What is yoga? Who is it for?

Paul is away at the moment, enjoying a wet and windy 4 days cycling in the Wicklow mountains. Don't tell him, but I've missed him! Not all of him, but his company, and having someone to share evenings with. The weather hasn't helped, and I've possibly been below par healthwise... Anyway, today I decided to grasp life by the lapels and get on with it. Despite the blustery wind and high chance of showers, I went out on my bike for 20 miles. I wore my rain jacket as it seemed ch

We're two days away from sailing home after our latest "tour" as Paul likes to call them. Its been great, but as usual I'm ready to go home. We've travelled a long way, from Santander to Cadiz, along the coast as far as Valencia, then up to the Pyrenees and through France to Brittany. We're sailing home from Roscoff. I've finally got the hang of driving the van, I did multiple hill starts in Brest today, and have survived down some very little roads. It hasn't come naturally;

Thankfully I had a healthy platelet count of 114 (that is very healthy for me!) and my surgery went ahead on 18th February. I was strangely excited to be walking to the operating theatre, I'd waited for a long time, although with trepidations about the spinal block I was about to have. The anaesthetist had cheerfully declared he was giving me one as I'd be in "a lot of pain" afterwards... He wasn't wrong, but it didn't last too long. The care I received was excellent, with th

Whilst I was enjoying the leisure of Monday morning yoga today, Helen mentioned our edge several times. Thus, setting my mind off on one of its wanderings, as I probably never will learn to be fully present. I knew a woman at work who frequently stated that she was a donkey on the edge. We all assumed that we must support her in retreating from that place of peril, and certainly do nothing to push her over it. Living life on the edge - dicing with danger, being a micro millim

Well, I've survived Christmas and am now drifting quietly into the new year. It was a busy but joyful time, with the infectious excitement of an 8 year old growing as the big day got ever closer. We visited the festival of lights at Malvern. Very pretty. And we saw Father Christmas at Kerne Bridge, which was delightful. We even went to the crib service at St Mary's. Carols in church on Christmas Eve along with hosts of little people all about to burst with anticipation. Surpr

I'm writing this on my 61st birthday. It's 9:30am, I've drunk two tepid cups of tea, had some birthday hugs from Lily, and am now held hostage on the sofa by Bella, my cat. She doesn't seem in the mood for moving so I may stay in my dressing gown for a while longer yet. It's been a significant year. We lost Dad. This has freed up a lot of my time, but left a gaping void where his personality was. It has also created a big hole in the fabric of our family, as he was the reason

We've been away for just over 3 weeks now, and yesterday I finally managed a bit of yoga! Only 25 minutes as I was bring bugged by flies and our French neighbour's dog. It makes the most ear piercing squeak of a bark, and all day long we hear " Canaille, non. Silence. Tait toi" and other admonishments. I've just looked up the name Canaille; it means rabble, scum or dregs. Hmmmm. I suppose anyone would object to being called that, even a dog. But, back to the yoga. It was ok,

Summer is over already! That was quick. We certainly can't complain about it being a typical British washout this year. I did, however, complain about being roasted alive on many occasions. Just our luck that Ross was the hottest, driest place in the country. It was a novelty to see our little town getting so many mentions on the news, and the reasons could have been far worse. Having not been laid up after surgery, I've spent the summer being busy. Lots of cycling, several t

It's been way too long since my last ride on one, but I love a good rollercoaster. The anticipation, the acceleration and weightless moments, the absolute thrill. And all with minimal risk to life and limb. I have become much more risk averse in my middle age, which is illogical as I have far less life to lose these days. But then, limited commodities generally have a higher value, basic supply and demand principles, so I suppose it makes sense. Many of you have been surprise

Reflections on the past weeks

This time next week we'll be rolling in to Santander for the ferry crossing back to Plymouth. It's been an epic adventure, and surprisingly we're still getting along. Most of the time. 41 years of marriage, but we've not spent more than 3 weeks together constantly in the past, and certainly not in a 14m² space! Hilda, our motorhome, has lived up to expectations. She's caused us a few moments, like her engine light has been on since the Algarve (apparently the particulates fil

Hooray, it's February. I've always loved February as the days are getting longer, spring is tantalisingly close and as a teacher I got a week off. What's not to like? Of course, as a retired teacher I now get every week off. Lily will get half term, however, and we're taking her to London for part of it. Actually 17 miles from London as there aren't really any motorhome sites within the M25. Going into the city will involve a train, which will be exciting in itself. All good.

Listening to the radio on New Year's Eve, I was startled to hear that 25 years ago we had been celebrating the new millennium. Wow, how time flies! Our children were still at primary school, and our house extension had been completed 10 days earlier. We hosted the New Year's Eve party for our near neighbours that year, most likely a very raucous affair involving the consumption of way too much red wine... No wonder I can't remember! Some elements of that day seem so recent, o

Well, I've got to sixty. And more remarkably, so has Paul my husband, the Hardy to my Laurel. A & E has been his second home over the years, so I hope he's slowing down a bit now! I am in flux between two emotions at present; gratitude for having lived this long, and disbelief/horror at how old I am. There's not a lot I can do about it other than to grasp everything that comes my way with my arthritic hands and make the most of it. That's my resolution for my new decade. Buoy

We were at a funeral on Wednesday. Paul's cousin had been unwell since the age of 12 and at 54 had finally succumbed. On a grey day in Stockport I listened to a very talented celebrant telling of his fairly restricted but, nevertheless, rich life filled with good humour and love. I hadn't met him many times, but was left wishing that I had got to know him. Many of us, myself included, waste time bemoaning our fate. We pay far more heed to the negatives than the positives, and

This is my second week of being properly retired, as I was employed (and paid, thankfully) until August 31st. I am not regretting my decision yet! When the children went back to school last Wednesday I was massively relieved that I was free from the usual start of year stress. The first 4 weeks are tough. Instead, I did some housework and had a cup of tea with my sister. Perfect. I am unusual insofar as I like cleaning. I like the physical activity of it, the calming, therape

Hello! Sitting in my garden beneath the parasol - yes, it's actually necessary today and not because it's raining. Enjoy it while it lasts, cold fronts on the way with rumours of 3°C next week. Got to love a British summer. So, 3 weeks of work left before I leave. That's 9 working days, and one lavish end of school performance and disco to get through. It's been a tough year, but my eyes are firmly fixed on my goal, July 17th. I am very sorry really, to be looking forward to

I was at Yin recently, relaxing into a pose and trying to remain present, when I tuned in to what Helen was saying. She was telling us that it didn't matter what the pose looked like, that if we were feeling something in the target area then we were doing enough. Enough. I stored the word away to ponder over later. Enough, a rarely accepted amount in a world where we constantly strive for more. I am currently teaching a class of 11 year-olds, where feelings of uncertainty and

When Helen was a teenager she tried to persuade me to try yoga. I was uninterested. My perception was that yoga involved a lot of sitting around cross-legged chanting Om. The only exercise I was interested in made me sweat, my heart pound and my muscles ache. Fast forward 20 years and I've just returned from Ashtanga having experienced all of those things! So I was wrong, so very wrong. It was my first proper Ashtanga session in about 5 weeks. A medical issue has prevented me

March already! I've been willing away the winter, but now it really all needs to slow down a bit. Spring is not to be rushed through, but experienced with wonder. After my therapy session yesterday (aka Thursday yin yoga) I tackled the lawn. After so much rain, and such warm temperatures, it was a dense mass of lush green grass, teeming with life. It took a while! There was a lot of bending, and I was grateful that my hamstrings had been loosened up already.... Bella, the ca

We are surging steadily towards Christmas, whether we like it or not. Christmas lists are starting to be written and Lily is already devoting her spare time to festive colouring. Not sure if she'll manage another 6 weeks until the big day... Earliest I've ever heard Fairytale of New York twice in a week. I like Christmas, but am not overly fond of the run up, especially as it now starts so early. I still remember my childhood when the tree was cut down and then decorated on C

It's been an interesting summer to say the least. We waved Helen off to backpack around Brazil, and set off for Fuerteventura with Lily. A fabulous time was had by all as we rediscovered the joys of a good all inclusive hotel when you have a small child in tow. I can highly recommend Iberostar hotels, we were not disappointed. Lily lived her best life, swimming, sandcastles and sliding, and developing a love of Uno and midafternoon bingo. It's fair to say, however, that it w

I find myself in an unusual situation this week. On Saturday, Paul and I set off at 11am in the bright sunshine. We had visions of a 40 mile cycle ride with several stops for a refreshing beer in sunny beer gardens. Just as that first stop was seeming likely, after about 17 miles, we came upon a ford over the road, near Eastnor. Now, I usually assess the risk of falling in that ford as too high and walk over the footbridge alongside it, pushing my bike and ignoring the unspo

I've been asked for this recipe so many times, I thought I'd share it on my blog! It's actually not my fruit cake as the recipe was given to me by my mum, Helen's nan. I've modified it a little and made it vegan, but it's basically the same easy recipe. You will need a round loose bottomed tin. 8" is good, but I make it in a 9" if it's to be easily sliced for lots of people, and sometimes in a 7" if I want a particularly moist version. Line the bottom with greaseproof, and

Bit of a downbeat post this week, my apologies... Went to Yin and Ashtanga this week after a 3 week break. I had a very tough time at both, felt like I was back at square one. Paul and I had spent a wonderful, sunny, fairly active 12 days in Tenerife. We walked miles, climbed a volcano or two, went mountain biking, swam in the sea, danced....We ate some delicious food and enjoyed a beer or two, and a cocktail or three. Consequently many euros were spent and many pounds gained

I know I'm slightly strange, but discomfort and I are pretty good friends. I am used to it being present in several aspects of my daily life, and welcome it's presence. I fear that as a society we shy away from it and the benefits it can bring, opting instead for comfort and ease at the earliest opportunity. Firstly I experience the mild discomfort of hunger on a daily basis. Years ago Helen suggested intermittent fasting to me as I had put on loads of weight and seeking a s

February is here already. Happy to declare that I am still on track for my positivity and self care goals set in January (most of the time...) Today I drove home from work before lighting up time, hallelujah for a daylight commute again! I've no idea where January went, all I know is that it was travelling at speed. Is it an age thing, or just an overly busy thing? Even Yin got pushed out by my busy life twice, and it is the thing that I look forward to the most. Helen had me

I'm not a winter person. It's the most horrible time of the year. I retreat into my cocoon of dissatisfaction and gluttony, each fuelling the other. I returned to Yin this week and while I should have been practicing mindfulness in the poses I was planning my escape, my metamorphosis. My resolutions took shape as my stiff, heavy limbs resisted doing so... • Focus on the positive. I am, as my husband will readily tell you, an angry person. Things make me cross. So, I resolve t

I'm a shocker for looking forward; to holidays, next weekend, later on and, of late, to retirement. I make plans and lists, colour code future events in my calendar app, count off days. I know how many working days I have to go until retirement, and its still over 2 years away! I'm the same on a cycle ride. The route is 60 miles, perhaps, so I'm working out fractions or percentages constantly. 9 miles in, that's 15% done, 85% to go and so on. Riding some of the big climbs in

I was born in a small village near Ross-on-Wye in the winter of 1964. My sisters, aged 5, 9 and 11 at the time, say that I had a square head and no hair. By the time I started school when I was 5, I had developed into a socially awkward child with a pronounced overbite, knock knees and pigeon toes, and a tendency to blush bright red if anyone noticed me. No longer bald, but that minor triumph brought little recognition. Consequently my primary school years were not a success

I'm a problem solver. It goes with the job; primary school teachers can make resources from seemingly useless materials with little more than a roll of tape and a glue stick. The photo of me wearing a hotel shower cap is another example - I had no umbrella, it was a long walk to the underground station and I REALLY didn't want to get my hair wet. Excellent solution. I have the same attitude towards my health. A dear friend once laughed at me, claiming I should "Keep it 'til

Hi, I’m Julie. Can’t imagine anybody will read this, but here goes… So, who am I? Well, I’m a 57 year-old woman; a daughter, mother, wife, and nan. I am a primary school teacher (part-time now), once fairly keen club cyclist, partaker at a highly unskilled level in many sports and exercise classes since leaving school. I love the outdoors, and have always considered myself to be fairly fit, if a little pudgy around the edges. Why do I want to write a blog on here? About 5 yea