by admin | Mar 9, 2014 | Uncategorized
Not sure about you, but I feel like this year is moving at a fast pace – snow balling ahead from one thing to the next. It’s been a lot of fun actually, as much as there’s been a lot happening, it’s been positive and challenging in a good way. This very much resonates with this Chinese Year of the Horse, which started a month ago at the end of January (celebrated in my garden with many of you). Next week, my Ivanhoe home studio will be hosting the first of a 5 week course in Tai Chi, facilitated by Benjamin Seow, Senior Instructor of the Daxuan School Melbourne (more info here). Ben is deeply connected to the philosophy of the Chinese calendar and he shares this about this 2014 Year of the Horse with us: The year of the Wood Horse is moving from a canter to a gallop as we see expansion influencing all aspects of our lives. The horse brings us change and success. This year we are being asked to go with the changes and rapidly!… Even if we don’t have sufficient time to let go, the time is now to act and hold on as we move through many things, both good and bad (but mostly good) if we are to succeed. This year it is even more important to start and stick at a practice for better balance in our lives. The forecast is turbulence. Those who go with it will succeed. Those who resist will get tossed about. Big reasons to get centred yogi’s so you can comfortably say yes to...
by admin | Mar 1, 2014 | Uncategorized
The health of your feet can have a direct effect on how good you feel across the rest of the body. Our feet are the building blocks that support the rest of the body to stand, walk, run and balance. One major reason the feet are so important is that the position of the feet are maintained by the muscles of the hip. The muscles of the hip hold our pelvis in line. When the pelvis is out, we can experience pain in the lower back, the neck, shoulders and also the knees. When we correct our feet, we help correct the pelvis also. Keeping the muscles and fascia/connective tissue in the feet supple and flexible can eliminate pain. Some facts about the feet: The ideal position of the feet when standing and walking is to point forward. If you stand on a yoga mat the outside of your feet should be parallel to the mat. If you find your feet are held differently, practice straightening them. Toes should be loose and comfortably spread apart from each other when stretched. If toes are tight and curled it’s time to work on releasing them. Tight, tense toes send a message to the rest of the body that we are tense (Little tip to practice throughout the day: relax the toes, the anus and the tongue and the rest of the body tends to follow). When standing we should stand on the sole of the foot without needing the support of the toes. Supporting our balance by crunching or squeezing the toes when standing or practicing yoga (or holding slip-on shoes...
by admin | Feb 23, 2014 | Uncategorized
You’d think being a yoga and meditation teacher I’d be good at one-pointed focus. Just recently I realised how utterly distractable I am. I think having lots of things to do has something to do with it. I start one thing and then get distracted by all the other things that need doing. My mind races and so, seemingly, does time – without getting anything done!! In this crazy world we live in we are constantly distracted. It’s become something we live with without question. It can drive you mad and needs to be attended to before we all become mindless halfwits. How to do it? Well, just like everything – a degree of discipline and practice – using short bursts of focus. I was introduced to this technique from my good pal Sandie, of Three Bowls, – it’s called the Pomodoro Technique. SIMPLE TECHNIQUE TO GET THINGS DONE: FOCUS WITH A TIMER. 1. Choose task. 2. Set the timer at 25 minutes and get to it. 3. Break ONLY after 25 minutes without allowing any distractions. Knowing the timer will ring, you can pretty much ignore all interruptions just for that short time. Breaking tasks into 25 minute time slots increases your ability to focus through consistent, short periods of practice. As well as getting things done, this will strengthen the mind, just like meditation does. Break bigger tasks into 25 minute time slots. After 25 mins take a break – stand up and take a deep breath, drink some water, walk around. Then go another 25 mins. Short, focused periods will exercise your mental stamina and alleviate...
by admin | Feb 16, 2014 | Uncategorized
Did you know orchestra conductors live longer than nearly any other group of people? Many conductors have lived well into their 80’s and 90’s. There’s been numerous research projects done into the reasons why – and I want to share some findings with you as it’s pretty much all the benefits you’ll get through many of our kundalini kriyas – for the same reasons. THE REASONS WHY: Hands up in the air! Conductors spend a lot of time with their arms raised up in the air rotating around and moving above shoulder height. Raising the arms UP and bringing movement through the upper body and arms is excellent for the cardiovascular system, as the muscles of the chest expand and the lungs open – drawing more breath into the body. Blood flow increases to the heart, causing it to pump strongly so blood and nutrients flow through the body to the muscles and organs. Blissing out with sound immersion. Another reason posed by many researchers as to why conductors lead long, healthy lives is because they immerse themselves daily in the sound frequency of emotive and moving orchestral music. This sound frequency immersion creates an Alpha state reaction in the brain. An Alpha state is a relaxed state of connection to something bigger and more beautiful than the day to day. When you are truly relaxed, your brain activity slows from the rapid patterns of a Beta state into the more gentle waves of an Alpha state. In an Alpha state, awareness expands, creative energy begins to flow, fears and limitations move aside. You experience a liberating sense of...
by admin | Feb 9, 2014 | Uncategorized
As we know, yoga reflects life, therefore I would like to suggest implementing a life-savasana on a weekly basis. Savasana is sanskrit for deep relaxation or waking sleep. Savasana (deep relaxation) is an important part of any yoga practice and we all love it. For an hour’s practice we might do 5-10 minutes of savasana. In savasana, our eyes are closed and we simply rest the body and be with the breath. We drift into our own inner spaciousness. We move from stimulation to stillness. Savasana is where all the integration happens. Deep relaxation post-practice gives our body time to consolidate all the work we have done. The body’s relaxation response kicks in and the mind and emotions are given space to settle. After our savasana we feel refreshed, ready to move from the yoga room to the outside world. For your life-savasana, choose one whole day per seven days (at minimum, half a day) and take a day off the stimulation by going screen-free. Step aside from facebook, the internet, television. Leave the house without your phone without needing to be in immediate, spontaneous contact with others. Create space to let the body and mind consolidate all you have been stimulated by throughout the week. Give yourself the day off the stimulation one day a week. Life-savasana is your weekly regeneration time. Time to remind yourself of who you are and that you are here now, right now in this moment. Other...
by admin | Feb 2, 2014 | Uncategorized
Sat Nam – A special blog this week, dedicated to my new business venture – White Yoga clothing. As a full time yogi teacher I spend all my days in yoga gear. I’m also a Libran and decidedly dedicated to the appreciation of beauty, so I’ve taken some time to create yoga gear that I feel comfortable in and also feel good in. In December last year I went to Vietnam to be introduced to the lovely ladies at Fair Fashion, a not for profit Alliance Anti Trafic, against human trafficking, supporting women to create their own lives. These talented dressmakers sized and refined pants that I had initially designed and made myself. My business partner and I were excited to receive our first order just last week! I’m happy to share with you all our new White Yoga label. Take a look at the White Yoga clothing on offer HERE. There are pants for women and men and also one wee top, so far. I realise that not all yogis like to wear white – and after speaking to many of you from all walks of yoga, are delighted to also offer all pants in either a textured grey or black alternative. Your choice. TO LAUNCH our business, we’d like to offer you a pair of pants or a top for $50 launch special (including postage in Aust.). On top of a great price you will be helping us make a great start to this venture. This initial order may take a few weeks to get to you, as this is a start up and we will...
by admin | Jan 26, 2014 | Uncategorized
Years ago, I ran a series of multi-modal Art Therapy workshops with groups of nurses from Epworth Hospital called “The Meaning of Work” art based enquiry workshops. In designing these workshops, I wanted to provide nurses with an opportunity to re-visit the reason they originally chose nursing as their career and observe themselves as a nurse through fresh eyes, via art making. The overall intention was to fuel inspiration for their work, or pose the question of whether their work continued to satisfy them. Some moving and delightful insights were found within these workshops. Some inner musicians, artists and poets were revealed. Some true hearts desires were given voice and resignations were made. Some reasurrance, connection and inspiration was found. I’m sharing this with you as I would like to inspire you personally to take a moment to ask yourself why you do what you do. What has been the trajectory of your career or chosen path? Have old goals been met and do they now match up with how you want to feel? There’s no right or wrong answer, but a satisfying journey requires we continually ask – are we aligned with our true hearts desires? Other posts...
by admin | Jan 19, 2014 | Uncategorized
I’ve been spending some time in this early part of the year considering both my personal and professional goals for this year. I recently heard a fabulous catch phrase from life coach Danielle LaPorte for helpful consideration when goal setting. And that is: “how will feel when you get there?”. It’s well known that the best way to achieve your goal is to know exactly what you’re aiming for and to focus on that goal, not losing sight of it; To live it, see it, smell it, feel it, taste it. But how do we manage to focus on our goals and at the same time not limit ourselves by wearing our blinkers so tightly that we miss an unexpected opportunity or relentlessly keep charging ahead when this is not really serving us? Let’s consider the original inspiration for our goals and their trajectory. We need to ask ourselves what are we aiming for and why? Are our goals our own, truly desired goals, or are they someone elses? Are we a rat in the rat race or are we our own selves nurturing our true hearts desires? How come so many of us continue to achieve our goals and still are left with “this is not how I want to feel”? Amongst the myriad of opinions about what and how we should achieve and what means success – many of us are asking ‘but what is my true hearts desire??’ Our true hearts desire can be revealed by digging deep into our hearts and asking “how do I fell when ____”? and “how would I like to feel...
by admin | Dec 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
Did you know that wearing the colour white expands your Aura by one foot? A strong aura gives us a clear and solid projection so that our presence speaks, without words. A strong aura also filters out negativity and acts a protective shield. Yogi Bhajan taught us that white is the total balance of all the seven colours of the chakras. Red: Security, belonging. Orange: Sexuality, creativity. Yellow: Power – personal power, will power, strength of character. Green: Compassion. Blue: Communication, self expression. Indigo: Intuition. Violet: Oneness, Peace. White is reflective; we often wear it to reflect the sun on very hot days, as it reflects light. Just as it reflects light, it also acts as a mirror to reflect others back at themselves – meaning it is harder for people to project onto you when you are wearing white. In this way it adds to your auric shield; A protective shield that reflects the external to enable us to stay secure in ourselves and centred within. This is good for your psyche, your energy and for your nervous system. Along with this, wearing white is also an exercise in awareness – as it’s challenging to keep clean! Visit our online yoga/street clothing shop white yoga – ethical fashion for looking good while feeling...
by admin | Nov 24, 2013 | Uncategorized
This blog is in homage to the most sweetest of songs, that we close each Kundalini Yoga class with: the Longtime Sun Song. It carries a gorgeous, warm sentiment of wellbeing that is especially timely to remember as we approach christmas. It’s easy to get lost amongst the bonanza of buying as christmas approaches. And just as easy to become cynical about this ‘time for giving’. The Longtime Sun Song can offer a reminder of the true sentiment behind giving – of showing others how much they mean to us by gifting them an intention of goodwill and thinking good thoughts about them. Thoughts carry energy and a lot of weight. The greatest gift you can give someone is to think positively about them. To assume the best of someone is to really give them a chance to shine. Because when someone thinks the best of us, we tend to prove them right. Gifting someone with good thoughts is the gift that gives right back. The more we encourage others and more we love without judgement, the more of the same we bring into our own lives. Don’t be suckered into the whole parade of purchasing pressure out there and remember it is the intention behind our actions and our gifts that matters. No matter what we do, if we do it with love and with the best intention – there is no greater gift. Other...
