Summer's Encore
I am a ‘summer girl’ and this one was full and beautiful, and is still pushing on.
I relish the warm days and evenings; they provide me with an opportunity to “get out of my mind and into my body, to create space”, space for life. How would I describe my summer:
SUMMER
finding a place to go swimming
greeting the sun every morning
having a picnic outside
getting my hands in the earth
Whatever our body's seasonal preference, our lives are enriched by the seasons. They offer an opportunity to greet change, be it the sun, wind, rain or snow. The seasons, like the unfolding of our life, is not static, but ever changing. Something you may consider is that your adaptation to seasonal change could be a model to manage the changes in your life. Ask yourself: Is it an easy transition? How can you do things differently, make it easier?
As the leaves start falling and the sun hangs lower in the sky I have rekindled 2 practices to support me as I move into winter. These activities provide me with a gentle acceptance of the here and now (winter ) while I remain open to what is to come (spring and perhaps some new adventure). These new ‘bits’ are swimming and Yoga Nidra; movement and thoughtful rest. Both practices assist me as I adapt to and make choices in my changing life and world.
Is there a refocusing or practice that you can ignite this autumn; a practice to support yourself through change in your life, be it seasonal or other?
You may want to try Yoga Nidra ( details below) OR try this simple, practice:
Lie on the ground or your bed or couch and make yourself comfortable:
Pillows under the head and knees, a blanket for comfort, maybe even an eye pillow over your eyes.
Breathe in, and as you exhale follow your exhalation all the way out.
Feel the imprint of your body on the ground and, little by little, try to soften the body into the support below.
Take a breath in, and on the breath out, let go of one body part at a time, moving from head to toe.
Imagine the earth receiving you, holding you.
This may be 5 or 10 minutes.
Offerings
ways to nourish yourself.
Yoga Nidra
As we move into the cooler months it is time to rug up, turn up the heater and get a good book (I am loving the library). In winter our bodies call us to slow down and rest. It is the innate call to hibernate. Yoga Nidra is a way into the stillness and silence your body is calling for:
A time:
To rest,
To soften,
To listen,
To come back home to yourself.
Through Yoga Nidra,
We create a space where you can rest in awareness ...
Where nothing is required of youWhere the body can begin to release what it
has been holding:
Tension,
Fatigue,
Patterns of over-effort,
Ways of being that no longer feel aligned.
And in that space,
You reconnect
With your breath,
With your body,
With your cycles,
With your deeper knowing.
Come to Yoga Nidra @ FeelGood Female Gym @ 5.15 on a Thursday for 40 minutes of stillness.
It is the perfect practice to help you move, with more ease, into your Friday.
If you are unable to attend try one of the many online classes.
Yoga Retreat
January 27 - 30th, Winnaleah
At the yoga retreat, in summer, wonderful woman from around Tasmania, Sydney northern beaches and the Gold Coast, came together to move, laugh, share stories, and to rest and recharge. In this short time span, away from the usual bustle of life, we settled into our deeper selves.
If you missed this I am offering another retreat, same time, same place next summer. Let me know if you are interested as places are limited and already some are re-booking.
January 27 -30, 2027, Winnaleah, Tasmania. (for more details, click here.)
Add a Few Beans
As we all know Food is Medicine; a “medicine” we enjoy :)
This enjoyment and the nutritional value of food, is enhanced when we use our senses, when food becomes a sensual experience. Ayurveda (the science of yoga) recognises this and encourages this simple focus as we eat:
COLOUR— SIGHT
AROMA — SMELL
TEXTURE — TOUCH
FLAVOUR — TASTE
CRUNCH/POP — SOUND
I maintain these ideals of flavour, texture and simplicity within the recipes I offer. However, I am moving away from plant food generally to hold a specific focus on the maligned and undervalued bean. I will endeavour to inspire you to add beans to your plate more regularly through the series - “Add a Few Beans".
There is a growing interest and understanding of the value of beans and if you have been thinking about, questioning how you might - Add a Few Beans - here is a starting point. I will offer you flavourful, simple recipes that incorporate beans; beans added to familiar dishes and snacks, along with new ideas and combos to try.
And if you have a favourite bean recipe you want to share, email it to me and I will add it to the newsletter (along with an acknowledgement).
THE SENSES
The way into your feelings.
Smell - what I am smelling?
The fragrance of sandalwood. I brought some sandalwood incense home from my recent travels. The fresh scent now pervades my house.
Taste - what I am eating?
Pea Guacomole
From my series Add a Few Beans
The dish is sweet from the natural juices of the peas (peas are legumes/beans), and the flavour enhanced with the addition of herbs and gentle spices.
Pea Guacomole
Ingredients
Preparation: 15 mins Cooking: 5 mins Serves: 2 1/2 cups
400 gm (2 1/2 cups) peas
1 tsp cumin, ground
1 tsp coriander, ground
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp coriander, chopped
2 tbsp parsley, chopped
Salt as needed
24 rice crackers, pastry cases or celery sticks**
Method
BOIL water.
STEAM peas until tender, approx 5 minutes.
DRAIN and refresh the peas under cold water.
MIX all ingredients in a food processor (not crackers) and whizz for 1-2 minutes. (The time is dependant on the texture you want. I like a coarse texture and process for a very short time.)
Serve
Spoon pea mix onto rice crackers or similar. (Decorate with yoghurt or finely diced red pepper if you wish.)
Add to sandwiches or wraps.
Add to a salad platter.
Sight - what I am seeing
A few snaps from my recent Yoga and Meditation trip to Sri Lanka:
Buddha in the rain; vibrant transport option; morning yoga venue; 33 curries; .
Sound -what I am listening to?
Cockatoos as they scour the suburbs for nut trees. They enjoyed my almonds this year, I must net the trees so I too get some product next season.
Touch - what am I feeling?
The invigorating sensation of the water as I jumped into Lake Derby during and after a sauna.
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