The period after birth is a time of recuperation, healing and taking time to recover. Both physically, mentally and emotionally.

In Ayurveda honey has long been prescribed for various ailments such as ulcers and cough, it is said to be aphrodisiac and a vermifuge according to The Sushruta Samhita Sutrasthanam (a classical Ayurvedic text). In the Chikitsa Sthanam it is used with sesame paste and neem to purify and heal sores.

An Ayurvedic lifestyle is here to support us and our changing bodies, mental and emotional health as well as spiritual being. We adjust our lifestyle to who we are rather than trying to fit in to something society or something external has decided. This is something very special about the Ayurvedic philosophy that everyone can benefit from

In this 20 minute session we will take you through some very gentle but effective stretches to keep the body spacious and the mind calm. All you need is a wall/door and a chair.

Pregnancy is the perfect time to flow and move. As the blood volume has increased, amniotic fluid surrounds baby and perhaps there is even water retention it’s a perfect time to embrace flow and fluidity.

One of my favourite poses is the squat or malasana!

This first video is a great practise anytime anywhere. Seated on a few cushions, yoga bolster/blocks or even on a chair we breathe and energise our upper body, neck and shoulders. A short 13 minutes practise.

Being on the path of yoga is ever evolving, changing, flowing, challenging and as much as we find bliss, joy and happiness on the path we also experience pain, despair and our own shadows. And we are always on the path and always a student.

I love sunsets.

I have the most amazing view of the (famous) Streatham sunset. But nothing beats a sunset over the ocean.

I know I keep going on about this in all our yoga classes. And at the moment I seem to have an obsession about the alignment of our arms and hands… So here is an extension of my obsession. Please read on.

We spend a lot of time on our hands in a yoga class: Downward-Facing-Dog, Plank Pose, Side Plank, various Hands-and-Knees poses and of course arm balances such as Crow Pose, Handstand etc.

My favourite breakfast at the moment is Chia Seed Pudding. It is perfect for someone like me who is a little sensitive to taste in the mornings and have various food intolerances. It is super easy to prepare and full of nutrients.

What are we letting go off from this year? What are we nurturing for growth for the next yearly cycle?

And I am trying to stay in this ebb of the flow of life.

One of the things that has helped me is a good ayurvedic advice on how to ground ourselves using oil massage, or abhyanga. Massaging oil on the feet will not only keep you grounded, moisturise the feet and be a good massage/reflexology – it will also quiet a busy anxious mind.

I am a big fan of oils. I use oils in my cooking, drizzle it on my food, in my smoothies, in baking, I spread coconut oil on toast as butter and I apply it to my skin. The essential oils of the plant kingdom I mix in with the oils for skin care, use them in vaporisers and spray them on the skin or as a room spray – I am addicted!

Did you release an egg this month?

Many women presume that if they’re having a natural and regular period (as in, not taking any form of artificial birth control and their cycle is approximately 28 days) that they’re also ovulating. Not necessarily!