I return home after the morning school run and feel a sense of relief for the 30 minute window of time I have before teaching my classes today. I prepare my meditation space, an open and light-filled area in the living room of my London flat. I clear the space both mentally and physically and begin by doing a few gentle yoga poses to open and energize my body. I prefer to sit a little higher up than a meditation cushion so I choose to sit on my yoga bolster today. With my spine lengthening and my body soft, I close my eyes and set an intention for my practice today. Gratitude for this time I have to myself, for this beautiful space I share with my family and call home. Throughout my day I will feel and show gratitude for the people, places and things with whom and which I come into contact. I tune into my breath, observing the flow as it moves freely in and out. I am grateful for this breath that is my life force. I tune into the sounds around me – the dishwasher gently humming in the background, cars driving up the leafy and busy road outside, the distant crying of a baby. I am grateful for the life that pulsates around me. I tune into the sensation of my body, the touch of the soft, wool sweater against my skin, the touch of my fingers against my leggings, the beating of my heart. I am grateful for this body that I inhabit. I tune into my thoughts as they float about in my mind, fading in and out. I watch them curiously wondering where they are coming from and to where they are going. I am grateful for my mind for allowing me to think, feel, create, wonder and reason. I tune my awareness to the center of my chest where my heart resides. I feel a sense of spaciousness and openness and am grateful for this resting place. I open my eyes slowly and gently and give thanks for this moment.