Yoga, Christmas and the light that is the self.

Christmas as we know it, is a mishmash of traditions, combining ancient pagan and Christian rituals, symbolism, timing, meaning and stories. Like many spiritual, philosophical and cultural constructs, it is understandable that it has evolved and morphed in this way over time. But this doesn’t diminish it’s most central significance and the meaning that it […]

Keeping our fire alight in winter.

The element of fire has been given eminence in Vedic and yogic philosophy for millennia, in fact fire, agni is the first thing mentioned in the Rig Veda, the oldest book in the world and a text on yoga, and is held in equal esteem today. It is easy to understand why, fire being harnessed […]

The Yogic tool kit and manual.

Years ago when I bought my first car, and stepped into full responsibility for vehicle ownership, it necessitated a few other things, especially as it was already slightly older than me. These were a Haynes manual, a comprehensive tool kit and some mentoring. As I learnt to drive, I also learnt how to repair and […]

Happy New Year!

At this time of the year, much attention goes towards new years resolutions and changes of habit, no doubt Christmas excesses, the awareness of the depths of winter and lack of light,remind us of the need to be symbolically reborn. Yoga recognises that this process of birth and rebirth, that is very visible in a […]

What is Yoga?

It would not do Yoga justice, to try and describe it in a few paragraphs. However an examination of it’s etymology and that of it’s connected sciences, philosophies and terms, may help us begin to understand all that it encompasses: Yoga, to join, unite, connect: Tantra, to weave together, to transcend, to expand: Ayurveda, the […]