I recently launched Lucy‑Ann Retreats because I’m ready to expand into the work that lights me up the most. Teaching yoga will always be my foundation — but creating transformational experiences is where my whole being comes alive. Retreats offer something the studio never can: spacious mornings, deeper conversations, unhurried practice, and the kind of connection that stays with you long after you return home. From my early days running Rose & Glow retreats with my twin sist

“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.” — Rumi Gratitude is often spoken about as something soft — a pleasant feeling, a polite “thank you,” a moment of appreciation. But in recent years, science has shown that gratitude is far more powerful than we once imagined. It’s not just an emotion. It’s a practice that can reshape the brain, regulate the nervous system, and gently shift our inner landscape toward steadiness and well-being. And the be

Stretching is not one single thing. There are many different stretching techniques — some from yoga, some from physiotherapy, some from strength training, and even some from dance. Each method affects the body differently, and each has its own benefits for flexibility, mobility, and joint health. In recent years, several of these techniques have found their way into the yoga world. This is a good thing — it means we have more tools to support our bodies safely and intelligent

Before I begin, here is a quick note on spelling. You’ll see this word written in a few different ways: Drishti — the most common modern yoga spelling Dristi / Drshti — simplified transliterations Dṛṣṭi — the classical Sanskrit spelling All of these refer to the same thing: a focused point of gaze used to steady the mind and anchor awareness. For simplicity, this post uses Drishti throughout. Finding a drishti What Is Drishti? In yoga, Drishti is more than just “where you loo

The humble step‑through — moving from Downward Dog into a lunge by stepping one foot between the hands — looks simple from the outside, but for many yoga students, it’s one of the most surprisingly challenging transitions in a flow‑style practice. And there’s a reason for that. Step-through using blocks to assist The step‑through asks for a combination of hip flexor strength, core compression, spinal flexion, shoulder movement and stability, and timing. It’s not just flexibil

If you’ve been to a few yoga classes, you’ve probably heard a teacher mention a Hindu god or goddess — maybe Kali, Ganesha, Shiva, or Lakshmi. You might have seen a mudra (a hand gesture) linked to a deity, or heard a story that sounded ancient and mysterious. And you may have wondered: The Hindu Goddess, Kali What does any of this have to do with my yoga practice? The truth is: you don’t need to be religious, spiritual, or familiar with Hinduism to appreciate these stories.

A yogic lifestyle is a conscious, ongoing choice to live with awareness, not a set of rigid rules or an escape from everyday life. It’s about how you manage your body, energy, and mind in the small, consistent moments that shape who you become. Yoga as a lifestyle A yogic lifestyle is described as a holistic, intentional approach to living that integrates yogic principles into every aspect of daily life, far beyond the yoga mat. It’s not about withdrawing from society or adop

Most people think of the inner thighs as “stretchy muscles” — the ones that light up in butterfly, straddle, or frog. But in yoga, the inner thigh group is far more than that. They stabilise, support, integrate, and connect your entire lower body to your core. This week in class, we explored how strengthening, engaging, and lengthening the inner thighs can completely change the way you feel in poses like Warrior 1, Downward Dog, Eagle Pose, Tree Pose, Skandasana, and Revolved

Busting the Most Common Myths About Meditation Meditation is one of the oldest wellbeing practices in the world — yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood. As meditation has moved from ancient spiritual traditions into modern studios, workplaces, apps, and healthcare settings, a whole collection of myths has grown around it. These myths often stop people from even trying to meditate, or convince them they’re “doing it wrong” before they’ve even begun. So ahead of my first

We often talk about the body as if it were a collection of separate parts — the hips, the spine, breath, digestion, emotions, etc., each with its own job, each living in its own compartment. But the more we learn about human physiology, the clearer it becomes that this isn’t how we’re built at all. Your body is an ecosystem. Every structure influences every other. Change one thing, and something else responds. The human body and mind are intricately connected. One fascinating

Understanding the Deep Strength Behind Lightness, Lift, and Control If you’ve ever wondered why stepping forward from Downward Dog feels impossibly heavy, or why Crow Pose seems to require superhuman buoyancy, the answer often lies in a specific type of strength that many yogis haven’t been taught to identify: core compression strength . It’s a term borrowed from callisthenics and gymnastics, but it describes something yogis have been practising — consciously or unconsciously

We often hear that OM is the vibration of all creation — but what does that actually mean? It can sound abstract or mystical, yet the truth is beautifully simple and deeply connected to the natural world around us. Everything in the universe vibrates. Atoms vibrate. Sound waves vibrate. Breath vibrates. Nature vibrates. OM is a symbol — and a sound — that represents this underlying hum of existence. Not as a literal noise floating through the universe, but as a reminder that

If you’ve spent time in yoga, meditation, or spiritual circles, you’ve probably heard the word mantra . You may even have chanted one without fully knowing what it meant or where it came from. This week, I wanted to explore mantra a little more deeply — what it is, where it originates, and why it continues to be such a supportive practice in modern life. The Om Symbol What Is a Mantra? A mantra is a sound, word, or phrase repeated either silently or aloud to focus the mind. T

Yoga teachers often say, “Yoga is 2,000 years old… maybe even older.” But what does that really mean? Where did yoga originate? What did the practice look like thousands of years ago? And how did we get from ancient meditation traditions to today’s dynamic blend of yoga postures, calisthenics, functional movement, and mindful fitness? This Q&A explores yoga’s true origins, how the physical practice evolved, why lineage matters, and what a balanced, holistic yoga practice lo

As a yoga teacher, I have always loved exploring the history and philosophy of yoga. My book, , is a testament to that passion. Over time, I’ve also developed a deep interest in Buddhism and have come to see many meaningful parallels between the two traditions. Buddhism and Yoga emerged from the same rich philosophical landscape of ancient India, shaped by a shared curiosity about the mind, suffering, and the possibility of living with greater meaning, ease, and harmony. Alth

The knees are remarkable joints — strong enough to carry us through life, yet sensitive enough to let us know when something isn’t quite right. In yoga, we ask a lot of them. Deep bends, long holds, squats, lunges, balances, transitions… the knee is involved in almost everything we do. And while yoga naturally builds lower‑body strength and mobility, knee health is an area where many students need more understanding, more support, and sometimes more patience. This article bri

Wrist discomfort is one of the most common challenges students experience in many styles of yoga, especially vinyasa, slow flow or power yoga. These styles include many poses and transitions—such as Plank, Chaturanga, Downward Dog, and even Tabletop, where a meaningful amount of bodyweight is supported through the hands, wrists and shoulders. The exact percentage of body weight being supported by those areas varies by pose and by individual, but the wrists consistently take o

Balance training isn’t only about staying steady on your feet; it’s also one of the simplest ways to support long‑term brain health. It also plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of falls as we age — something many people underestimate. A fall in our 60s or early 70s can have serious, long‑lasting consequences, and recovery rates after a major fall between the ages of 60 and 65 are unfortunately very low. Improving balance now is one of the most effective ways to protect

In yoga, the handstand — Adho Mukha Vrksasana — is often seen as a pinnacle posture. It looks impressive, it demands strength, and it carries a certain mystique. But the deeper truth is this: the handstand is far more valuable as a journey than as a destination. Whether or not you ever balance fully on your hands is beside the point. What matters is what the practice teaches you along the way. 🌿 A Shift in Perspective When you turn upside down, you literally see the world d

Have you ever caught yourself spiralling into negative thoughts before the day has even begun? One moment you’re fine, and the next you’re comparing your life to someone else’s holiday photos, career announcement, or perfectly curated morning routine. It’s almost automatic now — this reflex to measure ourselves against everyone else. And the result is painfully familiar: a quiet, persistent sense that we’re not enough. Not successful enough. Not productive enough. Not attract