Wake up in Bali Yoga Retreat June 4 - 11 2017

 Coming up...

June 4 - 11th, 2017
Bali Yoga Retreat

12 spaces only will be available on this unique yoga retreat in a handpicked location in Bali. 7 nights at an exclusive secret location away from the crowds. Pure blissful time out in stunning exotic nature on the north coast. Led by two experienced teachers Margot Porter (AUS) and Katy Carter (NZ).

 

Ever since they reconnected by chance in Bali a year ago…

Margot and Katy have been dreaming up the ultimate nourishing soul-filled yoga retreat. A retreat is a yoga 'holiday' designed to Wake you out of your normal daily routine to dive deep into yoga (awakening) practices, to inspire, develop, and nurture your practice, as well as allow you to rest and recharge in the beauty and tranquility of breathtaking natural surroundings. 

We chose Bali by design, or rather Bali chose us: for the sacred and spiritual atmosphere, visually and energetically rich creative and devotional culture, warm, friendly, welcoming people, tropical and dramatic land and seascape; perfect conditions to experience that which Yoga is ultimately designed to do: awaken us, bring us closer to connecting with Self / Universe / Source (God, Divine , Nature , Spirit Soul , Oneness , Love – whichever word you prefer to call it ). 

What a place to Wake Up! 

 Our Yoga Retreat is held at the exclusive Jeda Villas ~ Pemuteran ~ North West Bali

Wake Up in a beautiful luxury villa, surrounded by lush tropical nature and stunning mountain 
views, just minutes from the beaches of North Bali. Let your body delight in unwinding with a fluid morning yoga practice. Nourish your senses and appetite with a bountiful tropical breakfast, before 

a refreshing dip in your private pool. And that’s just the start of your day…

The Retreat

On a yoga retreat, time seems to slow down and amplify, as we drop into the steady 

discipline of refining presence and attention with daily practice: nourishing body, heart, 

mind and soul. There will be plenty of time for both peaceful solitude and like-hearted connection, 
idyllic stillness and rejuvenating movement, activity and rest. All of the 

practices will be suitable for all levels of experience, and the limited group number (12 participants) 
will allow for plenty of personal attention in classes. There will also be 

plenty of time to relax, by the pool, at the beach, whatever your heart desires.

The Practice

We offer twice daily sessions of yoga, meditation and other awakening explorations or movement practices. Every day will begin with a delicious flowing asana sequence, 

pranayama and simple meditation to greet the new day. Afternoons will vary from day 

to day, and will include: restorative yoga, somatic and creative workshops, choice of 

free time activities; evenings may include yoga nidra and meditation. There will be 

opportunity for one personal yoga session with either of the teachers.

Sample daily schedule will be sent when you register.

See more on my retreat page or ask for an information pack. 

Interested?

Register your interest with  Margot at Yoga East at margotporteryoga@hotmail.com and receive your information sheet and registration form.

Winter yoga wonder

 A Yogic Winter Guide

Wrap up  for winter

Winter is approaching and the natural world is withdrawing, becoming dormant and preparing to embrace the long, dark, cold season of slumber. There is a particular softness and stillness that characterizes winter, and with it comes an opportunity to redirect our energies. The winter season is the time to balance out the dynamic and outward focused activities of summer and the slower yet still busy season of autumn. Winter is our time to rest, reflect, hold space, hibernate and redirect our energy inwards.

Each season ushers in a unique set of qualities that can either pacify or aggravate the inner workings of each individual. Further, the same season can affect two different people in dramatically different ways, depending on their unique nature. This explains why some people love the heat of the summer while others enjoy the coldness of winter and would rather play in cold snow. Your local climate is a key player in your overall state of balance and an understanding of your natural seasonal preferences. This is precisely why a seasonal routine is so important and so helpful. By adapting your diet and lifestyle to better accommodate the changing seasons, you can dramatically reduce the likelihood of any seasonally-induced imbalances and, should they arise, the same strategies will gently bring your body back toward its natural state of equilibrium. 

 Icy grass...first frost this winter!

Winter: A Kapha Season with Strong Vata Undertones

Winter is characterized by cold weather, increased moisture usually in the form of rain or snow, cloud-covered days. This season has a sense of heaviness, with a grounded, slow feeling that are all qualities shared by kapha dosha and this is why winter is generally considered a Kapha season. However, if your climate is exceptionally cold and dry, or if you tend to feel more isolated during the winter month then vata will also be a strong component of your winter season, and you will want to actively keep vata stable as well.

Suggestions for a Delightful and Invigorating Winter

The information that follows is a general guide for your winter routine that of course you will need to adjust to suit your individual constitution. It may well be useful for you to find out about your Ayurvedic body type as well as the common signs of kapha or vata imbalance so you can address them as they arise. Ayurveda teaches us that like increases like and that opposites balance.

 Let’s explore!

 

A Supportive Winter Lifestyle

Overall, cultivate a light the heart with a sharp sense of purpose to counter the cold, grey weather and the seasonal inclination towards melancholy and loneliness. Invite warmth into your mind, body and spirit by creating frequent opportunities to have fun, laugh, socialise and engage in meaningful relationships. Remember though to balance your outward focused activities with some quiet time, reflection, and stillness. Retreat and check in with yourself.

Maintain your dinacharya or natural routine with a predictable daily schedule. Routine helps keep vata in balance, whereas kapha benefits from keeping things fresh and a little unpredictable – strike an appropriate balance for you.  

·      Start your day with a short but invigorating morning routine. 

·      It is generally appropriate to sleep a little later in the winter, but be up by about 7 a.m.

·      Brush your teeth, scrape your tongue, swish warm sesame (vata) or coconut (kapha) in your mouth and massage it into your gums.

·      Treat your skin to an almond or sesame oil massage, and either leave the oil or rinse it off with a warm shower.

·      Drink some warm water to cleanse and awaken the digestive system. 

·      Apply sesame oil to the nasal passages and ears.

·      Shake off any sluggishness with some morning exercise or yo

 Dress in bright, warm colours like reds and oranges and always cover your ears, neck, and head with a scarf or hat, if you are outside in the cold.

·               Plan on retiring around 10 p.m. and, before bed, apply some sesame oil your scalp and to the soles of your feet to facilitate restful sleep.

 Break the ice move!

Winter Exercise

Exercise is one of the best ways to support optimal physical and mental health through the winter months. If vata is predominant in the atmosphere—with dry, cold weather, and increased isolation—you will want to favuor a slow, gentle, and strengthening exercise routine. 

If on the other hand, kapha is the more influential force at any given time—with heavy, cloudy weather, and rain or snow—you will want to push yourself physically, increasing both the duration and intensity of your work-out. It’s important to listen to your body this winter.

If you’re feeling overextended and stretched, favuor vata-pacifying types of exercise like walking, tai chi, or gentle yoga. If you’re feeling sluggish and heavy, give kapha a bit of a push with a more vigorous workout—perhaps a bike ride, a jog, or a challenging hike, snowshoe, or ski. 

Winter Yoga

An expansive and invigorating yoga practice in winter can really support your well-being. Suggested yoga practice: start with sun or moon salutes or the golden seed to warm up, include the warrior pose and finish with the sequence below. If you are short of time just do the practice below. Enjoy!

 

Welcome in winter with a 1 Day Yoga Retreat

Welcome in Winter 
SOLD OUT

Sunday May 29th

9 - 5pm 

Yoga East

$120

Farewell autumn and hello winter!

"Fall, leaves, fall; die flowers away; lengthen night and shorten day! Every leaf speaks bliss to me fluttering from the autumn tree." 

Emily Bronte 

A lovely way to bring in winter with a one yoga day retreat led by Margot Porter (RYT 500 hrs) and guest speaker Rebecca Takac  (registered nurse and nutritionist). 

Come along to Yoga East and welcome in your winter in  a soft, meaningful and playful day filled with fun, yoga, helpful information and delicious food. 

Nourish yourself and take time to slow down and take stock of what will make your winter a joyful experience of serenity, stillness and surrender.

The day includes:

• A fun workshop learning about your organs: their form, function and weight 
• Yoga asana practice where we explore the ways in which moving from your organ body shifts the way we think about and move through our yoga  practice
• Winter nutrition talk with Rebecca Takac - learn how to support your health as winter heads our way. 
•  Delicious, seasonal vegetarian lunch and light afternoon tea
• A relaxing yoga nidra
• Yin yoga practice focusing on the meridian lined for winter kidney and urinary bladder
• Finish with restorative yoga and enjoy blissful relaxation

Bookings essential as there are limited places!

Contact Margot for details on how to book your place.

Restorative Yoga: Inhale Exhale ...

Booked out!
Inhale Exhale

Restorative Yoga Intensive

Saturday April 30th

2.30 - 5pm

Yoga East

206 a Main Street, Bairnsdale 

$40

Payment secures your place.

Limited places.

Bookings required.

Yoga: being in the body with grace.

YOGA

Being in the body with grace 

or 

letting go of an ego based practice.

Most of us grow wiser as we age and there comes a time in our practice when our hearts and our bodies tell us it is time to change our practice to suit our needs. Recently I decided that I no longer wanted to do a strong vinyasa practice. A flow practice yes but not one that made me not want to get up and go to my mat. Strong vinyasa everyday was just making me tired. It no longer energised and nurtured me the way it had. I don't have any injuries - it just didn't feel good anymore. I then thought about other poses that I no longer needed in my tool kit and felt a freedom in doing so for now I was practising the yama ahimsa - being gentle and loving kindness.

Make your body happy and let your ego take a back seat.

Do any poses or practices you do make you feel tense, tired or just uninspired?
Is it time to unclutter your yoga suitcase?

Image source https://yogue.wordpress.com/

Going with the flow

I like handstands and keep trying to do them. The question is should I?
I am beginning to question why I like to do these harder poses and if I am hanging onto to some idea about still being 25 rather than almost 50. Am I being honest and truthful with myself about what would help me or am I being stubborn and hanging onto practices that are inappropriate and are hurting me.

When I stop trying so hard poses I find difficult pop up and are often much easier to do as if they know organically that now is  a good time. I just need to get my head or ego out of the action.
 Open up to the moment and let what arises arise and let what dissolves dissolve.

Relax in your practice and see what happens instead of being focused on the physical and external outcomes for yoga is a work in, an energetic practice for quieting the mind and serving others.

Om shanti,

Margot XX