Winter is the time to plant the seeds of regeneration and renewal, so that come Spring we seamlessly move towards an energised full blossom state of being once again. Tap into a well of inner strength and vibrancy after a one-day mini yoga and soul-food retreat in the Northern Gold Coast Hinterlands. Book your place for this beautiful day of self-care and body love that will leave you warm, nourished, on a natural high, and ready to move past or avoid the Winter blues and onto vibrancy and optimal health!

If physical yoga isn’t for you, or you’re a yogi looking for a little something extra, a daily practice of meditation, silence and non-judgement are all fantatsic yogic practices, as is spending time in nature.

“Sthira sukham asanam: the posture is steady and comfortable.” This quote from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras applies to yoga, slacklining, and probably most other areas in our lives. In our everyday moments – whether you are on a slackline, in a work meeting, talking to your partner, or in headstand – are you fully engaged, fully present, vigilant?

On the final day of our 2 week challenge, we’ll go through some alternate nostril breathing (Nadi Sodhana) before finishing our mexican extravaganza chips and dips – salsa and guac! Enjoy and congratulate yourself on all the hard work you’ve done

We’re half way through the challenge! Today we calm and re-centre the mind with an easy-to-follow meditation based on the breath. All forms of meditation involve one-pointed focus on an object to train the mind to become still. This focus could be a mantra, the surrounding sounds, a candle flame, the breath, or sensations in [...]

Often we don’t notice the treasures that are closest to us. If you’re craving a change of scenery but don’t have time to escape to a tropical paradise or take an extended weekend, give one of your local beaches, creeks or national parks a go and discover the beauty that lies on your back doorstep. It has deepened my appreciation of where I live and given so much back to me at times when I want a little stillness.

Doing yoga on beaches, in the forest and on rocks near eucalypt-surrounded waterfalls, I felt as if the surroundings leant a spiritual power to my practice. Nature truly is our greatest comforter, teacher and friend. The mind-clearing, nerve-soothing effects of yoga seem to be magnified many times when practised outdoors, and seemingly more so out of the city away from the collective frenetic energy of civilisation.

The sunlight is streaming through the branches and pouring itself all over the ground and my feet. The incense is stronger, people are up and breakfast is soon. I feel extremely content. I feel this is natural and how I should feel, always.

Wherever you are, take a minute to just be. Close your eyes, start to feel into your body. What do you notice? Is there any pain, discomfort or numbness anywhere in your body? Any pleasant sensations? Take a moment to scan your body, from the top of your head to the tips of your toes, [...]

Vipassana gave me the tools to look at things more objectively, trust my instincts more, and trust that as long as I go with the general flow of the universe (that is, don’t force ideas or worry unnecessarily about silly things,) things will work out better than imagined. Everything is impermanent so this part of my life didn’t continue in that vein forever, but I no longer felt as fearful about “it all ending badly”. Life is amazing! Vipassana was a wonderful reminder of that simple fact, and then some.