Beautiful Moons and community sharing for the end of May

Dear Yogis,

Some photos for you of the beauty of nature and how a walk in silence along a river corridor under a canopy of trees can connect us with our true selves: the real meaning of yoga...we are one.

May - Beautiful Foliage and prana along the River Crane Sanctuary

Spring nearly turning into summer and the recent heat and rain has turned the river corridor green and bursting with prana.  Go out and practise some pranayama in the open air.  Wonderful to see the butterflies and bats back to feed and rest.   We will have another workshop on the Island.....really we will.....but we are busy with a charity event and street party which is yoga in action!
Here are some nature photos for you to enjoy and inspire you to go for a silent walk and draw in some inspiration from nature.

Full Moon Monday to welcome in May

                                                                                                                       
Being present in our bodies and minds is especially needed in this uncertain weather which can cause vata disruption and make us feel unsettled.   Nature is a good source of refuge at this time even if we can only look out of our window at the beautiful clouds!

                                                                  Angel Cloud

Layers of grey and light

                                                                   
                                                                    Elephant cloud

                                                              What do you see?   
                                                           

Vernal Equinox - Spring has Sprung!

Sunset in the Sanctuary

The Vernal Equinox last week marked the official beginning of Spring just as the snow melted in the Sanctuary. Four seasons in one week and yet we are assured by some that there are no climate change issues that need our immediate attention! Take a silent walk along the River Crane Sanctuary route to see and hear for yourself the beauty of nature which provides so much enjoyment and peace for us all and which so many think is worth valuing and preserving. For Photos,videos and information visit our website. https://www.e-voice.org.uk/rcs/

Spring is a good time to create a pond and the RSPB have a video to show how easy it is to do even with just a washing up bowl in a small space. It creates a watering hole and wildlife habitat which is vital for our garden visitors. Take a look below and give it a go. https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/give-nature-a-home-in-your-garden/garden-activities/createaminipond/

Yoga is so much more than stretching on our mats in isolation. Karma yoga for the environment is perhaps one of the most important actions yogis can take to help others in this world today. Sow a pack of wildflowers or creat a mini pond or look out to see where we can be of help to our precious wildlife and nature as demands grow for human needs.

"A thing of Beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness; but still will keep a bower quiet for us, and a sleep full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing." c. Keats.

Winter Gathering on the Island

Beautiful circle gathering on Eel Pie Island and thanks for all the positive e mails and phone calls to ask for more!   It is good to meet up again with kind people who value 'what makes us human' - respect for ourselves and others and for the natural world.  Keep in touch and I will send out more offerings to you.

The book that I wanted us to read and have a discussion about with relevance to yogic philosophy is:  Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown .  

It covers themes which have particular relevance to yogis in this Kali age:

 i.e. Ahimsa -Non-violence/harm to others and ourselves "With perfect practice of Ahimsa one rises above anger, hatred,aggression,fear, jealousy, resentment, envy and attachment. With perfection of ahimsa one realises the unity and oneness of all life and attains universal love, peace and harmony"

 Satya -Truth "if you live in Truth you will have peace of mind,free from fear, anxiety and worry"

How do we adhere to the above and still voice our concerns and stand up for others who do not have a voice?

The book does not mention yoga of course and may seem 'simplistic' in places but it is easy to read fairly quickly and gives us a springboard to discuss and go deeper and maybe find some answers to our questions.  

Love and Light

21st December Winter Solstice

Light to all beings and blessings for the new year approaching

The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry

When despair grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting for their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. 

Respect for all Life

Iain won the photo competiton in the Twickenham Tribune with this little chap and we only entered to raise awareness of the wildlife here in the River Crane Sanctuary which needs our support to maintain the few remaining wild habitat spaces alond the River Crane and to stop inappropriate development.  Yoga is more than stretching ........Dharma...purpose in life,  Karma...right action Satya....Truthfulness and Asteya.......Non-Stealing.

Love and light to all our Yogis still on the path in this Kali age of darkness......we need your light.