Poetry for Practice: Robert W. Service - My Inner Life

The process of finding a poem each week is interesting. There’s an abundance of options, and I have a growing list of poems I’d like to use at some point, but the one I choose has to speak to me in the moment. This week’s poem felt like it picked up where we left off last week, continuing the exp... Read More

Poetry for Practice: Christina Rossetti - Who Has Seen the Wind?

One of the reasons I started sharing poetry in my classes is because I find there's such a crossover between the themes and ideas that run through so many poems and the philosophy that underpins yoga. Christina Rossetti's Who Has Seen the Wind is a lovely example of this. Christina Rossetti Who H... Read More

Poetry for Practice: R. S. Thomas - The Bright Field

I’d actually chosen a different poem for this week, but after reading it again on Monday night ahead of the classes, I had a change of heart and decided to read The Bright Field instead. It’s funny how sometimes something can feel right in the moment, but on reflection, you realise it’s not quite... Read More

Poetry for Practice: Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer - Belonging

Sometimes you read a poem and wish you’d written it yourself. This is one of those poems for me. Through yoga, we become more aware of our connection with the world around us, and this poem captures that idea in a way that feels tangible. It takes something that can sound quite abstract and makes... Read More

Poetry for Practice: Wendell Berry - The Peace of Wild Things

In honour of the late Wendell Berry, it seemed only right to celebrate his most famous poem, The Peace of Wild Things. His wisdom feels particularly poignant after just spending a week exploring the Scottish wilderness, but also reminds me to turn to nature for guidance in my day-to-day existence... Read More

Poetry for Practice: Donna Ashworth - You

I hope you didn’t think I was going to leave you without a poem to reflect on this week just because I’m on holiday! I may not be in the studio, but I couldn’t resist sending a little bit of poetry your way…. I’ve chosen a poem that offers an insightful perspective on how we are perceived in the ... Read More

Poetry for Practice: Robert Frost - Nothing Gold Can Stay

If spring teaches us to open, autumn teaches us to let go. We welcome the move from winter into spring, but the shift from summer into autumn can feel more challenging. Robert Frost’s Nothing Gold Can Stay acknowledges the sense of loss that can come with nature’s transition, but also reminds us ... Read More

Poetry for Practice: Adrienne Rich - Delta

Our poem this week feels like a continuation of the theme from a couple of weeks ago, when we explored We Are A River. This time, instead of gathering wisdom, confidence and experience along the way, we’re leaving behind what we no longer need. Adrienne Rich Delta If you have taken this rubble fo... Read More

Poetry for Practice: Francis William Bourdillon - The Night Has a Thousand Eyes

Did you get to see any of the eclipse this week? I managed to get a good view through a homemade contraption, which gave me a new perspective on just how powerful the sun is. To see the tiny reflection of the sun, mostly in shadow, and yet, see no discernible difference in the sky was a paradoxic... Read More

Poetry for Practice: Lao Tzu - We Are A River

If you are eagle-eyed, you may have noticed that I use a Lao Tzu quote elsewhere on my website: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." There are lots of crossovers between yoga philosophy and Taoism, and I’m inspired by both. Taoism, though, seems to have a particularly poetic... Read More