This is a photograph of me doing a charity skydive for Great Ormond Street Hospital 2003. The skydiver is actually asking me to let go of the straps...but I couldn't move, paralysed with fear!

I keep this photo in my office to remind me to always 'feel the fear and do it anyway' because comfort zones limit us and we can achieve great things if we just trust ourselves and try.

What wonderful thing would you love to do?

‘A family that eats together, stays together’ and a family that invests time together will grow closer and form a a unique unfastening bond. Yoga is the perfect activity that will inspire the whole family to get active and nurture self-esteem.

Here are my top tips to get you started:

• Agree a day and time to practice

• Choose who’ll be the ‘yoga teacher’ of the week

• Position your yoga mats in a circle so that you face one another

• Keep it simple, slow and fun

• Start with Sun Salutations and always finish with a ‘positive meditation’

Positive meditation

The ‘yoga teacher’ will need to guide each person slowly through this meditation.

Sitting on a cushion with legs crossed and eyes closed, ask the family to do the same, Then ask them to breathe gently and to imagine sending each member of the family lots of loving energy. They might like to imagine the energy as a favourite colour or a soft warm blanket. Remain focused on this quietly for a little while. End with hugs for everyone in the group.

It doesn’t matter if it lasts 5 minutes or 20 the important element is doing something together. The precious, focused attention you are giving to one another is the ultimate union and a guaranteed ticket to successful relations and positive health. Start them early and you may even save yourself from teenage tantrums...something worth meditating on!

Yoga4mums offer Family Fun days that invite the whole family to enjoy yoga.

(Me pictured with senior physiotherapist Rob Madden, The Varney Practice Enfield)

Tis the season to get injured!

January is the month of New Years resolutions and, coupled with the London Olympic Games, many of us are choosing yoga and other exercise classes to shift a few festive pounds. But my advice is to take it slowly and avoid pushing too hard because, and this is your seasoned yoga teacher talking here, if you don't it’s going to hurt!

It was after a weekend of dancing that I woke with excruciating pain in my hip. It was so inflamed and painful that I couldn’t walk. But thanks to three simple steps my recovery was quick and within three days I was able to move freely again and return to work.

Here are my three top tips to help you heal and recover from injury quickly

1. Seek professional help

Make an appointment with your GP and have a thorough examination asap. This will help rule out anything of a serious nature. Then get the number of a good physiotherapist. Your GP can refer you or you can go privately.

2. R.I.C.E

Rest – initial rest is paramount for recovery, avoid any limbering or stretching at this stage

Ice – Cold pack or bag of peas, on and off every 7 minutes for about 20 mins

Compress – If area is swollen then wrap in a bandage to compress the injury

Elevation - Elevating an injury helps control swelling and is most effective when the injured area is raised above the level of the heart

3. Take a good anti-inflammatory

Under the instruction and approval of your GP start taking a good anti-inflammatory and drink lots of water

There are many ways to heal from an injury but the steps above can help bring initial relief and aid you to recovery. Always take regular exercise and eat a balanced diet to maintain your health and wellbeing.

Recommended Physiotherapist – Rob Madden, The Varney Practice 02083670321

It's true I'm obsessed with feet. Not quite a foot fetish but I do bang on about the importance of taking great care of our plates of meat..as they say here in London. You see, as a yoga teacher, experience has taught me that happy, healthy feet combined with good postural alignment (standing tall) prevents a variety of back, neck and knee problems. So, you can imagine my horror at the abuse some of our tootsies are subjected to in the name of fashion!

The Ugg style boot is the current culprit. Originally designed as a warm, comfortable 'slipper' boot. It's phenomenal success has transformed it into a 'must have' fashion item. Sadly, unlike a shoe, the boot hasn't a strong arch support, particularly if they are imitation Uggs and overtime the material sags, the foot becomes lazy, flattened and pronated. A big 'ouch' for the knees and back.

Okay, I confess! I have a pair and...I love them! But I am also mindful of the way I treat my feet and I use simple yoga techniques to maintain their strength and flexibility. Here are my top tips to maintaining healthy, happy feet that look fabulous in and out of any fashionable shoe.

1. Practise mindful walking. Heal to toe strike action, weight into the centre of the heel and ball of the foot, lifting up in the arches

2. Walk tall. Your yoga class encourages core awareness, so practise this daily to take the weight away from joint areas

3. Walk about the house barefoot to enhance the natural movement of the foot

4. If you have collapsed archs and you simply have to wear those boots then try an arch support inside, Sorbathane Insoles are my favourite

If problems persist always consult your GP

...and remember I'm watching your feet!

Cathy ;)