A cuppa with... Bindi Shah

Get to know our guests and us, our alternative Q&A! We’re catching up with friends, past and present to ask them about the important stuff in life. Y’know… cake, tea and biscuits.

Here’s guest Bindi Shah

Hello Bindi! Can you tell us more about you and how you discovered yoga?

I was working in Frankfurt, Germany when I discovered Ayurveda after a trip to India. After I was made redundant, I decided to go to India and study Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation. I came back to London in 2003 and set up my well-being business. The move to Brighton in 2008 really added meditation to my life and business in a big way - the calm of being by the sea. I stepped back to focus on my own well-being and self-care in 2016 after years of trying to conceive, plus health issues which resulted in a hysterectomy in 2019. I started my Youtube channel again during the pandemic and meditation classes specifically for childless not by choice came shortly after that. These classes have helped me reignite my passion for meditation and my business again and I definitely see these classes growing. They are as nurturing to me as they are nurturing to my students.

Tell us about your morning

I start with a grounding meditation - visualising roots into the ground and also some simple yoga stretches. I always walk in the morning too. We live by the sea, so my walk is often down to the beach and breathing in the sea air. I love photography, so I'll often stop and take a photo - a tulip in a front garden, the sea, the cliffs, a seagull, the bluebells by the edge of the road - anything really which brings me joy. I call these my Soul Whispers - my soul highlighting to me the joy and lessons of nature as the seasons change.

Sounds good, can we get you a brew?

I love making Indian Masala Tea - I brew Assam tea with tea masala spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, cloves) on the stove and then once it has boiled, I add oat milk. It has become a ritual for me and is one of my everyday joys.

Would you like a biccy?

Yes! Unfortunately, I am wheat intolerant, so there isn't a huge variety to choose from - Mrs Crimbles coconut and chocolate macaroons are nice.

Do you stop for lunch?

Yes I stop for lunch and my husband, Jay, also works from home so we usually eat together. Mostly I'll have leftovers from the night before or a simple pasta with olive oil - there is a great gluten free penne I've found which is made from lentils.

Afternoon tea? What cake can we bake for you?

Afternoon tea for me and espresso for Jay is another ritual! I'm trying to stay off cake at the moment - too much during lockdown - but I love chocolate cake - gluten free of course!

Thank you Bindi! Find out more about Bindi’s work and sign-up to her classes via her website, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube channel or email.