Ruth's Yoga and Poetry Page

30/01/2026

*What's the Alternative?*
I looked into the darkness,
Nothing there to see.
I stepped outside into the storm,
Where lightning blinded me.
I walked through fire
To cook myself,
But ended up half-baked.
I warmed the ice within my heart,
To cool my inflamed mind.
I sometimes feel ridiculous,
With blisters on my soul.
The road I'm on has gouged out holes,
I drive with puncture wounds.
When silence weeps,
I listen in,
And sing of better things.
I look up to the sky above,
And thank my lucky stars. 🌟 🙏🌟

31/12/2025

***Happy New Year***
Ice on the water,
Frost under foot,
Chill in the air,
Red skies at night.
Warmth from the sun,
Promise of light,
From this year to next year,
The phoenix takes flight.

21/12/2025

Wishing you an uncomplicated festive season and a strong foundation to build the New Year up from. Thank you for the support, understanding and gifts I've received in this immensly difficult year following my husband Paul's su***de. It's been just about the worst year imaginable, but fellow yoga enthusiasts, fitness colleagues and even distant acquaintances have acknowledged me and my family's complex grief with empathy and kindness. These simple gestures have been hugely nurturing, healing and comforting; I'm more thankful for your well wishes than anyone can know. I look forward to seeing all the amazing people I've met through yoga in 2026. 🤶 🎄 🌨 🙏🎁🙏❤️🙏

10/12/2025

We can only be in this moment by experiencing the past and preparing for the future. This moment is like a gold coin. Gold is always the same valuable treasure, regardless of how it lands, how it's shaped, or what impression is engraved on it. Acknowledge the past and prepare for the future while realising that we are all flipping wonderful- regardless of how we've been minted!

17/10/2025

As I park my mundane car in an ordinary housing estate,
A wonderful, magnificent friend welcomes me
Reminding me magic is everywhere.
There is mystery is in everything.
Trees never fail to help us,
Gracefully offering lessons,
Saying-
"Drop your leaves and rest dear ones,
Be patient through the winter months,
In spring we'll blow your minds."

03/10/2025

It's been quite a week. I taught my last Wednesday night yoga class at The Life Centre, started the process of closing the bank account I've had since I was a teenager- then held jointly with Paul (I'm going to a more ethical bank which doesn't invest in fossil fuels or arms) and I donated an old corner cabinet that had been hiding in the living room for years. All this seemed insurmountable and overwhelming until I did it. I feel strong because of facing my weaknesses and capable as a result of confronting my percieved incapacity. My need to keep hold of things in order to validate my love for near, dear and departed ones is still a big constraint, but you can't free yourself if you don't recognise your constraints. I have lept some hurdles this week but I know I am able to stay on track for the many more hurdles that have to be lept. I'm getting some training in before that famous season of joy rears up it's merry head. I think if I keep leaping like a lord, I may even be able to have some fun in spite of my fears this year.

>Prana<
Up needs down,
Down needs up,
Left needs right and day needs night.
Expand from outside to within,
Expand from inside to without.
Breath inflates but then deflates,
The spine supports the head;
With thoughts held high above our hearts,
It's hard to feel true calm;
But if we bind our mind to it,
True love will burn up hate.

29/09/2025

**Refined by Experience***
Support is always there,
It underlines our life,
But debris generates a hole where once foundations stood.
We breathe...
We clear our structure...
We rise,
We move,
We seek.
We're not defined by past events,
Instead we are refined.

08/09/2025

In yoga this week we'll accommodate the qualities we have rather than tolerating any restrictions. We won't desire to aquire but we will percieve and recieve.

29/08/2025

A friend said to me, "There must be a shadow for you some of the time." She was wrong, there is a shadow all of the time, however through yoga practices (which have similarities to modern psychological techniques found in the link below), I am aware of the looming shadow, and seeing it helps me avoid "shoulding myself" all over the place. "Shoulding yourself" is very disturbing and distressing. Noticing you have a shadow enables you to shift it behind you in certain circumstances and that can be stabilising. You need to know how the shade is cast in order to stay cool and see clearly.

Bring resilience training to your team: https://drmarks.co/speakingWhen your mind gets stuck in a thought spiral and rational thinking isn't working, you nee...

17/08/2025

Three months ago, my husband died suddenly in tragic circumstances; it's been a lot to process in so many ways, but now I finally feel able to return to teaching. I've been supported by some amazing teachers and given such love and understanding by students, which I am immensely grateful for. 🙏
I'm handing over Thursday night at Elfordleigh to a fabulous teacher and I will soon hand over Wednesday night at The Life Centre when the fantastic teacher waiting in the wings becomes free to teach it. I will still teach at least 6 classes Monday to Friday.
I'm full of both nervous and excited anticipation for next week; it all feels very fresh returning to teaching yoga after such a huge, enforced, dramatic transformation, however I'm very much looking forward to making a living by doing what I love again and the prospect of going back to work makes me feel as if I'm emerging from a murky tunnel and heading to a clear path forward. 🦋

24/07/2025

The wisdoms here in this YouTube video are similar to things I've learnt from yoga. Also, I'm taking every bit of therapy offered to me right now, and seeking it out too. All the love and support that I'm recieving means I feel ready to return to teaching yoga from 18th August (the week after Paul's birthday). I'm so grateful to the places I work for, and the amazing colleagues and students who have all shown me so much love by supporting me and offering patience and understanding. 🌈❤️☯️🙏☯️❤️🌈

🎤 Book me to speak at your company: https://drmarks.co/speakingTrauma reshapes your brain—but your brain can also reshape itself back toward healing and res...