All Things Yoga

Practice Yoga with Julia

Mondays September 1:30pm - 3pm - Union Church
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FREE! Monday Meditation on Zoom 8:30pm - 9pm
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Shiva Shakti Studio Classes on Tuesdays at 7:30pm
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Thursdays at 10-11am
Community Yoga Class - Low-Cost Yoga in Chestnuts Community Centre, Tottenham
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who find yoga inaccessible for financial reasons.
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Dear Yoga Practitioner,

Wild Times…

It’s been a long time!

I hope you are keeping well and enjoying the shifts in the natural world as our season changes. There are deep and dramatic shifts occurring in the world of politics and power also, which might not feel as familiar and predictable. Yoga is a practice that enables us to stay rooted, calm and flexible within the eye of the storm. The techniques of yoga foster a deeper awareness of our embodied self:

our body,

our breath,

our energy,

our wisdom and

our sense of contentment and ease.

These parts of us are natural and wild. They are the “soft animal” places within us that communicate our experience of love, connection and balance.
For those of you who don’t already know Mary Oliver’s beautiful poem… here is a treat to savour…

Wild Geese


You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.

-Mary Oliver

Right now, the consensus is that we are in non-sensical, scary, tumultuous times. We’re witnessing the antics of the deranged people who have been transferring the people and planet’s wealth to their own pockets. They’ve become wealthy by plundering the world’s resources and generally causing misery for people the world over for years. The veil of illusion that used to keep those in power somewhat hidden is no longer there. They make little attempt to hide their crimes. Politicians and corporate leaders can be viewed every day serving themselves, fuelling divisions, increasing global instability, and “moving fast and breaking things.”

What do we do?

We take care where we place our attention.

Do we immerse ourselves in the natural world, which is brimming with inspiration, peace, wisdom and resilience?

Or do we immerse ourselves in our screens, and devices, which are spouting fear-mongering, fake news and diversions which capture our attention, track our eye movements and program our minds?

Which choice enables you to feel more settled and calm?

I know some of you might not find it easy to get out into natural spaces, due to time, health, mobility or financial reasons. Remember you are nature! Pay attention to your breath, it’s like the wind; let your eyes drink in colours and patterns; let your body feel the radiant warmth of the sun; let your skin sense textures and pressure. If you are very quiet can you hear the sound of the birdsong? Rest in these moments of sensory connection with the real world, it will gently awaken that wiser, loving, connected part of your being.

Endgames

This destruction of the planet, the breaking of the social contract, and the crumbling of the established order of things have been gathering pace for around four decades since the neoliberal experiment started with Thatcher and Regan. Truthfully, this dark age has been going on for millennia, our history is littered with war, cruelty, injustice and devastation. This tumult is not new.

What is clear now, is that we have over-reached the Limits to Growth and we are witnessing the dangerous and childish endgames that are the direct result of greed, individualism and a complete disregard for the natural world.

“I think we are headed for disaster. That thought does not thrill me, and it does not panic me into trying to fashion a world so controlled that it is actually predictable. Rather it energizes me to work toward a vision of a World-That-Works-For-Everyone, including all the nonhuman Everyones.”

Donella Meadows, one of the autors of Limits to Growth, speaking in 2001

Choose Awareness - Envision Your Dream

We have the choice to turn our gaze away from the bloated, megalomaniac Emperors, acting out in their birthday suits. It is an ugly and pathetic scene that does not support or inspire us… They are not worthy of our precious time and attention.

Instead, we can tend to and care for ourselves and the “nonhuman Everyones.” Even the simple act of watering our plants, feeding our pets, cooking, cleaning and gardening, is an expression of care and compassion. When simple actions are conscious and filled with care and devotion our heart responds, becoming more settled and at peace. For our heart loves to care and be cared for. In yoga philosophy, the heart is said to contain the expanse of the whole universe. If we can create peace in our own hearts, we are contributing to peace in the world.

I’m aware that shifting our awareness in this way is not so easy… We are in the habit of being pulled into drama, distraction and much of our energy is wasted in this way. However, if we gently start to pull away from the mayhem (which we have little control of) and turn our attention to where we can make a positive difference we will benefit greatly. We’ll start to feel the quiet power of an intentional, simple and sustainable life.

All Things Yoga

Above is part one of an interview with my dear friend Oli, a super-talented Ayurvedic practitioner, Massage Practitioner, Reiki and Theta healer, and holder of Andean ceremonies. Oli is also a Laughter Yoga facilitator, so you’ll hear lots of giggles in these videos!

This list doesn’t really convey Oli’s wide-ranging knowledge, wisdom and gifts. She is an Earth-centred, intuitive guide whose mission is to support us to thrive in these times of great chaos and disconnection. If you’d like to find out more about what Oli does you can take a look here at www.loveyourlife.net

I hope you enjoy our conversation. If you’re interested in my journey with yoga and somatics, my thoughts on how it can support people with chronic pain, or if you’d just like to giggle along with us… then feel free to listen in on our conversation.

Let me know what you think of the video in the comments below. It’d be a joy to hear from you!

With love and good wishes,

Julia

A Retreat with Alistair Smith
Sound Healing & Vocal Tai Chi Weekend Retreat

May 30th - June 1st 2025, Claridge House, Lingfield, Surrey, RH7 6QH
Cost - £399

Finding Centre & Finding Self

Life can be such a whirlwind of hectic busyness, stress, worry, anxiety, responsibilities, expectations, joys and disappointments. All of this constant activity and ‘noise’ can be overwhelming, can unbalance us, confuse and distract us from what’s important to us, and spin us out and away from our centre and sense of self.

Throughout this weekend we will explore ways to find some calm and balance, and to re-centre. More than this, we will practice various ways to find a deeper sense of ourselves within this storm, using breath, sound healing, and the wonderful practice of Vocal Tai Chi.

To book, contact Claridge House 01342 832 150

For more information on local soundbaths and retreats see here.

Please get in touch with my partner Alistair Smith if you'd like any more information.