Yoga and Poetry
For those who attend my regular yoga classes, you will know that my favourite poet is Danna Faulds. Her words so often marry beautifully with my intention or theme for the week's teachings. For me, richness of experience is deepened when the many aspects or layers of...
“It is worth doing nothing and having a rest”.
I remember the first time I heard this wonderful piece from The Curly Pyjama Letters by Michael Leunig. I was enjoying relaxation at the beginning of a yoga class with my dear teacher Lyn Colenso and she read the letter (see below) to us like a bedtime story; the...
Looking for Happiness
I often come across images, poetry and stories that inspire me in the work I am doing (and I have one below to share with you). They can be gentle reminders of what we already know, or ignite a new spark of knowing or curiosity. In a world that pulls us in different...
Yoga: Opening from the inside out
I recently attending a session on Yoga and Body Image presented by Janet Lowndes and Sarah Harry, community partners for the Yoga and Body Image Coalition. I have always taught yoga from the perspective of connecting inwardly (thanks to my wonderful teachers), and...
Peace is This Moment without Judgement
At times when we are challenged to find peace within ourselves, with others and the world we live in, I choose to turn towards beauty, nature and the wisdom of others. Enjoy this beautiful poem by Dorothy Hunt. Peace is This Moment Without Judgment Do you think peace...
Beads of Light
I love working with the chakra colours. In this relaxation/meditation, I have weaved the colours and an affirmation associated with the 7 main chakras into a creative visualisation. You could practice this in savasana (lying on the floor) or seated upright. Ensure...
Out of Hibernation
Wow! I cannot believe it's been almost 3 months since my last post. It wasn't intentional but it seems I have been in hibernation. I did recently celebrate my 50th birthday (no grey hairs yet) and have just returned from a beautiful relaxing retreat in Fiji, so I...
‘Mind Wanting More’ by Holly Hughes
Only a beige slat of sun above the horizon, like a shade pulled not quite down. Otherwise, clouds. Sea rippled here and there. Birds reluctant to fly. The mind wants a shaft of sun to stir the grey porridge of clouds, an osprey to stitch sea to sky with its barred...
Busyness robs us of the gift right in front of us
It's so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life. Rushing from one thing to the next, racing through life and feeling there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. I find myself at times saying "I'm super busy!", as if being busy is a good...
One word to support action and inspire change
In the busy and often unpredictable nature of our day, it can be often challenging to stay centred. We may become reactive and behave in ways that don’t align with our higher self. Ideally we create space between what life offers us and how we choose to deal with...
Weaving yoga into each day
At this time of the year many people find it difficult to get to yoga classes (with Christmas shopping or perhaps kids are home from school) and also many studios close over the Christmas/New Year period. The challenge can be to keep up a regular yoga practice when we...
Mountain to the sky
This guided relaxation was inspired by a recent retreat at Mt. Buller, a truly beautiful place in spring. We explore - the water that runs at the base of the mountain, the fire of the sun that warms the earth and sparkles on the water's surface the bird that glides on...
Sun/Moon guided relaxation
In this recording, we visualise the energising warmth of the sun shining down the front of the body and the soothing quality of the moon flowing underneath. Enjoy!
Yoga in paradise
Well it's taken a few weeks to get back into the swing of things in Melbourne having recently returned from an amazing week long retreat in Fiji. I had not been to Daku resort before, however the place came highly recommended from two different sources; I was not...
Changing how we think, feel and experience
In class this week I am exploring the Apan (energy) mudra. This is a wonderful practice to help remove waste products and toxins from the body and to stimulate the energy of the liver and gallbladder. When our liver is functioning well, this in turn has a balancing...
Why I love teaching yoga
I remember the exact moment that I decided to become a yoga teacher; it was late 2001. My boys were then 3 and 5 years old, both attending pre school. I had more time on my hands and was wondering how to fill it. Having left a full time job in life insurance to be at...
Eternal Circle of Life meditation
The SATNAM mantra is one of my favourites and is widely used in Kundalini yoga. This mantra is called the Primal Sound Mantra, because it consists of the five primal sounds: S,T,N,M, and ah. The literal meaning is as follows: Sa means birth (or infinity); Ta means...
Opening to the day
Below is a short yoga sequence that explores gentle upper body movements synchronised with the breath. Each movement can be experienced as a gesture (mudra) that evokes a certain mood or attitude within. For me, an asana practice is a series of full body mudras; each...
‘Life as it is’ meditation
Sitting or lying comfortably, with eyes closed, take a few moments to bring attention to your breath, mantra, or any other technique that you normally use to centre yourself. When you feel settled, ask yourself this series of questions: What have I received today? Be...
A lesson in humility
" Mindfulness is more than a practice, it's a way of life" Just over 12 months ago I wrote this post but didn't publish. It is interesting to look back over the past year and reflect on how I was feeling then. Now I would like to share with you this story....... I...
Immunity Boost
I returned from a wonderful week teaching at Sanctuary Retreat in Mission beach, North Queensland to find my family coughing, sniffling and low in energy; yep they all had a head cold. Determined to not be taken down, I put together a program of positive attitude,...