Yoga
Energy & illness
After months and months of absolutely abusing my body an trying to do too much with the little time I had – I decided that it was time to be kinder to myself and my body.
I started with making sure I was eating loads of healthy nutritionally dense food, drinking lots of water, practicing gratitude, moving my body, meditating more regularly, not drinking other than the odd beer (just one) after work… And then I got ill. Just when I was starting to look after myself properly again.
It’s made me think about how much I tend to give all my love and care to other people and how little I give myself. I’m sure this is something that many people do and it’s just no good for you. I was so worried about everyone and everything else that I honestly believe I’ve managed to poison myself in the process. I am letting go of all the negativity I’ve been holding on to and focusing on all the good and wonderful things instead (such as the exceptionally handsome doctor at the hospital).
Inhale love ; exhale hate.
Peace and love wanderlusters – it’s good for you.
Express Your Gratitude Workshop – Clapham North
Breathe deep – let all the air out of your lungs and think of all the wonderful things you already have to be grateful for.
Last night I was lucky enough to attend the first Express Your Gratitude Workshop in Clapham North. Put together by two beautiful and inspiring women – yoga teacher Adrianna Zaccardi of Infinite Beings and Emily Riggs of The Gratitude Journals.
The 2.5 hour session started with a sitting meditation where each person was asked to focus on just one ting they were grateful for that day – we continued to focus on our breath and hold on to that feeling of gratitude. This really helped me relax and let go of all that had been worrying me before entering in to the studio that day. I was lost in the rhythm of my breath and the gratitude in my heart.
We began to move – all the while focusing our breath and Adrianna reminded us to focus on what we are grateful for. It was a truly wonderful class – physically challenging and giggle educing. Adrianna has an incredible ability to describe how to get in to each of the poses correctly – allowing us to focus inwardly and on our breath. It was time for shavasana – I closed my eyes and surrended my body to the mat. Adrianna came and covered us in blankets and talked us though a guided meditation focusing on each part of the body and what we could be grateful for. We finished by chanting Om three times – feeling the energy vibrate through us almost bought tears to my eyes.
We all sat cross legged in a circle – enjoying some home made healthy snacks and herbal teas while Emily introduced us all to the wonderful world of gratitude. Craft supplies were passed around and soon we were each making our own personal gratitude journals – complete with gratitude mandalas. It took me back to the craft days I remember having at my aunties house as a child.
After the class I walked home – full of appreciation and child-like enthusiasm – ready to use my new gratitude journal for the first time.
I can’t wait to see what their next workshop will bring.
Big love wanderlusters – I am grateful to each and every one of you x
Russell Brand – Love is all that matters
I just had to share this because it’s just so beautiful.
Russell brand is just incredible. What an enlightened human being and I couldn’t agree with him more…
Love is all you need.
Earth.Body.Yoga with Eoin Finn
Get Excited lovely humans!
My dear friend and mentor Eoin Finn has released a sneaky peek from his new DVD Earth Body Yoga
CHECK IT OUT HERE: http://vimeo.com/77073328
Eoin is an incredible yogi, surfer, ocean worshipper, blissologist and generally an all round FUNderful human (FUN+ Wonderful… it’ll catch on I’m certain).
Going to Eoin’s YES retreat (YES stands for Yoga Ecology Surf) in Bali in November 2011 was the most incredible thing I’ve ever done for my mind, body and soul. Getting to know him and his family was just magic. His philosophy on life is awe-inspiring so I totally recommend you all go to one of his retreats or at lease check out his DVD’s and TEDx Talk.
Just spreading the bliss..
Jess.
SEE EOIN ON TEDx HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsIZ69msvOQ
Discovering my bliss video update.
Video Posted on
Thank you to everyone who has contacted me in regards to my initial post about discovering my bliss.
Hope this answers some of the questions.
Have a beautiful day,
Jess.
Have an attitude of gratitude
Aside Posted on Updated on
Practicing gratitude can be really powerful. Your thoughts are things. What you focus on manifests so if you’re taking time each day to be grateful for the things you already have in your life then naturally you’ll find more and more things to be grateful for.
Each morning when I wake up I think about the things in my life that I’m gateful for. This allows me to start every day on a positive note. I then do the same thing before I go to sleep. No matter what is going on in your life you can always think of something to be grateful for.
In the morning i’ll usually think of things I’m doing that day to be grateful for. For example this morning I was grateful that I have a day off to soak in the bath and write blog posts and catch up on my cooking for the week, I was grateful for the friend I was catching up with that day and how much I value their friendship, and I was grateful for having the opportunity to educate others on health and nutrition through a phone consultation that I had scheduled in for the afternoon.
At night I’ll focus my gratitude on things that happened that day. So tonight I’ll be grateful for being able to share the gift of gratitude with you, I’m grateful for my grandpa for coming to visit and being his silly self, I’m grateful to have wonderful friends and I’m grateful that I’m able to be here for them to speak to when they need me. I’m grateful for the post man for safely delivering me some new books to read. I’m grateful for the knowledge I’ll gain from these books. I’m grateful to the authors of these books for their shared knowledge. I’m grateful for the cuddles I’m about to receive. I’m grateful for a warm bed and I’m grateful for the good nights sleep thats about to come my way.
Some people find it easier to use a gratitude rock. All you need to do is to find a rock, a pebble, or even a crystal. In the morning when you’re getting ready for your day pick up the rock and when you pick it up take a few moments to think of all the things you are grateful for and then put it in your pocket if you touch it throughout the day thing of something you’re grateful for, and when you get home, empty your pockets and hold your stone and think of something to be grateful for.
Namaste,
Jessica
Nature Appreciation
Nature Appreciation has become a big part of my daily practice.
All you need to do is take some time each day to appreciate something in the natural world. Easy!
This is a photo I took yesterday when I was at the St Andrews Market. It was such a beautiful day, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the air felt fresh and cool and the sky was such a magnificent blue.
People who take time in their day to appreciate the natural world are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. Not only this but by actively observing nature we become more connected to who we are and giving us the opportunity to connect with our own spirituality.
“It’s nice to see that it shows that, that the closer humans are to the natural environment, that seems to have a healthy influence,” -Dr. David Rakel director of integrative medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
This was introduced to me by Eoin Finn in November 2011 when i was on a YES (Yoga Ecology Surf) Retreat in Bali, Indonesia. Nature Appreciation is one of the 6 “Bliss Commitments”. These are small daily actions that you can take to help create yourself an Upward Spiral.
To read more about Eoin Finn or to join the 4 week Blissology Project Program follow this link:
http://www.blissology.com/community/the-blissology-project/the-4-week-program/
I encourage you to try this and see how connecting with nature can transform your life.
with love,
Jessica
Jessica's Wanderlust 