My most popular post has nothing to do with cats, even though people do search ‘funny cat’ quite frequently and find an image of a yoga-loving feline that I pinched from this page. Cute heh – there are dozens more. What exactly is it about cats that almost breaks the internet? What unites us in laughter and our shared desire … Read More
Compassion in the Year of the Sheep
I don’t know whether compassion will be a hallmark of the new Chinese Year of the Sheep (or Goat/Ram). I sincerely hope so. I do know that our Chinese-born adopted daughter, born in the last Year of the Sheep (2003) is not much of a flock follower (other than in fashion). I know that she can ram home her point … Read More
Crack open your heart chakra
You can think of cracks as being the broken bits in your heart, or you can think of them as letting the light in – and letting your light, and love, out. For Valentines Day, and well, everyday, I’m thinking of the cracks in my heart as veins of pure light, crevices glowing golden with compassion, rivers or ruby red … Read More
Stepping up
The first day of school is up there in the great milestones of life – and I’m talking for Mums (and Dads) too. Little Yang seems to be taking the whole thing in his funny large-looking stride, but the seemingly oversized school shoes don’t look as big on him as the uniform. He’ll grow into it. We grow into things. … Read More
Tis’ the season – how yoga gets you into the holiday spirit
While we don’t use the term ‘holiday season’ so much where I’m here in Australia (we’re more likely to use the festive ‘season’ or just plain old ‘Christmas’), in North America, it’s the ‘politically correct,’ universal term.Never discuss politics and religion happens to be a sensible creed I should follow—especially on a yoga website, but I don’t think calling it … Read More
Do you need a pep talk?
We all need to talk ourselves up, since we often spend most of the time talking ourselves down. But we don’t do we? We allow ourselves a moment of satisfaction when something succeeds, we might give ourselves a sideways approving glance when we are dressed up to go somewhere special, or we might even give ourselves a secret high-five when … Read More
I blame my Dad
My Dad is the nicest man I know (I say that being married to another man who is pretty nice). He’s easy-going, non-judgemental for the most part (although a little opinionated when it comes to politics). I grew up with his protection, warm love and unconditional acceptance, his time, attention and faith in me. But I blame my Dad. Ok … Read More
Does a yogi bear sh#t in the woods?
Well NO, and here’s why. You might think it goes with the yoga territory to be all calm and content, patient and peaceful, enlightened even. Zen perhaps, although that’s the preserve of the lovely Lisa and her random acts (and cards) of karma and kindness. But as one of my teachers says, and I may have mentioned before, it’s yoga … Read More
What adoption has taught me about love
It’s been 10 years tomorrow since we adopted our beautiful daughter, coming up to four years since we welcomed our precious son. Adoption has taught me exactly everything that becoming a mother has. When we become mothers we (are forced to) learn patience, although mine was sorely tested by years of infertility and the long adoption process, so I don’t … Read More
When parenting styles don’t match
I’m here (hiding behind my computer) proudly a ‘mean mum’. I wear this badge as an honour, although at the markets on the weekend there was a mother who loudly (and I mean banshee-style) bailed out her poor 6-7 year old daughter – let me be clear, I’m not mean like that. (or like Cinderella’s mean stepmother, but sometimes I … Read More
Namaste, Aloha, Shalom, Salaam
This post is by way of saying ‘hello’ for a Friday (or whatever day you are reading this), but something more as well. It’s an offering of peace, an acknowledgement that we are all the same, that we are all one. Namaste. Our everyday hello’s and hi’s are often polite, passing greetings, flippant even, uttered with ‘how are you?’ questions, … Read More
Open your heart
What does it really mean to ‘open your heart’? It means being vulnerable. It means opening your heart to your own precious love so you might love others. It means not allowing fear, or guilt, or shame, or any kind of judgment to close your heart down in any way. Your rib cage protects your heart – and it can … Read More
