Pure Iyengar Yoga retreat in Ubud, Bali – 25-30 October 2015

Hey! I’m off to an Iyengar retreat in Bali, Indonesia – which is also the birth place of Yoga Cat.

The retreat is being lead by Vivienne O’Brien who is the co-founder of the Luna Studio in Melbourne, Vic. I’m catching up with two friends at the retreat who attend classes at the Luna Studio.

The retreat is being held in Kumara Sakti, Ubud, Bali.

Looking forward to spending time with good friends, practising yoga twice a day, and enjoying beautiful Bali.

More about this adventure soon…

Namaste

Iyengar with Karena at the Byron Yoga Lounge in Byron Bay, New South Wales

21 September 2015

After 5 days of up to 13 hours per day of driving my body was feeling the need to participate in a few hours of lead asana practice.

I found the Byron Yoga Lounge (BYL) online, and also Lara Favelle  my regular teacher in Busselton (WA), recommended BYL.

I attended the Monday morning, 10.00am general class – which is usually taught by Liz Costigan – today Karena was covering for Liz.

Before class, Karena took a few details asked me the “usual” questions, eg any injuries.

There were around 15 students in attendance. Early on in the class we practised vajrasana – this was my first time.  Block between feet, and ankles bound, we sat in vajrasana as we worked through arms as follows – urdhva hastasana, garudasana, and gomukhasana – meanwhile my ankle region felt like it was in a vice (!) (Karena had warned it may be a challenging posture.)  Releasing vajrasana and moving into adho mukha virasana was fabulous – I felt my hips welcome the posture and my butt rested down on my heels a lot more comfortably than usual – thanks vajrasana.

The class soon brought home to me how tired my body and mind was after the days of travelling – I went into sirsasana but quickly decided to change tack and hang in the ropes instead. I also opted to take salamba sarvangasana (on a chair).

Thanks to Karena for a lovely class, and BYL for a lovely practice space

Namaste

Byron Yoga Lounge
Unit 22b     1A Banksia Drive
Byron Bay, NSW 2481
Tel: 0402 770 441
http://www.byronyogalounge.com

BYL provides all the “usual props” and equipment you would expect to find in an Iyengar studio.

BYL also offers one class per week in Lennox Heads – check out their website for further details.

Byron Bay was busy – I was not expecting the volume of traffic, or the volume of people. But, it was the school holidays. Though I gathered from signage that traffic was an ongoing issue that locals are keen to address.

Byron has lots of cute shops, and nice cafes/restaurants/bars – a bit like Bali Oz style.

It was lovely to wander around in the evening and enjoy the relaxed feel of Byron. I look forward to visiting Byron again…

Yoga in the Outback (Part 2)

Bunbury, Western Australia to Kingscliff, Northern New South Wales

The Bunbury, WA to Kingscliff, NSW, drive was fabulous. To see – albeit mostly from a moving vehicle – more of this ruggedly beautiful country was a wonderful experience. The changes in flora, fauna, geology, landscape, etc was something special. Doing it all again – but at a more leisurely pace – is on my to do list.

As predicted (in Part 1), time spent getting from A-B each day, did not allow me to attend any asana classes – with one exception, ie Byron Bay (more about that later in a seperate post).

We were on the road 11-13 hours each day. We travelled at a sedate pace, ie 100km/hour, complying with the speed limit when towing a trailer. We only took time out to make stops for fuel, to eat, restrooms, to sleep… oh – and to change a tyre, repair the tyre, buy some tools, and undertake makeshift repairs on the trailer. The trailer door latches failed resulting in the door dragging on the road for several kilometres. A truck driver and his wife (Jim and Janet Crawford) stopped to assist us with the trailer. Our paths crossed several times throughout the journey  – it was great to acknowledge one another with a tiny toot from our van’s horn, and a huge honk from the truck’s air horn.

Our 14m long “rig”

Fraser Range Station and Caravan Park …

We stopped overnight at – the Fraser Range Station and Caravan Park staying in a 100 year old stone room – complete with stone floor (not conducive to rolling out the yoga mat). This looks like a great place to revisit; Highway One Motel in Ceduna – 24 hour BP service station and food outlet – I was rapt to find barramundi with vegetables on the menu; The Royal Exchange Hotel in Broken Hill – Art Deco in the outback – our room was gorgeous (with plenty of room to roll out my mat), their restaurant excellent – looking forward to a return visit and checking out Broken Hill; Tooraweenah Caravan Park – off the beaten track – population C80. A quiet spot away from the highway to spend the night – check out the local pub, 3 min walk from the caravan park; we stayed at Tallow Beach Motel (which I loved!!) in Suffolk Park (near Byron Bay) for two nights to recharge our batteries after the full on driving days. The shame was we usually arrived at our overnight stop in the dark, and departed the next morning around 6.30am – hence, seeing little of the chosen stopover apart from the inside of our eyelids.

We left home laden with water, dates, nuts, fruit, licorice tea, and cereal. It was my goal to eat as healthily as possible whilst on the road – and I am happy to say that goal was achieved.

My luggage contained my mat, a strap, two blocks and the sequence prepared for me by Lara Favelle.

Whilst in the passenger seat I undertook some ca-yo (car yoga).  I was glad to break up the long hours of sitting with a little asana practice – not an ideal environment however I was able to achieve sukhasana, baddha konasana, swastikasana, padmasana, eka hasta bujasanana (the seat and dashboard height were made for this posture), garudasana arms, and malasana. When we stopped the vehicle – where possible – I would do some standing postures making use of available seats, poles, etc.

Following are details of outback yoga venues (on our chosen route), however I was not able to attend.

Norseman, WA – Olenna Korczynskyj takes classes at 4.30 pm on a Wednesday (restorative) and 11am on Sunday (vinyasa flow) at the Railway Motel, 106 Roberts Street, Norseman WA 6443  Tel: 08 90390003 Mob: 0458 995 899 – Therese Wade, Railway Motel Manager

Ceduna, SA –  Sandy Taylor Mob: 0427 097 584. 6 students/class. Please phone Sandy in advance to check if she has space in a class. Private tuition by appointment.

Gunnedah, NSW –  The Wellness Centre  

203 Conadilly St, Gunnedah, NSW 2380
info@wellnesscentrensw.com.au
Tel: 0427422682

After 6 days on the road we arrived at Kingscliff in Northern New South Wales. A great adventure – I look forward to making a similar trip in the future.

Namaste

We saw kangaroos and emus but no camels. Also, spotted a beautiful Major Mitchell, wedge tail eagle, snake, lizard, goats, and sheep.

We noticed many cairn on the roadside – particularly in WA…

The first time we saw a red/yellow/white heart painted on the road was on the Eyre Highway (WA)…

We noticed another heart painted on the road near our accommodation near Tallow Beach. Can anyone shed light on what these are about?

Bunbury, Western Australia (WA) to Kingscliff, New South Wales (NSW), Australia – yoga in the outback … (Part 1)

Bunbury, Western Australia to Kingscliff, Northern New South Wales … a 48 hour drive

Mid September 2015 I am making a road trip (with my husband) from the west coast to the east coast of Australia, ie from Bunbury in SW Western Australia (via Perth) to Kingscliff in Northern New South Wales.

The route we have planned will take around 48 hours driving time, and we will make an overnight stop at Fraser Range (WA), Ceduna (SA), Broken Hill (NSW), Tooraweenah (NSW), and Byron Bay (NSW) before reaching our destination – Kingscliff.

I have wanted to make this coast to coast trip – which includes passing through the Nullabor National Park – for several years – now that the stars have aligned and the trip is shortly to become a reality I decided to investigate potential yoga teachers/studios en route.

I have sent emails to possible yoga venues between Norseman and Tooraweenah… watch this space for further details. Finding yoga places in both Byron Bay and Kingscliff will be relatively easy.

On this occasion, the trip is being undertaken to deliver a vehicle from A-B, ie sadly this is not a vacation and time is not being scheduled for leisurely stopovers. Any yoga classes I can fit into the tight schedule will be a bonus. I will have my yoga mat with me, and Lara Favelle from Busselton Yoga Centre, is helping me prepare a “travel sequence”.

In the meantime, if anyone has information they would like to share about yoga teachers on the road I am shortly to take, I would be most grateful.

I am looking forward to seeing a little more of this vast and beauteous country…

Namaste

Busselton Yoga Centre, Western Australia – 30 August 2015 – Introduction to Ayurveda

Carmel Ahern is giving an “Introduction to Ayurvedic Health” on Sunday 30 August 2015.

Carmel will provide useful tips on how to integrate an Ayurvedic approach into your life and yoga practice.

Date:                 Sunday 30 August 2015

Venue:              Busselton Yoga Centre

                          Unit 5 / 115 Strelly Street,

                          Busselton, WA 6280

Cost:                $5.00 (includes morning tea)

 

Bookings essential:

Email: tocontactlara@gmail.com
Tel/SMS: 0422 294 687

 

Namaste

 

Hatha Yoga with Susie Ascott in Perth, Western Australia

I spent five days in Perth, WA, last week. I took my mat with me intending to make my practice on the floor of my hotel room. Unexpectedly, I received a text from a friend inviting me to attend a 1015 Thursday morning Hatha class at the Mount Claremont Community Centre, Montgomery Avenue – the class was being taught by Susie Ascott. I jumped at the chance to go to a class with my friend, and also to attend a class with a teacher that was new to me.

The yoga space in the community centre is a large, carpeted room, with windows on two sides. There were eight of us attending class that morning. At the beginning of the class Susie suggested we set a Sankalpa of honouring our inner guru as it was soon to be Guru Purnima – this year falling on 31 July 2015.

We were lead through a variety of asana, including some partner work, culminating with savasana. I thoroughly enjoyed Susie’s teaching style – she is gentle, relaxed and caring.

Quote from Susie’s Present Perfect website – “I believe that Yoga is for everyone, regardless of age, fitness level or gender… Each of my classes is designed to provide a well rounded physical mix of poses, breathing techniques and relaxation.”

Susie is not only a yoga teacher, but also a personal life coach. Please use this link to check out Susie’s website, to find out times and locations for yoga classes, and information regarding coaching.

Thank you Susie, and Jane

Love and light

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There is much to say about Perth – I love this city and all that it has to offer – I was smitten from the moment I arrived. Perth city is set around the beautiful and expansive Swan River. Wonderful panoramic views are available across the city and beyond from the fabulous nearby Kings Park.

The coast has lovely beaches such as Cottesloe and Scarborough with many restaurants and cafes nearby.

Head south of Perth city to Fremantle for a selection of great cafes and restaurants, visit the Martime Museum, or the Fremantle Arts Centre. Try taking the ferry one way and the train for the return trip.

Inland from the city visit Mundaring Weir or John Forrest national park.

Rottnest Island is a short ferry ride from Perth city, Fremantle or Scarborough. Spend a day or week on the island and enjoy the lovely beaches, car free roads, and spend some time with the locals, ie Quokkas.

The above is a very small taster of what is available in Perth and surrounds.

If you have the opportunity to visit Perth, I hope you love it too.

Women’s Health Workshop at Busselton Yoga Centre (Western Australia)

On Sunday 17 May 2015, I attended a 2.5 hour women’s health workshop at Busselton Yoga Centre, in South West Western Australia (approx. 2hr 45min south of Perth) which was lead by Lara Favelle.

During the workshop participants were lead through a series of asana – Lara provided information relating as to when, how and why, the postures were applied/relevant to a woman’s various stages of life.

Lara has posted a summary of the workshop and also included a list of useful reading material relating to this subject on her blog – please use the following link to see what Lara has to say… Women’s Health Workshop

Truth Conciousness Bliss

Cat Yoga @ Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in Shoreditch, London

Only a few minutes ago a friend sent me a link to Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium. I was excited to hear the name of the place, and even more excited to find that they have yoga classes – lead by humans not cats – I would have gone to a class either way 🐱…

I was keen to put my name down for a session. BUT, upon further investigation I found the classes only take place on Wednesday evenings. I fly out of London at mid day this Wednesday. So, sadly, on this occasion I won’t be able to sign up for a cat yoga class.

If anyone else goes to one of these classes or has already been, I would love to hear about your experience.

Namaste

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium
152 Bethnal Green Road
London E2 6DG
+44 (0) 2077290953
Classes: Wednesday, 6.45pm and 8.00pm
Cost: GBP15.00 – mats provided, complimentary tea and biscuits

York Yoga Studio, Yorkshire, UK – Ashtanga with a twist lead by Chloe McKay

I am in York, Yorkshire, UK for two nights.

Chloe McKay – teacher at York Yoga

I am primarily in York to catch up with my beautiful friend Chloe McKay. I met Chloe whilst she was living in Bunbury, Western Australia, where she was a teacher at The Treehouse Yoga studio. Chloe has returned to her home town of York and she is now teaching at York Yoga Studio and The Stables.

Today (Friday, 19 June 2015) I had the pleasure of attending the 0930 Ashtanga class with Chloe at York Yoga (YY). Chloe’s teaching style is confident, calm and caring. The class today was lead through a portion of the Ashtanga primary series with variations, eg Padangustasana, Navasana and Prasarita Padottanasana with a twist – good timing for me, as I’ve been on holiday for several weeks and a little “wringing” was appropriate.

YY is located in a beautiful house, the period tiled entry and hallway lead to the practice space, kitchen, toilet/changing room, and therapy room. The practice space is lovely, with polished wooden floors and large windows at either end of the room. Fresh white walls, and high ceiling heights make for a spacious environment. The mats, blocks, straps, blankets, (etc) are stored with meticulous care.

Laurie Prime is the owner of the studio, and is also one of a variety of YY teachers. Laurie is warm and welcoming. I was inspired by a discussion with Laurie regarding continuing to challenge ourselves and face fears head on as we move into the later years of life.

York Yoga
112 Acomb Road
York YO24 4EY
+44 (0)1904 785704

Classes cost between 6-8 GBP
Check out the York Yoga Studio website for further details.

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A little about York … York has much to offer both visitors and locals. Tourists are spoiled for sightseeing opportunities in both the city of York and the surrounding countryside. For example in the city – The Shambles,York Minster, Clifford’s Tower, York city walls, and in the countryside – Castle Howard, Nunnington Hall, Reivaulx Abbey, to name but a few.

Many thanks to Chloe, and Laurie
Love and light

Namaste

BKS IYENGAR – seeking anecdotes, tributes, poems, photos (etc) about/of Guruji

Following is an email from Geeta and Prashant Iyengar seeking contributions for a memoir about BKS Iyengar. If you have any items that may be suitable please use the email link provided. (FYI – The original email came into my in-box through my membership to the BKS Iyengar Association of Australia.)

“Dear friends and fellow practitioners,

It has been almost a year since our beloved Guruji passed away. He remains in our hearts and continues to guide us along our path.

We are sure you all have many fond memories of Guruji. Some of you may have anecdotes, remembrances, or even lighthearted or humorous incidents with Guruji that you want to relate; or you may have poems or tributes that you have composed; or perhaps you have photographs of Guruji, or pieces of art that you have created. We are planning to put together a memoir to be released on December 14th this year, and we would like to have these for inclusion in the memoir.

Please send in your contributions to guruji2015@rimyi.org. We will try to include as much material as we can, but we may have to limit what we can use for editorial reasons. Please make sure your contributions are in by August 15th, 2015, so that we have enough time to allow for the editing and printing process. Contributions in English, Hindi or Marathi are welcome. If you speak some other language, feel free to send in translations.

Yours affectionately,

Geeta and Prashant”