June 2018

Thank you for all the lovely texts and feedback. I learn so much from you all.

Yoga is an Ancient System of Medicine and the workshops are giving me time to teach you more of what I refer to as Mind Yoga...this is really what yoga is about. As a beginner it is much easier to focus on the body and asana (postures) these are important but just a small part of yoga. To be healthy and happy you need to work with the mind, emotions and spiritual wellbeing.

Yoga is so much more than a physical exercise as I have discovered over the years from my own practice, reading and my Yin Teacher Training.

THE FRIDAY CLASS IS BRINGING IN MORE OF THE DEEPER ASPECTS OF YOGA.

THE FOCUS IS ON EMOTIONAL WELLBEING.

A RELAXING AND INSPIRING JOURNEY INTO YOUR OWN MIND

The class is running for 7 weeks focusing on the 7 Chakra or energy centres in the body.

Discover energy, creativity, focus, love, communication, wisdom.

Enjoy self massage (Abhyanga) gentle strengthening yoga asana followed by restorative, relaxing yin yoga.

Breathing techniques (pranayama) Mudras, Music, Essential Oils, Meditations, Colour Therapy, 

Crystals, Sound Therapy.

Tea Meditation - 15 minutes

Instead of spending most of your day over thinking, worrying, planning and missing the moment, try to stay more focused in the here and now. 

This is mindfulness and it is very important for being happy and healthy.

Start a tea ritual. Choose a time that is easy for you to practice every day.

Be aware of your breath as you make your tea and focus on everything you are doing. While the kettle boils stand in the mountain and breath deeply as yoga has taught you. While your tea brews take one foot off the floor and then the other. Watch your thoughts come and go and keep returning to the present moment.

Choose a special place to sit with no distractions and enjoy every mouthful, Carefully wash your cup

This meditation can be even more powerful by choosing a tea for a specific purpose. Chamomile for relaxing or peppermint which is up lifting for example, if you love a cup of English Breakfast then that’s the tea for you!

Enjoy the simple things in life!

“Every morning when we wake up, we have 24 brand new hours to live. What a precious gift”

THICH  NAHT  HANH

Food Therapy

I brought in Bay Leaves last month and thought it would be good to tell you a little about them.

Firstly Bay Laurel grows quickly into a big tree so you may prefer to put one in a pot, If you want to grow your own. They are very hardy. To dry, leave the leaves on a branch and hang in a dry place away from the sun..so simple.

Bay is a medicine tree sacred to the god Apollo and Aesculapius who oversaw healing and medicine.

We usually use Bay Leaves in cooking. They promote digestion and absorption. The leaves can also be added to a bath for achy limbs.

In Indian Medicine known as Ayurveda they are heating and good for Vata and Kapha Dosha. They are good for the cooler months of the year. If you have a cold or have low energy.

They are calmative, stimulant and expectorant..

Make a lovely winter soup mix with the 3 aromatics of Ayurveda. Bay, Cinnamon and Cardamom

Cut and boil a pumpkin, I add water to just about cover the chunks.

Add salt and 3 Bay Leaves, a teaspoon of cinnamon and a 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom.

After placing in a bowl, make it fancy and more nutritious if you wish, by adding pestled or blitzed pumpkin seeds. Full of zinc for winter colds...I could write a whole newsletter on the therapeutic benefits.

I have fresh coriander in my garden another special herb. I also like to add Greek Yoghurt - probiotic.

I love La tartine walnut sourdough and lots of butter. (They make their delicious bread in Somersby and sell it at the Gosford Farmers Market.) I could write a whole newsletter on properly fermented bread and its health benefits. There is so much you can learn from inspiring books like Wild Fermentation, Back to Butter or Laugh With Health.

Switch off technology and go back to reading.

I hope I have inspired you to eat well, read well and live well.

Namaste Julie