Hi Reader,
How has your week been? Have you been away over half-term? Some of you know that I went to Germany. A long journey with time to think. So, I've been thinking about the different programmes I offer and how they fit into the year.
Some, like my Spring and Autumn Cleanses, naturally belong to a particular season. Others, like Back to Rhythm, are about learning how to adapt our daily routines, food and yoga practice as the seasons change.
And then there are shorter programmes that focus on one particular aspect of our daily lives, such as sleep, digestion or creating a morning and evening routine. So, I've been looking at how all these programmes fit together, when to offer them and how to make it easier for people to find what is relevant to them. They all developed in response to different needs and circumstances, and somehow, they're fitting together.
It's interesting because this is very much what Ayurveda teaches us about our own lives. We have our daily rhythm, our seasonal rhythm and our individual circumstances. And all three influence what we need at any particular time. The more I think about it, the more I realise that the same principles I teach are also useful when organising my own work.
There's still some figuring out to do!
This Week's Blog Post/Podcast
Travelling can leave you surprisingly exhausted, even when you've spent much of the journey sitting down. After my recent trip to Germany, this was very much on my mind.
In Ayurveda, travelling increases Vata dosha. All that movement, changing environments, irregular meals and disrupted routines can leave us feeling tired, restless, bloated or struggling to sleep.
In this week's article, I explain why travelling affects us in this way and share seven practical ways to prepare for a journey and recover afterwards. From what to eat and drink to oil massage and getting back into your daily routine, there are quite a few things that can make a difference.
βRead & Listen Hereβ
From my Practice this Week...
One posture I've particularly enjoyed after travelling is a simple supine twist.
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your arms to the side at shoulder level. Exhaling, move your legs to one side and your head to the other. Keep both shoulders resting on the floor. This allows you to rotate through the spine, release some of the tension around the back and ribs, and create more space for breathing.
After hours of sitting in the car, it feels particularly good.
I like to stay for five to seven slow breaths on each side, allowing the body to gradually settle into the position.
You can also support your knees with a folded blanket or cushion if that feels more comfortable.
From my Kitchen this Week...
A German bread experiment.
I've been enjoying a particular bread from a bakery in Germany every time I visit my mother.
It's made with spelt and rye, pumpkin seeds, puffed spelt and a few other ingredients. It has a lovely crumb, a substantial crust and just a hint of sweetness. Of course, there's no recipe available.
So I've been looking at the ingredient list and trying to work out how to recreate it at home. Whether my version will come anywhere close remains to be seen. I'll let you know how it turns out!
The Final Yoga Term of 2026
We're heading into the final half-term of yoga classes before the Christmas break. Yes, the end of the year. I love the practice this time of year. Everything slowly draws inwards; we have the chance to become quieter and focus on what's important. If you've been thinking about coming back to class, or would like to join us for the first time, this is a great opportunity.
We have three weekly classes at 1st Ickenham Scouts Hall:
- Monday, 9:30β11 am: Women's Health Yoga
- Wednesday, 7:30β9 pm: Hatha Yoga for Stress Relief
- Friday, 9:30β11 am: Core Strength Yoga
I'd love to see a few more of you on the mat before the year comes to an end.
βBook your place for the final yoga termβ
When Rest Isn't Enough β
Rebuild Your Daily Rhythm
Your morning starts with the alarm, checking your phone, getting everyone organised and rushing out the door β without even a moment to yourself, let alone time for breakfast.
By mid-afternoon, you're running low on energy. And when evening finally arrives, you're exhausted but still find it difficult to switch off.
Have you ever considered how much the way you start your day influences how you feel later?
Ayurveda's daily routine, Dinacharya, gives us a way to understand how our activities, meals and habits influence our energy and sleep.
In When Rest Isn't Enough, we'll look at how to create a morning and evening rhythm that works with your life.
We'll explore how to bring your day to a close so that your body and mind have time to settle, and how to start the next morning with a little more clarity.
Two live Zoom sessions: 5 & 12 November, 7:30β8:30 pm.
The calls are recorded, and replays are available.
The fee, including both calls and two weeks of WhatsApp support, is Β£97.
βFind out more and join usβ
πΏ Pause & Reflect
How does the way you start your morning influence the rest of your day?
Is there one small change that could make your afternoons or evenings easier?
If you enjoyed this Sunday Read, you're very welcome to share it with someone who might find it useful.
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π If you have a question, or thereβs something youβd love me to explore in a future Sunday Read, youβre always welcome to let me know.
Hereβs to making a little space for yourself this week.