Author: Gemma

One of the core teachings of yoga is that everything is in a constant state of change. This idea—Parinamavada—reminds us that nothing stays fixed. Not our bodies, not our thoughts, not even the way we feel in a pose from one day to the next.

In our current Flow Yoga series in Rugby, called Heart Work, we’ve been exploring backbends as a way to connect with this idea. One week, Bridge Pose might feel strong and open. The next, it might feel tight or awkward. And that’s completely normal. But it can still throw us, can’t it? We might think, “Why doesn’t this feel the same as last time?” or “I thought I’d moved past this.” It’s easy to assume that progress is a straight line, but Parinamavada reminds us it’s much more fluid.

Yoga invites us to meet ourselves just as we are today—not as we were yesterday or how we think we should be. When we let go of that fixed idea, we begin to trust the process a bit more. And maybe even be a bit kinder to ourselves along the way.

Change isn’t failure—it’s a sign of life. Some days we’re energised, other days we’re not. Some poses feel accessible, others feel out of reach. It all moves, it all shifts, and that’s part of the journey.

If you’ve ever stepped onto your mat expecting things to be just like they were last time and found them completely different, you’re not alone. That’s yoga in action—showing us that each practice is its own experience.

The next time you step onto your mat, stay curious. Notice what’s shifted, without judging it. Let your breath help you meet the moment with openness, not resistance. Instead of fighting change, maybe we can lean into it.

Backbends can feel vulnerable—they literally open us up. But they also teach us resilience. They show us that we can bend, adapt, and still stay steady. They’re a reminder that even when things feel uncertain, there is strength in softness and power in staying open.

Wherever you are in your practice, let this be your reminder: you don’t need to be the same every time you step on the mat. You just need to show up, breathe, and let whatever unfolds be enough.

Yesterday we held our Yoga, Buns and Bliss event at Houlton School – a relaxed and enjoyable day combining yoga and baking in a beautiful setting in Rugby.

It was the second year running that I’ve partnered with Paul from Rugby Real Bread, and it was a fab to work together again. Paul led two hands-on baking sessions, where everyone had the chance to make their own hot cross buns from scratch – mixing, kneading and shaping the dough with plenty of tips and encouragement along the way. The kitchen smelt amazing!

We flowed from baking to movement with a steady, feel-good yoga class – designed to gently energise the body and bring focus to the mind.

Lunchtime was simple and delicious. We gathered on the top floor of the Transmission Building and shared Paul’s homemade focaccia with houmous, fresh fruit and veg, while soaking in the views across Houlton.

The day ended with candlelit yoga and yoga nidra – a calm and restful practice to wind down. With blankets, soft lighting and time to be still, it was a quiet, grounding way to close the day.

It was a fabulous to welcome everyone, and such a lovely mix of movement, making and moments of pause. Thank you to those who joined us – and to Paul for another collaboration!

Recently, I attended an online training with the British Wheel of Yoga called Dharma Delights, led by Bram Williams. The day was all about storytelling—exploring the myths and meanings behind some of the yoga poses we practise. I love weaving a little dharma talk into my classes, and this training reminded me why. Stories add depth to the practice, making it about more than just movement.

I also love bringing poetry into my classes. Just like mythology, poetry has a way of connecting us to something deeper. Whether it’s a single line that lingers or an image that sparks reflection, words—like yoga—can guide us towards stillness, strength, or surrender.

The Stories Behind the Poses

So many of the poses we do in yoga have stories behind them, and when we know those stories, the poses start to take on new meaning. Here are a few we explored:

🐟 Matsyandrasana (Seated Twist) – Named after Matsyendra, a fish who overheard sacred teachings and was transformed into a wise sage. Twists, like this story, invite us to turn inward and reflect.

🌳 Vrksasana (Tree Pose) – The tree is rooted and strong but still sways with the wind. This pose is all about finding balance—both physically and in life.

🚣‍♀️ Navasana (Boat Pose) – Just like a boat navigating waves, this pose teaches us steadiness in the face of change.

🦁 Simhasana (Lion’s Breath) – The lion’s roar releases tension and frustration. It’s a reminder to let go of stress and step into courage.

🐶 Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog) – Inspired by the loyal and playful nature of a dog. It’s a pose that invites us to stretch, breathe, and stay present.

🔺 Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) – A shape that represents balance—body, mind, and spirit. It encourages us to find strength and openness at the same time.

🙏 Forward Bends – Bowing forward is a symbol of surrender, of softening, of letting go. These poses remind us to pause and allow.

Themes for Yoga Classes

We also explored different themes that can add depth to a class. Some of my favourites were:

🍂 Seasons – How our practice shifts with the changing energy of Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer.

🐢 Slowing Down – Taking time to pause, breathe, and rest.

🎭 Play – Bringing curiosity and lightness into the practice.

🌊 Seaside & Waves – Moving like water, flowing through change.

🌀 Spine – Exploring the way our spine moves and supports us.

💚 Heart-Based Practices – Tapping into emotions and connection, inspired by Anahata meditation from Tias Little’s Yoga of the Subtle Body.

☀️ Solstices – Honouring the cycles of light and dark.

⚖️ Sthira & Sukha – The balance of effort and ease, strength and softness.

Why Do We Practise Yoga?

One of the questions we explored was: Why do you practise yoga?

For me, yoga is about connection—physically, mentally, emotionally. Some people come to class for strength and flexibility, some for peace of mind, and others just for the joy of movement. There’s no right or wrong reason—just the practice itself.

One of my favourite Yoga Sutras is Sutra 1.14:

“Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break, and with sincere devotion.”

It’s a reminder that yoga isn’t about perfecting a pose but about showing up—again and again—with patience, curiosity, and heart.

Bringing Meaning to the Mat

Yoga is more than just a series of shapes. It’s movement, breath, awareness. It’s stories, poetry, and themes that help us connect to something bigger.

I’ll leave you with these lines from Rainer Maria Rilke:

“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.”

So much of yoga is about this—being present for whatever comes, knowing that nothing lasts forever.

Do you have a favourite yoga story, theme, or poem? I’d love to hear in the comments!

Photo Credit: Annie Sprat – thank you!