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What the heck is yoga?

If you haven’t done yoga before you might be thinking you need to look fabulous, have fancy leggings and be at a beach with a sunset in the background and bend your leg behind your ear. Like so many things yoga these days is being commercialised to make you want that fabulous body, those fancy leggings, the unachievable looks, the beach and peace that is emanated from those glossy magazine images and facebook posts. That is not yoga – that is marketing…

The ultimate goal of yoga is to still the mind. Like Pattabhi Jois so beautifully said “Yoga is an internal practice. The rest is just a circus”.

Originally the yoga asanas (yoga poses) which today we mainly know in the west as yoga were only practiced to have a healthy and flexible body to be able to sit in long periods of mediation to still the mind.  I attach an image below of the 8 limbs of yoga that the serious yoga practitioner attempts to live by. As you can see the Asana practice (postures) are only a small part of a full yoga practice. Many of us already practice yoga with the moral code and personal conduct already being present in many people’s lives.

However we also have to view our potential yoga practice in a practical way. Not many of us in the western world have the time to sit under a tree all day trying to still our mind with long meditation practices to reach Samadhi. So yes the physical postures are immensely beneficial to our bodies that are often forced to be in a static position all day (office / desk) or being overused in physically challenging jobs doing repetitive movements (pack-house, building, pruning etc). So it is really important for most of us to bring balance back to bodies with yoga postures.

In my classes at Heartspace Yoga I teach gentle and basic Hatha Yoga and Yin Yoga. Both styles are achievable for most of us. They are gentle forms of yoga and my focus is on creating a moving mediation. So while we do the postures we focus on our breathing and on stilling the mind. In all of my classes we have brief meditations at the beginning and at the end of the class, there are some Pranayam / Yogic breathing exercises and the postures. My aim is for my students to leave relaxed, energised, detoxed, with an open body and mind, with batteries charged and a calmer nervous system.

Most of us lead lives that are too full, with to do list that are too long for anybodies good. In the western world especially we have a society that is stressed, depressed, depleted, chronically ill and reaching for more and more accomplishments until our bodies completely crash. Yoga can help you to bring balance back into your life, find clarity in your head as to where to go next by stilling the mind, allowing our bodies to heal and restore by calming the nervous system, be more present in your life and make better decisions. There are many studies available online that proof the manifold benefits of yoga.

The Hatha Yoga I teach is a mix of standing and floor based poses with dynamic movements that work on the muscular system, increasing strength, balance and stamina. The Yin Yoga is mainly floor based with long held poses (2-6 minutes), which works on the connective tissue, Facia and Joint Health. Yin Yoga is a beautiful practice to balance out physical practices that you might already be doing. Ideally both styles are practiced to benefit the whole body.

The first session is free for new students – so why not come along to try yoga and bring more balance into your life and body. For more information you can check out my website heartspace.nz or like my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/heartspacenz/.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me [email protected] or call me 021 – 104 56 66.

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Sonic Tonic Yoga Social – Done

SONIC TONIC YOGA SOCIAL DONE.

Thank you so much to Lily Lau for the beautiful collaboration with the Sonic Tonic Yoga Social. Thank you also to Scott and Ruth from THE SPACE for the beautiful venue and to Sandra from the artkitchen for making the delicious raw cheesecake. And thank you to all that came to experience the evening. It was a beautiful evening and we will try and aim to make this a monthly event – 1 hour candlelit yin yoga accompanied by soundbowls, 30 minutes full sound immersion with Lily and 1 hour socialising sipping tea, eating cake and chatting afterwards.

It is so special to be able facilitate things like this. This was my first and I was a bit nerveous. I hope all participants got something nice out of it.

Thank you for allowing me to do what I love – feeling grateful.

Thank you to Lily for the beautiful photographs too – she is woman of many talents.

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DoTerra Essential Oils

I just love these oils. I received them a couple of weeks ago and have been using them heaps. They are the purest, cleanest essential oils in the world! And they source ethically, supporting lots of good community causes.

The last 2 nights I used the “Peace” Blend for Nina and I, which is just beautiful. Lets say we are just very similar and things can get a bit heated at times, so find some Peace after with beautiful smelling oils is great and Nina (my daughter) loves it. The Peace blend has Vetiver, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Clary Sage, Majoram, Labdanum and Spearmint in it. It is very potent and smells for the whole evening. All that is needed is 1 drop.

If you would like to browse through the oils or have more info on how to purchase them you can check out my website link below.

I order every month, so if you don’t like ordering online yourself I can order something in for you.

http://heartspace.nz/essential-oils/

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1 month anniversary of Heartspace Yoga

I just realised that I missed my 1 month anniversary of opening the doors to my Heartspace yoga studio – 1 month and 3 days. I feel very humbled and so grateful for all your support. I really, really appreciate it. Because of you I am able to do what I love and its even better if you love what I do!

One of my beautiful clients nominated me for the 2017 NZ Exercise Industry Awards and left this anonymous feedback about me: “She inspired me to come back. It is that simple. I’ve tried yoga before and completely scared of the group fitness scenario. With Silke she made an instant connection,she is down to earth yet spiritual too. She connects with each person in the room and makes us all feel so welcome. I was lucky enough to meet her at a time when i really needed to. Her yoga sessions have provided the exact right amount of physical workout and peace for my mind.”

Whoever you are – thank you so much – that means a lot.

And thank you to my clients who have gone to the trouble to leave a review for me on facebook or sending their friends to try my sessions.

The studio was almost at capacity tonight with 9 people joining in the 7 pm yin session.

Thank you to you all – from my heart to yours. Sleep well x

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REFLECTION TIME – ON HAVING WINGS AND USING THEM

REFLECTION TIME

After the first 1.5 weeks of heartspace yoga I just had a bit of reflection today- the last 2 months have been a bit crazy always on the go preparing for the opening. In actual fact the last 2 years have been crazy in a good way after I decided with 41 I finally needed to do something professionally that means something to me in a deeper sense. I wanted to do something to create positive change, to bring healing to people, something I could be proud of, something that feeds my heart. There were 2 things on the list – 2 things I am really passionate about – Homeopathy and Yoga.

I choose the easy version to start with – Homeopathy – I could hide behind a computer and study, I would get a student loan to pay for it and i have been using it for many years in my own family. After 3 quarters of the year I realised it didn’t feel right – i felt a bit like a failure. Having taken up a student loan which now needed to be paid back etc etc. I finished my year with really good marks and an insight well worth and lots of knowledge on board that I can use in my personal life also I could tick it off my dream list.

So onto pondering where to from here after the 3 quarters I decided to go for the yoga option. I had been practicing regularly for over 10 years and I LOVED every second of it – BUT I was really shy and the thought of having to speak in front of people and sit in front of people just completely freaked me out, plus I didn’t have any money to pay for the teacher training. Well guess what – a reasonable and practically possible teacher training turned up in my facebook feed pretty much within a day of me making my mind up, a friend offered to loan me the money and off I went. So parallel to finishing my Homeopathy study I started studying for my yoga teacher training and man what a difference – every piece of information I could apply straight away in a practical way in my life. The study flowed easily – I loved it – I loved the intense immersion course – training every day 6 am until 9 pm. Although I was challenged in every way to step out of my comfort zone i loved it – a good sign I am on a right path.

It never ceases to amaze me how I am holding my self back or have been holding myself back for so many years due to limiting beliefs, fears, worry and self-doubt. If someone told me last year same time that I would be running my own yoga-room teaching almost everyday, meeting new people almost every day and mostly being confident and calm in doing so, sitting in front of full classes of people I have never seen before I would have declared them mad.

But here we go – I am doing it – I am learning to trust that I am capable, that I have something to give, that other people can benefit from what I teach / guide. It still feels sometimes as if I am in a parallel universe doing what I love, running my own “business” and creating something that I feel comfortable with, that I believe in – its AMAZING!

If you have a dream – go for it. If you carry fear, self-doubt, worry – kick yourself in the butt and do it anyway – god knows where it will take you, but if its meant to be and if you follow your heart – its mind blowing how things seem to fall into place – almost as if someone is laying out the paving for you while you walk while someone else keeps kicking your backside periodically to make sure you are still moving forwards.

Trust – go for dreams – always! The world needs it – right now. Follow your heart! Believe in yourself, flap those wings and soar!

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Heartspace Yoga is opening 20th February 2017 in Hastings

I am so excited to finally be able to let you know session times for my new yoga room at Aspyre Fitness, 208 Heretaunga Street East in Hastings. I am going to start session from Monday 20th February 2017.

It is a newly created and purpose built yoga room and located upstairs in Aspyre Fitness. Change rooms, showers and sauna are available free of charge before and after yoga sessions. You don’t need to be a gym member to come.

I am going to offer regular Hatha & Yin Yoga sessions and some Beginners Introductory sessions. Please book your sessions in, as there are limited spaces for 10-12 students max.: [email protected], 021-1045666.

More information on prices & session times are in attached flyer.

The first session is free of charge for new students and I am offering a special of $100 for a 10 session pass, valid for 6 months. (Might be a great valentines day present for your loved one – just saying….)

“We don’t need to be flexible to do yoga, we do yoga to become flexible, increase our wellbeing, still our minds and find some peace and clarity in this crazy world.”

Please share with your friends and I am looking forward to seeing you on the mat.

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Gong Concert / Sound healing coming to Hawke’s Bay

I experienced Marius & Jeltje’s Gong Concert in Golden Bay on my Yoga teacher training and it was one of the most amazing sound experiences I have ever had. They play a huge range of weird and wonderful instruments with the main thing being 4 huge gongs from Germany. Please support them by coming.

You can prebook for $30 per ticket or at the door sales for $35. We have 50 spaces available – please share with your friends and book in.

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity.

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Yoga Groupie

 

This weekend I spend 4 days for the first time at a Wanderlust festival and I am so grateful and inspired right now – I filled my cup right up to brim.

The main reason I booked my ticket is Elena Brower – a very inspiring lady and yoga teacher. I have been following her for many years and simply could not not go, when she comes right to my doorstep. I felt a bit like a yoga groupie.

It is so amazing to witness teachers who have walked the yogic path for so many years. I have heard so many inspiring talks with no scrips – people talking from their hearts, walking the walk, putting all the hard work in themselves. And you can see and feel the wisdom and calm emanating from them. The prime example and display that if we change ourselves, we inspire others to change too and therefore change the world, but the work has to start with us.

Elena and her son Jonah, who is 10 gave a talk on Awakened Parenting and to see their interaction on stage was amazing. Jonah is such a confident, honest and well rounded child and their relationship is admirable. Parenting is something that moves me every day somehow, I am aware of the behaviours that I am not proud of (anger, short fuse, impatience, to stressed to be really present etc.) and I am always looking for ways to improve how I act or react. So I took lots of notes in this talk.

I thought I would share some of the the tips and tricks they implement in their family:

– Put self care first – if the parents are tired and unfulfilled, we can’t take care of our families. If we don’t take care of ourselves – we can’t take care of others. And also our children learn by our example that is is important to honor our own needs.

– Choose the frequency of being consciously in every moment. We have a choice as parents. Go and get some space and walk away to find the right frequency if things get a bit out of control.

– Don’t stare your kids down – there is no need for constant eye contact. it can be intimidating for children to look us in the eye all the time.

– explain the meaning of what you are saying to children. The spirit behind your decisions, boundaries etc.

– At every mealtime choose a topic to discuss as a family, so the children learn to express their opinions, emotions and feel heard. Take turns at listening and talking, so everybody gets a chance. Set goals as a family, talk about hopes, wishes etc.

– If things turn to custard use these 4 words instead of shouting and getting angry: “How can I help”.

– Do “Do overs”. When things didn’t go so well, decide to do it again but in a better way. That gives everybody a chance to learn new habits in interaction.

– Offer your children small options to choose from, so they learn to make good choices and feel as if they are involved in the decision making e.g. “Would you like to do your homework now or in 10 minutes”

– Ask for forgiveness and say sorry as a parent if we messed up. That shows the children that we don’t do everything right all the time, that we are able to reflect on ourselves and very important teach them to say sorry by leading by example.

– At bedtime take time to talk to your kids about their day. Ask questions. Use that quiet time to really connect. Ask your child “What could I have done better today? & What did I do great today” Let you child talk freely and let them express what they feel.

– Expect nothing and behave the way you want your children to behave.

– Aim to move from control to empowerment. Allow them a voice & opinion and respect it fully (tolerance).

– Don’t block children from expressing their emotions. If they learn to communicate their feelings from early on, it will set a good base for later years.

– Elena recommended the books of Dr. Shefali https://drshefali.com/ .

I hope you find some inspiration in here. And if you have the time there is an older talk of Elena and her son HERE.

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Wanderlust 2017 in Taupo

Feeling so grateful, inspired, connected. Feeling like i shedded another few bricks from my heart & opened more. Feeling like i learned a lot in 3 days. Feeling grateful for all the amazing teachers who share their gifts with the world. Feeling like i have got work to do even if i am scared. Feeling a bit braver again and a bit more grown up. Cup is full. Body is sore. Heart is open. Mind is calm. Want to do this every month. Thank you to all the people who make this possible.