So Ive now completed my yoga teacher training - yay!

As overwhelming as it was too recieve so much information on foreign concepts and in terms I was not used to ... I think I get it now! Ok maybe just some bits at a high level anyway!!!

I went book shopping with Kat post course, and had lots of helpful conversations that I feel has set me up and has me moving forward on a very positive path!

Ok so who is worried that now instead of seeing me staggering down the mall on a Friday night you'll see me decked in bright orange, singing and dancing with the hare Krishnas instead?!

Well don't panic as that is not the kinda path I'm on .. I just want to be a super chilled, happy, content and flexible chicky .... And beside that orange is really not my colour and I'd look terrible with no hair!!!

I was finding the course very heavy as felt like I had to change my life (I think I'm easily brain washed!) but it's more about changing my outlook and thinking.

'As long as your mind is not being controlled you are free anywhere!' (I must remember that when I feel trapped in my life - my job and mortgage, and living in little old Brisbane!)

When we arrived at the yoga school i also learned that the 20 days were to be a 'cleansing process'. Just like you heat water to remove impurities, so where we heated with our diet, asana, breathing and the hot and humid Kerala weather to get the gunk out of our energy levels!!! Sadly I think I was a bit of a tough nut to crack so may have to do a bit more work on my own!!!

So I've sorted through all that knowledge and im going to be open and share with you what I feel I want to take away and put into my life ... Who knows how long these thoughts will last once I'm back in the western world though!

One thing we learnt about was Pantanjali's eight fold path - Ashtanga yoga. The idea is you work through the path, step by step - the eighth being the final stage and enlightenment / eternal peace blah, blah, blah!

So to get some order to all these thoughts and teach you a bit more about the yoga philosophy - I will summarize what I'm thinking of working on within that framework:

1. Yamas - these are moral ideals or restraints on your behaviour / actions - they are non violence, honesty, truthfulness, moderation, non covetedness. I like to be a 'good' person so happy to exercise these restrictions in particular ...

*Non violence towards myself, not too push myself so hard & beat myself up about things! Take it easier and not just throw myself in the deep end with a sink or swim approach!
* I will apply a bit more moderation to my life .... Better work / life / family / friends balance and reduce consumption of alcohol and meat and other items not advisable in Ayurvedic diet (that's if I see it working!), also try more home old school remedies & reduce chemical intake

2. Niyamas - these are observations of your behaviour, actions & reactions and are cleanliness, contentment, austerity, self study, surrendering to god (within you - your inner guru!). Once again happy with undertaking all these but in particular:

* Cleanliness - Im going to try a few interstitial Indian home remedies for cleaning the body and more Ayurvedic principles.

3. Asanas - translated as a steady comfortable posture - this is the physical yoga postures.

* I would like to commit myself to practice some form of yoga every day for at least 15 minutes
* I will work on pushing myself less, and being more gentle on my body (reduce those 'power yoga' lessons, swap a few out for gentle calming classes instead!)
* I need to build up my an strength & rely less on joints to hold me up in poses (so I can still be practicing when I'm 72 like Nareeyane!)
* Share what I have learnt & build up my confidence teaching (volunteering time to friends, family and potentially charities)

4. Pranyama - these are breathing techniques to increase heat and energy in the body (also relaxing it and helping with my asthma!)

* I want to make this a regular part of my practice and will be part of the 'some type' of yoga I perform every day for at least 15 minutes

5. Pratyahara - this is detachment - mostly from items & outcomes ... You know the whole ke sera thing? Also I've been thinking it just means being less sensitive about things. Another saying to summarise it is ... 'Grant me the serenity to deal with that I can not change, the courage to change what I can and the wisdom to know the difference'.

* I need to practice this ongoing to keep those stress levels down!!! I'm going to try to stress less and just let the universe take me where it will ... (apparently karma has already mapped my life out anyway!)
* I have a million to do lists ... I'm going to word them a little differently & not set my heart on achieving them
* I'm giving the 'slow Sundays' idea a go ... No plan day!

6. Dharana - this is focusing on one thought ...

* Well I currently do a million things at once so might reduce this behaviour
* I will also try to be more 'mindful' and in the present moment ... Not a million miles away thinking about other stuff and missing / overlooking things / making mistakes and having accidents!
* As part of my regular yoga practice - I will also ensure I focus my mind in a meditative state

7. Dyana - meditation, which is actually having a completely empty mind

* it is unlikely I'll achieve this but a state to work toward

8. Samadhi - mastering the lasts 3 and continuing with this until death your reach the highest level - peace eternal! Game over!!!

Only downfall is this wipes all your karma so you won't be reborn again (as no karma left to play out ... And your energy just gets recycled back into cosmic consciousness!

Now talking about concepts like this for 20 days can you see why I was feeling heavy?! And this is just the tip of the iceberg!!!

Alas come chat to me if it interests you and you want to know more or can lend you one of my many books!!!