Yoga Wise

Law Four: Law of Least Effort: Wednesday

2011-05-25T16:14:00.000+10:00

When we look at the beauty of nature, such as a blooming flower, the flow of tides and the movement of sparklingly stars, there is no straining, only graceful effort. The beauty of the Law of Least Effort is minimising effort to maximise effect. The most current scientifically founded belief about best method for transformation is timing and sensitivity. In terms of this law it is about doing less and achieving more.

As with other laws, intentions and motivations are vital to the returns received, with the Law of Least Effort, the motivation that brings positive transformation is Love.

In the western world the slogan, ‘No pain, no gain’ is the usual motto for many health focused individuals. Yoga on the other hand focuses upon relaxing into the pose, the exercise, and not forcing the body into a pose. For example, when bringing the body into a flexible pose, let the breath find the point of resistance or sensation (not pain), allow the breath to breathe into the resistance and surrender (let go). A sense of additional reach and flexibility will ensue. Staying aware of the body, being patient and surrendering to your limitations and vulnerabilities, will suddenly mean your limitations and vulnerabilities will have less of a hold. This surrendering to limitations and vulnerabilities will bring more balance, energy and flexibility to life on the mat and off the mat.

The three steps to living this Law of Least Effort during your yoga practice and in your life:

1. Exercise acceptance during your yoga practice via acceptance of the body for the way it is. Practising this type of acceptance is not removing the way you like to change it but being thankful and accept the way it is right now as it is the way it should be (and that is perfect). How to practice is off the mat is by accepting people and circumstances as they are, and acknowledging where you are right now is the produce of past choices. Let go of fighting against resistance you may experience whether the resistance be coming from others or situations. Bring awareness back to the moment, accept and practice conscious choice making from that point now.

2. After truly accepting, move forward by taking responsibility for the challenges being experienced. Challenges are opportunities in disguise; keep this knowledge as you move from moment to moment, pose to pose, and you’ll soon discover the fruits of acceptance and least effort.

3. Step three mindfulness of openness. To live this we need to let go of our defences and need to change people. Remain open to all points of view and remove the need to attach to a point of view.

The final step is particularly applicable to the experience of yoga due to the variations in approaches, teaching styles, postures, strength of class, and pace. Yoga is a system to develop flexibility to body, mind and spirit, which is why the different approaches have been supported and celebrated throughout yoga’s growth. This flows into the individual’s life as a yogi needs to experiment with different types, approaches and teaching styles to discover the one that fits with them at that particular time of life. Once the yoga for you is found, draw in the practice of least effort. As you’ve read this, make the class you last took, the last time you waste energy of fighting, pushing, struggling and straining. Removal of these, releases creativity, promotes growth and supports healing.

Law Three: Law of Karma or Cause and Effect: Tuesday

2011-04-20T11:16:00.000+10:00

As we sow, so we reap. With every action we undertake, an energy forms and returns to us correspondingly. When our actions come from an intention of giving or bringing happiness and success to others, the return to us will be karma of happiness and success.

The Law of Karma is about choosing freedom, about making conscious decisions, making choices, from the multitude that are available to us. Our true selves are found in unlimited potentiality and unlimited options. We consciously and unconsciously make decision, the most effective way to work with the Law of Karma, is to practice being consciously aware of each choice you make in each moment.

Regardless of how you feel about it, your current situations are due to the choices you have made in the past. In every situation there is one choice, out of the many, which will bring happiness to others and yourself. To find this choice, becoming aware of the choices we make unconsciously is required. Once this choice is decided upon, those around you and yourself will be nourished and your true self will grow and shine brighter.

This law is present while you are on the mat through the reaction to every action you perform during the holding and movement between each pose. The attitude you bring to each pose will cultivate different experiences while being on the mat. If the attitude is of impatience or intolerance (of yourself or the teacher or others around you) your time on the mat will be filled with strain, tension and unease. If the attitude is of gratitude and kindness to and for your body then your time on the mat will be filled with ease and effortlessness.

Becoming more aware of each movement and making them slowly, you will soon be conscious of the karma flow from your choices. For example, if following a yoga session the body is sore, you have overlooked the law of karma and pushed the body too hard and far – a less than ideal choice and the discomfort is a karmic result.

Karma is a present (now, in the moment) showing of the past.

How to make the most of your freedom of choice and in influencing your karma is by practising these three steps:

1. While on the yoga mat become a witness of each choice you make as you move in to and out poses. Influence your future by being present in the now.

2. Through the discomfort felt in a pose or use any resistance in the body during a pose as an opportunity to investigate: “What are the consequences of the choice I’m making?” and “Will this choice bring comfort?” When you are off your yoga mat pose the same questions – “Which choice is most likely to bring happiness and fulfilment to me and to those affected by my choice?”

3. Begin awareness to your heart, to its guidance towards comfort and discomfort, ease and hardship, gratitude and ingratitude. The reason behind heart awareness as it is the connection between the body and mind. When a choice is ‘right’ the body will respond accordingly, so move forward with confidence. Sitting within the body, become mindful of the sensations that arise from thoughts, situations and intentions, this will help in determining how the body, mind and heart will indicate a choice of true happiness and success. The heart will also indicate which choices will bring unfavourable consequences and therefore similar karma.

Respect the marvellous intelligence of the body, mind and heart, listen to the messages in each moment to nourish the kind of karma you wish to travel through lives with.

Law Two: Law of Giving and Receiving: Monday

2011-03-27T20:25:00.000+11:00

Law Two: Law of Giving and Receiving: Monday

The second law speaks to the human body connection with the universal body – the dynamic exchange between the two. Your body and mind are in constant flow and exchange with the universe. Stopping or limiting the flow is like a river that has stopped flowing, stagnate. We need to be open to giving and receiving to maintain the flow, and the most important aspect is the intention behind the giving and receiving.

The intention behind giving and receiving should be to create happiness for all involved, giver and receiver. The gifts the giver receives back are always proportional to the giving. Giving needs to be unconditional and from the heart, it shouldn’t be given with expectations of what the giver should receive in return. The energy from giving unconditionally and from the heart will increase each and every time you give in this way. The more you give, the more you’ll want to give because of what it will bring to your life.

During your time on the yoga mat, you are giving to yourself each and every time you step onto your mat. You are the giver and receiver during your yoga time. The Law of Giving and Receiving is visible during a yoga practice is alive in each and every breath. If you were to hold your breath in, you would be begin to feel uncomfortable, as it is something that is meant to be released. If you were to hold you out of the body, you would begin to feel uncomfortable, as it is something that is meant to be received, taken in, it is something that you need.

With each pose (asana) some muscle relax, others contract, the very nature of giving and receiving holding and releasing.

Three steps for putting Law Two: Giving and Receiving, into effect in your life:

1. Maintaining breath awareness ; the natural flow and exchange of our breath with the environment. Additionally, when you are feeling like things aren’t go as you had planned in life, bring your awareness to the breath and the effortlessness of giving and receiving.

2. Start to create a sense of gratitude for the gifts of your life. While you are on your yoga mat be grateful for the body and what it is able to do right then, for the mind and breath. Enjoy the sensations of the body- contractions and expansions. Your existence, the marvellous capabilities of the body and mind need to be acknowledged and to be grateful for.

3. Bring the intention of surrendering to the needs of the body, rather than forcing the body into a pose. Practise listening to the body, muscles and joints.

Off the yoga mat have the intention of giving a gift to someone each and every day, whether that be a kind word, a compliment, a smile or a small gift. Correspondingly be open to receiving the gifts from others and nature throughout the day. By commitment to the Law of Giving and Receiving you will continue to circulate love, affection, appreciation, acceptance and care to others and to nature.

Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga, by Deepak Chopra and David Simon

2011-03-17T17:02:00.000+11:00

Overview:

The seven spiritual laws related to the seven days of the week so are easy (in theory) to apply and to make each day filled with a different purpose. These laws help the yogi bring the principles of yoga to life on and off the mat; balance, flexibility and vitality. The gift of time you give yourself on the mat, is practice you’re the gift of life off the mat.

The application of these seven laws to your life should begin with Law One on Sunday and continuing to the Law Seven on Saturday. Just like the benefits of a Gratitude diary, reviewing, refreshing and reflecting upon each law in the morning and evening, will help keep you focused and to cultivate a more balanced happy life.

Week Day                                             Spiritual Law

Sunday                                                   Law of Pure Potentiality

Monday                                                 Law of Giving and Receiving

Tuesday                                                 Law of Karma (or Cause and Effect)

Wednesday                                            Law of Least Effort

Thursday                                               Law of Intention and Desire

Friday                                                    Law of Detachment

Saturday                                                Law of Dharma (or Purpose in Life)

Law One: Law of Pure Potentiality: Sunday

This law of success speaks to core of our being. The core of each of us being pure awareness – the source of joy in our lives! The pure awareness defined in this law, is of all possibilities and triggers all forms of creativity.

Pure Potentiality means knowledge, intuition, balance, harmony and bliss – who wouldn’t want all of these things in their lives, daily. Enacting this law brings these into your life as the reference point of where the knowledge, intuition, balance, harmony and bliss, is based is within one-self rather than objects or things outside the self.

Object based referencing is influenced by situations, circumstances, people and things. Object referencing is about seeking approval by others to feel comfortable and worthy. Always being someone who lives in a state of object referencing, life is lived in a state of fear, because all thoughts and actions are in hope of a response.

So the soul or ego can become the reference point by which we view and live in the world.

The ego, is the object reference point, yet the ego is not our true self. The ego is a mask we wear in playing the roles in our lives; child, friend, parent, lover, employee…

This social/ego mask flourishes on approval, control and power. This social/ego mask lives in fear of losing approval, control and power.

Alternatively, your true self, the soul, is resistant to criticism, fears no challenge that comes before them, and views themselves and others as equal, no-one above or below. Your true self recognises that everyone is the same just in different disguises, different ego masks.

Law one; Law of Pure Potentiality, reminds us that with each movement there are infinite possibilities from the space of silence. The greater the silence, the greater possibility for movement. During your yoga practice draw close awareness to this silence within yourself during each poses and between each pose.

Following the next three things while being on and off the mat:

1. Foster stillness and quietness in body and mind. Perform this by focusing your attention on the inner stillness between movements and poses. To extend this law, sit quietly by yourself in meditation after your time on your yoga mat, letting your awareness stay with pure potentiality, pure awareness, where everything is connected.

2. The gift of your time on the yoga mat and also while off your yoga mat, draw your inner awareness to the stillness within, while the world outside is busy. Watch a sunset, listen to the ocean or breeze, smell a flower, feel the breeze of our skin, possibilities are endless.

3. Practice non-judgement; let go of judging your abilities when performing your yoga poses. Add a mantra such as “Today, I shall judge nothing that occurs’ and bring awareness to self-acceptance if the goal of your yoga.

Transitions...

2011-02-20T18:31:00.000+11:00

How did you bring or start 2011?

How where you physically around the transition between 2010 and 2011?

Where were you mentally and emotionally? What parts of 2010 brought you to these points? Do you want to bring these aspects into 2011 or to leave them in 2010?

2010 for me was a transition within itself. Some aspects I intend to keep and develop further, other aspects I intend to keep the lessons but not the events. Let’s go through the questions.

I start 2011 in silence (all forms of communication- body language and verbal) and 9hours of mediation over 10 days at the Vipassana Centre at Blackheath. {Can recommend it to everyone}

Physically prior to this inner journey, I had been suffering from quite severe abdominal pain for approximately 3months before the course was to start. Knowing my tendency to hold unease, stress, worry in my tummy, I had put the pain down to these things. Even so, I wanted to make sure it wasn’t anything sinister as I didn’t want to deal with the pain while sitting through hours of meditation. I knew the course would be hard enough. After numerous doctor visits and doctors sending me for x-rays, ultrasounds, blood tests and CT-scans before the course, nothing concrete for a results. Overall physically 2010 was left in random and uncertain pain with no known reason…would my 2011 be random, filled with uncertainty and the journey continuing to unfold in an unknown form…let us wait to see (or experience:). I’m strongly senses I will be practicing the Buddhist notion of being still and the right action appearing without effort, stress, worry or being busy in the wrong way. Just like in yoga, when we exert ‘least effort’ to achieve our ideal asana.

Emotionally, I was stressed and uncertain (exciting and nervous) of what 2011 would mean in my life. 2010 as mentioned was a time of transition, chapters of my life, which I had been writing for many many years, were being closed and the final sentences written (well that is what I thought:-). The main life changer was moving from a university student to adult in real world;) Would I find the job I was hoping for and had been working towards for 7years? Would this job allow me to continue to build my business the way I dream? Not wanting to disappoint anybody I cared for (self and others), I don’t know the answers or how to go about finding the answers. Time is what I think would be the answer. Overall emotionally 2010 was left with excited and unease of the unknown and a search for direction and a sense of my new self.

What brought me to these points; finishing uni (continuing saga!!!), having big dreams for Yoga Wise, questioning career opportunities, redefining numerous relationships, vocalising these changes and finding myself single.

What I am bring into 2011 is the lessons learnt and a willingness to continuing questioning where I am, where do I want to be, am I on the right path and am I going about it in the right way.

The word I have given to 2011 for me is strength. What would be your word?

Dreams and Aspirations

2010-12-02T17:43:00.000+11:00

We would love to hear from you with your dreams and aspirations.
Please post of our Blog to share, be supported, be encouraged and to encourage others to dream and aspire as well.

How we define ourselves to ourselves and others?

2010-07-27T18:51:00.000+10:00

There are times when we reflect on our understanding of 'me/I' either by choice, or a curve ball from life or a comment from a friend... There are many reasons to begin this endeavor of growth.

What would be the result of hearing you are/where a no-one, you where nothing? Or if you thought this about yourself without outside influence.

I have no doubt it would be unsettling to say the least. I would hope that the unsettling feelings did not stay for long, while insight and self awareness began to shine through. As Buddhist psychology suggests (in contrast mostly to western philosophy) when interpreting emotions a simply- positive, neutral or negative label or recognition or acknowledgment needs to happen for growth. Feel it, understand it in terms of positive, neutral or negative and move forward with the lesson and knew found knowledge.

The unsettling we can say, would be negative, only to be turned into a positive.

"What is needed as a starting point is a sense, no matter how tentative, that your own life is worth some attention, and that your own self is worth discovering."(Dowrick, 1991)

My understanding, as I stand in my shoes and my life experiences, one way to become a 'no-one' or lost is through losing yourself in another. The no-oneness is really a misplacement of identity or adapting an identity. While living in this adapted self, a person listens to the messages from their surroundings/the outside world, rather than trusting in, or seeing the worth of, or having even a sense of their own inner messages/desires/needs/wants.

From the outside one may look self-less as opposed to selfish. Poignantly, they may become self less while being self-less in actions and intentions. There is nothing wrong with being self-less in actions and intentions, I believe it is something we should aim to do more and be more.

Stephanie Dowrick (1991) transcribes a conversation and enlightening occasion for one of her 'teachers' with powerful ending; 'Love thyself, and then you can love thy neighbour'.
A similar link can be seen; only through knowing oneself can we know another.

Another avenue is misplacing feelings in relationships. The feelings being spoken of here are - two individuals become one identity. Two individuals when in a committed relationship need to be one functioning unit- not, one identity, as then the unit will fall down. We can infer it comes back to, know and love thyself, then, know and love thy neighbour. Respect, value and love---self and other, as separate individuals, regardless of how much the two have in common. This will promote intimacy within closeness and independence.

We also need to acknowledge we are in control of how we think, feel and understand ourselves. We need to be aware of who is doing the thinking, feeling and understanding of 'self'. We influence and are influence by people around us. Becoming aware of how much power and control we give to these outside influences is important. If there is not a balance, a loss of self will undoubtedly ensue.
The analogy of a tree is applicable here- trees are grounded in where they stand; they stand tall, proud and strong while swaying and being flexible in the wind; they move with ease and grace. We need to stand tall, proud and strong in who we are, what we believe and how we influence others (positively we would hope for :-). We need to be flexible and move with ease and grace as changes and outside influences impact upon who we are and what we believe.

We are always SOME ONE and are always SOME THING in this world.
If you ever doubt this, please know there is someone who believes in you- ME.
Whether we have met or not, I believe in who you are and what you have to offer this world, the people around you and most importantly what you have to offer yourself. See the beauty and worth in yourself and achieve your greatness.

If you shine, you give permission to those around you to shine also.

2010-03-22T14:57:00.001+11:00

ONG SO HUNG

click on the link to hear the mantra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kpio8JtPdY

A mantra commonly spoken/sung in yoga classes throughout the world, translates to "Creator, I am Thou!” which creates a heart-opening and empowering sense and attitude within.

This mantra speaks of you being the creator of your life, your choices and your direction. This can be both empowering and uplifting but it can also be a scary prospect.

Every time you give yourself the gift on ‘you’ time on a yoga mat (anywhere), you are acting out this mantra. You are creating a new atmosphere within and without.

We all have times when we give our ‘creator’ name tag to someone or something else. Yes, including yoga teachers, just ask the poor people around me when university assignments are due and I suddenly make the markers and lecturers the creators/destroyers of my dreams and aspirations. My inner negative voices speak, oh so loudly, I give my power away and I forget, I am the creator of my direction, my life and more importantly how I choose to experience and react to my external circumstances. The first step to taking back your creator name tag is to acknowledge you have given it away. The next steps are to proudly pin in back in its rightful place for all to see and admire.

So maybe in those stressful moments, days, weeks, or longer, when we find ourselves needing to take a moment to breath and collect ourselves, we should add three simply words as well- Ong So Hung

Now for the updates and news:
Currently more health funds cover yoga than not, which I am very happy to let you know. The restrictions predominately being:
- You need to have paid for a minimum of eight lessons before claiming,
- A doctors certificate is required documenting that yoga classes are being undertaken on the advise of a medical professional,
- And finally, the level of cover.

The first stipulation I am able to help with, happily. All you have to do is let me know if you would like me to keep attendance records for you. At the conclusion of eight lessons being attended (these do not have to be consecutively) I will provide you an itemised receipt form with all the required information.

Please see below for health funds which do and do not cover yoga.

YES:
MBF, AHM, NRMA, HBA, Mutual Community, ClearView

NO:
HCF, NIB, Medibank

To finish on an extremely high note, Yoga Wise is a Finalist in the Hills Business Awards 2010.

I would like to say my sincerest and deepest gratitude to all who voted.

You make Yoga Wise, what it is.

I am externally grateful for yoga being the medium through which I have been able to meet such incredible people.

I am grateful to have met each and every one of you.

Thank you!

Valentine's Day

2010-02-13T19:13:00.000+11:00

A friend is someone who can see the truth and pain in you even when you are fooling everyone else."

-Unknown

I strongly believe we have the opportunity to find our best friend during a yoga class, the one person who sees the truth of who we truly are, and sees and feels our pain always. That BFF (best friend forever), is someone we have to love, cherish, whole heartedly accept and have the most compassion for throughout our lives- that beautiful person is…oneself.

Happy Valentines Day .

As the Yoga Wise logo encapsulates the heart, a quick reminder of the 12 qualities of the heart:

1. Joy

2. Peace

3. Love

4. Harmony

5. Bliss (Ananda)

6. Clarity

7. Purity

8. Compassion

9. Understanding

10. Forgiveness

11. Patience

12. Kindness

We trust you have and will have these given to you and received from you on Sunday and always.

In the spirit of Valentines Day, Yoga Wise has a new promotion, ‘BFF: Best Friend Free’. Simply bring a friend or family member to a yoga class and their first class is FREE. The perfect way to begin sharing yoga with them, share what you have gained from yoga with them.

An update on the health insurance companies who cover yoga classes:
- AHM recognises Yoga Wise as a health provider, as previously mentioned it is recommended to invest in the 6-Pack yoga classes for the insurance company policies.
- With MBF, depending on the level of cover, yoga classes are covered when requirements are met:
* You have to have attended a minimum of 8 classes. Please let us know if you would like us to add you to the MBF list and we will begin to keep records to required records. MBF require an itemised receipt from Yoga Wise.
- HCF sadly does not cover yoga classes at all.
For any other insurance company please contact us and we will promptly find out for you.

As a new business in the Hill District, Yoga Wise has also been added to the 2010 Hills Local Business Awards; please visit www.thebusinessawards.com to place your vote easily. We will be ever so grateful for your support. When you visit the website, click on the ‘Select Awards Area’, then ‘metropolitan’ look down for the ‘Hills’. There is a banner across the top with the Vote button to click on. Then simply follow the directions for the form. We fall under the Health and Fitness Centre category for section 1.
‘Love wasn’t put in your heart to stay. Love isn’t love until you give it away’ (unknown)
May you enjoy giving it away!

Yoga Wise 2010 Class Timetable Update :-)

2010-01-04T16:11:00.002+11:00

NEW CLASS Monday Night
Vinegar Hill, Edward Purser Room
Conveniently in the Rouse Hill Shopping Centre
7.30-9pm (Beginning 1st Feb)

Tuesday Day
Castle Grand, Wexford Hall
Castle Hill Library
11-12.30pm (Beginning 2nd Feb)

Wednesday Night
Crestwood Public School
33 Peel Rd, Baulkham Hills
7.30-9pm (Currently running)

NEW CLASS Thursday Night
Vinegar Hill, James Cusack Room
Conveniently in the Rouse Hill Shopping Centre
7.30-9pm (Beginning 4th Feb)

Yoga Wise in 2010

2010-01-02T11:38:00.000+11:00

Happy New Year and thank you for making 2009 so fabulous.
For those who have made resolutions for 2010, I wish you success. I advocate reflecting on the resolutions made, to see if they line up with the values you hold. Aim to have resolution that walk you up the path to your true self and the values you hold highest.
A long term intention of mine, which I would love to share: haha mainly so you can all keep me in check:)
" When I do not feel guilty
          about who I am,
nor fear the secrets of my heart,
then the beautiful person
I am striving to be
can liberate my needs and desires,
so I might share more of myself
        with you and all others
        my life touches."
(Walter Rinder)

I had a beautiful conversation with a very special friend to me on new years day for me, he lucky had just had the joy of bringing in the new year. I, therefore had the beauty of celebrating two new years!!! He lives in Scotland, time differences can be difficult but also wonderful friendship builders:)  He was in a reflective mood and had been for a couple of days. The changing of a date has this magical effect, where we are lead down this path in our minds of reflecting and evaluating the past, present and imagined future. For many people, it seems reflect on 2009 as a difficult or hard year. Things have happened for both my friend and myself this year which we could easily put in the difficult and hard basket. At the time of them happening we surely did categories them as this but now standing in the shoes of learning, growth and strength, the experiences are still difficult and hard but we have been bettered by them. He spoke of great compliments of the changes he has seen within me over the 7 years, which I feel very honoured he shared. A strength of a man, he certainly did show. The changes he spoke of, have been capable because I have friends who see and cherish 'the secrets of my heart and the beauty of a person I strive to be'. Especially when I miss to see them, he reminds me, is inspired by them and celebrates my steps to my true self, with me. I would not be who I am without friends and family, like him and you.

I trust 2010, will be filled with loved and loving family and friends to support and encourage your true self through growth and joy.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2009-12-23T20:17:00.000+11:00

A little smile, a word of cheer,
A bit of love from someone near,
A little gift from one held dear,
Best wishes for the coming year...
These make a Merry Christmas!
(John Greenleaf Whittier)

Yoga Wise would love to wish you,
May your home be filled with love, laughter and Christmas spirit.

-More information on 2010 coming soon:)

How your life ON the mat can help your life OFF the mat…

2009-12-03T17:01:00.000+11:00

Each time we step on the mat yoga we intent to stretch, extend, push and be open to new experiences. Each week students join a class not knowing what they’ll be asked to perform, how they will be extending and stretching their bodies and minds. Our time ON the mat is about exploring the limits of our body and how our minds can either encourage or limit our experiences/achievements.

My many hours ON the mat and living a yogic lifestyle as much as I can, helped significantly at a beautiful friends wedding on Saturday (28th November 2009).

If you cast your mind back, it was that really hot day and gorgeously sunny for an outdoor wedding. The bridal party all looking fabulous and the Bride, was just STUNNING. The Father of the Bride had happily given his daughter away, and then the Marriage Celebrant called upon me to say a poem. I nervously walked up to stand behind the bride and groom, knowing that this day for them will be remembered forever. I wanted it to be perfect for them, so I focused on slowing my breathing down and to become mindful of being still and in the moment. These are all things I’ve learnt from my time ON the mat. I walked back to my cousin relieved my duty had been performed to the best of my ability.

The celebrant said a couple more sentences and then surprisingly excused herself. She walked up through the crowd to a shady and hidden area to collapse from the heat.

Then to everyone surprise a replacement marriage celebrant was selected by the Bride, Groom and Mother of the Bride. To my amazement that important job was given to me. Being chosen to marry my friends is a privilege and honour that I will be eternally grateful.

The Bride, Groom, family members, groomsmen, and guests, thanked me for doing what I did, and spoke of how they could not have done what I did. And I think, I never thought I could either. Until we are put in a situation that challenges us, stretches our beliefs, extends who we are, pushes us beyond our limits, we never know what we are truly capable of. Having people thank you is always lovely. This new experience highlighted for me, how we are called to action for a higher purpose and that the universe has a plan for us, which we can be totally unaware of until the universe hits us with it :-)

I sincerely believe my time ON the yoga mat, in particular, the practice of being present, being able to calm the body through simply breath awareness and giving action purely for the benefit of others (removing my notions of self and ego) and for a higher purpose, helped me in marrying my beautiful friends, my time OFF the mat.

{Happily dedicated to the new couple}

November Yoga by Donation :-)

2009-11-08T14:23:00.001+11:00

I am proud and grateful to update you about the November Yoga by Donation event held yesterday, Saturday 7th. Even though the rain limited that turnout for the yoga class, we were still able to raise $287 purely from raffle ticket sales. I am extremely happy and so grateful for everyone’s support.

Particular thanks needs to be given to following businesses for donating to the raffle prizes:

- New Moon in the Castle Hill Mall,

- EcoDownUnder at the Beecroft Arcade,

- Blue Illusion in Beecroft,

- The Paper Shoppe in Baulkham Hills Stockland Mall,

- Rebel Sports at both Castle Hill Towers and Macquarie Centre.

Due to the generous amount of products donated to the raffle, we could award 13 people with prizes. The winners will be notified in person this week.

The December, Yoga by Donation, event is already being organised. Firstly, due to the October and November, Yoga by Donation yoga classes being rained out I’ll be changing to an indoor venue to ensure the yoga class still runs.

Secondly, the Raffle goodies are already being donated, Little Rock Café, Baulkham Hills, Stockland Mall, have kindly given two $25 vouchers. I trust the amount of prizes available to be won in the December, Yoga by Donation event will increase. I am also trusting that we will double, if not triple, the proceeds given to the MS society, our charity.

If anybody is interested in helping me organise the December, Yoga by Donation event, please contact me. I would appreciate any support and time you could share with me. Some volunteering options:

- Contacting businesses to donate services, products or funds to Yoga by Donation. All materials will be provided.

- Selling raffle tickets

- And other organisational jobs closer to the actually event

Jessie's contact details:
jessie_paterson@hotmail.com
0439 465 044

YOGA by DONATION Update

2009-10-30T17:53:00.000+11:00

Hi everyone,

I want to remind you about the Yoga by Donation events presented by Yoga Wise.
The next event is Saturday week, Nov 7th, 9-10.30am at Dural Caravan Park, 269a New Line Rd, Dural.
Please come along, bring family and friends as the morning is relaxed and for charity. All the proceeds made at the November Yoga by Donation are going to MS Australia. I have selected MS Australia as the first charity to be supported as many people including my mother have been diagnosed with this mysterious illness. Therefore, more research and money is required to investigate this unexplained disease, its causes and helpful treatments.

There will be raffles and auctions to help generate more money for the MS society. You don't have to attend the event to be included in the raffles and auctions, so PLEASE contact me, to get your name in the hat for prizes and how to donate.
The prizes are increasing everyday. After a day of approaching other local businesses, we already have:
- New Moon at Castle Hill mall sponsoring the event with a gift certificate worth $30 to be spent in the beautiful shop.
- Rebel have supplied * Nike bum bag, * two regular size soccer balls, * two small soccer balls, * 10 bouncey balls, valued at over $60 in products.

Raffle tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5

We'll love seeing you at the event.
More information and updates to come.

Gratitude
Jessie

A fun and uplifting activity

2009-10-28T10:36:00.000+11:00

I have been reading a fabulous and thought creating book about Buddhist psychology for the West, called The Wise Heart, which I have personally found is, beautifully written by Jack Kornfield.
I've only just began to expand my knowledge and awareness through this book, second chapter in:) Before I go to far in and get so excited about everything I've learnt I think I'd better share some small parts with you. My excitement and enthusiasm can lead me to have an extra activity 'monkey mind' who jumps from thought to idea to dream to inspiration and the cycle just continues:) I'll attempt to limit you from such an article by taking small steps in sharing my experience and thoughts on the book.
The first principle presented is: See the inner nobility and beauty of all human beings.
Just think about how you have felt when someone has said " You are perfect just they way you are." or "I love you" or "You look lovely today". Compared to "What are you wearing!" or "You are not strong enough or capable enough or smart enough to do that".
What people say and do to/around/with us influences us. We also influence them. We have control and choice over how we re-act to them, how we feel and importantly how we influence them by our words and actions. Here is the practice/activity Jack presents to show us how we can influence for the best.
'Seeing the Secret Goodness.
Wait for a day when you awaken in a fine mood, when your heart is open to the world. If such days are rare, choose the best you have. Before you start for work, set the clear intention that during the morning you will look for the inner nobility of three people. Carry that intention in your heart as you speak or work with them. Notice how this perception affects your interactions with them, hot it affects your own heart, how it affects your work. Then choose five more days of your best moods, and do this practice on each of these days.
After looking at three people a day in this way five times, set the clear intention to practice seeing the secret goodness for a whole day with as many people as you can. Of course, you will find certain people difficult. Save them for later, and practice first with whose nobility and beauty is seen most easily. When you have done this as best you can for a day, choose one day a week to continue this practice for a month or two.
Finally, as you become more naturally able to see the secret goodness, expand your practice. Add more days. Try practicing on days that are more stressful. Gradually include strangers and difficult people, until your heart learns to silently acknowledge and bless all whom you meet. Aim to see as many beings as you can with a silent, loving respect. Go through the day as if you were the Dalai Lama undercover'

I would also add or give you another avenue to begin. Have a box or special place where you can write down the secret goodness you see in friends and family. At the end of each month or at a special occasion (birthday, Christmas etc) give these heart felt notes to the intended person.
Allow your heart to speak in a way it is comfortable, whether that be verbally sharing your secret goodness insights with them, or being more loving and compassionate in actions or writing down the insights and sharing in a long lasting manner. All of these are fantastic methods and will lift the spirits of those you share with. You, yourself will additionally be uplifted.

Happy practicing.

Thai Yoga Massage

2009-10-12T17:12:00.000+11:00

Hi everyone,
I've just returned from a training course in Canberra to learn Thai Yoga Massage. The course was fabulous, five days of giving and receiving metta (loving kindness) and massages:) Could not really ask for much more from a training course, could we!
Thai Yoga Massage combines the best of yoga and massage. It is performed on a mat in comfortable clothing and is customised to the needs and wants of each person. It can provide amazing results to reduce stress, ease discomfort and create profound feelings of relaxation. Throughout the massage we work with stretching the body with relaxation, pressure points and energy, to promote a healthy body and mind.
I have chosen to give 20 free massages to practice the 90 minute sequence, so please let me know if you are interested, I really would love to share a thai yoga massage with you. Send me an email to jessie_paterson@hotmail.com or give me a call 0439 465 044.
After the 20 free have been given and recieved the massage price is $60 for an hour and $90 for the full 90minutes.
I'm currently sourcing the materials for the mat, so bookings are being taken for the week starting the 26th October at present. So please get in quick for the free massage offer.

Ourshared yoga practices are starting back soon and I really look forward to experiencing and learning more with you.
Wednesday night at Crestwood Public school starts back this week 14th Oct, 7.30-9pm.
Tuesday day at Castle Hill Library starts 20th October, 11-12,30pm.

I'm also researching other venues to hire, which I will certainly keep you posted about.

Namaste and rainbows of metta (loving kindness)
Jess :) xo

Yoga by Donation Classes

2009-09-28T14:46:00.001+10:00

I practice asana (posture) practice everyday, the other aspects of yoga are not practice as frequently or as committedly. One of those other aspects is Karma Yoga, the practice of action without desire for reward.
I've chosen to practice this form of yoga by donating my time to hold a Yoga by Donation class the first Saturday of every month. The 2009 dates are 3rd Oct, 7th Nov and 5th Dec.
What is Yoga by Donation: yogis (thats you) come along, pay what you like for the class, i.e. gold coin, $5, $50, $100. All the proceeds go to a charity.
The first charity we will be supporting is the MS society. As you may know, my Mum was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004. With the dis-ease continually being referred to as the mysterious disease because the scientific world does not have the answers we'd love to have when a loved one is diagnosed with such a condition. Every dollar counts towards answering those questions. There is a massive amount of researching being conducted daily, monthly and yearly in the search for answers and an avenue to restore perfect health.
I would love for you to practice some karma yoga with me.
The yoga class will be held at Studiopt, 269 New Line Rd, Dural. Opposite the Dural Gold Driving Range. The class will run from 9 to 10.30am. Please come along and bring friends and family, especially those who have never tried yoga before:)

Charities for the following months are undecided as present, so please talk, email or blog post suggestions:)

Heart and Soul
Jessie xo :)

Swami Beyondananda’s Guidelines for Enlightenment

2009-09-16T18:19:00.000+10:00

A friend gave these to me a couple of years ago and I thought I'd share some lighthearted wisdom! I hope it brings a smile, remembering "A smile is the lighting system of the face and the heating system of the heart".

1. Be a Fundamentalist - make sure the FUN always comes before the mental. Realise that life is a situation comedy that will never be cancelled. A laugh track has been provided and the reason why we are put in the material world is to get more material. Have a good laughstitive twice a day and that will insure regularhilarity.

2. Remember that each of us has been given a special gift- just for entering. So you are already a winner.

3. The most powerful tool on the planet today is Tell-A-Vision. That is where I tell a vision to you and you tell a vision to me. That way, if we don’t like the programming we’re getting, we can change the channel.

4. Life is like photography. You use the negative to develop. And, no matter that adversity you face, be reassured: you are loved within the universe. And by me.

5. It is true. As we go through life thinking heavy thoughts, thought particles tend to get caught between the ears, causing a condition called truth decay. So be sure to use mental floss twice a day. And when you’re tempted to practice tantrum yoga, remember what we teach in Swami’s Absurdiveness Training class: “don’t get even, get odd”

6. if we want world peace, we must let go of our attachments and truly live like nomads. That’s where I no mad at you, you no mad at me. That way, there’ll surely be nomadness on the planet. And peace begins with each of us. A little peace here, a little peace there, pretty soon all the pieces will fit together to make one big peace everywhere.

7. I know great earth changes have been predicted for the future, so if you’re looking to avoid earthquakes, my advice is simple. When you find a fault just don’t dwell on it.

8. There’s no need to change the world. All we have to do is toilet train the world and we’ll never have to change it again.

9. If you’re looking to find the key to the Universe, I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news- there is no key to the universe. The good news is- it has been left unlocked.

10. Finally, everything I have told you is channelled. That way, if you don’t like it, it’s not my fault. And remember enlightenment is not a bureaucracy. So you don’t have to go through channels.

Yoga Wise logo Explained :-)

2009-09-09T23:25:00.000+10:00

What are the balls, dots, green things, I hear you asking! They are the symbol for your heart chakra/energy centre, which is called Anahata in sanskrit. As mentioned in a previous blog, I have a great connection with this centre in particular. For a long time there has been something that has drawn me to all that Anahata is. What Anahata is:
- It is a twelve-petal lotus, with a 6-sided star inside.
- Colours are green illustrating harmony, creativity, health, abundance and nature. Blue for the spirit. There is a little bit of yellow in the full symbol that represents the soul.
- The twelve lotus petals are qualities to sprinkle everywhere:
o Joy
o Peace
o Love
o Harmony
o Bliss
o Clarity
o Purity
o Compassion
o Understanding
o Forgiveness
o Patience
o Kindness
- The triangles together are the union of Shiva and Skakti. Upward pointing star is Shiva and represents consciousness. The downward pointing star is creativity, female energy and Skakti.
- Additionally not shown in the logo but important is what lies beneath the twelve petal lotus. Another lotus with red petals, which contains kalpa tara or the wish-fulfilling tree. Anahata is about “freedom to escape from a preordained fate and to determine one’s own destiny becomes a reality”. When the tree begins to bear fruit, what we think or wish will comes true. Our minds are fertile grounds, to which we sow the seeds of thoughts, desires, wishes, intentions and goals. If our energy arrives and awakens in Anahata, and we are unaware of the powers of the mind, or we hold negative thoughts, pessimistic attitudes, an ominous approach to life, apprehensions and fears, then you fall prey to them. This is what you sowed. Be alert to what you think, how you approach life (especially ‘problems’), what you wish and hope for, how and what you think about yourself and others- make these positive, compassionate and authentic. Make the fruit on your tree delicious nutritious fruits.
- Anahata is connected with the part of the brain responsible for all the creative sciences and fine arts (painting, dance, music, poetry etc).
- It is linked with the air element, feeling or touch, the skin and hands.
- Affirmations for the heart chakra include:
o I send my love at everyone I know; all hearts are open to receive my love.
o I love myself for who I am and the potential within me.
o I am grateful for all the love that is in my life.
- The heart centre has been described as: “The space within the heart where purity resides”. “Love each and every being as much if not more than you love yourself”.
- Finally, it is interesting to know what the lotus flower it represents. Lotus flowers grow up and out of muddy murky waters and where other plants do not normally grow. They flourish in generally uninhabitable conditions. Just as you can flourish in situations and circumstance that are not ideal. Secondly, an amazing feature of lotus flowers is that water does not damage the beautiful petals, the water runs start off. Practice this by not letting others negativity attach or damage your beautiful petals. Take the comments or remarks, yet do not accept them (if unwarranted, most of the time negativity says more about the other person than about you:) and let it fall out of your mind. Rise above, grow tall, go towards the light and blossom. Giving other people the pleasure of seeing your beauty.

Working with your power - Breathing Techniques!

2009-08-31T18:46:00.001+10:00

Pranayama are breathing techniques. Prana means breath, our life force.
Without breath - what are we? Pranayama involves locks (bandhas) holding the breath within or outside the body. What I’ll list below are breathing practices, not pranayama because we need to take one step at a time with breathing practices. The breath has great potential and power, which we will harness in time!
The breathing practices I’ve chosen to focus on here are linked with alternate nostril breathing, because of the energy criss crosses up our spine taking with it different energies for each side. Working with both energies is important, our western medicine symbol even shows this. Our breathing practices:
1) Inhaling and exhaling through both nostrils. Seems simple, think you already do this? Throughout the day, one nostril is more dominant than the other. Every 90minutes or so, dominance will change, rarely do we breathe through both nostrils. Type one can be used as a fast breathing technique where you build up speed, hold at a fast rate and then reduce back to your normal breathing. To begin with try 30 breaths/per minute.
2) Inhale and exhale only through the left, blocking the right with pranav mudra (see picture). Two options; fast or deep breathing. Deep breathing is where you employ the 1:2 ratio, i.e inhale for 3 counts, exhale for 6 counts.
3) Inhale and exhale only throught the right, blocking the left. Same two options.
4) Inhale via left, exhale right. Same two options.
5) Inhale via right, exhale left. Same two options.
6) Alternate nostril breathing. Sequence: inhale left, exhale right, inhale right, exhale left, inhale left, exhale right, inhale right, exhale left……. Only use the deep breathing option with 1:2 ratio.

Benefits of fast breathing:
- From the fast inhale and exhales the carbon dioxide levels in the blood reduces, while the oxygen levels increase in the blood. Rich oxygenated blood equates to improved organ function.
-The quick gas exchange means that toxins are removed, which helps our cells revitalise and work more efficiently.
- The rapid diaphragm movement massages the internal digestive organs, heart and lungs.
- Removes excessive mucus in the body and therefore helps remove sinusitis and common colds.
- Do not practice fast breathing if you have; high blood pressure, heart problems,
uclers, hernia, are pregnant, or have just undergone surgery.
- If you feel dizzy or light-headed, hold the breath for the count of 2 then release back to your normal breathing pattern.

Benefits of deep breathing (are extensive, here is a small proportion):
- Heart rate is reduced helping the nervous system relax and communicate more efficiently with the whole body. Stress levels are reduced, our adrenal secretion levels slow to healthier levels.
- Respiration rate is similarly slowed, increasing the oxygen levels and the efficiency of the breath.
- Stimulates the lymphatic system.
- The liver, pancreas, stomach, heart and lungs receive a massage from the diaphragm movement.
- Life is prolonged. Within an animal kingdom, the animals who breathe the slowest, live the longest.
- Numerous benefits for asthma sufferers, particularly with the increased oxygen levels.
- Endorphins are released. Endorphins are the bodies painkillers! Deep breathing can help relieve headaches, sleeplessness, backaches and other stress related aches and pains.
- Clears and calms the mind. Think about how you breathe when stressed, nervous, anxious and fearful. We need to cultivate the opposite.
- Rejuvenates the skin.
- Digestion is heightened. The extra oxygen levels burns up excess fat more efficiently. Conversely, the extra oxygen feeds the starving tissues and glands for people who are underweight. Yoga helps find the balance, the ideal weight for you.
- Inhale and exhale should be smooth and continuous and at the same speed. Lower the ratio is you feel like you are straining at any time.

I would love to hear your experiences or any issues you experience with practising. I can give you simple tips to overcome them. Remember, I have been where you are in starting breathing practices and still have obstacles to overcome. Don’t be afraid as the benefits are worth it.

Intentions and Affirmations

2009-08-23T20:07:00.006+10:00

Phillip Moffit has described the difference between goals and intentions as, “When goals deteriorate, they become expectations, and when we live life with expectations, we deny ourselves the truths of life…intentions are born of values.” He further asks a poignant question, “Do your resolutions/intentions confirm your core values?”
The next question we could ask is, Do we know what our core values are? Do we step back, stop for a minute or two and inquiry about what our core values are?
Stephanie Dowrick has the beginning of such a list. I say, beginning because we should add to her list, there are infinite values that direct our lives, via the choices we consciously and unconsciously make ever minute. Becoming aware of these values gives us consciousness over what is directing us and where we are going.
Stephanie’s list:
Love, Peace-making, Simplicity, Inclusiveness, Peace of mind, Restraint, Good will, Empathy, Appreciation, Tolerance, Clarity, Friendship, Joy, Good humour, Kindness, Flexibility, Wisdom, Resilience, Hope, Co-operation, Care for the physical world, Harmony, Humility, Curiosity, Courage, Creativity, Honesty, Freedom, Integrity, Abundance, Patience, Playfulness, Self-acceptance, Forgiveness, Self-knowledge, Awe, Trust, Encouragement, Trustworthiness, Happiness, Fairness, Service, Fidelity, Compassion, Respect, Constancy, Responsibility, Self-control, Loyalty.

Now with a solid understanding of your core values, look back over the list and see if there are values that you admire, or would like to add to your core value list. These will become the basis of the creative and personalised discovery of your intention/affirmation.
Before moving on I’d like to bring awareness of the word ‘discovery’ and to highlight the strength of this word. What we ‘find’ in life, whether it is about ourselves or a possession, it can be lost. It was never meant to be ours.
When we ‘discover’ in life, by it’s very nature, it cannot be lost. So when we discover an intention to grow, we are discovery and traveling to the depths of our true selves.
Intentions/affirmations give us purpose and direction. They give us strength when things seem to be going ‘wrong’. I would like to present an idea that is hard to comprehend or accept when times aren’t going the way we planned, but during the good times it is a whole lot easy to accept. No matter what we have planned, we all end up where we are meant to be and when we are meant to get there. We need to practice acceptance, trust, faith and letting go. A helpful motto can be ‘Accept what is’. Intentions allow us to cultivate a frame of mind that brings into our life and manifests that which is best for us. Intentions discover interest and enthusiasm for living life in our truthful manner.
With your list of core values at hand ponder upon:
- What you want to happen in YOUR life- today, this week, this month, this year, within the next 5 years.
- What problems do you want to solve? Be open to any answers that come up. Also accept that at first you might not have an answer. Cultivate a positive frame of mind, know what you want in your life and you are ready to receive it. Be open.
- What characteristics within yourself do you want to discover?
- What career will bring your definition of success?
- What do YOU want to accomplish? What skills, actions, knowledge do you require?
Now for the extra fun step, committing to yourself, committing these intentions to paper, creating and discovery your true capabilities- your true, glowing, loving self. Our minds are endless, carry this endless amount of possibility on paper, where you can nourish the intentions, rather than them floating around in our minds.
Make everything you wish to bring into your life an intention, let yourself and the universal energy know what you want and need.
Practically, in writing intentions we need to:
- Remove ‘should’ because we have more than enough of these in our lives.
- See the vast depth of what is possible. The limits to who are you are boundless and eternal. Make your intentions the same. Remember if you aren’t meant to have it, you won’t, that is what you’ll find. Patiently await the discoveries.
- Nourish and protect our intentions. Let yourself go, dream of the impossible, the marvellous. Keep them close to your heart and your eyes. Look at them, when needed to redirect energy. Allow them flourish if, when, how and in what capacity they will. Calm, accepting, trusting, faithful ground brings the appropriate nutrition to the intentions.
- Accept yourself and what you can do, take one day at a time. Follow your inspiration and passion. Focus on what needs doing, that intention and that direction. The others will grow towards the light when you and they are ready.
- Intentions are continuously flowing and changing. So stop regularly become aware of where you are and where you want and need to be. Evaluate and write again. Be proud of what you have discovered. Allow dreams to be born, nourished and full grown.
- They need to be framed in the positive and as if you have already achieved what you setting out to discover.
Examples to help you on your way to self-discovery:
- Intention: “I’m cultivating a positive frame of mind. I know what I want in my life, and I’m ready to receive it.” A further step with intentions is the follow through with purposeful action, this will be addressed in another blog posting:) For the moment a taste of what purposeful action for this intention could be: ‘Like attracts like- Appreciating others plants seeds of mutual attraction. Pick someone to focus on. Spend time with that person, giving them your unwavering attention. Listen with your whole body- not just to the words but to the feelings behind them. Maintain eye contact and be responsive. Then watch what happens: flowering under your attention, the person will be drawn to you. And you’ll find yourself reciprocating with warm feelings for them.’
- “I prosper whenever I turn and I know that I deserve prosperity of all kinds.”
- “I release the past and embrace the future. I look forward with joy and anticipation trusting in the process of life.”
- “I radiate success and prosper whenever I turn.”
- “I give and receive an abundance of love.”
- “I am safe and fulfilled in all that I do.”
- “I am willing to learn. The more I learn, the more I grow.”
Go Discover Yourself and all that I know you are capable of:)

Yoga: what it can be, and what it means to me.

2009-08-16T20:28:00.003+10:00

Yoga is much more than a form of physical exercise, many of you, if not all, have come to yoga to change something about yourselves. I know change is a major reason I love yoga. Won’t deny the physical exercise has made me a lot for comfortable in my skin because I feel…better looking, more flexible, more toned, greater strength, increased stability- the ego talking! But feeling more comfortable in my skin is also because I have found I’m a lot, a lot more than the physical. Yoga has been my path to psychological and emotional flexibility, strength and stability or balance.

One way yoga has allowed me to change and discover my inner flexibility, strength and balance, is through hatha yoga. In terms of physical yoga practices hatha yoga is the foundation of postures all the physical yoga varieties. But it is much more than that. A pivotal idea in hatha yoga is kundalini, we will take one of the many contradictory definitions, that kundalini is an obstacle. To remove or diminish the obstacle we need to burn it up, which can be incited through prana;…our breath, our life force. Fundamental to discovering our potential the removal of obstacles, is through the channels our energy and consciousness travel through along the spine. The channels are physiologically reflected in the flow of the breath. You may not realise that your breath alternatives all day between the right, left and both nostrils.
- The left and right energy criss crosses over the spine column.
- For interest, the left nostril is referred to as the moon (tha), and has cooling, introverting qualities. The right nostril is referred to as the sun (ha), and has heating, extroverting qualities.
- You will realise that yoga is about finding the mid point; between opposites, in this case ha and tha.
- As mentioned ha and tha energy cross the spine, 6 times in total, corresponding to the chakras, which I’ll talk about later. Ideally, our breath and therefore energy should flow uninterrupted by obstacles along these channels leaving from, both nostrils. When this is discovered there is a…uniting of ha and tha. This discovery process is understood as hatha yoga. So yoga is a lot more than physical yoga postures. Energy systems and prana are just some extremely interesting and beneficial avenues to investigate while discovering and changing ourselves.
To illustrate this concept of right, left and both nostril breathing qualities I’d like to share a personal experience. Having suffered a cold in the past week and not being able to step onto my mat, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to inquiry about my breath, energy and consciousness. Basically, what I have found is I have a lot of obstacles, which I’m excited about. During the cold my left nostril was predominantly the one that was blocked. Indicating that my body was very active in fighting the virus and I had a temperature. To be explicit, this links with the heating aspect and the fight and flight response of the right nostril which, was more active.
After recovery from my cold, I have found that my left nostril is my dominant nostril, then both nostrils and quite rarely it flows from the right. I would say that this shines a light on my personality; I’m a more introverted person, I don’t feel the heat and really feel the cold and I acknowledge… I’m unhealthy passive at times- all qualities of tha, the left nostril, cooling moon.

I’ll now follow this personal example with another which I will then explain in terms on chakras.
As I just mentioned I acknowledge, at times, and with a particular person in my life I am unhealthy passive and have allowed a couple of unhealthy boundaries to be become precedent. My intuition has been very loud and it’s resorted to sledge hammer use for me to realise, that something needed to change. I’m pretty certain my cold; symptom of low physical, mental and emotional resources, was one aspect of the sledge hammer. I accepted that I needed to vocalise with deserving assertiveness ME. So to find out the best way of enlivening this inner intuition and voice I engaged in some meditation in which I focused firstly on self acceptance and love. I went about doing this through a chakra meditation, primarily one pointedness with my heart chakra. Why, I hear you thinking, with your left nostrils (hopefully) with the predominant flow, adsorbing all this fascinating information ;)
- because, on a personal level I have a strong drawing to the heart chakra and it’s the chakra at present which I experience vivid imagery with. The heart chakra is associated with forgiveness, compassion, unconditional love of self and other and the ability to express love. All of which I needed to successful address the situation for me and the other person, and to foster a healthier relationship all round.

Gratitude and Namaste

Please ask me any questions you have. Also please let us know the changes yoga has opened for you, or your reasons for coming to learn about yoga:)

Yoga Wise poem

2009-08-08T14:41:00.000+10:00

Just a few special words
That I’d like to say
To give you that smile
And bring warmth to your day

You’re kind and you’re caring
You’re funny yet so smart
So let’s harness this time
To speak straight to your heart

Your time of ‘now’ growing
Is so important indeed
And this precious self growing
Is the ‘key’ that you need

So unlock your mind
Bring reality to your dreams
You have the strength that you seek
It’s so simple, it now seems

So take this time to ‘Yourself’
To help relight inside
Do all that you do
But now feel more alive!

You give un’ to others
But not to yourself
So now is the right time
To take ‘YOU’ off the shelf

You’re far too special
So I’m pushing your thoughts
To see more of your beauty
To bring you out of ‘sorts’

Stretch out your body
BUT stretch more your mind
And inside your closet
The rest of ‘You’, you will find!

So much inner magic
Should not be tied down
With this on the ‘release’
The ‘true you’ has been found!

So please smile away
Just smile all day
And continue on your journey
In a new directed way

Take more time for you
And act out your ‘needs’
As you’re looking for something
And so here’s ‘the seeds’

Let my words form thoughts
That keeps you safe from fear
Your heart is ‘thus’ pure
That your problems disappear

You have strength like a lion
So keep leading ‘your’ pride
There is no need for worry
As you have all GIFTS inside!

B.A.H

Jessie Paterson: Yoga Wise Teacher

2009-08-02T14:31:00.000+10:00

Welcome, my name is Jessie Paterson, I completed my Yoga Teacher Training in the home of Yoga - India. I started on my yoga path about six years ago, during a time of personal growth and discovery. Yoga has given me, a sense of self, or an ability to discover and accept who I am. I commenced attending classes with my Mum, who was newly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I could see the physical, emotional and mental benefits she was experiencing, this uplifted her and me. Personally, the yoga class was ‘me time’:
- I had to focus on my body and what it needed to maintain the asana (posture),
- I mentally had to be in the yoga room and thinking about me, a change from thinking about what Mum and the family needed and this gave me more strength, flexibility and stability within the yoga class but also outside the classroom.
- I had more mental clarity, was calmer and more centred.

My mum has given me many things, my love of yoga being a major one. As her disease has progressed, I am now, also, her carer.
My teaching style is about generosity, patience and non-competitiveness. I keep my class sizes small to allow for personalised attention, care and adaptability for individual’s needs. I am a creative person and can think outside the square for what best suits you and your yoga practice.

My interests are in adult and kids classes and bring some of what I’ve experienced through yoga to you and learning and being enriched by our experience. In addition, I have primary school teaching qualifications so I work equally well with adults and children.

I look forward to sharing the rewards yoga can bring.