It's funny that I started this blog/vlog in the middle of the first COVID-19 lockdown, and in fact entitled it "Yoga in the times of Covid-19", just over two years ago. My intention at the time was to post something every week, but as restrictions were lifted and we gradually regained part of our freedom, my normal work (translation) started coming in again and I found I had less and less time to dedicate to this hobby. I certainly haven't given up on Yogawithfrankie, but I have to admit that my posts are few and far between, and I can only apologise for that. I've noticed a huge drop in the n ..read more

It's almost a year since I started this blog and so much has happened since! If you've been following me since the beginning, you'll know that this is as much a diary as it is a blog about yoga, the pandemic and life in general, so instead of posting a yoga video this week I felt the urge to update you on the latest events in my life. A year ago yesterday I was in London attending a translation conference. I also had the chance to see a lot my friends and meet up with my half-brother, who actually lives in Paris but happened to be in London at the same time. What a happy coincidence, as I have ..read more

As promised yesterday, here is a short meditation that aims to unblock your chakras and help the energy flow smoothly from one point to another. All the instructions are given in the video, and there are no contraindications, so make yourselves comfortable and click on the link :-) The picture that goes with the video is of a tree in the Casa de Campo before the snowstorm uprooted thousands of them. I stopped to photograph it as there were lots of magpies making an absolute racket, and when I looked up I saw why... Can you spot the cat way up in the left hand branch? As always, I'd love to hea ..read more

Oh my goodness! I knew it had been a long time since my last post, but I've just checked and it's been almost two months.... that's unforgivable! I am so sorry, but as usual, life got in the way and the days turned into weeks, weeks into months... I need to focus more and be more "yogic" in my attitude to life, otherwise I'll never get that endless list of to-dos done and will end up buried under a pile of papers. Anyway, enough about me. I often get asked to teach sarvangasana, shoulder stand. I really like this posture and it has tremendous benefits, but it also has some contraindications th ..read more

Hi everyone. Sorry it's been so long since the last post; I've given up explaining, I think that by now you all have an idea of how hectic my life is and how difficult it is to find time to record the videos and then the voiceovers.... thank you for your patience :-) This is a classic spinal twist. As explained in the video, it's important that you sit on both sit bones when doing this. CONTRAINDICATIONS: knee injuries; severe back or neck problems; pregnancy. BENEFITS: improves flexibility of the spine; helps relieve constipation as it gives your internal organs a "massage"; strengthens your ..read more

Hi folks I owe you a post on how to do sarvangasana (shoulder stand) without props, but you'll have to wait a little longer for that as the weather has turned and my indoor lighting is dreadful (keep meaning to get some better lighting but it hasn't happened yet). As some of you know, I turned 50 on the 1st of March. My intention was to publish a post on or around that date, reflecting on life in general and giving thanks for all the blessings I have received in these fifty years of life, but what with the Russia-Ukraine war having started just a few days earlier, it seemed inappropriate. I do ..read more

I promised this months ago, and I'm not one to break a promise, so here it is, with considerable delay! Using blankets when doing this pose helps to relieve the pressure that is placed on the neck, so although it is a useful prop, if you have any diagnosed neck or back conditions, such as a slipped disc or a hernia, please seek your doctor's advice before attempting this. All the instructions are in the video. Just bear in mind the contraindications of this pose: any kind of neck or back problem, high blood pressure, heart conditions, any eye problems (such as glaucoma) and any kind of re ..read more

I finally managed to record another video and was planning on doing the VoiceOver today, but alas no! My neighbour is doing some kind of building work so I can't record anything at all. The past few weeks have flown by partly because of work, and also because of a rather intense board meeting one week, followed by 3 days attending and participating in the ITI (Institute of Translators and Interpreters) online conference. I'm pleased to say I held an "office yoga" session for conference participants, and had 52 attendees. I think that breaks all previous records in my book! Anyway, apologies fo ..read more

I am acutely aware of how irregular by posts are, but I've decided to stop apologising because otherwise what was a very nice hobby will quickly turn into a stressful obligation. So, you all know how stressful my life is as I am full-time translator, part-time yoga instructor, ¾-time carer for an elderly and disabled parent, full time homemaker, so I'm sure you'll understand why posts are so few and far between and I will no longer make excuses :-) As I haven't had the chance to record a video, here is an account of what happened yesterday. I went on something called FitnessWalk® yesterday ..read more

I was hoping to get that kind pigeon pose video out to you this week, but the universe conspired against me, so here is something totally different! Have you heard of metta meditation? If you have, you'll know how powerful it is; if you haven't, read on. Metta meditation, also known as loving-kindness meditation, is a buddhist practice. It is intended to help you cultivate kindness towards yourself and all beings, both human and animal. It consists of reciting positive phrases to yourself or to the people/animals you want to direct the practice to. First, you need to open up a space in your he ..read more