Month: September 2025

by

Celebrating Onam with a Traditional Sadya at Chill at Chillies

Smitha enjoying a traditional 23-dish Onam sadya thali at Chill at Chillies, a Kerala restaurant.

A joyful Onam celebration in early September with a 23-dish sadya thali at Chill at Chillies.

In early September, my heart felt so full — and not just from the food! 💛

I had the joy of celebrating Onam, Kerala’s harvest festival, with a traditional sadya thali at a wonderful local restaurant called Chill at Chillies. It’s on the Hatfield road, in St Albans.

Served on a banana leaf, this thali had 23 different items, each one prepared with so much care and flavor. From comforting curries and crunchy pickles to payasam for sweetness at the end, every bite reminded me of home and tradition.

For me, festivals like Onam are not only about the food but also about connection, gratitude, and abundance. The sadya is such a beautiful symbol of togetherness, sharing, and the joy of community.

It was so special to pause and honor this celebration — and of course, to savor every dish with a big smile! 🌿

✨ Happy Onam to all who celebrated. May this season bring you joy, prosperity, and peace.

With love and gratitude,

Smitha

by

Bettina Finding Balance and Renewal with Plow Pose (Halasana)

Yoga student Bettina practicing Plow Pose (Halasana) during a restorative yoga session in welwyn garden city.

Bettina demonstrating Plow Pose (Halasana), a posture that rejuvenates the spine and calms the mind.

At Smitha Yoga, we believe yoga is not just about movement — it’s about creating space for balance, renewal, and presence.

In this photo, our dear friend and practitioner Bettina is demonstrating Halasana, also known as Plow Pose. This posture is deeply restorative, helping to:

✨ Stretch and lengthen the spine

✨ Relieve tension in the shoulders and back

✨ Calm the nervous system and quiet the mind

✨ Stimulate circulation and digestion

When practiced mindfully, Halasana encourages us to look inward, cultivating stillness and grounding.

🧘 “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”

Our classes are designed for every body — whether you’re just beginning or looking to deepen your practice. We invite you to join us in discovering the power of mindful movement and breath.

Come roll out your mat with us.

🙏 Book a Class Today

by

Practicing in Kerala – A Return to My Roots

Rooted in Tradition, Growing with Yoga

Smitha practicing an advanced seated yoga pose outdoors on a purple mat at her family home in Kerala, India.

Each winter, I return to my parents’ home in Kerala, India — a place filled with peace, tradition, and the natural beauty that first inspired my yoga journey. Surrounded by greenery and quiet, I reconnect with the roots of yoga and the rhythms of daily practice.

This photo captures a moment of joy and presence on the mat, reminding me that yoga is not just about the poses — it’s about grounding ourselves, wherever we are.

At Smitha Yoga in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, I bring this spirit of connection and tradition into every class I teach. Whether in Kerala or here in Hertfordshire, yoga is my way of sharing calm, strength, and community.

Join me this season at Smitha Yoga, and discover how yoga can connect you to your body, your breath, and your roots.

Smitha 🙏