Yoga on Tour – Flute Player Pose in the Yorkshire Dales

One of the greatest joys of teaching yoga is hearing how it becomes part of people’s lives beyond the classroom.

Recently, a student from the Tuesday evening class in South Luffenham, sent me this wonderful photograph from her holiday in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. As she paused to enjoy the stunning countryside, she couldn’t resist practising one of our favourite balancing postures – the Flute Player Pose.

Seeing this photograph made me smile. Yoga isn’t something we leave behind when we roll up our mats at the end of class. It becomes part of how we move, breathe and experience the world around us. Whether you’re in your garden, on a woodland walk or exploring somewhere new, a familiar posture can help you pause, breathe deeply and appreciate the present moment.

Flute Player Pose

Flute Player Pose is inspired by Krishna, who is often depicted standing gracefully with one leg crossed while playing his flute. In the Indian tradition, Krishna symbolises joy, love and harmony. His music was said to bring peace to all who heard it, reminding us to live with lightness and an open heart.

Although this isn’t one of the ancient classical yoga postures, it beautifully captures the qualities we often seek through our practice—balance, lightness and joy.

Benefits of the posture

The Flute Player Pose is simple and challenging at the same time, yet it offers many benefits –

• Improves balance and stability
• Strengthens the feet, ankles and standing leg
• Encourages good posture and core engagement
• Develops focus and concentration
• Invites a sense of calm and playful ease

I often remind students that balance isn’t about standing perfectly still. It’s about making lots of tiny adjustments, learning to respond rather than resist, and finding steadiness even when life is a little wobbly. In many ways, it’s a wonderful metaphor for life itself.

I’d love to see your Yoga on Tour!

Has yoga accompanied you on your travels?

Perhaps you’ve practised Tree Pose beside an ancient oak, Mountain Pose at the top of a hill, or simply taken a few mindful breaths while watching the sea.

If you’d be happy to share, I’d love to feature your photographs in future posts. They don’t need to be perfect—just genuine moments that show how yoga has become part of your everyday life.

Simply email me a photo of yourself practising your favourite yoga posture, tell me where you were and why you chose that pose. With your permission, I may include it in a future edition of the newsletter.

After all, yoga isn’t just something we do…

It’s something we take with us, wherever life leads.