Sweet 16 of these catch-up posts.

What I Got Up To In February

Practiced a lot of outdoor yoga – the cooler months are slowly coming to an end in Dubai so I’ve enjoyed every chance possible to be outside. I’ve been going to classes on the beach, taking my own teaching outdoors and attending classes on the DIFC roof terrace. The more time I spend outside, the better I feel so trying to store this up for the upcoming warmer months.

Taught at Kite Beach – I covered for Sarah White and taught her usual Saturday morning Solemio class. It was lovely to teach a group class after almost a year, and to have some familiar faces attending too. This felt like such a nice milestone in my yoga teaching journey. If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be teaching nearly 20 people on a beach in Dubai I don’t think I would have believed them!

Took a weekend trip – a friend and I took a much-needed trip away from Dubai to Fujairah, an Emirate a 90 minute drive away. It was the best weekend and I only realised after I got home that I took only a handful of photos the whole time, and didn’t even capture one of the two of us! It was my first trip post-Covid and while some things are different (no more serving yourself at the breakfast buffet, sob sob), it still felt like a real break.

Got (Fully) Vaccinated – we got the second dose of the Covid vaccine at the start of the month and my parents now have their appointments for their first dose. I’m grateful that it was such an easy process here to get it and that loved ones in the UK are able to get it soon, too. 

Read Three Books – I definitely have my passion for reading back. Helped by three great and very different books; The Vanishing Half (which made for a very good bookclub discussion), Group (a lawyer attending group therapy, recommended by a lawyer friend of course!) and My Dark Vanessa (pretty…dark but one I sped through and which I’d highly recommend as a bookclub read too).

On The Blog

Four Years In Dubai – marking my Dubai-versary. I sometimes can’t believe I’ve been here this long?!

Surviving Your First Yoga Class – most of my yoga students are beginners so taking a step back into that mindset and those anxieties is really helpful, especially as I start to teach group classes again where there is usually a first-timer present. 

Goals For March

Work on my arm balances and handstands – as a “flexible yogi” I’ve always struggled with arm balances, handstands pretty much all of the strength-based poses. I am finally starting to notice small improvements and feel really motivated to keep trying. Of course, you’ll see a post on Instagram if I ever get there but the process itself is so much more important, and combining physical and mental strength so valuable.

Play host for my bookclub – I am hosting a meeting discussing My Year Of Rest and Relaxation. I’m looking forward to the discussion and hope I can be a good host, it will actually be my first time chairing a Zoom meeting.

Keep up with pre-loved 2021 – the change of seasons (and a year since lockdown) means that shopping temptation is looming but my goal for 2021 is to only buy pre-loved items and I really want to keep reminding myself how important this is. This guide may help if you’re also in the UAE! 

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How was your February? And what’s on your radar for March?