May 2018

GETTING BACK TO NATURE

Connecting with nature is so important for our wellbeing and is one of the reasons depression is increasing in our society.

We search for the easy life. A flick of the switch for heat and cooling, watching gadgets instead of watching the natural world.

Bigger houses means less time outdoors.

Australians are so lucky. The weather, the space, the sunshine, step outside and enjoy it !

Camping is not an easy option for a holiday but it brings you closer to nature.

Almost every day I watched the sun rise and sun set.

A campfire at night is something special.

The moon sparkling across the water.

The breeze, the warmth of the sun early morning, getting used to just being, just sitting and enjoying the fresh air.

Walks and swims and simple healthy food.

OUTDOOR YOGA

Practicing outdoors is not easy. There are a lot more distractions and often the ground especially sand makes the standing postures difficult and unstable. I personally think it is better to practice inside especially as a beginner.

However practicing a yin/relaxation class on the beach is magic - relaxing into the sand with the warm sun and gentle sound of the ocean.

ANYONE INTERESTED IN EXPERIENCING A YIN/RESTORATIVE CLASS AT PUTTY BEACH ONE WARM SUNDAY AFTERNOON LET ME KNOW.

When the weather is just right I will send a text on the morning and if I have enough students will meet you on the beach with a towel.

ALSO I WOULD LOVE TO RUN ANOTHER RETREAT AT PATONGA. Let me know dates that would suite you. If you are interested

MUDRAS FOR MODERN LIFE - Swami Saradananda

I hope you are enjoying learning some of the wonderful mudras or hand positions used in yoga.

Mudras boost your health, enhance your yoga and deepen your meditation.

We have been learning 3 important air mudras. Autumn is a time when these Mudras are particularly important. The air mudras involve the index finger and are connected to the heart chakra which governs the relationship you have with yourself and emotionally encourages feelings of freedom, joy, stress-relief, love , forgiveness and compassion.

Next month I will be introducing some fire mudras as the weather changes and becomes cooler and damp.

MINDFULL IN MAY

We will be practicing a lot of meditations this month. Over the years I have been introducing some of yoga’s many techniques to help you find stillness and contentment. This month we will be exploring chanting, candle meditation, eagle meditation, nadi shodhana, yoga nidra, humming bee. A lot of these are mini meditations at the end of class. It is important to find what works for you, meditation should not be sitting uncomfortably trying to find peace…..the opposite will happen ! Never feel you should stay back for a workshop, come along to those you are interested in and don’t worry if you are the only student, I love teaching them.

FOOD THERAPY

Yoga is part of a holistic system of medicine and diet is very important. It is important to change your diet with the seasons. Air and space (Vata) are more likely to be imbalanced this time of year. These energies are dry and cold, it makes sense to me that we should be eating more warming foods, porridge and soups and stews which are more watery. If you have dry skin and lips at the moment which is a Vata imbalance. Use plenty of butter, virgin oils in your diet and avoid toxic margarine and refined oils. Salads and raw food should only be eaten in moderation this time of year. Breakfast is so important, more and more people seem to be skipping it. Eating small regular meals keeps you healthy. Time to make a lovely bowl of warm porridge, full of complex carbohydrates that slowly release energy and keep your bowels healthy. Add raw honey and banana. Did you know oats are a medicine? They are good for the nervous system, strengthening in nature. They contain mucilage a slimy soluble fibre that helps reduce cholesterol and absorbs toxins, cleansing the whole digestive system they are an excellent tonic. As well as carbohydrates for energy, they contain a good amount of protein. Oats contain high amounts of many vitamins and minerals, such as manganese, phosphorus, copper, B-vitamins, iron, selenium, magnesium and zinc. Keep it simple, marketing encourages us to buy there new wonderful product. Which is usually full of additives and cheap fillers. Check the packet, not the dietary information but the ingredients and buy organic if possible.

Autumn is a good time of year to bring in positive changes to your routines. Walking in nature and gardening are my favourites, think about what sort of changes you would like to make.

Enjoy the cooler weather

Namaste Julie