smile in the sky

02/09/2021

23/08/2021

Gayatri Mantra

Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Diimahi
Diyoyonah Prachodayatt

One beautiful translation from Donna Farhi:

Everything on earth, in between and above
Is arising from one effulgent source.
If my thoughts, words and deeds reflected this complete understanding of unity,
I would be the peace I am seeking in this moment.

The Gayatri mantra is dedicated to the deity Savitr, sometimes regarded as Surya, the Sun, and shares many of its positive qualities: brilliance, life-giving, beneficence and protection.

Thankyou so much for joining me.

Namaste.

04/07/2021

I’m honoured to teach once more with Lismore Women's Health and Resource Centre.The yoga for mental health course begins next term from 10am-12pm starting 21st Sept. ♀️
Contact the centre directly to book. Sessions include pranayam, asana and meditation, with time to meet the other group members over morning tea afterwards. See you soon! 🧘☕

02/07/2021

Festivals! Such unbridled fun! Spring loaded reminded me of the elation that comes from togetherness. Singing along to , , and so many more faves from my teenage years was the best fun I've had in a loooong time! Remembering the immense power of music to express emotion, and the joy of dancing and moving (no moshing 😅), as one- all of us there for the same reason-for the fun of it! The polar opposite of the isolation we have endured for so long. Just what the doctor ordered! Hopefully this latest wave of lockdowns can end soon so we can enjoy events like this again. Stay safe friends🎵🎸🥁 🎤
It was so wonderful to see on top form, rocking as hard as ever with the headlining act. After a long battle with it is heartwarming and inspiring to see he is clean and on top form, even cracking out some challenging yoga balances mid-show! Much gratitude 🙏

30/06/2021

A nugget of wisdom that has served me immeasurably: We become most like the people we spend the most time with. Choosing those that we surround ourselves with carefully, selecting those that uplift us, those that celebrate who we authentically are, those that show us what is possible and open our eyes to what we can achieve, impacts our lives in a powerful way. 🤝
The brain can change- neuroplasticity allows our habits to change. Sometimes taking a break from a relationship, or letting go of a connection, as painful and sad as that can be, has helped me to grow and improve myself. 😊
Thank you to all of you incredible humans who I am blessed to have had in my life! 🙏

27/06/2021

may look different for each of us, each day. It could be reading, learning a new skill, doing less, starting a business, changing jobs, spending more time with family/, less time with family. Relaxing eating rules, fasting..yoga and meditation help us to know ourselves better, through practice of being present through challenges rather than avoiding or fighting against discomfort. 💞
What are some of the practices that you do that bring you this feeling of satisfaction? Let me know in the comments! 🤔
Practising and teaching Yoga has taught me so much about . Getting to know your mind, body and heart is all part of the process. 💟
Join me this coming week at classes to find out how Yoga can help with :
Wed from 6.30-730am for Hatha Vinyasa 🕉️
Friday 10-11am for for Heartful Hatha 💖

25/06/2021

Knowing myself has taken some time, but I now know how to free myself from damaging tendencies and practice actions of self love every day. Enmeshment can have us feeling responsible for others' emotions and ignoring our own need for eg rest, our own interests or connection with others. When we feel this way we often lack a clear sense of who we are inside,what makes us unique. Our sense of value has come from what we can do for others, often at our own expense. 😊
'Feel the fear and do it anyway', by Susan Jeffers was one guide along this journey. It has a great table delineating about 9 areas that create a well-rounded life rather than abandoning aspects of self in the pursuit of the hollywood-fuelled story of finding 'the one' to fulfil all our . Embracing and engaging with a range of social and skill-based pursuits eg intellectual/spiritual/creative/family/friends/contributing to community, reduces pressure on finding 'the perfect relationship/kids/family' to fulfil all our needs. Then when one area falters, we still have a rich life that sustains us so the loss is not felt so intensely. Variety truly is the spice of life. 🌶️
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24/06/2021

"How much self love do you have?" This question was posed to me by a dear, wise back in 2013. It hit me out of the blue, and threw me into a whirlwind of confusion. It felt like she was speaking a different language. For a rare moment in my life, I was speechless. I did not have a clue what self love was. I knew it was something important that I didn't possess. 🤔
Some time later, into psychological of my own, I discovered that deep under the noise of my mind, and my external achievements e.g. good grades in postgraduate study, making life work successfully in another country, a happy relationship...I felt I was a bad person. I held deep shame over so much that I had done and didn't trust myself not to betray myself, primarily with , stemming from . I know I'm in this, this is an epidemic. 😔
has been a journey. From the abstract I have discovered my own personal that inform the, (often ), I set, and the daily and that bring me joy. These are some of the actions that constitute self love. What small practice do you so each day or each week to nourish yourself? It doesn't have to be big or dramatic..5 mins of meditation, a walk, listening to music, calling a friend..feel free to comment below. ✍️
To know, and feel, that my worth is not dependent on achievements or self-abandoning for others' approval has been part of the journey. The primary Yogic Yama: , (love/ ) is my guide when I stumble, (often). It's a process, a journey,and it's okay to be imperfect. 🧘
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20/06/2021

Nestled away in the Byron Bay Hinterland, this is the serene spot for my next retreat. Join me for 3 nights from July 16-19 but be quick, only one spot remains! You’ll enjoy 2 yoga classes per day, 3 delicious fresh vegan meals per day, yoga nidra and accom, all for $650.
Get a feel for it at my classes, weekly on:
Wed from 6.30-730am for Hatha Vinyasa 🕉️
Friday 10-11am for for Heartful Hatha 💖

Get in touch and send me a message asap if you are keen to join the retreat. 🌅

18/06/2021

I am fortunate to have experience working with young people, at schools and on retreat in mentoring and teaching roles, as well as with parents of young people, who often come on retreat. My next project is to create parent-child retreats to help family members connect in a safe space. Please DM me if you're interested. 😊
From the mother of a teenage girl: “I had such a great experience (at the retreat). I feel amazing... So happy and joyful! My daughter and I are communicating well. It’s been very positive. “Non reactivity” as you said is the key. I’m working in equanimity. My muscles have healed and I feel very strong 💪 xx you are amazing and very inspirational” ☮️
Parent/child relationships with teens and young adults can be immensely challenging for both parties, and mums in particular often arrive on retreat exhausted and unsure how best to relate to their kids in this transformative phase. 👪
Yoga is about 'breath,body, and relationship'- wise words thanks to . Through yoga practice we can discover ways to trust and love ourselves. The self-criticism we often practice unconsciously often extends to others. The practice of being consciously present provides a space for us to choose our response from a place of compassion and curiosity, as opposed to the habitual, reactive judgement we often fall into when tired or fearful that the young person is making 'wrong' choices.🧘
Connecting with others who are further along the journey of parenthood can be immensely valuable too. Knowing that many others have experienced the same struggles, and have discovered different ways of managing challenging behaviours can be invaluable. ♻️
photos from - Farm Retreat in and - byron hinterland

17/06/2021

Some of my most rewarding work has been with in partnership with . For 4 years I had the privilege of teaching health psychology, yoga and resilience skills to often traumatised yet promising young people at YOTS and at youth and community centres, yoga studios, and on retreat. 👩‍🏫
I have seen these young people's concentration levels improve and their ways of relating to themselves and others become more compassionate. Aggression reduced and their capacity to self-soothe improved,amongst other physical and mental benefits. 💜
For years now I have been hoping to pursue a PhD in the area of yoga for youth mental health. My question is 'Evaluation of a yoga-based-intervention for high school students with elevated anxiety and/or depression symptoms'. 📚
My proposal has been accepted but when covid hit a lot of funding dried up. I am now determined to make this happen! Please comment below or DM me with any suggestions for ways to secure funding to provide more much-needed high quality research in this vital area. 🙏
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30/05/2021

is the original home of yoga. Thankyou, India for this precious science of healing and peace. Given the current Covid emergency in India and likely ongoing health catastrophe, it’s often hard to figure out where to start when you want to offer your support. One option is . 🇮🇳
We are all one, we are all connected. This past year has shown that our interrelatedness is undeniable. What affects each of us, affects all of us. 🕉️
Want to help but can't afford to donate? Chant the loving kindness meditation for the people of India, (or for anyone who needs support)...

“May they be filled with loving kindness 💕
May they be well⚕️
May they be peaceful ☮️
May they be happy” 🤗
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