The old spiritual paradigm is changing and it is time to bring your true essence into your ordinary world and to begin to remember why it is you came to this Earth.

All of us have a purpose and mostly it is to bring love, kindness and compassion into the world around us. You have an amazing opportunity to make a difference with your words, actions and behaviours.

No matter what you do, the most important thing is how you show up and who you are in any given moment.

No truth needs to be told with unkindness or lies. Information is easily manipulated and becoming too focused on a particular source can potentially throw you out of alignment.

The world is full of light and shade and each day must be viewed with new eyes, so that you can see what is there to be seen. 

Your intuition is a gift but sometimes the messages from the mind and intuition can blur, so if we are not grounded and self aware, it is easy for us to believe it is our intuition speaking when in reality it is not.

Do not rush into drawing conclusions and spend some quiet time with yourself sitting with the information you receive. Be the observer of yourself (and perhaps others), simply noticing what is going on without judgement. Give yourself time to really see. 

Notice the words, tones, energies and expressions that you see. Notice what you feel in your body or in the space around you. Learn to be connected with yourself and others.

Perhaps keep a journal, noting any patterns or interesting findings.

Through this process learn of your power and your responsibility.

Know what is possible and be willing to do what needs to be done.

Before worrying about others, find out what it is that you can do to make positive change. Be willing to be honest with yourself and take the steps that you need to take. Determine what you need and what you need to do better.

Decide what sort of world you want to live in and what sort of person you want to be. 

Be prepared to contribute to the community and to treat people with the kindness and respect they deserve. We all have the power to make this world a better place and if we all commit to being kind, compassionate and respectful people, the world would be a better place.

There is a light within each of us that has the potential to make this world a better place. We can hide it away or pretend it doesn't exist, and yet it is there. We might only have one day, one week, one year, one decade or one life to shine it as bright as we can. There is time and yet there is no time, what lies ahead we can not fully know. What is certain is this moment right now and the truth is that we are here and yet we are not here. It is time to embrace the light within you, to let it shine out into the world.

This light is in your words, your thoughts and in your actions, it is in and flows out of every single cell of your body and you can choose to illuminate the space around you with this light. This is your moment, your time to shine, your chance to make a powerful difference in this world.  

Feel and know the light within you, it will show you who you truly are.

Today is International Dog Day, a day where we can take a moment to pause and reflect on all the dogs who have and do help us on our journey. I've been blessed to have had a number of dog friends and teachers be a part of my life and am so grateful for the work these beings do on the planet.

Dogs have a unique way of opening our hearts and showing us what love really is. Not only do they help families but more and more dogs are stepping into official roles to help & support workplaces & the community at large. The positive difference they make in the lives of humans is truly amazing and deserves to be acknowledged today and every day.

Those whose lives have been touched by a dog are truly blessed and my wish is that all dogs get the love & respect they truly deserve.

Take a moment to give your love & acknowledgement to your dog friends and teachers, those that have been with you in the past and those that are with you now. Take note of what dogs are doing in prisons, health settings, with young & older people alike, in mental health & beyond. SEnd out your gratitude & your love to these beautiful ones who serve us unconditionally and with all the heart you could ever hope for.

I've been a Massage Therapist for many years now and I love working with the physical body and helping people's muscles be more relaxed and healthy. Yet sometimes it isn't enough and that's where the Reiki comes in. There are times when I try a number of massage techniques and the muscle just won't respond, that is until I start using Reiki and then things begin to shift and I get much better results.

Our physical bodies hold onto a lot of trauma and patterns of tension that may or may not still be relevant for us. Sometimes through massage we can help move these stresses but other times we need something more. Reiki helps bring us into a deep state of relaxation and release stored emotions and stresses from our physical and energetic bodies. It helps us relax the body and mind and create an inner state where we can gain more clarity and connection to who we truly are.

Adding Reiki to a massage session helps people with busy minds switch off, it allows stresses that are held in the body to be released and it supports your general health and well being.

Reiki is a good partner to a deep tissue or Remedial massage as it adds a beautiful balance to the treatment, it also adds a deeper dimension to a Relaxation massage that gives you a beautiful break from the chaos of the world and transports you to a deep place of peace and tranquility.

A diverse range of people have enjoyed a Reiki massage, some with a knowledge of Reiki and some without. What they care most about is how they feel and often the Reiki component is their favourite part, although mostly the key is helping people feel better. Reiki allows me to add an extra dimension to my treatments and has served me and my clients very well over the journey. I'll always be grateful that Reiki is a part of who I am and what I do.

I talk a lot about the power of acknowledgement and acceptance of what lies within. One of the most powerful things we can do is be honest with ourselves about what is happening within us. For when we resist or ignore pain it can either get stuck or get stronger and we lose the opportunity to really listen and see what we need in that moment.

Accepting pain doesn't mean we accept it forever but by acknowledging what we are experiencing in this moment helps us to keep our energy in flow and often this simple practice will help us move through and let go of the pain. Ask your body or mind what it needs and love and respect yourself enough to do what needs to be done.

You may need rest or movement, it may be time to speak up and be heard, there might be changes that need to be made or it could be the time to reach out and ask for support. Do what needs to be done.

And on this note, know that it is also time to acknowledge the power that lies within you. It is time to let go of your doubts and fears. It is time to know that you do have that courage within, that you can make changes and you can move beyond what you previously believed to be your limitations.

The universe will support you but you also need to support yourself. Be clear about what you want, be honest with yourself and take the steps that need to be taken.

Acknowledge what lies within. See what needs to be seen. Do what needs to be done. Deep down you know. Listen, learn and love yourself enough to look after yourself well and be who you were born to be.

One of the greatest gifts we can give to the world is to be who we really are! Sometimes it is hard to know who that is as we navigate through all the challenges and traumas we experience on the journey. On top of this we are often weighed down by our own expectations and the expectations of those around us. Often we find ourselves putting our efforts into our jobs and our families, with seemingly little time to truly see who we are and what we have to offer the world.

The truth is that we all have our unique gifts and we all have dreams inside our hearts that are waiting to be awakened. But perhaps more importantly, beneath all the layers of who you think you are is someone more vibrant ad more magic than you usually care to imagine. So today I ask you to pause for a moment and breathe deeply into the depths of your heart and to see yourself as you truly are! As you do so, keep in mind that what you find is likely to be simple, a way of being that creates magical change in the world around you. And to spread the magic all you have to do is show up and be who you are. 

Sometimes when we go down this path it can lead to a major life change, but more often than not we can simply start bringing this energy to our every day interactions and encounters. Be present in what you do and have the courage to be your unique self, the beautiful authentic being that you are. This energy will show up in the tasks that you do, in the products that you create, in the words that you write, in whatever way you choose to express yourself.

So today I ask that you take one step closer towards your true authentic self, to begin to trust in the magic of all that you are. Sometimes you will be full of confidence and other times you might feel a bit shaky or not really know how things are going to work out. Whatever happens have the courage to show up and sing your unique song to the world, knowing you are playing your part in the harmony of all.

 I've avoided publicly speaking about Covid since the Pandemic began but after an amazing interaction with another masked wearer the other day it got me thinking about the real masks we should be concerned with. Firstly I want to take a moment to talk about the visible masks many of us have been wearing and first want to acknowledge that for some people (especially those who've been through a trauma, are hearing impared or feel claustrophobic ect) mask wearing can be stressful. That aside for most in can be a little bit uncomfortable, especially in warmer weather. For me personally I feel I've got quite used to it, becoming one with the mask and although wouldn't like to do strenuous exercise with one, think my body has adapted quite well. In terms of my human interaction with people, I've never felt like this has hindered me here, as I continue to feel people's energy, hear the tones in their voice and see the emotion in their eyes. Mostly I forget I'm wearing a mask and know that these are not the masks who hide who we are.

The masks to be concerned about are the invisible masks, the masks people use to hide who they are. Sometimes these 'mask wearers' have bad intentions and our pretending to be people they are not for their own personal gain and to manipulate others. For this reason be discerning with the people you meet/know and start to see people through a variety of ways. Feel their energy, notice their voice, their eyes, their words, their actions. Take time to tune in and listen to what your own intuition tells you. Do not ignore your doubts & fears or thoughts that something doesn't seem right. Although sometimes they will be to do with you and things you need to work through, other times they are there to alert you to the truth of something that is not yet seen. By making a habit of checking in with yourself this will eventually become second nature and you will do this instinctively, which will help you navigate life with greater strength and clarity.

Other times people wear these invisible masks because of their own insecurities, fears and habits. Learn to look beyond what people show you. Use that beautiful tool of curiosity to help you see beyond, "Mmmm that's interesting, I wonder what is making them act that way...", "I don't understand what's happening here, I wonder what that's about". Here we can perhaps take a breath and ask, "What's really going on here?", "What is it that you really want" or comment, "That's interesting". Of course these are just some ideas and won't always be suitable but we can tune into our own wisdom and think, "How can I understand this person better", "What can I do to shift the energy here or help someone get closer to their truth?".

Then finally there are the masks that we ourselves wear. The people we pretend to be, the way we hold ourselves back to fit in or please others. So many of us are scared to be who we really are. These are the masks that cause more stress/damage than any cloth or surgical mask ever could. These are the masks that exhaust us, the masks that keep us away from our true selves, the masks that become so well worn we might even forget that they are there. All of us have them to some degree and now is the time to let them go. 2021 is a time to fly, a time to release those burdens that have been weighing us down. Be discerning, set healthy boundaries and then take those steps to reveal more and more of yourself every day. Commit to being authentic, to speaking your truth and bringing kindness and compassion into everything you do. But most of all, love yourself for everything you are & everything you have been through to get where you are right now. Be brave, be kind & trust you are ready to take that mask off and reveal who you truly are.

Nature is around us, Nature sustains us, Nature entertains us!

She is in every breath and she absorbs us in our death!

Nature speaks, Nature knows, Nature gives and Nature flows.

She is powerful and clear and she gives the chance to hear.

Nature waits, Nature gives you the choice, will you listen to her voice?

Well what can I say, 2020 is certainly shaking us up, which can be difficult but it is certainly something we have needed for a while. One of the ways that can help us feel more balanced, more centred and more connected is to begin to deepen our connection with nature. There are many ways we can do this and below I will share a few tips to get you started. As we move through these times, people will begin to see that alongside providing a variety of health benefits, Nature can also be a great Teacher. Firstly simply by observing her response to our way of living, keeping in mind that Nature is always striving for balance and harmony. We start to see that if our actions cause nature to become out of balance, she will always find a way to restore. Secondly we also have the option of talking directly to nature and listening to the wisdom & guidance she has to share. As we move through these times, we will remember that working in partnership with nature is an important step to creating a better world. Our own health & happiness is reflected in the state of the world and it is not always easy to look at what we have created but we must always remember that things can change and we have the power to change them for the better. Working with & connecting with nature is one of the most simple and powerful ways in which this can be achieved!

Start saying good morning to the plants & animals
This is a simple way to acknowledge & connect to nature. A simple hello/good morning to your houseplants or trees & animals you pass on your walk, perhaps saying thank you to the sun for warming you on a winters day or you may wish to let the birds know you appreciate their beautiful song. 

You may wish to take this further and asking questions and simply waiting for a response. Listening to what your plants might need/want, hearing wisdom, perhaps allowing nature to assist you in finding out what it is that you need in this moment.

Perhaps you could play music for your plants/vegetable garden and see how they respond or perhaps you could sing a special song to the sea or river. Simply open and follow your heart.

Be present with nature
Find ways to be present with nature, which really just means being in nature without any distractions. Simply be, stand, walk, garden, swim, sit (whatever feels good for you) in nature and notice what's around you.

Breathe into Nature
Pause for a few moments and take a few deep breaths, breathe in the ocean, the air, the smell of the trees.....

Connect your bare feet to the Earth
Place your bare feet on the ground, feeling gratitude to be here and experience this connection with the Earth.

Meditate with or for Nature
Take time to meditate in the presence of nature or to send out a loving/healing meditation to nature. Perhaps even write and record one yourself.

Give thanks to Nature
Give thanks to Nature often. For the blue sky, the warm sun, the fresh air, the nutritious food, the beautiful moon, the powerful trees, the flowing rivers and oceans.......so much to be thankful for. Remember she is there...

Nature is ever present, yet sometimes we are too preoccupied to know.
She stands with grace & beauty and she simply ebbs & flows.
Nature works tirelessly to support us in every single way.
Remember that she's there, please don't turn & walk away.

Nature is full of magic and can bring us such delight
Now we have an opportunity to simply treat her right
​Just take a small amount of time to show Nature that you care.
For the world will be a better place if you remember that she's there.

Just be still for a moment, feel your feet connected to the Earth beneath you. Take a moment to notice your breath. Take a moment to be. You, your breath and the Earth. Allow the rhythm of your breath to flow into the Earth beneath you, until you and the Earth become one.

The times we are in can feel quite chaotic, full of uncertainty with events and circumstances that appear to be changing the ways that we know. Yet what if all this 'shaking' up was simply clearing the way of things that no longer serve us and helping us to see our true hearts & Spirit and guiding us to the place where we were always meant to be.

There is much wisdom that lies in the Earth and by simply breathing into it, we start to recentre, rebalance and reconnect ourselves. Whenever we start to feel scared, overwhelmed, uncertain or out of balance, this simple process of breathing with the Earth will bring us back to our true rhythm and it is in this space that we see what it is that we really need to know.

Aside from this there are an abundance of ways that connecting with nature can help bring us calm, clarity & connection. As we begin to consciously be aware of what is around us, we not only get to see the immense wisdom that nature holds but we start to see the true nature of who we are.

Stay tuned for the next blog for some more tips to connect with nature but for now simply begin to breathe with the Earth.

Below I will share with you a short meditation to help get you started. Simply download and listen whenever you feel. Yet be sure to try your own way too as the Earth enjoys the magic of all.
​

I decided I was going to write a blog about yoga and I was looking for an image to inspire me and fit with what I was going to say. I almost scrolled over this one as it wasn't quite making sense for me until I suddenly thought, "Your balance is within your reach".

My yoga journey started about 11 years a go where I was lucky enough to start my practice in an amazing studio in Ballarat (Absolute Yoga) and to this day I still enjoy following the happenings of the studio. Since then I've been blessed to practice with some other amazing teachers and over the journey have explored Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Restorative Yoga, Slow Flow & one class each of Ashtanga & Hot Yoga!  By the time I became a yoga teacher myself I had been influenced by a number of amazing teachers who had provided me with a deep & inspiring practice.

I was lucky enough to be shown and to experience the way yoga naturally brings you back into balance. It helps you align with your true nature and reconnect to your own innate strengths & wisdom. Yet it also creates a safe space for you to be vulnerable, to meet each pose where you are in any moment and to learn when to go a little deeper & when to take a step back. It invites you to listen to your body & offers you an opportunity to accept your body just as it is in that moment.

Too often we hear (and I just heard it today!), "Oh I'm not flexible enough for yoga!", which is missing the point of what yoga is all about. I have to admit I've seen some amazing videos of some super strong & flexible Yogis but most of us aren't like that! Of course it works for some people but most of us have to meet our yoga poses with our tight hips or shaky legs, fatigued bodies or busy minds (insert whatever is going on for you).
 
Yet all yoga really asks of us is that we show up! Simply turn up on the mat and be present or if you can't be present right now then simply accept that and through that simple process of accepting our 'limitations' we create space for the magic to flow. One day you'll be practicing your yoga and all of a sudden you'll suddenly find your pose changes, something you never thought you could do is suddenly being done and you will also come to realise that even if nothing changes, that is ok.

Yoga is your practice and as a teacher it is a wonderful thing to witness people honouring their body's and making their practice their own. There is no 'right' way to do yoga, although showing up with an open mind and an open heart definitely helps. Yoga as the power to transform you on many levels, well that's what it can seem like! In reality it is just bringing you back to yourself, as you reach up in your poses you say to the universe, "I'm ready to expand' and as you move through the Warrior poses you say, "I am strong" and as you rest in Child's pose you say "I surrender" knowing it is safe for you to be vulnerable.

Yoga can be for every body & there is so much to be gained from this beautiful practice. I feel blessed to be able to hold this space for people and look forward to continuing to learn, share, grow and let go on my yoga journey.