Winter solstice wishes

Full moon tomorrow, 17th December, and Winter Solstice on saturday, 21st December.  Time to be still and in nature .  Contemplate what has passed in the year gone by and dream of what is to come.  Then let it all go and stay in the Present!

When the heart weeps for what it has lost

The spirit laughs for what it has found.

A star is born! Plus comet ISON is in the night Sky

We welcome our newest member to the family...Linus Neville...who is destined to be a meditator if the yogic numerology of his birth date is right!    His mother gave him the best start possible with a natural birth which, thank God, she was supported in by her husband and a wonderful midwife.  Such joy in all the extended family, neighbours and friends which we want to share with all who are needing some light at this time.
Therefore, I ask all reading this to meditate on the Light in their hearts and to send that out to all in trouble to help them know they are in our thoughts and they are not forgotten.
Love is infinite.  At special times like births and even sometimes a beautiful death after a life well lived; we experience the intensity of Love and know that there is no reason to feel fearful or guarded about any relationships.  There is plenty of Love for all and the more we give.......

...the more we receive!

Om shanti shnati shanti

Peace Peace Peace

Autumn newsletter out now

The latest newsletter is now available for club members so let me know if you have not received your copy or wish to join the yogawise club.
Diwali festival of Lights and Fireworks celebrations herald the start to darker nights and tell us to keep light and postive.
Do not get drawn into lethargy - tamas- or too much activity - rajas but rather keep a satttvic , balanced and peaceful nature up to the Winter Solstice celebration in December.
Remember those caught up in the upheavals in the world and send them your wishes for Peace.
We are One.......thoughts are energy as well as deeds so do not feel helpless when you cannot physically be there to lend a hand.  By the same token we need to keep our thoughts and words pure and filled with goodness to counteract the agents of darkness at work in this Kali age.  They will not succeed ultimately.
Now is the time to let go of all that is not conducive to your Peace.:..People, places, habits etc...............

Navaratri Celebrating the goddess

The festival of Dusshera during this moon cycle of Ashwin is celebrated for ten days from today  - October the 5th.  Navratri is for nine days and householders cleanse and open to the new light of the Goddess by focusing on Durga for the first three days 5,6,7th Oct....Spiritual Protection, Release from the ego and Health.
  Next three days are given to Lakshmi to invoke abundance, spiritual wealth and beauty in all of our lives. 8, 9, 10 Oct

 Lastly devotion to Saraswati for help with spiritual wisdom,  real knowledge and help with finding your dharma or purpose in life which may be a career path or something much more! 11,12 13th October.

On the 14th Of October - Dusshera - celebrate the ultimate triumph of Good over Evil which is the full turn of the circle and the Law of Karma.

Be faithful to the Light in this time of Kali Darkness.

Narayani Namostute

OM

upside down or downside up?

Well it does feel a bit topsy turvy in 2013 so this photo seemed appropriate!      Many of us are feeling the perception of time flying or quickening as the winter approaches.  Where did the year go?  All the old friends we keep meaning to see are just e mails or phone calls and this is better than losing contact completely.  We are waiting for the balance which will slow it all down and it is coming so hang on in there and be kind to yourself and others.

Love and Light

Autumn Equinox 22 September

Dear Yogis

As the autumn equinox date approaches and day and night will have approximately equal length; I trust the upheaval that some of us have been experiencing may come into balance for a still point before the tilt again as the North Pole begins moving away from the sun.  Evenings will start to become darker until the Winter Solstice in December.
If you follow the Four Corners ritual you will know that Acceptance lies in the North and you may find it helpful to concentrate on the colour blue and the quality of contentment which Acceptance brings.
Get out into nature and enjoy the autumnal colours as they burst forth.  This will help if you are particularly sensitive to the energies of the earth and feel a bit despondent at this time of the year.
Eat lightly even when the call for stodge is high!  Fill the belly with light and energy of fresh fruit and vegetables which can be lightly steamed or put in lovely soups.  Play  happy music and dance!
Love and Light

Gratitude

Another beautiful day and feeling grateful for the sunshine and the smiles as we walked and dreampt in Bushy Park.   Meeting so many babies and parents and looking forward to another addition to our family in November.   Makes one aware of the duty we have to future generations to safegurd this precious planet  not only from environmental pollution but also from the pollution of our minds with negativity .
Wear your kavacha of light and walk without fear into each new day.  Summer newsletter out soon and we do hope to see the yoga circle sometime this year for a gathering in the flesh.  Of course you are always there in the circle of light in our meditations .  Keep strong.

Summer Solstice

Sunrise in Orvietto on one of our Yogawise retreats in Italy.  Posting this to wish all a happy summer solstice in 2013.      

Winnie the Pooh said of the hums that came to him from time to time:

"Poetry and hums aren't things which you get. 

 They're things which get you and all you can do is to go where they can find you."

I hope today you will go somewhere peaceful and allow some 'hums' to find you!

OM shanti shanti shanti   Peace Peace Peace

Beauty in Nature

Glastonbury and Home

"The words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels"

Hazrat Inayat Khan

This quote resonated with me after spending a week away learning, meditating and dreaming in sacred Glastonbury.   I met some very wise women who passed on their wisdom about Birth in our culture.  

How can we help prospective mothers and fathers cope with this important rite of passage in this age of isolation.for many?  The whole minefield of expectations and conflicting advice surrounds this time of transformation for the mother predominately but also for the father and the rest of the extended family.

Words used can have a big impact at this time and therefore the ones that 'enlighten' are truly valuable.

Perhaps it is better to keep quiet and listen more if we are not sure that what we are saying will be of help to those we are seeking to aid!    Perhaps even find the words of others who speak more directly to the person if our own fails to hit the mark.   

I have often found that friends, family and students will tell me something that has made them think about a subject differently upon reading a book or hearing an inspirational speaker and they will be unaware that we have covered this ground before and they did not see what seems obvious to them now.   Sometimes it is just a matter of maturity but often it is the words that are used which turn on a light bulb.   Unfortunately the turn off switch is also there!     

Enjoy these photos from the Challice Wells Gardens, the Tor and around Glastonbury.

words of wisdom

Just reading some favourite quotes and this one stood out as so very yogic.  Do you know who wrote it? Clue: Famous woman writer with equally talented sisters who were also novelists.

I can live alone, if self-respect, and circumstances require me so to do.

 I need not sell my soul to buy bliss. 

I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give.” 

Poem that heals the loss

February marks the anniversary of my wonderful father Neville's death and when I found this poem by Vikram Seth I felt him smiling.    What a surprise to find that Dad went to the same school as Vikram Seth in Patna, India on the banks of the sacred Ganges - St Michael's .  What a lot we can learn from Wikipedia!

 Princess Alice Hospice Yellow Rose of Remembrance

Gone though you have, I heard your voice today.

I tried to make out what the words might mean,

Like something seen half-clearly on a screen:

Each savoured reference, each laughing bark,

Sage comment, bad pun, indiscreet remark.

Gone since you have, grief too in time will go,

Or share space with old joy; it must be so.

Rest then in peace, but spare us some elation.

Death cannot put down every conversation.

Over and out, as you once used to say?

Not on your life. You're on this line to stay.

This month has had further deaths for our family and I know many friends who are also in early stages of grief so I trust you will find some comfort in reading this poem which was written to honour the passing of a dear friend.

Announcement 2013

Keep a Clear Mind!

We all need to stop and reflect in our busy lives and allow new paths to open.   My students already know that I am taking a sabbatical for 2013 to continue some studies I started last year and also to pursue some new areas to which I feel drawn and to allow me to expand my yoga offerings for the good of others.  I know a lot of students are sad at losing their classes but I am still here and newsletters will reach out each season to those who are in the yoga club.  All changes and then changes again.   Be brave warriors and know that we have everything we need already .  Be Still and Silent and the True Self will reveal how powerful we are!