DEAR YOGIS,

Because this break in our usual way we work has happened, we are able to do those things in the house, in our study and teaching that we have always said we haven’t had time for.  Today as I was standing under the shower,  I thought about how appreciative I am that I decided to go for that little extra work, that extra study, that extra writing.

It made me think. Isn’t life and success defined by that “little extra”? It’s not the dramatic, far-reaching, overly-impressive actions or risks we take that push us forward, it is those small decisions that carry us along…. It’s those small things we change that free up the backlog behind them..

It’s simple,  and I have spoken to you about it in teacher training session after teacher training session.

It’s the extra showing up. The extra giving to others. The extra learning. The extra asanas, the extra meditation sessions. This is what over time, makes the difference to our life and to our contribution during our lifetime. Ask any expert at anything and they’ll agree.   There’s nothing mystical about a having big, generous life. It’s consistency, and the willingness to do, to give, and become just a little bit more.

While I was considering this message to you, I realised that a little extra, in fact, means A WHOLE LOT.  It means everything.

And then I thought… where has this been true for me so far?

• As I move into this COVID experience, I work on learning and giving every day… a little extra than ever before.
• I have academic success because I do my daily research and follow up… that little bit extra.
• I’m a content and optimistic human because I invest in my mind… a little bit extra than most.
• When I started out as a yoga teacher,  I gave it extra everything… and it has worked for 50 plus years..

Let me ask you this May, where can you give a little extra?  Where do you want to grow?  What do you want to become?  If you want to grow and change, the opportunity has arrived – it may be a long time until it comes again. Don’t miss it. Don’t let it fly by and look back in regret.  Don’t miss this opportunity for growth. Don’t get bogged down in grey thoughts, loneliness, empty wishes… “Do what you can with what you have where you are” as the Buddha taught.

The greatest gift you can give to others is to be happy and hopeful yourself, then you draw others out of their despondency.  I have found with the Bach Herbal Remedies I make and use is they “cure” not by attacking disease, but by flooding our body with the beautiful vibrations of our higher nature, in the presence of which, disease just melts away. Never more important than in this moment of “invisible invaders”.

The invaders in the photo are “ORBS”.  They are “Positive Presences” which are with us all the time, not everyone sees them. But they are there.

There is no true healing unless there is a change in outlook, peace of mind and inner happiness. Remember fear only attacks what you are afraid to lose.

Keep well, keep warm, keep happy, and keep on learning.

Namaste Jahne

Dear Yogis,

I am sure you have heard the story that demonstrated UBUNTU.  A foreign anthropologist is visiting India.  He sets up an experiment, and places up a bag of fruit under a tree.  He then asks children from a local village to stand behind a line and get ready to fetch the basket when he signals “go”.  The understanding was that the first person to reach the basket would win the basket.    To his great surprise, when he signalled the word “go”, the children held hands and ran to the basket together.

Then under the tree they enjoyed the fruit, together.  When they were asked why they did that, a little girl answered with a question “How can any one of us be happy when the others are sad?”.

Years later Desmond Tutu explained UBUNTU (or, “I am because we are”) as the philosophy behind the girl’s answer.  In this Divine Time, it could be that this philosophy that might ease the collective stress. In the spirit of Ubuntu we could walk towards our common humanity and hopefully pave the way for a more empathetic future.

Talking about the common future and humanity… To all you lovely people who are enjoying Zoom yoga.   All kinds of yoga – nidra, pranayama etc.. not just hatha.  The advertisers have sat up and taken notice. Yoga philosophy is not the basis for an advertising response, however,  as there has been an average increase of about 4,000% in people tuning in to on-line yoga (they may not have been actually doing it) . .there will be an advertising response.

For some time,  I have been videoing aspects of yoga that asks my viewers to re-assess needs and wants.  A message of SIMPLICITY.  I do not expect that advertisers will swamp my site… or my viewers with the “more, more, more” message, and I have not monetised any of my sites.  I ask my viewers to chuck their lycra, the designer mats, the decor blocks etc in favour of comfortable – My message of simplicity is not an advertisers dream.  Think about it.  Do your children really need “Micky Mouse” mats, or can you cut an old mat to fit?  Do we need to share our physique with the class, diamonds in the navel, tattoos on the  rear? Will the latest colour or style change the substance?  What do you want?

When I was teaching large classes of people in recovery, it was always easy to see who actually was recovering.  Not just those who met the physical criteria of “cured”.  People who were actually recovering came to every class (or massage/consultation session) early and sat in the quiet after helping put out the mats  – they didn’t sit on the deck smoking and flirting, or planning the after-class coffees.  They helped others get organised, waited until the class had left before leaving, and made sure the room was as it was when they arrived.  They walked back to the residence quietly.  Yoga changed them and they wanted to know how.  They cared about the experience, not just theirs, but the experience of others.  What do you want?  What do you have? What will you do when you get what you want? Why will you do it?

This can be a time of Peace, Forgiveness and Growth.  It will soon be over (until the next time).  I am taking this time to do advanced herbal therapy study, more philosophy, more of everything I can to help you when you come back to class and to the studio..  YOU are why I do what I do.   I like personal emails,  or you – the whole person –  to be WITH ME in the studio….

To do yoga, it’s your mind that matters.

Keep warm, keep safe, share.

Namaste – JAHNE

 

 

 

Dear Yogis,

I have been reminded of Shakespeare’s Play of the same name “Much ado about Nothing”.  Shakespeare borrowed the title from a biblical quote.  Jesus said it.  He had been asked to do a healing and in spite of this,  the family were still weeping and wailing.  Although they had asked for a healing, and had seen Him heal before, they were fearful it wouldn’t happen this time and didn’t trust that Jesus was up to the job.  Jesus said the noise was “much ado about nothing”.

I believe that this is a Divine Time – a moment of Divine Destiny, but only you have the opportunity to make it wonderful. You can wander around weeping and wailing or you can trust that all is well.  You can change from fear based living into faith based living.  I am sure you know that as a race we are living longer and healthier than ever before, we have more medical science than ever before, we have more science and technology than ever before, but still many people live in fear. I am not saying we shouldn’t be careful, but we shouldn’t be fearful.  Fear is a result of increased vulnerability.  Don’t let fear push you into denial.  Faith isn’t about pretending something is right when it isn’t. Fear causes procrastination.  Someone said to me that waiting between “Yes sir” and “No sir” is an “Ulcer”.  When you are down to nothing I can tell you that the Universe (God) is up to something.

Some students are making the best of this time, doing “homesteading” (instead of “Home-staying”) projects with their family to great result.  Take Sam for instance who with the help of her family,  has created this lovely raised garden out of old floor boards. You can see how prolific it has become in such a short time.

Without this gift of home-time (this Divine Time) it probably wouldn’t have eventuated.  In the background is the compost heap, boxes, boards and all the bits and pieces that tell me the this is an on-going project, and on-going change.  I am sure it keeps this little family well engaged, and they will enjoy the fruits of this particular labour.  It is easier to get children to eat vegetables if they have participated in growing them!

What are you doing with your extra time? Here are some (serious) questions to answer.

1. WHAT DO I WANT?
2. WHAT DO I HAVE?
3. WHAT WILL I DO IF I GET WHAT I WANT?
4. WHY WILL I DO IT?

Answer these questions above,  and take action, and you will clear much of the confusion you may feel around you.

In the story “Alice in Wonderland” there is this significant dialogue between Alice and the Dormouse.

“I wish you wouldn’t squeeze so,” said the Dormouse, who was sitting next to her, “I can hardly breathe.”    “I can’t help it,” said Alice very meekly, “I’m growing,”     “You’ve no right to grow here,” said the Dormouse.   “Don’t talk nonsense,” said Alice more boldly: “You know that you are growing too.”

“Yes, but I grow at a reasonable pace,” said the Dormouse: “Not in your ridiculous fashion.”

 

Have a lovely Week.  Keep well, keep safe, and remember that this Divine Time may shortly end.

Namaste.  Jahne