Dec 2025/Jan 2026 - The threshold - we are standing at a new beginning. This is the end, and this is the beginning. The collective rest button is being pushed. (so if you feel like your buttons are being pushed - well - they are!) One big one in fact - the one that says - LET’S START OVER!!….
There is a concept in Zen Buddhism called Shoshin (Japanese: 初心) meaning the Beginner’s Mind. It is having the curiosity, openness, eagerness and lack of preconceptions that comes with being a beginner. It is a common concept used in martial arts. A master who does not approach the basics with Shoshin in mind will stagnate in their art. In martial arts, they often say that reaching black belt is the beginning, that it is an opportunity to lift the veil to a deeper understanding of the art. Much the same can be said for qi gong (or any practice that we do regularly; meditation, yoga, you name it!)…
Approximately 2000 years ago, the great yoga sage Patanjali set out eight limbs of yoga in his classical text The Yoga Sutras.
While all eight limbs are key to truly practicing yoga as a whole, principles one and two, the yamas and the niyamas offer specific guidance for living a a fulfilling and meaningful yogic life.
Take a look outside from wherever you are reading this. Allow your eyes to gaze just for a moment on something natural, the green of your garden, the sky in its shifting landscape of colours and moods, a bird, your cat or even a houseplant.
Nature. Earth. She is present with you. We in fact don’t live on the earth - we live in the Earth; she is all around us - everything we have is made from her body. We are living, breathing and an intrinsic and inseparable part of her being and landscape and being.
Try out this daily routine by Vasant Lad - maybe try one thing at a time and when you’ve got it add another one. Believe me your going to need to wake up early to get his whole routine in before your day - but what an awesome day it will be!! Try some of them, try all of them, even add your own rituals - just start the day feeling awesome!!
This wee chai recipe from the fab and well recommended book GROWN and GATHERED, has got to be our favourite for this winter. Willa has it on the go in a big pot which lasts her a few days. So if you need a break from all that yummy cacao. This is a favourite go to.
Our vision is to be a space of sanctuary for people to be present to themselves through body, mind and spiritual practice.
SOUL holds a space of connection, inspiration and nourishment, a place where deep transformation can occur.
Individually and collectively, through events, trainings, individual healings and wellness journeys we help inspire SOUL-led leaders to step into the world full of grace and vision.
