 MOVING HOUSE They say moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do- and perhaps they are right. We were set to put our place on the market in coming months … then, just recently, someone wandered past our place (in the middle of nowhere) and offered to buy it. Fantastic, it has saved us the putting-on-market scenario … on the flip side we find ourselves in a mad scramble with the onward move. NOT COMPLAINING
Not that I’m complaining … hey, First World problems. I’m grateful for the body-based practices that I can return to again and again when the pressure mounts. When my mind is spinning to the future with what-if’s and should-we’s … the yoga training propels me back into my body, to here. Here, where there is always a gap of simplicity to briefly rest in. ANXIETY LODGES IN THE BODY When the anxiety in my body becomes intense, like last week when we were putting an offer on a place and something inside me was screaming ‘no, don’t do it!’ … the slow rolling-around-on-the-floor yoga warmups were just the ticket for taking my nervous system down a few notches. I hope you enjoy the same benefit when rolling around, too. The moving part of yoga has the same mind-calming effect, because we do it with breath and awareness. The combination of movement, breath and awareness is the key to yoga’s balance and stability. Thank goodness to have these practices in my life. When a yoga practice is established, no matter how simple, we can rely on it to come to the rescue. COURSE UPDATE Which takes me to what’s happening over the next two weeks, the final two of the six-week series. I was hoping to go live, but with the above mentioned house shake-up I will stick to pre-recorded. I think it will be in everyone’s best interests! Or I could end up onscreen with my undies on my head, a broom in my hands and on a doormat instead of a yoga mat. Week 5 will be a remix of the content so far … the same postures, same sequencing style, though not in the same order, rather, a section of each of the classes mixed and blended together. Week 6 will be the same kind of mixture unless magic happens and I manage a live recorded class. It all depends on how the exciting house adventure is shaping up and slapping me around. LOOKING FORWARD I’m so excited for when I have a stable home base again and can move forward with yoga online plans. There’s an intermediate course in the pipeline, and also some ‘specials’ on posture, breathing, intention, joint care … so much scope for sharing the practices I love. Plus I want to do more in the way of weekly inspiration between classes, and set up systems such as live webcam classes, start-anytime options and automated replies so newbies don’t have to wait around for me to get back to you. STAY TUNED, STAY WITH ME! Please stay tuned and, if you wish to, stick with me. I deeply appreciate each and every one of you being here. Thank you for showing up and taking this journey with me; thanks for the constructive feedback, the appreciation, the suggestions and the commitment to yoga as a path to wellbeing. Love and best yoga wishes, Shakti
0 Comments
 photo: Natalie Grainger The purpose of yoga is stretch, open and expand our physical boundaries.
Boundaries that contract over the years. The tight spine, the creaky knees, achy elbows …. looking over the shoulder to reverse the car is an effort. Forget any wild idea of touching the toes or heading south any further than to peer over your glasses. Oh, that text neck. Ouch. Youch. No. Surely there’s a better way. But yoga? Are you kidding me? Turning myself into a pretzel (hello, I might look like a peanut, but …) it’s out of the question. And seeing you asked, I don’t need to stand on my head. Life stands itself on its head anyway. Far too much. Hang on … hold it right there. No, not the yoga pose ... your disbelief. Yoga can actually stretch, open and expand your physical boundaries without a whole lot of effort. Without fancy poses or uncomfortable contortions.  image by Gemma Correll If you or anyone you know is suffering from intense anxiety, this short audio from Insight Timer will help.
|
| Get inspired to live the good life through the power of rest! Overwork can leave little room for tasting the joy of life. Wouldn't it be great to find a magic bullet for striking the balance between effort, exhaustion and living the life you want? The author/illustrator's effervescent verse and images tease you through the colourful pages, in a picture book for adults teeming with joy, warmth and humour. The perfect gift for the workaholic in your life! |
“People look for retreats for themselves,
in the country, by the coast, or in the hills . . .
There is nowhere that a person can find a more
peaceful and trouble-free retreat than in his own mind. . . .
So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself.”
in the country, by the coast, or in the hills . . .
There is nowhere that a person can find a more
peaceful and trouble-free retreat than in his own mind. . . .
So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself.”
WHAT WOULD YOU RATHER ...
Meditate? Who, me?
Perish the thought.
If you happen to be someone who would prefer to give yourself an electric shock than be stuck in your head, take heart.
You are not alone.
WEIRDO MEDITATOR
Back in the day when I started as a meditator, meditation was still regarded as a slightly suspicious navel-gazing endeavour.
STRESSCALATION
Has your family or workplace ever felt like a chain gang throwing the hot potato of stress from one person to another?
Categories
All
Anger Management
Circular Thoughts
Home Yoga Practice
Letting Go
Nervous System
NVC
Prolonged Sitting
Self-empathy
Setting Intention
Sleep Well
Standing Desk
Values & Goals
RSS Feed