Prenatal Yoga

I am thoroughly enjoying teaching prenatal yoga, and as the moms-to-be are growing, so are the classes. Many find that the stretches alleviate lower back pain and help them feel better physically and mentally. I think that the students find that another rewarding aspect of taking the classes is the opportunity to share such a wonderful event with other women who can relate to their own experiences.

Letting Go

In the last newsletter, I wrote about goal setting. I want to expand on this topic by moving in another direction, that of letting go. Many believe that it is only when we completely let go of our attachment to our dreams and goals that they will become reality.

It can be difficult to let go of things we know are not good for us, such as worry or bad habits. Therefore it may seem like a tall order to let go of goals we have been striving for or clinging to for so long. There is enormous fear of living with uncertainty or of the unknown.

Usually we hold on with our minds, often spending too much time avoiding change, knowing all along that nothing lasts forever and that everything is constantly changing. Added to this is the challenge that, in this day and age, we are constantly expected to achieve more and more.

Just Keep Swimming

In the animated film Finding Nemo, the main character Marlin is an overly cautious clownfish who must put aside his fears of the ocean and leave his safe coral enclave to search for his son. Bouyed by the companionship of his friend Dory, who suffers from short-term meory loss and is therefore a creature of the present moment, Marlin becomes the hero in what seems like an incredibly impossible quest.

During the film, Marlin and Dory are trapped inside a whale. When the water starts to rush out as the whale prepares to spout, Marlin is terrified to let go of his safe spot inside the whale for fear of being swallowed. With Dory's encouragement, he finally does and finds himself blown out into Sydney harbour - closer to finding his son.

I encourage you to let go of something that may be holding you back. "Our fears are our dragons that hide our greatest treasures." Let go and focus on the present challenge at hand by heeding Dory's timeless advice to "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming…"

While on the yoga mat we are reminded to let go of thoughts, come back and relax into the present moment. Why not try to extend this letting go into our daily lives?

I look forward to seeing you!

Sue-Anne