Merry Christmas and a happy New Year

Refresh Yoga Synergy link

Just a quick post to refresh the link to Yoga Synergy that wasn't working:) Technology is fun but I don't always get it right. Try again.

Yoga Synergy

Brighten your day with a little bindi star mandala.

Go on do something creative!  

Joy to you, Margot

December and summer is here! Thougths on a year of Yoga Synergy study.

The first sunflower to open this summer. Photo by Margot

Have a great summer and open up like a flower.

Message to myself: relax - stop trying so hard and let things simply be. Lighten up and shake of those spring winds of agitation. Move slowly, think less, bend less and tense less. Simple ideas I discovered I had forgotten. I learnt a lot more than just those important ideas studying with Yoga Synergy . I completed their program Yoga Fundamentals at the start of the year and it all came flooding back as the warm weather filled by joints and limbs with movement.
The Yoga Fundamentals was very organic with lots of doing and the sequence we studied made me feel like I was making shapes rather than working through a set sequence. Not one for doing the same routine over and over again but became hooked. When I first started my own yoga practice I did think that was what you did and did it for years. Same Iyengar sequence (from the class I was attending) every day, only problem it became like an exercise program instead of a practice. Yoga me thinks not and certainly not much minding of the mind going on more a checklist approach. Oh for moving on!  Of course, after finishing the course I am back to doing different things with each practice as believe each day is different and to truly honour my body I need to listen to the songs in the cells and then do something suitable. I do still some days move through the sequence as I can do less and think less; the sequence is also part of my cellular song memory. The course certainly helps anyone of any level in yoga practice in a safer way and really encourages being at the level appropriate for you today - here and now.

I am just about to complete the Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga as I veer around the corner to Christmas. Can I do it? Done and passed both exams, finished my discussion posts yes all 12 and now just the assignment. A bit like being back at school except studying a subject you absolutely adore surely makes a huge difference. The Anatomy and physiology was much more technical and let's face it more advanced. Again, I learnt a lot and found out about mudras I had heard of but had never had explained.

 I guess this is just me thinking out loud about what has been and  to plan what I could do depending on health, and wealth.  

Om shanti,

Margot

October 2013 Yoga Retreat

Retreat Thoughts

Thank you to everyone who came along the second annual Spring to Life Yoga Retreat from Oct 25th to 27th. A great response with 18 retreat participants and a couple of the volunteers at the retreat centre joining in.

There has been discussions about running another retreat in March so stay tuned and perhaps more exciting one of my Bairnsdale students is keen to run a yoga retreat in Bali and I have been invited to teach yoga.I will still run the retreat in October as the weather and timing work well for people.

A couple of comments from the feedback forms just to get a sense of how people felt about the experience. I was happy to note that the comments were overwhelmingly positive, however, there is always room for tinkering and making improvements. In general, the nature walk that was new this year proved a great hit and gave everyone a chance to either go on a walk and enjoy the spectacular natural surroundings in the mountains or simply relax under a tree with a cup of tea.

It was hard to choose which comments to put up thank you everyone for your kind and thoughtful feedback.

"Margot's gentle, restorative, meditative yoga and her nurturing nature. Marc's calm, practical support. Great timetable- not rushed and adaptable."

"I learned a lot more about the versatility of Yoga. It's not just a stretching technique. Margot has gone through many more aspects step by step."

"The flow of activities seemed effortless. Margot's positivity and caring and funny approach"

"I feel healthier, happier, stronger and wiser than I did before I got here. I have a new mantra. You are here. You are now. This is living."

"Food is amazing. Accommodation is good." "Really loved the bush camping option."

The yoga practice room in the Golden House at SIBA. That is me waiting for people to return from the nature walk to Tullock Ard.

  I have abstained from putting photos of participants up on my blog as a popular reason for coming on the retreat (feedback forms) was to have time out.

Also some ideas to improve everyone's retreat experience that came up in written comments, about in the closing circle and by reflection are as follows: 

A gong will be rung ten minutes before each session.

A group photo to be taken on Saturday after lunch when everyone is there.

Try to have longer breaks between food e.g start earlier perhaps 6.30 for asana practice; eat dinner later shorter evening session.

Several people would have liked extra yoga sessions however, it is important to remember that you don't practice yoga on a full stomach. Good idea to wait at least 2- 3 hours after a light meal.

A challenge workshop e.g. inversions, splits 

I thought introduce some yin or longer held pose sequences rather than 2 restorative sessions.

The main dining hall at SIBA.