after early bird yoga

Not a completely natural early bird it has been refreshing to have committed to teaching early bird yoga at 7am on Wednesday mornings. My reward is being up and about at an hour that is still relatively fresh. After this mornings class followed by a wholesome breakfast, the bike ride through the park on my way to a meeting was a rare view of these magnificent trees newly dressed in spring foliage. My senses are not fully accustomed yet to such a dramatic change in all the trees here in Malmö. A few days of warm sunny weather has worked it's magic. I love my new bike! I love spring! 

Experience, research, imagination (a yoga tool box)

I've just completed Tony Parsons book "Starting Over". In an interview at the back of the book he reflects on what makes a novel. Experience (life as you have lived it), research (life as others have lived it) and imagination (life as you can imagine it).
I believe that with a little creativity these qualities apply in yoga. We rely on the experience of our teachers, the experience of a lineage or tradition and our own experience  We are able to constantly investigate and research the immediate effect of yoga in asana during a class and finally with imagination and vision we can alter our perception. So what does this mean? Our yoga toolbox is not so unlike the writers toolbox!   

Day 6 post earthquake

How do you describe the devastation and the tragedy of a natural catastrophe. A day hasn't gone by since Feb 22 when I haven't checked TVNZ updates and bulletins. I have only spoken to my niece Renee and have had news via FB and my sister in the North Island. I know they are safe, I know they are together. Their lives will never be the same again. They have the arduous task of rebuilding their city and their lives. I know my countrymen are made of strong stuff but it is still heartwrenching and agonising.
There are natural disasters all over the planet, all the time. This one feels personal. I feel compassion for all living beings but this disaster has penetrated to the deepest parts of me.
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/video-earthquake-montage-my-city-ruins-2-35-4041073 

enough of this violent shaking!

Woke this morning to hear on the Swedish news that Christchurch has had another earthquake and although the magnitude was not as severe as the September quake the damage is more devastating and this time many fatalities! A sick feeling in my stomach as I try to skype family in Christchurch and finally get through to sister, Sandy in the north island. She has spoken to family and heard that everyone is safe and accounted for. Thank you God! of 300,000 people living in ChCh I have at least 12 close family members. I'm so thankful they are all safe. I know they have months of after shocks both behind them and in front of them.  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10708094

virya yoga workshop with Åsa Åhman

After 6hours of virya yoga and feeling great. Åsa is a confident, structured and playful teacher. She embodies enthusiasm and joy.

I love workshops and I love being a student. Our next workshop is with Karl Straub from the US. He will be with us April 16-17th.

http://studiofrid.se/karl-straub.html

Retreat time?

It's that time again to begin to plan and book for Studio Frid's third retreat to the glorious Cas Bernats on Mallorca. This year we will be there from June 16-19. What a great way to begin the summer. I'm planning on travelling to Mallorca a couple of days before the retreat begins to do a little sight seeing and a short cooking course. I hope both my sisters will be joining me! Check out www.studiofrid.se/cas.bernats.html

This time of year when the weather is so bleak I love to have something bright to look forward to!

What a tumultous time it is right now. Egypt in a turmoil, Queensland, Australia being battered

by a huge hurricane, snowstorms causing chaos in the US. Peace within can be challenging! Yeah....it's retreat time. It sounds a bit like a frivolous luxury but really you can retreat even briefly anytime and nurture inwardly.

Sesame oil

This cold dry weather makes my dry skin drier than it usually is. I've started using sesame oil for a 15min self massage before my shower in the morning. If I have time I heat the oil first. According to Ayurvedic practices this wonderful oil is healing and nourishing for not only the skin but penetrates deep to the very core of the body. Besides effectively moisturising it is inexpensive. Just have to get used to smelling like a marinade! It has a distinctive nutty aroma!