Amanda is one of my dearest. A very fine practitioner and teacher. She made me strive for excellence to be worth of her devotion.
More and more I feel my dependence on the practice for well being. Craving and admittedly addicted to the intoxicating rush of connectivity. I wake wrapped in a thin coat of anxiety.
and sensitivity and break out of it with breath and introspection to stretch into a more relaxed and open skin. No not yet enlightened... purposeful with positive repetitions will satisfy this
life time.
What begins as physicality, a struggle of bodily limitations, can evolve with an ignited breath and heartfelt intention.
With effort, discipline, concentration, the energy shifts and changes the way we experience ourselves and others.
It affects our moods, our behaviour, our relationships and our sense of self.
With each breath we shed the weight of collected conditioning and limitation. Slowly disentangling from internal dramas
that create impulsive or unwanted reactions and behaviours. Breaking the patterns that cycle to the same outcomes and discontent.
And ultimately revealing the natural self by the incremental removal of all that obscures it.
It is mindful repetition of practice that permits the depth and potency required to promote this healing and transformation.
As I penetrate the depths of both stillness and silence I am aware of an accompanying whisper.
Will I find my way back?
With the functioning me show up again in time to be all worldly and efficient.
If I go, if I let go of this thread of voice of warning, if I let go and fall freely unencumbered will I ever want to come back.
Do I have too?
And if I don’t
what will become of you?
with this prayer I light the flame in the dark abode of my soul
in the hope that it's luminosity will guide me home
deep peace comes from first making a mess
it is not a place
but a feeling
however, I'm afraid that if I move
If I change something
it will slip away.
never presume a need to change the method
simply
periodically
your approach to it.
hovering emotion
pushes gently to the surface
and seeps out
I have no measure of it
yet it's presence opens a door
to an internal reality
i know to be precious.
blessed are we
whom have had a teacher
sight for the blind
light in the darkness
hope in despair
I bow
with humble reverence
to the source that inspires the teachings
through the continuation of practice may we each be guided
from the darkness of ignorance towards the light of self-knowledge and clarity.
for those that have walked the path before us and guide the way
and those keeping us company in practice each day
let us be truly grateful
the most amazing people I have ever met are flawed.
why shouldn't I be too
perhaps i'ts part of an unique beauty
I am yet to embrace.
It's the teachers who gift the practice of yoga to the next generation
god bless them and keep them true.
I close my eyes
open my heart
and breath you in
I close my eyes
open my heart
and whisper your name
and whisper your name and whisper your name and whisper your name and whisper your name whisper your name whisper your name whisper your name whisper your name whisper your name and whisper your name and whisper your name and whisper your name and whisper your name whisper your name whisper your name whisper your name whisper your name whisper your name whisper your your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name your name
steeped in gratitude
I rejoice
spirit awakened
a life time changed
for I have dipped my soul in the ocean of yoga
Seeking Authenticity.
ashtanga yoga is ever challenging
to the body to the mind to the spirit of each and every practitioner.
what begins as physicality:
a struggle of bodily limitations
evolves with an ignighted breath and heartfelt intension
then energy shifts
and changes the way we experience ourselves and others
it affects our moods, behaviour and our relationships
as awareness turns in light radiates out.
in a dawning of self realization.
What do you say when there are words of negativity
Spoken about the path?
"I say that the speaker has not arrived.
Arrived at a place through the practice
That quenches the thirst of enquiry.
A space beyond thought
Where time has no measure
Open expansive
more restful than sleep.
Where from it arises
A bright clarity
Fresh like jasmine and green apples
an easy contentment
bathed in light
awake
clear
connected
delicious.......
for if they had no negitive words would be spoken.
let me sit by your feet.
let me sit quietly by your feet and close my eyes.
Solid in the heart centre like a cold dark stone I am.
nothing comes in
nothing goes out
I’m tired from holding it up
terrified to put it down
let me sit by your feet and breath in the warmth of you.
your stillness sooths me like a mothers lullaby .
my tortured tangled mind unravelling
I have travelled so far and still I stand blocking my own way
awkward.
for to be truly present in your presence,
would surely unleash such intensity of emotion.
collapsing the structure that holds me.
holds me together
nothing I would be
transparent.
let me sit by your feet and absorb the rhythm of your breath
cradled in silence
I am as I am
not more not less.
let me sit quietly at you feet,
long
long
after your feet have gone.
sometimes we feel heavy
we carry a weight
a burden
a secret
a shame
sometimes we forget
to put in down
to let it go
to share the load
to laugh
to cry
His light went out and the world grew dim,
the time had come,
and though I had told myself I am not sad,
each of my cells is heavy with aching.
I have closed the window on the world and turned inward to feel you..
I dare not cry
still a silent stream of tears lines my face,
I am ok, for I am with you always
The best of me is the result of you
The last moments in the Bothy.
In here I become porous
a rich stirring of emotion
not quite sadness
not quite grief
not quite melancholic
For there is no negativity
Just a weight
a stirring
a deep deep stirring
a delicate unraveling
more inspiring than unsettling
a rising of pressure
that seeps unannounced from my eyes
or rests just below in waiting
It’s a powerful kind of connectedness
To self
Awake within
I am just on the edge of it
Longing to submerge
If I did not need to move
I would not
The globe spins and we journey down it today back to home
I pray this door stays ajar in transition
And I will not lose the sense of you dancing within.
Dena has been studying and practicing traditional ashtanga yoga for over 35 years. She remains inspired and deeply committed to vast
healing potential of this life changing practice. As one of Sri K.Pattabhi Jois's most devoted female students, she completed the fourth series in 1996, and is graced with Certification to
teach this method.
30 years ago Jack began the practice of Ashtanga Yoga and met his future wife Dena. They were married in a ceremony conducted by Amma and Guruji in 1997 and have two children, Zoli and Izac who both reluctantly continue to practice in Mysore.
Dena has disciplined yet lyrical style of teaching.
Her holistic approach looks beyond external form to guide the individual residing within.
Assisted by Jack, family warmth and a love of the practice shine through to create a safe yet provoking class atmosphere.
Together they share workshops across the globe and from their sweet Shala on the shores of Byron Bay.
We hope you can join us.
Dena was 21 when she made her first trip to India, a student of fine art, honing her craft in the field of sculpture at the Southern Cross University.
Once the journey of yoga began, the desire to return to Guruji and immerse in the practice was all consuming. Darkness slowly surrendered to light. Dena completed the fourth series of ashtanga in 1996 and was graced with certification to teach. She has now been practicing for more than 35 years.
Encouraged by Guruji's love of family, Dena and Jack were married in a ceremony conducted by Amma and Guruji in 1997. The arrival of their children, Zoli, now 20 and Izac, now 17, sealed the blessing.
Dena has been studying and practicing traditional ashtanga yoga for 30 years. She is one of Sri K.Pattabhi Jois's most advanced female students. Having completed the fourth series in 1996 she is certified by the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute of Mysore South India to teach this method.
Jack and Dena were married by Guruji in 1997. The arrival of Zoli currently 20 and Izac now 17 has completed the family picture. The path of motherhood has added a gentle compassion to Dena’s disciplined yet lyrical style of teaching.
Dena and Jack teach from their simple shala in Byron Bay, the rainforest rimmed beach town on the East coast of Australia. Together they share workshops across the globe and return to Mysore each year.
Life is full and sweet.