Donna Noble Yoga: The Noble Art of Yoga

Last Saturday, I went to my friend’s birthday party and, as soon as I walked into the room, I thought, “f*ck.”

Everyone was wearing white. Everyone except me. I was dressed head to toe in black.

I was mortified.

The annoying thing is I’d read the invitation. I’d looked at the date, the time and where it was, but somehow I’d completely missed the bit that said wear white. It was there in plain sight when I looked afterwards. I just hadn’t seen it.

I apologised to the birthday girl, who looked absolutely stunning in red.

Thank goodness I hadn’t turned up in red as well! I even joked that I would have gone back home.

Then something happened that I really wasn’t expecting.

My friend’s brother, who’s known me for years, walked past and said, “Donna, I see you haven’t changed. You’re still rebellious as ever.”

I nearly burst out laughing because people thought I’d worn black to make some sort of statement. I hadn’t. I wasn’t trying to stand out. I was embarrassed.

It made me realise how different the stories can be. The story in my head was that everyone would be wondering why I’d ignored the dress code. The story in their heads was that I’d confidently decided not to follow it.

Of course, my embarrassment didn’t last long because there was a bouncy castle. Anyone who knows me knows I can’t resist a bouncy castle, so there I was, dressed in black, surrounded by a sea of white, bouncing around with the children and having the best time.

Looking back, the whole thing has stayed with me for another reason. I was so focused on the date, the time and where I needed to be that I missed one important detail. It made me wonder how often we do that in life. We become so focused on getting somewhere, achieving something or simply keeping up that we overlook what’s right in front of us.

Thankfully, all I missed was a dress code. And in the end, it gave me a story that still makes me smile.

Looking around this table made me stop for a moment.

Family.
Friendship.
Three generations.
So much laughter.

It’s only the second time my mum and I have travelled away together as adults, and I’m so grateful we made the time.

Paris was beautiful, but sharing it with these special people made it unforgettable. ❤️

It all started with an online class.

I never imagined I’d still be part of Happy Place Festival all these years later.

Every time I return, I’m reminded that wellbeing is about connection, community and creating spaces where everyBODY feels welcome.

I’m so grateful to Fearne, the team and everyone behind the scenes for inviting me back again this year. It means a lot to be part of something that shares so many of the values I believe in.

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting plenty of new ones.

If you’re coming along, please come and say hi. ❤️

📷 Yogamatters

I recently attended the The Longevity Show and came home with pages of notes.

There were fascinating conversations about brain health, women’s health, longevity research and the science of healthy ageing. What struck me was how often different speakers returned to the same foundations: movement, strength, sleep, nourishing food and prevention.

One talk stayed with me in a different way.

Hearing Mia Maugé speak about ageing, representation and honouring who we are today reminded me that healthy ageing isn’t only about looking after our bodies. It’s also about the relationship we have with ourselves.

I’ve shared a longer reflection on what stayed with me from the Longevity Show, and why it reinforced something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, over on Substack. You’ll find the link in my bio.

Today I got to celebrate 14 years since becoming a certified hot yoga teacher.

And what better way to mark the occasion than by taking a proper old-school hot and sweaty class. 😅

The kind where you walk outside afterwards and the air actually feels cool.

It reminded me of my time teaching and practicing in Texas and brought back memories of my training in Los Angeles back in 2012.

If I’m honest, I feel incredibly proud.
When I completed my training, I had no idea where yoga would take me - corporate life was still being considered!

I couldn’t have imagined that it would lead to teaching internationally, writing books, speaking, hosting retreats, building communities, and helping to make yoga more accessible and inclusive for everyBODY.

What started as a personal practice became a career, a calling, and a way of life.

Today’s class also reminded me that no matter how long you’ve been practising, yoga has a way of keeping you humble.

There were moments when I felt strong, moments when I was challenged, and moments when I was simply grateful to be there.

Fourteen years later, I still love this practice.

Not because it asks me to be perfect.
But because it continues to teach me, challenge me and surprise me.

Thank you for a great class.

And here’s to the next chapter. ❤️