My lovely  friend and yoga teacher is offering the most amazing one day yoga retreats at her fabulous home (complete with brand new custom built yoga studio) at Pentney Lakes in Norfolk.

Tanya is the most generous of women and her package offers 3 hours of yoga plus lunch. The afternoon is your free time to utilise in whichever way you feel is right for you - walking, jet skiing, relaxing in the beautiful surroundings.

The price - just £25 per person! The groups will never be larger than 8 so you know you’ll also get individual attention.

She is running them every other Monday starting in May.

For more info, contact her in 01760 444294 or tkp1@live.co.uk

I mentioned in a previous blog that I had been away on a mind, body, soul weekend.  Much as I love yoga, even I would find 8 hours a day a bit much so I decided to tap into a couple of workshops instead.

The first was Love Your Body Love Your Life, the presenter Beverley Drumm (pictured), an ex Management Consultant who completely changed her life and now runs inspirational classes in Nia Technique and Kundalini Yoga, both slow to catch on in the UK but making their presence felt.

Beverley began the presentation by asking how many of us in the room (about 35 I guess) loved their body and their life. I wasn’t surprised to see only 2 hands rise.  In fact, I was surprised that any were raised at all. Isn’t that so sad?

What is it about society today that says we all have to be so perfect and that we need to have it all? I think, as women, we are always looking for something else in our lives - and I’m no different here - but perhaps we should sometimes just stop and smell the coffee, by giving thanks for what we have in the here and now. The future doesn’t exist, only the present is real.

Come on ladies, celebrate who you are, embrace your unique gifts and talents and live a joyful life.  It’s the only one you have. Don’t like the way you look? Then see an image professional who can help you discover who you are and dress authentically. That’s what we’re here for.

http://www.nianectar.co.uk/

for more information about Beverley and her inspirational, holistic workshops.

Just come back from something we should all do more of - a weekend away with your girlfriends. Pampering, yoga, fabulous lectures, great food and brilliant instructors all allowed us, individually, to get the most of the time we had away from our normal routines.

I can never believe the price of this fantastic holiday (I go every year so am well known to the organisers) as the quality of everything on offer is so high. Check it out:

http://www.fitnessfiesta.com/mind_body_index.php

I’ve already booked a pampering weekend in July in the newly refurbished Met Hotel in Leeds. Can’t wait.

If you’re a Pilates fan, then you might be thrilled to find out that it’s moving into the water.

I love the way Pilates encourages great posture - always a great slimming aid - and lengthens your limbs so you appear more graceful and lean. I’m really not sure about the water element.

Being short-sighted, anything water based is an effort with glasses so isn’t much fun, neither is the sensible lack of makeup. Call me vain, but I would never go the gym without at least my basics (lipstick and mascara).  I also can’t stand the smell of chlorine and how it never seems to disappear, even when you’ve taken a shower.

So for me. the jury is out.

If any of you have tried it, let me know what you think.

http://www.poolates.co.uk/index.asp for more information of Poolates classes in the UK

Hot and bothered? Don’t know who to ask or what to do for the best?

There’s no need if you know where to go and who to ask.

The Menopause Exchange exists just for that reason.

Its aim is to provide reliable, unbiased and easily understood information to women and healthcare professionals so they can make well informed decisions about the choices they take.  Much of its work is done via a quarterly newsletter, which contains stacks of easy to assimilate information written by professionals.

If you want to take control and not feel that you are going through this alone, go to www.menopause-exchange.co.uk

I wouldn’t be seen dead in a pair of training shoes unless I’m exercising and, even then, I’m loathe to don them preferring Fit Flops for yoga. So I was quite taken aback when I saw that Boden had introduced Satin Sneakers! Apparently, they are so beautiful you need to wear them with a skirt rather than hide them under jeans. That’s definitely one trend I won’t be adopting, but feel free to go ahead if you think you can carry it off.

http://www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Shoes/Flats/AR421/Womens-Satin-Plimsolls.html  £39

If you want some harmony in your life, a sleeker body and a calmer mind but have no money or time to go to the gym, you might want to check out Body In Balance. This is a brilliant channel on Sky ( channel 275) with some great teachers, such as the Kundalini Yoga guru Maya Fiennes pictured, Shiva Rea, Katy Appleton and Caroline Sandry to name but a few. The practices are varied and interesting and cover all levels of ability. I’ve become a huge fan and I’m sure you will too if you enjoy yoga, pilates, tai chi or aerobic workouts. Not a Sky viewer? Then check out their website www.bodyinbalance.tv. As it starts at 6am every day, you have NO excuse!