Becoming a "grown up"

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”~ Anais Nin

To blossom - each person's definition of blossoming would be slightly different but I suppose for most of us it'd be about becoming bright, unfurling to our full potential. Getting organised to finally get private health insurance might not exactly be what Anais Nin meant by blossoming, but for me, it's just another small step on my path to becoming a grown up.

For me, this past year has been all about these 'small' steps - which when you add them all up, become a wonderful strong journey. Small steps like getting health insurance, paying off a credit card, holding yoga workshops, furthering my study, getting a pay rise at work... which all add up to getting it together, aka Growing Up. For me, these things are all about me blossoming - opening up.

We often think that to be a success we need to achieve and get this and that and do amazing astounding things.. and in doing so we can forget about the day to day things that actually are pretty darn shiny.

Take a moment to think about your year so far and be excited peeps - be excited about the seemingly ordinary, the seemingly 'everyday' - which when you add them up, become the most important life of all: YOUR life : )

Enjoy x

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Autumn has well and truly arrived here in Sydney! Not only has daylight savings ended, which means the dark nights are descending earlier, but the weather has that nice chill to it, and right now, it's pouring outside.

I've got to say, I don't mind this time of year - there's none of that exhausting heat, there's not too many bugs around (or hayfever) and there's generally not too much rain.

This time of year also sees me pull out my big lovely pots again and head to the kitchen to make yummy soups, pastas, bakes, risottos and such. Tonight's menu: pumpkin, mushroom & spinach risotto. And anyone that knows me will know that despite living on my own for a while over the past 10 years, and cooking for myself in share houses during that time as well, I struggle to cook for one. Absolutely.

How to cook for 1
Good news? Now that my friends are starting to have babies, I am dropping over ready made, home cooked meals for them : ) So not strictly cooking for 1, but definitely not allowing all that food to go to waste!

I've also tee'd up a deal with a girlfriend at work where one week I'll bring lunch in for both of us on the Monday, the next week it's her turn. That means at least one healthy, homemade meal for lunch each week (and for a take-out loving girl like myself, this is a good deal!). We've been going for a couple weeks and each week there has been at least 4 of us going in this so it's working out well.

Anyway, I'm off now to start the cooking, and look forward to having leftovers tomorrow : )
Happy Easter friends xx

PS - made it (FINALLY) to yoga today, a vinyasa class at Body Mind Life. LOVED IT!

Cupcakes, Eggs & Chocolate, O My!

I love Easter. More obviously, I love the CHOCOLATE of Easter. And in the post-Easter glow, I love the idea of new beginnings that Easter is really all about.

I've been struggling to get into any sort of fitness routine for the last couple of months. Between teaching yoga and working a very full on full-time job, doing anything above and beyond the duties of those things rarely gets a look in. Hence why I needed to stay at home this past holiday - to just BE STILL and BE.

But the joys of getting older means that those jiggy bits are a bit more obvious and also take a bit more work to shift. And heck, I had to buy a pair of new jeans for Winter yesterday and being in a change room under horrid flourescent lights is enough to slap your senses into moving your butt!

So today I'm off to the gym. I think.

I actually really want to get to a yoga class but I really do need to do the simple treadmill and bike thing. Perhaps both? (Yes, I tend to want to do everything, all at once!) We'll see. But at least one bit of exercise today, for sure. I've also started assisting in 2 x Tuesday morning yoga classes which in itself is a little bit of work - pulling and (gently) pushing people into the right adjustments! It's heaps of fun but more importantly for me right now it's proved I can get out of bed early. A new habit for me to keep ;)

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter, friends.

xo

Hoorah for mini breaks!

Well I must say I did get pretty excited to have a big fat yoga payment come through into my bank account, but how quickly reality sets in! Ok, so I did get the flyscreens from Hire-A-Hubby (boy, who would have thought those things are so expensive?!) and I'm really glad they're being installed on Wednesday because I'm sitting here itching and scratching from all the bug bits I've got!).

And I got a bunch of photo frames, which I spent a couple of hours last night block mounting and then hanging up on the wall. They're actually not that expensive at all (god bless Ikea) but what is expensive is my yoga teacher insurance. So there goes the rest of my $$$. Ahhh it was fun being rich for a day!

Ok, I should tell you as well that today I'm getting a massage, hoorah! I love to get massages - and they're not always a luxury. Take today for example - well rather, last night. I didn't sleep well at all as everytime I turned I woke up with a sore neck & shoulder. Perhaps it's sitting at a desk all day looooong hunched over a computer in a stressful job. Perhaps it's then going to twist and bend for many hours each week in yoga. Me, I think the yoga cancels out the tight hunching... but regardless, I often get a horrible tight neck and shoulders.

I have actually twice been in the situation where I physically could not turn my neck at all it was just locked so tight! Ouch!

Maybe it's just my 'thing' - but so be it. And off to the masseur I go. Not a bad deal... although i have been known to cry on the massage table because I have such big knots it HURTS when she gets them out. ;( Anyway, so today it's off to get a massage and if you're in Sydney and need a good one - head to the Buddah Bar in Newtown (Amal and Elaine are the best).

I've spent the last couple of days resting and being 'housey' - dropping off a meal (complete with dessert) for my gorgeous friend who has a new baby, cooking myself some meals, unpacking those final few boxes from the move... and tomorrow mum + sis + niece are coming up to see my new home. I've watched the "Twilight" movie 3 times (I definitely need to go to the dvd store, but hey, R Patz is YUM so it's not all bad), and I've got a day ahead of not much - it sounds perfect.

Oh, and I've also caught up with some different friends for coffee and breakky. It's been a wonderful mini-break and I can't wait to enjoy the final 2 days.

Much love,
me x

ps - why is it I struggle getting up during the work week but come holidays, I'm up bright & cheery before 8 every day?!

Baking.. Throwing.. Baking

So tonight I'm off to a first birthday celebration and I'm on babycakes cupcake duty. I bought 3 packets (not quite up to the making from scratch stage yet) and got up bright and early to start baking. So homely! But alas, one batch done and only when I got to baking the 2nd batch did I realise I forgot to add the oil - hence my babycakes were more like baby ROCKS.
Throw!

Batch 2 is in the oven now, let's see how they go (fingers crossed!)

I've been a bit sick lately with a funky virus going round - it comes in waves, I feel good and then like death warmed up. Part of the reason I was also up so early this morning was because I wanted to go to Body Mind Life for a Power Yoga class - but it's just not going to happen, I feel my belly is going to explode. Blah. Not pretty, this funky sickness.

Felt pretty average yesterday too (came home sick from work on friday, when it all started) but did manage to pick up my special order from Phoenix Rising Books - my Voice of Knowledge audio cd's. Don Miguel Ruiz is someone you have to check out if you're not across him. We heard some of this CD in my recent yoga training and it was phenomenal - I just had to track it down! Whilst in the store, I also came across a fab collection of Pema Chodron cd's (a 3 set!) for meditation. Lucky I hadn't transferred $$ into my debit card account or I would have also purchased What About Me, the dvd. All good purchases - not so good for the debt payoff plan though.

However, I've commenced my mentoring course in yoga and need to up my personal practice, and timewise, meditation looks like the only practice I can fully commit to daily. So the cd's are great : )

Now.. off to ice some cupcakes. Much love x

I forgot my computer password

...and it feels GOOD!

I've been away on a yoga teacher training retreat with Baron Baptiste for the last week and I feel so wonderful, strong and powerful! I did a Jivamukti class this morning and did a jumpback from Bakasana to Chatarunga (one of my first!) and also side bakasana with extended legs - first time! Not only did I do them but I felt stable and strong, it was amazing!!!

The training meant a week without a computer, email, tv, mobile phone or newspapers (or coffee!)... and it was bliss. So when I jumped onto my computer just a moment ago to prepare some notes for the partner yoga workshop I'm teaching tomorrow, I had to think for a few moments to remember my password. Not that is a true sign of getting away from it all!

It was a little scary coming home and putting the tv on for the first time - one, because of the noise (what an assault!) but two, because of the devastation of the Victorian bushfires. Hundreds of people have lost their lives, and thousands of people have been affected. On the day prior to Love Day, pls be generous and give in any way you can - it doesn't just have to be $$. Some wonderful ideas are here.

Namaste x

Study and such

At Lululemon last year we all wrote our upcoming resolutions/goals for 2009 on Christmas balls, and hung them from the beautiful tree in the store. I had a couple of fun things spring to mind that touched all areas of my life. Obviously I want to be debt free, I want yoga to play more of a part in my life this year, I want to have lots of savings, I want to have LOVE in my life, I want PEACE in my life, I want to run a 5k.. amongst others secret goals ;)

And then BAM, just this week, it happened.

I got accepted into Baron Baptiste's Teacher Training this February! It's a week long intense intensive - yes, intense intensive! 7 days of early morning starts, study, meditation, asana practice, group discussions, adjustment workshops, more asana and a late night finish - and I tell you what, I can't wait!

So while I was absolutely over the moon that one of my resolutions/goals was coming to fruition, it kind of threw me in a spin. I was planning on travelling overseas this year but now that money will be going to this training instead. And while I'm more than happy for that to happen (as this training has international qualifications), it's completely shaken up my debt payoff plan. As in, completely.

So I just made a phone call to my bank to see if I can re-finance my loan and consolidate all my debt into the one payment. For the last 9 months I've paid all my repayments with them on time and I'm actually quite a few payments ahead of where I need to be right now, so fingers crossed! They said I should hear back this afternoon or possibly tomorrow morning. Pls keep your fingers crossed for me.

Sometimes I feel like a juggler with all these payments coming out left, right and centre - and while I've gotten a good handle on my repayments, adding the yoga study tuition to it has taken my breath away ever so slightly. While it is something I can definitely do and succeed at and pay off within a good time frame, it would be A LOT easier to have all my debt in the one spot.

Fingers crossed : )

Slowing Down is not a waste of time

If a lumberjack stops work to sharpen his axe, it is not a waste of time.

No one would say the lumberjack is lazy - in fact, most would praise his work ethic in stopping, taking care of his tools and going back to work more efficiently.

So why is it that in yoga there are so many of us who will not stop when we really need to rest? When a pose is beyond our capabilities that day - as often happens in yoga, things change day to day - why is it that we'll struggle through and PUSH ourselves into a pose we think we should be in?

This idea isn't specific just to yoga either - but in all aspects of life, both on and off the mat. Someone mentioned this lumberjack reference to me today and it really has stuck with me. I hope it makes you think too!

Noodle Markets & Fun

I've been really busy lately. It seems we all have. Seriously - I need to take a breath! There have been awards celebrations + working till late + airport pickups + gigs with 10 000 italians + egos + early morning starts + yoga classes + noodle markets + new haircuts + so much more.

Art & About in Hyde Park - artworks in the outdoors!!!

Good Food Month & Night Noodle Markets!

Day trips to Spotlight to make eyepillows for yoga classes!

Water fountains in Hyde Park - a 2 minute walk from my office. Sometimes life can be smiley.

: )

the power of a good cry

Last night I heard a friend talking about how he has just been crying so much lately - his dog died, his relationship with his partner ended, and lots of personal issues are cropping up.

He has balled on his own, he's balled on the phone, he's balled to his friends, he's balled in the car, he's balled to a therapist. It's been a festival of balling. But in that sorrow, he's found such release.

He talked about how he could never cry - on his own or in front of people; That he'd just hold it all up inside. But that in allowing himself to cry now, he's feeling as though he is processing his feelings - he's feeling his feelings.

I would say that most of us probably don't sit with our feelings all too often. I can confidently say that regarding myself, I am a master of not feeling - either by drinking too much (things are bad, I'll drink. Things are good, I'll have a drink. Things are whatever, I'll have a drink....), or by being constantly busy (full time job, plus part time work, for the last 10 years!!). But over the last couple of months with all my health issues and personal work (therapy) I am really starting to feel and man, is it hard! No wonder I don't like feeling!

The tears that have been released from my body are INSANE - I think between my pal above and I, we could have fixed the drought problem Australia is facing ;) But after the initial shock of allowing yourself to let go and just try to get in touch with your emotions (happiness, guilt, anger, rage, sadness, depression...), it's such a glorious feeling - to be ALIVE.

So yeh.. have been working really hard lately on getting my health up to scratch (vitamins have not been absorbed in my body for a LONG time) with some medications, some injections, many doctors visits, many therapists visits, and also lots of SLEEP. I have not stepped on a yoga mat for a couple of weeks, but I've done loads of meditation instead. That in itself is a big thing - just stopping : ) And today I actually feel like I could go and practice yoga again, in fact, I'm itching for it. That is a god sign!

I've also given up on the alcohol, so that in combination with actually living - wow, things are full on for me but also really exciting.

And for that, I am grateful : )

Meditation

When I did my teacher training I got the hang of meditation. We did it so often that I really came to enjoy the practice - and found it not at all impossible to still my mind. Practice really did make (near) perfect!

But then life came along, and I stopped meditating so much.. and it's something I've been meaning to rectify.

I did go along to a phenomenal Yin Yoga & Meditation class a couple of weeks ago but since then that timing hasn't worked out for me. I'm definitely going to go back but in the meantime I've needed something to get me going.

Over the last couple of weeks I've started having panic attacks again - I used to get them years ago so went on a specific med that helped with anxiety as well as my depression.. and clearly they've stopped working! All in all I am going through a lot of personal stuff right now and with the rise of the panic attacks, what better time to find some peace wherever I can?

So this weekend I got up on a sunny Sunday and set my alarm for 5 minutes.. slow and small to start with. And WOW - what a pleasant surprise to find that it wasn't all that difficult after all? I did it again on Sunday night, and tonight - Monday, I did 10 minutes and nearly jumped out of my skin when my alarm went off (I really need to find a nice soothing alarm sound!)

I had to laugh when I heard a meditation teacher say once that people perceive the practice of meditation to be so hard, that they'll spend hours reading books on it and studying it.. all this time thinking about it - but no time practicing it. It's so true! So I'm hoping to continue with the practice - and fill my life with some much needed peace, in body and mind.

Need some help yourself? There are so many different types of meditation - from guided podcasts on the net, to classes in your area, to simply sitting down and focussing on a candle flame, or counting yr breath. I've learnt a few techniques in acupuncture that have been helpful to me - why not read up on some other ideas here, here or here?

xx

Transformation

Today I taught a yoga class at 7am this morning. The sun is coming out earlier (the last few months have been pitch black - winter is finally nearing an end!), the air was fresh and I was looking forward to getting on the mat.

The last week has been a pretty INTENSE week for me. Lots of personal things going on in the last couple of months and I'm finally at that stage where I'm making big changes. So when I walked past a lady on the street corner near the yoga place, setting up her fruit stall and saw some gorgeous flowers on her table, I just had to stop and purchase some.

At the end of class I gave each student a gorgeous bright gerbera flower - and told them to take some sunshine and loving kindness off the mat and into their days. And there were a couple left that are now sitting on my work desk, so I'm taking that message with me too!

In the end it was me who got the gift - the look on their faces was just priceless. They were SO happy. So for that happiness, and for sharing it with me, your fellow yogi - thank YOU.

Enjoy your day, everyone xx

Yoga Retreat :: Celebrating Goddesses

There is nothing like getting away on a yoga retreat to get oh so excited and rejuvenated about yoga again!

clockwise from top left: decorations from nature!, prayer flags at the entrance of the gathering room with the fire, toe socks and thongs - practical and warm, the yoga room

I made it to my first yoga retreat in over a year (oops) this past weekend and honestly feel like a different person! Friday night we headed to Vijayaloka Retreat Centre in Minto Heights (under an hour out of Sydney) for a whole weekend of yoga, yoga and more yoga, and what a glorious time it was.clockwise from top left: shoes outside the rooms, the beautiful alter in the practice room, greenery outside the dining room, i found a spot of sunshine to write all my thoughts in my journal!

Friday night was a welcome, dinner (yummy vegan ayurvedic food supported our practice throughout the weekend) and meditation + chanting practice. We got to meet everyone (there were about 16 of us) and then quickly settled into bed for the night. It was freezing but oh so cosy with wood fires and many cups of tea.

Saturday morning we continued with the chant we learnt on Friday night as we commenced out 7.30am practice. The weekend was all about Celebrating the Goddesses, so many of the chants were about calling them to mind. Singing together as a group is really lovely – especially when it just doesn’t matter how in tune (or out!) you are. Closing your eyes and singing along is a forgotten art, I think! Seriously – when did you last sing with others??

The morning class led by Katie (director of Samadhi Yoga) was so glorious and just what I needed after a sick day off work on Friday with the never ending cold. We followed that class up with yummy porridge, fruit and more cups of tea, before having some free time to explore, go on bushwalks or read… me, it was all about settling in front of the fire to read! Shortly after we all came together again to have a lecture and workshop on Ayurvedic principles and to discover our very own Dosha (I’m a strong pitta/vata girl). (Want to find your own dosha? Check out this site - but note that this is a guide only!)

buddhas, buddhas everywhere! all around the gardens, as well in pot plants : )

Next up it was lunch – and let me tell you, after three days of brown rice, yummy vegie and bean dishes, salads and fruit, I have never felt so bright and clean. My skin is glowing – my eyes are getting comments! – and then more free time (what else to do but have a great nap?!). A Jivamukti class with chanting in the afternoon was up on the cards next, and then more free time. It was so great to be surrounded by like-minded friends, who were all excited to try new poses and meditations, to talk about our own yoga practice and just find things in common with.

After dinner that evening there was a chanting workshop but whether it was the fresh air or emotions brought up during the days of practice, I instead had a hot shower and snuggled up in bed with my journal and a book.

Sunday morning rolled around WAY too fast and again it was beautiful brekky, then another class with Katie. This time, it was a restorative practice – so lots of Yin Yoga, holding poses, meditation and a phenomenal savasana. I definitely had ‘yoga brain’ after this – I was all blessed out and on another planet! But sure enough it was time to come back to the land of the living, and enjoy our last meal together as a group. Lunch again was yummy and wholesome, and then it was time to go home.

Driving just 40 mins back home was an experience in itself! We weren’t too far from the ‘city’ at all but the I think it all took us time to adjust. We were very noise-sensitive, as you would be after a weekend of no phones, no radio, no tv and no traffic! Sunday night it was more journal writing for me and planning all the classes I want to go to this week! I am also completely hooked again on the study of yoga.. and am looking forward to getting online for a few moments to explore these options.

Have you ever done a yoga retreat? Whether it’s a simple day (Body Mind Life have a few day retreats that look interesting) or a week, taking some time to dedicate solely to this life-altering practice is so worthwhile. It gives you time to STOP and to BE PRESENT, which is something in our technologically advanced age that we rarely find time to do. So how about you make a commitment to yourself to do a retreat over the next couple of months? You won’t regret it – and I look forward to hearing your stories : )

**Want to go on one? There are many available, ranging in price and length. Head to http://www.findyoga.com.au/ and look at just some of the upcoming events & retreats.

I’m also holding a yoga workshop in about a month’s time, encorporating many elements I experienced this weekend. So stay tuned!

ENJOY xx

In a Nutshell

Well I had a great big recap of my week ready to post up here... but i can't seem to open gmail for some reason so here's a recap of things making my world turn at the moment...

Gaiam Yoga Club is something I'm starting this week. Rodney Yee is one of my fave yoga instructors and this is a great new club where you practice at home at your own pace. Best of all, the supply you with loads of meditation and practice podcasts.

Friends, I am becoming a runner. What's that saying?? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? Well yes, I'm imitating my bella sister who is now a runner. Yes - my sister, who gave birth to a gorgeous little LaLa not too long ago. And she looks good! So I'm inspired to imitate her, and have joined a running group. First session was last friday (at 6.15am!!!) and it rocked! The gal who runs the running club (hehe) is a runner herself and also a sports massage therapist, and she's all about technique and how to do it safely. I have signed up for a block of 10 and now just need to buy a headband to cover my ears (it's cold in the morning!)

I'm also back on the goal of cooking a dish from every one of my cookbooks before the year is out. I love reading cookbooks - and dreaming of what I'll create. But then I become lazy and just stick to the good old faves. But I have some delish looking recipes and I'll create tonight!

Meditation is something I need to pick up this week too. I saw my lovely counsellor and then had acupuncture this week, and a LOT of stuff came up. I'm still digesting most of it but i need an outlet for it, and just a way of dealing with it. So meditation might be the key. Another way of dealing with it is by being active - the yoga is good, the running is good, but I'm also (on the recommendation of my therapist!) taking up kickboxing. I'm looking forward to it!

So that's me, in a nutshell. Hope you are keeping smiley too! x

Home Sweet Home

Well the move is done, I'm here! I still have a couple of random boxes to unpack (one which contains my laptop!) but mostly I'm settled into my gorgeous new home. I moved a few suburbs out and couldn't be happier.

I am loving living in a house now (as opposed to a studio!) and my flatmate is just fantastic. Oh, and we have a bath! For those of you with baths in your homes, this might not be as exciting as it is for me.. but having lived in little studios where you can barely turn around in your own shower, a bath is certainly a luxurious treat!

I have a persistent cold that I've had for a good 3 weeks now that I know is just a symptom of being run down and in between seasons, so thank goodness I have central heating in the new home to stay rugged up and cosy in : ) And a tough but satisfying decision I've come to is that I've given up permanant teaching on weekends. Covers here and there are fine, but with my M-F day being so hectic, I realised (well, my body did first, then all my friends told me, then I finally listened) that being run down is no way to live. So this weekend is my first of total slobbing about the house, going to bed at 9pm and loving every moment of it!

Art of Yoga is around the corner from my house so I got up to a yoga class today (focussing on Dharana and knees) and it was gorgeous! Beautiful stretch to start the day. And last night I spent a bit of time looking up some recipes to start cooking in my new kitchen as I've become very happily all homely! So these vegan stuffed capsicums and this yummy sounding butternut pumpkin risotto with greens are both on the menu this week.

I have some lovely pics of my backyard (again - see the bath story above. I have, for the first time in a long time, a backyard!) and my new red corduroy skirt to post up soon (what better way to chase away the winter blues than with a splash of red?!)... but first my email needs to deliver them. I think it is also hibernating.

So stay tuned and keep warm and enjoy a cute piece on how to be a woman. It'll bring a smile to your face, I promise.

Till next time,

xxx

PS - Perhaps it's because I feel like I'm living in the movie 'Mean Girls' every time I am at work. Perhaps it's because people just aren't as polite as they could be in traffic, at the shops, or on the street. Perhaps it's because I'm a little run down and hence a bit more emotional of late (hehe), but whatever the reason, I really felt the following few words I received in an email from one of my yoga students just really touched me. I hope you enjoy them too:

Watch your thoughts, they become words.>> Watch your words, they become actions.>> Watch your actions, they become habits.>> Watch your habits, they become character.>> Watch your character, for it becomes...your destiny.>>>> 'Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle'. x

Back to Work already?!

Weekend:

- yummy mushroom agnolotti pasta with salad and breadrolls

- morning yoga

- naps during a rainy day

- cheese on biccies

- afternoon yoga

- New Internationalist essays

- pink tulips in the bathroom

- clean house

- weekend papers

- books

- ribena

- downward facing dog

- goodnight x

Course, of Course

It has been way too long since I've been planning on doing the Yoga Anatomy & Physiology course run by Yoga Synergy.

Each year it comes around. And each year I get excited... and then despondant because I can't afford it. Well looks like it's going to be a tight month on the budget front but so be it - because his year, I AM ENROLLED! I am doing it! And I am so excited : )

It starts next weekend so stay tuned for exciting updates xxx

The Art of Listening - Take 2

I had to laugh aloud as I was reading my fave blogs this evening, when I came across Everyday Yogini who had this to say: Even after years of practicing Yoga, I am skilled at the art of ignoring my body. Which is evidenced by my shoulder injury recently while practicing. This is also evidenced by my recent and amazing binge of all things pizza and dessert, which has led me back into a health crisis. Seriously.

I read this as I am literally switching between 2 laptops - my home one where I'm catching up on emails and sites, & my work computer, where I'm catching up on a busy day's worth of emails. Oh, and the TV is on, with my mobile phone ringing beside me. I kid you not!!

But even funnier (if that is the word!) is that I was googling for SPIRULINA on one web page as I was waiting for Blogger to load on another, because I was going to write a post about the magic natural potion that is this amazing spirulina - which was recommended to me yesterday as I'm so run down!!! Seriously.

So yes - the world works in wonderful ways, and today while I was trying to do way too many things at once, it was spelled out clearly in front of me : "Even after years of practicing Yoga, I am skilled at the art of ignoring my body". But I'm not going to ignore all these signs around me, and the TV is off now. The work stuff is put aside, and I'm going to have a relaxing shower! Oh, and I'm passing my lesson onto you - if you're sometimes not tuned into your own body, be sure to listen to all those little signs around you, and take it easy. : )

x me

PS - and if you are a bit run down yourself, spirulina (with its nutrients by the bucketload) is apparently the great natural cure. Oh, and so is resting, eating fruit, drinking water, and napping. ;)

The Experiment

The Experiment is to restore my spirit.

Pretty simple really. I’m giving myself 7 days to find myself again. Easy ;)

YogaMum recently asked 'how would you begin again the story of your life?' - and me, well, I feel I’ve lost my way a little. I’m not really where I want or need to be right now. And the good news about the situation is that it’s definitely fixable.

YogaMum kinda gives us the rule book for this restoration thingy, where she says 'Each day, I can do more, be more, love more, than I have in the past. I can let go of the old, unhelpful ways of my life, and simply begin again.'

Each day this upcoming 7 days, I can love more by meditating. 5 mins every morning.

Each day this upcoming 7 days I can let go of the old by nourishing my body with home cooked & nutritious meals. No take away.

Each day this upcoming 7 days I can simply begin again by practicing yoga every single day. I look forward to getting the toxins out of my body by breathing deeply and stretching out. My head is always a little calmer after yoga.

I can't wait to begin again, and find my spirit nestled in some tissue paper again at the end of 7 days.

x

Repeat to self:

Yoga is GOOD!

It never fails to keep blowing me away... just how much I love yoga. And it never fails to keep blowing me away... just how often I forget this. D'oh!

I have done yoga once in the last week due to a crazy work schedule but tonight I hit the mat again and am so so happy right now. I've had a very stressful day and in fact last few days, and I actually felt my old friend the black dog by my side. It's been a while since I've had that companion. But right now, this minute, I'm smiling.

...and that is a nice feeling.