‘We’re cosseting our kids’ – the war against today’s dangerously dull playgrounds

Architects are taking issue with risk-averse playparks full of sluggish roundabouts and tiny climbing frames. But are playgrounds in the middle of roads really the answer?

I’d been too scared to sing since childhood – could I find my voice?

Nearly forty years after being told she was making a racket, Paula Cocozza decided it was time to confront the sound of silence

It’s official – yoga makes you smug. I think I’ll stick to being lazy

Thank you, scientists. The news that yoga can be bad for the ego has reinforced my commitment to not bothering, says freelance journalist Nell Frizzell

From date night to cold showers: 20 habits that changed readers’ lives

Small changes can sometimes make the biggest difference. Here our readers suggest the hobbies or routines that might make 2017 that bit brighter

From knitting to BDSM: readers on where to find a sense of community

As people distance themselves from organised religion, we asked you about your communities and what they mean

10 ways to beat loneliness

People of all ages are discovering new and old ways to connect – from co-housing schemes to friendship apps and chicken care…

Are yoga classes just bad cultural appropriation?

A yoga class has been suspended by a Canadian student body after a complaint that it was culturally insensitive. Nell Frizzell and Reni Eddo-Lodge debate the issue

50 things to do when you’re 50

For his 50th birthday, Claire Potter set her husband 50 mini-challenges – not sky-diving or running a marathon, but everyday adventures designed to get more out of life. The experiment isn’t over yet, but the results are already astonishing

Yoga: a beginner’s guide to the different styles

Whether you want to relax, have a workout or get in touch with your spiritual side, there is a yoga class to suit you, says Geraldine Beirne

Spring clean your life

This is the perfect time of year to break out of your comfort zone. Psychotherapist Philippa Perry explains why challenging yourself is a route to happiness. Plus, our suggestions, from running in the Antarctic to starting a zoo in your garden

OurChemist

Our Chemist – Health