Never thought I'd confess an addiction online, but here I go

'So you might get a headache, you might feel dizzy, you might even feel like you’re going to die. Don’t worry, that’s all perfectly normal. Whatever you do, don’t leave. The aim of today is just to stay in the room’ 

These are the mildly terrifying instructions one is given before entering a hot yoga class for the first time. 

Me practising a pose, not really! 

So I thought yoga, even in a hot environment like the one I was about to enter, was meant to be a calming and relaxing experience, allowing you to connect with your body via your breath. How wrong I was. Hot yoga is a very different animal indeed, hence the warning, before you attempt it for the first time, to take it easy. I wasn’t really sure what to wear so had gone for shorts and a t-shirt and was, quite possibly, the most overdressed person in the room. There were muscular ladies in bikinis and men in trunks, although there were a few hardcore exceptions, dressed in head to foot thermal running gear, I assume to generate even more heat.  

I have dabbled with yoga, pilates and occasionally body balance, on numerous occasions but it’s been a good 7 years since my last attempt and never before in 40 degree heat. The class was a relatively even mix of beginners and advanced practitioners. This was a good set up as the instructor most of the time, walked around the class, talking you through your poses. rather than demonstrating them, so having people at the front who knew what they were doing for you to follow, was very helpful. Although there were moments where I was hit by the stark realisation of exactly how good they were as they expertly flexed in ways I never would. The poses, I am reliably informed, were a mix of Ashtanga, Hatha and Bikram yoga.

I was also advised that generally one takes 3 towels to a hot yoga class, one to put over your mat, one to mop your brow and then one for the shower afterwards. This seemed excessive however I quickly understood why. Not to go into too much detail here but the sweat is unbelievable, it pours over your eyes, in your mouth and when you bend over, up your nose. It pours off of you in a steady stream almost, and you leave class in a similar fashion to exiting a swimming pool. Having a shower afterwards is mandatory. 

I had every symptom listed to me in my first class and I did repeatedly think I would have to make a break for it, into the cool of the heated reception area. However, I was successful, I didn’t pass out and while I struggled to maintain my balance I didn’t do any comedy falling over backwards or a poorly judged indiscreet attempts at passing of wind (I’ve been caught out with that one before). I didn’t manage to hang around for the meditation at the end though and I stood up far too quickly, causing me to weave about to find the door to the changing room, whilst mentally batting the stars from my vision. I say stars they were more like purple clouds. 

The sheer bliss of the cool shower afterwards almost brought real tears to my eyes, as opposed to sweat based ones. I walked out of the subterranean studio feeling a little bit like I’d visited another land, a spa-like underworld, like I’d spent the last hour and a half sat in a humid cloud and some of it’s fluffy ether had transferred into my mind. It was warm, comforting and bizarrely serene. I realised then what exactly it was that I was feeling, I felt relaxed. I’d forgotten long ago what that felt like and needless to say I happily confess, I am well and truly hooked. 

A grey rainy Monday calls for a story with a happy ending..

Last Friday on Mumsnet, an appeal went out for Margot, a little girl diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia called 'dual lineage' leukaemia, which is formed of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and acute myeloid leukaemia. A bone marrow transplant was Margot's only hope however, due to her multi ethnic dual heritage this was proving to be a challenging task. 

Read her story HERE

Since this appeal a match has been found much to the relief of Margot's family - read the happy news HERE  

As a direct result of this appeal Delete Blood Cancer have been inundated with potential stem cell donors. It takes 5 minutes to register as a stem cell blood donor, I know because I did it earlier, so why don't you start your week with a little boost of karma. They will send you a swab kit and add you to their register. For more information please click HERE.

Sunday evening microblog

A blog a day for a month challenge: day 9

With valentines day fast approaching I would like to share the best card I've seen yet, beautifully simple and no link required as I can describe it in 2 words: 'You'll do'.

Go on, smell the rainbow (my first product review)

So after a week of some pretty heavy subject matter (FGM, an imprisoned midwife and Katie Hopkins!) I think a nice light hearted Saturday product review is in order

As a scented candle junkie it was with some delight that I came across this in my local branch of Savers. A Skittles flavoured scented candle costing just £1. 

Now I am no candle snob. I do own a few from Jo Malone but I am never going to turn my nose up at a candle purely on its price. However I did question whether I would really ‘smell the rainbow’, or if I really wanted to. I did my test of smelling the unlit candle in the shop and I have to say it smelt pretty good, almost edible in fact, so the signs were good. 

I am continually mystified as to how the colour of Raspberry translates to being blue. As an ex-WKD blue drinker who fielded many a comment about how it looked like I was drinking anti freeze (including a question from one guy as to whether that meant I was frigid - nice), this was something I frequently contemplated. However, the sharpness of the colour made it pleasing on the eye and so I hoped it would be just as pleasing on the nose. 

I am assuming the symbol on the far left means
do not let your children play football with this candle?

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It filled my dining room with a warm, sugary, fruity aroma. Despite it’s sharply colourful appearance the smell was pleasingly subtle and would absolutely have a place next to my bath tub, should the occasion ever arise that I might have time for one of those relaxing, candle lit baths that are mandatory once you’re a woman past the age of 30. Overall I would say this is a fantastic purchase and next time I’m in Savers I might upgrade my metal basket for one of those giant ones on wheels so I can merrily fill it up. So I say do it..smell the rainbow. 

Hungarian midwife Agnes Gereb continues to remain under arrest for the 'crime' of assisting women to give birth at home

It is with sadness and frustration that I write about jailed Hungarian midwife Agnes Gereb. I took part in the mass screening of the documentary ‘Freedom for Birth’ in September 2012, which highlighted how women in the western world are still unable to choose how and where they give birth. It focused in particular on Dr Agnes Gereb, a qualified obstetrician and midwife who revolutionised Hungarian methods of supporting women in childbirth. She instigated fathers being allowed onto the labour wards and her campaigning for women’s rights to choose where and how they give birth made her unpopular with her hospital colleagues. Despite the risk of arrest, as it was illegal to assist women to give birth at home in Hungary, she assisted in 3,500 home births. However, she was finally arrested in October 2010 and charged with ‘reckless endangerment of life committed in the line of duty’  

Since her arrest it has now been made legal for a medical professional to assist women to give birth at home (thanks to the case of Ternovszky versus Hungary) yet Agnes remains under house arrest. Her trial was due to take place in December 2013, however it was postponed and no further date has been set, despite the continual international calls for her release, including condemnation of her detention by the Royal College of Midwives among numerous other birth-supporting bodies.   

Had I not got involved in Freedom for Birth, I, like many others, would have been unaware of Agnes’ situation. To date, Amnesty have refused to get involved. I written to the Amnesty International Secretariat and even spoken with good intentioned Amnesty workers who have all promised me an explanation as to why but, despite being a fully paid up member, I am yet to receive a response to my letters and emails.

Yesterday, talking a friend and hynopbirthing instructor, we discussed Agnes’ situation and bizarrely within an hour an appeal went out on Freedom for Birth Facebook page confirming that Agnes still has no trial date and for followers to pledge their support in anyway they can.  

Like the parents of the children Agnes helped to bring into the world, who surrounded the prison where she was held on her birthday, to sing to her, it seems the only action we can take at this moment, is to lift Agnes’ spirits. So please take a moment to like the Freedom for Birth Facebook page (HERE) and write a note of support to Agnes, who will see your message and know that her supporters are thinking of her, and thus creating a spark of hope that a trial date will be confirmed soon and her release will be imminent. 

Further reading:

The petition the Hungarian Prime Minister has now expired however, the accompanying article is very interesting

Further information about the online campaign to free Agnes Gereb HERE

Excellent article written by maker of the documentary and birth warrior Toni Harman for the Huffington Post - HERE

The only existing charity that supports women's rights in childbirth - Birthrights

A note on International Day of Zero Tolerance to female genital mutilation

Today is International day of zero tolerance to female genital mutilation. This horrendous crime mutilates and disfigures young girls and women, both physically and mentally and causes countless further health issues for them (READ MORE HERE)

A charity supporting victims of FGM or FGC - female genital castration, The Orchid Project state ‘The UN estimates that worldwide 125 million women  and girls are currently living with the consequences of FGC. A further 30 million girls are at risk of being cut in the next decade across 29 known practising countries in Africa and the Middle East. However, this figure under-estimates the real number of girls affected, because other countries (e.g. Indonesia) are not included’

The front page of the Times this morning highlights that, despite the fact that FGM was outlawed in the UK 28 years ago, it is only now that the first ever successful prosecution for this crime is due to go ahead in the next few weeks. The main issue causing the lack of convictions for this terrible crime is the inabilities of those who are likely to have the most contact with victims such as doctors, social workers and teachers who are currently failing to report possible victims to the authorities. 

In the UK there are more that 65,000 girls aged under 13 at risk of FGM. However, in 2012 there were only 24 reports of instances of FGM made to West Midlands Police and in 2013 just 69 reports to Scotland Yard. 

On a more positive note The Times confirms that the CPS has now established a network of specialist prosecutors appointed in each region to lead on FGM in the hope this will increase convictions in England and Wales. However, it still has a long way to go. The Inspectorate of Constabulary (who are they? CLICK HERE) are preparing to conduct a national inspection of ‘honour crimes’, the category into which FGM falls, and an area that has notoriously few crime records or convictions. 

As well as the NSPCC has set up a 24 hour FGM helpline which has received 153 calls since it was established last August. 

I would like to take a moment to highlight the bravery of Maimuna Juwo, a ‘cutter’ who fled The Gambia leaving her 5 children, to escape having to mutilate any more women, having already been forced to cut her own daughter. Maimuna and is currently awaiting the outcome of her application for asylum in the UK. Her absence from her village means that no women can be ‘cut’ as superstition states that as the designated ‘cutter’ is away, it is bad luck for someone else to take over. As a result of her bravery there is a small group of women and their daughters who will not have to endure this hideous and pointless ritual. 

What can you do? Sign the Guardian's petition to Michael Gove to improve education about FGM in schools by clicking this link Guardian article and petition to Michael Gove. 

NSPCC FGM helpline number and further information (Click here)

Live web chat with MP Norman Baker, Home Office Minister on FGM, due to take place shortly on Mumsnet (CLICK HERE)

Excellent blog post by FGM campaigner and QC Dexter Dias - HERE

'The unpunished crime' Julie Bindel's report into FGM in the UK - HERE

Heatworld wouldn’t let a man say this, so why let Katie Hopkins?

Blog a day for a month: day 5

So you might think that further to Sunday’s blog about a certain Katie Hopkins (read it here), clearly a victim judging by highly personal public tirades against, well, everyone, that I might have something to say ABOUT THIS, and you would be right. However, I am not here to highlight the miserable situation Ms Hopkins must be in that is causing her disingenuous behaviour. 

Now it seems we must turn our attentions to heatworld.

I must confess this was once one of my favourite, all-consuming websites, especially on a Monday morning at work where it would gently ease me into the reality that the weekend was over and that I must commence sadly toiling at my keyboard, once more.

Yet it would seem despite there being an inordinate amount of celebrity activity to feast upon, on an almost minute by minute basis (primarily propped up by those with the surname Kardashian), heatworld has tragically fallen upon tough times. I made reference to a certain outburst by Ms Hopkins, as similar to journalists who create headlines by rooting through people’s rubbish, and it would seem, in the name of sparking some news, the online celebrity gossip bible has created a cyborg-like combination of these factors. 

So what was the conversation in the heatworld boardroom, I wonder? 

‘The website readership numbers have taken a dramatic downturn, if we don’t do something drastic we won’t last the month’ 

‘There’s only one thing for it, lets bash some celebrities’

'But who will come on at a minute’s notice purely to spout some outlandish, barbarous statements about some celebrities chosen at random’ 

‘I know just the person, although we will need to fix it that she talks about Peaches Geldof, somehow’ 

Wheel out Ms Hopkins armed with a microphone and a board with a spinney arrow nicked out of a game of twister, furnished with celebrity photos. 

I know it’s just meant to be an amusing rant from someone who has no concept of karma, but what’s funny about being offensive? If a man made these comments he would be outlawed, so why is it acceptable coming from a woman? Is that how it works, women are allowed to call other women fat?

Surely you only find this on the Daily Mail and not Heatworld, who’s demographic is largely, but not excluded to, teenage girls and young, impressionable women. 

Are times so tough you must resort to what is essentially bullying? I believe in freedom of speech but providing someone with a platform where they can describe how some women are famous just for being fat, is beyond contemptible.  

You cannot liken this to the recent convictions of the online abusers making death threats via twitter to Caroline Criado-Perez & Stella Creasy. This is socially acceptable online abuse. The kind that slowly but surely fuels the fire, pushing those young women and men, already on the edge, further down the road towards self harm, eating disorders and general self hatred, as they are surrounded by critical microscope style media, analysing every inch of celebrity flesh on display. 

I know Lilly Allen is made of tougher stuff and is infinitely more famous and talented then Katie Hopkins ever will be, but should anyone have to take such unfounded rubbish after suffering such a terrible loss? At first I wanted to suggest that Lilly shouldn’t rise to it in the first place (making me a hypocrite as that’s exactly what I’m doing) but then I read her emotional tweets (HERE) in response to Katie’s comments about her weight when pregnant and, frankly, I would have done exactly the same (whilst looking distinctly ropier)

Ms Hopkins gets her own microphone to say what she pleases so why the hell shouldn’t those she chooses to unwittingly take a pop at, respond accordingly? However, it is Heatworld, Yahoo and This Morning that pay her appearance fee, so who should I really angle my rage at? Who can I petition against to stop this continual slow burn of bitchy, unintelligent criticism. I love a healthy debate but this isn’t even that, why should sponsored celebrity-kicking be anyone’s ‘profession'?

Can we assume that Katy is no longer the big fish from her Apprentice days, her 'high flying' is now reduced to gutter press diving (and appearing on programs like Celebrity Four weddings). All I can say is carry on Katy, good luck explaining yourself to your children.