Body Mind Life

It can prove a battle trying to find the time to practice as a student. I hear it over and over again - that there's just not enough hours in the day. And true - we can all practice our yoga whether on the mat or not, but for me, my body and mind just get it when I step on the mat. All the fuzz in my head just disappears, the stress in my realm just leaves, and I just am.

But between a full time job with a lot of over-time, teaching yoga part-time, and then living around that, I don't get on the mat as a student nearly as often as I like. Which is why I was absolutely blissed out when I made it to a couple of classes as a student at Surry Hills Body Mind Life studio this past week, with a dear friend, and had one of the best classes I've had in a long time!

Some days your body balances, flies, floats, the planets all align and the perfect teacher guides you through a breathtaking practice - this is what happened when I stepped into the Power Basics class on Thursday evening. For those who've not tried it, Body Mind Life is a vibrant studio in the middle of the city, right near Central Station, with a beautiful big heated room to practice in. Having not been a fan of heated yoga prior to this year, I missed out on some of the amazing teachers they have - but better late than never.

The room is not as hot as a Bikram practice, but the classes here (especially the power and vinyasa) are nice and flowing so you really warm up quite a lot - hint, be sure to have a towel with you! You will sweat! But the flow of the sequences ensures you're not just focussed on the heat - something I feel that lacks in Bikram.

Michael was the teacher who led our Thursday evening Power Basics class and let me say it, Mike - you rocked it! This class was truly fabulous.. catering for all levels, he had a smile in his voice and explained the poses so well. We started off with some pranayama, then worked through the strong power sequence, and just when we thought we couldn't take it anymore, he'd make us crack into a smile and his amazing uplifting energy converted me - I can't wait to go back next week : )

I followed this up with a fabulous fluid Vinyasa class on Sunday evening with Andrew, and again my heart was singing. As much as yoga is physical, it is a mental/spiritual practice as well and Andrew really bought these elements together in class. Plus, a teacher who talks about peppermint magnums is a teacher I'd like to come back too! ;)

As a teacher myself, I know how challenging it can be to teach a large room full of students at different levells, but both Michael and Andrew made it look (and sound) like a walk in the park. THANK YOU for a gorgeous practice that made me remember why I love yoga so much.

Deets:
Body Mind Life studio in Surry Hills is on Foveaux St, www.bodymindlife.com.au

A Farm in the City

Check out the awesome trailer for EDIBLE CITY, a link I spotted on the great site, Let Your Life Bloom. So many fabulous, relvant and inspiring movies coming out : )

Enjoy x

The Yoga Smorgasboard

Today I tried by first Bikram yoga class - truthfully, not too hot compared to what I was exepcting, as I think my power yoga training and those 5 hour yoga sessions prepared me well!

However, if you're new to yoga - perhaps stepping into a hot hot hot room of 38 degrees for the very first time ever would turn you off the practice for good! Oh the other hand, maybe a more meditative practice is going to be too boring for you.

The good news is that there are so many different traditions of yoga, and different styles within each of those traditions - and then again, different teachers within each of those styles. Really - if one class doesn't suit you, try and try and try again - it could change your life.

But where to start? There's a great article on Yoga Journal that you should take a peak at to give you a bit of an idea of what's out there. But really, I can't suggest strongly enough to just get out there and try it. Further, there is no one way to get into yoga - read about some ways people got into the practice here, at Daily Cup of Yoga.

So - have I convinced you yet? Go yogis, go! I promise you, yoga has the power to change lives. : )

Now tell me, how did YOU get into yoga, and what practice floats your boat?

Looking forward to hearing the stories!

x stella

This week I'll commit to...

an artist date with a friend.

Even though yoga was traditionally practiced one on one with a teacher, most of us in the West practice yoga in a group. Still, side by side on our mats, it is a solo practice - moving in and out of poses with our own breath guiding us (especially in a vinyasa class).

When we paint, draw, sew or write - again, it's a solitary practice. Yes, it might be for the enjoyment of others, indeed it may be inspired by others - but we sit to do these things on our own.

Hence I was very inspired to read this great idea of an artist date with a friend on the gorgeous blog, Wish Studio. It encourages you to follow yr passion but to do it with a friend. The writer went on a photo date with their partner, and then created diptychs (dual photos side by side) to share their day.

I love this idea!!!

In fact, this week, I'm committing to asking a friend out on an artist date and will soon post the results here. I love how two people can look at exactly the same thing and see something different - here's to individuality!

Would you be interested in joining me on this challenge?

x

Today my Twitter feed reads...

Today my Twitter feed reads... think happy thoughts! manifest happy day! repeat to self!

I'm struggling today. I'm feeling very overwhelmed as life is busy - the day job is busy, the night job is busy, the STUFF I need to do and be, it's all busy. I had a bit of a 'moment' on Sunday night when I realised I still had to do a lot of cleaning and organising for the week ahead (how did it get to be Sunday night already?!). But I sat down and thought "next best action".

When things are overwhelming and I can't see straight, what's the "next best action" I need to do to keep moving? For me, on Sunday night, it was to pull out my diary and schedule a night at home this week. Then to write a list of what needed to be done, and then jump into bed with a cup of tea and a good book.

I get frustrated at myself a lot of the time because I don't practice yoga as a student as often as I'd like to. I don't catch up with my friends as much as I 'should'. I don't have enough chill time as I want. But still, I have a lot - I have a yoga practice, beautiful friends, and a gorgeous home to chill in. I have a job I love, I have a diary to doodle and draw and write down all the lists of things to be completed in, I have a wonderful family and I have every new day to start again.

I might have a slow computer that drives me absolutely bonkers, but I have a computer. Tell me friends, what are you grateful for today?

PS - follow me on Twitter - twitter.com/shinyyoga
x

Winter Yoga & Tea Workshop

Two of my fave things - a beautiful strong yoga practice, and yummy hot tea in winter. So why not combine the 2 of them? That's exactly what I've done and now YOU must come and enjoy the winter in this fabulous workshop:

Winter Yoga & Tea workshop @ Newtown Fitness First
Saturday July 4 @ 1pm – 3:00pm

Enjoy a delicious & mindful yoga practice accompanied by steaming cups of yummy complimentary tea to warm the heart this July.

Indulge in chai tea to warm the body up, sip on peppermint tea to cool things down, and let chamomile tea wind your practice down as you enter a beautiful restorative meditation.

Cost: FREE for Fitness First members however bookings are essential to shinyyoga@gmail.com $20 for non-members. Open for all levels.
Location: Newtown Fitness First (330 King St)

COME ALONG! Book in now! xo

Best. Idea. Ever.

Bon Iver from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.