The prayer of the monk is not perfect until he no longer recognizes himself or the fact that he is praying. St. Anthony

How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone. Coco Chanel

The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely. Carl Jung

For some reason, men who do not practice yoga think that yoga is a woman’s affair, with lycra-clad ladies doing bendy things and omming a lot. Those who have given yoga a go know that this is not the case, although lycra is often present. Historically, yoga was taught and practised primarily by men. Indeed, some forms of yoga were introduced to pubescent boys in order to harness that young testosterone-filled energy and transform it into something positive. Thus, dynamic yoga was born. Men quite often prefer team and contact sports. Performance in these activities can be improved by practising yoga along with your other sport. Lengthening and strengthening muscles can, in fact, improve your game and help to prevent injuries. Wales international footballer, Ryan Giggs, recently thanked his yoga teacher when collecting the Sports Personallty of the Year award. He said that yoga has played a big part in keeping him injury-free and, therefore, has allowed him to continue playing top-level

The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self. Albert Einstein

Many top athletes have now incorporated yoga in their training programmes. Tennis players, footballers, golfers and rowers are all finding that yoga can improve their chosen sport, and are using it to cross train. Yoga increases flexibility and mobility, giving you a greater, controlled range of motion, thus decreasing your risk of injury. Strength, balance and flexibility are key components needed in rowing and yoga poses target specifically the areas most affected by this sport: Abdominals/ core strength Lumber spine Shoulders Hamstrings Hip flexors Calf muscles … (to name but a few) Learning to find balance and control through a yoga practice can then be transferred to the boat. Breathing techniques used in yoga are steady and rhythmic; they allow you to stay calm but alert, giving you the mental edge in competitive rowing. About yoga mama Cherie Lathey (yoga mama) is an internationally qualified yoga teacher and is joint director of The Putney Clinic . She runs yoga classes and wor

In true dialogue, both sides are willing to change. Thich Nhat Hanh

The secret of success is to realize that the crisis on our planet is much larger than just deciding what to do with your own life, and if the system under which we live the structure of western civilization begins to collapse because of our selfishness and greed, then it will make no difference whether you have $1 million dollars when the crash comes or just $1.00. The only work that will ultimately bring any good to any of us is the work of contributing to the healing of the world. Marianne Williamson

It is as hard to see one's self as to look backwards without turning around. Thoreau

There ain't no way to find out why a snorer can't hear himself snore. Mark Twain