3 Simple Words That Change Everything..

3 Simple Words That Change Everything..

Feeling Free

In a world full of lifestyle and health coaches, where “magic wand” offerings are ubiquitous and often questionable, I stand by a free and accessible technique that involves a few, simple words: Just Show Up. That is all. For a successful existence, Ayurvedic philosophy suggests we adopt a dincharya – pretty much a healthy, daily…

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What Does it Mean to Be Stoic?

Yoga image with caption alluding to how dark losing control of the mind can be.

Even though I tend to be a glass half full kind of person, I really detest the sentiment of pretence when it comes to positive thinking.
Particularly when it’s dressed up as spirituality.

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How Much Exercise Do You Need?

people walking on a dedicated trail path

(And Why Yoga & Walking Are Usually Enough..) When I first started practising Yoga consistently, more than 25 years ago, I was also a total gym junkie and had been since I was 17.  Certainly, I never, ever thought I’d give the gym up! As time went on though, I was getting so much from…

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Should You Have a Knee Replacement?

Woman balancing on one leg demonstrating a Yoga pose where the lifted leg is straight out the front.

Do you really need a knee replacement? If you have ever watched the BBC’s Trust me I’m a Doctor, you might remember the episode where the details of an interesting study on joint pain was presented that pretty much demonstrated that the most beneficial thing (for most people) was to do specific exercises that strengthen the muscles around that particular joint.

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How Does Yoga Help Your Mindset?

Nikki Shilling demonstrating a Yoga Pose on Anna Bay Sand Dunes

A few years ago, one of my older students – age and tenure! – told me that the reason she had initially decided to try Yoga was for her bad back. But, she said, not only did my back problem disappear, I was amazed at what it did for my mind.

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How to Avoid Handstand Injuries

Nikki Shilling tries a handstand on Birubi Sand Dunes in Port Stephens

I love handstands and they are fun (depending on your idea of fun of course), but let’s not confuse gymnastics with Yoga. Being able to handstand is… just being able to handstand! The important thing is, can we have fun and avoid injury?

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Has Your Now-and-Then Become a Habit?

Image of a woman sitting at the edge of the harbour

Forget Fitness Goals; Let’s Talk Personal Development It’s not an exaggeration to state that 2020 was an unusual and unprecedented situation for the entire planet! Even though things are manageable in Australia, there’s still a sense that we have a long way to go before the world goes back to “normal”. Personally, I rarely make…

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So What Does Hatha Vinyasa Krama Mean Exactly?

The word “Hatha” pretty much means the same as Yin/Yang except it’s Ha/Tha (pronounced ta, not tha). Some poses and exercises are heating and more dynamic, others might be cooling and / or more passive. Generally though, our mind serves us better somewhere in the middle. A “Vinyasa” is a dynamic yoga-based exercise (a fluid…

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Get Off the Treadmill (& Say No to Calorie Counting)

It’s a fair observation that many people who do intense aerobic exercise just because they want to burn calories and lose weight often don’t really lose much weight – or if they do, it’s never for that long. Do you know anyone like this? Always exercising and on the “health” treadmill, but finding long-term physical…

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