Hello dear friends and family
 
What a year this has been!
 
At work, it has largely been a year of consolidating and preparing the business for an uncertain future as we move towards Brexit in a continuing economic downturn.  One of the major tasks has been the renegotiation of the lease of the community hub, Hamilton House in Stokes Croft, Bristol. 
 
I have been asked to head up the Social Enterprise side of the group, which provides me with an opportunity to meet up with really interesting people, and to be involved in exciting projects in enterprise, housing, energy and education.
 
I continue to strive to increase the yoga teaching, and our great local Isha volunteers have been setting up public Hatha Yoga classes for me to teach, through the local Council.  We aim to expand this with a series of public events during the first six months of 2018, leading up to the International Day of Yoga on June 21^st.   I have also set up a timetable of courses, which you can review on my website:  www.loveclassical.yoga  
 
The European annual upgrade session for Isha Hatha Yoga teachers was held in Lithuania this year.  During our week-long course, updating and upgrading our yoga teaching, we also enjoyed the wonderful hosting of our teachers in that delightful Baltic State.  I was interested to learn that Lithuanian is considered the closest language to Sanskrit, and this reminded me of reading of an old European belief that Sanskrit originated in Scandinavia – Hmm!
 
The ultimate excitement of the year was a 15-day trek to Mount Kailash in Tibet, with Isha Foundation.  This was the home of the ‘Adiyogi” (the first yogi) and is of great significance to Yogis. It was an amazing experience, trekking in the Himalayas on a yoga “pilgrimage” to that beautiful mountain, which stands out in its pyramidal shape among the surrounding mountain-scape as if it were placed there by hand.  We even took a dip in Lake Manasarovar, reputedly the highest fresh water lake in the world, fed by the Himalayan glaciers (Brrr!!).  Although we did no real climbing, the lack of oxygen made the longest day’s trek of 14Km uphill seem extremely tough.
 
In contrast to the joy of the Kailash trek, we suffered the loss of my Mother in November, age 89.  This was expected, following a period of accelerating ageing, and fortunately she was happy and accepting to the end.  Still, it has left a feeling of sadness and emptiness.  Shortly afterwards, her brother also died, the last of seven siblings – end of an Era :(  .
 
But on a (much) happier note, I have been told that I shall become a grandfather next year!  (I’m far too young for this :)  )  So the circle of life continues …
 
It is delightful to watch my daughter & son making their way through life:  both are now both on the property ladder, progressing in their careers. Proud Dad moment when Lydia won awards in the Young Solicitor of the Year contests!! It was also lovely to enjoy the weekend before Christmas with them at my place, and to see the very aged family dog once again.  Excesses of food, of course, and family games.
 
Wishing you a very happy and fulfilling New Year.
 
Love and blessings, 
Andrew