It is striking just how similar Descartes' theory on 'reflex' is to Pavlov's theory of 'conditioning'. Just as in Pavlov's conditioning experiment, performed two hundred and seventy one years after Descartes' letter outlines his theory of 'reflex', the two stimuli necessary for conditioning, the conditioned and unconditioned stimuli, are paired causing the 'planned conditional response'.

How else might we purge, or prune, for the oncoming Spring? Clutter is common after the excesses of the festive period - so why not welcome the length...

Yoga teaches us that duality is a misconception. We mistakenly identify with form and our thoughts reinforce the sense that we are separate from the rest of the universe. And then we get caught up in judging everything, what's good, what's bad, what's progress and what's failure.

This place is about letting go, on so many levels: of bad habits, negative thoughts, repetitive behaviour, the inclination to judge and be judged. It's a misconception that yoga is all about achieving bliss.

Of course, in the modern world that we now live in, we don't just have one direction that we head for, we have many: Careers, aspirations and families to name a few. Where I might be more willing to take risks in the former, I'm less willing to take risks in the latter.

My dilemma is that the same argument can be made against state-assisted dying and the death penalty.

It's been interesting to hear a range of responses to Fifty Shades of Grey. In conversation and through social media, I've heard boredom, fear, intrigue, disgust, excitement, hilarity, obsession, nonchalance, disappointment, flippancy, mild amusement, thoughtful interest and sheer fun.