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.