Nourishment and giving yourself what you need is pretty vital, right? When cold weather is upon us its our bodies which feel it the most and our extremities. Ok, so we layer up and try and keep the warmth in. Perhaps even buy new jackets, scarfs, hats gloves etc but what happens if you still find yourself shivering, teeth chattering and your fingers going numb? Growing up in the tropical southern hemisphere winters didnt last long and they were mild. Swimming in the ocean all year round was normal and i never needed a winter coat or went shopping for woolen hats. Part of expanding on my experiences within Yoga over the last year some friends inspired me with their daily Abhyanga practice and as i am in the mists of winter in Ibiza i decided it was a good time for a 30 day Abhyanga Sadhana. Abhyanga represents a Ayurveda oil massage and Sadhana means accomplishment or to nourish yourself with what you need right now. So knowing my dosha (body type) is Vata/ Pitta (air and fire) i chose Sesame oil for increasing circulation, warming and balancing. The process is quiet simple, i tend to do this after my morning Yoga practice and before eating. Undress, stand or sit on a towel to absorb any stray bits of oil, you can chose to warm the oil in your hands or in a oil burner - making sure it doesn't over heat and burn you! Then apply to your body, beginning at the feet, using long firm strokes working your way up your legs, thighs, hips, torso, etc and I end at the neck as the skin on my face doesn't react well to oil! (some websites also suggest when rubbing in the oil to go against the hair as it enables the body to adsorb more) This form of self massage feels a little odd at first but its a fantastic way to get grounded, to be in touch with your physical body daily and over time a self-awareness develops of acceptance of your bumps, scars, flesh and shape and you really get to know yourself on another level! So when your all oiled u cover yourself with a towel or dressing gown and find yourself a warm spot to stand, meditate, check your emails / facebook etc for about 10 - 30 minutes before rinsing off with just hot water. Towel dry, dress and ta da! This warm cosy feeling stays with you for most of the day! I feel warmth under my skin, my bones are warm and feel healthy instead of brittle and popping each time i bend an elbow or knee and my skin is well moisturised. Introducing a practice or Sadhana like this will enhance your relationship to your own body 10X or more and you will feel nourished, you know your worth it!

This Dragon energy is strong! For the first time in many years i know what i am doing and where i will be (pretty much) 3, 6, 9  months from now. Forward planning is unfolding and everything is falling into place. Very liberating! Looking back on 2011 i realised i traveled to 13 different countries and taught in about 8 of these. My vedic reading i received in Penang in May 2011 advised not to have hectic travel from October 2011 - October 2012 and to have a base. So the Dragon energy has spoken, my base will be Ibiza and my travel will be shanti :) January on the white island has been full of sunny days and cooler nights. While the rest of Europe is under a blanket of snow i am still laying in the sun around midday and witnessing stunning sunsets in the evening. I like to believe that when we are heading in the right direction life has an effortless glow about it, any hiccups along the way are ironed out gracefully. During November and December last year i was presented with three different teaching opportunities, one in Japan and the other Thailand and Malaysia. For one reason or another communication was not clear or responsive and things fizzled out with no outcome except for leaving me wondering what happened, is it me! Life moves in strange ways and sometimes the outcome is not revealed to us until we are ready but the mind / ego still persists to push and take whatever we are given regardless of the outcome. So with this in mind my self practice is has become very disciplined, even though i am preparing my body for a certain pose there is no pushing, no disappointments and no following the ego - just the heart mind. I am totally in love with all variations of headstand, the playful energy of being upside down and challenging my balance and coordination with some Tripischore inspired variations. Sure, i want to master full scorpion but i need a healthy spine more then i need to know i can do a pose. So once again i bow to the journey and enjoy what flows to me naturally. Why travel up stream when you can float blissfully on a cloud and trust everything is perfect.

2012 black jala naga year... so what exactly does this mean...? In Sanskrit Jala means water and Naga represents snake or in this case dragon. So according to the Chinese calendar 2012 will be the year of the Black Jala Naga  which happen once every 60 years!!! The following information was written by Jesse Grant and for the full article click here http://placestoyoga.com/jala-naga/
The following is a extract from Jesse Grants article which i found most interesting and felt the need to share it here.
January 23, 2012 to February 9, 2013 is the Year of the Water Dragon. Let’s break down what this symbolizes. First, the Water element. Water has the power to give life or become a massive destructive force. It is ever changing, shifting with tides and flowing rivers, carving the world around it. The world is over 70% and humans are over 95% water. Our existence is tied to this liquid, as well as the moon which dictates it’s movement. Next, the Dragon. This is the only Chinese year that is not an earthly animal, but a mystical being. Chinese consider the dragon creature to be enduring, stately, bold, confident, pioneering, generous, eccentric, unpredictable, and untouchable. Associated with thunder, lightning and arousal, the Water Dragon embodies creativity at its best. According to tradition, the Dragon brings the Four Gifts of the East: Wealth, Virtue, Harmony and Longevity. The water nature of this year’s dragon is more like a flowing river than a stagnant pond, causing things to move, ideas flow, creativity abound, economies boom, and love blossom in this environment. New love can ignite or old love can rekindle on a spur of the moment. Keep in mind that the dragon is a mythical beast, though, and after the party is over he is put away and saved for the next occasion. This reminds us of his temporary nature and while new love is to be enjoyed, it is also likely fleeting.
How can we prepare to welcome this Year of the Black Water Dragon? A few minutes before midnight on January 22, pause to reflect on the positive events of the last year and then give gratitude to the Rabbit. Set your mind to goodness and purity. At midnight, open every door and window in the house. This releases the old year and allows fresh auspiciousness and fortune to enter. On New Year’s Day don’t talk about the past, only looking to the future and the new beginnings in store for you. Through this whole year, remember that the dragon is a Karmic energy, meaning that you get what you give. Give positive energies into your endeavors, you will flourish with success. Give unrestrained love to everyone and it will return to your life tenfold. Give little effort or negativity and it will come back to you like poison. 2012, the year of epic successes and fatal failures…Image from www.chinavoc.com_

The magic of Barcelona is infectious! The best thing about visiting a city for a 3rd or 4th time is there is no rush to see all the touristy sights which means there is ample time to chill in cafes and watch the buzz of a city flow by. Each city has its own buzz and in Barcelona the buzz is shopping! Or may be this has to do with christmas being soon and the city streets being lit up like a multi colour fairy land! Shop after shop after shop, each one the same but slightly different from the one before, each corner is hiding yet another cobble stone street lined with tempting goods to buy, try on and wish that you had. My evenings were spent covering some classes at the beautiful studio Kannon Gyo (www.kannongyo.com) this was a perfect time to re connect to my centre and remember its whats on the inside which counts. Time flies when your having fun and there i was again on a plane destination my home for the winter, Ibiza. More blue skies and sunshine for the following days leading up to the Solar Sadhana workshop at Can Shiva, the group was intimate and fiery and ready for handstands, core cultivation and embracing the sweaty practice as we connected to our inner flame to strengthen our immune systems for a healthy winter. The following day i was super excited about a event on Playa d´en Bossa and the free Yoga class i was planning on attending, like many teachers i know we hardly ever get the pleasure of attending a class so i was looking forward to Yoga on the beach with the sun, sky and sand! Arriving on time it turns out the teacher is stuck on the other side of the island with a broken down car so after a string of events i covered for the him instead. Even better a spontaneous class on the beach sharing what i love to do! So a inspiring and encouraging weekend of Yoga, new faces and spontaneous opportunities. With a heart over flowing with gratitude from a vibrant 2011 i bow to the mysteries of 2012 and willingly dive in with open arms to embrace the magic of more adventure!

So the first few weeks on the white Island of Ibiza all seem like a blur now, mixed with relocating, raining and trying to find my feet! Not long after i felt grounded and stopped sleeping so much it was time to pack and head to northern Italy for a 10 day Sadhana of teaching and sun worshiping! Apart from a 3.5 hour stop over in Barcelona my flight was pretty quick to Nice and a smooth journey along the coast and across the border into Italy with the destination being San Remo. Once again i was greeted by blue skies and the rolling hills of this Mediterranean coast line. Arriving on familiar soil and feeling instantly at home (as i was here in September) always make landed and grounding into a new place so much easier. I taught a Partner Yoga Thai Massage workshop with Massimo who was also my easy going and gracious host for the 2nd time. Like any workshop filled with friends, smiles and different ranges of experience there were lots of moments of shared laughter and English to Italian translations with strange diversions which i didnt even know what was being said! According to the Mayan calendar the day of the workshop was a Blue Rhythmic Monkey which is all about organising in order to play and balancing illusion and this was totally the flavour of the day! For me to get a taste of the local way of life i like to sample the local delights so over the coming days my taste buds were treated to so many new sensations from sour berry cakes to pear and chocolate pastries, fresh home made Cannelloni, Ravioli, Risotto, Pizza, coffee and of course Italian style hot chocolate which was really a soup! It was so thick and smooth like they had melted the finest chocolate bar and served it in a mug with a pile of cream on top sprinkled with more chocolate! OMG! I cant remember the last time i ate so much sugar, wheat and dairy all at once... So the flavours of November were sweet, tasty and rich with the Italian charm and finess! Leaving Italy behind but taking my pizza belly with me my next stop is Barcelona (Spain) to cover classes at www.kannongyo.com for a few days before landing back onto the White Island of Ibiza to get ready for the Solar Sadhana workshop at Can Shiva!

Relocation was relatively easy with only 20kg of check in baggage allowance and 10kg hand luggage packing was relatively easy. Our first week here has been slow.. along with forgetting the siesta hours are from 2:30ish - 4:30ish (when everything is closed) and not being able to wake up before 10am the shifting into the Spanish way of life has its moments of total frustration and total amusement. Ibiza has many facets from the full-on party scene in the summer to the highly chilled out vibe in the winter and we are have landed in the transition of these too. Since arriving i am suddenly needing so much sleep! My first experience of a high Kapah life style and since i am sleeping so much i wanted to find out more about the energetic vibration of the island as i thought perhaps my energy body is re-tuning itself to function better while being here. According to www.ibiza-spotlight.com Ibiza has a rich spiritual heritage having had a reputation as a spiritual location for more than 3000 years.  It is famous for its musical vibes, hypnotic sunsets and magnetic draw. Ibiza has a very high quartz content and its infamous mystical giant rock – Es Vedra is the 3rd most magnetic place on the planet affecting compasses, gps and stirring slumbering energies from deep within. As such Ibiza generates incredibly high levels of energy.  A natural positive energy that flows constantly all around, enveloping its inhabitants and visitors in a happy aura. So is this what is happening to me? My energy body is resting and absorbing this magnetic "happy" energy, recharging from the last few years of moving, flying and traveling. I have many ideas for creating Yoga and Dance events swirling around in my mind waiting for the right time to make them a reality but is winter and the low season on such a happening island the right time to make them happen? Each day merges into the next and its been raining now for the 4th day in a row, cleansing and inviting in the freshness of the winter as i continue to surrender to this re-attunement, lets see what the second week has in store. 

I have just finished a conference call with my teacher Shiva Rea and the Living Yoga Sadhana group which was all about Diwali - the festival of the Lights. In the northern hemisphere the light is fading and everyone is preparing for the transition into winter and the darker months ahead. For this winter i will be in Spain and Italy, it will be my first southern European Winter experience and i hope not a very cold one! Since the Autumn Equinox the flow of life has been constant with moving house a few times, taking care of and feeding peoples pets as we house sit for a few weeks here and there depending on what is available to us. I also celebrated turning one year older with a day of no plans and no tension which was enjoyed thoroughly! The October weather in the UK has been very warm and welcoming with a Autumn breeze in the air and beautiful sunny days. As part of my birthday celebrations and leaving Brighton soon i initiated the Yogawoman documentary to be screened in Brighton along with a Yoga Trance Dance with all proceeds of the evening going to Holly's chosen charity Love is all we need. With only 3 weeks to organise it right from the beginning i was super surprised at how smoothly everything went, the people i approached to be involved were available and more then willing to help out. I really appreciate working with people who take initiative and and act upon things once agreed, it makes a difference when organising such a unpredictable event. By unpredictable i mean we had no idea how many people would come due to not pre selling any tickets just relying on word of mouth, flyers around town, facebook and email connection and the local community. So on the actual night about 30 Yoga Trance Dancers turned up and we totally rocked the space with funky beats from Michael Franti to Bass Nectar and about 80 people came for the actual screening! Thank you to the Happy Cell for their incredibly diverse space with comfortable couches and bean bags! The total icing on the cake for the evening was as the DVD arrived on the day of the event we didnt have time to test it with the projector so after testing it on 5 different types of Mac's and PC's it finally worked but the moment we pressed play it decided not to work... A quick restart fixed this and the screening had began close to 1 hour late then the advertised time! It was so great to have so many wonderful people under the same roof sharing a very inspiring movie. With a lifestyle of moving, shifting and change i find community is what i miss the most so when i can i try and create this where ever i go, this sense of belonging is so important and is something easily taken advantage of so a big shout out to all of you who are part of my community and i hope to see you in the near future but for now its almost time to relocate to Ibiza, Spain for a few weeks before teaching in Italy again. Why not join us for a long weekend retreat? Yoga Movement and Thai Massage, check www.yogarhythms.net for more details. Wishing you a smooth transition into the last 6 weeks of 2011!

Noticing the seasons changing is one way to acknowledge the next cycle is upon us but to gather as a community to celebrate this and invite in the harvesting energies together is also powerful. Looking back to April this year i was in Malaysia planting seeds for the coming 6 months which i have just witness blossom in the form of a Elemental Vinyasa workshop at the beautiful Yoga Garden (www.theyogagarden.co.uk) in West Sussex, UK. Including me there were 14 women all gathered together in a circle inside the Mongolian style yurt with the wood burning stove providing the gentle heat to help us relax and arrive. We began with a guided meditation where we were in a special place in nature standing in the centre of 4 stone gateways we began with facing North seeing our earthly qualities in our life, the sustaining and nourishment of our physical existence. We invite in gratefulness for our material existence at our Muladhara / root level. Turning to face the West as we connect with our friends, family, teachers and our beloved we extend our gratitude for the fluid / water power of change and love which we  have shared. Gazing now through the East gate we give thanks to the igniting energy of inspiration / air and your own power to co create and live your dreams. We turn now towards the South to honor that which has fired up our passion and awaken your desires / transformation and change. Completing this cycle with writing and giving thanks to what has manifested up until now and what we are working towards as we move into the next phase of darkness and preparing ourselves to rise up again when the light returns 6 months from now. The energy in the Yurt was so nurturing and womb like, after the meditation we began the physical practice of Yoga beginning with Bhumi / Earth then Apas / Water before having a break. Nina offered healthy snacks, fruit and tea during this time and some people chose to stay inside while others ventured out into the surroundings. The second half of our flow covered playful Vayu / Air, empowered up with Agni / Fire and ending with Akasha / Eather, melting into the Ananda Maya kosha - body of bliss. I ended the workshop with a poem from Hafez - The Hemispheres: Leave the familiar for a while. Let your senses and body stretch out. Like a welcomed season. Into the meadows and shores and hills. Open up to the roof. Make a new water mark on your excitement and love. Like a blooming night flower, bestow your vital fragrance of happiness and giving, upon your intimate assembly. Change rooms in your mind for a day. All hemispheres in existence lie besides an equator in your heart. Greet yourself, in your thousand other forms, as you mount the hidden tide and travel back home. All hemispheres in heaven, are sitting around a fire, chatting. While stitching themselves together, into the great circle inside of you. With so many special moments shared and experienced i am hoping to create another day at the Yoga Garden some time in the Spring. I wish you a juicy harvest and see you in the flow...

After a month of indecision and unable to commit to anything our next destination became clearer but this transition is not happening for a few more weeks so in the mean time we Empowered up during a workshop filled with Tripischore inspiring arm balancing techniques which i experienced and decided to share with my students. The heat and sweat which is generated in the body from Yoga is totally different then if it came from any other physical sport, it feels more sustaining with a deeper cleansing going on. When i feel this sensation my mind journeys back to living and teaching in Malaysia where it was totally normal to sweat in meditation as the humidity was so high, my body absorbs the heat, softening my muscles and it becomes easier to slow down. The last few months have been full of sharing the Joy of Yoga with new people in new places and new countries! So as i boarded a flight to Nice en-route to Italy this feeling of gratefulness was overwhelming. 90 minutes later i was greeted by the Mediterranean warmth and stunning views of the French / Italian coast line. From the grey damp skies of England to the warm, bright open arms of Europe the adventure continues! We stopped along the way for a much needed swim in the sea, climbing along rocks, finding a place to dive in and feel the haze of flying melt away, pure bliss! My home for the next five days is San Remo, a cute Italian town situated on the Italian Riviera, backed by hills and mountains and very fertile with fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. I must have been Italian in a past life as i have a weakness for pasta and love listening to the passionate and lyrical language! Before the workshops began my host Massimo introduced me to the local sites and filled me in on the history which included Roman, French and English settlers. The first workshop (Intro to Flow) was in the late afternoon and being right on the beach we had the sun setting to the right, a slight cool breeze in the air and we were even blessed with a little rain which (for some reason) our power got cut and the last hour was taught in silence and in the dark. I hardly ever teach without music but being outside, on the beach and in the elements it was powerful! Light was naturally provided by the street lamp outside the space and conveniently it was shining directly on me like a spot light so the attendees could see me but i could only see silhouettes of them, a new experience! The following morning more rain which apparently is unusual for this time of year, everyone pulled together to create a clean space undercover and we enjoyed the Lasya and Tandava flow. Even with the barrier of language movement is the easiest form of communication. I bow deeply to my hosts, Massimo, Fabiana and Patrizia for their time and energy in making my journey there so welcoming. Northern Italy is now added to my top 5-10 list of places where i would love to live so i hope to be back soon!

The end of August is a calling for so many different celebrations across the globe, perhaps its the culmination of the first new moon after mercury has stopped going backwards and causing havoc with communications and electrical goods or perhaps its a special time of year when there is a lot of synchronicity across the globe. Lets see...we have the Muslim community celebrating Hari Raya which marks the end Ramadan,  the Hindu community are celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi which lasts for 10 days and is believed to be Ganesha's birthday who is widely worshiped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune, the Mayan calendar has began another cycle of 13 days this time with a Yellow Magnetic star wavespell which has a emphasis on beauty, attracting art and elegance plus so many astrological sites are saying this new moon in Virgo is powerful and the perfect time to tick off your to do list, get organised and really be clear with your intentions because the time is NOW so what are you celebrating? Being a life long sun worshiper, for the last few years i have been blessed with following the summer season, living in flip flops, finding a palm tree to protect myself from the heat of the mid day and loving the coolness of the ocean as i dive in and swim as far as i can with one breath to cool off after a sweaty Yoga practice. The European sun is beginning to wain and a touch of autumn is in the air, up until 2 days ago we had no idea where the the next destination would be, this type of choice may seem like a dream to some who have not experienced this type of nomadic lifestyle but when your living it, it comes with both positives and negatives but for now i know i am here for a reason and i will write more about where this mysterious destination is next time. Reflecting back on August it was a great month for sharing the joy of movement with a very shakti'fied group of ladies in Essex, shaking, strutting, grooving and moving for 3 hours! In Brighton we embraced a slow Yoga flow during a Restorative workshop at Aloka, we had pillows, blocks and blankets galore! Taking time to marinate in each pose, exhaling deeply through the mouth and accepting what is can be so healing and a perfect way to begin a Sunday. September is being welcomed in with a Shakti Sadhana / Goddess Groove Flow with deep hip opening and a heart expanding, we will be lifting the veils of distraction and taking ownership of the inner callings of Shakti. In honor of Ganesh May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation! Jai Ganesh!