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,...
Random Acts of Kindness – Pass it on
When we take time to reflect on our thoughts and actions we can learn much about how we interact in the world around us and how the world interacts with us. Recently I realised some interesting things about myself....... About 6 months ago, a woman I had only met a...
Opening to Clarity and Truth
The throat centre, vishuddhi chakra is the seat of verbal communication. When open and balanced, we give voice to our thoughts and feelings, our deepest hearts desire. We can speak with clarity and truth, expressing our wants and needs to others. The colour associated...
I am enough, just as I am
I dedicate this poem to all the beautiful women in my life. I am moved and inspired daily by your triumphs, resilience, patience, strength, courage, compassion and love. Stand tall and proud in the truth of who you are. Imagine a Woman Imagine a woman who believes it...
Words matter
We express ourselves to others and the world around us through communication: who we are, what we believe in, our attachments and aversions. Much of this communication is through gesture, posture and facial expressions, while spoken communication gives voice to our...
Auto Suggestion Relaxations
Here are two wonderful relaxation techniques that use auto suggestion in helping the body and mind to relax. They are especially beneficial to use in bed if you have difficulties getting to sleep. You may like to learn the sequence and repeat mentally to yourself or...
Go fly a kite
In this recording, there is an opportunity to release any cares, worries or burdens from the mind. When the mind is uncluttered, there is space for creativity and clear thinking. Picture yourself in a clearing, flying a kite........ Kite - Letting Go Recording
Degrees of separation
This spring/summer I have decided to reduce the degrees of separation between the food I eat and it's origin. Here is my plan - 1. I have bought a couple of wooden raised garden beds (1.4 metre square) and will plant some staples: lettuce, cucumber, carrot, cherry...
Sensory awareness
Through our five senses: touch, taste, hearing, sight and smell, we interact and interpret the world around us. All this information is received through our somatic nervous system and relayed to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) for an appropriate...
Awakening the spine
Here is a 10 minute sequence to awaken the spine. FInd a comfortable seated position (elevate the hips with a folded blanket if your back is a little rounded) and ensure your base remains stable throughout the practice. Always move slowly and mindfully and work in a...
Candle Visualisation
There is something so soft and beautiful in the light of a candle; it's gentle glow warms and softens us from the inside out. For me, when I sit with a candle, I connect with my own inner light and radiance, I feel calm, centred and peaceful. In this...
Becoming the Witness
In this recorded relaxation, we move through the physical body - observing the breath, the emotional body - observing our feelings and the mental body - observing our thoughts. As you witness these various aspects of your personality, try to remain detached and watch...
Yoga for your hands – Hasta Mudras
In class this week, we explored hasta mudras or hand gestures. Mudras are yoga positions for your hands and fingers that can be practised sitting, lying down, standing or walking. Mudras can be practised anywhere and at any time, however for best results, one should...
Releasing muscle tension
For many people the stresses of daily life manifest in our physical bodies as muscular tension. We may hold fear, uncertainty, stress and anxiety in our bodies as tension. Over time this creates aches, pains and stiffness in the body leaving us feeling exhausted or...
An Autumn meditation – Letting Go
Autumn is such a beautiful time of the year. The deciduous trees display an amazing array of colours; the rich, warm colours of the earth. The trees are withdrawing their energies in preparation for the winter. As the leaves turn and then fall, they create a warm...
Circles of OM
Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril) breathing is an effective way to cultivate feelings of balance and wellbeing. There are many ways to enjoy this pranayama and here I invite you to explore a creative approach using visualisation. This can be performed in a...
Where Blue meets Blue
I was fortunate to spend a few days down by the beach recently which has inspired this voice recording. There is a real sense of space at the beach; distant horizons, boats moored off the shore, seabirds in flight and endless stretches of sand. It's a wonderful place...
Dipping cloth into dye
I love Erich Schiffmann's book 'YOGA The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness'. He speaks in a way that resonates truth: his words feel familiar and comfortable to me, like a favourite jumper. I share with you a piece I particularly enjoy. It is about...
Ways to fill yourself up
Often in our busy lives it is difficult to find time for ourselves. We can become consumed with getting things done and meeting other people's needs and over time we become depleted and sometimes resentful. It is important to find ways to fill yourself up, so that...
Breathing to a quieter place
The word pranayama is comprised of the sanskrit words "prana" meaning breath or life force and "ayama" to length or expansion. This practice of controlled breathing helps the energy to flow more easily into the nadis or energy pathways and koshas (layers) of the body....