Calm Beginnings

10/03/2024

´it is a human right to close your eyes for twenty minutes a day’. Lizzie Lasater
It you live somewhere near Wodonga, Victoria, Australia (!) come & treat yourself to two hours of deep rest. Restorative Yoga will reset your nervous system into a calmer, energised, creative you. Please book your space with Margot 0400 723 476
m.smith108@bigond.com

17/02/2024

Are you tired, worn out & in desperate need of rest? Yes? Then come join us at Wodonga and experience 2 hours of nurturing Restorative Yoga. Fri 1st March 6-8pm OR Sat 2nd March 10-12noon.

10/09/2021

Friday evening Plover delight….the evening march past our window to put the kids 🐥🐥 to bed. 💖

29/07/2021

28/06/2021

Good Morning world from Beechworth, Victoria. Enjoying the simple things. Mother Nature provides. Always. 🍂💫🌞💫🌖

24/06/2021

Mother Nature. Colour Queen.

11/06/2021

Sweet Savasana.

This morning my practice was Pranayama Savasana.

I’ve just been through the plan for my Mini-Retreat in one week’s time. The focus is on the breath. So of course I’m including Pranayama Savasana. We will stay in this position for 20 sweet minutes. Bliss. Pure bliss.

After my practice I feel clear…calm…happy.

Come and taste the sweet rest & enjoy the residue of calm that can stay with us for hours…maybe days.

Namaste. 🙏
Calmbeginnings.net.au

25/05/2021

Practicing what I teach.

I’m preparing for the next Mini-Retreat for the Relaxing Into Your Bones, Restorative Yoga series.

Looking at my calendar it’s now just under one month away.

After years of teaching yoga and lots of other groups, I’m learning that preparation is the key. And…..🥁🥁🥁KEEP it SIMPLE!!!

My excitement and passion for yoga and wellbeing often means that I pack far too much into classes.

This time I have three, yes THREE hours to fill. My ideas and list is endless.

My wise self says, prune it back Cath. Prune it back. Keep it simple. Keep it small. Take more time. Work out which bits are digestible. Look at your group. What do you think is the best fit for this group.

The later is tricky. I’m new to Victoria. Everyone who’s enrolled in the next session, (and I’m pleased to say it’s already fully booked), I have never met before!!! Except one. A colleague.

Oh well….not to stress. Keep it simple. Allow more time with each step. Trust. Surrender. Have faith.

Namaste. 🙏

Restorative Yoga, Mini-Retreats, 20th June & 11th July, 9:30am-12:30pm

Bookings with Cath, PH: 0419 229 666, cbcalmbeginnings.net.au

calmbeginnnings.net.au

20/05/2021

One of my best mates , Mitzi ,was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

It was pretty devastating. A woman in the prime of her life, clinical psychologist in private practice, a young family, and…..whammo!

When she rang to tell me, my heart dropped. It seemed right to offer Restorative Yoga sessions on Zoom (we now live about 7 hours apart). She jumped at my offer.

We met for 2 hours weekly over 6 weeks. Yes, that sounds a hell of a long time, and it worked.

Here’s what we did:

1) Sit & chat over a cuppa. (Well that ended up being a half hour usually!!!) This gave me a sense of her energy levels & where she was ‘at’.

2) Get on the mat for gentle yoga moves to connect the mind, breath & body.

3) Pranayama, breathing exercises – Nadi Shodhana/Alternate Nostril Breathing. This became Mitzi’s ‘go to’ practice at times when she felt stressed or couldn’t sleep.

4) Set up a simple restorative yoga pose with home props. I recall we did Vipariti Karani (legs up the wall) & One Blanket Back Bend. Both very easy to set up – all you need is a few blankets.

5) Finish with Savasana i.e. lying on her back with lots of yummy props to support her body into a snuggly space, for 20 minutes minimum.

Here’s a text she sent during this time: “You have a gift, Cath! Toda’s session was amazing, I feel like a different person after today, like more centred, relaxed into my bones. So good! Thank you 🙏

I’m grateful to Covid for one big thing….it’s pushed me into cyber space to share my passion – RESTORATIVE YOGA…healing the world, one savasana at a time. Namaste.

Next Restorative Yoga mini-retreat in Wodonga, Victoria on Sunday 20th June. Details on Calmbeginnings.net.au.

15/05/2021

This week I treated my friend.
First, a brisk walk around the beautiful grounds of Beechworth’s Mayday Hills (previously known as the 'The Asylum’ - hospital for the mentally unwell).
Then home for a Restorative Yoga treat & dinner.
My favourite pose for the month is Supta Buddha Konasana (SBK).
You’ll see I’ve made my friend snug with an upside-down chair, a firm bolster held in place with a block & padded with a folded blanket. A large bolster under the knees & a towel wrapped around the lower legs for support. Arms - ‘burrito wrapped’ with a sarong to create a snug, secure feeling. Head & eyes also wrapped with a sarong. Note, this stays in place better than an eye pillow & because the ears are covered it muffles any noise & just feels yummy! I love this pose when I feel stressed and my mind is busy, busy. Somehow the reclined angle works a treat to quickly settle the mind. (I’d love to know the science behind that?) I recall one very stressed woman coming to my yoga & meditation classes in an attempt to slow down & calm her active mind. Neither gave her the desired effect. When I offered restorative yoga, she tentatively came along, tried SBK…..and voila! She dropped quickly into a deeply relaxed space and said she had never experienced anything like it before. I was chuffed & know exactly what she meant.
If you live within cooee of Wodonga, Victoria, you might like to try this pose in a few weeks when I offer the next Restorative Yoga Mini-Retreat. That’s 3 hours of bliss, relaxing on a Sunday morning.
Sunday 20 June, 9:30-12:30pm

Venue: Orana Yoga Health & Wellbeing Centre, Wodonga

$75 per person

Please book your place with Cath

PH: 0419 229 666

Cbcalmbeginnings@gmail.com

Calmbeginnings.net.au

03/05/2021

Last year a friend sent me this card to brighten my Covid shut down blues.

It sits on my desk to remind me to have fun, play and be real in my yoga practice.

Sadly, some people hesitant about going to a yoga class as they’re scared they might FART!

Have I farted in a yoga class? As a teacher?

YES.

How did I handle that?

Said “excuse me, better out than in” and move on.

I think it sets the stage that it’s ok to let off, it’s normal, it’s part of life. It’s inevitable & highly likely to happen for many, especially with knee to belly poses, or anything that squeezes into the belly.

Big message: relax, enjoy, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

28/04/2021

8 hours later....she’s still there!!!!!

The ultimate REST Guru. 🧡😽🧡

26/04/2021

Did you know it’s Mother’s Day in 2 weeks? 9th May.

Are you looking for a different treat for Mum?

I have a pretty neat idea.

Book Mum into a Restorative Yoga session that morning (9:30-12:30pm) & why not book yourself too!!!

Anyone is welcome - pregnant & postnatal mums & dads, the young (teens over 16 years), the old (I’ve had 80 year olds do this class) & all those on the middle. No yoga experience necessary.

It’s very easy yoga & involves a lot of lying around on the floor draped over bolsters or on heaps of blankets. (You need to be able to get on the floor & up again!)

You will feel so relaxed & chilled....then you could extend the treat to a family lunch, picnic, whatever.

How’s that sound?

I can do up a fancy gift voucher as well.

It it sings to you, contact Cath Brennan to reserve your place.
0419 229 666
Cbcalmbeginnings@ gmail.com

Restorative Yoga
Sunday 9th May
9:30-12:30pm

$75 per person/per session
Orana Yoga & Wellbeing Centre
Wodonga, Victoria

25/04/2021

Are you tired, cranky or worn out?

Why not try Restorative Yoga?

At long last (after a Covid pause) I’m reved up to share my passion with
Victorians.

Sunday, 9th May
Orana Yoga Health & Wellbeing Centre
$75
Places are limited

Please book your place
Cath Brennan
0419 229 666
Cbcalmbeginnings@gmail.com

25/04/2021

What is Restorative Yoga?
...the use of props to support the body in positions of comfort & ease to facilitate health & relaxation.

Judith Hanson Lasater

20/04/2021

A moment of distress!!! I couldn’t find my geriatric 16 year old cat. My partner says she disappeared around the corner of the house when she spotted a dog. This was hours ago! I’ve been outside calling & searching, calling & searching. No response. So I call & search inside the house....checking every cupboards.

Look where I found her......in the warmest, snuggest place. On top of my yoga blankets!

I figure she’s intuitive - knowing I have an upcoming Restorative Yoga Retreat happening soon & she’s getting in the vibe.

If you’re tired, cranky & need some ‘me time’ come along to our 3-hour mini-retreat in Wodonga, Victoria. I’ll be facilitating it with my yogi mate Margot.

9th May, 9:30-12:30pm
20th June, 9:30-12:30pm
11th July, 9:30-12:30pm

Fee: $75 per session
Bookings: Margot Smith 0400 723 476 | m.smith108@bigpond.com

19/04/2021

Hello, hello from Cath. I’m back after a looong break, and I have my yoga teachers hat on. We’ve settled into Victorian life and loving Beechworth which I refer to as the ‘Land of Abundance’.


2020 was the year from hell for so many of us, however the big positive has been the cyberspace learning potential. I’ve plunged myself into many on-line yoga courses and even took the step to teach Zoom yoga. Whoever would have thought?


And of course my constant teacher, Judith Hanson Lasater (Restorative Yoga Queen) in San Francisco has sustained me and many yogis around the globe with her knowledge and compassion. Judith’s daughter Lizzie in Salzberg, Austria, teaches alongside Judith & manages and the on-line learning platform for her Mumma. They are such a joy to ‘be with’ in cyberspace.


However, one of my greatest joys is finding friendship with Margot Smith. Margot is a talented and highly regarded Dru Yoga & Restorative Yoga teacher. We have teamed up to run mini-retreats and have a pot of yummy yogi goodies to share. And we have access to a fantastic yoga studio in Wodonga ~ the Orana Health & Wellbeing Centre.


We’re looking forward to sharing our passion & our learnings in 2021. These 3-hour mini restorative retreats will be offered monthly. If this is a new experience, you might like to try one & see how it fits. In the past I’ve found that after a taste of restorative yoga, many people book into every class thereafter!


Dates:

9th May, 9:30-12:30pm

20th June, 9:30-12:30pm

11th July, 9:30-12:30pm

.

Fee: $75 per session


Please book you place with Margot: 0400 723 476 | m.smith108@bigpond.com

15/12/2020

Feeling tired, rushed and hassled? Here is a delicious recipe to give you a boost of energy. Yes it's my passion - Restorative Yoga Savasana. If you've been to my Restorative yoga classes you will be aware how many props I use in the studio setting. Guess what? Here's an easy, efficient way to set yourself up at home without props. All you need is a timer (i.e. smart phone), an eye cover and a cover for your body. Enjoy!

Here's a simple and easy way to position your body to enhance a deep relaxation in Savasana. This guide comes from my teacher, Judith Hanson Lasater, the Res...