Yoga might be less popular these days, but I wonder if the practices of yoga are needed more than ever. They offer us ways to pause, reconnect with ourselves and find the steadiness we need to respond to the many challenges and complexities we face each day. I have just finished reading the book “The Power of the Pause” by Jillian Pransky who is a yoga, meditation and mindfulness practitioner.

This week I have felt a little overwhelmed by the news cycle and by the political, social and ecological disarray around us. There is so much to take in, and sometimes it feels as though our nervous systems are simply not designed to process the volume of information and distress we are exposed to.

It feels too simplistic to suggest that gratitude, pausing and time in nature can be an antidote to all of this. I have days when seeing the good feels like an effort, and it seems almost neurologically impossible to focus on anything positive.

I am also very aware of my own negativity bias. Lots of things can go well, but I can find myself fixating on the one thing that didn’t.

So today, rather than trying to think my way out of it, I decided I needed a walk in nature. My husband and I headed off for a bush walk at Crooked Brook Forest to see the wildflowers.

Practising joy can sometimes feel simplistic, or even tone deaf, when the world feels like it is on fire. At times, I even feel a little guilty about enjoying myself when others are suffering.

And yet, perhaps joy isn’t about ignoring what is difficult. Perhaps it is about allowing ourselves to connect with the things that remind us that life also contains beauty, wonder and possibility.

This is something I value deeply in Dru Yoga. There is an emphasis on creating space — physically, mentally and energetically — so that we can respond to life rather than simply react to it.

We practise moving from tension towards ease, from busyness towards stillness, and from being caught up in our thoughts towards a greater awareness of the present moment.

Pausing is powerful.

And pausing in nature gave me the opportunity to create some space for my nervous system to settle.

On our mindful walk, we noticed bursts of colour among the flowers, the sound of buzzing bees, red-tailed parrots and honeyeaters, the warmth of the sun and the cooling breeze on our skin.

Nothing extraordinary happened. And yet, by slowing down enough to notice, I felt something shift.

Of course, true to form, my negativity bias was still there. I was a little disappointed that we didn’t see any orchids! I’m trying not to dwell on that fact.

But perhaps that is part of the practice too.

We don’t have to eliminate difficult thoughts or feelings. We don’t have to force ourselves to be positive or pretend that everything is okay. We can simply notice what is here, pause, and choose where we place our attention.

This, for me, is where the wisdom of yoga becomes particularly relevant to everyday life.

Yoga isn’t about escaping from the world or withdrawing from the things that are difficult. It is about developing the inner resources to meet the world as it is.

If we can’t get out into nature, even looking at a photograph or visualising a natural environment can help us reconnect with a sense of calm and spaciousness. Visualisation is something we often incorporate into Dru Yoga practices, drawing on our imagination and our connection with nature to support a deeper sense of wellbeing.

When we lose our connection with nature, perhaps we also lose something of our connection with ourselves. Pausing in nature can remind us that we are not separate from the natural world, but part of something much bigger.

Coming home to our bodies, feeling our feet grounded on the earth, noticing our breath — even for just a few moments — can create a little more space.

And sometimes, that little bit of space is enough.

Enough to breathe.

Enough to soften.

Enough to notice the beauty that is still here.

Enough to choose how we respond.

Enough to meet ourselves, each other and the world around us with a little more empathy, compassion and equanimity.

Perhaps in times of uncertainty, pausing isn’t about turning away from the world.

Perhaps it is what helps us turn towards it with greater presence, steadiness and heart.

If you cannot make it to one of my Dru Yoga classes or need a practice for off the mat give one of these a try:

Shake/Bounce
This practice helps release pent up energy and tension OR can be used when feeling lethargic and need to lift your energy. Stand feet shoulder distance apart and begin to shake and/or bounce gently. Let this shaking and bouncing come from the feet up as let the whole body becomes loose. Gradually slow this down and pause to notice the stillness.

Squeeze/Release
You can do this lying down or seated. As you inhale firm through the feet, as you exhale let the feet soften and release. Keep this squeezing and releasing going from the feet, up the legs, torso, arms and up to the head. Finish by gently squeezing the whole body on the inhale and let the whole body release on the exhale.

Hum/Voo
Humming is a yogic tool that has long been used to calm and soothe the nervous system. The vibrations are said to stimulate the vagus nerve that travels down either side of the neck and can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system. You could also try making a voo sound, a bit like a foghorn. For either practice inhale through the nose, to hum exhale through the nose as you hum, to voo exhale through the mouth slowly making a ‘voo’ sound.

Open Sky Gazing
This practice from the Buddhist tradition involves finding a comfortable position outdoors with a good view of the sky. Gaze at the sky and notice the expansiveness, the spaciousness as you imagine your mind as vast and open as the sky. Return to feeling the support of the surface beneath you, body grounded.

Source: The Power of the Pause: 90 Seconds To Calm, Reset and Reconnect, Jillian Pransky, 2026, Sterling Ethos Books.

We hear the word wellbeing everywhere. Governments measure it. Workplaces promote it. Health professionals encourage it. Yoga teachers speak about it. Yet, if someone asked us to define wellbeing, many of us might struggle.

Often, we think of wellbeing as simply the absence of illness or the feeling of being happy. But wellbeing is much richer and more complex than that. It is the quiet foundation beneath our daily lives—the ability to move with ease, think clearly, connect with others, adapt to life’s challenges, and find moments of peace and purpose.

Ironically, it is often only when our wellbeing is compromised that we begin to understand what it truly means.

The Gift Hidden Within Illness

As a yoga teacher, I regularly meet people who come to class because something isn’t quite right. They may have back pain, poor sleep, anxiety, stress, or simply a feeling that they have become disconnected from themselves.

Many tell me, “I just want to feel like myself again.”

That simple statement reveals something profound. We often don’t notice wellbeing while it is quietly supporting us. Like breathing or good posture, it fades into the background. Only when it becomes difficult do we appreciate its value.

Illness—whether physical, emotional or mental—can become an unexpected teacher. It shines a light on what has been missing and invites us to reconsider how we care for ourselves.

Wellbeing Is More Than Physical Health

Physical health is certainly one part of wellbeing, but it is only one piece of a much larger picture.

True wellbeing includes:

• Feeling emotionally balanced, even when life is challenging.
• Having meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging.
• Living with purpose and contributing to something beyond ourselves.
• Being mentally engaged and able to think clearly.
• Having opportunities to rest, recover and simply be.
• Feeling connected to ourselves, nature, or something larger than ourselves.

These dimensions constantly influence one another. Chronic stress can affect digestion and sleep. Pain can impact mood. Loneliness can influence physical health. Equally, gentle movement, kindness, meaningful connection, and time in nature can improve many aspects of wellbeing simultaneously.

What Yoga Has Taught Me

One of the greatest lessons yoga offers is that wellbeing is not about becoming perfect. It is about becoming aware.

Yoga encourages us to notice before problems become crises. We begin to recognise the subtle signs that we need more rest, movement, nourishment, connection or stillness.

Rather than asking, “How do I fix myself?” we begin asking, “What is my body, mind or heart trying to tell me?”

This shift from fixing to listening is where healing often begins.

The Difference Between Wellness and Wellbeing

The wellness industry often focuses on products, programs and the pursuit of optimal health. While many of these can be valuable, wellbeing cannot simply be purchased.

Wellbeing is built through daily habits, supportive relationships, meaningful work, purposeful movement, restorative sleep, nourishing food, time in nature, moments of gratitude, and the capacity to meet life’s inevitable ups and downs with resilience and equanimity.

It is less about perfection and more about balance.

Learning From the Absence of Wellbeing

None of us wishes for illness. Yet periods of poor health can deepen our understanding of what truly matters.

They remind us that:

• Energy is precious.
• Sleep is healing.
• Movement is a privilege.
• Calm is something to cultivate.
• Relationships sustain us.
• Small moments of joy matter.

Perhaps wellbeing is not something we achieve once and for all. Perhaps it is a lifelong practice of paying attention, making small adjustments, and returning to balance whenever life pulls us away.

Just as we only fully appreciate sunshine after days of rain, we often come to understand wellbeing most deeply after experiencing its absence.

Rather than seeing illness solely as something to overcome, we might also ask what it has to teach us. Sometimes our greatest challenges become our greatest teachers, inviting us to live with greater awareness, compassion, and appreciation for the remarkable gift of being well.

In yoga, we often speak of cultivating equanimity—a calm, steady presence that remains even as circumstances change. Equanimity does not prevent illness or difficulty, but it helps us meet life’s inevitable challenges with wisdom rather than resistance.

Perhaps that is one of the deepest expressions of wellbeing: not the absence of adversity, but the ability to remain connected to ourselves through whatever life brings.

Many people discover Dru Yoga because they are looking for a gentler way to move, manage stress or reconnect with themselves. What often surprises them is that while Dru Yoga feels distinctly different from many other styles of yoga, it is deeply rooted in one of yoga’s oldest traditions—Hatha Yoga. Dru Yoga isn’t a departure from Hatha Yoga; rather, it is a contemporary expression of it. It honours the ancient teachings while presenting them in a way that is accessible, heart-centred and relevant to modern life.

The Hatha Yoga Foundation

The word Hatha combines Ha (sun) and Tha (moon), representing the balancing of complementary energies within us. While Hatha Yoga is often associated with physical postures, its true purpose extends much further. It seeks to harmonise body, breath, mind and consciousness, creating the conditions for inner stillness and self-realisation.

Like traditional Hatha Yoga, Dru Yoga includes:

• Asana (physical postures)
• Pranayama (breath practices)
• Relaxation
• Meditation
• Ethical living through the yamas and niyamas
• Awareness of prana, our vital life-force energy

These ancient practices remain at the heart of every Dru Yoga class.

More Than Physical Exercise

One of the guiding principles of Dru Yoga is that we are far more than our physical bodies. Every movement is an opportunity to influence not only our muscles and joints, but also our energy, emotions and state of mind. Rather than asking, “How far can I stretch?”, Dru encourages us to ask, “How do I feel?” This shift from performance to awareness reflects one of the central aims of yoga itself.

The Hallmarks of Dru Yoga

While Dru honours the classical Hatha tradition, several characteristics give it its own distinctive identity.

Energy Block Release Sequences

Perhaps the most recognisable feature of Dru Yoga is its Energy Block Release (EBR) sequences. These flowing movements gently mobilise the spine and major joints while releasing accumulated physical tension and encouraging prana to circulate more freely. Many students notice they feel calmer, lighter and more energised after just a few minutes of practice. EBRs beautifully demonstrate the Dru principle that movement can become meditation when practised with awareness.

Soft, Flowing Movement

Dru is often described as yoga “in motion.” Rather than moving abruptly from one posture to another, movements flow with the rhythm of the breath. This creates an effortless quality that is kind to the joints and calming for the nervous system. The emphasis is not on achieving the perfect posture, but on moving with ease, grace and awareness.

Working from the Heart

One of Dru Yoga’s defining qualities is its emphasis on the heart. Participants are encouraged to soften unnecessary effort, cultivate compassion and approach their practice with openness rather than judgement. This isn’t simply a philosophical idea—it influences how we move, breathe, relate to ourselves and interact with others. Practising from the heart allows yoga to become something we live, not simply something we do.

The Five Koshas

Dru Yoga frequently draws upon the yogic model of the five koshas, or layers of human experience. Rather than seeing ourselves as only physical beings, the koshas remind us that health and wellbeing arise from harmony across all aspects of our being:

• Physical body (Annamaya Kosha)
• Energy body (Pranamaya Kosha)
• Mental and emotional body (Manomaya Kosha)
• Wisdom body (Vijnanamaya Kosha)
• Bliss body (Anandamaya Kosha)

Many Dru practices are designed to nourish all five layers simultaneously.

Chakras and Subtle Energy

Dru Yoga also places particular emphasis on the chakra system and the flow of subtle energy through the nadis. Rather than treating these as abstract concepts, Dru teachers often use movement, visualisation, breath and focused awareness to help students experience greater balance, vitality and emotional resilience.

Positive Thought Creates Positive Energy

One of the distinctive teachings within Dru Yoga is the understanding that our thoughts influence our energy. Positive affirmations, visualisation and intention are often woven naturally into practice—not as wishful thinking, but as practical tools for directing awareness and supporting positive change. This reflects the yogic understanding that where attention goes, energy follows.

Modern Science

While grounded in ancient yogic philosophy, Dru Yoga also embraces contemporary research into anatomy, fascia, neuroscience, breath science and stress physiology. This integration allows classes to be both spiritually authentic and evidence-informed.

Similarities Between Hatha Yoga and Dru Yoga

Both traditions:

• View yoga as a pathway to greater self-awareness.
• Integrate posture, breath, relaxation and meditation.
• Work with prana as the foundation of health and vitality.
• Encourage ethical living through the yamas and niyamas.
• Recognise yoga as a holistic practice affecting body, mind and spirit.
• Honour stillness as an essential part of practice.

What Makes Dru Yoga Distinctive

Dru Yoga particularly emphasises:

• Flowing Energy Block Release sequences.
• Graceful, effortless movement.
• Movements starting as the base of the spine and from the heart.
• Working consciously with the chakras and the five koshas.
• Positive intention and directed awareness.
• Accessibility for every body and every stage of life

Yoga as a Way of Living

At its heart, Dru Yoga reminds us that yoga is far more than stretching or exercise. It is a practice of cultivating awareness, conserving energy and responding to life with greater calm, compassion and equanimity. Every movement becomes an opportunity to choose ease over effort, connection over separation and presence over distraction. That is perhaps the greatest gift of Dru Yoga. While its roots lie firmly in the ancient Hatha Yoga tradition, its branches continue to grow in ways that help people meet the challenges of modern life with steadiness, resilience and an open heart.

Want to experience the Dru difference? Come along to my new Monday 9.30am class commencing 6 July. If you are new participant to my classes your first class is FREE, please still register and book here.

Want to learn more about Dru Yoga? Visit there website here and the Dru Studio here to search FREE videos.

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I’ve spent this long weekend diving into some online professional development, reflecting on why I’m so passionate about learning and sharing the practice of yoga. I admit, I sometimes get a bit frustrated when class numbers rise and fall, but I know in my heart it’s never been about the money. This is simply my reflection on where I’m at, and a little introduction for anyone who’s just getting to know me.

Yoga has been my anchor through life’s storms, and sharing it with others is one of my greatest joys. I didn’t start yoga for fitness or flexibility—I came to it from a place of deep need. After losing my father to suicide, stepping into the whirlwind of new parenthood, and navigating a manipulative divorce, I was searching for self-care and a way to calm my nervous system. A diagnosis of Coeliac disease also reminded me how closely the mind and gut are connected. Yoga became less about toned abs and more about finding strength, balance, and spaciousness in the mind.

When I first unrolled my mat, I never imagined I’d become a Yoga teacher. I was uncoordinated, uninterested in sport, and had terrible memories of high school physical education. If only yoga had been on the curriculum! My journey into teaching Dru Yoga began simply as a path of personal growth, but I soon discovered how powerfully these practices could transform lives. With my background in community services and mental health, I saw that yoga could reach people who might never step into a typical class.

Eight years later, my teaching journey has been full of evolution, challenges, and joy. I’ve taught in community centres, pivoted to Zoom during the pandemic, and finally found a home at The Yoga Collab studio. I’ve shared classes through the Women’s Health Centre and the Cancer Council of WA, always with the hope of helping others find calm, resilience, and connection.

Running my small yoga business isn’t about making a fortune—the income mostly covers venue hire, insurance, and ongoing training. What keeps me motivated is witnessing the quiet transformations in students: the softening of tension, the deepening of breath, the gentle return to balance. That’s the real reward.

Even when classes are small, I remind myself that every person who steps onto the mat can carry these ripples of peace into the world. In times that often feel divided and chaotic, these practices offer a sanctuary of compassion and grounding.

If you know someone who might benefit from Dru Yoga, I’d love for you to share this journey with them. Together we can create a community that supports and uplifts—one gentle practice at a time.

I realised that what draws me so deeply to Dru Yoga is its connection with nature. In my classes, I often invite students to pause—arms lifted, palms open to the sun—reaching towards the boundless sky, connecting with something greater than ourselves: with nature, with the divine. I’m not religious, nor do I believe in supernatural beings, yet with age I’ve discovered a sense of spirituality—perhaps best described as a spirituality without spirits.

Spiritual Naturalism is a worldview that combines a commitment to science and naturalism with a sense of wonder, awe, and reverence for the natural world. It finds deep meaning and “spiritual” experience within the physical universe, rejecting supernatural entities in favor of appreciating the interconnectedness and beauty of nature itself. It focuses on human emotions like gratitude, joy, and awe in response to the cosmos, rather than supernatural forces. It treats nature as a sacred whole, finding wisdom in the natural world and focusing on compassion, reducing suffering, and fostering connection with the environment.

One of my favourite books is “Phosphorescence: On Awe, Wonder and Things That Sustain You When The World Goes Dark.” by Julia Baird. Note to self, this might be a good time to revisit this book! There is a quote in the book from Rachel Carson that says;

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”

The divine is right here on Earth, the universe, the earth, nature are the divine. Perhaps the first step towards saving the environment is simply loving the earth and enjoying nature in all its beauty and splendour.

Nature embodies the sacred in its most tangible form, offering a profound sense of the divine without requiring belief in the supernatural. From a spiritual naturalist perspective, the divine is not something distant or otherworldly, but present in every leaf, river, and gust of wind. When we step into the bush, walk along the coast, or sit under a gum tree, we encounter a living tapestry of interconnected life that evokes awe and reverence.

The divine quality of nature arises from its beauty, complexity, and ceaseless creativity. Ecosystems form intricate patterns where every plant, insect, and bird plays a role in sustaining life. Observing these relationships reminds us that we, too, are part of this vast network, not separate from it. In moments of mindful attention—feeling the sun’s warmth, hearing magpies call, or smelling rain on dry earth—we can experience a quiet transcendence.

Spiritual naturalism teaches that meaning and wonder emerge from direct engagement with the natural world. The cycles of birth, growth, decay, and renewal mirror our own journeys, offering lessons in humility and acceptance. Nature’s divinity lies in its ability to awaken gratitude, stillness, and a sense of belonging, guiding us to live more harmoniously with the Earth and each other.

Dru Yoga offers a gentle, flowing practice that harmonises body, mind, and spirit, making it a powerful way to deepen our connection with nature. Its sequences often mirror natural rhythms—like waves, trees, and the rising sun—inviting practitioners to embody the elements around them. Practising Dru Yoga outdoors, whether on the grass, a sandy beach or a forest clearing, enhances this experience, as the breath synchronises with the breeze and the senses open to birdsong and earthy scents. By cultivating inner stillness and mindful movement, Dru Yoga allows us to feel part of the living landscape, fostering a sense of unity with the natural world and an appreciation for the quiet divinity present in every moment.

Interested to experience the Dru difference? Come along and try a yoga and meditation class. Want a deeper dive into nature? Register your interest for the 2027 nature-based yoga and meditation retreat.