Pop Up Yoga studio - a hidden gem on Upper Street, N1

On Wednesday, I was doing my usual pit-stop at Euphorium Bakery on Upper Street (after 8pm it's buy-one-get-one-free and their Muesli Bread is out of this world) when I noticed this sign literally next door:

I thought I'd try the place out the following night when I unexpectedly had a class cancellation, hence a night off - it's like the universe was sorting it all out for me!

The studio didn't look like much from the outside, but once I walked in and off the busy high street, I was met by the most welcoming and tranquil, candle-lit space, and by one of the teachers, Wendy:

She took me through a well-paced Hatha Yoga session (I mentioned I'd had a tough day in the office and was feeling stiff and tired) with just the right balance of work and relaxation. Wendy trained with TriYoga and is keen on precision and alignment and, as you know, so am I so it was just perfect.

Afterwards I felt utterly relaxed and ready for bed. I just could not believe that I was on my own in there - not enough people know about this fab little studio and I feel it's my obligation to spread the word.

Wendy and her business partner/fellow teacher Kerry have created a very elegant yet functional space, offering a generous timetable and you won't be packed into a massive room like sardines - this is a small place where the teacher has time to give your practice individual attention.

In case you're still looking for a reason to check it out, Pop Up Yoga are doing a special November deal of bring a friend for free - that makes it a measly £5 per class - so not only can you get a quality yoga session for an absolute bargain, you can buy artisan bread on the way out.

Enjoy this before it's gone - it ain't called pop-up for nothing - and tell your friends.

If you don't like it, I'll eat my mat!

Yoga in the Park goes indoors Sunday 7 November

It's time for another yoga session, courtesy of North London Yoga Meetup Group.

But as autumn has well and truly arrived, it makes practicing in the great outdoors a little more tricky since, even on a sunny day, the ground tends to be wet and cold.

So Meetup organiser Denyse has instead found us a marvellous indoor venue (very near the place where we did the outdoor sessions) - Christ Church Highbury - where we will do a 75 min practice followed by nibbles and chatting.

For those who might feel a bit intimidated by coming along on their own, thinking we're a bunch of cliquey Cirque du Soleil acrobats, have no fear. We have a healthy addiction to all things yoga and are a really friendly bunch of mixed ability yogis and yoginis.

See you Sunday 7 November at 2.15pm for a 2.30pm start.

Free tickets to the yoga show!

Moneysavingexpert.com has got 5000 free tickets to The Yoga Show to give away. I'm sure there's a catch - like you will be getting emails from third parties - but hey, nothing is completely for free...

The Yoga Show - 29 30 31 October, London Olympia

Olympia is opening its doors once again to welcome yoga fans from all over the world. Yep, it's time for The Yoga Show 2010, and I am particularly excited as I won't be working on a stand this year, which means I can go to all the workshops and demos without running the risk of talking too much and subsequently losing my voice like I did last year.

As often happens with these trade shows, there is everything from top notch teachers giving great workshops and stalls selling anything you need (or don't really need) for your practice to the slightly more gimmicky stuff - chocolate meditation and chocolate yoga anyone? Sigh. Actually, David Sye in this case...

It's cheapest to buy tickets online - £10 for a day, but there is so much to do and see that I'd recommend getting the weekend pass for £16. And those of you who don't like crowds should go on the Friday, which is still busy but nothing like Saturday or Sunday. And it's cheaper to get in - £7.

For a chance to win tickets, email yogashow@yogamatters.com and put 'Two ticket to the Yoga Show please!' in the subject field.

If you want to jazz up your yoga wardrobe, get some new equipment or buy any other trinkets, Sunday afternoon is the ideal time for you as the stands usually drop their prices to get rid of stock. Haggle with a smile! Tends to work for me.

I hope to see many of you at the show. I am giving seva for Yoga Professionals (stand F18) Sunday 10am to 1pm. Please come by and say hello!

Though for the day - Gratitude

Thanks to my sister-in-law Kinga, who found this poster somewhere in the streets of Shanghai.

Yoga in the park Sunday 5 September

'From small beginnings come great things.'

Proverb

If you're not in this picture, you missed out on a lovely yoga gathering in Highbury Fields, courtesy of North London Yoga Meetup Group.

Sure it did rain a smidge (it's near enough compulsory in London in September), but the temperature was perfect and our sun salutations brought the sun out, eventually.

And the picnic nibbles were much appreciated afterwards as it seems outdoor yoga works up quite an appetite.

A big thanks to Justine, Denyse, Lucy and Marianne for taking part, cos let's face it, without the people it'd just be me, alone in the park, talking to myself...

Denyse is already scouting for an indoor venue for the next Sunday session - 3 October - and until then I'm quite looking forward to seeing Eat Pray Love with a bunch of fellow yogis and yoginis. That's Monday 27 September.

Yoga to boost your mood

Fresh scientific proof (as if we need it!) that yoga helps fight depression and makes you happier. Here's the article from The Telegraph.

But note what the end of the article says about the lack of an aerobic element in yoga - even the vigorous varieties. So, add to your yoga practice some regular cardiovascular exercise to get your heart rate up - after all, that's a very important muscle to stretch!

For me, swimming and running work a treat as I find them both monotonous enough to help switch my mind off and bring me into a more meditative state.

Next time you are out power walking, cross-training, running or swimming, add a meditative element to the exercise by quietly in your head repeating the mantra So Ham, which can be translated as 'I am that, I am' - that referring to the Universe, or God, or whatever you choose to believe in.

Repeat 'So' on each inhalation and 'Ham' on each exhalation.

Let me know how you get on!