Spring is in the air.
August is a fabulous month.
We get teased with some beautiful sunshine.
The days are getting longer and our gardens are starting to bloom again.
Today was a special day for me to have some time out.
I booked 2 yoga classes at my favourite yoga studio in Prahran.
After waking at 5am, I wondered if I had made the right decision.
I then realised that it wasn't that cold. 30 minutes later I was ready and excited to get to my classes.
An amazing bonus about getting up early for the 6am class in Prahran is that you can always find a free car park.
A quick park and then I am ready to go for 2 hours of yoga.
If I am going to make the effort to go to Prahran then I want to do back-to-back classes. 6am - 7am a little break and then 7.30am - 8.30am.
Australian Yoga Academy is my go-to place when I want some time just for me.
I have been visiting this little gem for over 15 years. I have connected with so many lovely teachers and I always feel very welcomed.
I come and go when I want to up the anti with my yoga.
It is Interesting when you have been teaching yoga for a long time. It is easier to do your own practice at home most of the time. In a way, it is staying in your comfort zone. I push myself but it is still me in control of how far I push my body. You can always do the same when you attend a class but when your personality is to go deeper into your yoga then it is a whole new story.
Going to a class is a whole new level. I surrender control and I do not know what is coming next. I am brought right into the moment and follow the directions. My body responds. My mind is quietly receiving the information and I am happy to be led.
I feel very blessed that I can give myself a morning to myself to just be me. Although I acknowledge others, I do not feel the need to speak unnecessarily.
Feeling this way is fabulous for me because it really does give me a rest for my mind.
So it is 8.30am and I feel fabulous and I still have the rest of the day to enjoy. Off to the gym to do some weights and grab a coffee. Life is good.
So much gratitude for days like this.
Time to myself to connect with my senses.
Reflecting on August.
August is a fantastic month. The days are getting longer. We start to have some sunny days. The football is heating up towards the finals. We can start to feel a bit of spring in the air.
Last week was the first week of August, I love to reflect on what has been and set new intentions for the start of the new month.
I speak about new beginnings and lots of positives about starting fresh and moving forward and bringing new positive goals into our lives.
I like to start my classes with 5 or 10 minutes of yoga breathing.
On the 1st week of the month, I like to practice Nadi Shodha (alternate nostril breathing) This pranayama breathing is very powerful and has many many benefits to health and wellbeing.
Some of the benefits are:
Clears and releases toxins
reduces stress and anxiousness
calms and rejuvenates the nervous system.
enhances the ability to concentrate
helps to balance hormones
brings balance to the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
We then build a lot of heat in the body with simple flows. Building from the foundation and adding extra. The intention of the mindset for the 1st week of the new month.
Building on what you know and taking ourselves beyond.
We always end with a well-earned savasana.
Everyone's favourite relaxing pose.
Roll on spring.
We are nearly there.
I love these quotes:
Life is like riding a bicycle.
To keep your balance you must keep moving.
Albert Einstein.
and this one:
If you can't do great things,
do small things in a great way.
Napoleon Hill.
This one for bringing on spring:
"Spring adds new life and new beauty to all this is"
