I am not such a big fan of goals. Goal setting seems to imply that once you have achieved the set goal you will in some way be more…happier, fulfilled, content, liked etc Generally if we set the goal with this intent, whether conscious or not, we are implying that we are lacking in this moment, in someway. The path to these goals can also be perfect for any neurosis of not being good enough. We can set the goals too high, where we either don’t start or inevitably fail and the

As some of you who have followed these emails may have observed, I tend to learn my lessons in life, from the observation of the unexpected events that occur. I grew up without any mentors that I implicitly trusted. In fact it was more like the opposite, I completely distrusted the social norms and the institutions that are the cornerstones of our community. As a young fulla with an immature overview of history, it seemed to me that the church and state had little to offer ot

More musings on a Tuesday. Had a interesting chat with some students last night. One was making apologies for being such a bad student and not always obeying my instructions. This particular student has a very strong will and calls a spade a spade. I love this about her because it keeps me honest. It is imperative for me as a teacher that I have amazing students like this to keep me on track. It’s easy in a position of power to get lost and start believing your own bullshit,

Got to be loving a cold snap to bring out the slippers, blankies and warm cuppa :) Had some amazing classes of late. Energy in the room is probably the most focused it has ever been. Nothing like dropping into the zone in a quiet class with just the breath permeating the room. I try to minimise breaking the silence, only cueing when really necessary. This is a moving meditation after all and who meditates in a room filled with chatter? The early morning classes have been amaz

Wow...that gorilla....that's crazy....I had to rewind to actually see it was there in the first clip. Great read Paul! Wow. That is Awesome!!! Totally did not see the gorilla or the curtain change. Got such great feedback last email. Everyone loved the gorilla experiment. Hopefully it stayed with you for more than a few minutes and loosened the knot that convinces you, that how you see and experience the world, may not be in fact how it actually is. So how does this relate to

Anzac Day workshop yesterday. Great turnout and went really well if I do say so myself :) Started off by planting the seed of getting students to STOP STRETCHING! Yoga has been synonymous with stretching for years. Time to really turn that notion on its head. If you don’t understand well its probably cause you weren’t there (hint hint) Really dived into the standing postures, building the postures from the feet up. Lots of moans and groans so guessing I was on the right track

Anzac Day workshop tomorrow! To be honest a tiny bit nervous/excited which is unlike me. Which is a great sign. I feel like this year is a lot about trying some new things out, branching out of the order and the known and venturing beyond the tree line. There is always a part of me who has nagging doubts about whether anyone cares or wants to know about moving better. Or will I be able to make it coherent enough that anyone will understand what the hell I am on about?? Then t

Day 30 so I thought I better just tidy up that chapter on meditation. The teachers at the retreat centre travelled overseas to teach so the retreat centre closed. Through a few coincidences I ended up being invited to a monastery, in a small village (400 people) in the north east. The abbott wanted an English teacher to give the novices (young monks) and local kids a leg up. I thought it would be a great opportunity to study meditation more in depth and to learn the language.

It was nine months later when I finally returned to Koh Pha Ngan. Six months in India and three months in London still hadn’t distracted me from my curiosity. I booked ahead this time and jumped into a ten day silent Vipassana retreat with the two western teachers that lived there and about forty other participants. We did walking and sitting and standing meditation with a little yoga routine in the morning. To be honest it was so tough. Like climbing up the walls tough. For

On my first trip to Thailand I was in Chaing Mai for a few weeks. I was just beginning my journey into Buddhist philosophy. There was a western monk who would give a dharma (nature of all things) talk which was fascinating. He would talk for about a hour then we would ask questions. I would be mesmerised. This was so left field from any experiences I had ever had and the humorous way he explained things really hooked me in. I wanted more. He told me about two retreat centres

After my little puff piece yesterday I did wonder what kind of response I would get. I don’t feel qualified to write an informed factual article on the subtleties of the interface between mind and body. I was really just trying to spark interest and hopefully get you to question your reality and how you interact with it and why. An amazing thing did happen though. Through being flippant and with judicious use of sweeping generalisations I managed to provoke a reply that is in

Surya Namaskar Sun salutation Traditionally when we practice Ashtanga Yoga, you stand facing East at sunrise. If there is any material object to worship in this reality you can’t go past the Sun. Its not hard to convince anyone that without it we wouldn’t be up to much. The Sun is rich with symbology of light and warmth and a morning prayer of gratitude can’t be a waste. So just the act of standing facing the sun is an acknowledgement of our place and of something greater tha

Late one today. Been to see my Mum in Auckland this weekend. For those that don’t know she is not so well and is stoically making preparations. To be with a loved one during these times is not easy. To remain present, clear and centred yet open with her, is so beneficial for our diminishing time spent together. I never started Yoga to gain these qualities and in no way thought it would help me in these types of situations, yet there they are. Spending hours on the mat without

Some amazing feedback after the last couple of posts. Really seemed to connect with some of you which is great. Reminds me of a Walt Disney quote that I never really understood when I first came across it. “I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained” Not that I in anyway see myself as an entertainer, my self image hasn’t changed that much in the last three weeks heavens!! Maybe it is all in the packaging.

Some amazing feedback after the last couple of posts. Really seemed to connect with some of you which is great. Reminds me of a Walt Disney quote that I never really understood when I first came across it. “I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained” Not that I in anyway see myself as an entertainer, my self image hasn’t changed that much in the last three weeks heavens!! Maybe it is all in the packaging.