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 

It takes courage to find freedom

Location: Bakasana (crow pose) at a farm in Rylstone overlooking Dunns Swamp, NSW Australia

Absolutely delighted to receive this amazing shot from one of my fellow yoga teachers, thank you Bryony!! There are few comparable poses which truly reflect the courage, strength and balance in which one develops in facing life's challenges.

"Freedom is the basic condition for you to touch life, to touch the blue sky, the trees, the birds, the tea and the other person" - Thich Nhat Hanh

Resolutions for 2014

Location: Padmasana (Lotus Pose) at Wendy's Secret Garden, Kirribilli

Happy New Year everyone!! I wish everyone a great 2014 to come! What new years resolutions have you come up with for this year? I've decided that mine for the year is to establish a more consistent meditation practice and what better way to start that off by having an outdoor session on a gorgeous summer day! 

If you don't already have a regular meditation practice or perhaps you've never even tried it I do encourage you to give it a go...even if it is for 5 minutes a day. I promise you that you'll discover the benefits very quickly. Such a simple exercise but such a powerful tool in promoting clarity, mindfulness and peace of mind. Even a short session can leave you feeling more centred and calm- everything that you need to face a busy day.

"We don't set out to save the world; we set out to wonder how other people are doing and to reflect on how our actions affect other people's hearts" - Pema Chodron

Reflections

Location: Utkatasana (Chair Pose) at Rainbow Lake, Snowy Mountains NSW Australia

It is the most beautiful moment whenever the mind is able to reach a moment of stillness. There is no better way to reflect on this than to sit by the edge of an ancient lake hidden in a secluded valley. 

Thank you for sharing the double asana Callie and Jackson!

"The inner is foundation of the outer, the still is master of the restless, The Sage travels all day yet never leaves his inner treasure"- Lao Tzu

Strength and beauty

Location: Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose) on Malolo Island, Fiji

The beautiful Heidi shares with us her inner thoughts about this pose

"Bridge pose represented strength and beauty"

There is no better way to get energy flowing than holding a few rounds of urdvha dhanurasana at the start of each morning!

Serenity

Location: Urdhva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Facing Dog), Mt View in the Hunter Valley

"I feel grounded and free at the same time... like my heart is opening up to the world and heavens and I've let go of holding back. I find this so beautiful... to me it's a sensual connection with nature and the sky. xo"

Thank you to our fellow blogger, Saya for sharing this gorgeous photo and your thoughts behind it. Serenity... the essence we love capturing in our Yoga on Earth blog.

Contrasts...

Location: Renee in sukhasana, Dunedin New Zealand
 

There is something truly inspiring and raw captured in this photo of my dear soul sister, Renee. A picture of contrasts- peacefully meditating in sukhasana next to the crashing waves from the open sea.

Wild and calming, the ocean showcases some of Mother Nature's contrasting elements at its very best.

Balance

Location: Vrksasana (Tree Pose), Mt Kosciusko NSW Australia

 A tribute to my other great teacher, Michele, whom I have had the privilege of calling guruji whilst following the yoga path. Perched high on one of many rocky granite tors often found in Mt Kosciusko, Michele resonates the balance and calm in Vrksasana which so many of us students strive to attain in everyday life. This pose truly reflects the teacher we know... focused, calm and balanced.

Thank you for being a great teacher to us and particularly in the areas of yogic philosophy and meditation.

Michele is a principal teacher at Baulkham Hills Yoga Studio and shares over 20 years of experience in her teachings.

Equanimity

Location: Pincha Mayurasana (Forearm Balance) on The Great North Walk, NSW Australia

This blog would never have been complete without paying homage to all the yoga teachers before my time and in particular to my own guru ji, James. 

Thank you so much for sharing this rare moment... balancing with such ease in the middle of the great Australian bushland. Capturing the equanimity and stillness which we work toward in every practice of yoga.

 

This photo was taken along the Great North walk, one of NSW's most best known long distance tracks stretching from Sydney - Newcastle - Hunter Valley. James is a principal teacher at Baulkham Hills Yoga Studio and shares over 28 years of experience in his teachings.

Twilight tales...

Location: Bakasana at sunset in Tibooburra, Outback NSW Australia

Twilight is said to be symbolic as a time of great contrasts; between light and darkness, the sun and the moon, conscious and unconsciousness, masculine and feminine energies. Bakasana (Crow Pose) is often a pose that many come into experiencing some apprehension as they momentarily enter the unknown. It calls on great strength, focus and courage before you can lift into this arm balance...the very same qualities that help one to move from darkness into the light.


Thank you to fellow yoga teacher Bryony for sharing this amazing photograph captured at twilight of her partner in the beautiful Australian outback. 

Where it all began...

Location: Padmasana on The Snowy River (Main Range Track), Snowy Mountains NSW Australia

It started off as a bit of fun as we sat there basking on the rocks one fine day... but this is where the inspiration for this blog originated. Perhaps its the beauty of the warm sun and clear blue skies that got to me or perhaps it was the pure wildness of the rocky outcrops in the Australian alpine. Whatever it was, I finally started discovering 3 of my loves in life; yoga, nature and photography.

The location for this shoot is one my favourite places on Earth. The Snowy Mountains is absolutely stunning and the higher you go the more beautiful it becomes. I love the sound of the Snowy River flowing over the rocks... lying on large granite boulders under the warm sun... the crisp fresh air... the tussocks of springy grass... the untamed and constant wind in your hair... and the endless blue skies with fluffy white clouds floating by...

Now its my turn to invite all of YOU to come and participate in my passion too and help create awareness on what Earth has on offer!

Currently under construction, we'll be up and running soon!

In the meantime keep up to date with our page on www.facebook.com/yogaonearth