Dear Yogis,
Well the time has come, I am officially “older” (not aged, or past-it). In my wisdom I decided to move a rather large, solid wood, item of furniture. I have moved it in the past many times, mostly on my own (I like moving furniture) but this time it would not budge. Yoga breathing and little slide things under the legs helped, but basically it has gained weight since I moved it last – that’s how I prefer to think of it. I rang students Katie and Mark and they were all ready to embark on the expedition to help me when “John the Mountainman” responded… it will be done, but this time, not by me. Oh dear – I am not as strong as I used to be – obviously. I will still move furniture alone, but not the big stuff.
COVID – We have all been impacted, and will still be impacted in spite of the governments pre-election lifting of everything problematical. It won’t help researchers, scientists, health workers and teachers. It is hard to say how things would have been handled differently re covid, but it is a handy way to excuse inefficiency. What about scientists who are doing valuable work, are PHD candidates, and now due to goodness knows what, can’t get funding here but are welcomed by prestigious universities overseas after we the taxpayer have paid a million dollars to train them to phd level! They will not return.
Perhaps the government is using covid to excuse the lack of funding and the mass sackings they have instigated in the last three years – maybe they think it is easy, certainly they don’t have to look at the consequences. Nothing changes. In the past people (and soldiers) were just numbers… maybe they still are.
Whatever the motive, the result is we are losing our most valuable resource.. intelligent young people that we have trained. I guess that politicians don’t really know what they are looking at when they see the work of a research scientist – they would probably much happier to deal with a footballer. And we haven’t even spoken about artists, actors, teachers and so on…. Even at a local level – I remember when the local council were recommending signage on the freeway I suggested that ART should be part of these signs, they have wine petrol etc on the signs around the freeway, why not Art? The reply? “If we put ART on the sign, people would ask for it”. Implying that we would not be able to answer this need.
Our most serious need in country towns at the moment is people trained in the services, in hospitality and so on – no more doctors please. We have the jobs, but not people to fill the vacancies. Covid is blamed, it is a contributing factor, but is this really the problem?
FUTURE HOUSE AND GARDEN
It has been wet and wonderful, and my herbs are behaving beautifully. In the last month I have discovered (and purchased) Lebanese Basil, Globe Basil and Greek basil. I only need Tulsi (Holy Basil) to complete the set. The basil we buy in Coles is too tender and sensitive for growth in Woodend, I would need a hot-house, and right now I don’t have one, although that could change.
Gradually I am getting more self sufficient, but I have decided to do it by “going back to the future” not just going forward. (The computer is the only way I go seriously into the future I think). I have organised to re-instate a little wood heater so I can heat the house in brown-outs (we will have them), or at the very least take advantage of the waste wood, paper and card that I have available to me. I can burn this “waste” and then use the ash on the garden and in the compost – nothing wasted. I am putting pelmets on the curtains, and putting curtains where they have never been to insulate windows and keep rooms warm. It will save me thousands of dollars in glazing, and be efficient. I will get a couple of bantams for eggs. All about self sufficiency of the most basic kind. The house is so happy about these decisions – it feels different to live in a happy house.
Do you “patch”, or “make do and mend”? You are not alone, even Prince Charles patches (not very well) his favourite clothes. I patch mine, I think better than he does. He might patch his own which could account for the untidy nature of the patches, but he values his clothes enough not to discard them. If you look at pictures of him over time you will see the clothes he wore years ago still in use, and very patched, even suits, and this gorgeous hunting jacket in the photo at the right – I think this is a “before patching” picture. He certainly is aware he doesn’t need to impress with his sartorial elegance.
THE GITA.
You may think that The Bhagavad-Gita has nothing to do with your life, that you can live without it – but trust me – you do need it for life to flow more easily. Every one of us has a battle brought to our doorstep, especially in this time we find ourselves. You can decide not to treat your life as a series of encounters.. but you would be wrong to do this. The ‘Gita is a guidebook which will save you a heap of heartbreak. I am lucky enough to see how people approach their lives, and their pain, and every one is a learning curve. You don’t need to read the tarot to be able to see the future. If you put your head in the sand, pretend that battles are not happening when clearly they are, and you will be tripped up. Big time.
You may think you are not religious, that all these writings are fairy stories for children, but read them carefully – they are speaking to you. On Tuesdays the same people turn up for the Gita/yoga/life skills training, and those I know are living with conflict think that they can do it on their own, or they don’t want to rock the boat, or upset anyone, or they are coping with the help of pills – when all the time there is a guide book available to them. PLEASE, PLEASE, put this training in your diary and join us, it is well worth the cost of a coffee each week.. Look honestly at your life, and take yoga to your troubles. When you are dealing with battles, escape to yoga, it can be an island of peace in the time of trouble and trauma.
CURRENT SCHEDULE:
WEKLY STUDIO/ZOOM SCHEDULE (PLEASE BOOK AHEAD – NO DROP-INS, sorry)
ZOOM: Mon. 6.30 Gita, Tues. Herb workshop 7.30, Friday 6.45 Tarot on holidays until 29th April.
STUDIO: Mon. 1pm (full), Wed. 1pm Restorative (full), Friday 1pm Hatha, SATURDAY 1PM RESTORATIVE YOGA.
MONTHLY LUNCHEON: Thursday 28TH APRIL at 12noon at “The Vic” in Woodend (If you are running a bit late, relax, it’s OK – drop in for dessert).
CONSULTATIONS: Tarot/Bach/Bowen or a combo – by appointment only. $85 including remedy (including postage if zooming) Past-Life (QHHT taught by Dolores Cannon) $250 via email or in the studio. The reading includes Time, date, place of the prior life. To discuss, email yogafirst2@bigpond.com
(TANTRIC) HERBS – HERB BAGS. $53.50 for 7. Each bag will last at least 2 days steeping. This includes a Bach Flower Essence given to complement the tea. This is not a usual tea, it is a Herbal remedy taken as tea in a tea bag – I cannot emphasise enough how essential I believe these are for your well being. I take them myself EVERY DAY, and feel fabulous. I think over time we will all get some form of covid, but I believe my herbs will help me through. If I send them to you add $6 for postage.
Please make a zoom consult ($85 for the zoom including your tea). I would prefer to see you so we can be sure the teas will suit you and help you on your road to wellness. You can email if you don’t like zoom… and YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP IN FOR HERBS TO ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION – DRIED, FRESH OR TO GROW…. A studio consult may include PPT MASSAGE or BOWEN, the herbs, tarot counselling… whatever is needed. Email me for your next step yogafirst2@bigpond.com.
I HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE MAT, OR IN THE STUDIO, EMAIL ME!
NAMASTE – JAHNE
THIS IS THE SEASON OF THE OAK TREE.
In Europe there is news coming out of strange cluster outbreaks of disease of “unknown origin”. 
Yesterdays NETTLE PANCAKES. They are not photogenic although I could fool you with filters….they are not tidy although I could make them so – the flip side is more uniform, but I showed this side so you could see the green of the nettles. They smell wonderful, and taste great. Nettles are extraordinarily high in iron, and when popped in a lovely pancake, it is so easy to get even healthier. A small change can have big results. Eat them with cheese and fruit, or drizzled with honey and a dollop of yoghurt.