How is a Blank Page Like a Vacant Yoga Mat?

How is a Blank Page Like a Vacant Yoga Mat?

A couple of years ago, in writing about difficulties of creating a post almost daily, I said, ‘A new post is like a blank Word document or a fresh sheet of paper – a tabula rasa – exciting for its very spaciousness.’ But the vacant page is also intimidating because of its very emptiness.
I’ve learned from 7 years of blogging that, when the Muse smiles on me, there is a happy co-incidence of interesting ideas and great writing technique. […]

Mother's Day on Kangaroo Island

Mother's Day on Kangaroo Island

We’ve just celebrated Mother’s Day this last Sunday, and I believe it was for me one of the most satisfying I’ve experienced.
First of all, I was on Kangaroo Island, spending 4 days in the company of 6 other women who are known for their wisdom, spunkiness and joie de vie. Our ages range from 40’s to late 70’s, so there are grandmothers and grandmothers-to-be in the mix.
Secondly, we women like to set up meaningful rituals, and on this Mother’s Day occasion, sitting around after dinner, we each shared about our mothers. […]

Good Yoga Practice: Time Out for Renewal

Good Yoga Practice: Time Out for Renewal

One of the beautiful things about living in the country and being ‘semi-retired’ is that I have ample time to connect with people.
Sitting down with a cuppa to chat with a friend and not having time constraints – the conversation can go in unexpected directions. Instead of handling business or talking about what one of you needs from the other, you can just let content emerge organically, if you will.
Tomorrow I’m flying to South Australia, then to magnificent Kangaroo Island, to meet up with six dear women friends. […]

Mother's Day on Kangaroo Island

'Nothing Like a Deadline'

I’ve been spending time with a friend who has a rare kind of cancer. Her doctor’s prognosis is that she has 12 months to live. With that prediction in mind, she has decided to forego the recommended protocol of chemotherapy and just live her life to the utmost.
How is it possible that people I know, those who are dear to me, and those who are younger than I, can die? It seems impossible. That is because death is usually kept at arm’s length. […]

Eve’s Legs-Up-the-Wall Video

With some encouragement, I’ve dipped my toe in the water of yoga video production. Here’s the first of what will be a series of how-to-use-props for yoga poses, especially for a restorative effect.
Here at the Yoga Shed, I have the reputation for being the Prop Queen. I’ve introduced many of the locals to the wonders of being propped up in poses as diverse as shoulder stand (sarvangasana) and bridge pose (setu bandhasana).

Mother's Day on Kangaroo Island

Skeptical, Open and Receptive, or Somewhere In Between?

I caught myself eavesdropping on a compelling conversation at the hairdresser’s this afternoon. In short, a woman was talking about having held a séance at her home where a few supernatural events occurred. For one thing, the table at which the group sat moved across the room.
I think your ears would have perked up, too. These days, with the proximity of our phone cameras, skeptics can demand photo proof, and, in fact, this woman had taken a pic of the displaced table. […]