Life is a beach. November 12, 2019 15:12

I can't believe that we are actually doing this.  A lot has happened since we had to temporarily close up shop. (And the break was much longer than anticipated.)      Packing up house and business in Sydney, an extended holiday in Europe and after living as nomads for a while, totally unexpectedly ending up in the beautiful Byron shire. We love it here, the place is filled with laidback, friendly, creative people, beautiful nature and wildlife, yoga galore, glorious beaches on our doorstep and dogs everywhere..

A perfect antidote for all the other changes that the world has seen lately. A lot of the changes in the greater world are not exactly positive and for the greater good of all. Now, more than ever before we have to make our own paradises, our own safe havens in a bewildering world. We have to try our hardest to stay positive and find inspiration where we can. In our own communities, our own 'tribes' wherever we find them, in our streets, our towns or online in faraway places. In the youth of this world, and the young-at-heart, not yet jaded, not yet sold-out, with eyes wide open and determined to better the world.

We find peace in our yoga practice and let the asana's nourish our bodies and minds. Our deep breathing calms us down, dissipates our anxieties. To have a calm, loving mind and a healthy body is the greatest gift for ourselves and the rest of the world. Whom better to turn to in moments of doubt and fear than our mother. And Mother Earth is still there, although a bit battered and the worse for wear.

We are so lucky to start the day with a walk and/or swim on a beautiful beach.     It doesn't take much to feel content and happy this way, to feel optimistic about the future and full of inspiration for new designs and ideas. We hope that everyone is able to find their own special place, their own little paradise wherever they are, otherwise feel free to share ours....

How to do Yoga everyday. May 10, 2016 13:39

I try to do yoga everyday, and I usually succeed. I can't get to class everyday and I don't feel experienced and/or knowledgeable enough to set my own practice all the time.

 I have my favourite poses that I do quite well and am happy to repeat over and over again. (No not Svavasana, it takes an effort to stay on the floor at home and not jump up and get on with the day).

 And there are other poses that I try to avoid, because they are too 'hard'. So it is pretty easy to get stuck in a bit of a rut.

 My solution to be able to practice yoga (nearly) everyday is to stream yoga instruction videos from YouTube to my television screen. I know nothing beats having a good yoga teacher right there and present, but this way I can extend my practice at any time of the day or night and leaves no room for excuses.

There is a plethora of yoga videos out there, with good teachers, excellent teachers and some not so good teachers. It is a matter of trial and error, and finding what works for you. But if you find a good teacher who talks about the sensations you are meant to feel in your body while doing the poses, gives clear instructions so you can correct yourself, does not go too fast (or too slow), has a pleasant enough voice, it can be a matter of picking and choosing a workout specifically targeting shoulders, hip openers, detoxing, sleeping better or whatever you feel you need                                                                 

Having always felt that every yoga teacher you have, has something different to teach you, that world expands enormously this way. I do feel though that this is not for the beginner, you do need some practice and experience to follow instructions via the small screen. Without proper instruction from a good teacher it is easy to develop bad habits and wrong ways of executing poses and stretches.

But at the moment this works for me, on the days I can't get to a class I work my way trough the YouTube videos and choose the yoga workout I need, whether at 5 in the morning or at 11 at night without leaving my home.

I just have to work on Svavasana at home, normally I look forward to that, it is my reward for finishing the class, but it seems that I really do need a teacher there to tell me that...

This is a (for me) great video from YogaYak.com to loosen the shoulders and neck, makes me feel great afterwards.