O but my darling, what if you fly?

Location: Trolltunga, Norway

“There is freedom waiting for you,

On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask "What if I fall?"
Oh but my darling,
What if you fly?” 
― Erin Hanson

Happy New Year under both the Gregorian and Lunar calendars! May 2018 be a year for welcoming in more of what helps us grow and letting go of the things that no longer serve us. 

I am finally back online after a much needed break. After a particularly challenging couple of months (more changes than expected, losing both a loved one and a yoga teacher to cancer, work travels on short notice) I've taken a few weeks to mentally rest, recuperate and recharge. For the first time ever I've also decided to get set some intentions and have written down some goals for the year. Feeling optimistic about 2018, hope everyone is just as excited about what lies ahead!

Introspection

The festive season is a time associated with joy and happiness, long summer days (in Australia at least), indulgences of all kinds and endless social events. But for some it is also a time of challenge and difficulty confronted with reflection for the year past, managing energy levels to live up to others expectations or simply a time that highlights what you are missing this year.

Sometimes the best we can do for ourselves is to learn to let go and invite balance and introspection into our lives. True happiness can be found from within (and with your closest family and friends). When I'm having one of those days where I need something restorative in which I can surrender, I find comfort in balasana (childs pose). 

My little man Yoshi is also learning to let go... the vets order was no running around on the grass patch until he gets his cast off.

Embracing change

Location: Leirhnjúkur, Iceland

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes" - Lao Tzu

Embrace it. Flow with it. Love it. 

We had loads of fun putting this image together at Leirhnjúkur in Myvatn, Iceland. An incredible place with hissing steam rising from the earth and smoking black lava fields stretching out as far as our eyes could see.

Wanderlust

Location: Fjords of East Iceland

Words cannot describe the incredible energy which emanates from the raw and rugged landscape that is Iceland. Inspired by Iceland.

"Not all who wander are lost " - JRR Tolkien 

Let the light in

Location: Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose), Copacabana Beach

In times of great emotional stress... there is little that can match the feelings from a heart opening sequence to unlock those emotions and let the light back into your heart. It is times like these that we often need our practice the most.

"Every day, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” - Dalai Lama

Spring Day!

Location: Vrksasana (Tree Pose), Auburn Botanic Gardens

Spring... a time of awakening and change

"Every story has an end but in life every end is a new beginning" - Uptown Girls

Aspirations for the New Year

Location: Urdhva Dhanurasana (wheel pose) on a bamboo bridge in Mai Chau, Northern Vietnam

Happy New Year everyone!  Wishing everyone a wonderful year ahead filled full of joy, laughter and happiness. No better time to re-commit to our yoga practice again too! This amazing bamboo river in Northern Vietnam inspired my new years practice to begin with a a back bend...  as they say "a backbend a day keeps the doctor away". Xo

What's your New Year aspirations for 2015?

“Yoga does not remove us from the reality or responsibilities of everyday life but rather places our feet firmly and resolutely in the practical ground of experience. We don't transcend our lives; we return to the life we left behind in the hopes of something better.” ~ Donna Farhi