An evening of true nourishment

Last night was a very ordinary Friday evening, yet also a very special one indeed! It never ceases to amaze me how a couple of hours of yoga can change everything!

A friend I hadn't seen for a long time suggested I should come along to a workshop held by wonderful teacher Bridget Woods Kramer, and I am so pleased that I did! It was great to see my friend and to savour the warming fresh ginger and lemon tea (one of the true highlights of Triyoga's food and drinks bar). Then, entering the full and beautifully lit yoga studio, I enjoyed the somewhat electric atmosphere, lots of props, friendly faces (new and old), quiet chatting and the odd yawning expected at the end of a busy working week in London. The next two hours Bridget guided us through a graceful and seductive routine made up of grounding and detoxifying asanas, nauli kriya and Uddiyana banda, and ending with some restorative poses and pranayama practices such as Chandra Bedha, all to the soothing and inspiring tones by Antonio Soto playing the Halo Steel Drum live.

The effect of these two hours of stretching, moving, twisting and consciously breathing, was that I had a strong sense of arriving home, back into my heart. I realised that I had gone astray for a while, caught up in self-criticism and insecurities, a kind of tightening up inside, the result of recently having changed my daily yoga practice to a lot more challenging routine which forces me to face my limitations in a very "in-your-face" and highly provocative kind of manner (which in the long-run can be very worthwhile nonetheless). Two hours and I had surrendered those self-limiting tendencies, at least for a while. As I left the Primrose Hill studio, there was a nice fuzzy feeling in my stomach, like I was in love with what is me again and I savoured the sensation of ease in my body. Each time I have the pleasure of attending one of Bridget's classes or workshops, (unfortunately those occasions are rather rare due to my generally busy schedule), I am always struck by her amazingly clear yet very simple instructions as she guides everyone on a journey which always feels nurturing, serene and safe.

vande gurūṇāṁ caraṇāravinde
sandarśita svātma sukhāva bodge

I bow to the lotus feet of our great teachers,
who uncovers our true self and awakens happiness

Om shanti! x

To get a taster of Antonio Soto's magical sounds please see this clip: