 I consider myself to be a constant student of yoga. I am grateful that I have opportunities to share my passion through my teaching, but I am also extremely appreciative to have access to teachers and teachings that continually deepen my understanding of yoga, and enable me to have an embodied and meaningful practice for my life.
Here are my thoughts on some of my most significant moments of this year... The 5 day silent retreat I attended with Mal Huxter earlier in the year, was a game changer for me. Not only was the time itself extremely valuable, but it had a lasting qualitative effect on my daily meditation practice. I experienced a true light bulb moment following learning mindful walking. When I returned to real life I was able to shift my growing frustration towards my slow walks with my elderly golden retriever to a time where I value our morning meanders as an opportunity to take notice of the sounds and smells of the world, with appreciation and wonder. Although, I love the natural world, I also am online a bit and feel fortunate to have an internet connection and access to world class teachers. I have continued my studies in classical tantric yoga texts and practices online with Christopher Hareesh Wallis, who has been a major influence in my yoga for a few years now. He is an academic in the language of Sankskrit and has translated many of these beautiful texts in ways that are accessible and meaningful for our modern world. Practices emphasising breath pause and subtle awareness of vibration are now core practices for me, and assist me to find moments of stillness, even at lifes most challenging and busy times. These practices help me remain in my centre when I speak to people in extreme distress in my day job as a counsellor, when I parent my four children, when I argue with my partner, or when I am scared about my ageing parents. My yoga teacher mentor and friend Kristine Kaoverri Weber also released some online courses this year on the neurobiology of yoga, which have been satisfying the geeky part of me that is curious about how and why these practices can be effective. This learning has also helped my ability to explain the benefits and of slow, mindful yoga to others. I also now have a better understanding of why and how I need to continually adapt my practice to my peri- menopausal body, and love the opportunities to connect with my changing body through my yoga practices. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I would love to hear your reflections on what you have learned this year through your yoga and meditation practice. Maureen x
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