GOOD MORNING YOGIS,

Thanks so much for subscribing – If you look at the hundreds of students I have taught, the subscription is received by a very select bunch – it’s wonderful to have you here.  Even people who live around the corner would rather make the effort to come here, chose a time, and ask personally “when is… or what is…?” rather than sign up, or click on the blog?  I don’t understand it.

I’ve been writing my free newsletter since 1970 – at first it was sent out via the postal system – hundreds were posted in the old days, enough that the GPO gave me a special rate.  Everyone wanted one no matter where they lived.  Even my students who were drovers or rode the fences in the “top end” got a copy.  I usually post something thoughtful about yoga or plants or art  each week and, sometimes, if the muse is hassling me, (now we have emails) I can post daily like I did during “lockdown”..

Daily? I want you to know that, so you don’t have a nasty surprise when I am on a writing streak.

I approach email differently than most people. I see it as a way to share my knowledge and excitements with you – let you know what I am doing, what other students are doing, what the world is doing slowly and quietly. I love writing to you – I love the quiet, the serene, and the simple things in life.    On one day, I might tell you a folktale about a plant and how it has made itself known to me, and on another day, a recipe, and how to live simply with the ecosystem, another day a yoga tale or fact I think you should know.  A different kind of “play”.

I am sure you have worked out that there’s no strict rule or structure to my writing, teaching, or speaking.  My main thrust?  I use stories.  It drives some folk bonkers – those who want to “cut to the chase” but that is how I am.

Every one of my newsletters are like that: higgledy-piggledy, if you are a purist, you perhaps will feel uncomfortable.  But if you like exploring new things where-ever I find them and bring them to you,  it will all make sense in the end!

I hope you enjoy it.

AUSLAN AND THE MONDAY ZOOM:  because I am learning Auslan to help my students who like me are hard of hearing (yes, AUSLAN YOGA is becoming available worldwide)  I will not be able to give our usual zoom presentation on two Mondays – next Monday the 13th and the following Monday the 20th.  Instead I will be opening the ZOOM at 6.30 on Tuesday the 14th and Tuesday the 21st for those of you who may be able to join us.  If you haven’t been before, email me and I will send you the zoom ID.  yogafirst2@bigpond.com

WHATS ON IN THE STUDIO.  

Our FIRST RESTORATIVE yoga class 2025 Friday 10th January at 10am.

Windarring Yoga –  Kyneton Tues. 1pm.  9.30AM in Gisborne

STUDIO YOGA,  WOODEND:  Open 10th January, at 10am for restorative yoga and then ongoing classes in the following week for the rest of term.

DISABILITY YOGA CLASS (YOGA FOR WHEELIES AND WALKERS) in NORMA RICHARDSON hall, starting 9.30am every Wednesday  by donation. Please arrive close to 9.30 and we will start when we are settled. FIRST 2025 CLASS 15th January.

YOGA PHILOSOPHY CLASSES AS USUAL ZOOM. See above.  Two changes, two Tuesdays 14th and 21st then Mondays as usual (unless the class prefers Tuesdays).

MT.MACEDON GALLERY:  I will be there 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday 11th January

YOGA MONTHLY LUNCH:   at The Full Moon Saloon starting again in the new year.  I am booking it today.  Let me know if you want to join us.

 

 I am looking forward to 2025.    NAMASTE – JAHNE

 

Dear Yogis,

YOGA STARTS AGAIN THIS WEEK – ON FRIDAY AT 10AM

DISABILITY YOGA (MINDFUL MOVEMENT) starts on Wednesday the 15th plus I have teacher training classes starting around Central Victoria backed up with zoom, so you may be able to join us and train in order to teach in your community.

It has been an up and down Christmas with fires close by. The panic has subsided but the praise must go to the local fire brigades who averted what could have blossomed into a catastrophic fire.  The change of wind direction and big earth movers which built containment lines has averted the problem for now – but we are not past February which can be the hottest.  There are only two days of rain predicted, and average temps around the 30C.  These can change of course.  Get your “GO” bag ready – the worst has not passed.

The biggish dump of rain last night has made a big difference too – you have me to thank for that (and StephenRyan) we made watering the garden a project yesterday and watered for at least 2 hours.

YESTERDAY I watched Dr.Brian Cox narrate a magnificent symphonic ramble through the galaxy – music by Gustav Holst and Strauss among others (I cried).  I tend to think Cox is on the spectrum – fabulous at what he is fabulous at but unwilling to think either side of that – although there would not be much brain space left.  It is a big subject.  As you know I believe I have lived on IO (not 10 – ten). It was discovered by Gallileo on the 8th Jan 1610.  An eccentric, volcanic moon with an eccentric orbit!  I love it.   So few people know anything about what they can’t see with the naked eye and Ganymede is a mystery to them – what are they missing!!!

WHATS ON IN THE STUDIO.  

Our FIRST RESTORATIVE yoga class 2025 Friday 10th January at 10am.

Windarring Yoga –  Kyneton Tues. 1pm.  9.30AM in Gisborne

STUDIO YOGA,  WOODEND:  Open 10th January, at 10am for restorative yoga and then ongoing classes in the following week for the rest of term.

DISABILITY YOGA CLASS (YOGA FOR WHEELIES AND WALKERS) in NORMA RICHARDSON hall, starting 9.30am every Wednesday  by donation. Please arrive close to 9.30 and we will start when we are settled. Closed until 15th January.

YOGA PHILOSOPHY CLASSES AS USUAL ZOOM. Monday 6.30pm.   Please let me know if you would like to join us.

MT.MACEDON GALLERY:  I will be there 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday 11th January

YOGA MONTHLY LUNCH:   at The Full Moon Saloon starting again in the new year.  I am booking it today.  Let me know if you want to join us.

 

 I am looking forward to 2025.    NAMASTE – JAHNE

Dear Yogis,

Last week I was reminded of a student who, in her ninth month of pregnancy, tripped at the washing line broke one leg and fractured the other and had to give birth encased in plaster, and had to remain in it for a couple of months whilst tending to a newborn – she should have been given a medal. She finished her teacher training whilst in plaster and she showed that remarkable personal grit later in her life as challenge after challenge came.  She now is working in a fabulous job where not only is she extending her considerable intellect, she is helping those less fortunate in the community.

Nothing as remarkable myself, but I did fall on one knee whilst hanging out the washing last week.   I waited a week for the knee to look more like a knee (with the help of comfrey) and then yesterday I went to the doctor for a check up.  All good.  She gave me the results of the blood tests they made a year ago (I figured they would contact me if there was anything wrong).   She told me they were excellent and remarked how unusual it was that (at my age) I took no medication – she didn’t consider herbs to be medications!  No reason to go back unless healing did not progress as I thought it would, and as the knee was doing well she didn’t think she would see me again.. at least not for that!

It is remarkable how the body will heal if we give it time, space , understanding and HERBS.

The painting above is of an angel.  Did you know that they weren’t spoken about in the church until the 5th century as I understand it – now they are everywhere, and as the Pope says “are as plentiful as pigeons”.  I must paint angels… in the week leading up to Christmas they were indeed as plentiful as pigeons… even in Church, every church.  Not usually as “angelic” as the painting.  Their power is more gentle, but very hard to paint.

What a great way to begin the year.  “Nothing can happen without the will of God,  trust in this”.  I start the new year knowing that I am in as good health as I have ever been – and that being confirmed,  there must be a big job looming for me, where health will be important.  I wait.

WHAT’S ON?

Nothing much truth be known.  You are welcome to have a tarot reading of course, or talk to me about retraining, taking up where you left off, or re-registering. I am learning Auslan so I can begin to teach yoga and understand those whose hearing is at least as bad as mine is.

 

I look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you all for your help and support –  NAMASTE JAHNE