shiny yoga*

Friday Night Sessions - This Friday! YIN BLISS xo

2016-01-13T06:55:00.000+11:00

There's just 3 spaces left in the Friday Night Summer Sessions YIN WORKSHOP I'm running this Friday at Balmain Buddha Massage & Yoga! Are you ready for 2 hours of bliss and chilling?

Book and pay here http://tinyurl.com/zxwc4q9
Then come along and feel all the space in the world at your fingertips! ‪#‎yin‬‪#‎yoga‬ ‪#‎bliss‬

On The Edge // Self Care

2016-01-12T18:42:00.001+11:00

So we're well into 2016 but I must say, instead of jumping around being full of beans, and dreams, and hope, I'm limping around and I'm Tired. With a capital T. I'm burnt out, my knee recovery is damn hard, mentally and physically, and I've come to the space where there's nothing to do now but prioritise self care.

This is what #selfcare looks like: It looks like having to say no to some things, and saying yes to other stuff - like rest, space and downtime. It looks like missing out some stuff you love, in order to fill your cup, heal your body, and take care of your spirit.

So that means I'm taking a wee break from yoga teaching - which might not come as a huge surprise to anyone who's seen me lately. I can't do the physical poses which used to be my life salve, I'm constantly icing my leg after class because it hurts, and my heart is a bit battered with it all.

But hey, this is life right? And oh, THIS IS YOGA!

Being present to what is, even when it's tricky and sticky and not at all how we would like it to be. I'm still teaching a few classes here and there because you know, rent and all, and teaching a few as opposed to my normal full schedule will allow me to do most of the recovery I need, plus allow me to sit, elevate and ice every spare moment I'm not up and about.

What's your self care looking like lately my yogi pals? Are you listening and taking what you need? Even if it's not always what you might want?

With love xo

After The Accident

2016-01-07T18:43:00.000+11:00

This morning saw a return to the physio appointments for 2016, and while I was feeling quite strong and that progress is happening (which it is), post-session I'm feeling a little deflated. Some things are still not on track, some niggles are still hindering my recovery, and while my physio is brilliant and totally the person I want on my side in this process, his thinking face sometimes makes me feel a little tender and disappointed (in me).

But no point hating on one's body right? Not so useful. Especially when it needs some cheering.

So it was quite fitting I randomly came across this post right after my sesssion. A little reminder for us all:

Karen Maezen Miller:

Even good drivers in the morning rain don't see the other car coming.

Paint nicks. Glass cracks.

One world ends before another.

You are not safe.

So remember what your mother has told you:

Effect is the noun. Affect is the verb.

When in doubt, leave out the comma.

Add salt. Use butter.

Never serve food you haven't tasted first.

Rinse stains in cold water.

Sunlight is the best disinfectant.

Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow

but soon and for the rest of your life.

You'll see.

In springtime, flowers bloom.

Hello Burnout My Old Friend

2015-12-30T18:45:00.000+11:00

Well this is one post I absolutely did not expect to be whipping up.

Yes, my old pal burnout has made a reappearance. I kind of knew it was happening on some level, but it looks and feels a little different to the great adrenal burnout of 2010-2014 so it took me a little by surprise.

But a big year of unexpected peaks and troughs, rounded out with the 'accident' and ACL reconstruction, chronic pain slash discomfort and daily physiotherapy has taken its toll, I suppose.

And here we are.

I've finally had a moment to breathe, in these few days off over Xmas and NY, and picked up the computer today to start the google search - "healing adrenal burnout", "burnout diet" and all the usual searches went in. And yes, they pulled up some great sites and resources, they also pulled up a lot of "easily cure your burnout with this one step" or things of that ilk. And honestly, that 'quick fix', fast-acting answer is NOT what I'm after.

I'm after stillness.

I have already made an appointment with my most life-changing and lovely naturopath Renee Naturally for next week - she's the one who helped me 3 years into my burnout the first time! - and I've upped the acupuncture. My acupuncturist this week told me the (slow but spot on) answer that MUST be part of my healing - meditation.

Just secretly, I've not been able to do a DOT or PINCH or SNIPPET of meditation at all since my accident. I have tried, and go into anxiety and panic attacks so stop immediately. Being with ME right now is hard work. There's pain, sadness, anxiety, and overwhelm.

Which is exactly why I need meditation. So I've pulled out the favourite new app, sat down today for 10 minutes, and fidgeted the whole way through. But here we go. It's on again, the slow and gentle and loving path to healing and reconnecting.

This shit is not easy. If only it was "just do some meditation and you'll be right". There is no quick answer. There is just time and more time and trying this and redesigning that and going over and over again. But I suppose it all comes down to just starting. Getting off the stress treadmill, and stepping into self-compassion. Not easy, but simple. Not fun, but a must.

Kinda fitting for a new year.

Handstands do not a yogi make!

2015-12-23T18:47:00.000+11:00

Yoga is about connection - about being real, about being human. It's awesome to have a strong body, but you can do the handstands and still be a dick / you can drink the green smoothies and still be unkind / you can present one picture out of a thousand and portray something not so real or honest.

I love this video x

Spring YIn Workshop - 21 Nov

2015-11-11T16:43:00.003+11:00

Yin + Meditation Workshop ~ Sat 21 Nov. 1-3pm.

Yes! A gentle re-introduction to all things bliss and loving as I return from knee surgery and right into a beautiful Spring Yin workshop at Yogatime Bondi.

I'd love to have you along! Keen? Come on and book in xo 🙏🍃🌿🌟 ‪#‎yinyoga‬ ‪#‎yogalove‬ ‪#‎bliss‬ ‪#‎yoga‬

Hard Hard Good Hard

2015-11-02T10:16:00.000+11:00

Since I wrote my last post, I've had knee surgery (ACL Reconstruction) and have been bed bound for a week - a week today! I knew it would be hard, everyone said how painful it'd be, but I kinda thought I'd be in bed but mentally ok - after all: have wi-fi, will be occupied.

But on the downlow, I have never felt such excruciating pain in my entire life how I have this last week. Words can't even describe it.

I know this surgery is pretty common, but holy hell, you know when you start shaking because you're in so much pain? I was like that for 3 days, and on hard core pain killers, and still just in absolute shock.

But it's a week today since surgery and I'm cutting down on the pain killers, and I'm walking around (oh so slow so so slow) a couple of metres here and there and yesterday I even crossed the road (at the lights, and juuuuust made it before the lights turned!) - and needed an afternoon nap to recover from the big expedition but change is happening.

I thought I'd be blogging and writing and getting all inspired - bed bound, but productive.

But honestly, today is the first day I've even picked up my computer. And this post is less than thrilling ;) But baby steps is what I'm learning. Baby steps. Like I say in Yin, things are always moving and shifting - small as they may be. But if we keep showing up, we will keep transforming.

So here's to showing up, getting through pain - both head, heart and body - and doing what needs to be done. Sometimes, just breathing through it all is enough. Today, that is enough.

With love xo

Today is a bit hard

2015-10-04T13:03:00.001+11:00

"Here’s what soul practice does: It helps you handle the hard stuff when it comes. Every conscious in-breath/out-breath you take carves out space in your being for the ineffable mystery. And you really need to leave room for mystery if you want to stay sane. All of your dancing, and asanas, and sweaty finish lines are making it much easier to unfold, rather than grip and grind. The prayers, the declarations, the incantations… they’re an IV drip of grace, streaming into your nervous system.

Spiritual practice won’t make you super human. But it will help you fall in love with your humanity." ~ Danielle La Porte

I was in an accident a couple of weeks ago - and despite my mind constantly saying "you're ok, this is ok" ... it turns out I'm not so ok. I might need some surgery and then I'll be back to 'normal' but when life pushes us off track, it's as good a moment as any to remember what this 'yoga' stuff is all about.

I often say in class that the hard parts (poses, thoughts, moments) are like gifts handed to us on a platter. I mean - it's easy to be happy and cheery when life is great, you've got the dream partner, dream job, and it's all sunny. But when things fall apart, when you can't do what you know will make you feel better, when everything looks a little stormy.. this is the chance to practice grace. This is yoga.

So right now while physically I'm unable to do the asana, this is my chance to practice 'yoga' - real, messy, sweet, frustrating, amazing yoga. Here's to falling in love with our humanity. xo #wisdom #space #grace

#sigh

Today, may you find your invincible spark xo

2015-09-16T07:15:00.000+10:00

My dear,

In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realized, through it all, that…
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.

Truly yours,
Albert Camus

Ask Yourself: WHAT IS IMPORTANT? Then act...

2015-09-07T07:02:00.000+10:00

More and more lately, I'm getting stuck between 'knowing' and 'doing'. The knowing now comes a little more gracefully and easily to me - I understand what my gut is gently telling me to do. I listen, I hear, I understand.

But the doing? Oh dear, the doing is tricky. Not for lack of wanting to do it - but the 'adult' part of life sometimes makes it hard. This is the yoga. Yoga is so much more than just poses on a mat - yoga is knowing what to do, and building your life around it.

I just had a chat with someone amazing, about how kids and jobs and 'responsibilities' make the 'doing' a little more tricky than simply coming up with the answer. Not impossible, just tricky.

You, my sweet community, have seen me tread this path somewhat inelegantly over the last few years - dancing between office jobs, yoga gigs, school and study and all the way round again. Do I regret any of the to-ing and fro-ing? No! Not one bit. I am grateful I've had the courage to keep trying. Am I tired? Oh yes, a little, of course!

But here's to more courage, more trying, more dancing, and still coming back again and again.

I wish the same for you xoxo

Spring Retreats - come on!

2015-09-04T10:53:00.001+10:00

I adore Spring - so much so that I'm being the resident yogi on 2 upcoming retreats!! (#seriously)

The first is Your Whole Vitality Retreat this Sept 18-20 at Avrajita Retreat Space at Kangaroo Valley, with the amazing Emma Sutherland (naturopath) and Monique Scales (pilates, meditation). They have kindly agreed to keep the early bird rate for all Shiny Yogis too *yippee*

You'll enjoy:
• Energising Vinyasa x1 and relaxing Yin yoga classes x 2
• Guided Yoga Nidra and meditation x 3
• Nourishing vegetarian meals
• A cooking class based on gut health x 1
• Time for rest and relaxation in a stunning location
• Presentations on hormonal and adrenal health x 2
• A strengthening and muscle balancing Pilates class x1
• Two nights accommodation

(For bookings and information please email Monique at monscales@hotmail.com or call 0468 348 236

Then me and spunky Clare from Woodward Instituteare heading back to Culburra House on Culburra Beach for our Yoga & Kinesiology getaway (16-18 October) my oh my oh my! Bookings are open now (email clare@woodwardinstitute.com.au )#happyhappyjoyjoy

Here is the world

2015-09-01T09:04:00.000+10:00

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.”
Frederick Buechner
‪#‎tryingtorememberthistoday

Hearts Expanding

2015-08-31T14:52:00.000+10:00

"If you pour a handful of salt into a cup of water, the water becomes undrinkable. But if you pour the salt into a river, people can continue to draw the water to cook, wash and drink.

The river is immense, and it has the capacity to receive, embrace and transform.

When our hearts are small, our understanding and compassion are limited, and we suffer. We can't accept or tolerate others and their shortcomings, and we demand that they change.

But when our hearts expand, these same things don't make us suffer anymore. We have a lot of understanding and compassion and can embrace others. We accept others as they are, and then they have a chance to transform."
~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Reasons Why You Are Absolutely Beautiful

2015-08-25T09:03:00.000+10:00

Sometimes on a tricky day, we need to be reminded that we are beautiful - in all our messy, human, imperfect amazingness.

You are beautiful. Now, let's get out of our own ways xx

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/12/50-reasons-why-you-are-absolutely-beautiful-linnea-jensen-stewart/

Look for the light

2015-08-24T14:33:00.002+10:00

I love this idea. A beautiful video shot on location in NZ and Australia, with the intention of utilising only available light within the hours of dawn and dusk.

It really is "Light Therapy".

Light Therapy from Riley Blakeway on Vimeo.

Life will break you...

2015-08-20T08:59:00.001+10:00

Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could. ~ Lousie Erdrich

This may or may not have made me cry a little in class this morning. Oh yoga, you never fail to ground me. xo

Pema on Rough Spots (+ me on Glitter)

2015-06-20T13:01:00.002+10:00

From my fave, Pema Chodron:
"The essence of life is that it’s challenging. Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it is bitter. Sometimes your body tenses, and sometimes it relaxes or opens. Sometimes you have a headache, and sometimes you feel 100 percent healthy. From an awakened perspective, trying to tie up all the loose ends and finally get it together is death, because it involves rejecting a lot of your basic experience. There is something aggressive about that approach to life, trying to flatten out all the rough spots and imperfections into a nice smooth ride.

To be fully alive, fully human, and completely awake is to be continually thrown out of the nest. To live fully is to be always in no-man’s-land, to experience each moment as completely new and fresh. To live is to be willing to die over and over again. From the awakened point of view, that’s life."

I just want to be alive, and to have glitter around me. Sounds good right? Don't try to get rid of the rough spots darling, that's where the good stuff is xoxo

Shiny Yoga on the mat

2015-06-01T06:20:00.000+10:00

It's a new month, and I've some exciting news to share, my Eastern suburbs yogis! I will be teaching some yummy classes back in Bondi, at the gorgeous Yogatime - starting this week!

Come and practice, will be so great to see you xo

Mon 1st June -
7:30pm Yin at Egg Of The Universe, Rozelle

Tues 2nd -
6am Flow at My Asana, Vauclus
7:30pm Yin & Meditation at Yogatime, Bondi

Fri 5th -
6am Open at Yogatime

Sun 7th -
5:45pm Essentials & Meditation at EOTU
7:30pm Yin at EOTU

"What happens when people open their hearts? They get better." Haruki Murakam

2015-05-31T06:26:00.000+10:00

My heart-opening, joy-filling Yin Yoga Workshop is happening in just a few hours at My Asana. Final spots are available so book in - myasanastudio@gmail.com

AUTUMN YIN WORKSHOP

Sunday May 31, 11:30am - 1:30pm, all props provided

My Asana, 669a Old South Head Road, Vaucluse

"Be truthful, gentle and fearless" - Gandhi

2015-05-30T11:18:00.000+10:00

My therapist this week told me that when I keep saying how hard everything is, and how my dreams have kind of fallen apart this year, that I'm actually negating this moment and this life as it is right now. That this path that I've landed on is not something to wish away or 'just get through'. She of course says it so much more eloquently, but the gist of it was that I'm wishing away today, over and over and over again, and how soul-destroying for me must that be.

Anyone that knows me knows that this is true - I've really had the hardest time of my life in these past couple of months. In this hardship, I have found a strength of character that I never knew I possessed. I have found that I am much more resilient than I could have ever dreamed of being. That doesn't mean it's all ok, it doesn't mean that I am not praying every single day for things to change - these past few months have tested me like no other.

But I also realise that while I'm grieving for a lot right now, I also have some joy in my life. I have found inner strength and peace. I have had it reconfirmed again and again that I have amazing friends. I have been so joyously + heartwarmingly surprised at the kindness of others around me.

I have been so tired and over a lot of things, that for the first time in a long time I am saying 'NO' to a lot. Normally the worry of what others think and how they'll react is my first thought. Not lately. I have been kicked quite a lot by life and situations recently (this adult stuff is hard work!), that I just don't have the energy to worry so much about every one else. I like to believe that I am still kind, I am still compassionate, but I am also loving that for the first time in a long time I am taking care of myself and self-compassion is a huge director of my life right now.

What a beautiful thing - for kindness and compassion to be the way one makes decisions. If only more would do that, right? So today, here's that you live with truth and most importantly gentleness. My you live from love not fear, may you be held and buoyed by the love of those around you.

Shiny Yoga on the mat

2015-05-04T06:38:00.000+10:00

This week I am running my first yoga retreat with the gorgeous Clare from Woodward Institute (it's sold out! eek!) and I'm over the moon. Getting to share this yoga and life stuff with a gathering of beautiful people really floats my boat. We are heading to the South Coast's Culburra Beach - stay tuned for our next retreat dates, oh - and join the mailing list to get first dibs!

There's still some classes to come and find yourself at this week in beautiful Sydney-town though - come along:

Mon 4th -
7:30pm Yin at Egg Of The Universe

Tues 5th -
6:30am Open at Body Mind Life Surry Hills

Wed 6th -
6am Open at BML Bondi

Thurs 7th -
6am Open at BML SH

Fri 8th -
6am Open at BML Bondi

May Music with love xo

2015-05-03T16:43:00.001+10:00

A May play-list that has been doing the rounds in class lately. Heart and soul all the way, yogis xo

YIN AUTUMN WORKSHOP at My Asana - book now

2015-05-03T16:37:00.000+10:00

I've upgraded! The Autumn Elemental Gatherings in Summer Hill sold out within 24 hours so I'm holding this monthly gathering on 31 May at the beautiful My Asana studio in Vaucluse. Still small and intimate, all props provided, 2 hours to let go, fill up and restore.

Find quiet, introspection and really, find YOU, in these small group immersions. Talk about bliss!

Keen to book? My Asana are taking spaces now and spots are limited to if you want some loving, get in touch now xo

AUTUMN ELEMENTAL YIN WORKSHOP

Sunday May 31, 11:30am - 1:30pm (2hours)

Investment: $50 per gathering

Shiny Yoga on the mat

2015-04-20T21:23:00.001+10:00

Ready for some shiny yoga? Would love to have you come and practice and get all soft n lovely with me xo

Tues 21st -
6:30am Open + Meditation at Body Mind Life Surry Hills

Wed 22nd -
6am Open at BML Bondi Beach

Thurs 23rd -
6am Open at BML SH

Fri 24th -
6am Open at BML BB

Sun 26th -
5:45pm Essentials + Meditation at Egg Of The Universe Rozelle
7:30pm Yin at EOTU

Yin Gatherings - want in? xo

2015-04-09T17:08:00.003+10:00

Happy Autumn, shiny ones!

In this time of introspection, what better practice is there than a yummy, quiet and restorative yin class?
I'm holding some monthly yin gatherings in Summer Hill this Autumn. Max 4 (yes, 4!) people each class, all props provided, 2 hours to let go, fill up, and restore.

I'm finding a calling for small group work lately, and if this resonates, I'd love for you to come along. Keen to book? Please get in touch and let me know which date. Obviously these will fill quick sticks so if you want some loving, get in touch now xo

AUTUMN ELEMENTAL YIN CLASSES
Thursday May 14, 6:30pm (2hours)
Tuesday May 19, 6:30pm (2hours)

Investment: $40 per gathering