Outdoor yoga in Highbury Fields - Sunday 5 September

REMINDER: The Yoga & Picnic in the Park event is this coming Sunday, 5 September, at 2.30pm!

For full details and to register, visit North London Yoga Meetup Group or go through Facebook.

I doubt there'll be a sudden surge in temperature so expect a 75 min fluid vinyasa class with lots of sun salutations to keep us warm. And please remember to wear plenty of layers that you can take off or put on as needed.

See you in the park!

Yogamatters clearance sale - pick up a half price yoga mat towel!

I love a good bargain!

How convenient then that one of my fav yoga shops, Yogamatters, is having one of their clearance sales.

What particularly caught my eye this time is the half price yoga mat towel, which acts as a hygienic layer between you and a public mat and is easily portable since you can fold it up. I must mention though that I've found it works best for those who sweat a bit from hands and feet as it gives better grip. It's also important not to wash the mat with fabric conditioner or it will become slippery. In fact, the more you wash it, the stickier it will become!

Now, if you're not the type who likes to shop online, I warmly recommend a visit to the Yogamatters warehouse shop, which is within walking distance of Turnpike Lane tube station.

Firstly you'll save on paying the postage, but more importantly, the staff are always really helpful and will answer any questions you may have without hanging over your shoulder. This is why I've been a loyal customer for years.

The sale ends at midnight 31 August.

North London Yoga Meetup Group - a yoga social

We all go to yoga class with our own idea of what kind of experience we wish to have. For some it's that precious quiet time of the day where you don't need to talk to anybody and where nobody is demanding answers from you. Others see it not only as a practice but also as a social opportunity where they can catch up with friends.

I teach in a lot of different settings and locations in London and I always find it interesting to observe how the vibe before and after class differs from place to place (and of course depending on time of the day). In some sessions there is complete silence, everybody in their own space, doing their own thing. In other classes there is a happy and energetic chatter that I always feel a bit bad about silencing when I'm about to begin the class.

My friend Denyse enjoys the social aspects and she's started the North London Yoga Meetup Group as a way of getting people together who are interested in yoga. Follow the link above and she'll explain the set-up herself. You can also get involved on Facebook or Twitter.

My involvement will be teaching a 75 min yoga class once a month in a North London location.

Denyse also plans to invite people to lecture on different yoga related subjects and she's even arranging a cinema outing to see Eat Pray Love, which is out 24 September.

The whole thing will kick off with Yoga & Picnic in Highbury Fields on Sunday 5 September. I am so excited about teaching outdoors - just imagine, the sky is literally the limit!

As long as it doesn't rain we'll be just fine. Although there is a Swedish expression that says: 'There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.' So layer up if it's nippy!

I'll post about this again nearer the time, just wanted you to know so you can pencil it in your diaries.

See you in the park!

Yoga DVD - Yin & Yang Yoga with Simon Low

Had a stressful day? Exhausted after a demanding week?

I find the 60 min yin sequence on Simon Low's Yin & Yang Yoga DVD is just the ticket to winding down physically and to calming the mind.

The yin postures are inspired by Taoist yoga and you hold them for several minutes to open your joints, massage the connective tissues and stimulate the energy channels.

Simon uses quite a lot of equipment like bolsters, bricks, blocks and eye bags. But if you don't want to buy these things, I suggest you become inventive with what you've got around the house.

When I teach private clients at their home, I find sofa cushions, pillows, blankets and even books become very useful aids!

Get inventive and let me know how you got along!

Yoga in Sydney at Andrew Boy Charlton Pool

Living in London, Australia may be a bit too far to travel for a yoga class. But if you ever do find yourself flying in to Sydney and no doubt struggling with that dreadful jetlag, you have got to take a class at the yoga place next to Andrew Boy Charlton Pool. I promise, it will sort you right out!

The Yoga BC studio, just like the pool, is situated inside the Royal Botanic Gardens, overlooking beautiful Woolloomooloo Bay. So not only do you get to enjoy a green and luscious walk to class, you can also take the opportunity to do some bat-spotting (!) since many of the trees are inhabited by flying-foxes, otherwise known as fruit bats.

I was there in October 2008 and took a 100 min class with Waran Karl, who had a gentle, helpful and knowledgeable approach. Time flew as I slowly untangled my battered post-flight body. At the end of it I felt like I had truly landed. And for final relaxation, get this, he played a soothing piece on the recorder! Bliss!

Classes at Yoga BC conveniently work on a drop-in system, but I'd check with an up-to-date timetable online to avoid any disappointment.

If anybody makes it Down Under, let me know what you thought!