I’m back in Dubai and really feeling the September “fresh start” despite Dubai’s weather still being set to “hot and humid”…  As a born-in-September Virgo gal, this time of the year has always felt really special to me with the combination of turning a year older and those back to school vibes which still set in despite finishing my formal education some eight(!) years ago. Armed with my new Bando planner, this September feels even more pivotal for a few reasons… 

Yoga Teacher Training

I’m so happy to announce that I’m now a qualified yoga teacher! After over ten years of practicing yoga and really ramping up my practice since moving to Dubai I’m now the proud holder of a RYT 200 Hours certificate. I’m planning on teaching yoga in Dubai and can’t wait to see what the next year has in store for me. I’ll forever be a student of yoga, but I plan to get teaching as soon as possible to springboard off of the energy of teaching practice classes and doing yoga all day, every day for a month! I can’t wait to share this beautiful practice and would be delighted to inspire just one person in the way that my yoga teachers have inspired me.

If you’re considering undertaking a yoga teacher training for any reason at all then drop me a message or a tweet – I’d love to chat! I’d highly recommend my teachers Peewee and Jo if you’re based in the Middle East, or looking to train here or in Bali. 

A Month In Bali

I spent all of August in Mother Bali as part of my teacher training and what a month it was. Being surrounded by nature wasn’t something firmly in my comfort zone but after a month of the round-the-clock chorus of birds, crickets, geckos, the neighbourhood dogs whom I named and petted as I walked to classes each day and the ginger cat who frequented the yoga shala and only sometimes startled us while in savasana I’m a convert to the power of nature. Bali really feels like a special place it was a privilege to learn more about yoga in a place suffused with spirituality, respect for and trust in nature and the kindest local people.

I arrived with little expectations of everything other than learning how to teach a yoga class and was blown away by the beautiful villa I got to call home for a month, the delicious vegan food I ate daily and the women I had the pleasure of getting to know and the honour to now call my friends. My boyfriend joined me for the middle part of the month and having his support in this endeavour made me so proud of the relationship we’ve created and the way we inspire and help one another towards our goals. 

The last month is firmly engrained in my memory forever and it wouldn’t have been the same without my teachers and classmates sharing their energy, opening their hearts to the process and making the experience truly special. 

September Plans

I turn 32 in the middle of this month – I am enjoying my 30s far more than I thought. I’ve never been a huge birthday celebrator but I’ll definitely plan a low-key celebration of some sort as I think it’s important to mark occasions and not get pulled under by indifference.

My parents (aka my first yoga class attendees) are flying out to Dubai this weekend for a two week visit and we’ll also celebrate my father’s birthday while they are here (please have sympathy for my poor mother for having two Virgos to contend with!). 

At the end of the month Harry and I are off to Portugal for a wedding in the Algarve followed by a few days in Lisbon for the two of us. I’m bookmarking every venue in Lyzi’s blog post right now.

My Reading List

I didn’t read has much as I planned in Bali – I had a lot of books on my Kindle as I assumed I’d spend the evenings reading in cafes over a solo meal (something which I actually love and don’t really get to do much anymore) rather than kindling new friendships but I still managed a few reads last month:

The Song of Achilles – I think this book has catapulted itself into my top five reads ever?! Madeline Miller has used her Classics scholar background to blend myth with a beautiful story of love, friendship and fitting in. I sobbed after finishing this, having never cried at a book/film/TV advert ever before… 

Crazy Rich Asians: Rich People Problems – the third Crazy Rich Asians novel provided some page-turning light relief at the end of long days studying anatomy and yoga philosophy. I found this one funnier than China Rich Girlfriend as it continues to follow the saga of Nick Young and his somewhat wealthy family in Singapore. 

The Man In The High Castle – my bookclub has a dystopian theme for our next meeting and this speculative fiction tale of life in the USA after the Axis powers have won World War II fits the bill perfectly. I’m halfway through at the moment (the scenes with the I Ching are particularly intriguing) and can’t wait to watch the TV series once I’ve finished. 

Posts I’ve Shared

• A Day In The Life On A 200 Hours Yoga Teacher Training
• Where To Practice Yoga In Ubud 

What else? I’m actually excited to be back in my kitchen and to re-creating some of the meals I ate in Bali – I loved tempeh and hope I can find some in Dubai. I’m hosting at my bookclub at the start of next month, we’ll be reading Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful and so I’d better get cracking with it myself! I’ll also be seeing the film adaptation of The Goldfinch and can’t wait to see how a divisive book (I enjoyed it!) has been adapted for the big screen.