Happy December! It’s the final month of a year that has probably played out very differently to what we expected, either in small or big ways. In some ways this year seems to have gone by fast without any travel or the ability to make plans, although some memories from the “before” (i.e. February) and the early days of lockdown (Dalgona coffee, anyone? No? Really?) feel like another lifetime…

I feel so lucky to be living in Dubai where life is almost “back to normal” but sad for family and friends who cannot say the same. I’d hoped my parents could visit before the end of the year but this sadly isn’t going to be possible when things in the UK still feel so uncertain.

I’ve been so busy these last few weeks that now seems like an ideal time for a check-in, and maybe a final blog post of 2020? I am really resolving to blog more in 2021 as despite the cry of “the blog is dead”, I still enjoy writing posts and I can see that you still read them, too!

Yin Yoga Teacher Training

My last teacher training of 2020, and my first in-person teacher training in Dubai! I’ve been taking my 50 Hours Yin Teacher Training with Diana at Zen Yoga. It’s a weekend training course so it’s meant that my weekdays have been even busier but it’s been nice to fully immerse myself in learning at the weekends. It’s a small group and I’ve also loved getting to know my fellow students – something which is a lot easier on an in-person course and something that, for me, makes up a big part of the experience. Extrovert over here!

After working with private clients since March, and teaching group classes prior to that, it’s been really interesting to be able to apply my experience of teaching different students to this course. The anatomy side of a yin teacher training is super interesting too, and something that I’ve become more and more fascinated by on my teaching journey.

I’m already sharing my learning with my students, and adding more yin poses and elements to my class. Everyone seems to love these classes – I think that says a lot about our current psyche and world state.

Kriya Yoga Online Training

I’m also doing an online, learn-at-your-own-pace, Kriya yoga training with my 200 hours yoga teacher, Peewee Sanchez. Peewee has such an amazing energy both in real life and on the screen. This is evidenced by the tiny cat who plays at her feet for the entire duration of one training video! The first part of the course is free and the remainder is donation-based, and applicable for Yoga Alliance credits if you are registered.

Kriya yoga is something that I hadn’t heard of until a few years ago when I took a class with Peewee at Yogafest in Dubai. In all honestly, I only took the class because I thought Peewee had a cool name, sometimes we meet out teachers in the most unexpected of ways… The class was so different to anything I had ever done before! Kriya yoga is less about the yoga asana (poses) and more about accessing the energetic body. It’s not the type of yoga that you usually see taught in a gym, or even in a yoga studio – it definitely took me a while to fully understand and appreciate the practice and I’m loving learning more about it.

Park Life

Harry and I took an unexpected day off (we both work for ourselves so while we can technically do this whenever we want, it rarely happens), grabbed some picnic blankets and a Waitrose picnic and spent the day in the park. It was so lovely to be outside and to make the most of the Dubai “winter”. I felt so refreshed after such a simple day of relaxing, chatting and reading a few pages of my book. Sometimes I still feel like fun and enjoyment are only as a result of spending money or doing “big” things but a day in the park was just so nice, resolving to do it again before it gets too hot!

A Friend In Town

Something I didn’t think would happen again this year! My friend Iman visited for a week and it was so much fun (I did start the #ImanInDubai hashtag but realised that this could be misinterpreted somewhat!). I took some time off of teaching classes and pretended I was on holiday, too. I had my first dip in the sea this year(!), went kayaking in Ajman and got dressed up 1920s style for a Murder Mystery night…as well as breakfasts in Wild and the Moon, outdoor yoga (taught by me of course – my first in-person teaching since March) and a super relaxing spa afternoon.

Again, something I need to work on is doing things without having a “reason”. Driving to the beach at 8am and taking a dip in the sea is something that I can (very fortunately) do any day so…why don’t I? I’m definitely someone who can get far too caught up in routine and planning my day out that simple, spontaneous things just don’t happen enough.

End Of Year Thoughts

I’m trying to focus on the positives this year and I actually think there are a lot. On a personal development level, I’m sure we’ve all dealt with a fair amount of uncertainty, adversity and cancelled plans. Even a few years back cancelling a long looked forward to holiday would have been totally devastating to me and, of course, I’ve been upset about all the things that couldn’t happen this year but I’ve also been able to step back and see the much bigger picture and what is truly important. 

I know that circumstances in Dubai have not been as difficult as elsewhere in the world and I’m grateful to have a certain level of security and support but I’m still proud of myself for so many things: starting online teaching when the gym I worked for closed down, selling my macrame all over the world, starting a new part-time job (and actually enjoying it and organising a weekend-long event for 30 people despite social distancing!), keeping up a regular yoga practice, studying some unexpected topics (kids yoga and Greek mythology) and still being able to find things to look forward to and sources of joy. I have definitely had years I’ve enjoyed less than 2020 and for that I am grateful, too.

Signing out for 2020! Hope you all manage to see out the end of the year in a way that you see fit (no judgement here) and with even the smallest amount of hope…