We are stronger together

Recently as part of our renovations we replaced a rotten pergola.

This pergola is home to a flowering native vine that has probably been there for 40 years.  I cut it back pretty heavily so the new wooden frame and wire could be installed.

It's rewarding me with vigorous regrowth, even in this cold winter.  My new favourite mindfulness hobby is to watch it grow.  When needed I will climb up on a ladder and give it a gentle wrap or encouragement in the right direction.  There are about 8 or so wires with a gap of about a metre or so between them.  

What I am noticing is that the tender new shoots are doing something clever.  They are intertwining together to make themselves stronger and they are making it across the gap to the next supporting wire.  The ones without a mate however are blown around in the wind and at the mercy of gravity heading down away from the wire, where the ones with a mate are not only stronger but seem to have a clear aim of where they want to go...

I have always admired the resilience of nature, and watching this vine has highlighted the message that we are stronger together, and by reaching out to others, we can overcome challenges.

And this I think is the beauty of in person yoga classes.  Through practicing with others we can be each others' support;, we can lend our strength and draw from others as needed.  We can encourage each other to grow and persist, even in the silence of our own practice.

My brief foray into online teaching was rewarding as it allowed me to connect with some of you who moved away and hasn't been able to be at classes.  But I miss those opportunities to come together to practice yoga and meditation in the presence of others.

I am looking forward to seeing some people this weekend for the Winter Solstice retreat.  And now that the State Government has eased restrictions on group yoga classes I am starting to plan for term three.  

If you would like to join me in person, please let me know through the usual channels.  

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