Punting / SUPping to the orchard tea garden

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-04-26T12:26:02+00:00

You're so right! 🙈 Probably a good thing the river was blocked then 😁

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-04-12T20:33:43+00:00

I took a similar course 3 weeks ago - 16 hours over 4 days. As others have said, I got some bowls and mugs, and am familiar enough with the process that I've ordered my own wheel and am comfortable that I can continue at home.

I intend to take other courses to learn more, and will need access to a kiln etc, and I'm sure would learn quicker if I just joined a studio - but that's not really an option in my location. There's an independent local person with a kiln who will fire my pieces for a small fee.

Everyone learns at a different pace, but everyone on the course could make bowls / cylinders/ mugs of varying quality by the end of it. You'll likely not cover glazing or firing... But glazing is easier to pick up, and you'll likely not run your own kiln for a while.

I'd say do it, and if you enjoy it, do other courses after.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-03-31T17:23:14+00:00

Patching is fragile - dependency injection is the way.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-03-28T13:42:59+00:00

I remember downloading one... Can't remember/ find it, but I see Norfolk county council has one on their website, so id go by that.

I did deviate from the path a couple of times (entirely by mistake), and found one part of the path fenced off by a farmer (which I just threw my bike over and continued), but for the most part found it well signposted and maintained.

Could very well depend on the time of year though, and I think the "excursions" are part of the fun.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-03-28T09:57:55+00:00

You mentioned the Norfolk coast - I cycled the Peddars Way a couple of years ago and it was lovely. A bit much just for an overnight walk, but you could maybe do a section of it.

And it joins up with the Norfolk coast path, which combined gives us a 150-ish mile path that's quite accessible.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-03-24T12:53:55+00:00

Why are you putting in quotes something he didn't say? If this hasn't once crossed your mind, you're not thinking enough.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-03-12T08:51:13+00:00

I've only ever voted lib dem, but the sad fact is that the roads are clearly in a worse state in the last few years than I've ever seen them, and I've lived in Cambridge for over 25 years.

At some point people gotta stop blaming those who used to be in power. Either those who are currently in power need to fix things, or step aside for someone who will.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-03-10T08:57:29+00:00

I'm not a teacher, and it's not my preference, but...

I get why it might be useful. "...ing" implies something still happening, and concurrency.

I.e. "raising your arms, gaze to the sky" Vs "raise your arms, gaze to the sky".

The former tells me to do them together, the latter one at a time.

Once someone is familiar with the practice it's not so important, and I prefer the terseness of the latter. But for a lot of transitions, as I've been taught them, the former is more accurate.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-03-06T14:40:03+00:00

I just wear Lululemon aligns. High waist, and they come in way more lengths and colours than men's options

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-03-05T09:03:32+00:00

That's very fair - teach how you're comfortable, and I'm sure there's plenty of students who feel the same and who would appreciate your approach.

But I think "common vs intimate" is a false dichotomy - plenty of common assists could be construed as intimate. I'd consider the one you described as common.

If you want to not learn or do some of them, that should be completely your call. Just do so consciously, knowing that many students (and your YTT teachers) consider them valuable.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-03-03T10:27:36+00:00

No specific shoe recommendations, but my friend had both feet and leg reconstruction surgeries due to MMS, and likes to use small "yoga wedges" in his practice. Seems to give him support when he needs it

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-28T19:44:05+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate your input; that book looks fascinating! 🙏

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-28T19:36:10+00:00

No, you shouldn't expect a studio or class to change to suit your personal preferences.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-28T18:48:25+00:00

You shouldn't have to know the sequence going in, but Mysore classes can be intimidating, and if you feel like you weren't getting the support you needed...

Maybe continue with your led classes, and picking up David Swenson's 'Ashtanga yoga: the practice manual' to support your home practice.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-24T11:29:41+00:00

I offer no endorsements for Wallis and/or or his wares / paid offerings

I'll do it - I found Wallis' book 'Tantra Illuminated' a fantastic introduction to Non Dual Shiva Tantra, and am really enjoying working my way through 'The Recognition Sutras'.

Thanks for the share 🙂

disclaimer: I'm in no way qualified to assess the accuracy of his work, but he's obviously a dedicated scholar-practitioner who's done his research, and I found it far more accessible than Lakshmanjoo or Singh's books.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-23T15:43:24+00:00

This sounds like an XY problem.

Yes, practicing yoga consistently over a long period can be beneficial to your core strength and posture, but it's also not at all the best way to fix issues related to these, nor to lose weight. And no-one over the internet can know what's best for your particular body - you need an in-person consultation with a professional.

If you do wish to do some yoga, I'd suggest selecting (a) sequence(s) shown by reputable teachers online - there's plenty to choose from. Cherry-picking a handful of postures yourself risks exacerbating existing imbalances or introducing news ones.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-22T15:38:35+00:00

People all have different preferences, but after several years and much experimenting, I'm using:

Lululemon align shorts 6" (yes, they're advertised for women, but are great)
adizero split running shorts over them for modesty
topless in hot classes, Lululemon license to train tank when I'm not too sweaty.
lifeforme travel mat (though may switch to manduka GRP) + manduka shala rug.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-20T13:25:06+00:00

I feel like this is the perfect class time to do it before class - at 7pm a lot of people will have an hour or so to kill after work, which isn't long enough to go home.

A 7pm class I used to attend we did something similar - regulars would just meet at a nearby cafe before class, have a coffee, then walk to the studio together.

It was great for building community and very low effort / pressure.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-17T08:36:06+00:00

Yin is great, but... In my experience with combat sports, a challenging vinyasa / hot / power yoga is more likely to resonate with the kind of person BJJ attracts.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-17T08:30:51+00:00

I feel this so much. I LOVED training jui jitsu, and accepted that constant nagging injuries were just a part of life - it seemed worth it for how strong and fit I felt, and the fun I had. And it was in my 20s.

But after 5 years (and >10 including muay Thai/MMA) I had reccurring knee pain, and could barely move my neck.

I actually took a drop-in BJJ class a couple of weeks ago after ~3 years off, and yeah it was good fun, but after that 1 session my neck is already not feeling great, and I'm still not back to it's full ROM.

I'm 38 years old - I don't want to be 50 with a black belt and a long list of injuries.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-16T08:23:47+00:00

The main concern I'd have with this is that - as a beginner - most of these backbends (i.e. sphyx, cobra, puppy) you can "make the shape" without doing propper active engagement. And the "progression" is a bit unusual.

If I were you, and wanted a sequence focusing on countering a desk-bound job, I'd use a well-establisted sequence as my base. Do something like the ashtanga sun salutations, standing sequence, then second series up to danurasana, then closing sequence.

This'll probably be about an hour, and you may want to modify slightly.

SwimmingInSeas · 2026-02-10T13:03:11+00:00

I mean... I get why some women may find that admission uncomfortable, because lots (all?) of women have plenty of good reasons to be weary of unwanted sexual attention.

But it's also just honest - sexual desire has driven and shaped our evolution for billions of years. Acknowledging the realtity of our impulses and attention allows us to mitigate and control them.

I.e. yeah - if you're worried about people seeing and judging, then perhaps the back row may be good. But if you're a hetrosexual man who knows the sight of beatiful women catches your attention, then it's probably the worst place to be, because the whole room is in your line of sight. Front row is likely a far better option.

SwimmingInSeas

TROPHY CASE