Monday 3 December 2012

Fresh new phase


This picture and this quote are a near perfect reflection of what I am feeling at the moment. 

Monday 8 October 2012

Week 4 Challenge

After a beautiful week away, it was nice to kickstart week 4 with an amazing Teacher Training workshop. It was such a great workshop to compliment where I am at with my practice. Gaining further insight into the theory of higher consciousness, chakras and how both interact with asana to move along the yogic path. It was really great to see how yoga can really help people to build deep self awareness and compassion for self and others.

So happy to be back on the mat with fellow yogis on Monday night. Looking forward to a great week of yoga topped off with a birthday on Friday :)

Beach week



Sunday 30 September 2012

Week 2 Challenge reflection

With the dawn of a new week, It seems like a good time to sit down and muse over the first 2 weeks of the challenge. The quote and pic portray where I am at at the moment x




Goal growth:  

1. Asanas: Wheel,Headstand and King Pigeon
2. Nutrition: Follow strictly the eating plan provided for the Spring Challenge and monitor effects on mind,yoga practice and body (via journal)
3. Mediaitaion daily, with a focus on moving meditation (classes)

Asanas:
It has not been difficult to come to 5 classes, in fact I have looked forward to getting to the studio and onto the mat and miss it when I don't. Doing the 5 classes (1 Yin included), I have had the pleasure of experiencing different teachers and the amazing things each of them bring to class. As a result, my Asana practice is really unfolding. I have taken the next step with wheel but still need to build more arm strength, I can comfortably do headstand against the wall and work with moving my feet away from the wall, King pigeon...well I think this one is going to be the real challenge for me!

Nutrition
I am love love loving the meal plan!!!! It has changed my way of thinking about the food. I am more conscious of the food I am giving my body and the effect it has on my mind and spirit. I am far more mindful when I am eating and I am noticing a change in my pallete...more sensitive to sugar in food. I am so grateful to have the recipes to try. It is so amazing to shift the focus from avoiding fat to something far more positive....looking after my health and most importantly living Yoga off the mat p.s coffee and wine awe still my friends :)

Meditation:
Meditation has become such a beautiful part of of my day. During the last two weeks I have been able to pay attention to the way yogic breathing helps to focus my asana practice. I have been on some interesting journeys in class and am so grateful to have svasana at the end of each class. I still struggle with thought attachment, however, I am finding that I am finding it easier to surrender to the thoughts and let them float away. Meditation at home has been built on meditation in the moment (day to day tasks) Focusing on the 8 limbs in daily life and I find the best meditation comes in the shower at night. I have been using my blog to reflect on the challenge.


Lessons learnt:
I can be disciplined
Not every class feels good but peels off more layers
all teachers bring something unique and special to class
being in the front row isn't so bad!


Surprises:
tears in class
love and support from family and fellow yogis
how the challenge is giving me clarity and focus
sweat becomes more pure with better eating!
I don't mind coriander for breakfast

This week:
I am going to the beach for a week (YAY) so I will do a class this afternoon and 2 at a recommended yoga studio at the Sunshine Coast "YogaNRG" and come back for Yin on Sunday. Looking forward to yoga and meditation on the beach :))

Mantra for today...and every day


Wednesday 19 September 2012

SPRING CHALLENGE





I am very excited to be commencing a 10 week Spring Challenge with Flex Hot Yoga!!

My goals for the Challenge are:

4 classes per week (including 1 Yin class)

1. Asanas: Wheel,Headstand and King Pigeon

2. Nutrition: Follow strictly the eating plan provided for the Spring Challenge and monitor effects on mind,yoga practice and body (via journal)

3. Mediaitaion daily, with a focus on moving meditation (classes)

A brilliant nutrition plan with yummy recipes has been provided and the manual for the challenge is being emailed today. There is a really lovely and enthusiastic group completing the challenge, including teachers. I feel part of something really awesome x

Sunday 9 September 2012

Mantra for the week


Yoga weekend bliss




A gorgeous sunny spring day set the scene for what turned into a great day of yoga,music, food and my own little challenge! A spontaneous request to be involved with an acro yoga demo. My initial thoughts,fuelled completely by fear were along the lines of No way... but after an encouraging smile from a fellow yogi and a reminder that this is the time for 'yes' before I knew it I was in the air gazing out at Yoga Aid, a completely different and most awesome perspective....very cool. To top it off a brilliant workshop on Sunday with 2 amazing teachers. Still on a high from it all x

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Spring is in the air!



 Bring on the warmth, the colour, the flowers...nights sitting out on the deck,days at beach, picnics, the works, so ready for it all!

Sunday 19 August 2012

Friday 10 August 2012

Fancy upward facing dog

I had to smile when I saw this Channel ad. Hey, yoga whenever, wherever, whatever you want to wear

Saturday morning Buzz


I taught my 6th class this morning...a flow, with lots of regulars and a few new yogis. I  have to say I walked in with nervous excitement. I did however, try to keep the mantra "I am calm and confident" on replay whilst I prepared for the class.

Keen to amp it up a little, knowing that they were here to work. The class seemed to go very smoothly and before I knew it, it was time for meditation. At the end of the class I sat calmly familiarising myself with the computer system, secretly hoping that I may get a little feedback (I usually welcome feedback/q's at the end of the class). Ask and you shall receive! I got some really lovely feedback from 2 yogis who asked if I would be taking the class next week as they really enjoyed it!!!!! Below the surface I was brimming with pride but I remained cool and calm he he:) It was just really great to hear that I don't suck! After that they day seemed so sunny! All booked in for Yoga Aid too...now to get some sponsors!

Tuesday 31 July 2012

Going with the flow



I have been asked to teach another class on Monday and had to share my excitement. I have to say my confidence is still shaky but a wise friend of mine said "If the universe is presenting opportunities, you are ready"...I loved hearing that and am going to try to avoid spending to much energy on worrying weather I am a good teacher and focus on the good feelings and my desire to improve myself not only as a teacher but as a person x

p.s loved teaching the flow class on Monday night...stepped it up a bit!

Something to soak up


1) Get Your Asana On!

If you don't use it, you lose it! Our bodies thrive off being challenged, and rigorous classes offer us the opportunity to utilize all the athletic muscles of strength, balance, flexibility, and stamina. Through a dynamic flow, we flush out the toxins and irrigate our life force through the “landscape of our bodies,” leaving us feeling awake and alive. Once we reach a certain age (usually in the early 30s), if we don't move our bodies regularly, muscles begin to atrophy. Be consistent, be regular and hook into the "Fountain of Youth" for a strong, supple body.

2) Meditate

It's the goal of all yoga; it’s why the poses were created. The stillness and silence within meditation allow us to transcend from the form into the formless, from time into the timeless, and from the finite into the INFINITE. We all need a break from our busy minds. Move beyond the physical yoga, and carve out 15-30 minutes daily for a strong, peaceful mind.

3) Slow the F@%K Down

Hurry leads to worry, and we have a hurry epidemic plaguing our culture. Daily, we experience people driving, smoking, texting, and running a red light all while putting on makeup! Do you know how many horrible accidents are caused due to people rushing? Try and get the mind one-pointed and focus on one thing at a time. No matter how mundane the task seems, give it your full attention. As Thich Nhat Hanh teaches, wash each dish as you would a newborn baby.

4) Eat Well

You are what you eat, so eat foods rich in life force like plants, fruits, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. As much as possible, limit refined sugar, fried foods, processed foods, and stimulants like caffeine and alcohol. Eat moderate amounts so the stomach has sufficient room to process what you've eaten. Give your body the fuel 
that it needs to fulfill all that's important to you.

5) Give, Give, Give

There is a universal law that the more you give the more you receive. Most people only give and love while expecting something in return... that's not called love; that's called a contract! When you give freely, it takes the attention away from your ego, opens the heart and raises your vibration.

6) Soak up Knowledge

Our five senses are constantly recording data that holistically becomes encoded into who we are. Read the sacred texts, watch enlightening documentaries, listen to inspiring music, and keep studying that which feeds your passion. The moment we stop learning is the moment we start withering away.

7) Good Company

There is strength in numbers. Let go of relationships that are toxic and surround yourself with like-minded people who will support you along your highest path. When you feel down, these relationships will be there to lift you up and keep you on the path.


Follow all of these, or even just a few, and master the art of living. Share which ones are your strengths and which ones you'll need to work on.

Mind Body Green
Author Travis Eliot 

Monday 30 July 2012

OMG It's happening for realz



This is how I am feeling right about now after having taught my 4th Yoga class!!!! Yay! It feels quite surreal but I am pretty excited that I am getting the opportunity. I feel as though I am improving with each class and the feedback has been encouraging. I know that there are areas I need to improve in but hopefully my confidence will build with each class. oooh and hoping to go and get some funky new yoga clothes with my first pay packet! he he xx

Wednesday 4 July 2012

Finding balance


Thought I would sit down and reflect for a bit on the Yoga class (my first as an acknowledged Teacher Trainee)...even hearing it said out loud made me feel like I had taken another leap forward..yay! It was really different to come out of my own practice and try to engage myself in a teachers role. I basically, observed, listened and thought about the Asanas in a whole new light.

The one thing that is really standing out to me is that each teacher not only has their own style, language and presence but also there is a real variance in how much guidance/ instruction is given about setting up the pose (alignment, foundation etc.) the metaphysical benefits and the anatomical language that is used.

As a student I feel that I have experienced a broad spectrum of guidance/teaching. So how do I find the right balance?? Does it come naturally after I begin teaching? or, do I need to know what I think is important in practice for the students and begin to develop my own style based on that? I want to educate my students about their bodies so that they become more in tune with their bodies, I want them to walk away feeling that they have more knowledge about their practice and what it is doing for their body, metaphysically etc and importantly that they have had time out to relax, rejuvenate and refocus and connect. hmmmmmmmmmm I have the urge to read, read, read.
maybe the answer??

Tuesday 3 July 2012

calmy excited

I am feeling really excited to have the opportunity to assist an amazing instructor, Amy Wilkinson, in her Yoga Flow class this evening. I hope that I am feeling centred and composed before the class. I will try to squeeze in some meditation after the kids are sorted! Will be back from a blog debrief x

Saturday 30 June 2012

Yogafest 2012



Such a gorgeous day, beautiful atmosphere, great yoga, great food, great people...what more can I say xx

Monday 25 June 2012

Need to read


beautiful wedding



I stumbled upon these pics of Margherita Missoni's wedding and thought it all looked so pretty. The weather is dreary outside but these images remind me of summer picnics. p.s I think she looks devine

Jagger getting his shoulder stand on!





I am excited to be posting again after a little blog break...there has been a lot going! My yoga course is brilliant and the last workshops have been so surprising and thought provoking...even life changers. I especially loved the nutrition workshop, which was taken by a lovely and charismatic yogi/health practitioner. There were so many light bulb moments for me in that workshop that I was and still am thinking about all the fantastic analagies, facts and insights that were presented. I have since not looked at food the same...and absolutely for the better!
Quite naturally, things have been unfolding for me with my practice. I have been mixing it up a lot...trying different classes, teachers and styles of yoga. I have met some lovely teachers who have been open, inspiring and encouraging which has REALLY fuelled my desire to teach. 
I  took a major leap recently but responding to a Facebook post calling for covers and teachers at a near by studio. Foe some reason I didn't hesitate to go right ahead and enquire! As a result I taught my first ever Yoga class yesterday!!!!! And wow, was it an experience. Very confronting, new wracking, challenging and completely surreal. I am so glad I took the leap because who knows where it may lead me! I am going to be assisting an amazing teacher in her class next week and I can't wait!!!! I am sooo grateful that i have been given the opportunity to develop and learn.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

back on the mat!!!



There was this and that and "I don't think I can" and "not good enough" and then..enough. It's time to get back to what I was doing that made me feel so happy.

Saturday 28 April 2012