April Newsletter 2021

Here I sit on a veranda watching another beautiful sunset. This time at a rental house on the water and it’s beautiful...especially as we haven’t seen the sun for a week or more.

It reminds me of a time almost 20 years ago when as a Herbalist I received a letter from CISS or Cancer Information & Support Society. At the time as a Herbalist I was wondering how I could possibly support someone who came to see me with cancer.

I didn’t feel confident.

I wanted to learn more ….so off I went to the meetings.

It was my first experience of meditation. That’s how the meetings started and I enjoyed it, it was life changing for me.

All of the other people attending, had gone through cancer treatment and they were so positive!

They were inspiring to listen too.

“I am glad that I had cancer, it forced me to look at my life clearly.”

“I gave up my high paid job and felt rested and relaxed for the first time.”

“It made me look at my life and focus on the most important thing, my body.”

“I realised that my life had been sad. It felt like a wake up call.”

“I have changed so much.”

There was also a library of inspiring books and I loved choosing a few and taking them home to read.

Unfortunately they had to move the meetings further from my home. At the time I had 2 small children and so I stopped going.

But I learnt so much from them.

It made me appreciate my life more. One comment stayed with me.

One inspiring lady in her autobiography had written

“I wish I had watched more sunsets.”

I had hardly watched any and I lived in Bensville, sunset paradise.

I changed my life. I slowed it down.

Since then, I have watched hundreds of sunsets.

I know the time, I know which way is West. Wherever I am. I try very hard to be aware and if possible I step outside and watch. I am adding sunrises to my life as well now.

Commitment, willpower, determination, confidence, strength, energy, warmth.

I needed all of these fire qualities, being a stay at home Mum is not appreciated in our society. I had a lot of guilt. We are encouraged to get back to work after having our babies. I never went back to Radiography, I didn’t enjoy sitting in an office one day a week as a Herbalist either and I gave that up too. Over time I came to realise being home was good for my family as well as me.

I started practicing yoga and meditation. I built a veggie garden, I spent mornings at the beach with my children. I cooked and cleaned and my life was simpler, fuller, more enjoyable.

I never imagined I would become a yoga teacher but here I am. I “work” Mondays, but it feels like sharing something special with friends.

This month we are focusing on the fire element which is all about change.

Fire in your belly.

The yoga asana are connected to strengthening your core. Your inner sun.

But too much fire can lead to anger and aggression.

So you take it slowly, gradually, calmly and your body changes and becomes stronger but just as importantly more flexible.

Your mind changes and becomes stronger and more flexible.

Try too hard, push too much, you hurt, you become short of breath, your face becomes tense, hardens.

Once you can feel your breath, once you know how to engage your bandha, then you are ready to move to the stronger positions, which we will gradually introduce.

We’ll start with careful alignment, bringing in specific asana such as Cobra, Locust, Camel - All adapted to practice standing in the Gentle Class.

Time to introduce Sun Flows as the weather cools.

Twists are lovely for your whole body and particularly for your belly and spine.

Learn Samana Vayu or nourishing breath which improves digestion but we digest more than food. We absorb the world around us and “feel” nourished by it

Take life slowly, stop often, take a breath, watch, listen, taste, smell, feel.

I wish you many beautiful sunsets.

Namaste Julie