There is little doubt that our modern way of living is stressful. Stress is endemic in our society and is proven to be a major contributing factor to headaches, anxiety, insomnia, back pain, and even life threatening illnesses such as heart disease. Notwithstanding the immense health implications of stress, for most of us being stressed out is simply not an enjoyable way to live.

Our nervous systems are constantly wired – multi-tasking between family and work, mobile phones, email, twitter and facebook, the pressure of making ends meet as living costs spiral ever upwards – the pace of our lives rarely slow down. Our societycelebrates productivity and ‘doing’, rarely valuing time spent in the simplicity of just ‘being’.

While I’m not suggesting that we should completely change the way we live (though why not?), I do believe it is valuable to have a daily antidote to this onset of stressful living. From personal experience I know of no better practice than yoga and meditation – it comprehensively offers a complete set of tools to meet stress head on.

Spending just twenty or thirty minutes on a yoga mat, stretching and breathing, connecting into my body, letting go of tension and practicing the deep, beautiful art of true relaxation, can bring me back to a more grounded place, where I’m less stressed and life truly is more pleasant.

The Wisdom Found In A Breath

While many people think of yoga as just stretching and making weird shapes with your body, in reality the practices, thousands of years old, contain rich teachings which can be of immense value for us today.

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Thank you for turning up…

The Yoga In Prisons fundraising event was a lovely success today – thank you to all who turned up. I truly enjoyed teaching the class , hearing the speakers, and sharing the movie The Dhamma Brothers – it was more moving the second time around! The Waiheke cinema is now interested in showing it now which is great.

We raised $1260 which will really help the trust produce yoga education materials for the prisoners they reach.

This is just a start! We’ll be doing more in the future and we’ll also let you know what is happening as things develop.

Thank you!

Peace, Neal x

Thought I’d share this lovely poem which Penny Holmes, a yoga student, wrote for me – I was really touched. Thanks Penny!

I get so excited.
Things will be different.
He folded the blanket
in a way that the spine
lay in steps of release.
The art of knowing
how precious
the attention
to minute detail
can change
the point of holding,
allowing a system
built on repeated actions
to recognise
monumental
foundation
ancient
wise
yoga

by Penny Holmes

Difficult and sad days here in New Zealand and our hearts go out to those in Christchurch with lost loved ones, broken homes and more.

These three short baby videos brought a smile to my face again.

It’s the end of another year – seems like the older we get the quicker time moves! It’s been a big year for us with the birth of our beautiful baby girl Tula. She has come with many teachings for us, learning patience, endless kindness, being with tears and upset, and immense gratitude for her life and presence. We’re especially grateful for friends and family and our community – so priceless! And I feel more than ever that life is precarious, that ease in every day is precarious and even a very simple event could radically alter our lives. Each moment therefore is a reason to celebrate. Small happenings in our lives are cause for great joy.

There is a wonderful practice in gratitude – learning to be grateful even when challenged, even when life is not flowing for us, and of course when we do feel blessed and in a good space.

The 21 Gratitudes

Try this at home: sit with a friend or partner and take turns in sharing 21 things you are grateful for in your life. Anything works, from being grateful for your partner, to being grateful for the rose you smelt earlier in the day. You can also do this practice by yourself of course – just before going to sleep is sweet. A moving way… put on some music, have a dance Read the rest of this entry »