Uncategorized

by

A Little Moment of Connection in India

Smitha's brother holding a tiny white kitten in India

Sometimes it is the smallest moments that stay with us.

My sister took this photograph in India, capturing such a sweet little moment between my brother and this tiny white kitten.

There is something about the photograph that makes me smile. The kitten looks so comfortable, curious and trusting, nestled against my brother as he gently holds her.

For me, yoga has always been about much more than what happens on the mat. It is about being present, noticing the world around us, connecting with others and appreciating the simple moments that bring us joy.

When we practise yoga, we learn to slow down and become more aware—to notice our breath, our body and the world around us. Sometimes that awareness can be as simple as stopping to appreciate a little moment of connection like this one.

India holds a very special place in my heart and has been such an important part of my yoga journey. Whenever I am there, I find myself noticing these little moments—the people, the animals, the colours, the sounds and the warmth of everyday life.

This photograph reminds me that connection doesn’t always need words. Sometimes it is simply being still, sharing a little warmth and allowing trust to develop.

A tiny kitten. A quiet moment. A beautiful memory. 🐾

And perhaps a gentle reminder from me to pause, look around and appreciate the simple things.

Namaste,

Smitha

by

A Wholesome Indian Breakfast: Aloo Paratha, Chickpea Curry & Corn Chapatis

Aloo paratha with mango pickle, chickpea curry and corn chapatis served as a traditional Indian meal

A nourishing meal that celebrates the comfort and simplicity of traditional Indian cooking.

Today’s breakfast comes from Aunty’s Cafe, a much-loved spot in Southall known for its homemade Punjabi dishes and freshly prepared parathas.  

The plate features a beautifully balanced combination of soft aloo paratha served with tangy mango pickle, a hearty chickpea curry rich in warming spices, and two wholesome corn chapatis.

The aloo paratha offers satisfying warmth and flavour, while the chickpea curry provides plant-based protein and fibre to support sustained energy throughout the day. The corn chapatis add texture, nourishment, and a gentle sweetness to the meal.

In yoga, nourishment extends beyond the mat. Choosing meals made from simple, whole ingredients helps cultivate balance, energy, and a deeper connection to wellbeing.

Traditional foods carry wisdom through generations—reminding us that wholesome eating can be both comforting and deeply nourishing.

Simple. Grounding. Satisfying.

If you’re looking for yoga in wgc, our classes support mindful movement, balanced living, and overall wellbeing.

by

A Comforting South Indian Breakfast: Simple, Nourishing & Balanced

South Indian breakfast with idiyappam, vegetable stew and steamed plantain with sesame seeds

A comforting South Indian breakfast, beautifully simple and nourishing.

Soft, delicate idiyappam (string hoppers) served with a gentle, aromatic vegetable stew—made with potatoes, carrots, and green beans in a light, flavourful broth. Paired with steamed plantain, finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a naturally sweet and nutty touch.

This breakfast brings together softness, warmth, and subtle sweetness—perfectly balanced, easy to digest, and deeply satisfying. A reminder that traditional food carries both comfort and nourishment in every bite.

In yoga and mindful living, nourishment is not only about what we eat, but how food supports balance, energy, and wellbeing throughout the day. Meals like this offer grounding simplicity while providing gentle, sustaining nourishment for body and mind.

A wholesome way to start the day—light, grounding, and full of goodness.

by

Practising at Home: Seven Weeks of Returning to the Roots

Woman practising a yoga balance pose on a green mat outdoors, surrounded by trees and greenery at a home in Kerala

A quiet morning yoga practice at home in Kerala, surrounded by nature.

Over the past seven weeks, I’ve been back in Kerala, staying at my parents’ home — a place that carries the quiet rhythms of childhood, family, and nature.

Practising yoga here feels different. The ground beneath the mat is uneven, the air is alive with birds and rustling leaves, and time moves a little more slowly. There’s no studio polish — just breath, movement, and presence.

This simple rooftop practice became a daily reminder that yoga doesn’t need perfect conditions. It asks only for attention, patience, and an openness to meet ourselves where we are. Being here has gently deepened my relationship with practice — not as something to perform, but as something to return to.

Sometimes, the most meaningful practice happens at home — in familiar spaces, surrounded by green, guided by breath.

This time at home has been a quiet teacher. If you’re looking to reconnect with your own practice — wherever you are — I’d love to support you through classes and mindful movement.

by

Temple Stillness & a Nourishing South Indian Thali

Traditional South Indian vegetarian thali served on a banana leaf with white rice, sambar, rasam, dal, vegetable dishes, pickles, papad, and payasam in small metal bowls.
A traditional South Indian vegetarian thali served on a fresh banana leaf at Chithra Restaurant.

My visit to the Sree Adikesava Perumal Temple in Thiruvattar felt like stepping into history — the mossy stone steps, intricate wooden detailing, and calm surroundings gave the space a timeless presence.

After the darshan, my brother, sister, and I headed to Chithra Restaurant for a classic South Indian vegetarian thali. Served on a fresh banana leaf, the meal included comforting sambar, rasam, dal, avial, poriyal, pickles, crunchy papad, and a little payasam to finish.

It was a warm, homely meal — simple, nourishing, and grounding — the perfect way to complete a day rooted in devotion, connection, and quiet joy.

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 🙏

by

Using Props to Deepen Your Yoga Practice

A yoga student practicing a supported Forward Fold using a chair during class at Smitha Yoga in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

In yoga, props are not just for beginners—they are powerful tools to help us explore poses safely and mindfully. Here, Pat demonstrates Uttanasana (Standing Forward Fold) using a chair for support.

The chair provides stability, eases tension in the hamstrings and back, and allows the spine to lengthen with greater awareness. This gentle variation makes the pose accessible for everyone, regardless of flexibility or experience.

At my studio, i believe in meeting each student where they are. With mindful guidance and creative use of props, every posture can be adapted to support your unique body and journey.

Smitha. 🙏

by

Evening Balance in Kerala

Smitha holding Warrior III pose at sunset in Trivandrum, Kerala, barefoot on red sand tiles, with palm trees and still water in the background.

This photo was taken in Trivandrum, Kerala, just before sunset during the Christmas period last year.

It was one of those quiet, golden evenings — the kind you only get near the water in South India. The warm breeze, the smell of salt in the air, the silhouettes of the palm trees… I remember feeling still and open, like the horizon itself.

I stepped onto the tiles by the beach and moved into Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III) — a balancing posture that always reminds me to stay both strong and soft. My foot grounding down into the earth, my heart reaching forward, and the sky holding it all.

This moment wasn’t planned. I didn’t set up a mat or think about alignment too much. I just moved — naturally, without instruction, without goal. It reminded me why I started practising yoga in the first place: not for performance, but for connection.

And this is something I try to bring into all my classes — the idea that yoga is not about achieving shapes. It’s about finding ourselves within them.

I’m so grateful for these small, unfiltered moments. They stay with me long after the sun sets.