MENSTRUAL PHASE — DAYS 1-7

Key feature: REFLECTION

With energy at its lowest ebb and possible physical symptoms associated with the period, this is a good time to slow down and reflect. While a feeling of lethargy is very likely, the body can be nourished by capitalising on this particular state of mind. Yoga practice can be gentle, seeking to restore energy balance and ease bloating and pain. Consider a light stretch, meditation with breath work, or a Yin Yoga session for long, deep stretches along with Yoga Nidra. Inversions and core work are not needed during this soft phase. Be gentle.

Suggested asanas:

Balasana

Bada Konasana

Eka Pada Rajakatpotasana Ardha Mukha Svanasana

John A. Shedd wrote, “A ship in harbor is safe -but that is not what ships are built for.”

When an opponent preempts, and you enter the auction, you are hoping to find a safe harbor, a contract that can be made. Sometimes, though, you have to guess well.

Look at the South hand in today’s diagram. After two passes, West on your left opens two spades, a weak two-bid; your partner makes a takeout double; and East raises to three spades. You pass (would you?), West passes, and North doubles again, promising extra strength. What would you do now?

With 9 points including two aces, your second pass was cautious. You might have doubled if it were for penalty (not responsive, showing length in two unbid suits). I would have leaned toward three notrump with such strong spades in preference to four hearts.

Now, given a second chance, pass is your winning call. Your side can take three clubs (South pitches the diamond six), two diamonds and a diamond ruff. South then waits for two trump tricks for down four, plus 800.

As before, between three no-trump and four hearts, it is usually better to steer into the safer harbor of no-trump. Yes, it is unlucky that hearts are 50, but four hearts is not as good as three no-trump -although it is close.

Against three no-trump, West leads the spade king: heart two, spade two, three. West shifts to a club. After conceding a diamond trick, South has nine winners if he guesses clubs, taking one spade, four diamonds and four clubs.