Snowed in!

Day 3 of the 'big freeze' and we are now completely snowed in! The novelty is wearing a little thin as it seems that the entire world has stopped for the terrible conditions and all of the roads out of Dunblane are totally impassable. There really is no way out.

Do not fear though, I have managed to get cover for tonight's class and for the remainder of the week if necessary, so all classes will be running as per the schedule.

Andy has had to work from home as well, so are both going a little stir crazy. We have stocked up on soup and dvd's, so at least we are cosy, entertained and well fed. I hope to make a break for it tomorrow, but who knows...... the media seem to be feeding off the hysteria of it and have predicted another week of this.

Whilst it is undeniably difficult, it is also very beautiful out here and the view from my window is picture postcard 'winter wonderland'. The skies are blue today and the sun is splitting the sky. Fingers crossed for a 'big thaw', so that I can get back to the studio and to all of my lovely clients.

Ro xxx

Life has been so hectic lately and our weekends are fully scheduled up to Xmas and beyond!

November got off to a bad start with my mother falling and breaking her leg in my kitchen. She was rushed to hospital and kept in for 3 nights. She departed with a full stookie and a set of crutches. I wish her a fast recovery.

We all indulged in a little early Xmas cheer last weekend where my mum hosted 'fake Xmas' from the comfort of her sofa. We sang Karaoke, ate Xmas pud and played parlour games. This early celebration was due to the abscence of 3 of the 4 Warren/Mckenna/Morris sister's this year as we all have plans to head off to sunnier climes. For Andy and myself, this will be our 3 week honeymoon to Thailand.
I have to say, 'Fake Xmas' is the best Xmas that I have ever had! Xmas should come ealy every year, to bring some light and cheer to the darkness of November.

This weekend will be a feast of beautiful food, rest and relaxation as I am running a retreat in Stronachlacher again. Fingers crossed for sunshine (or at the very least, no rain!).
Ro xx

New Term at the Yoga Room

It is hard to believe that we have now been married for a month; the weeks have flown in.

Further to to the wedding I felt at a loose end. It was amazing how much of my life was consumed with wedding plans and prep. After the emotion and excitement of the day, I felt decidedly flat and a little sad that is was over.

Not surprisingly, my days have filled up. My focus has now switched from the wedding to planning for my next retreat in the Trossachs in November and March. I am also thinking of running a week long retreat in Turkey in April 2011; watch this space for further information.

I am also gearing up to do another pregnancy Yoga Teacher training in London in February, so I have lots to do and to think about!

I am also keeping my focus on the present moment and I am very excited to be launching my winter term next week. Classes are busy and some are full, so please book soon if you want to come along.

See you on the mat!

Ro xx

Our happy day

Our big day was even more incredible than I could have imagined..... it feels like a dream now.

The sun split the skies as we celebrated our love for each other with all of our wonderful friends and family in an idyllic setting on the banks of Loch Ard.

My Step-dad Steve summed the day up beautifully in his speech when quoting Bob Marley; "One love, one heart, let's get together and feel alright"

Love to you all,

Ro Morris xxxxxxx

The big day is approaching!

There is less than a week to go until the big day and I have been in quite a tizzy with the excitement of it all.

We have 106 day guests and another 40 coming for the evening, so it has exploded in to quite a large affair. My biggest fear is I am such a big ball of emotion on the day that I won’t be able to say my vows. I have a tendency to cry at the smallest thing and I just hope that I will be able to squeak “I do” at the very least.

My practice has helped me immensely over the past week and I am taking extra time to do pranayama and meditation to deal with the stress of it all. I have scheduled in some treatments on Friday as well, so this will hopefully set me up for the big day. I have also gone on a big detox this week – lots of early nights, good nourishing food and gallons of water!

Andy and I were discussing it all last night and concluded that the sad thing about having a big wedding is that with all of the talk of flowers, table decorations and colour schemes you can lose sight of what is at the heart of the day… this being Andy and I celebrating our commitment and love for one another. Don’t get me wrong, I am still very much looking forward to it all, but I had no idea that it would so completely all consuming!

I will be on my mini-break honeymoon next week, so my friend Melissa will be covering the classes on Monday and Tuesday. Further to that, Gillian will be teaching. I will try and blog next week with some pictures of the big day.

Enjoy their teaching and I will see you all in a fortnight.

Ro xxxx

Holiday

I have closed the Yoga Room for two weeks whilst I take some well needed time out to relax. I decided to take a couple of days out to visit my Grandparents in South Wales.

I am now fully recharged and enjoyed 3 days of a very slow pace of life in the country. It rained non-stop for the entire trip, which forced me to do absolutely nothing. This was exactly what was required.

Andy has been my PA in my absence and has been very vigilant in taking bookings for the autumn term. I can't believe that summer has passed so quickly and we nights will be drawing in and the weather getting even colder. Bookings are flooding in. Autumn is definitely the busiest time of year, so please book as soon as you can to ensure a space.

I am excited to be moving into the 4th year of being resident at the Yoga Room. I had the 3rd birthday party on the 14th of August. Thanks to everyone who made it and a big thanks to Stacey and Martin for their amazing live set. I was moved by Stacey's beautiful voice and Martin's incredible talent on the guitar.

Thanks also to those of you who showed support for the Chavutti massage festival week at the Yoga Room. The response was fantastic and I will be continuing with treatments next term. Please let me know if you are free during the day and would like to book in for one. I am currently pretty busy, but there are gaps here and there. Contact me for further details.

I am looking forward to seeing you all in a few days...........

Final Chavutti Thirumal course

I have been very slack in keeping my blog up to date ... apologies to anyone who has been awaiting a new instalment!

I have been super busy practising for my Chavutti massage course. Thanks to all of the willing bodies that have lain under my feet and have allowed me to walk on them!

We completed the course this weekend and what a journey it has been for all of us. The schedule was very intensive and I can't believe how hard we have all worked. In addition to my full time schedule of teaching classes and privates, I have found the work - load to be slightly overwhelming. However, with the course complete, I am now looking forward to doing my case studies and getting the ropes up in the Yoga Room so that I can practice massage professionally in addition to my privates etc. I am now seeking bodies to be case studies, so please let me know if you are available during the day to be pampered for a couple of hours.......

There are only 3 weeks left of this block and then there is a closure for 2 weeks, from the 17th August. Don't forget my party on the 14th August as well. The Yoga room is now 3 years old! The party will be another opportunity to meet up with fellow Yogis to have a drink and a blether. Everyone is welcome and please bring all of your pals too!

During the closure, I will be coming in sporadically to do my own practice so please let me know if you are around during the day I would love to have some practice buddies, it can get a little lonely doing practice on my own every day.

I hope you are all enjoying the summer and please let me know if you would like to offer yourself as a model!

My summer holiday

I have just had a fantastic week off. Andy and I walked half of the West Highland way from Fort William to Tyndrum; 46 miles in total. We had the most fantastic weather and on day three we limped in to Tynedrum with a touch of sunstroke and very sore feet. My only small sadness about the trip is that we didn't push on and complete it the full 96 mile walk. Sadly, Andy had to get back for work and I had admin to complete for the new term at the Yoga Room.

So, all bookings are in and the new block started yesterday. This spell of beautiful weather lends itself to yoga; the body is so much more open when it is hot. I am pleased to see how many new recruits there are for all classes - particularly the beginner course. I have also noticed a lift in energy from my regular clients and a renewed commitment to the practice.

Long may the sun shine!

Chavutti Course

I was hosting a workshop at the Yoga Room this weekend; a post graduate course in Chavutti Thirumal with Helen Noakes. For the uninitiated, this is one of the most interesting and exciting massage techniques that I have ever experienced and I would recommend that you seek one out!

The entire massage is done with the practitioners feet whilst the client lies prone on the floor. The practitioner can use their body weight to massage and can, therefore can go a lot deeper than in a regular hand massage.

The course itself spans over 3 weekends. Helen is incredibly inspiring and I was blown away with her vast knowledge of the subject. By Sunday evening after 20 hours of training, I felt exhausted and utterly overwhelmed with information! I have a long way before I can practice this technique professionally, but I feel inspired to learn and can't wait to get some guinea pigs to practice on!

Now that spring has sprung, my practice has totally transformed. I have so much more energy and I am bounding through the series with a renewed vigour.

This is the first year for about 10 years that I haven't been in Asia over the winter period. I have missed practice with my teacher and immersing myself in my yoga practice. I have also missed the sun and the warmth of beautiful India. It has been worth it though, for the fact that we have bought this wonderful cottage and have managed to get out of the big smoke. I walked through Leith yesterday and have to admit that I don't miss anything about city living. Even the commute is now part of my routine and I am grateful for the hour of peace and relaxation on the train.

I have the day clear to meet my mum and to do some wedding planning. Only 4 months until I am wed! We are off to Dunblane Hydro to discuss the Hen party and to treat ourselves to lunch at the Nick Nairn restaurant. I have workman in fitting a log burning stove, so it will do me good to get away from the dust and chaos that has currently taken over my living room.

Dunblane

The days just seem to fly in; I can't believe that we have been in our new house for 3 weeks! I am so enjoying Dunblane and our gorgeous cottage. Above all, I am enjoying every moment of my new life with my man. After 2.5 years of 'courting' and living apart, it definitely feels as though we have earned it. We have laughed a lot in the last 21 days and this house is filled with joy and positive vibrations.

We have so much space now and I can at last dedicate an entire room to my yoga practice. The view from the practice room is of the neighbouring cottages and is quiet and conducive to a peaceful practice. The only sound is that of the occasional bird song - a far cry from the songs of Leith, which were largely the pubs spilling out in the wee small hours!

The commute isn't so bad either and now that I have my trusty cover Teacher Lynn, I am getting time off and am able to work a four day week. The day off has been handed over to administration of my classes and household chores. I also managed to do a luxurious two hour practice yesterday; it is so long since I have been able to really immerse myself in the practice. I can really feel the benefits today of having rested and from all the fresh country air. I feel truly blessed with my lot.

Move

The big day has arrived and Andy and I packed the van at 9am. After two runs to Dunblane and a lot of carrying, loading and lifting, we are now set up in our wee cottage. We are both shattered and surrounded by boxes and a very messy kitchen. I am just glad that I knew which boxes to break into for tea and toilet paper. Ah, the joys of moving.
I can't wait for a good sleep and am looking forward to waking up in this lovely wee town and inhaling the clean country air. I feel more at peace now that we are away from the noise and pollution of the city. I have a wonderful space to do my practice and am excited at the prospect of rolling out my mat tomorrow.

The new term started at the Yoga Room this week and I have been overwhelmed with bookings! Some classes are now full, so if you wish to book please check with me before making payment.

I am now fully in the swing of commuting back and forth to Glasgow and I actually look forward to an hour of peace and quiet. It is the perfect length of time in which to read or catch up on any emails.

I am also very much looking forward to making the move to Dunblane next week. We move on Friday and I just can't believe how quickly the time has flown in!

I was up at our lovely wee cottage on Monday and am in no doubt that we are doing the right thing by getting out of the city. As much as I love Edinburgh, it seems ever more polluted. I think this is largely due to the tramworks. I am sure we will all be grateful when the works are completed at the newly revised date of 2012!

Many of you have asked what will happen to the Yoga Room after I have moved up North. The answer to this is simple; it will continue to grow and flourish for the forseeable future. I plan to run it exactly as it is, with me teaching every class and with Lynn covering classes when required. It will take more than an hours commute to change my plans on that front, so do not fear!

I have a Chavutti course starting in May with the wonderful Helan Noakes, running over a 3 weekend preiod and teaching the technique of Chavutti Thirumal ( Indian foot walking massage). More information and booking is available on the workshop page of my website if you wish to book.

Another weekend in Stronachlacher

I took another group to the stunning location of Stronachlacher on retreat. Once again, the group dynamic was fantastic and this time the weather was amazing. The sun split the sky on Saturday allowing us to get out and walk into the snow peaked hills.

Layla surpassed herself with her culinary efforts and the general mood of the weekend was that of full and complete relaxation. After a massage from Catherine and several yoga sessions later, I can assure you that all participants were very reluctant to leave!

The only thing missing was the stalwart assistance of the lovely Andrew. He was spending his weekend in quite a different fashion on a stag party in Plymouth! He was greatly missed by all and I have no doubt that he would rather have been in the heart of the Trossachs than trawling the streets with a Groom dressed as Ali G!

So, another term draws to an end at the Yoga Room. The block finishes on the 26th March with a new 11 week block starting up on the 29th March; which is also my birthday!

New details and my newsletter will be on my website this weekend. Book as soon as you can to ensure a space!

Moving

The past week has been mad busy! I moved into my future husband's flat on Friday. It took a staggering 12 hours to get my furniture down 3 flights of stairs, packed into the waiting van and then into Andy's flat in Glasgow. I was sad to leave my flat of 5 years, but once all of my belongings were removed, it no longer felt like my place any more. To be honest, I was also slightly relived that I wouldn't have to be the one to give the tatty walls the next lick of paint!

So, I am going to be an intrepid Glasgow commuter for the next wee while. This will mean a fond farewell to the morning yoga practice at the Yoga Room - unless of course I catch the 5am train! Such an early commute is unlikely, so I will be doing an open daily practice at approx 3pm; a much more civilised time for a commute I am sure you will agree. All of my clients are welcome to join me. Just text me for confirmation on the day; 07949266582.

I am currently off for a week, to get settled on the West. Classes will re-start next week and then the new block of classes start on the 29th March. Please sign up on my website; the new details will be on my website in the next couple of days.

I have been struck down with the winter lurgey and have spent the past week feeling very sorry for myself! I hate to be inactive and have missed my regular yoga practice terribly. I am now fully rested and was ready to get back to the mat. Sadly, on starting practice I soon realised that I still can't breath through one nostril which made for a difficult practice - particularly doing inversions and downward dog. I spent half an hour doing Neti instead and can momentarily breath again.
Ah, it is the small things in life that can give us the greatest pleasure.

Wow, time sure flies in! I can't believe that 2010 is here and what an exciting year it has been so far!

The Yoga Room classes are pretty much full and it is encouraging to see more and more people take up this wonderful discipline. It seems that lots of people are looking for a physical practice that works more deeply than running on the treadmill. Long may the popularity continue.

Yoga has certainly helped me to deal with the stress incurred by selling my flat. I am now looking forward to moving in with my wonderful man and starting a new phase of our lives together.

So, there are lots of changes afoot for me in 2010. One thing that will always be a constant is my daily yoga practice and this will continue to keep me grounded throughout the ups and downs that this year may throw at me.

Self practice at the Yoga Room will continue on a Thursday a.m ONLY. From 8.30am every week. Hope you can join us!