The Niyama are five habits we should cultivate in order to take care of ourselves. Since 'self-care' has become a rather glib term harnessed by wellness brands to sell their 'stuff', let me just be clear that practicing niyama certainly doesn't involve buying anything and needn't cost you a penny! Integrating Niyama into your practice simply means cultivating good habits, balancing effort with ease and doing your inner work - while remembering the world does not revolve entirely around you!
Imbolc is a wonderful time to consider the first of Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga - Yama - as this guidance is all about our relationships. As we move through the gate out of winter hibernation to be more 'in the world', we can perhaps bring more awareness or consciousness to how we treat ourselves… Continue reading Imbolc / Yama
Juxtaposed against our contemporary Halloween, the old festival of Samhain invites us into a slower, deeper and more ancient space - behind the sugar, the costumes, the plastic tat - and into some sense of connection with our past, with the earth, with belonging, and our place in the bigger picture. When I come to… Continue reading Periods, Postpartum and Perimenopause
All Summer long I have been fascinated by the beautiful wild roses that grow in our hedge and in hedgerows all around us (rosa rugosa). They are so fabulous and bright but also quite fleeting. One moment they are in full bloom and the next I find all the petals on the floor. It is… Continue reading Dropping the Last Petal
Have you ever considered your own internal weather? I suspect there have been days you felt your disposition was sunny and bright, and other days you have been heavy with dark clouds and ready to explode with thunder and lightning - I am sure that can't be just me! I woke up this morning to… Continue reading The Inner Seasons
