shiny yoga*

Monday Manifesto

2012-05-28T06:12:00.000+10:00

Come & Nourish (aka I'm So Excited!)

2012-05-24T10:05:00.001+10:00

Friends, I'm so excited that in just under a week I'm launching my official ecourse, 21 Days to Nourishing!!!

Want some "love bombs" direct to your inbox and haven't signed up yet? Well, great news - we're offering 2 lucky TwentyOne Days Facebook fans the chance to win a spot on the course!!

Want to win?
1) Go and like the official 21 Days Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TwentyOneDaysOfficial
2) Simply share why you need some nourishing on YOUR FB wall with a link back to the 21 Days FB page, and you're automatically in the running.

Winners will be announced on the 30th May.

Good luck & love xoxo

Monday Manifesto

2012-05-21T06:10:00.000+10:00

Spot on!

Monday Manifesto

2012-05-14T12:08:00.000+10:00

Pretty spot on, no? x

Monday Manifesto - a repeat

2012-05-07T10:26:00.002+10:00

An oldie, but a (relevant) goodie!

Today's Monday Manifesto is an oldie but an oh-so-relevant goodie. It's exactly where I am, it's exactly why I'm scared and raw and uncomfortable. It's why I'm reading startup, marketing and biz coaching books and programs like they're going out of style. It's why I'm voraciously following tweeters, bloggers & online personalities out there who rocking in their worlds, and making me believe I can do the same. It's why today, this post made me cry.

Because today, dear friends, is the start of an exciting week. It's my last week managing the yoga studio I love, and as of next week I'm diving excitedly back into the world of full-time yoga teaching, paired with the launch of my exciting new PR work.

Yoga teaching & my own PR biz = dream career, folks!

This is what I've been working over 15 years for. Highlighting moment! Lifechanging moment! Scared sh!tless moment, more like it :) Yes, that explains the tenderness I'm feeling :) I'm completely edging outside my comfort zone, and I know the magic is out there, but yikes it takes a leap of faith to do it.

Stay tuned as my dreams unfold :)
x

Give your brain a break!

2012-04-30T21:07:00.001+10:00

The Daily Mail recently posted a cute how-to guide for meditation.

Gee I love it - too true! Take a peek and enjoy:

Speaking of Meditation, MINDFUL IN MAY kicks off tomorrow and it looks amazing. Who's in??

Monday Manifesto

2012-04-30T09:17:00.000+10:00

Build & Grow

shiny* health histories

2012-04-25T08:37:00.004+10:00

I'm offering complimentary shiny* health histories over the next week, as part of the amazing course I'm studying at Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Are you keen?

What's it involve? You simply fill out some cool questions for me prior to our chat, you give me a call (the chat takes about 50 mins) and you uncover the answers to your health :) Nice! Please email me if you're keen xo

We'll focus on your health - Jen Lemen (image) can give you some amazing mind joy as well :)

Never Give Up

2012-04-24T10:04:00.000+10:00

For 2 years I've dreamed of running an ecourse. But gee there were doubts: what if no-one signed up? what if it flopped? what if people signed up but didn't like it?

For years I've dreamed of making shiny yoga* bigger and brighter. But yep, more doubts: where would the money come from? what if no one came? what if they came and hated my teaching?

Well, pooh to that.

Kris Carr talks about fear holding us back and in fact I was teaching a yoga class this week with a theme of fear and resistance, and offered my students to think of a big fear in their life, a big worry - and to picture what would happen if that fear came true. So what if no one came to my class? What if people didn't dig me? Picture it, feel it, and then realise that often the fear isn't as bad as reality.

Here's a counter "what-if" for you: WHAT IF people came, and like my class? Or they did sign up? And my dreams came true? Maybe my worries aren't about failing at all, but succeeding. And if they fall in a pile and no one comes, at least I'm not living in the forever land of 'what-bloody-if'.

Image via the wonderful Julian Bialowas, who you can read more about here :)

So today, here's some hOMework for you. Pick a quiet dream of yours. Put it out there. Picture what would happen - the joys, the sadnesses, the successes and if you must, the failures. And then do it anyway.

Do you dare to live? I do!!! xo

Monday Manifesto

2012-04-23T21:14:00.000+10:00

Tender = rocks

Need some Nourishing?

2012-04-20T08:36:00.000+10:00

It's an exciting time & I'm pleased to announce my first ever e-course just on the horizon!

21 DAYS OF NOURISHING begins on the 1st June.
What is it? Simply, it's warmth from the inside out. It's 21 daily reminders of how awesome you are, and fun tasks to do/ ponder on/ & meditation with - direct to your iPhone, inbox, email and computer.

There's a Facebook group to share ideas and hOMework. There's podcasts, guest teachers, & inspiration from my teachers, direct to you. There's resources from yogis all over! There's no excuses.

Stay tuned for the official announcement this week (and check out a sneaky peek here) :)

Interview with a Yogi :: Kelly Fisher

2012-04-18T06:52:00.000+10:00

It's another internationally spunky yogini who is our featured Interview with a Yogi of the moment. I was lucky enough to meet Kelly at the inaugural Sydney Off The Mat, Into The World (Aus/NZ) event earlier this year, and her class was one of the highlights of the weekend! I'm so excited to share Kelly's wisdom with you below.

Kelly Fisher is an Anusara-inspired yoga teacher, and founder/director of Urban Yoga in Wellington, New Zealand. She's also the co-founder and co-director of Yoga Unlimited in Wellington. Kelly's official website is well worth a mosey - check it out at www.KellyFisherYoga.com

How do you befriend yr body? I befriend my body by listening to it. I pay close attention to the messages it gives me in response to foods, drinks, experiences, people, thoughts, weather patterns, yoga poses, practices, everything. And as much as possible, I respond accordingly. When my body gives me a clear indication that something is amiss, I stop and enquire as to what is needed. It'll usually be pretty clear about the remedy required.

Behaving in this way consistently over the years has helped my body learn to trust me. As a result I have been rewarded with greater comfort, ease and health than when I was younger. When injury and pain do occur (I think they are an inevitable side effect of a full life!), there is less fear and self-recrimination. Instead of rushing to try to “fix” the problem, an intimate type of conversation develops whereby I am able to learn from every challenge and gain greater self-respect in the process.

Describe your yoga practice - how do you live yoga on the mat? My yoga practice is an ever evolving response to what my body, my mind and my spirit need on any given day. On most days, I will do asana, pranayama and meditation but the duration, intensity and focus vary wildly depending on what else is going on in my life. My practice serves and enhances my life.

I do prioritise my formal practice because I've found that the little ritual of conscious self-care anchors me within myself for whatever else the day might hold. The very best time of day for me to practice asana and pranayma is mid-late afternoon. It helps me to clear my mind of whatever busy-ness the early part of the day held and prepare for teaching or whatever I have planned for the evening.

Off the mat, I attempt to stay deeply inwardly connected so that I can respond to whatever happens from a place of authenticity and remembrance of connectedness. It doesn't always work but I suppose that's why it's called Practice and not Performance.

Is meditation part of yr practice? If so, in what way? Meditation has been an absolutely indispensable part of my practice for years now. No matter what is going on with my body, meditation is always accessible, even if a meditative state is elusive. I sit for 10-20 minutes per day and more if my schedule allows. When I get particularly busy and stressed out, meditation will be given more time in my practice schedule than asana. Every single “sit” is different. Sometimes it can be blissful and full, other times it's a running commentary on everything that is (or ever has been) on my mind. But that regularity of showing up for myself and sitting with whatever is there compassionately, equips me for life like nothing else.

What tips would you give a new meditation or new yogi? Listen, listen, listen to your own voice, your own inklings, your own body, your own heart. Even if it seems like there are no messages coming through, listen. Even if the messages are garbled and indistinct, listen. Even if you don't want to hear what you're hearing, listen. The practices of yoga and meditation are, for me, about deep self-knowledge, trust and acceptance. All of those things start with listening and develop with persistent, consistent listening.

What does that mean? It means that if you go to a yoga class your friend loves but you don't, listen. Go find another class. It means that if yesterday a certain pose felt great, and today it feels less so, listen. Enquire as to why. If you need to stop, stop. If you need to shift, shift. If you're tired, respect that. If your mind is busy, listen. Not so much to the words but to the busyness. Develop a compassionate awareness of your own struggle and watch how the struggle eases a bit. Don't fight with yourself, befriend and respect yourself.

How can people bring yoga into their everyday? A million different ways. People can bring yoga into their everyday life with the simplest shift in awareness. Notice how you're standing, align in the way that you know enhances the flow of energy and information in your body. Bring awareness to your breath. What is it like? What happens if you smooth it out before that difficult conversation? The list goes on and on but it comes back to a quality of attention and listening in every situation and circumstance.

What is one thing that today you are grateful for? I am grateful for the lessons life has taught me. I am grateful for the support of my friends. I am grateful that the darkness eventually turns into light again.

How do you slow down and smell the roses? I am learning to do this better. For years I have been working, studying and practicing relentlessly. But this year, I have started giving myself weekends off from the computer and teaching as much as possible. I'd been teaching weekends for over six years and I needed that to stop. Taking two days off in the middle of the week is not the same for me as taking Saturday and Sunday off. It's almost like, when I've taken days off during the week, I could still sense everyone else working and so I inevitably started to work as well. It's like I wasn't able to rest when the energy of the day was not restful, if that makes sense. I suppose it could also be that I'm culturally habituated to consider Saturday and Sunday the weekend and somehow resist any other form of it?

In any case, taking two days off at the weekend has been blissful. I've had a few of them now and I'm hooked. I have puttered around, read books, eaten beautiful food, gone for little adventures with my partner, sought silence and nature. And it's immensely healing in a way that a 90 minute massage into an otherwise busy day is not. (I used to go for massage and think I was taking a break. But really, it was no where near as good for me as taking an actual break.)

Any ideas on stressing less & enjoying more? Determine what the non-negotiable self-care items are and do them. Pay attention to the changing landscapes of what you need. Some years, one massage per week could be just the thing. Other years, a full weekend off at least twice per month could be it. Listen and adapt to what you hear from yourself.

Find Kelly at Urban Yoga, and also Kelly Fisher Yoga. Tweet to her @yoginikelly or Facebook her at kellykfisher

THANKS so much for your time, Kelly xo

Monday Manifesto

2012-04-16T06:13:00.000+10:00

Yep, there's definitely some awesome-ness

Earth Hour Success :)

2012-04-15T18:30:00.002+10:00

Yoga by Candlelight for Earth Hour is done & dusted for another year - what an amazing event filled with awesome shiny people :)

Over $500 raised (for Off The Mat, Into The World Aus/NZ), woohoo! THANKYOU to the gorgeous, generous peeps who donated their time, money and effort for such a wonderful night :)

BIG UP's to Yoga Village for hosting the event, and Tanya Zaccak for the beautiful photography. Yasmin, the wonderful assistant on the night is worth her weight in gold too ♥

Monday Manifesto

2012-04-09T06:11:00.000+10:00

Big Dreamin'

Monday Manifesto

2012-04-02T04:09:00.000+10:00

Think happy thoughts!

Monday Manifesto

2012-03-26T09:35:00.003+11:00

So true!

Monday Manifesto

2012-03-12T04:29:00.000+11:00

Wise words :)

Interview With A Yogi :: Tanya Voges

2012-03-06T08:09:00.000+11:00

Tanya is an independent contemporary dancer who discovered yoga could not only help her gain strength and maintain flexibility between dance contracts, but that yoga also had other amazing qualities. She learnt that yoga could ground you, and make you realise your potential, that it could help with health issues and that the whole path of Yoga could teach you about life, breath and mindfulness.

Tanya teaches Yoga around Sydney, at various studios, health clubs, private classes and in workplaces. She specialises in Yoga for Dancers. Her creative flowing vinyasa style and calm, precise teaching manner is what all her students comment on. Tanya's first meditation recordings are due to be released around March 2012.

Tanya is also the organiser behind bringing Yoga Stops Traffick to Sydney. The fundraising event is happening this Saturday in the City and you can read all about it here! Please come along!

How do you befriend your body?

I’ve been dancing since I was really young so I learnt early the importance of massage to look after my body- from a really knowledgeable body worker as well as self-massage. I use a range of equipment- from a spikey ball to a foam roller and something I bought at a fitness expo once called a pocket physio that really helps get those knots out in between treatments!

Describe your yoga practice - remembering that yoga is union, not just asana. How do you live yoga on & off the mat?

For me yoga is a movement meditation- I haven’t ever followed just one teaching and love absorbing the teachings of yoga from a range of teachers and lineages. This has taught me to look for the lessons in daily life as well. I have experienced the state of bliss dancing in a studio as many times as I have in a savasana after a strong asana practise, I’ve recognised the necessity of letting go of my attachments to my possessions just as many teachers have invited me to let go of the expected outcomes of my yoga practise, I try not to identify with my ego in a yoga class when I can’t execute a posture well and in contrast spend hours discussing the aspects of ego identification necessary to be able to have the confidence to get up on stage and perform. In essence yoga is in every aspect of my life whether I acknowledge it or not and I am always learning more from my students!

How is meditation a part of your practice?

I was drawn towards meditation over the past few years through a period where my physical practise really slowed down as I did more restorative practises and learnt Yoga Nidra (often known as Psychic Sleep it is a guided practise done lying down). I am so grateful to have the knowledge and experience of mindfulness meditation too, as when I was diagnosed with a couple of auto-immune diseases I had to reassess my understanding of health and wellbeing, so having the tools of being able to clear my mind of unwanted thoughts and attempt non identification with my body and mind, was invaluable to get me through that stressful time. My passion for sharing means I lead guided meditation workshops and recently recorded a range of meditations that will be available as CDs and downloads in early 2012. My students have been asking where they can get meditations that they can do at home and supposedly my voice is very relaxing!

What tips would you give a new meditator/yogi?

Have no expectations.

Easier said than done of course!

Both meditation and aspects of Yoga will give the side benefit of relaxation which is generally what we crave in our busy modern day lives- yet the path to relaxation and the other aspects of feeling strong and supple are not a process that can be forced. That sense of peace and tranquillity is available through self-enquiry and mindfulness, so make the time to practise and literally smell the roses! Pause and listen, notice your breath, be kind to yourself and observe the ripple effect of how the good feelings you gain from your practise leads to positive thoughts which in turn results in compassionate words and actions.

Seek out a teacher, a school or a tradition that is appropriate for you. Hatha Yoga was brought to the west as a physical practise as we are dwelling in the ego realm identifying with our bodies as self- so this is why a watered down version of Yoga as a series of physical exercises is what most people in Australia think is “Yoga”.

But this is a multi-layered practise with infinite possibilities- you may find that seated meditation is more available to you, but if sitting is difficult you may need to learn physical yoga (asana) to give you the ability to sit for a period of time where the mind is not distracted by any pain or discomfort.

The ultimate goal of enlightenment (Samadhi) or liberation (Moksha) may or may not mean anything to you as a starting point, so do what you need and enjoy the journey. Don’t forget to ask questions and let your teachers know if you have any injuries or ailments as they are there to help you, and never do anything that you are not comfortable doing!

Please share your favourites with us - books, sites, anything (specifically yoga related or not) that light your fire!

“These are a few of my favourite things….”

Book: Jivamukti Yoga by Sharon Gannon and David Life. This book was introduced to me at the yoga teacher training that I did with Katie Mantitis at Samadhi in Newtown which has recently become the first Jivamukti Yoga School in Australia. Based in New York, Sharon and David are extremely knowledgeable yogis who were a dancer and musician respectively before they discovered yoga. I respect their teachings and love that the classes are creative, flowing sequences, filled with philosophy and accompanied by “Om” inspired music, chanting and meditation. The book is all of this and more.

Site: I love both Yoga Glo www.yogaglo.com and My Yoga Online www.myyogaonline.com

They are sites which have instructional videos, ones that you can sit and learn from and others that are filmed as if you are in the class and you can practise with the streamed clips. There is a monthly fee to have unlimited access, so for those of you who want access to an international range of teachers whether you just don’t have time or money to get to classes or if you are a fellow teacher looking for more inspiration or to trouble shoot a problem one of your students has- these websites are an incredible resource.

Style: I love the variety of sequences and combinations of poses that a Vinyasa class can offer, but over the past couple of months I’ve been studying Ashtanga Yoga with an amazing teacher David Roche at Bondi Beach Jois Yoga Shala in preparation for my trip to Mysore to practise in the tradition of Shri K Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute.

How can people bring yoga into their everyday?

Big question but my answer is small. It’s the little things in life that will change. I think this is such an individual path you will have to find your way through this journey and discover your own answer to this question!

What is one thing that today you are grateful for?

I am grateful that I am writing to you from Mysore, India! So many people made this trip possible- my students in and around Sydney coming to my classes throughout 2011 helped me to save my pennies, my fellow yoga teachers who are covering my classes whilst I’m away (big shout out to Stella, Cecilie, Leonie, Andrea, Donald and Dara), I’m also grateful to my acupuncturists at Community Acupuncture for helping me get better when I was sick, and for my friends who convinced me that I could get through the Ashtanga Yoga Primary series, and to my family who have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and do what makes me happy- cause here I am every morning practising with Sharath in the Shala of Shri K Pattabhi Jois for a whole month of transformation and physical enquiry.

How do you slow down and smell the roses?

Time out for me is reading a novel, having tea with my friends, dancing alone in silence so that I can sense the initiation of every movement and delight in the body’s infinite capabilities. I also like gazing at the stars, road trips and travelling which always seems to heighten my experience of the world around me.

Any ideas on stressing less and enjoying more?

Get time management in order, plan the time to practise meditation or yoga or whatever it is you enjoy so that you can stop complaining about not having the time to do the other things you’d prefer to be doing. Have a car free day once a week. Be the person in your community who schedules time to share meals with your family and friends. Take a deep breath and talk to someone about your problems in a constructive way. Then listen, listen to what the world needs from you.

How do YOU live a wholehearted life?

I’ve been very lucky to have a supportive family who encouraged me to do what it is that makes me happy. I want this for everyone, so I try to be supportive for my friends and community. I aim to choreograph and perform dance works that people can really connect with and be inspired by. I teach and share my knowledge of movement of the body and movement of energy through dance, yoga and meditation classes, workshops and retreats. I live with my heart open and this can hurt sometimes, but as I write this it feels like this is the true way of being the most honest version of myself- loving everyone and everything as if connected to me.

Last words?

I’m no Mother Teresa, but as I’m in India I’m about to visit a refuge centre for women and girls to teach and choreograph a dance piece for their upcoming benefit- Keep posted about what happens there and once I return to Sydney by checking out my Yoga website: www.balanceinspire.com or my online dance presence: www.tanya.voges.net

Earth Hour by Candlelight Workshop

2012-03-05T11:21:00.000+11:00

Hi yogis, I invite you to a most gorgeous evening to celebrate the special event that is Earth Hour. I'll be running a grounding Vinyasa Flow class by Candlelight at Yoga Village on 31 March. The beautiful room has limited space and entry is by donation (100% of donations going to Off The Mat, Into The World) - so book your space to secure your spot!

Suggested donation is minimum $15 but it's up to you!
Looking forward to sharing this special evening with you, in honour of Earth Hour. xo

Book now to secure your spot and reconnect!

Monday Manifesto

2012-03-05T09:27:00.000+11:00

So true!

Monday Manifesto

2012-02-27T04:25:00.000+11:00

Gorgeousness via Etsy

Break dancing plus Yoga = Holy Sh*t. {Video}

2012-02-26T13:17:00.000+11:00

Title and Video from Elephant Journal - and totally true! God the human body (and talent!) is AMAZING. x

Calling All Birds

2012-02-20T10:42:00.000+11:00

As well as a passion for yoga, I am in love with public relations. My life prior to putting on lycra full time, was all about Arts PR, more specifically Music PR (my last role was a National Publicist, working with some of the biggest bands in the world!). It was a hoot :)

You can take the girl outta the music industry, but you can't take the PR outta the girl.. or something along those lines :) So it's very exciting for me to announce another arm to Shiny Yoga*, and that's

Shiny PR* for people with spirit.

★ Are you a yoga teacher looking to launch yourself into social media or the teaching circuit?

★ Are you a massage therapist looking for more clients?

★ Are you a healer/alternative therapist who rocks at their field but has no idea where or how to start getting your name out there?

That's where I come in!

My clients so far have included the wildly successful and luminous Fluid Form Pilates & Movement, the forward thinking Rozelle Remedial Massage, and proudly, I bought the social media savvy to BodyMindLife Yoga, amongst others.

Do you need to get things happening, moving & shaking? Let's develop you to your potential - business and personal. Right now! To launch Shiny PR I'm offering a Creative Media Hour of Power consultation for the special rate of $100. Book in now!

What does the Creative Media Hour of Power include?

We'll nut out a social media marketing and PR strategy for you which revolves around your online presence - we can start from scratch, decide if it's the path you need to go down, set you up, give your brand and business the nudge and recognition it publicly deserves. Do you need Facebook and Twitter (what are FB and Twitter?!) and what's a workable and consistent method of moving forward? We can promote your upcoming event / promote your biz brand and name / set up an online reputation that sparkles & so much more.

The special rate for the Creative Media Hour of Power consultation reverts to full price after March 31, so get in quick friends and book in now. Tweet Tweet!

**Who'll be helping you? Stella holds a BA in Communications & Cultural Studies, and is a certified 500 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher and lululemon athletica ambassador. She has over a decade of hands-on national Publicity & Promotions experience in the Music and Film Industries, has worked freelance, as well as for grassroots, indie record labels, and multinational major labels.

Monday Manifesto

2012-02-20T04:19:00.000+11:00

Magic baby!