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I went on holiday to St. Ives over the summer and as I used to live there (and still have a hankering after going back,) I thought I would get some yoga photos done whilst there. The pics on my previous site were a bit lame (taken at bro's Christmas party!) and it was to be a bit of a treat for completing my British Wheel of Yoga diploma.

I hoped that the sun, sea and sky would carry on inspiring me after my weeks break, when I returned to my usual routine - and they do! The photographer, Ricky Vitulli is some kind of magician I think (or well versed in photo editing!). If you're ever in St. Ives his company is called Kiss Photography http://www.kissphotography.co.uk

Anyways, I hadn't expected a death defying scramble over the rocks at the back of the island or kneeling on barnacles but went with the flow! It was surprisingly hard to stand on one leg on a sloping surface with the sea refusing to keep still as well! But I'm really pleased with the results. The pics are just what I wanted, not particularly of me with cheesy grin, but more capturing a beautiful landscape and mood - with some yoga shapes thrown in.

Of course, when I saw the photos I then realised I would have to totally re-design my website to go with them (did I really of I am just OCD? the verdict's still out).

So, the new website is no longer pink mendhi patterns and hindu font, it's fresh sea blues and greens. When I look at it, it reminds me of walking round the back of the island on a very bright but blustery day and watching a seal bob up and down in the frothy waves with as much awe and wonder as my two kids! The air was so fresh, I could pratically feel every cell getting a new zingy shot of oxygen and that energy or 'prana' is what I hope to convey with the new site design.

I find St. Ives really uplifting and hope to keep that feeling in all surroundings at all times and if I can't, well I can always look to the photos and remember!

I've also added a new page about me. Hmmmm, feel a bit weird about that but there it is out there anyway and there's also the new gallery with the photos Ricky took.

And if you're curious to know what 'prana' is, there's also an essay that may make this mysterious concept a little clearer.

Well, I have had a blog on another site but by the wonders of web magickery, I can now have one on my own website! Hooraaay!

August has been my month off and despite my earnest wishes for constant sunshine remaining unfulfilled, I have had a great chance to step out of my usual routine, take stock and plan for the future - life somehow gets in the way of that stuff sometimes!

I also completed my three year teaching diploma with the British Wheel of Yoga. Here's a picture of my group...

Top row, left to to right: Wendy, Diane, Anne, Helen, Heidi, Me, Anna, Jemma and Star

Bottom row, left to right: Carol, Grainne, Clare, Sarah, Ange and Jan

I was so lucky on this course, not only to have the best tutor in Sarah Beck but to have such a fun group of people to share the experience with.

People have various opinions about the Wheel however, the fact remains that they are striving to increase awareness of yoga in the UK through their rigorous training which is about to be accredited as an NVQ 4 - a degree equivilent.

I don't suddenly feel like an expert on yoga having completed the course, I feel like a perpetual student. I have learnt such a lot and had my yoga horizons broadened but this has only sparked more interest and curiousity for this vast subject. I certainly feel competant and ready to share what I know, which speaks volumes for the quality of teaching - as we were all shaking in our flip-flops when we did our first teaching practice back in 2006!

There are so many yoga schools out there, with different styles and philosophies. If you train with Iyengar, you can only teach Iyengar, if you train with Sivananda you enter into a more religious and devotional path. What is fantastic about the BWY is that the emphasis is on making yoga appropriate and safe for everyone regardless of age, health or ability. As a teacher, I am not restricted to teach to a prescribed format but can blend my own flavours in my own melting pot!

I began the course wishing to deepen my own experience of Yoga, which I certainly have - I never particularly wanted to become an adult teacher (having previously only taught children's yoga) but I've left the course absolutely loving teaching the 18+ age group!

Three cheers for the BWY!

hip, hip.......

xxx