DREAMING AND WISHING

Life has been a touch on the busy side recently, like really busy, the Universe has been abundant in opportunities, possibilities and presenting the most inspiring and wonderful people into my life and I am gracious, truly gracious.

But this is not to say that life has been without its challenges, for it has presented lots of them, constantly, but there is an ease that comes with going with the flow and attempting to be present in every moment and taking oneself less seriously, of catching oneself and literally laughing in that moment of absurdity.

I don't even know where to start to explain what I have learned and am still learning in this very moment. We get what we wish for have no doubt. But sometimes what we wish for is perhaps not what we always need or indeed 'want' when it is presented to us, and oh how I have to laugh at that, at the angels and the Universe for making me realise this time and time again and that we must also have patience and unwavering faith.

Anyhow I guess my point is, that despite the stagnant and down times, and the challenges presented to us, I believe it helps (or has helped me) to take stock of all that we have (rather than what we don't have), and to appreciate the goodness of all life, that there is a reason for everything, that we are part of something so much bigger than our selves, that perhaps all we can do, therefore, is serve, offer our selves for service, a mere thread in an interconnected and threaded, ever transforming, ever alive, ever beating world in which we live.

Do you notice the feathers, the robins, the ladybirds, the signs that are everywhere, literally? We can be as busy as we like, there is nothing wrong with that (define right and wrong after all, so subjective) but it is what we see, what we feel, what we know in every moment that can help to keep us centred and whole.

The human body is incredible, it holds everything within it everything we need to know. Every ache, every pain, every sensation is a message guiding us home, to our truth, to our centre, to our very whole of being. We simply need to be still, to go within to be brave enough to go within, to listen (truly listen with open heart) to what it is trying to tell us, however difficult that is in coming to terms with our denial (and don't doubt this, we all live in some degree of denial) and for all the potential changes however small or big we need to make.

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan but also believe." (Anatole, France)

Furthermore everything happens for a reason, there are no coincidences, we create our own reality time and time again. A friend sent me this wonderful quote this week which says it all really:-

"Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny."

I am sharing some photos taken at Pleinmont last weekend. A reminder to me of the simplicity of beauty and love. My parents both of whom I love unconditionally and the first murmurings of Spring, simple beauty, how incredible life is we can learn to unfold as a flower with such unassuming grace.!




Love and light

xx

A LOVELY QUOTE

I noticed this quote on a poster in the Year 8 and 9 common room at the Grammar School, how cool is that:-

"It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end" (Ursula K Le Guin).

How true!

Beautiful day today, sunshine brightly warming the room.

xx

LAUGHING WITH FRIENDS - GREAT FOR THE SPIRIT!

I am in London catching up with friends and enjoying a much needed break from the usual routine. In fact it has been great, easy going, just as it should be.

Friday I met Hayley at Victoria for a much needed end of week drink and catch up, before meeting Charles at "The Lost Angel" (you have to love it) in Battersea before he treated me to a lovely Thai meal at the famed "Blue Elephant". We then sat up having a great time listening to quality music and playing with the maracas to get the beat going, it is incredibly meditative and present moment experience, shame we weren't in some warmer country down on the beach, especially with the full moon on its way.

Saturday dawned a lovely day, clear and bright, I met Hayley late afternoon in Covent Garden before meeting my Uni friends - Sam, Jenny and Jo - for yet more lovely food, Tapas this time, before much laughter at a Comedy Club, so much fun. We ended the night with a pot of peppermint tea under the heaters at an outdoor Covent Garden cafe with the Full Moon overhead.

Sunday Hayley and I went to a lunchtime Bikram Yoga class in Soho. Oh my gosh, this was a struggle, I like to think I am quite fit with a regular Yoga practice and lots of swimming and walking, but my body struggled so much with the heat in the studio. Wow. I have gone to a few Bikram classes over the last few years and I can't say I have ever particularly enjoyed the experience during the class, but hours later I have always felt great.

Well H and I were incapable of speaking to one another for a good 10 minutes following the class. We were both ridiculously bright red, my clothes were literally soaked through with sweat and I was feeling incredibly restless. I am so proud of H for making it through the class, I thought I wasn't going to make it myself!

There are so many benefits of Bikram Yoga, but it is certainly not for the faint hearted. I struggle with the concept of practising Yoga in over 40 degrees, in front of a mirror without any windows or signs of the outside world. And when it comes to breathing, I struggle with the thought that there can be much oxygen and prana within the room. But there you go. The world would be boring if we all felt and thought the same.

We laughed our way to Hannah's house in St Johns, Hayley's eyes were streaming, all part of the Bikram de-tox process. It was great to see Han and being such a domestic goddess she had cooked us a wonderful meal, this French dish plus lots of freshly steamed vegetables, incredible asparagus - thank you so much Han.



H and I left together and caught the train to Charing Cross, this was so special as we were fortunate to enjoy views of the post-sunset London vista, lots of streaks of reds, oranges and purples in the sky, framing views of the London Eye. I love winter evenings like this, clear and bright skies, stars and the moon. Lucky us.

All in all a weekend of laughter, you can't beat it in terms of increasing the spirit and bringing a smile to the face.

Thank you girlies.

xxx

ALFIE, BERTIE AND BUMBLE CATS

I am cat sitting for my parents at the moment while they enjoy the French mountains. Quite right too as the cats are actually mine, well one of them is mine - Alfie - who I deposited on them over 4 years ago when Ross and I sold our house and went off travelling. He had a brother then though, Bertie, an angel in cat disguise (although all cats are angels).

It as all a bit odd and yet not, when I reflect. I have always loved grey cats and when I got a bonus from work almost 6 years ago I decided to invest in two grey kittens from a lady in Kent. Bertie was cheaper than Alfie on account of the fact he had a beard...I jest not. The strangest thing was the fact I had in my head to call them Alfie and Bertie after my two grand fathers (is that strange?!) and when they arrived I discovered that the lady in Kent had already called them those names. Even stranger.

We had so much fun, like so much fun with these kittens who became cats. They taught me how to love again, unconditionally, I guess they simply brought joy back into our lives, they did so many cute and funny things...not to say there weren't tears too, like the time they both went missing the same night and the time Bertie (who was totally hapless) got his paw caught in the radiator and was hanging upside down, and the time he fell into a hot bath, oh and the time Alfie hid behind the kitchen units and I took it very personally.



So I moved them down to my parents' house, much to the dismay of their existing family cat, Ashe, also grey!! But they fitted in, my parents fell in love with them immediately, how could they resist, they were just so entertaining.

I went off to Australia and within two weeks Bertie got killed instantly by a car in our clos. My parents were devastated as they figured out how they were going to tell Ross (who was with me in Australia at this point, perfect timing for the ensuing tears) and I. Bertie was a wise cat, there is no doubt, and I know he came into my life for that short period of time, not only to teach me to love again but to make sure I got out of the rut I had managed to get myself in. So me going travelling, with a whole new way of living and adventures ahead of me meant his job was done. Plus he knew that by leaving, it would help his sister who was being bred back in Kent.

You see my parents were concerned that Alfie would be lonely on his own. He has always been a sensitive soul and while Bertie was the life and soul of any party, sociable and into everything, Alfie will always shy away in the corner, I am still the only person he will let pick him up...although Dad is now his new best friend - and actually I think Alfie may be Dad's best friend too. Hmm. We are a simple bunch!!

Anyhow to cut a long story short, after speaking to the lady in Kent my Dad flew over in his friend's private aeroplane (at great expense) to pick up Bertie and Alfie's sister called Bumble Bee. She was in desperate need of rescue, not that she was being abused or anything, but she had been bred and was essentially living in a cage and this really upset my parents, especially my Dad when he went to retrieve her.

I met her for the first time when I came back from Australia and it has to be said she is the most giving and caring and gentle cat I have ever met. She is really my Mum's cat, they both love food (Bumble eating, Mum growing and cooking) and enjoying the warmth of the fire. She has put up with a lot from Alfie these last few years, he was used to playing with his brother, his sister doesn't play fight back in quite the same way and he has this thing where he pounces on her. Thankfully she has started to fight back and in fact she has taken control, fighting off this big cat from next door who Alfie runs away from (such a girl).

So I am loving looking after them this week, although I think they look after me as much as I do them. Cats are incredible the way they can pick up on your energy and will be there in times of need. I do truly believe that the cats we have - the particular cats we have, personality, colour and all - come into our lives for a reason other than the fact we want a pet at home. You can learn a lot from wathcing how a cat lives its life, the simplicity, the going with the flow, the resting, I would certainly like to be one (in our household in any event) in the next life!

Hmm. I'll keep you updated.

Love and light, and thanks to Bertie for all his angel ways.

Em xxx

THE WAXING MOON

Each phase of the Moon brings with it a special energy for that lunar cycle. Everyone knows that the Moon affects the tide and the oceans and becuase we are mostly liquid these phases also affect us.

The Moon is currently Waxing - between the new and full Moon - and this is a time to begin things that you would like to increase through the time that the Moon grows to fullness. It is a bit late now but the best time during the Waxing Moon to start a new venture is the day that the first sliver of light shows after the New Moon. This is called Diana’s Bow - named after the Roman Goddess of the moon and the hunt, Diana (her Greek counterpart is Artemis).

The Moon will be Full next Saturday, exciting times as ever as you can utilise the intensity of the energy to banish unwanted influences in your life. It is a good time to release old patterns and issues to make room for new plans. So this week perhaps become conscious of those things you want to grow and those things you want to let go, and do more of the things you want to grow and less of the things you want to let go. Clear inention is everything. And don't forget, unless you let go of the old, there is no room for the new!!

Enjoy the energy of the Moon, try and have a peak once a night, it really is incredible how good it can make you feel inside.

Love and Moon light

Em xxx

THE JOY OF GUERNSEY

It has taken me a few years to make peace with Guernsey again, I am not sure why I stopped liking the place but I did, possibly because I loathed working in the finance industry and could see no other way to live here. But of course I have found another way and thankfully something I absolutely love doing, that I am passionate about in fact, and so living on Guernsey is now hugely enjoyable.

Moving - finally - into my own place after 4 years of living on and off with may parents (which I actually really enjoyed and I am hugely grateful to them for providing me with the opportunity to do what I have done and if truth be told I rather love their house and what they have created with the open outdoor space and the industrial-sized greenhouse where they grow an incredible amount of organic vegetables and fruit that keeps family and friends going through the summer and into the winter)has made a huge difference in terms of finally standing on my own two feet over here.

And to be honest I love living in St Andrews. I have had it in mind these last few days that I would only feel happy living at Pleinmont or Rocquaine as I love the energy at that end of the Island, but actually St Andrews is a fantastic Parish. I love the fact I wake with the mail plane sometime before 7am, with the sound of the birds in the background reminding me of life in Nepal, and in plenty of time to see the sky changing colour from my bedroom window as the sun rises in the East. Fab.

Admittedly there are still aspects to life over here that I find challenging - the traffic and the lack of anonymity, but I have discovered that there are certain parts of the day when I can go out to Pleinmont (my most favourite place) during the day and be the only person out there, enjoying the energy of the Fairy Ring on my own and beachcombing down on the beach around there (I found a witch's broom last week - or so I like to think!)where the pebbles are badly scarred form the incredibly rough seas and tidal movement by the Hanois.

But on the whole there is very little to moan about. This morning I was on the telephone to my brother in Australia and was commenting on the fact I could only see trees through my kitchen window and the sun rising in the background, and why would I want to be anywhere else - and we commented on the fact that actually, if you are happy within yourself and with where you are at with your life, then you can see the beauty in everything, regardless of your location. Who knows. Long may it last. Maybe more freezing weather will make me re-address my satisfaction with life over here!!

But the thing is, at the moment it is great. It is like starting all over again. last week Ewan and I went for a walk through the St Andrews lane and happened upon the Last Post. We decided to go for a drink and it was so refreshing as I have never been there, knew no one in there and I could have been anywhere, and we had a great time. And then yesterday I went for an afternoon walk through the St Andrews lanes with Sam and again, new perspectives of the Island I have never seen, and so many cows, and I love Guernsey cows - strange perhaps, but I do have such a fascination with these wonderful creatures.




Today was beautiful, winter sunshine, Mum and Dad came around to me and we walked through yet more lanes, some I have never walked through before, little green lanes, all the way to Petit Bot, we saw very few cars and even fewer people and were surrounded by nature, everything is so wet and yet green reminding us of Nepal, you know the whole getting off the beaten track (but yes Mum, quite right, no donkeys!), fab. More cows too, in fact tons of cows. I believe the essence of cows is their warmth, generosity, stolidity and sense of peaceful contemplation, and you can't beat the Guernsey cow - "golden".

So all is well, life is good, I am gracious and indeed thankful to have the opportunity to live here again on Guernsey, there is just so much to do and see, and places to simply be.

JOIN THE HERM RETREAT

I am getting very excited about the forthcoming Herm Yoga and wellbeing retreat at the end of February. I absolutely love Herm and I absolutely love Yoga and Wellbeing rereats so the combinination of the two should be hugely enjoyable! I wrote the followig for the Guernsey Press but due to space and time constraints they were only able to publish a small article in Friday's paper:-

Yoga and Wellbeing retreats are becoming increasingly popular these days and with good reason; life is often hectic and stressful so what better way to take time out to nurture, de-stress, detoxify, rejuvenate, restore and increase your general sense of wellbeing than enjoying a weekend getting away from it all and focusing solely on your mind, body and indeed soul.

As a Yoga practitioner and teacher I have enjoyed attending a number of these retreats over the last few years but my carbon footprint has suffered as a result and that doesn’t seem right somehow. Travelling all the way to Bali, for example, to retreat in a fantastic environment – admittedly – but of course any benefit I gained from the Yoga and restorative aspect of the retreat was seriously tested by the long-haul trip back to Guernsey, to say nothing of the cost to my bank account and the environment.

Keeping it local is all the rage these days and it makes sense, seriously, okay the weather is not so great – think not only Bali but Goa, Nepal and even Italy as a weather comparison– but the inner experience can be just as beneficial and without any of the hassle of all the travel and the resulting cost to your bank balance, and let’s face it, it is not that we are lacking natural beauty and indeed expertise here in Guernsey.

In fact for many years now I have considered Herm as an ideal location to get away from it all, my parents have been staying at the White House Hotel twice a year for the last few years to do exactly that – albeit as part of wine tasting events – but they always return refreshed and invigorated, despite, or maybe that is due to, the wine! So I was delighted when Jonathan Watson, the Manager of Herm, shared my enthusiasm for hosting Beinspired’s first Yoga and Wellbeing retreat on the Island, particularly during the quieter winter months.

“Yoga is associated with meditative practices in order to promote well-being. Herm Island, with its unhurried pace of life, peacefulness and tranquillity provides the perfect setting for a Yoga and Wellbeing workshop. The perception of remoteness, although only a 20 minute ferry ride away, adds to the detachment from participants’ normal daily routines and so acts as a significant factor in the success of such events. The winter months offer even more tranquillity, and gives the opportunity of Yoga sessions amongst the natural beauty of the Island in a number of beautiful locations!”, says Jonathan Watson.

This is echoed by Michelle Johansen of Johansen Executive Coaching, who will be assisting on the Retreat, “in our search for inner peace and tranquillity, Herm Island provides the ideal setting. Never more so than in February when the elements will also ensure we are reminded that real life has much more to offer than sitting in front of a computer screen.”

“For me a Yoga retreat gives the opportunity to get away from my everyday life, where I live mainly in my head and reconnect with my body and soul. The Yoga retreat is a chance for us all to refresh, renew and reconnect with ourselves and other like-minded souls.”

The retreat certainly intends to increase the connection between mind, body and soul with and I will be joined by Sheila Maubec and Vicki Eppelein, also qualified and experienced Yoga teachers, so that we can provide a variety of classes over the weekend incorporating Yoga poses (asana), breathing exercises (Pranayama), chanting (optional), guided meditation and relaxation (Yoga Nidra) throughout the weekend.
During the afternoons, participants will have the opportunity to try their hand at art with Sheila, who is also an art teacher, or relax with a Reiki treatment as we are all qualified Reiki practitioners too. Of course there is also the option to simply chill out or take a walk around the Island and connect with nature – we tend to underestimate the healing and grounding effect of spending time in the open elements and this can only help to enhance the positive effect of the Retreat.



Susan Norman, a self-employed Company Secretary who has already reserved a place on the retreat says, "for some time I've been considering booking a long weekend Yoga retreat abroad but after taking the cost of getting off Guernsey into account it often just isn't financially viable for such a short trip. Attending 1-2 hour Yoga classes whilst on longer holidays abroad has been my only opportunity to experience different teaching styles and surroundings.

When Emma suggested a weekend Yoga retreat in Herm I jumped at the change to go, after all, what better location to get away from the daily routine for a few days. The seclusion and tranquillity of Herm should lend itself perfectly to a Yoga and Wellbeing retreat and the lack of other distractions will allow us to focus fully on the programme Emma puts together. I hope to improve my Yoga practice through the more intensive / focused nature of the classes taking place over the weekend. Best of all, getting there and back won't take any more than half an hour!!”

Participants will be accommodated on a twin-share basis (a supplement is available for single rooms) in the Mermaid Cottages and nutritious, vegetarian buffet-style meals catered especially for the Retreat will be provided by the Mermaid Tavern. Classes will be held each day in the conservatory of the White House hotel, (which is closed to guests during the period) offering a fantastic location to practice with beautiful views of the sea, Jethou and St Peter Port in the distance.

As Jonathan says, “Herm has so much to offer with this kind of specialist break. The Island can be used as a blank canvas for painting, wellbeing, writing retreat, photography, and any manner of tutorial sessions as it simply retains a charm that nowhere else can offer”.

My sentiments echo those of Vicki, “I hope people will try the different classes available to get an insight into the different styles and practices available and see the weekend as a chance to go for it by trying something new and perhaps taking their own practice deeper, whatever their level of ability or experience – Yoga is non-competitive and this will give people a chance to really go within. However, most importantly, everyone needs to remember it is their weekend, a time to relax and hopefully make some new friends”.

Not forgetting of course we can opportune the creative energy of the full moon over the weekend, so there is every chance of shining on the boat back to Guernsey!

The retreat takes place from 4pm (boat leave 4.15pm) on Friday 26 February to 3.40pm (boat leaves 3.20pm) on Sunday 28 February 2010, costing £190 per person including return boat, 2 nights’ accommodation in the Mermaid Cottages, all meals and all classes. The art and Reiki will be optional extras.

HEART AND CHEST CHECKS

I am not sure if you know but when you have reached the age of 25 in Guernsey, you are eligible for a FREE chest and heart screening at the Chest and Heart Clinic based in the grounds of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.

My Mum and Dad recently attended for their 5 year check-up and my Mum suggested I went along for a session too. I must admit I wasn’t sure it was something I needed to do, there is the whole fear factor of potentially finding out that there is something abnormal with your lungs and/or heart and therefore perhaps ignorance is bliss – which is silly really, because if there is something abnormal, the sooner you find out the more chance you have of doing something about it.

So anyway, trying not to give it too much thought, I went along on Tuesday morning missing my morning Chai as you have to fast from midnight and can only drink water. Still it was worth any temporary discomfort and needless to say – from a Yogic and health perspective - I found the whole experience incredibly fascinating. I need to get a life, I know!

You start by having your height checked before before you stand on this incredible machine which is somehow (no point trying to figure out the how) able to measure your weight, your body fat index - even managing to tell you what percentage of fat you have around your organs - your metabolic age (strangely mine is 4 years below my actual age, and my Dad’s is an incredible 14 years below his age – I hope I have inherited his genes!!) and your bone density.

You then lie on a comfortable bed and have your blood pressure checked (all good) and some blood taken from your arm to check your cholesterol levels before various wires are attached to your chest to check the state of your heart. I must admit that the lady taking the reading got a little bit excited because usually the lines on her screen move a little bit but my reading was really straight (or something like that), which indicates a healthy heart, hoorah.

Aside from the health aspect the heart result thing got me rather excited too because it potentially supports all the literature which tells you that Yoga and a vegetarian diet is good for your heart. Who knows. Same could be said for metabolic rate too, although my Dad doesn't practice Yoga these days so perhaps it is genetics too, hmmm.

You then have your lung capacity checked by blowing into a plastic tube. This was far more challenging than I expected and it took me an embarassing three attempts to figure out how to get a proper reading. Thankfully it was normal, which was a relief, Yoga is meant to improve your breathing after all!

You then go and see another woman who gives you the results of your cholesterol blood test – she was surprised as mine was at a particularly good level, especially after Christmas, another thanks to Yoga and a vegetarian diet I guess – and checks your blood sugar levels from the pee sample you have to provide – all fine.

And that is it, your results get checked by a doctor who attends the clinic every week and a copy gets filed on your personal file at your doctor’s surgery so they have a record for the future, and then you get a recall in 5 years.

I can highly recommend, not only do I feel it is really important that we have some understanding of what is going on within our body – especially if we need to take action to improve our health – but as a yoga practitioner and teacher, I like the fact that I now have some way of knowing – in 5 years time – whether my Yoga practice is improving and/or maintaining my current state of health and sense of wellbeing. It goes without saying that I hope it would do, but at least now I will actually have some figures to work with.

Please do not worry about what you may find, whether your weight is higher than you would like, or whether you will get lectured for your diet or the amount of alcohol you drink (you won't), you are as you are, accept it, and if the results show that improvements should be made then just start practising more Yoga and see what happens, no big deal!!

Just remember, we only get one life in this lifetime (as far as we know), and if you can’t do it for yourself, perhaps do it for your family and friends instead.
Love and light.