I just saw one of the worst and most shocking things I’ve ever seen on IG. In terms of yoga at home.

It was a woman attempting a highly advanced transition from standing wide-legged forward bend, direct into halasana.

She didn’t land it, hurt her neck.

While she’s “okay” this could have potentially caused her paralysis or even death.

I’m not joking.

Now I love a good yoga challenge. When I was starting a home practice I kept my motivation high by participating in yoga challenges on IG. It helped me feel, as someone pretty isolated, a part of community and like I was learning with people.

But the rule I followed was to not f—k with the spine. 

By the time I was trying more advanced postures I had been attending classes for a couple of years around four times per week. I hadn’t booked a private but I attended labs on proper posture as well: because I knew from my first class I was going to teach.

If you do not have a dedicated practice with a teacher who knows your body well, or are teacher trained yourself do not f—k with advanced poses and transitions that could potentially kill you.

Guys

It’s for a photo. It’s not that important!

In all yoga practice, and this is coming up as my private practice starts to incorporate more asana once again, if you don’t have a “guru” who has met you and seen you move a lot, stick with beginner poses by yourself.

Thanks ever so x

when I was 24 I began on my slow journey to health.

I was a recreational drug user, away from a daily addiction and instead just here for the obsession of breaking myself down into smaller and smaller pieces.

one positive thing I did was to, one shopping date with some school classmates from my teenage years, go into a meditation shop in London and purchase a book. I still haven it, actually. I took a card as well, and sat in the meditation room downstairs (iykyk) for a few moments, touching an inner peace I remembered from attending church or singing in choir.

despite the modern building, that feeling is old, reverent, connected and present.

and my addiction shifted. Instead of counting down the days to my next binge I was counting the pennies to spend on a yoga class or steeling the courage to show up for a meditation group (I never did.)

I downloaded an app that encouraged me to take a mindful breath with a koan-like contemplation or affirmation.
meditation for me was where this started. And that is why this practice never leaves.
you can meditate when you’re happy, sad, exhausted, full of energy, well or ill. For one minute or four hours, it is a practice and one that relies only on your willingness to try.

and the card?

”dive into an ocean of rest; rest is best”

I don’t know if I still have it, but it is to this day now one of my foundational philosophies for being. Embodiment and presence can’t be without rest. You don’t know yourself until you know your body, and if you’re jumping out constantly into the next challenge and adventure you never allow your body to properly rest.

because, and I think so much of the narrative that we grew up with if you were a child in the 80s or 90s, what do you mean “we can have it it all?”

what do you mean?

all of what?

as a woman my capacity for presence is completely shattered by my cycle. It is a very tough practice. Yoga cannot be the same daily whilst in my own embodiment. I can, like the indigenous shamans, call on the spirits of men or other animals species to do things outside of my own capacity.

but as a menstruating woman, but greatest challenge and my path to inner power is rest.

rest is best

x