One of my earliest memories is of a children's Christmas party that I went to when I was about 5 years old.

At a certain point it was announced that there would be a dancing competition. The prize was a big shiny remote controlled car with all sorts of flashing lights.

I wanted that car. I decided I would give everything I had to win it.

And so...I DANCED MY ASS OFF (to 'Uptown Girl' by Billy Joel - ha ha).

As my dancing reached a frenzied level I remember the looks on the faces of the adults present. Amusement, bewilderment and (I like to think) a sense of awe rolled in to one.

I felt a twinge of self consciousness but then renewed my commitment to winning that car. The dance went on.

And then a funny thing happened. The desire to win the car was eclipsed by the simple joy of moving my body. It was the first time I recall feeling a sense of 'flow state'. That sense of being completely absorbed in and focussed on what you're doing, a sense of feeling completely embodied.

Sadly my talent for dancing wasn't nurtured further until the 'clubbing years' of my teens and 20s (when I was usually in a flow state of a different sort). But I think back to this event (I won the car by the way :P) as an early indication of the love for movement that is a defining part of who I am today.

Since that day I've explored lots of approaches to movement and many different forms of sport and exercise and I loved (pretty much) all of them (apart from running...I just don't get it). There is something primal in the joy of simply moving, of fully inhabiting the body.

But when I found yoga I discovered a new dimension to movement - that it was also possible to cultivate a deeper sense of presence by moving with awareness and intention.

Yoga (and other mindful movement practices) provide us with the opportunity to develop an intimate connection to our bodies and breath. An opportunity to actively cultivate and access that state of flow by developing a deep connection to our experience as it unfolds in each moment.

These are benefits of the practice that can be carried out into our everyday lives, beyond the limited amount of time that we're making shapes on our mats.

This is why I'm so grateful that I've been given the opportunity to facilitate other people's exploration of the practice. Not only for the joy of movement that it brings but also because it helps us to live with more awareness and freedom.

So I look forward to seeing you in class soon where we can continue this exploration of the practice together.