Yoga has a lovely way of filtering itself into our life in a positive way. It’s the art of slowing down, simplifying, and paying more attention to the present moment. My own light bulb moment came during an intense 10-day Vipassana meditation sitting. I realised that, beyond my neediness to achieve or relax, there was a place of ease within myself, where I could let life unfold of its own accord. The practice of mindfulness was all I needed to get clarity, insights and keep a

Have you ever had a panic attack? That scary, intense feeling of panic can cause a range of symptoms including shortness of breath, heart palpitations, dizziness and muscle tension. Panic attacks are really common, with up to 35% of us having them at some point in our lives, and can be a reaction to periods of stress or illness. A little bit of fear is normal. It keeps us alert and actually makes us feel whole. The problem starts when this fear becomes persistent and starts t

Devoted to living a balanced and moderate life, the scope of one’s life force becomes boundless. Sutra 11.38 Remember what it felt like the last time you overindulged in some sensory way. A late night at the computer, an evening coffee, a violent movie, a few drinks, a heavy meal. How was your energy barometer for 24 hours after? I am sure you have noticed how dumbed and overstimulated our children’s senses are after just an hour of computer games. When our senses connect wit

Ever find yourself wanting to strangle your partner for snoring? Do you feel like you’re chest breathing when you’re anxious? Do you experience sleep apnoea or sinusitis? Are you the deep loud breather in your yoga class? Do you have a child who suffers from asthma or a constantly blocked nose? Is sighing a regular response to your daily activity? These are all signs that dysfunctional breathing has settled in. 90% of humans are dysfunctional breathers and therefore create a

To teach and sense as a yoga teacher requires a relaxed concentration. A kind of go with the flow intuition, while maintaining a sharp awareness of constant somatic feedback from the group. Feelings in the room rise and fall. The emotional climate is always changing yet supported by the security of mindfulness. Beneath the obvious asanas and pranayamas shines individual experiences. I remind the class to ‘make the practice your own’, reassuring them that their efforts, as far

Life is too short, we should all move more slowly. - Thich Nhat Hanh Being calm in life's fullness is certainly a challenge. But taking a moment out of your busy day to breathe with awareness and reconnect to your body, and simply feeling into whatever is there without any judgement, is easier than you think. Close your eyes for a minute now, and notice how your body feels. Notice if there is a call to 'not waste any time' or the need to 'push on'. Simply observe this, as it

I was once told that certain spiritual masters in Tibet used to set their teacups upside down before they went to bed each night as a reminder that all life was impermanent. And then, when they awoke each morning, they turned their teacups right side up again with the happy thought, ‘I'm still here!’ This simple gesture is a wonderful reminder to let go a little more now autumn has arrived, to celebrate every moment, and to have a sense of gratitude for the simple things in l

So you’ve become a regular yoga class goer, but the momentum is occasionally broken by family sickness or work commitments. You have the space at home for your yoga mat, but can’t seem to get down to it. I can hear myself saying to my two boys, ‘if you want to be good at something it requires practice and practice and practice!’ Easier said than done, right? But it’s true, a yoga practice is just that … a practice. So here are some tips to get you regularly downward dogging o

I am often asked whether or not yoga can help with weight loss. Moving into my late forties I can understand how quick we can be to judge ourselves when the bulge appears to grow. But judgement gets us nowhere. Yoga encourages us to move beyond the popular expectations around body image. It gets to the source of our movement and eating rhythms. It helps us unravel and observe those behaviours that may be stopping us from feeling at home with ourselves. And it helps to reduce

When it comes to making my New Year’s resolutions, let’s face it: mine just don’t stick. More often than not I abandon them within weeks and they fade away in the busyness of life. This is often because my resolve has been only made on an intellectual level, and not planted deeply enough in my subconscious mind. Changing habits is not easy, even when you know your behaviour is not good for your wellbeing. Let me share with you another way to avoid these nagging ‘should do’s’

Do you ever feel like your whole life has prepared you for this moment? A moment where you have a chance to step up and shine or soldier on like a warrior? What helps you through difficult times? I feel like my past experiences have prepared me for this week’s challenges. At least that’s what I feel. I hope that I’m right. And if I’m not, then it’s only me who’s unproductively judging myself! And so on reaching the top of my mountain walk today, I see the grass is overgrown,

Sleep is one of your most precious daily experiences. So much so, that when you fail to get a good night’s sleep over just a few days you can feel lethargic and lack alertness. Insomnia is considered chronic when it occurs on most nights for more than a month. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is the most common sleep disorder in Australia, which, if left untreated, can have consequences that vary from tiredness and mood disorders to premature death. In its mild form, OSA is cha