Listening is definitely an art, one in reflecting and mirroring, and hopefully one that I am improving through practicing and teaching yoga. Recently I have had a number of experiences where I just don’t feel heard. Do you ever get that feeling when you’re talking […]
Creating an Island of Calm
What would it take for you to feel calm, secure and at ease in this very moment? In other words the feeling of just being yourself, just as you are. Perhaps these qualities are already present right now? If that is the case notice the sensations […]
Nourish and Nurture Retreat
How often do you take time out for your self? It can seem hard to find the space and time to prioritise ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’ but in my experience scheduling a couple of retreats per year has a profound personal impact. Such investment supports and invites […]
Mermaid on the Rocks
Use this divine restorative pose to recover from your Summer holidays! That might sound like strange thing to say. I love all the adventuring, camping, hiking, sailing and frisbee on the beach we do with the kids throughout this season and feel deeply grateful for […]
Heart to Belly Breath
When you begin practicing Constructive Rest Position (CRP) you might find that you are so tired that you more or less fall asleep whilst listening to the audio guide from part 1. With practice and once sleep debt has been addressed, Constructive Rest is a good […]
Your own personal weather report
Solstice Greetings! Today is the longest day of the year down here in the southern hemisphere and the sun is shining brightly. A funny time to be celebrating the traditions of Christmas which come from a culture and time when the days are shortest, and light is welcomed back […]
Constructive Rest – An Advent Gift to your Self
Join Tess Booth, my co-teacher, and I for this advent countdown of self-care through the Christmas craziness. It is a daily 20 minute commitment we are making to ourselves, knowing the huge benefits that this simple posture yields. Constructive Rest is the most portable and practical restorative pose as […]
A poem for Restoration
All my yoga bolsters and blankets have been moved over to Fairfield House, a beautiful historic building here in Nelson that was restored bit by bit by the community over the last 20-30 years. It seems very appropriate therefore to teach Restorative Yoga at Fairfield and invite the […]
Unfurling the Spine
The beautiful image of a fern uncoiling is my inspiration for this practice. This shape known as a Koru depicts new beginnings, birth and harmony in Maori Culture. Spinal rolls can offer this sentiment at the beginning of our day and activate a sense of new energy […]
A Poem for Spring
This poem arrived after a beautiful spring walk with a friend of mine. Everything smelt fresh and shiny and new. We came upon a cow and her calf who had literally just arrived into this world and so the image stayed with me. I often read […]