The most recent course of A Mindful Woman finished with joy and with sadness.

Joy that the women who attended received so much benefit from the sessions.

Sadness in that the sessions themselves had come to an end.

Just one of many testimonials can be seen within the image (above) and as a result of the wonderful feedback, I have decided to create something new.

A Mindful Top-up

A taboo topic has always been periods. Another topic that isn't as well known, is that many cannot afford to purchase sanitary protection.

Think about that for a moment.

Thanks to the initiative of Bloody Good Period we can all help by making donations of sanitary items.

w/c 30 October, I am collecting on behalf of a friend who will be taking sanitary donations along to the charity.

Last Saturday saw the last mind-training slogan (Lojong) in our monthly meditation sessions. We have been using these pithy little reminders for two years, which are teachings condensed into a one-line reminder. Having covered 24 of the 59 little gems (in no particular order), the time has come to create space for new ways of reflecting.

There is nothing stagnant about a meditation practice: as explained to the wonderful group of women on Saturday, it is ever evolving and can arise in any given moment wherever we find ourselves.

One of the wonderful gifts following a retreat, is to receive the feedback from those who attended.

Following last month's retreat in Italy, words have been filtering through from the guests I had the pleasure of spending a whole week with, in which I shared the delights of yoga, meditation and creative pursuits - all with one aim in mind: to nourish the women on every level.

The image at the top of this piece contains recent feedback which has moved me very deeply.

Summer is a source of richness in so many ways. We have good weather generally, though here in the UK that definitely seems to be an optional extra. There's also opportunities for many of us to unwind from our normal rhythms and try to reconnect with relaxation, which can take many forms from gardening, painting, writing or any other number of pursuits.

The return to schedules and school drop-offs and pick-ups can feel like our time away from it all was nothing but a distant memory.

[Image: source]

On my recent return journey from my family vacation (which was rather wonderful – 2 weeks unplugged in Devon and Dorset), I noticed some new areas on the motorway.

[Image: source]

My personal world was rocked recently. It all started on Friday 14 July when a post on my social media newsfeed had such impact, that everything went to freeze-frame for what felt like a lengthy time.

A teacher, an inspiration, it's difficult to find the appropriate way to describe him, Michael Stone was all this and more, was said to be on life support in a coma in hospital.

Within the pregnancy yoga classes that I teach, I also incorporate aspects of active birth education too. It creates a more rounded class and allows context for many of the postures that lend themselves from yoga into the birth environment.

Squats are often discussed, and I like to offer two variations where the labouring woman feels totally supported. It also means that she is not bearing all the weight and effort.

Below you will find the variations I teach: