Dear Yogis,

I don’t really think about my age, and zip around town in my little Celica (carefully of course).  I have all the checks done regularly to my car and to my body, but it wasn’t until the client woke me up to the fact that there might be problems to approaching 80 years old, that I gave it a thought.  I discovered that Vic roads are pretty humane when it comes to removing licences, and they can’t be taken off you except if your doctor has reason to believe you are unfit to drive – and there is a list of criteria.  If they do, you can re-sit but it is a process.  Having thought about that I reflected on how it would affect my lifestyle if it happened to me.

I live a country style life on a property within walking distance of the township, and about 1 minute from a bus stop, 10 minutes walking to the station and the same to the centre of Woodend – so that’s OK.  However, Teaching at either Kyneton or Gisborne would be prohibitive time wise… and require trains buses and long walks.  I reflected on how this would work out for my clients on big properties outside of a reasonable walking distance to public transport, or shops and there seemed to be few solutions  – paying for taxis, hiring a driver, calling on friends, or just wasting away alone.  I am pleased that this is not me.

When I purchased my house all those years ago, I did think of these conundrums, but I really should have bought closer to town when it was cheap and easy to do so.  It is not cheap nor easy now.  It would be cheaper to buy in the centre of Melbourne.  I saw a fabulous,  large 2nd Floor apartment in Flinders Lane Melbourne for $650,000 – you can’t buy an apartment in Woodend for that!  It could be tempting.

ART:  

I have put up all my paintings, and cleared the way for larger works.  The studio looks good.  When I am ready I will have an OPEN STUDIO.  However, before that happens I have an exhibition in September (very close) at The Mt.Macedon Gallery, in the focus room.  I will have NEW WORK large and small.  Please keep it in mind.  The exhibition will open with champers and nibbles on the 7th September and I will be manning the exhibition on the Sunday morning the 8th too.  Please pop it in your diary now.  It will be open until the end of the month.

 

CLASSES WOODEND.  from 8th July for the next term….

Windarring Yoga –  Kyneton Tues. 1pm,  9.30AM in Gisborne (10 week term ending in September).

STUDIO YOGA WOODEND: Monday Hatha 1pm (full) Wednesday Restorative 1pm,  FRIDAY RESTORATIVE 10am

DISABILITY YOGA CLASS (YOGA FOR WHEELIES AND WALKERS) in NORMA RICHARDSON hall, starting 9.30am (or a bit later)  by donation.   Arrive around 9.30 and we will start when we are settled.   I will be leaving around 11am..  I am not sure how long the class will last, or how long it will take to get everyone ready and moving, but we will be relaxed, and see how it goes.  Two students or more we always have a great class.  We are change makers.

>>>>>>ZOOM DISABILITY YOGA TEACHER TRAINING. Our zoom section is done.  If you want to join the class, you will have to wait for the next one towards the end of the year.    If you want to join our regular Monday zoom class,  you can, but you will need to email me to get the ZOOM ID.  

NEXT STUDIO TEACHER TRAINING – The last Sunday in August.

YOGA MONTHLY LUNCH: Last Saturday in the month.  Please email me if you would like to come.

 

NAMASTE – JAHNE

Dear Yogis…..

Can anyone out there send me (or deposit on my doorstep) some knitting wool, real or acrylic,  to use in our/my yarn bombing endeavours – even “bombing” a bike (from freeknitting.com)?  I am thinking of having a Friday afternoon yarn bombing get together at my place (2.30 to 4.30?) to raise the profile (and contributions) towards Yoga for Disability.

I thought I would like to decorate the Buddha and the Japanese Gate in my front yard, how can you contribute.  Hopefully I can get some knitted and wool donations from Windarring, as well as teach them how they can contribute pom, poms or squares.  What about you?  Can you contribute wool, donations, squares? COULD YOU COME ON A FRIDAY 2.30 TO 4.30?? Experience in knit or crochet not required.   You could knit squares, sew a knit-fabric square we can crochet an edge on.

GREAT GARDENER? I live on my own except for when yoga students are at class, or are helping out – however sometimes more is required.   I have in the past called Jims Mowing.  Not all Jims Mowing is created equal – I have had some not so good experiences,  mostly where every time they come they do less and charge more….but Clyde Wright (New Gisborne) is a cut above.  If you need gardening done (including hedge clippings etc etc, he has “heavy lifting” type equipment and could help.  He has been terrific in my yard.  clyde.wright@jimsmowing.net

KEEPING THE BODY CLEAN AND TIDY.

Have you heard of The Kriyas?  The cleansing practices?  Neti pot to wash out the sinus muck, Trataka – candle gazing for clearing the head, and breathing practices Bhastrika for instance,  to clear the chest.  There are few not so pleasant practices but I don’t do them or recommend them in real life.  If you were at an Indian Ashram you might do them – but we live in the real world.

There are lots of various respiratory germs flying around – if you keep your body in tip top shape, you will be less likely to get any of these. Don’t wait until they arrive.   Bacteria and fungi in the body are designed to help you deal with invaders, they are not the baddies.  If you keep you biome happy, you will be happy.  Don’t just hide in bed and cry, get out there. Just because the folk waiting to get sick actually get sick – you don’t have to.   

If you do struggle into the doctor, and sit in a germ laden waiting room and then are prescribed multiple antibiotics, you will take quite a long time to recover, both from the infection and the drugs. Walk, breathe and LIVE.  It’s simple.

Speaking about doctors.  We have a new “young” doctor in town at the Brooke Street Medical Centre.  I am avoiding him like the plague as my clients tell me that as soon as your age gets close to 80,  he uses whatever condition you go to him for, as an excuse to remove your licence to drive!!!   There are a number of disgruntled clients as you can imagine.  He contacts the various authorities right away and makes sure you have to hand your licence back.  I do believe there are people in town driving who should not be, and some of them only 50 years old.  Age is not the only red flag.  Strokes, eyesight, hearing are all concerns.

CLASSES WOODEND.  from 8th July for the next term….

Windarring Yoga –  Kyneton Tues. 1pm,  9.30AM in Gisborne (10 week term ending in September).

STUDIO YOGA WOODEND: Monday Hatha 1pm (full) Wednesday Restorative 1pm,  FRIDAY RESTORATIVE 10am

DISABILITY YOGA CLASS (YOGA FOR WHEELIES AND WALKERS) in NORMA RICHARDSON hall, starting 9.30am (or a bit later)  by donation.   Arrive around 9.30 and we will start when we are settled.   I will be leaving around 11am..  I am not sure how long the class will last, or how long it will take to get everyone ready and moving, but we will be relaxed, and see how it goes.  Two students or more we always have a great class.  We are change makers.

>>>>>>ZOOM DISABILITY YOGA TEACHER TRAINING. Our zoom section is done.  If you want to join the class, you will have to wait for the next one towards the end of the year.    If you want to join our regular Monday zoom class,  you can, but you will need to email me to get the ZOOM ID.  

NEXT STUDIO TEACHER TRAINING – The last Sunday in August.

YOGA MONTHLY LUNCH: Last Saturday in the month.  Please email me if you would like to come.

 

NAMASTE – JAHNE

Dear Yogis,

…our Saturday lunch at The Victoria was lovely, chatty and I don’t think we talked about yoga – but the time just flew.  I love these get togethers.  Just we yogis. Everyone had been dreaming about The Vic “fish in beer batter with chunky trips”.  I was the only person who deviated with steamed vegetables.  No famous pie, or great pizza.  I was there to be with the group – not for the food although I do like a plate of steamed veg.

I included the picture of the waterfall not far from my home – it speaks to clarity, freshness.  Sitting by it and meditating when I can is a very special experience.   It can be any waterfall, anywhere, even a virtual one.  Take time out – even 3 minutes and reboot your system.

I am still contemplating the YARN BOMBING.  I loved doing it, and since the time we did it here in Woodend, the world has been waking up to it, and International Yarn Bombing day is exactly that – International.  In Australia, especially NSW, the deaf/blind community are well into it, and I am going to try to engage the diverse-ability community here in my district.

I can help you do it where you are – it does need some thought.  It is not just a matter of getting together a ball of wool and needles.  This can be a fantastic fund raising group.. or just for fun.  It brings people together and the result can be ART.  In your area, nominate a tree or a bollard, or a verandah and decorate it.   PLEASE EMAIL ME:  yogafirst2@bigpond.com

YOGA FOR DIVERSE-ABILITY.

The zoom  part of the course has concluded, however, the teacher trainings are ongoing on Mondays.  If you want to join our classes you will have to wait until the next intake which will be at the end of the year.  Some of our teachers have already brought the trainings into their classrooms and are finding the work transformational.  This added to CCP makes a very rounded therapy and a very rounded, grounded yoga teacher.  It is not just about weight loss, or fitness – to be honest, yoga has never been JUST about this, although many people see only this.  As my teacher always said – “if yoga doesn’t change you it isn’t yoga”.  I think if my yoga classes don’t change you (not miraculously but with patience and time), find a new teacher – no teacher is the right teacher for everyone.

CLASSES WOODEND.  from 8th July for the next term….

Windarring Yoga –  Kyneton Tues. 1pm,  9.30AM in Gisborne (10 week term ending in September).

STUDIO YOGA WOODEND: Monday Hatha 1pm (full) Wednesday Restorative 1pm,  FRIDAY RESTORATIVE 10am

DISABILITY YOGA CLASS (YOGA FOR WHEELIES AND WALKERS) in NORMA RICHARDSON hall, starting 9.30am (or a bit later)  by donation.   Arrive around 9.30 and we will start when we are settled.   I will be leaving around 11am..  I am not sure how long the class will last, or how long it will take to get everyone ready and moving, but we will be relaxed, and see how it goes.  Two students or more we always have a great class.  We are change makers.

>>>>>>ZOOM DISABILITY YOGA TEACHER TRAINING. Our zoom section is done.  If you want to join the class, you will have to wait for the next one towards the end of the year.    If you want to join our regular Monday zoom class,  you can, but you will need to email me to get the ZOOM ID.  

NEXT STUDIO TEACHER TRAINING – The

last Sunday in August.

YOGA MONTHLY LUNCH: Last Saturday in the month.  Please email me if you would like to come.

NEW YIN YOGA CARDS ON THE WAY – they are being printed.

 

NAMASTE .  JAHNE