One of the most positive changes you can make to your life is to bring some calm (relaxation/meditation) as this brings clarity. You might need to cut something out to make this special calm time for yourself… aim for 20 mins.

Exercise is essential to keeping healthy… so aim for 30 mins of exercise each day (or every 2^nd day) in some way, as this is wonderful for self-esteem and confidence. Make sure you can do the exercise outside if the weather is lovely or inside your own home if not, this way you will succeed with this intention.

Consider the incredible benefits of just eating smaller portions of food if you want to lose some weight. This is a wonderful intention and it’s much more successful than yo-yo dieting.

Even if you succeed at just one intention, this will then become a new habit!

Anyway, as I always say ‘just do your best’… and remember to appreciate and enjoy yourself.

Namaste, Yolanda

This is my little pooch Paddy… and he really does know how to do just that.

As 2011 comes to an end, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on the year that was.  So much would have happened… some good and some not so good.  If we have gathered upsets, disappointments or resentments along the way, this is a good time to ‘Just Let Go’ and dust off.

Start the New Year afresh with positive thoughts and attitudes which will serve you and strengthen your spirit.  If you can manage to take just 20 minutes each day and Meditate on the words ‘let go’, repeating them over and over (a mantra), this will do wonders for your Mind, Body and your Spirit.

The most important power you will ever have is your own Personal Power… self mastery.  This gives you the ability to muster courage, forgive and/or accept others, make good decisions, adapt to change, see things clearly… and generally feel good about yourself.

A simple daily practice of Yoga and Meditation is truly transformational.  Feeling strong and flexible and calmed will bring forth many benefits for a happy and healthier life.  Further, you can achieve this regardless of the weather or where-ever you may be.

Happy New Year!

Namaste, Yolanda

On a regular basis I feel very privileged to be someone whose passion has become a vocation. And I am indeed fulfilled on a daily basis as I conduct my classes. Further, I continue to receive wonderful emails from all over the world from those who use my Yoga DVDs and Meditation CDs and have benefited so much from them. Recently ‘Wellness WA’ (the online destination for beauty, health & wellbeing in Perth & Western Australia) were referred to my DVDs. They have since reviewed them on their website for all to see, so you might like to read what they had to say.

On another note, I am often asked about my life. To this end, the ‘Melbourne Weekly‘ published an article about ‘yours truly’ a couple of weeks ago. Mind you, this is an extremely minimalist version of my life’s journey to date.

As I travel along the path of my life I often reflect on a book I read some 20 years ago, which literally changed my life! ”The Road Less Travelled” by M. Scott Peck.

In fact it was the first chapter of this book which most impacted me. Under the heading ‘Life is Difficult’… “Once we truly know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters. And since life is an endless series of solving problems, life is always difficult and is full of pain as well as joy. Yet it is in this whole process of meeting and solving problems that life has its meaning.”

The practice of Yoga and Meditation (mind, body, spirit) will greatly assist to keep you on the holistic path of good health, resilience and joy. When one engages in both these wholesome habits on a daily basis, facing and handling life’s difficulties is so much easier. Not only will you be stretched and strengthened, you will also be calmed, soothed and rejuvenated. I know this sounds a rather simplistic approach to handling life’s difficulties, and it is… however it works, provided you engage in a daily practice. My own life has certainly not been easy and there is no doubt that these daily practices have so greatly assisted me.

Until I next write… wishing you lots of happy Yoga & Meditation!

Warmest & Namaste, Yolanda

I do hope that you like my new-look website and I thought that you might like to see a photo of my little Paddy, on my lap, who absolutely insists on Meditating with me!  Polly, who is laying beside me, is John’s dog (my partner). They have both been Meditating with me since they were tiny puppies, however as Paddy lives with me all the time,  he gets to Meditate with me every day.  As soon as he hears the Chimes playing from my MeditationEasy CD, he comes running and literally jumps onto my lap and settles into a deep ‘Meditative state’ within seconds!   Whereas Polly who is less practiced, is more easily distracted and therefore  it takes her a little longer to get into ‘the state’.

So the moral of this blog… those who practice Meditation on a daily basis find it much easier to get into the ‘Meditative state’… and of course receive the all the incredible benefits for doing so.

As the house renovation is just about complete, the hectic pace of my life is now finally slowing, and I will be back to blogging a little more often… and your comments would be most welcome!

Warmest & Namaste, Yolanda

Joyous greetings from Melbourne Australia,

Please forgive my absence from my blog… and once again,  I can’t believe that it’s been so long since I last wrote something.  To be honest my life has not been my own since around mid-February.  This was when my partner took possession of his new coastal home, which is more than an hour of driving from where I live and work.  The house was (and is still) in great need of a big make-over which takes lots of time.  So I have been there diligently supporting him every weekend (except 2) since then!  What we do for love???

However, you will be happy to know that I have still made the time to do my own personal practice, albeit that I have missed the odd day here and there on weekends… but not very many.  I just make sure my Yoga mat is close by and just lay on it and start moving into the ‘warm-ups’.  Even if he says… “you’re not going to do Yoga now are you?”… and my answer is always, yes I am!

After all, this is my mind and my body.  My mind is so convinced that my body needs to practice at least 30 mins of Yoga and 20 mins of Meditation each day to keep me in shape… both mind and body… which then positively influences my spirit (moods, resilience, stamina self-esteem etc.).

Those who have also developed this philosophy tell me they also receive the many benefits. Try it for yourself… and if you get a chance, please do write something on my blog to let me know how you are getting along.  .

Warmest & Namaste,
Yolanda

I cannot believe that it’s been 2 whole months since I wrote on my blog?  This time has certainly slipped by very fast… most likely because I have been extraordinarily busy.  We’ve had 2 weddings and 2 babies born in our family within a 2 month period… much excitement!

Many of those who have purchased my DVDs are often emailing me with feedback… and the common thread is that they are doing their Yoga practice to the DVDs with their children, nieces/nephews and even their grand-children (aged from 4 plus).  Kids just love it when they can do things with adults, and as each DVD is only for 30 minutes… it’s a perfect amount of time to hold their attention.

How wonderful if you can do your own Yoga practice and get the kids involved, and sometimes they are even happy to critique your poses… if you’re lucky!

I’d love to hear from anyone who has some snippets to share about practicing with the kids.

I’m off to Meditate!

Warmest & Namaste,
Yolanda

Joyous greetings from Melbourne, Australia

I am often asked why I am so disciplined with my health regime of proper eating, resting and exercise.  The answer is simple… I feel so good, and this means that I have more energy and vitality to enjoy life so much more.

However, this hasn’t always been the case in my life.  Right up until I made a commitment to myself to stay on the right path, I truly did suffer… emotionally, physically and spiritually.  The shift came for me when I left an un-healthy relationship.  That’s when I made the commitment to myself and that’s when I started on the path of Yoga…  I was aged 34 and I am now 57.

At  first I would waiver, and gradually as I continued to replace bad habits with good ones, eventually the good habits just became ‘me’ or I became them?  Now it’s very hard for me to actually engage in habits which are not good for me.  I know some people I meet would rather me to be a little less disciplined, however I am not influenced by this, as I know what’s good for ‘me’.

It’s all about… ‘who is the master of my body and my mind’?… and the answer has to be me!  Once you start these new habits, and you start to feel really good… there’s no going back.

The practice of Yoga and Meditation are my 2 most favorite habits, as I always feel so good after my practice… physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Wishing my blog readers a truly wonderful happy and healthy 2011.

Warmest & Namaste,
Yolanda

This time of year can bring so much joy and yet bring so much misery. However, if we can adopt a philosophy with a couple of simple words (a mantra)  we will most certainly have more joy.

The words are… ‘kindness, grace and expect nothing’.

The act of ‘kindness and grace’ will most certainly lift your spirit (self mastery) and ‘expect nothing’ will bring you so much joy when something good actually does happen.

I know it sounds simple… and it is!

I having been repeating this mantra to myself for the last couple of months and it has worked wonders.  I have also shared these words with so many others in my professional and personal life, and those who have chosen to use them have reported back miraculous results.

This simple mantra can be applied to any area of your life… and along with your Yoga and Meditation practice… pure joy!
Enjoy!
Warmest & Namaste,
Yolanda

I realise how my life is moving on as I approach my 57th birthday next month and I am happy to say… ‘fitter and stronger than ever’… thankfully!

About a month ago, whilst out walking with my partner (John) and our pooches (Polly & Paddy) on a lovely Sunday afternoon, I slipped on some wet leaves on the footpath. Within what seems like one second of time, found myself hitting the pavement onto my right hip and trying to lessen the impact using my hand.  What a shock, to say the least!

Once upright again I realised that I had cut and bruised my hand, and feeling like I had dislocated my shoulder and hip.

The fact that I could stand was a good sign that I was o.k.  Then putting one foot in front of the other confirmed that nothing was fractured… gratefully.  However, I was shaken and it seemed that many parts of my body were hurting.  I did manage to walk back home, which in itself was very helpful as I contemplated my ‘strategy’ to recover.  I was very conscience that I had to start teaching my weekly Yoga class schedule the very next day.

With my hand wrapped in an ice-pack wrap, I took some Aspirin and some Arnica, then  decided to do my usual daily Meditation of 20 mins.  Thereafter feeling much calmer and centered, I decided to do my daily 30 mins of Yoga practice, and that night I slept soundly.  However, when my feet hit the ground the next morning the pain in my hip was 10/10… and I fully expected this would be case, so I was not alarmed.  I continued with my healing strategy until the pain level was down to 5/10 each morning… which took about 10 days.

Upon speaking with a very good friend who is a Physiotherapist, she confirmed that if I had not been fit and strong (resilient). and put into place my recovery strategy, this accident would most certainly have resulted in a much much worse outcome.

I know I am always harping on about a regular daily practice of Yoga & Meditation, and I am hoping that the above story will motivate you to do just that.  Keeping oneself fit, strong and resilient (mind, body & spirit) needs to become a way of life… a habit.  We never know when ‘life’ is going to put us to the ‘test’!

Wishing you much peace, love and joy in your life.
Namaste,
Yolanda

It seems that I just have to find an abundance of patience to get my latest DVD ‘Yoga-2-Easy’ on my website for purchase internationally.  I thought that I had used up my abundance of patience during the production, but it appears this is not so.  Just when I think it’s ready to go, yet again another hurdle… but let’s face it, this is real life!  However, I know and trust that it will be up on my site and ready for purchase (internationally) very soon and certainly it should have been so around mid-August.  Please keep an eye on my blog, as the minute it’s ready to go, I will write and let the world know.

In the meantime, I am forever grateful to my daily 20 minutes of Meditation practice which allows me to just keep on producing more and more patience… and it works!

Here are a couple more testimonials from my Aussie followers who have already purchased and loving it…

“Thanks so much for the most recent DVD Yoga-2-Easy. I was so excited to receive it and couldn’t wait to go through the routine… and it’s another fantastic Yoga routine for me. I love the 30 minute format, so do-able for everyday practice, and also the pace at which the routine moves.  I also liked that this new DVD seems to flow easily from one pose to another without much of a pause.  Since starting regular practice with your Yoga DVDs, I have solved a problem with hip and knee pain that swimming, physio and massage didn’t resolve.  My 7 year old granddaughter also loves doing the routines with me, so I hope she will find a lifelong love of Yoga through your DVDs.
Anyway thanks again for taking the time to produce this wonderful resource.”  Paula Wilson

“Thank you so much for your new Yoga 2 Easy DVD.  I have sadly neglected my body over the past couple of months and this DVD has put me right back into a positive frame of mind and I’m doing Yoga every evening again.  Even after five days I feel so much better and I can feel all my muscles starting to react positively. It seems to be a mid-way DVD between Simply Yoga and Yoga Easy… and I also love the continuity of this sequence.  And you look great!!!  This is your best look out of the three, and on the whole this DVD just flows beautifully.”  Cherelyn Suzuki

Bye for now, and hopefully I will be writing with news of purchase availability internationally very soon.

Warmest & Namaste, 
Yolanda