For the first time in my life, I enjoy autumn. I look forward to warmer clothes, cooler air, and cosy mindful cups of tea on the couch.
As the vibrant hues of autumn paint the landscape, it serves as a reminder of nature's cyclical dance of letting go. Similarly, in our inner landscapes, autumn teaches us to release so we can transform and grow.
In my Emotional Release Yoga classes at GroundUp (currently, the only studio I teach from), this autumn we focus on the notion of letting go and releasing. I am sure you know the feeling when we know that it’s time to relinquish the grip and stop trying, but we keep up the endless efforts.
Read moreYes, we did it again - the one-day retreat last Saturday was so special and magical! Thank you all for being part of it.
A few things emerged from this experience:
A question about how I keep my cup full and not get exhausted after teaching a retreat. On the contrary, I get energised!
People loved the salads I served and ask for recipes. Honestly, I am not a recipe person but I will try!
So read away on filling your cup and plate.
Read moreIf you know me well, you’ll know that I’m a doer. I love generating ideas, executing them and finishing whatever I started.
It’s always been super challenging to put away a book and admit I did not like it. My natural tendency is to finish it even if I find it boring and uninspiring.
But as life flows, I notice that many things sort themselves out naturally and effortlessly. The longer I exist, the more I let nature and the universe sort things out. Sounds scary, right? Well, it certainly does for me at times!
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When anxiety hits, we often don’t know exactly what is bothering us. Sometimes quick tools of slowing down our breath or calling a good friend will help us release anxiety or fear immediately.
But some other times we will need to dive deeper and find “the rock bottom” of sorts in order to fully understand what is hiding underneath this anxiety.
It’s a controlled dive, though, something we choose to do when ready.
Read moreThe other day I briefly spoke to my mum and she told me about her recent diagnosis - fatty liver.
She is 64, does yoga, drinks rarely and moderately, and eats rather healthy. However, there are a few things that I think she can do better in terms of her eating habits.
Over the past few months, I read and heard a lot about fatty liver, insulin resistance, general and neuro-inflammation. Do you know what all these things have in common?
You guessed it right - glucose spikes and high blood sugar levels!
Read more“The opposite of paradox is polarity”, Esther Perel
Imagine you have got a job that you love and care about. You work hard and do your best to perform at your best and always walk the extra mile. Even when you know that you delivered 100%, should the appraisal period come - do you worry about the outcomes and ratings you will get?
Or what if there is a challenging relationship into which you have invested a lot of energy. You have done all you could to keep it going, but now the ball is on the other side. Would you be able to relax waiting for the other person to get back to you? Would you be able to enjoy your life now, while you want for this to work out with all your heart?
Read moreThis week I virtually met a yogi, who posted an open letter to her beloved yoga teacher Elena Brower.
If you have not heard of Elena, she is a prominent figure in the yoga community. If you google her, you will see her name on many podcasts, yoga events, she is the teachers’ teacher. She was an inspiration to me too in terms of building a beautiful and thriving yoga community.
Read moreMy search for truth began early on when I was a university student of International Economics (and yes, I graduated with distinction). At the tender age of twenty, I took my first meditation course and started practising twice daily.
The twenty-year-old me was an insecure, pleasing girl with an overthinking mind and minimal self-esteem. And I remember how desperately I was longing for connection and belonging.
Read moreI have been diagnosed with a hip labral tear.
I love yoga, but should I quit now?
I don’t feel safe going to a general class.
What should I do?
Read moreJust over 2 months ago we moved from studio classes to online practice. As we were coming to terms with our new lives, we were eager to stay fit and keep our exercise and yoga alive. Nothing was going to slow us down!
Today, however, things are somewhat different.
As days get shorter and colder, we get pretty comfortable and rather used to spending more time indoors while exercising less. The one thing I hear a lot from my students lately is that they have not done much yoga at all.
Read moreAnahata chakra is the energy centre that is located at our heart space and is translated from Sanskrit as “unhurt”. It’s about self-worth and loving ourselves for who we are.
Are you enough? Are you worthy of love and affection? Can you accept yourself not despite your imperfections but rather because of them?
On a physical level, this chakra is related to the upper back and chest area, arms and shoulders. The organs of the Anahata chakra are the heart and lungs.
Do you carry any tension in those areas? Can you love and accept yourself without having to perform, succeed, compare and be perfect?
Read moreAshtanga Yoga, the 8-fold path as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, was the subject of my recent mentoring circle for the Sukha Mukha studio teachers in training.
Mentoring is very dear to my heart as I love inspiring others and supporting new yoga teachers on their path of transmitting yoga knowledge.
So Satya.
Beng the second of Yamas (control/restraints/behaviour conduct), Satya translates as “truthfulness” or being true to your heart.
We all know what truth is and why we are to adhere to it. Simple and very old knowledge.
So what about Satya from a teacher’s perspective?
Read moreEver wondered why I chose Restorative Yoga for my Wednesday classes?
Do you feel that lying around relaxing is a waste of time and is not productive?
You are not alone. I received this feedback from a few of you and thought that Restorative Yoga deserved more clarification.
Read moreSwadhisthana chakra is the energy centre that is located at the lower abdomen, it translates as “self-dwelling place” from Sanskrit. In this energy database, we store info in regards to our joy, creativity, sexuality and relationships with individuals.
With a parent, a friend, a colleague, a neighbour. It’s about one-on-one interactions. What is fun?
Am I creative?
What is a healthy relationship?
How do I interact with individuals?
Read moreMuladhara chakra is the energy centre that is located at the base of the spine, it translates as “root support” from Sanskrit. In this energy database, we store info in regards to our body, health, home, and our tribe.
What is a healthy food, what is a beautiful body, what is home?
Do I belong to my tribe (be it family, friends, colleagues, classmates). Do I feel safe and accepted in my body, home, and community?
Read moreHave you ever thought of your body being a computer?
Brain - is our Processor (manager)
Liver - Antivirus scan (filtering)
Large intestine - Display (output)
Heart - Battery (engine)
Immune system - Firewall (protection)
Stomach - Keyboard (input)
Nervous system - Cables (connect Processor with the rest)
Our spine is like a tube through which all the cables run and it is crucial to keep it safe and aligned so that not one can get jammed for the information to circulate freely.
So what are chakras then and what role do they play in our bodies?
Read moreGuilt…
Is the word that consistently comes up when I ask people why they are reluctant to go on a holiday or my retreat this year.
This guilt is very real for many Aussies, who understand and feel remorse for our contribution to climate emergency we all experienced this summer. This emotion is intense to the point that we can’t celebrate life anymore.
So what is guilt and how to deal with it?
Read moreThis month is about giving.
I want to thank this beautiful land I now call home for its hospitality, opportunities and beautiful connections I make daily.
Last week I and Kelsey raised about $945 for the local RFS of Kurrajong and Bilpin, areas that are close to Kelsey’s home and were hit by the recent fire.
This Saturday, February 8th at the Yogabar Westfield I am running another fundraiser class for the WIRES Wildlife Rescue and Australian Red Cross.
Read moreWhat do you feel when you see images of burned animals, forests, and homes or when you read dreadful stats on the CO2 emissions that were produced by our ongoing fires?
Frustration - Sadness - Guilt - Helplessness
For weeks I wanted to do something about it besides donating money. I wanted ACTION.
So Kelsey and myself came up with this idea of channeling our frustration and sadness to create something beautiful - community event and fundraiser.
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