Let’s face it, perhaps we are getting more used to change as everything does seem to constantly be changing. A great learning that we can’t be attached to anything being a certain way.

The question we would like to pose here is have we and how have we evolved in our relationship with change? Are we still playing out the same patterns of feeling nervous, anxious, stressed when we are asked to adapt or have we ‘deepened’ in our relationship with change.

And you know what?  It is okay if you are feeling those things as for many of us these are ingrained patterns or behaviours that have been with us, in our body, for a very long time.

What we would like to share with you today are ways to support you further during change. Once we have implemented these tools, they are with us for life. We can then keep applying these, consolidate them, confirm them to help out in all of the different situations in life that call us to respond to change.

It is in times of change or the unknown that we are offered the opportunity to either react to what is going on or respond in a way that allows us to grow, expand and evolve .

Reactions are fairly obvious as we can feel the tension that arises in our body when we do react (101 guide to dealing with reactions). We may walk around feeling unhappy with what we are being asked to do such as stay at home and be in lockdown. The other option we have is to respond to the change in a way where we remain open and perhaps not just remain open, but ‘deepen’.

So, what do we mean by the word ‘deepen’? It may sound a bit out there for some of you, but practically it is a simple concept.

What to ‘deepen’ means is rather than engaging in thoughts of what is going to happen next, allowing stress to creep in, getting caught up in emotions and perhaps even aligning to what can feel like mass hysteria, ‘deepenening’ means to consciously not choose those ways of being, but to make another choice.

That choice is to stay with a quality of connection that comes from your inner-most, no matter what. This becomes the focus, your primary focus, and we let go of any attachments as to how things unfold. This becomes an observing, allowing and learning.

To deepen means rather than let your attention be on and allowing yourself to be distracted, stimulated, unsettled with all that is going on outside of you, you develop a very solid connection that is inward and towards your inner-being.

And we all have an inner-being. It isn’t anything out there or special, it is innate within us all. Our inner-being is that place that we connect with and to when we allow ourselves to be still. It is our inner-heart, that divine spark that is within us all – always untainted. We often forget that it is there because we can get caught up in the roller coaster of life.

It is through our connection with our inner-being that we can, through surrender, feel ourselves and stay settled. And this settlement allows us to be in life, yet not be affected by what is going on around us.

To surrender requires us not to control life, or try and work everything out, but it calls for us to have a more tender and loving relationship with our body and allow it to guide us through life. To stay with the body and to hold a consistent awareness of operating/living life from your inner-being and make all of your movements from this place. And because it is an inner movement, it has no limits, the depth is as deep as the universe itself.

Although we may not enjoy being in lock down, we can choose to use this time wisely … and deepen.

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A joy full new year to you all! As we can all sense, the new year marks the beginning of a new cycle and as a result can often be a time of reflection for many.

We have recently completed our 6th Annual Summer Yoga Intensive that consisted of daily morning yoga classes over 5 mornings. This year, the intensive ran via Zoom rather than live due to the current Covid-19 restrictions held on the Northern Beaches.

At the completion of the intensive, one of the participants asked for ‘resetting tips’ to support her connection to her body throughout the day. We therefore felt to take the opportunity to share in this newsletter these with you all.

Top tips for a ‘stop moment’ or ‘re-setting’ that you can incorporate into your day

1. Check in with the quality of your breath

Throughout the day take pauses to check in with your breathing. What is your breathing like? Has your breathing changed due to taking on emotions or getting caught up in the busyness of your mind? Take a moment to bring your attention to your breath and reconnect. Enjoy this moment. Breathe your own breath.

2. Re-connect with your body / Check in with how your body feels
Incorporate plenty of moments during your day to stop and feel how your body feels. Whilst you sit at your desk notice if you are holding tension in certain areas of your body. As you work, interact with others or simply when you have time alone, check in as to what your body is revealing to you. Are you listening to it and what it is showing you? Deeply value the communications from your body and the growing awareness.

3. Practice and deepen observation.
Build your muscle of observation and renounce reactions. Too often we can easily slip into reactions without realising that we have (it is quite incredible how “fit” most of us have become in our ability to react). As we connect deeper with our body it becomes easier to notice when we start to react through the physical tension that we feel. Set an intent to observe the world and the actions of others. Through strengthening our muscle of observation, we develop and access understanding which allows us to respond to situations and not get caught into reactions.

4. Feel your fingertips
To maintain connection with your body and not get lost in thoughts whilst you are talking to someone, bring your attention to your fingertips and gently touch, press them to your outer thighs or rest them on a surface. We find this super useful as a tool to bring you back to your connection with your body and the natural delicateness of your essence.

5. Walk with presence
Each and every step we take has an energy that comes with it. Own the quality in which you walk in. Choose to take each step feeling your feet, your hips, your shoulders, the length in your spine and openness in your chest. Walk in and with conscious presence. Be with your body as you walk rather than in your head, giving focus to your thoughts.

And of course our favourite tools …

6. Body Awareness Meditation

Take time out daily to practice one of our free Body Awareness meditations or Gentle Breath Meditation. The daily practice supports you to develop and deepen a foundation of connection with yourself that you can then enjoy into your day.

We wish you a steady and purposeful start to 2021 and very much look forward to sharing it with you.

With love
Donna & Alexandra

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On a global scale, we have seen the effects of the pandemic which has had not only economic impacts on a micro and macro level but also mental and emotional impacts as people have had to learn to adapt to changes within their lives such as loss of income, jobs and business closure due to lockdown, for some not being able to see family and friends, home schooling, learning how to deal and operate in a world where we have had social distancing, fear of catching the virus (particularly for those who already have compromised health) to name a few.

The world is no longer the same place as what it was a year ago and as a society we had to make many adjustments that we may not have imagined that we would have. Reflecting upon the changes that have taken place in 2020, has led us to ponder on a concept that is presented in the yoga teachings (from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) and that is that change is part of life, that it is inevitable, and learning to accept and handle change is part of the practice of yoga and integral to our health and wellbeing.

During this year, we have focussed on developing deeper stillness. This has hugely supported us to adapt and navigate change with steadiness and an embracing.

Stillness is not about doing nothing, being physically still, or being inactive or idle. Stillness is a quality that we innately have, that resides deeply within us all, that is at our core, is at our essence.

When there is the connection of the body and being together, stillness is the quality that is felt and then we move in this quality. The more we connect and hold this quality, then we feel a deep settlement within the body that is free of needing to be stimulated of anxiousness or of stress. There comes a feeling of deep connection, clarity, of oneness, of harmony.

Holding the quality of stillness is very supportive when it comes to things in life that challenge us.

If we already hold a marker in our body where we know what stillness feels like, then when times get tough, when there is change that we are challenged by, we are much better equipped to handle those times. Developing stillness, putting it into your foundation (i.e make it your ‘normal’) supports you when the ‘going gets tough’. And when times are so-called ‘good’, then you have the opportunity to enjoy, deepen into this quality and enjoy all of the benefits that come from it.

Particularly at this time of year, as our borders open as do our homes with the ease of restrictions, life can get busier with social engagements, school finishing, holidays etc. Remember to give yourself the gift of stillness by making how you live your life about the quality, the connection and the spunk that you live it by.

Embracing stillness will not only benefit you, but your loved ones will feel more settled around you and thereby it is a gift that is offered to them too.

To support in developing stillness, try practising The Gentle Breath Meditationor one of our Body Awareness Meditations.

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In accordance with the Australian Government and the Department of Health directives and guidelines we have closed our clinics and as such we are currently not able to offer face to face sessions. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

In response, we are expanding our activity online.

ONLINE sessions can be an effective way to get support where needed and keep your healing, health and wellbeing on track. Many have expressed how much they have been enjoying and valuing those sessions with us.

All our ONLINE sessions are tailored to your needs and can include Yoga/Yoga Therapy, Exercise, Meditation, Body Awareness, Relaxation and discussions. They can run from 30 min to 75 min and be arranged on skype, face time, zoom or by phone.

We understand that not all of us are technology savvy so if you feel you need support on that level, reach out.

Here is a link to Yoga & Healing Covid-19 policy. We will keep it updated in line with the Australian Government and Department of Health regulations.

In this un-precedent time, again it is essential and a priority for us all to stay steady, deeply self-care, claim a healthy rhythm, and look after each other.

You may enjoy revisiting our last blog Putting Yourself First Is Self-Nurturing where we offer some simple tools to support you through COVID-19 and beyond.

If you are at home and need support, get in touch. We are here for you.

With love

Donna & Alexandra

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6 – 10 January 2020

7am– 8am | Monday – Friday | with Donna Nolan (nee Gianniotis)

Join Donna for 5 morning classes that will support you in your reconnection with your body and being leaving you feeling rejuvenated and ready to embrace the year ahead. Donna’s classes are deeply supportive and include stretching, strengthening, breathing and meditation.  This intensive is open to the complete beginner to the more experienced student. The word ‘intensive’ here simply means 5 classes in 5 days.

These classes will include

• Body Awareness meditation
• Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises
• Gentle breathing
• Deep connection with your body

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2nd – 6th January 2019 | 7 – 8am | Warriewood Northern Beaches

This intensive is a self-honouring start to your New Year which offers you the gift of resetting and developing a new foundation from which you can move forward into 2019.

Over these 5 morning classes we will explore how to reconnect to the body and to your being. It is through this connection that we come to know our inner-heart, a place that resides within each one of us. It is through a deep honouring of the body that the being that resides within the body can then express outwardly from the inner-heart.

The daily classes will include:

• Tools and techniques to reconnect to the body
• Stretching and strengthening the body
• Gentle breathing
• Meditation

This Yoga intensive is open and suitable for the beginner through to the more experienced practitioner. Each person is encourage to work at their own pace and to their own level.

Your investment: $100
Venue: Warriewood Surf Life Saving Club, Narrabeen Park Parade, Warriewood

Bookings are essential
donna@yogaandhealing.com.au
Phone 0408 783187

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The more we make the choice to discard patterns, behaviours, ideals and beliefs that no longer serve us, the more our body works with us to release those held energies in our body, allowing the space for us to express and live from our true essence, which ultimately brings us much joy.

In this article we would also like to offer further support for the “Silly Season” – many of you have shared over the years being affected by it.

The choices we can make at this time of year such as over indulging with food, alcohol, late nights or emotions can all be clearly felt in our bodies. This often leads us to arriving at the end of the year feeling tired, exhausted and in regret. At this point, it is valuable to pause and ask – Is this a reflection of what we would like this festive season to be? Is this in line with the way we are and now live with ourselves and others?

Life is not linear:  we all know that how we end the year will inevitably be the quality in which we enter the new year. Every choice we make is with us until not chosen anymore.

Included below is an article we wanted to share from our fellow Nutritionist and Health practitioner Kathy Byrne offering simple, sensible and wise tips on Dealing with the “Silly Season”. You may also want to revisit our past article Christmas With Connection.

Wishing you all a joy filled festive season and end of year as we complete this current cycle and embrace the new year ahead. We look forward to sharing more with you in 2018.

As our gift to you this year we have another FREE 17 minute audio gentle yoga practise you may like to practice on your own environment over the holiday season.  In this new audio, the session starts lying on your side and finishes on your back.

If you are still looking for ideas of present for a loved one, one of our vouchers could well be the perfect gift. For further information, please visit Gift Voucher page.

Alexandra Plane and Donna Nolan offer Esoteric therapies, Massage therapies, Yoga/Yoga Therapy and Meditation at their clinics in Balmain, Cammeray and Balgowlah. Contact them for enquiries or bookings.

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The more we focus on deepening our inner quality of being the more we are equipped to handle what comes our way in work, relationships and friendships. We can foster the deepening of our inner connection in every moment through our quality of movement.

So what have we been up to personally…

Donna has been super busy taking on a new role of teaching massage with Evolve College both in Newcastle and Sydney which is involving a bit of travel. She is now also offering Massage at the North Sydney clinic along with Esoteric Healing, Connective Tissue Therapy, Cancer support and Yoga Therapy.

Alex is currently completing further studies in Chakra-puncture with Evolve College. As an existing Chakra-puncturist, she has been amazed by the high level of standards of training offered by this college. She has been refining her way, settling in a new family rhythm with also taking a support role at the North Sydney clinic and resuming school activities with her daughter starting year 2.

Donna and Alex have recently both been up to Lismore to complete their first level training in Esoteric Yoga. Esoteric Yoga is a profound healing modality that we hold very dear and look forward to sharing with you all in the near future.

Although there may be some times in our lives when we have a lot going on it is important to keep a balance of work and play, recognising that every part of our life has equal value. There is a saying we often refer to “One life, One quality”.

When we truly nurture all aspects of our expression we are less likely to feel stress, resentment or frustration. Bringing balance into our lives is a key to true health.

We hope that you enjoyed the free yoga audio that we offered in our last newsletter. Many have expressed how much they have been finding both the sample class and the body awareness audios supportive in their day to day – so we decided to offer another free yoga audio which includes 16 minutes of standing exercises.

If you are enjoying these audios and find it difficult to get to one of our yoga group classes, you may like to consider joining our online yoga classes. An audio recording is available for those who can not attend the class live or who may miss a class.

Alexandra Plane and Donna Nolan offer Yoga/Yoga Therapy, Meditation, Esoteric Healing and Massage at their clinic in Balmain and Cammeray. Contact them for enquiries or bookings.

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December can be a tricky time for many, school finishing, work being busy as we try to get it all done by the end of the year, festivities with Christmas parties, catching up with friends and family, the extra spending, perhaps later nights than usual, eating and drinking more.

What we are emphasising with our clients this month is the importance of honouring yourself throughout December. It is easy to get lost in the busyness of December, the fun activities and the social gatherings, but unless we hold our connection with ourselves, continue to listen to our body and honour what it is that we feel, we can easily get affected or exhausted by it all and then we miss the enjoyment of what December has to offer.

Take stock and remember that the choices we make today are going to have a direct impact on how we feel the next day and the next day. True health and wellbeing is being aware of how we are with ourselves all of the time – including December. Don’t drop the ball, just because it’s December. Have fun but without losing your connection to you.

Some tips to take with you throughout December

• Try not to do too much in any given week or weekend. Space out your social gatherings so that you are not having too many late nights.
• Watch and discern what you eat at parties and social gatherings. We can easily overeat at this time of year.
• Drink plenty of water, keep hydrated.
• Socialising is fun, but still give yourself time just for you.
• Don’t try and fit it all in by the end of the year. Nothing is going anywhere and it will all still be there next year.
• Be aware of what momentum you are in, if a raciness or busyness sneaks in, stop, pause and breathe gently. Come back to your body.
• Don’t drop those things that support you such as exercise, Gentle Breath Meditation, a good rhythm with sleep, eating well.

We wish you a joy-filled December and festive season and look forward to catching up with you in 2017. With love, Donna and Alexandra

Alexandra Plane and Donna Nolan offer Yoga/Yoga Therapy, Meditation, Esoteric Healing, Connective Tissue Therapy and Massage at their clinics in Balmain and Cammeray. Contact them for enquiries or bookings.

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We have been exploring of late what it feels like to create space in our physical environment ie. our home and/or office and how this affects how we feel in our body.

If we come back to “everything is energy, therefore everything is because of energy”  (Serge Benhayon), then it is common sense that as we let go of physical possessions whether that be clothes, CD’s that we no longer listen to, books that just sit and gather dust, this physical discarding reflects a shift within ourselves and brings about a sense of lightness and ease in our body.

How we set things up in our home, the way we place things, the angle in which we sit a vase, or place a table is all having an affect on how we feel all of the time. As an example, if a chair is out of place even just slightly, we can feel the affect that this has on the entire room.

The more we connect with our body in stillness and live with harmony, the more we can feel the pull towards living in alignment with a natural order which exists within the universe.  When this order is respected and honoured there is a flow in life that can be felt.

When we honour and care for our bodies this naturally leads to a deeper honouring and caring for our living environment.

It works the other way as well, the more we take care of our environment, set it up in a way where there is a flow, the more this flow supports our own inner connection and sense of being nurtured – a cycle that feeds us back.

Take stock of what space you are living in in your day-to-day life. Does the space nourish you, support you to be you in your connection or is it time to let go of things that you no longer use and are just sitting around. Or perhaps try shifting or moving your furniture to another position or look at how you set up your desk… and don’t forget a good clean too!  Feel in your body each movement and each change and have fun with it. Does your body feel expansive with the change or does it contract? Let your body be your guide.

It doesn’t need to be daunting or a big job. Simply start with one draw or piece of furniture and let the flow come from there. Have fun opening up to the feeling of space in your life, and from there within your own body.

For support with your decluttering, you may like to try one of these Decluttering courses from Simplicity Living.

Alexandra Plane and Donna Nolan offer Yoga/Yoga Therapy, Meditation, Esoteric Healing and Massage at their clinic in Balmain, Cammeray and Balgowlah. Contact them for enquiries or bookings.

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