Filling the void seems to be what we excel at. Moments of awkward silence in a lift or at dinner with friends, even lying in Savasana for more than a few minutes, can reveal agitation and anxiety for many. Yet this space where mindlessness ends and mindfulness begins can be truly transformative. And it begins right now in this moment. So pause for a minute, stop reading and just drop into your body as a field of rising and falling sensations. See if you can just recognize wha

Although yoga as a practice is therapeutic, there are significant differences between a yoga teacher and a yoga therapist and between a yoga

Cooler weather invites a deeper quieter yoga practice. A perfect opportunity to hear our own dialogue and embody the wisdom that brings deep

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

The malls are already saturating us with Christmas jingles and we're trying to juggle present shopping with planning meals and holidays and what to do with the kids and pets. How would you like to approach the silly season? Stressed or calm? I know what I would prefer! Leaving a visit to this relaxed inner space until after Christmas may mean that you fall into a heap during your holidays. Who wants that? I am reminded of how our senses are constantly bombarded with stimulati

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

Our world has endless ways to connect us to a stream of sensory stimulation … and it’s not slowing down. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious. Are you in control or lost in the toxic sticky tape that takes us away from our inner balance, self-care and creative pursuits? Do you have a regular practice that helps you turn off and tune in? Have you noticed how often we affirm to ourselves, even unconsciously, how busy we are? It seems the more we have to do, the less we mak

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

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

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,

Namaste and g’day Would you like to go to yoga today? No thanks I would not No yoga today I’m far too hot Would you do yoga at home or in the car? A breath here and there can really go far I’m in pain and I just can’t bend Sometimes I think yoga is only a trend Yoga calms the mind and helps you de-stress It even helps you to worry much less Namaste and g’day I really don’t feel like yoga today I’m stuck at work in a meeting And all my mind has taken a beating I’m too old and

Practicing yoga without studying yoga philosophy is like sailing without much wind. In a world that praises speed and busyness, we see a counterculture of SLOW on the rise, bringing along with it ideas like slow cooking, down shifting, and Restorative and Mindfulness Yoga. Quite often stress builds up because we have not allowed ourselves the nurturing space to relax and BE, on a regular weekly basis. When you create stillness within yourself, something starts to shift and yo

Abiding in generosity and honesty, material and spiritual prosperity is bestowed. Sutra 11.37 On occasion, you may admire something someone else has that you do not; a better car, a longer holiday, a different relationship. It’s interesting to be aware of how much power that original thought can have, by growing into the sense of ‘not having enough’. The Yama of Asteya ‘Asteya reminds us that greediness that goes beyond the resources that we actually need, robs us of our abil

Dedicated to truth and integrity (Satya), our thoughts words and actions gain the power to manifest. Sutra 11.36 Sometimes being silent is the wisest action, even though silence can sometimes be seen as aggressive in our society. Your words are so powerful that often you do not realise the benefits or consequences they bestow on others and ourselves. Even though your actions appear to be pleasing, your thoughts behind your words may be something different. The Yama of Satya B

Embracing reverence and love for all, we experience oneness. Sutra 11.35 We all realise the great health benefits that come with a regular yoga practice, such as reduced anxiety and depression and more vitality, but it is not necessarily a recipe for lasting happiness. On the mat, you experience yourself from the inside out, and begin to see the connection between how you think and feel and your outer reality. You also begin to notice that there may be a gap between where you

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