Christmas and Beyond - Keeping Strong

 

ChristmasTea

The New Road Begins Here

Follow me on Instagram @thestrongtoolbox

After a long hiatus, I’m finally back with my blog. Since my last post, life has been quite a journey. I returned to the UK, earned my accreditation to teach Ashtanga yoga, and began teaching in my studio in Kent. About a year later, I began offering weekend Ashtanga retreats, each infused with the spirit of a traditional ashram. Guests were immersed in an experience that included authentic Indian food prepared by an Indian chef, sleeping on floor futons inside their own Indian silk tent, a calming gong bath, Ashtanga and Yin yoga classes, a taste of Qi Gong, yoga philosophy sessions, and a peaceful Yoga Nidra. It was a rejuvenating weekend escape in the countryside—designed to help people reconnect, re-energize, and find balance.

Then, Covid hit. The rest, as they say, is history. Group gatherings were banned, and every inch of the shala had to be disinfected. Despite the challenges, I held a few Ecstatic Dance sessions during the early months of 2020, which were a welcome respite. Dancing together under the stars allowed us to momentarily disconnect from the chaos of the world and reconnect to our inner selves.

As the pandemic continued, the retreats were put on hold, and I found myself spending much of the year clearing out my family home to prepare it for sale. Having lived there for 30 years, the process of sorting through decades of memories was both emotional and time-consuming. Finally, on December 4th, 2020, the house was sold. Just two days later, I was driving to the South of France.

The journey was challenging, as I was alone, and France was in the midst of a strict lockdown. At my first  gas station stop the attendant refused to let me pay for fuel without a surgical mask. Unlike the UK, bandanas were not accepted, and the interaction left me flustered. In my rush, I left my petrol cap behind. Shortly after, the dreaded “Run Flat” warning appeared on the dashboard—despite having new tyres. When I eventually arrived at Rennes I spent two hours driving around searching for a hotel due to a faulty GPS. And as if things couldn’t get worse, I encountered thick fog as I neared the Orange area. Could it get any worse? Looking back, I can’t help but wonder if all of these challenges were somehow signs.

Despite the hurdles, I finally arrived at my destination—an area renowned for its history and beauty. I settled into a charming rented apartment in the heart of town, and spent the next two months adjusting to my new life, finding peace and clarity in the process.

Decorating New Yoga Shala - Hildenborough

My new yoga shala is taking shape! yay! Most days I'm up a ladder painting walls and adding quotes and writings to inspire my new students on their yogic way.

SHINY SUNDAY YOGA Starts tomorrow!

My first Sunday Ashtanga Yoga class at the shala is tomorrow! Last Few Spaces! 0758 416 9070

The Hot Yoga Heaters arrive!

So the heaters will be installed this Thursday, Yay at last! Its been a bit chilly up until now at 6am in the morning when I do my Mysore practice. I can't wait for that warmth to hit my body so I can open 

Belated Ashtanga - Tim Miller @ Triyoga

Love a selfie. Especially with Tim Miller :) Just spent the weekend on an Ashtanga workshop with  Tim Miller from The Ashtanga Yoga Centre Los Angeles. Tim was the first American to introduce Ashtanga to the States. He has been teaching for 35 years and was at Triyoga Soho this weekend. He is also my LA yoga teachers, teacher, lucky them.

It's the first time I have had a class at Triyoga and I must say I loved the atmosphere. Very friendly staff and a no fuss studio. Simple and it works. Being in the middle of Carnaby Street is an added bonus of the areas historic link to the 60's and it's bohemian vibe.

First I took the Teacher's adjustment class and Tim delivered expert advice on how to adjust the more able body and how to get a bit more from each pose. Hands on adjustments help you to open up as you trust your weight onto the teacher to allow the body to surrender/release the stretch. It's just the best feeling.

On Saturday morning we did The Primary Series after an hours talk on the Sadhana Pada. Second part of the Yoga Sutras. That's always the best bit for me. It's the philosophical side of yoga that interests me the most. I can't get enough. And it reminds me of how much reading and studying I should be doing and I don't. Things need to change :)

Sunday morning it was an Introduction to Intermediate. I've been doing the Primary for a year now and although that is not long at all in the 'Ashtanga' scheme of things I feel there's some stretching and strengthening I am missing out on with the Primary. So it totally validated my presence in a class that I knew was going to be extra challenging but hay, why not give it a go. You can - yoga.

Fully embalmed in China Gel I collected myself and my breath in samasithi to say the opening chant. To be honest I would of liked to hear Tim say the chant and we repeat it. He is well read in sanskrit and I could have learnt something there. However, the Aum is over and the first inhale takes us into  Surya Namskara A and we are off.

It now makes sense why we need to get the fat off in the Primary series as when you hit the first new exercise in Inter you are not going to be able to do it with too much excess fat! Squat, twist, bind & balance. Thankfully, Tim shot a block under my heels, literally,  as I struggled and boy did it work.

I was soon lying prone and trying to lift my upper and lower torso at the same time. I felt I wasn't getting anywhere but I was using so much effort. I heard him say "your back is not bending" Was that directed at me? Surely not :)

Will my back ever bend that way again? Well, they say if you could do it as a kid it will come back. Yep, I did acrobatics as a child but what about 50 years on?

Tim sits in ....... which is a quad stretch when he was talking to us. I took it as there was a message there for me. Sit how Tim sits and your quads will remained stretched for many years ahead :)

I must say Tim's body was seriously toned for his age. Infront of me was a man who has had a daily practice for most of his life and the benefits of such a devoted Ashtanga asana's practice was obvious.

After my last class on Pranayama I came away relaxed, refreshed, re motivated, re balanced and once again re connected to the wonder of yoga on my spiritual body.

All I need to do now is to keep it up.!!!!  The benefits of this type of excerise to mind body and soul is beyond fantastic. Just love it!

Sky

You can do that - Yoga

Just found this pic on google and I think this picture is another blog! but anyway, on with this one. Always remember at some point in time asana / postures became traditional. Before that they were working things out on what is what. Then they said, this is it. This is Hatha Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga

The 30 Day Yogance Challenge - A Personal Achievement

I'm 12 days into a 30 day Yoga come Dance ' Yogance'  challenge with a friend. Getting back on track and pushing ourselves to achieve something.

SKYYOGA in the PARK

Hay Yogini's and Yogi's,
What's with this fantastic UK weather! It's time to do yoga LA style......in the park.

I've got that Lahu feeling

It's that time of year when I start to think about Thailand, Chaing Mai and especially the Lahu Hilltribe. Ever since I travelled there two years ago I have promised myself I would return. It's shamanistic energy, it's beauty and simplicity fills my soul. I long to return.

Juicy : Los Angeles

As soon as I arrived in Los Angeles I bought a Nutri Bullet Juicer because I just have to start my day with some kind of fresh juice. Be it sweet or savoury.

Physically doing and wondering

Hi Everyone,

So this morning I was off to do my own practice. I try to go to a class at least 3 times a week and this morning it was Ashtanga London which is one of the few places that do Mysore - on a Sunday - in London. 

Fascinating Fascia

I've been reading about Fascia lately. No longer is fascia a mysterious tissue, it's now seen as a dynamic communicative integral part of the body. 

Hello Feb! - 2 Mysore Challenges!

Hi Everyone,

That first month of the year ! trying to get into any type of routine has been challenging, to say the least. So much I've wanted to do but so little done. However, I'm determined February will be different :)

It's Mysore time! I am offering a Mysore challenge in February and if you can't do that how about March!

14 weekday morning classes starting at 6.30am 

The Mysore Challenge FEBRUARY  - 3 weeks 

11 classes £75

Week 2. 9/10/11/13

Week 3. 16/17/20

Week 4. 23/24/25/27

The Mysore Challenge MARCH - 4 weeks

14 classes £95

Week 1. 3rd /4th /6th
Week 2. 9/10/11/13
Week 3. 16/17/18
Week 4. 23/24/25/27

Arrive at Shala at 6.30 and finish by 8am. You will start to learn Ashtanga Yoga The Primary Series which is a set sequence/routine. Once you have learnt the asanas you can do self practice, at home, in class or even when your abroad! This is Mysore style Ashtanga, it's global. Together with the physical you will be encouraged to develop an understanding of what yoga really is, it's philosophical background and how you can incorporate that into your life to create stillness and balance.

Classes will be on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The shala is closed on Thursdays. Weekend classes are not included in the challenge. 

February Moon Days 3rd and 18th - Shala closed

March Moon Days 5th and 20th- Shala Closed

Has the time come to commit to some exercise? .... a fitness challenge has appeared to you.....are you ready? here's your chance! 

Call me on 07584169xxxx to talk it through if your not sure what Ashtanga Mysore is.

See my other posts aswell for information.

#Loveandlaughterx

Sky 

Breathe in the morning and breathe out the day

Hi Everyone,

The Secret Shala in Chiswick is a place where you can practice your asanas if you follow Ashtanga Yoga. It opens at 6.30am during the week for Mysore style practice. I's a bright, heated space for 7 mats.

Healing Massage @ Crisis Homeless London

Artwork on this blog is by Isobel Williams   www.isobelwilliams.blogspot.co.uk

It was my first Christmas helping out at Crisis Homeless London.

Doggy Bloggy: Los Angeles

To the Dog in my Life.

I am missing my Marley Moo so much that I find myself staring and gar gar ing over peoples dogs to the point of looking like a psycho dog snatcher. 

There is a serious amount of attention put on dogs here. 

This outlet is like 'Wholefoods' of the dog world, a organic dog food factory where food is bagged and sold by people wearing white overalls and matching health and hygiene hats. An impressive establishment.

I've seen a Dog Hotel, Dog Training Outlets and not forgetting, give your dog the rock star treatment at RockStarRover

I've seen dogs in shops and cafes here in LA. I've sat next to tiny dogs on the next chair. I don't know what the policy is but it seems you can take your dog anywhere. I have seen a big dog in Wholefoods, however, I think it has to go through a special test before it can go into a supermarket. [sit and stay in the queue is going to be a necessity!]

Last week I went to Century City in Beverley Hills that is owned by Westfields. This is provided for dogs. Those chewy things are free and even the water bowls are at different levels. 

Dog Heaven

Earthmother or Cali Girl

Interesting day when Earth-mother  trying to be Cali girl, meets up with Street Fashion Kids.

After a morning of blogging in local cafe Ivy decides it's time to change her hair colour. I'm thinking...me too! So off we go to Bungalow, a near by hair salon for a consultation. The prices they give online do not correspond to the cost face to face so off we go looking for another salon. 

A beautiful walk up a residential road takes us to Melrose Ave and Fred Segal department store. 

OMG, within 30 secs I had made friends with a sales assistant who offered me bespoke earphones, free champagne cocktails, mini macaroons, mini fruit salads and directs me off in the direction of having a demo on laser light face treatments. Which will include a full makeup.

Ok, I'm not going to lie, I did look like I could do with a full makeup at that point as I had come out without my lipstick.... and the lips have to to be plump in LA.

I make an excuse that my daughter is waiting for me outside just escape the full on sales drive. Phew.... I'm out.... Ivy is now having a consolation with Planet Salon and within a blink she's in the chair having the works. 

She's going to be in there for ages so I stroll back to the flat....apartment in american. 

An oasis appears G Star Raw.... OMG how lucky am I...totally hooked on G Star in London. Sale! hurrah, but sale prices are too high so walk on.

I hit Fairfax Ave...  Dope  Pink Dolphin etc. Colourful, artistic, music/skater based fashion. It was so exciting to see what was leading the way. 

There was an OB crew there following someone and I was following the someone. Being nosey, as you do.

I ended up in a graffiti gallery and I could take photos!! which was pretty cool

P.S. I also noticed this little gem.

The Silent Movie Theatre.

Busing it : Los Angeles

Although it was my intention to rent a car whilst I'm here I can't help being allured towards public transport. It hypnotises me....haha

Each day I use the bus to go to yoga - and by the way bus travel is a prerequisite for free yoga mat hire :) 

If you tell anyone outside the yoga fraternity in Los Angeles that you use public transport they either think your either poor or mad.

Bus travel has been the most grounding experience. The people who use the bus rely on it. Theres a high percentage of disabled people, tramps and mentally challenged people who add colour to my every journey. There's also people who do not have access to soap and water and if they do, they don't use it.

The bus drivers, being as many women as men, are calm and dignified as they put the ramp up, the ramp down, the ramp up again. 

A high percentage of bus users have wheels of some kind... even if its a shopping bag.....wheels wheels wheels...

The bus users are a chatty bunch and me being one of those friendly chat to anyone types I'm having a great experience.

I've travelled with the: 

80yr old rock and roller with bottled orange hair and piercings. 

Ella Fitzgerald lookalike who belly laughs at the top if her voice, off and on to herself the whole journey. That laugh which is infectious, nearly had me going :)

I shared a 2 person disabled bus pass with an Elderly Ukraine Lady, she insisted. (I didn't have change for the bus)

Had a conversation with a blind man who wanted to touch my face to see what I was like. I let him. 

I was thinking of buying or hiring a bike but I think I will stay with the bus. You don't meet people on a bike or in a taxi.....

2014 is nearly here! 

A chance for a fresh start, to plan, to dream about what you want for yourself. Only you can make those dreams come true. 

It is not a gift, no one will knock at your door and just give it to you. It takes hard work, focus and vision. There are no short cuts. 

If time is coins make sure 'you' spend the coins and that other people are not spending the coins for you. We are all on our own journey. So accept each others differences and tolerate the differences that you find difficult.   

The in breathe is energy -  breath big. The out breathe is everything you no longer need. Get rid of it, every drop.

  

Meditation is key. Just do it.

And remember, YOU get to pick. 

When you finally realise the mind is master then get it to work for you.

Your life is now.

This is YOUR journey. Take control of it and make is fabulous!!!

Happy 2014 !

Love

Sky 

X