Exploring Equanimity

Your breath is powerful, there is nothing more essential to our health than breathing, taking in air. Breathing is an autonomic process and is controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS has two parts: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic system increases your breathing rate, while the parasympathetic system slows it down. Breathing changes based on your activity level and the air quality. For example, you breathe faster during physical activity. You can sometimes control your breathing pattern, like when you hold your breath or sing. I have just gifted myself a Native American Flute and I am learning more about the importance of patience, practice and my breath.

There is a wonderful little Dru Yoga book called “Dru Yoga For All Seasons” that is now out of print and I have been trying to obtain it for a while now. A secondhand copy popped up on a website so I purchased it a while back and it finally arrived from the UK in this time between Christmas and New Year. Perfect timing as I contemplate and plan a theme for yoga classes in 2025. So I had a thought, why not make the whole year a theme of moving with the seasons!

At the beginning of 2024 I chose ‘grace’ to be my word of the year. It is a word I had not really considered before as for me it has associations with religion and I am not a religious person. However after reading Julia Baird’s book ‘Bright Shining. How Grace Changes Everything’ I realised there is much more to the word.

So I have made the decision to get off social media for at least a while for my mental health and well being. Have a read to find out more if you are interested why. Otherwise know that going to the website is the best source of current information about classes and events.

“Let the wave of memory, the storm of desire, the fire of emotion pass through without affecting your equanimity.” Sathya […]

It is already the season of spring and the Noongar season of Djilba represented by the colour pink and growth […]

In a culture that celebrates being busy taking time out for deep relaxation may feel indulgent or at least maybe […]

If you came along to my yoga classes this week you would have experienced Energy Block Release (Awaken the Heart) in a whole new way! Adding in an awareness of the Prana Vayus. Prana fills the body, it brings life to the body and is the life course flowing through our bodies. Pra = first or innate and Ana = tiniest/indivisible. Vayu = that which flows. The 5 Prana Vayus are sub doshas of Vata (air/space) dosha and influence not only physical health but also mental health and emotional well-being.

Over the first seven weeks of Dru Yoga classes we have been journeying through the chakras or energy centres. This week we arrive at the throat chakra or Vishuddha. This chakra is all about communication and self-expression but it is not just all about speaking, the first step is listening.