Someone rang me once to ask if I could stand in and teach a 'Puppy Yoga' class. I love yoga, and I love puppies, and of course I was tempted as it just seemed so curious (and fun!). Who wouldn't want to see the hilarious antics of puppies messing around. The basic idea is that you go to a yoga class in a room with a bunch of free-roaming puppies. They lighten the mood, warm your heart, and give you a much needed fuzzy glow. Puppies do that everytime. Yoga does that every time. Mix them both and Bingo! - right?
My dog was a puppy a few years ago, so as I thought through this premise, I remembered something key about puppies that wasn't as cute. They aren't toilet-trained. My puppy was 5-months old before she finally twigged. So I have fond memories of this. Not only do they 'go' a lot, they usually like to go on something. They prefer not to just do it on the plain floor, they head for something. A piece of newspaper, a puppy pad, a clump of grass - anything. And in a yoga studio, all there would be is your yoga mat. You could teach a good yoga class here with these materials. But perhaps not in the warm and fuzzy way that was expected... Yes, having fun in downward facing dog with a puppy beneath you, forgetting to breathe and laughing out loud would be great. Puppies remind you to rediscover joy - they are fully joyful and it is contagious. (Put aside the animal welfare issues for one second, hard I know, Italy has banned Puppy Yoga for exactly this reason). But the best teaching would be... how to find the true joy of yoga, the real and lasting joy in this moment, no matter what is going on around you. Puppies, no puppies, even damp patches on your mat. It's all good - as long as you don't over-think it and your mind doesn't take over with judgements and thoughts about the inevitable clean-up. This is one of yoga's most valuable teachings and most valuable practices. It is at the very beginning of the ancient text, the Yoga Sutra. It is front and centre of yoga teaching yet often overlooked. It is as simple as breathing, as obvious as opening your eyes, yet we are oblivious to the availability of present-moment joy, because we overthink, judge and rely on the contents of our experience going our way - rather than the quality of our state of mind. Changing the contents of our life, or our choice of yoga pose, isn't what makes anyone happy. Adding puppies, finally achieving the long-sought-after 'hard' posture, easing the achey hip etc.. Whatever it is you are after from your practice is worth pursuing if it keeps you showing up each day - but it isn't what will ultimately satisfy you. What will satisfy you, now and always, is worth discovering. How to find complete contentment, peace and joy in each moment as it unfolds, whether it is objectively pleasant or unpleasant. Whether it involves a puppy or a damp patch. The teachings, practice and experience of yoga offers lasting insights into this. Initially in glimpses, perhaps at the end of our practice, or during our weekend yoga retreat. These glimpses graduallly become more reliably available, and become more and more integrated into daily life. We discover increasing equanimity, patience, peace and happiness. It sounds cheesy, because its been sung about and written about through the ages. It has lasted because it is true. Lasting happiness isn't found in circumstances, or in other people or things. It is found right here, where you are, no matter what is happening. Puppy or no puppy.
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This last weekend I hosted my annual yoga retreat. We were just an hour from here, deep in the Somerset countryside in a beautiful country estate. The theme of the weekend was peace. To cultivate peace in life, body and mind. Let's pause We are always so busy 'doing' our lives. Working, shopping, fixing, supporting and caring, and then recovering from the demands of it all. At the end of each day, our energy is spent, we end the day flat out, then we sleep it off, and begin all over again the next day. Create space The space created this weekend was much-needed by everyone. The sublime location in the Somerset countryside, the sessions of yoga, the wonderful food, the inspiration and energy of the birdsong and spring bursting out in all directions. The weekly class upgraded to full immersion Cast your mind back to your last yoga class. You reached the end, and felt much better than when you arrived. Then you left and carried on with the rest of your day. When your on retreat, you don't go home and carry on with the day. Instead you are are in a beautiful location, not asked to do anything, offered nurturing practices, fed well, listened to, then you get to relax again, but more deeply in a candlelit evening relaxation / meditation. Then a night of peace, the occassional owl hoot, relaxation and sleep in a comfortable bed. Woken by the abundant morning chorus, pre-breakfast yoga to energise and revitalise. Fed more wonderful food, deepening gentle practices, and a chance to discuss and explore the wider elements of yoga that we often don't find time for. A spacious glimpse This allows us to glimpse the transformative qualities that yoga helps bring to everyday life. We stay immersed in this calm, vital spaciousness all weekend, letting it seep deeply into every aspect of ourselves. The vibrancy of nature, internal and external, is revealed and rediscovered. Through making space, practicing yoga, laughing, listening, chatting, crying, sitting, lying, eating and everything in between with new and old friends. And we bring this spaciousness home with us, and so it ripples on. We retreat from...
Day-to-day demands Usual routines Distractions Noise Work TV and phones Traffic and city-life Stress and tension Fast pace and being constantly busy Doing life We retreat into... Tranquil countryside Sanctuary Abundant birdsong, spacious vistas of the Somerset levels Nature Slowing down and breathing Yoga practices to nurture and cultivate vitality, stability and peace Spacious time Being cared for, cooked for, encouraged, listened to Community of friends Spiritual connection Ourselves, tuning in, listening Quiet Being Peace Feedback from this year's retreat: "Thank you so very much. It was perfect and as I had hoped / needed" "Such a special time" "Really inspiring weekend. Great to reset and rethink yoga." "Loved the pace and balance of practice, breathwork, time for walks. Perfect for noticing and nourishing the whole of me" Stay in touch for info on next year's retreat which I'll start planning soon. |
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Princes Place, Bishopston Just off Gloucester Road Bristol BS7 8NP |
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