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Thursday 31 May 2012


Australian tapestry workshop from allthemountains

Woven art























From thebrickhouse























found here

Shake it!

















me after my foot massage....
found here

Foot Massage






















Feet love walks, rubs, movement and attention. Give your feet the appreciation they deserve and massage them everyday...or better still persuade someone else to!

I prefer to do it after a hot shower or bath when my muscles are warm. I start with my toes, working down to the whole of the sole of the foot in slow circular movements. I end by threading my fingers between each toe (this can be a little uncomfortable when you first try) and gently rolling the ankle and then pointing and flexing in the toes.

Give it a go!

pose of the week























Tadasana (Mountain Pose)


"You want to stand on your head and you don't even know how to stand on your feet." 
-- B.K.S. Iyengar


Tadasana is the foundation of the asana yoga practice, everything comes back to Tadasana! Tadasana is also called Samasthiti, which translates as equal standing. For me the art of standing correctly starts with this pose.

Practice always begin Tadasana by placing the feet properly and work up from that foundation. Traditionally you have the feet together in this pose, but if you are new to it or find it hard to balance then start with the feet hip width apart. This description by Brad Piddy is the most precise i could find.

Sequencing whenever and wherever you like! Do it to establish strength and balance in your feet, legs and spine before standing poses, after standing poses, a the beginning of a session, at the end, when you are standing in line at the supermarket or waiting for the bus....

Benefits improves posture, Strengthens thighs, knees, and ankles, is said to relieves sciatica and reduce flat feet.

Wednesday 30 May 2012

Rebecca Horn























White body fan by Rebecca Horn via montmarte

Home Improvements

So i notice there are ALOT of lifestyle blogs dedicated to such things, its all the rage to show how stylish you and your home are. Now i am not judging, i get very easily drawn in, but it does sometimes make me feel a little queasy...that was until i saw these beauties!!













1.  a glow in the dark driveway. Well you just would, wouldn't you? via acupofjo






















2.  Easy access to the lounge. Brilliant.  via witanddelight














3. My dream scenario. Eleanor Lanahan and John Douglas, Vermont artists, built an addition with a bridge to maintain their private space while living together...read and see more pictures here.

Tuesday 29 May 2012

Monday 28 May 2012

Lily Stockman






























Lily Stockman via the makers project

(Source: yoga-beautiful)

Sequence: Headache Relief


Whenever I work with a headache, I like to wrap my head with a bandage or pashmina scarf...its looks a little crazy but feels good! You can either firmly wrap your forehead only, or wrap both your forehead and your eyes (but not to tight around the eyes). The pressure of the bandage around the head and eyes as well the bandage's blocking of outside light help to release the tension.

As you hold each position, imagine your brain "shrinking" away from the wrap. Imagine a space opening up between the front of your brain and the inner surface of your forehead, and let the brain "sink" onto the back of the skull. Practise this visualisation especially in the reclining positions.

When trying to alleviate a headache, you should emphasise the lengthening of the exhalation of your breath. One of my favourite tricks for this is focusing on the feeling of filling my lungs as i inhale and then filling the room with my breath as a exhale, it really helps me lengthen my exhalations in a natural even way.

1. Balasana (Child's Pose)
Perform either with your head on the floor, or with your torso and head supported on a bolster positioned between your thighs. The bolster's long axis should be parallel to your torso. (Total time 3 to 5 minutes.)
2. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog) 
Support your head on a bolster or block. (Total time 1 to 2 minutes.)
3. Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
Place your head and crossed forearms supported on a padded chair seat or table. (Total time 1 to 3 minutes.)
4. Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose)
A simple version is to support the torso on a rolled blanket orbolster underneath and parallel to your spine.  Support the legs with blocks or books so that you are not just 'hanging out' in your joints. (Total time 3 to 5 minutes.)
5. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Supported Bridge Pose) 
Support the torso on a bolster, and shoulders and head resting lightly on the floor. (Total time 3 to 5 minutes.)
6. Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose) 
Let the pelvis be supported either on a bolster or rolled blanket. (Total time 3 to 5 minutes.) To avoid any possibility of straining your back when exiting, be sure not to twist off the support. Either 1) slide off the support first before turning to your side, or 2) bend your knees, press your feet against the wall, and with an inhalation lift your pelvis off the support; then slide the support off to one side, lower your pelvis to the floor, and turn onto your side.
7. Savasana (Corpse Pose)
Take normal inhalations but lengthen the exhalations as much as is comfortable for you. When in Corpse Pose you might also want to lay a weighted sandbag, or something similar, on your forehead. As with the wrap, the pressure of the weight on your head helps release the tension.

If you were just going to practice one of these poses my favourite is Viparita Karani (legs up the wall) with a warm flannel over my forehead.

(Image source: yoga-beautiful)

Friday 25 May 2012

Leggings






















Yep. I think its about time i started pimping my leggings.
(Source: etsy.com)

Recommended read























Su Sareen; See How Yoga Feels.

 "...simply by imagining things about your bodies, you can make them really happen..."

I got this book on a whim and I'm really pleased i did!
The experience of practising yoga is an internal one and as a teacher I'm always looking for ways to get the feelings i have in poses into other peoples bodies so visualisations can be really handy. This book concentrates on that internal experience in a really concise and simple way and can be used by anyone who practises yoga.

I highly recommend taking a look...

Lee Jung





I'm a romantic at heart so neon love letters in odd places appeal... See more here and here.

Wednesday 23 May 2012






















ahhhhhh yoga by the sea...
Lift your kidneys lady!

(image source: yoga-beautiful)

Core Competency

Recent article from Jason Crandell in Yoga Journal...worth a read!

"...yoga doesn't build brute force. it teaches you to cultivate a different kind of strength: the strength that results from physical integration and connection. Physical integration is that sense of coordinating different parts of the body so that they work in concert. It's the idea that we become exponentially more powerful when the body works in unison rather then when we isolate a muscle or muscle group. When we learn this, and feel it, we have the powerful and beneficial experience of being whole..."

I like this Jason guy, he seems to know his stuff.  If you don't get the magazine i'll post a link when i find it online, in the mean time try this sequence!














Downward Cat.
From Living with a Lion by Michael Rougier

Recommended Recipe: Trout in a parcel.

Currently one of my favourite meals. It's simple, quick, ooohhh soooo good for you and very filling. I used leek instead of fennel today and it is just as tasty. The video makes my mouth water...enjoy!

Saturday 19 May 2012

Facing Emotional Turmoil

"...“the body never lies.” We might succeed in pushing a feeling out of our minds, but we cannot push it out of our bodies. Our bodies know whether or not we have truly processed an experience..."

































Just read this really interesting article by Angela Wilson about  Yoga and science exploring skillful ways to navigate the turbulent after effects of a broken heart.
I recommend reading it!

image source: iswasandwillbe