Faith's Yoga Seed

Days 1-7 of Wildlove Yoga’s January challenge. I’ve had to play catch up, and move from my lovely yoga room because of a final push to get the spare room decorated for new floor, but seen as it’s empty I rolled out my mat and had a 15 minute flow incorporating all of the poses that V set last week.

My goal for this year is to make it to my mat once a week, be that in class or personal practice, and I can not wait for some dry and preferably warm weather so I can head to a field with my mat and some snacks and practice outdoors.

Who knows what the knee journey brings this year, off to see the surgeon again later in the year. But I’m hoping for no surgery this year if possible!

Looking forward to seeing people in classes, workshops and generally, but as a yogi peer not your teacher for a while! # # #

I realised it’s been rather a long time since I used this page, for the simple reason that I’ve not been doing any yoga. So I thought I would share a little update.

As most of you know I had knee surgery in May last year. My recovery has been slow but ok, but the end result isn’t what we hoped for, and because our poor NHS is creaking my post surgical review has only just happened.

Typically for me I have a complication with my plate that holds the bone together. But it explains my absence from the mat. I genuinely cannot put any pressure on my knee or shin in a kneeling position because there is metal very very close to the surface. So relief in some ways that I haven’t imagined the pain, and more relief that I can actually have surgery to remove the plate (hopefully in 6-8 months or so) which gives me renewed hope that I might make it back to my mat.

Downside, I probably still need additional complex surgery after the plate removal so I doubt my return to practice and to teaching will be any time soon. But we will see.

I don’t feel that I wish to teach whilst I don’t have my own asana practice. Whilst it isn’t the be all and end all to being a good teacher I’ve always used my own practice and attending classes to inspire how I share yoga with you all, to challenge my own preconceptions and ideas and to keep things fun, creative and current.

I’m focusing a lot on my new job.
My rehabilitation journey in the gym and also my goals for pre habilitation for future surgeries. I guess my yoga path is a little lost right now, but that’s ok. I’m practicing self acceptance and being on the mat pushing myself and being frustrated or in pain isn’t what serves me.

I miss your smiley faces and the camaraderie but I’m sure you will all still be on your mats when I make it back as a student.

With love xx

A smiley happy face after seeing so many wonderful yogis on their mats for the classes I covered this week at the Wyre Forest Leisure Centre. I love being able to come and share yoga with you, even if this week was scary after such a long break since teaching. And I made you stand up in both classes….what was I thinking!

Sending love to Wildlove Yoga

Come and join me tomorrow morning 11.30-12.30 at the Wyre forest leisure centre
Slow flow gentle yoga getting cozy and stretchy.

If this sounds fabulous then pop on down, you can pay as you go.

Covering from the lovely wildloveyoga

Come and join me on Wednesday 8.15-9.15 when I cover for Wildlove Yoga at the leisure centre. Probably not the wild crazy follow that she usually provides but I promise we will stand up!

If this sounds like something you fancy pop on down to the Wyre forest leisure centre. Non members welcome to pay per class.

Be lovely to see some of you on your mats

Cover class this Wednesday
Come and get cost for some online yin
Would be wonderful to see you all

The month of September brings the opportunity for deep rest and reset, and what could be better than the Earth retreat?

Can’t wait to be part of this later in the month of September

Take small steps…and every small step helps you to reach your goals.

My journey from surgery to recovery is pretty steady, although slower than I anticipated (probably pretty naively) but after 10 weeks I am down to one crutch and able to drive small amounts. It’s amazing to have some of my independence back.

So I took myself to my favourite place, a short drive from home, had a little walk, did some yoga which was exceptionally windy…( I tried to make a video for you all, but my phone blew over and I didn’t realise as I was too focused on my practice)

Whilst I’m frustrated by the slowness of this recovery, I’m in awe of healing, of the processes and of absolutely everyone who has supported me during this time. There are too many of you to name individually but I’m so grateful for everyone who has popped in, taken me out, dropped things off, come for a cuppa, prompted me to do physio, exercise ohh and to slow down! I’ve had to confront my obsessive independence and stubbornness to let people help.

Next steps…get rid of the remaining crutch in the next few weeks, walk up stairs without feeling like I’m going to fall on my bum. Get in the garden to do some weeding. Drive a little further and get my way back to work as soon as it’s safe.

I don’t just do yoga!
I also discovered gardening in the last 2 years, and needless to say I’m a little obsessed. I wish I had before photos to share…but I had a stubby bare lawn with no plants or colours. With help from the fabulous Adrian Szuba it got a total transformation.
And now I can’t stop gardening….pots and plants galore, trying new things and nurturing old favourites. My garden style is “free range” and I’m sure it won’t win any prizes (and I hate mowing the lawn) but it’s my little slice of sunny, bee friendly, outdoor space and I love it.

So another day ends, bank balance depleted, knee grumbling but I’ve got the dirtiest hands and feet and the happiest heart!

Looking forward to sharing a live chat with Nikki from on Tuesday over on Instagram. 7.30pm Chatting all things mental health and yoga. Come and catch us live or head over after for the recording.

Nikki’s products are luxurious and stunning for the senses. Locally made, ethically sourced and absolutely fabulous.

A super happy sunflower for a slightly grey day.

In other news I am covering for the lovely Ioanna at the leisure centre on Sunday morning.

Think we might even stand up and find out warriors to banish our worriers!!

If this sounds like something to brighten your Sunday then head on down to the Wyre forest leisure centre, 10.30-11.30 and let’s share some energy # # #

Yoga teaches us acceptance.

Today is a day of two halves.
Joy because it’s the first day that I’ve had bare feet comfortably on the earth.
Sadness because those bare feet should be in a hospital bed post surgery.

Having been up to the hospital I was unfortunately but understandably cancelled from the surgical list because the spectre of Covid strikes again. I’m a Covid contact, which means no surgery because of the possible risks if I were to develop Covid in my recovery.

I understand, both the morals and the science. But it doesn’t stop me feeling pretty crushed today.

So I’ll sit with those feelings, until they are ready to ebb away. But I’m also looking at the positives.

-they will reschedule my surgery, a few more months won’t cost me the world
- it’s a beautiful spring day, that I wouldn’t have seen
- I can go back to work and carry on
- I can hit the gym, yoga and generally continue to work on my fitness, I actually lost a further 3kg since my pre op.
- I am safe, loved and with everything happening in the world this is just a minor setback, not a life shattering event.

So I’ll sit with my sadness, take time to process, probably be a little quiet. Then as always I’ll dust myself off and carry on.

Do something different!
Today I had a fabulous massage and cupping session. I’ve always been curious about holistic therapies, traditional Eastern techniques and body work, and everyone knows I think acupuncture is the cure for pretty much everything. But today was the first time I’ve had cupping. And I’ll definitely be doing it again.

The combination of the deep massage, then the gentle pulling sensation of the cups has left me feeling great….although I did have a good old sleep this afternoon.

Woke up refreshed and chilled out for the last class I’ll be teaching for a little while, which was lovely to see so many friendly faces in.

Thank you to Jemma

Giving you all a wave to let you know I’m covering for the lovely Ioanna at Wyre forest leisure centre on Tuesday. 6-7pm gentle flow, completely suitable for anyone!

This will be my last class for 8-10 weeks as I’ll be resting up post surgery from next week.
But don’t feel sorry for me..I have a mountain of yoga text books to read, so I’ll have plenty of time to plan classes, explore styles and decide what I want to learn to share with you all.

Will be lovely to see anyone who is free.
Non members are welcome to pay and go.

How often do you focus on your feet?
Just attended the most beautiful session focusing on them and the Pieces energy with the fabulous Rebecca Jane Broomfield
Such a fabulous end to a rainy Monday.
Fabulous energy from a wonderful woman who I am proud to call my friend 🥰

Doing what I love ❤️
As per usual it was an absolute pleasure to be able to join forces with the knowledgeable and irrepressible Victoria.
Thank you all for allowing us to guide your practice.

Head over to see my beautiful friend
This will be blissful # # #

This is my happy post gym face.
A sweaty mess after my work out, one that wouldn’t make most people sweat, but I don’t care for many reasons.

As almost all of you know I have a knackered knee, and 2022 is the year of the surgical journey. Having got a clear diagnosis the week before Christmas I’m working with the fabulous team at The Joint Space to kick my fitness up a gear.

I am determined to be fitter, healthier and stronger going into surgery. I missed exercise, I miss yoga, I don’t love what my body looks like but more importantly I want the shortest, easiest recovery possible and that wasn’t going to happen based on my previous inactivity (post surgery/injury in 2020) so I’m determined to work harder, be committed and get stronger. I’m even on the cardio train 🤣

And whilst my gym numbers look pretty pathetic to many, I’m proud. I’m turning up twice a week, and having PT on top, I’m working my shifts, and trying to fit in yoga once a week. It isn’t easy, and I need shares in cheap frozen veg but mentally I feel great. I want to go to the gym, I think about scheduling it, I want to eat slightly better and most of all I know this is good for me!

In exciting news….I have a surgery date!!
14th March is much sooner than I expected
Guess I’ll be kicking it up a gear between now and then! And weirdly I suspect I’ll miss the gym post surgery when I can’t go!

Put your mind to things, visualise the outcome and go and get it guys # # #

Come and join me tomorrow at Wyre forest leisure centre 2.45
Covering a gentle class for the lovely wildlove yoga
Suitable for everyone.

Last chance to book, head on over to Wildlove Yoga to book our pose breakdown workshop tomorrow afternoon, come and join us for a deeper exploration into a the poses that we commonly explore in our practice.

Your chance to pick up anything that your unsure of, ask questions and be inquisitive…and to giggle when I can’t remember my left and right!

At The Oaks, Harvington
1.30-4.30

Come and join Victoria and myself