Device

In Melbourne Australia there is a sniff of spring in the air … at last ! Jasmine, Magnolias and blossom trees are all in bloom. There’s a kind of camaraderie from surviving another winter together. It has been freezing walking the dog in the mornings but she doesn’t care in her big brown furry coat. Raining or freezing, Lulu, our chocolate labrador, makes me laugh out loud everyday.

So far, in 2015, I’ve been teaching teenagers, elders, elite athletes, trainee yoga teachers, public classes, private sessions and teacher gatherings. Hmm sounds like a lot, when I write it like that. Each day, I don’t know what to expect. I like to adapt and change sessions to suit the students, the energy, the time of day and even the weather !

In teenage classes, I’m fortunate to have access to my son’s music collection, so classes are fun, they move fast and I do everything with them.  I hope to plant a little seed in each of their hearts to love and respect their own bodies, listen to their breath and turn the world on its head if need be – literally ! By the way RKY training is on again in December so if you want to teach kids you gotta do it.

With the elders we all laugh so much. They always laugh AT me AND with me, as nothing is too serious. However when it comes to meditation, at the end of their practice, they too watch each precious breath, from the other end of their long lives. My mum, Bette attends these sessions and it’s helped her back so much. She thinks everyone loves me, but I tell her everyone just loves yoga !

Teaching elite sports people and staff, has been a huge learning curve. I love it. Being mindful of injuries, I like to encourage connection with mind, body and breath, so that yoga is a respite and a reward. A chance for contentment, regardless of outside influences or outcomes.

Working with Byron Yoga teacher trainees, means I get to hang out all weekend in “yoga land”, refuelling on some of the more spiritual & technical aspects of yoga. Congrats to all who graduated last this month !

Hope to see you at the Evolve Festival on Oct 25thor maybe in Byron Bay on Jan 23rd 2016. Note tix are cheaper purchased in advance.

Here’s my fave shoulder rotator cuff exercise, thanks to Maria Kirsten, regularly posting cool things. I started the year, attending Leslie Kaminoff’s workshop which was fantastic ! Here he is serving up a tasty breathing exercise.

Hope you are all keeping well and find 10mins in your day, to refuel yr peace of mind somehow. Oh and some respite from your device, as Leunig so cleverly illustrates here. Summer here we come !

Relax, Read, Dip & Dig

“Oh so that’s what “relaxed” really feels like” I thought to myself as I came away from the Relax & Renew four day workshop with Judith Lasater. I think I finally learnt how to relax. Like really, really relax. Not think about relaxing. Not being mindful or meditating or breathing deeply. Just lying down supported by props and resting for a full twenty minutes at a time …. kind of totally chilled out. After about 15 minutes the body finally lets go, the mind then begins to slow down and our immune system, hormonal balance, brain patterns all get to restore. I’m really enjoying teaching these restorative yoga poses.

Another way to rest is to read a good book. Yep I’ve been dragging my current novel with me to the couch and heaven forbid, reading it in the middle of the day ! Reading on the tram. Maybe just a chapter. It’s summer, so if you do nothing else treat yourself to some reading time. The perfect escape, anytime anywhere. Here’s a pic of my last few pleasures, including some incredible Oz writers.

Avocados are really in season now. So Guacamole time ! You probably have your fave recipe already, but here’s my quick version. Slice 3 x spring onions, dice 1-2 tomatoes, finely chop 1-2 green jalapeños or a chilli, chop a well washed bunch of coriander, juice 2lemons or limes or both, salt & pepper, you can add garlic if you like – then mash 2-3 avocados in – best done with your hands and much more fun. Dip in ya corn chips for a refreshing snack or shared summer lunch.

All through my life I’ve keep my hands in the garden. Sometimes it was just a tiny weeny little veggie patch but it was enough. Lately I’ve been doing a lot of gardening and the task at hand can seem daunting. So I break it down to a little patch at a time. I give that little bit my full attention. The next day another little bit. Slowly a whole revived back yard is taking shape. I love the smells, the dirt under my nails and watering in the new babies. I like the connection to plants. They’re very quiet  Some grow, some die and somehow they too make me happy.

All classes are starting back up next week. I’ll be running Family Yoga sessions in Richmond, once a month on Saturdays at 2pm, with a few other Rainbow Kids Yoga teachers – can’t wait ! Plus I have a beautiful new student learning meditation from me. 2015 here we are – let’s treasure every precious moment 

PS Last photo was taken at dawn, whilst camping recently at Byron Yoga Centre