The Village Fete

On Sunday our village had a Fete on the football field. They had prepared an area for John and myself to demonstrate yoga right in the middle. It was quite pretty surrounded by bunting. Despite the occational rain drop and ridiculous wind, I had books, yoga information and all our kit. The dog show had been cancelled so we were one of the main shows along with the dancers and some races. We did two demonstrations. I wanted to show the villagers that anyone can do yoga. You can be any age, male or female. You don't have to been fit or flexible or strong because practising yoga makes you fit, flexible and strong.

A photographer from Kent Messenger took my photo, which was fun. He said he hadn't seen a yoga demonstration at a Kent village fete before. These are his photos.

The Journey

We have had fun booking our holiday, despite the computer crashing. Once it was booked we felt a sense of achievement. We enjoyed researching things to do, what car to drive and where to stay. Now we can look forward to the holiday.

Yoga practise is like that. And to all my students who work so hard in class they know that it is the journey that is important.

We have recently been doing some of the more tricky poses in class. Some students had a go and were surprised at their own ability. Some decided it was not for them and I support their decision. Yoga is about listening to your body and everyone has their own limits and capabilities.

With yoga, whatever level you are at, there is always something to work on and to work towards, like alignment, or to learn to breathe evenly, to relax or tense a muscle or even to overcome an obstacle to take you on to another level. I can never tire of yoga. Yoga is a practise of discipline and the repeated actions of the postures will lead you on a satisfying journey.

The importance of the journey can also be tied with your senses being in the here and now. Focus on what you can do and what you are doing now, rather than hankering after wanting more. Enjoy your time in the here and now. What ever you do let it be your best.

For those of you who don’t come to my classes I usually end the class with a reading. This is a recent reading from a sanscrit poem ‘The salutation of the dawn’ 5th century CE. I think it is very meaningful.

Our yesterdays are but dreams
Our tomorrows merely visions
But today lived well makes
Every yesterday a dream of joy
And each tomorrow a vision of promise