I was a little late in the game, but like many others, I discovered the art of making bread (well, working with dough if I were to be precise) sometime during the big pause that was the pandemic. Whilst I haven’t fallen into the rabbit hole known as tending to a sourdough starter, working with dough has been such a perspective shifting, mindful, present moment experience. In many ways, it feels very similar to how my yoga practice is – a place where I can drop my guard, just breathe, and allow myself to find my flow.
From the alchemy of water, flour, yeast, and salt, I’ve found myself learning about myself and life in quite interesting ways. Here are a few of those life lessons I’ve learned from dough: Continue reading “All I Really Needed to Know in Adult Life, I Learned on the Mat. And Through Dough.”
If I were to list down some of the most breathtaking moments I’ve had in my life, walking down this strip of garden at the Crystal Castle in the Byron Shire will definitely be amongst the top ten in the list. I still remember how I felt on that cold, wet winter day. And no, I’m not just referring to the chill in the air that blew this tropical girl’s mind! While my friend had her cards read, I casually strolled through the garden and from beyond the trees, I stumbled across the huge Blessing Buddha. This came soon after getting lost in the little labyrinth (I suppose that happens very rarely but it did happen to me!), a crystal bowl/sound healing session, and walking trough (with tears, I might add) the Kalachakra Stupa, which is known as the World Peace Stupa. At that moment, I felt the vastness of the Universe, the power of God, and the sacredness of land.
I’ve been thinking about diet culture and fat phobia continues to affect folks and their ability to access wellness spaces and even medical treatments, especially as I have just finished my Accessible Yoga Training. I remember when I was first diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), the first thing my doctor wanted me to do was lose weight. I will not discount the effects of that weight loss for me, but overtime, I regained all the weight that I had lost (and more) and found that it wasn’t really the weight loss, or perhaps changing what I ate that made the biggest difference, but it was my yoga practice. I was lucky, though, because I felt very supported by my doctor, and she has been a wonderful healthcare provider. I know others are not as lucky, and that a lot of folks in fat bodies are discriminated upon when they try to access wellness or medical support.
Today I am reminded of the power of the circle, whether real of metaphorically. That sacred space in which we sit together and share our stories. I am reminded of how “what’s your story” can more often be more powerful than “tell me what’s wrong”, or maybe even “how can I help?, how rituals and traditions matter, and how coming into your intention of embodied listening and understanding can trump theoretical know-how. And yes, that that’s where the magic of healing begins.
Ten years ago today, I mustered up all the courage I had and stepped onto the mat for the very first time. Moving my body or engaging in sports, dance or other movement practices weren’t very natural for me in the beginning. I was more of a reader and a crafter, so curling up with a book or perhaps some cross-stitching or needlepoint was more up my ally. So I was surprised at that quiet whisper that led me down this path. And since it was just about the end of the year, it seemed to be a good New Years Resolution to make. That and learning French. The latter never happened, but I am oh so grateful the yoga worked out! Before my first class, I remember sending an email to a local teacher in my area and ending that note by saying that I was quite nervous about it because I had never done yoga before. She replied that it is normal to feel nervous, and that in all likelihood, by that time the next day, I would probably feel silly for having been nervous. 
Typically, just around the end of the year my friend E and I would catch up. Every year since we became friends, she would ask me what my word and intention would be for the year to come would be.
Pathways to Wellness 