Smitha Yoga

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Walking Through Autumnā€™s Colours to My Yoga Studio

A peaceful autumn garden with colourful leaves, flowers, and a small pond leading to Smithaā€™s yoga studio.

The garden path to my yoga studio, glowing with the colours of autumn. šŸ‚

Every morning, as I walk through our garden to my yoga studio, I pause for a moment to breathe it all in ā€” the crisp air, the earthy scent of the leaves, and the soft golden light that autumn brings.

The garden feels especially alive at this time of year. The trees glow in shades of amber and crimson, the grasses sway gently in the breeze, and the last flowers of summer offer their quiet goodbyes. Even the little pond reflects the seasonā€™s calm ā€” still, grounded, and full of quiet beauty.

Autumn always reminds me to slow down, to let go, and to trust the natural cycles of change. Just as the trees release their leaves, we too can release what we no longer need ā€” in our practice, in our breath, and in our hearts.

As I step along the path to the studio, I feel immense gratitude ā€” for this space, for the practice of yoga, and for everyone who shares it with me. šŸ

Wishing you a peaceful, grounding autumn. May this season invite you to move with softness, awareness, and gratitude.

With love,

Smitha


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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 ā€” and not just from the food! šŸ’›

I had the joy of celebrating Onam, Keralaā€™s harvest festival, with a traditional sadya thali at a wonderful local restaurant called Chill at Chillies. Itā€™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 ā€” and of course, to savor every dish with a big smile! šŸŒæ

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

With love and gratitude,

Smitha

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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 ā€” 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 treesā€¦ 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) ā€” 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 wasnā€™t planned. I didnā€™t set up a mat or think about alignment too much. I just moved ā€” 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 ā€” the idea that yoga is not about achieving shapes. Itā€™s about finding ourselves within them.

Iā€™m so grateful for these small, unfiltered moments. They stay with me long after the sun sets.

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Georginaā€™s Next Chapter: From Crow Pose to Courage

A woman in Crow Pose balancing on a yoga mat, using a soft Pilates ball between her feet for core activation, in a bright yellow yoga studio.


Georgina practicing Crow Pose with the aid of a Pilates ball for focused muscle engagement before heading off on her world travels.

This is Georgina, one of my long-time students ā€” sheā€™s been coming to yoga with me for over five years now. Weā€™ve shared many classes, many laughs, and a steady journey of growth on and off the mat.

In this photo, sheā€™s working on Crow Pose (Bakasana), with a soft Pilates ball placed between her feet. Itā€™s a technique I sometimes use to help students engage the right muscles ā€” it encourages active lift through the core, legs, and inner thighs, rather than collapsing into the arms.

We also played with Side Crow, using the same principle.

These moments felt extra special, because Georgina is about to set off on an exciting new adventure: sheā€™s leaving her corporate 9ā€“5 job to travel the world. She told me that yoga played a big part in giving her the courage to make that leap ā€” a reminder that yoga is not just a physical practice, but a source of deep clarity and confidence.

Although Iā€™ll miss seeing her each week, I couldnā€™t be happier for her. Weā€™ve already made loose plans to meet in Kerala while Iā€™m visiting family ā€” a full-circle moment if ever there was one.

āœØ New Wednesday Slot Available

With Georgina heading off, I now have a regular Wednesday evening space available. If youā€™ve been waiting for a slot or thinking of returning to practice, this could be the perfect time. Just get in touch.

With love and deep gratitude,

Smitha x

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Yoga for Children at Smitha Yoga

A young girl smiling while practicing a bow pose on a pink yoga mat in a bright, welcoming yoga studio with yellow walls and yoga props stacked in the background

A Joyful Start: Yoga for Children at Smitha Yoga

One of our young yogis enjoying a moment of fun and focus at Smitha Yoga

There are few gifts more meaningful than helping a child feel at home in their body, steady in their breath, and connected to the present moment. Thatā€™s the heart of what yoga offersā€”even to the youngest among us.

In our childrenā€™s yoga classes at Smitha Yoga, we donā€™t just teach posesā€”we nurture joy, curiosity, and confidence. Yoga becomes a space where children learn how to stretch, breathe, move, and rest with awareness. Itā€™s playful and peaceful all at once.

What a beautiful gift to offer your child: a lifelong foundation of calm, strength, and self-awareness through yoga.

Classes are held in our warm, welcoming studio in Welwyn Garden City, with bright mats, soft blocks, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Children of all abilities are welcome, and every class is taught with kindness and care.

šŸ§˜ā€ā™€ļø Why Childrenā€™s Yoga?

  • Builds balance, coordination, and flexibility
  • Boosts confidence and self-esteem
  • Encourages focus and emotional regulation
  • Supports better sleep and relaxation
  • Creates a positive relationship with the body

Whether your child is new to yoga or already loves to move and explore, our classes offer a gentle, structured, and uplifting environment.

Come as you areā€”Im here to help your child thrive, Smitha.