Dear Yogis,

Don’t forget, book with me now if you haven’t done so already – yogafirst2@bigpond.com  –  MONTHLY YOGA LUNCHEON:  Victoria Hotel Woodend – the Meeting Room on the ground floor, Thursday 25th August (tomorrow), 12 noon. RSVP

SLEEP AND YOU

I wasn’t going to do a Wednesday newsletter, but I have been thinking about sleep (thanks to you complaining to me about your lack of sleep, and a special on LifeMatters – Radio National).

According to the latest research via Oxford University,  scientists studying the phenomena of sleep are determining now that there are different sleep patterns, and we are different from each other in our needs, our responses and the consequences.  Also our patterns change – not necessarily due to age.  For myself, I was an early riser until menopause,  Since that time I have gotten later in rising, and later to bed.  I don’t necessarily listen to the alarm, but usually wake up at the same time each morning, then have a “drifting” time which I rather like, then get up.  If i go to bed earlier it makes no difference to my rising time, although I don’t feel as sharp.  I find i am ready for a quick nap at about 7.30pm (way too early to go to bed).  Once i have relaxed into that I can paint into the wee hours.

Scientists also learned that insomnia may be just a response to our internal time clock (no news there), and if we saw it as normal we might find we have three waking times at night, which is natural to us.  My mum only had 4 hours of sleep at night, but never missed a nanna nap.  This was her routine and she thrived on it – she certainly never worried about it, or tried to change.

According to the Oxford scientists, the problem comes when we try and change these patterns.  We cause stress in the body which causes inflammation and can lead to illness.

There you are.  Just relax, and go with the flow.

MY DOLLS

Here is the latest MEMORY DOLL with a little pocket in the front to hide a precious memento of someone you love, or someone who has passed over…  Everyone is slightly different.  This one is made of a beautiful heavy denim with a double felt pocket in the front, although if you sent me fabric that meant something to you, I could make a doll for you from that fabric.  This is not just a cushion or a heart – you can talk to this little person, and i think that is important.  

They are little beings to be loved, and a gorgeous remembrance token of a loved one,  although it could be made for a wedding, anniversary or a baby shower and a little love token placed in the front pocket,   I could sew a patch from a treasured dress or sweater into the doll.  Just email me and I can make something especially for you, I do have some beautiful fabrics. yogafirst2@bigpond.com 

I am planning a little WEDDING Doll.. I have lace, beads, satins and silks, but it could be made from an old wedding gown or shirt, rather than leaving them languishing in a cupboard.  Remembrance dolls can be made from any piece of clothing with special sentimental value to you..

THE YOGA CLASSES – please book before you arrive.  They are small classes and one unplanned extra may not be able to join

FOR BOOKINGS, ENQUIRIES – NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: yogafirst2@bigpond.com

SEE YOU ON THE MAT.

NAMASTE JAHNE

Dear Yogis,

I had planned to do lots, BUT the door into my “apartment” same down off its track.  Saturday afternoon I spent trying to repair it (without success) and Sunday afternoon after Church and Saturdays chores that didn’t get done, a friend came around and fixed it.  It looked like a crime scene.  Black grease fingerprints all over the door, dust, etc etc.  But, the door was fixed.  Some refinements still to be done, but essentially the door is operational and the cat can be kept away from the yoga – the main reason for the door.

THE THURSDAY LUNCH.
I will not be sending out invitations – a less than useful exercise which takes far too much time for return.  I do however have a number of acceptances already so all is good.  As i have said before, even if no-one thinks its a good idea, I would be there.  This Thursday, 12 noon at The Victoria Hotel in Woodend.  Last time I had a plate of steamed vegetables – It was fabulous.  I wasn’t even tempted by dessert.  Please email me to let me know you are coming if you haven’t already. yogafirst2@bigpond.com

THE DOLLS AND BEARS
Because of the disruption of the door on the weekend, I did not get as much of the dolls done as i planned to do, there are two under construction, the strange little Blue Baby is sadly in need of a face, and the larger teddy has a pair of rompers on the go.  So, by the end of the day (all things being equal) I will have them finished.

If you want one of my bears, you can always come see me especially if you want a MEMORY BEAR or doll (with treasures added to the bear in memory of someone passed for instance).  Otherwise you will find a small selection at HONIES HANDMADE, a gorgeous little fabric house in Lancefield (Victoria).

YOUR DOSE OF YOGA…
You may think I don’t yoga or teach since doing the dolls, and you would be wrong.  I get even more pleasure now that I am also exercising my creative side making dolls and bears, and this brought to mind a Biblical (or course) quote.

 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations”  This is in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah and it has many interpretations in the modern era.  Of course there is no interpretation needed for the first words “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”.  Wherever you are, whomever you are, you are not unknown to God.

Those who are yogis and believe in reincarnation will see this as a reference to the place between lives.  That before you came into this lifetime you were appointed a task – How to know what that is?  We only have one compass, our heart.  When you are living yoga,  going in the right direction, travelling in the vortex of energy caused by that vibration, you will know it.  You can’t know if you will be an immediate success, you can’t know how this forward movement will end up – you can know that every day will be a joy, and you will have that blissful feeling that you are doing what you were set on earth to do.   FOLLOW YOUR HEART no matter what anyone else says.  Not new advice, but relevant.

THE YOGA CLASSES – please book before you arrive.  They are small classes and one unplanned extra may not be able to join

FOR BOOKINGS, ENQUIRIES – NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: yogafirst2@bigpond.com

SEE YOU ON THE MAT.

NAMASTE JAHNE

Dear Yogis,

GOOD MORNING – Now its your turn.  Three times a week I take time out to say hi, now it’s your turn.  

How to say Hi to me? send an email to yogafirst2@bigpond.com and let me know what you are doing.

I am not looking for something to do and I don’t do the newsletter to fill in time, I have lots to do – my yoga, my dolls and time for you.  I am always talking to you in my head, and the newsletters are just an extension of that.

I understand that reading is a lost art,    however, if there is anything I need right now, it is time….. and If there is no response,  I will cut down on the number of newsletters, and use the time and energy on my WEB (www.jhwilliams.online) and my FACEBOOK PAGE.

THE YOGA CLASSES – please book before you arrive.  They are small classes and one unplanned extra may not be able to join

FOR BOOKINGS, ENQUIRIES – NEW EMAIL ADDRESS: yogafirst2@bigpond.com

SEE YOU ON THE MAT.

NAMASTE JAHNE