip from the Ashtanga yoga confluence 2013. David Swenson shares his understanding of Aparigraha. I love his fun story telling approach! Thank you to  Amanda Manfredi  

I love all the stories here! Such a wonderful insight to Pattabhi Jois-what a great sense of humour he had. I think Sharath has learnt a lot from his grandfather in all areas. I've seen him cut people down in conference when he thinks they have asked a stupid question. Thank you to  Amanda Manfredi ·

The glory is not in the failing, but in rising every time you fail. Chinese proverb

If you're looking for an Ashtanga yoga workshop this weekend 23/24 March 2013, this looks like a good one to try. I've heard great things about Greg Nardi and am hoping to get along to some (if not all) of these workshops myself. StillPoint Yoga London is a beautiful space in the heart of London. to book go to www.stillpointyogalondon.com                                                     Saturday 23rd March 2013 10:00 -12:00 Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series Led Practice – £20 14:00 – 16:30 Mindful Ashtanga Workshop – £30 Pattabhi Jois often talked about the importance of mental training in Yoga and how the asanas will lead to a strong mind as well as a strong body. This workshop will look at the practice of ashtanga yoga as a mindfulness technique. We will explore how the right attitude and focus are key to fulfilling the deeper wisdom of yoga. The body is transformed into a vehicle for our awareness and transforms the practice from physical exerci

               Cherie Lathey,  Clive Lathey,  Chrissie Wellington,  Doctor Courtney Kipps  We had a day of talks and treatments at The Putney clinic of physical therapy on Saturday. Our main speaker of the day - was the four times world champion Ironman Chrissie Wellington. What an amazing inspirational speaker she is...and a fantastic role model for young women.  Her book "life without limits" is well worth a read. I don't need to relate everything I write here to yoga, but some of Chrissie experiences really resonated with me...Obviously I have not achieved the magnificent world titles, but I have worked through pain and fear in my ashtanga yoga practice (and in life).... Chrissie described pain in the body shifting as she embarked on triathlons and Ironman events..IE.a pain that starts in the shoulder as you embark on your event ( or on your mat), can disappear along the way only to relocate to another part of the body..this is where the training of the min

Thank you for sharing Amanda Manfredi

The most fantastic video... I want to be like this when I'm her age... and my daughter says I will be (especially the bit at the VERY end). :-)

I love this interpretation of Ahimsa from Dena Kingsberg-Wonderful practical stuff..... Thank you for sharing this Amanda Manfredi

So a fellow Ashtanga yoga practioner and blogger Laruga posted this yesterday ....thoughts anyone? http://peaceloveyoga.blogspot.co.uk/  twitter @largua

Sharath Jois will be in London teaching a week of primary and intermediate ashtanga yoga From 25th-30th of August- in a central London location. Booking for this will open mid May. Through  http://www.astangayogalondon.com/index2.cfm A rare and wonderful treat to have Sharath in my home town-A big thank you to  Hamish Hendry  and ashtanga yoga London for organising this. Going to have to set an alarm on my phone- as there will be a lot of takers for this....

There is so much to talk about about my recent trip to Mysore- but as I am still tying to assimilate the experience, I think a photo is the way to go.This photo was taken at the end of my last conference day-I dug up the courage to ask Sharath a question ( anyone who has been to his conferences will know its a teeny bit scary :-))...again I may share this and the response in another posting. I will say that Sharath is a kind and gentle man- who has truly given his life over to sharing Ashtanga yoga

                                             Wherever you are in the world, get ready to roll your mats out on  9th  March 2013   for  YOGA STOPS TRAFFICK , a worldwide yoga event to raise awareness about human trafficking. Last year   YST   brought together 3,000 people in 38 countries, 95 yoga studios, parks, homes, beaches and mountaintops around the world. With your help we raised over £30,000 for Indian organization Odanadi Seva Trust, to give survivors of human trafficking the chance of a better future. Following on from the huge success of last year, we ask you to join us once again to take a stand against human trafficking: all you need is your yoga mat! Discover how you can get  involved , and about the incredible work being done by  Odanadi . To find out here how the money raised from Yoga Stops Traffick will be spent visit  www.odanadi-uk.org  or to find out how to make a donation. Please go to the website above to join in. If your currently in Mysore  Indi

So Sharath has written a new Ashtanga yoga book  (with the help of a couple of his students, whose names I didn't catch). As far as I am aware, this is his first book. He told us about this in the conference yesterday and even made light of some of the then/ now photographs of himself contained in the book. I also believe he said it contained some health related asana -but this could be a "lost in translation" on my part. There are lots of photographs contained in the book-some with him as a young man practising with his grandfather Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. I know this book will go on sale in the Shala in the next few weeks, but not sure when/where it will be on general sale. If you have friends currently in Mysore, get them to pick up a copy for you. I also managed to find the courage to ask a question in that conference yesterday, but that's for another post perhaps.

So after a week or so of practising here in the shale in Mysore, you catch on quickly that massage is going to be part of your weekly schedule (well, it is mine). Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre My first massage this time was at an Ayurvedic spa situated at the foot of the Chamundi Hills. A beautiful location and  really peaceful (also pretty expensive). I've forgotten the name of the treatment I had, but there was a lot of oil involved and a lot of hands. I sloshed about on this very large table, drank an odd drink and was sent on my way looking like I had been put in a chip pan. It was relaxing but not really my kind of thing. All sorts of treatments are available here including Panchakarama, the detox /rejuvenating package. (A wonderful day out but a bit pricey). Indus valley Ayurvedic centre:  www.ayurindus.com Despina Psarra I was then lucky enough to meet the wonderful Despina who is practising yoga in the shala (in fact we met last year). Her massage has real

Loving the t-shits on sale in the shala at the moment. A few of them are going home in my suitcase.

Well, I have been in many rickshaws; some plush, some not so plush. Here are a couple of varying rides... This is the Rolls Royce of rickshaws This one has taken the toilet mat for the front seat look (homely) This one has gone for the Hawaiian adorned goddess look    This one has a very dodgy looking rickshaw driver... Give it a miss.

This is the hand bag/yoga bag I use whilst in Mysore, so it is now referred to as my "Mysore Bag". It was given to me by a dear friend and she knows it comes travelling with me. It's a bit different to a lot of the yoga students bags I suppose, as its not really fit for purpose (i.e. carrying a yoga mat). It does however contain my rupees, my trusty torch, my mosquito zapper, my shala pass and factor 40 face cream. What more does a girl need? It is not really suitable for day to day life in London, but perfect for Mysore and I could step out at any red carpet event here in Gokulam, should I get a last minute invite. Indeed it's wonderful arm candy for sitting in a chauffeur driven rickshaw to loyal world (food shopping, like Waitrose but not). Again, not exactly fit for purpose but it is a beautiful bag. So if you see this bag wandering around in India, please say hello to its owner :-)  If Lulu Guinness does a remake of this bag or one sim

Okay, I'm going to have a bit of a moan here... I have worked really hard to get myself to Mysore this year (much like a lot of people). Indeed, I wasn't even sure I would be able to get on the flight, as I was awaiting some pretty significant test results (which thankfully came back all clear). I landed in Mysore exhausted and with stitches in a wound in my chest. This is not my moan, this is just life stuff and we all come to Mysore with a story to tell. My point being I'm VERY grateful to be here. I get up really early for a 6am led class. I get up at 4am and potter about for a bit then go and sit quietly outside the shala. My moan is the people who turn up and talk about the most banal stuff whilst waiting. I'm not talking about the polite whispered "good mornings" people share. Today's loud conversation really took the biscuit... "If you were a piece of fruit what would you be?" or "if you were a painting?" blah, blah, blah... D

So for the past four weeks the security man outside my apartment block has greeted me everyday with the word "bye". This has been regardless of  me coming in or going out of the building and often in response to me saying "hello". Imagine my surprise when entering the building yesterday... He said "hello, how are you?" (in the same voice as Manuel in Fawlty Towers does). I was so taken aback I just looked blankly at him at first and then respond "very good". When I got inside the apartment I laughed my head off. He really has had a crash course in English and took me completely by surprise. I wondered if he would revert back to "bye" this morning... But no, his response to my "how are you? was "fine" ( with, of course, an Indian sideways nod of the head). Everyone keeps you on your toes here in India.