Evening foot bath in salted water to cleanse and calm the body, mind and soul.

With the full moon which has just passed and christmas busyness in the air,mental activity and emotions may be high, Have a foot bath with salted water to cleanse and calm the body and mind. Sleep well, sweet dreams. T

Ce matin" je fais le point" as the French say

I am 35 years old. I am a yoga teacher. I have been practicing yoga for 15 years now -that’s almost half a life!. I have 3 years experience of yoga teaching. These past 4 years of my life have been particularly intense.A serious amount of hard work was required. Dedication, perseverance, and faith were the cornerstones of the personal and spiritual work needed to heal. To get a little closer to my truer self .

Yoga, singing, Vipassana, pyschology, the St James’s way pilgrimage, walking in nature, practicing mindfulness in daily life, massage, retreats at the Thich That Nhat Hanh Plum village.

Simply being and breathing.
Finding myself before I could authentically reach out to others.
I continue my current teacher training this year with Babacar Kane at the International Institute of yoga, with the intention to always evolve as a yoga teacher and human being.

I chose this teacher training as Babacar’s techniques make yoga very accessible. On the mat I will guide you on a journey back to your Self . I want to pass on all I have learned to those seeking more harmony, well-being and serenity, be that at home, at work or at school !

Yoga en Famille Novembre 7 2013 Centre d'animation St Pierre

Family Yoga tonight at the Centre d'Animation St Pierre. One girl arrives saying Namaste! Sitting in a circle, we begin by raising and stretching left arm, right arm. One girl tires very quickly. I am surprised. I encourage them to hold the posture for 10! After we relax by saying the vowel aaaaaaaaaaaaa- Vowel which brings openness and relaxation. A question from the circle. Can we do B instead? I welcome her question and invite her to try. She does a forward bend after saying a flat closed b sound. Stands up very quickly, dissapointed and says , non it's not the same. A Good expérience! We finish the lesson 30 minutes later after rotating conciousness through the body with a travelling ladybird! Have rolled on to their belly, they end up very close together, they laugh. We close the lesson like this. Too beautiful to close any other way. Namaste

Yoga en famille ce soir au centre d'animation St Pierre. Une fille arrive en me disant namaste! Tiens! Assis dans un cercle on débute, une petite fille commence a fatiguer les bras en l'air- avons nous perdu l'habitude déjà si jeune? Je l'encourage à garder plus longtemps. Apres on se détend en disant le voyelle aaaaaaaaaaaaa, voyelle d'ouverture -détente. Une demande du cercle: peut on faire B au lieu d'A ?Bonne question! Je lui demande d'essayer. Elle le fait, les mains au sol au bout d'un B très plat , fermé. Elle se rend compte toute suite c'est pas la même chose. Expérience intéressant.On termine le cours 30 minutes plus tard après une rotation de la conscience dans le corps à travers une coccinelle. Ayant roulé sur le ventre, ils se retrouvent tous très proches, ils rigolent. On clôture le cours comme ça . C'est trop beau de clôturer autrement. Namaste.

Y o g a I n E n g l i s h Sunday Sessions

Yogavita October News

I grew up surrounded by many women, 3 sisters , my mother,  my mother’s 8 sisters  and many ,many female cousins. I remember observing how diets or talking about diets seemed to take up a lot of time and thinking there must be another way.Life is surely not about being on a diet?  They were of course and are all beautiful.  

Bien sûr I followed suit, tried all the diets going and even when I was 8 kilos lighter than I am today still wasn’t satisfied. At one stage I remember thinking I’ll start teaching yoga when I’m 4 kilos lighter. Good job I didn’t wait! 

«You look awful» «you look so fat»  «who would be interested in listening to me» « I want this dinner to be so perfect I’m really stressed and anxious (so stresed and anxious that I forget how to enjoy myself)», « I  will be happier when i’m 4 kilos lighter»

These are the kind of words we wouldn’t say to our worst enemy, and yet we sometimes hear our own inner crticical ego-mind  come up with these thoughts towards ourselves! 

Can you imagine the effect of these thoughts on our well-being? On our relationships with others? The only person handing out punishment is the ego -mind. Having experienced this on my own spiritual healing journey and sensing that I’m far  from alone  on this one, I’d like to share what brings me  improved well-being:

Today I prefer to direct my thoughts and energy to acceptance, self-love, and allowing myself to enjoy  life whilst still striving to improve myself little by little. .

The more  loving and accepting we become of ourselves, the more loving and accepting we are of others :non judgment, non rejection.

Observe your thoughts? If negative thoughts come up , know that you have the same capacity to come up with an equally wonderful positive thought, as Yogi Khane points out «it’s the same price». In sanskrit Patanjali calls this pratipaksha bhavana. Positive thinking can bring us to an elevated place of calm and serenitiy. Surely we would  want what is best for ourselves, as we would for our children and loved ones.Acknowledge the progress you’ve made in life, congratulate yourself. Be compassionate and gentle with yourself.

Don’t turn a blind eye either , be mindful of your thoughts and behaviour, be open to admitting something that no longer works. Open to changing and evolving to being a happier human being. Loving ourselves, we seek  less that aceptance from the outside, having discovered it inside. Know that you have so so much to give, share and receive.

Be in the present moment, breathe, relax and enjoy what you do. Whatever you are doing enjoy it . Improved self -esteem comes with the feeling of having done one’s best, that is all we can ever do. Whilst still being open to improvement and evolving. It’s a tricky one !Perhaps the pressure comes from wanting «outer» acceptance and recognition, to be loved in the  belief thet if we are «perfect» , whatever that is? we will then have the «right» to be loved. A load of codswollop!(my irishness creeping in in expressive delight) Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly! That is perfection!

Spend time in Nature to recoonect to your true nature.Massage your feet with gentle loving thoughts.

Do yoga , time and space to reconnect with the Self

Calm your mind

Improve your breath awareness and breathing and bring the benefits to your daily life

Do physical postures mindfully by making a positive connection with oneself through the attention you give to your body in the posture and your breath

Do postures  asanas with enthuasiasm to fortify your muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Do Chi Kong and Egyptian Yoga techniques to be grounded, improve inner energy circulation, and strengthen the body.

Do heart opening postures postures and breathe from your heart centre. Heart higher than head to realign with your heart’s desires.

Discover your creative power to change  through affirmations, visualisation  and relaxation.

To quote Desiderata « like the stars and the mountains, you too are children of the universe, be gentle with yourselves, strive to be happy»

I look forward to practicing yoga together.

Tracey

Yoga for children and parents workshop @ Centre d'animation St Pierre - registrations completed, this workshop is full!

What a pleasant surprise! A Full house .The "rentreé" takes  time. 14 children and parents came to do Yoga this evening at the Centre d'Animation St Pierre. Movement, fast first , then slow. Body awareness, expression. One little boy asked me "tu est de quelle langue? " english, spanish, french. They laughed a lot when in dog posture they raise their leg to do a pee, they listened to their hearts beating , their belly rising and falling against the earth. A joy!    

Ps I was too busy managing the group to take photos- coming soon!

Unknown, open, fluid

Clinging on to labels, judgments, beliefs 
Comfortable, narrow, rigid
What if beyond there were so much more
Less comfortable
Questioning 
A whole world of love and possibility blossoms.
Unknown, open, fluid
Love

TF

Courage du Coeur

Dans des situation exigeantes de la vie: Courage "racine du Coeur". Observe, accepte , adapte.  Regardez les passer, sachant que tout change, tout le temps. Comme la tempête hier soir à bordeaux, elle est venue, elle est partie.    Respire, Médite, tu sais au fond que ce n'est pas Toi.

Chandelier - Egyptian Yoga

One of the fundamental poses of egyptian yoga is  «Le Chandelier» or Attitude of KA. 

Ka is the symbol of vital essence. This resembles the concept of spirit in other religions. The translation in English would be Candelabrum, or KA. The cross in «chandelier « symbolizes not suffering and duality but rather Victory and a return to Unity. 

Physical Benefits: Re-education and strengthening of back, shoulders, respiratory re-education, pranayama(abdominal, costal , clavicular). Wonderful posture for a school- work break!

Your thoughts create your day, your life!

All that happens outside is a reflection of your inner thoughts, if you have many fear thoughts and negativity, this will manifest itself as an event in your life. I have experienced this, let's say more than once. Just becoming aware of it invites change. This is why yoga, meditation, self-responsability, mindfulness and positive thoughts are so vital to overcome old negative tendencies, which may be deep. A phrase that I used alot in my language days, repetition creates emphasis.

An indian summer just outside Bordeaux

Cycling out of the city

Thirsty for nature

At the forest opening I walk

This is too beautiful to pass by quickly

Varying shades of light, of green 

Smell of the earth

Romancing butterflies swirling upwards

An indian summer just outside Bordeaux

Cancer Awareness Week-Yoga with Tracey

Yogavita news September

Dear all,

It's back to yoga time.  I often meet people who say "yoga is not for me" " j'ai besoin de me défouler" which in english could translate as "i need to let off steam". 

I'd like to point out the difference: Yoga is centripetal force (from Latin centrum "center" and petere "to seek)  that which is directed towards the centre. As opposed to some sporting actitives for example running , which are centrifugal: Moving or directed away from a center (from Latin centrum "center" and fugere "to flee"). It depends on what you are looking for.

As of September 2013 I am delighted to be teaching Yoga in English  in two new spaces. 

On Mondays at the Keep A Breast foundation- A dynamic organisation that promotes cancer awareness and prevention through art,education, awareness and action. 

On Wednesdays at the Centre d'animation St Pierre- It's just behind the Utopia cinema.

Every Wednesday from 6pm-630pm I will teach a "discovery"children and parent yoga workshop (children from 4-11). This workshop is in association with the centre d'animation and is free of charge! 

This week it's Cancer Awareness Week . In association with Cancer Support France I will be teaching a yoga class on Sunday 29th . Yoga can be a complementary therapy to reduce stress levels and bring about feelings of well being and enhance the quality of life, through breath, postures, visualisations and relaxation.All the details are on the attached flyer.

I look forward to practicing together.

Tracey

Discover children and parent yoga workshop

I will be teaching a discovery Yoga for children and parents workshop every wednesday from 6pm to 630pm. This workshop is  in association with the Centre d'animation St Pierre who have provided a wonderful central and light space (just behind the Utopia cinema) and it is free ! Thank you for spreading the word!

Asana

"Asana : to be firmly established in a happy space"- Pattabi Jois. 
I am firmly established in a happy space
This "asana" can be a life posture.
Namaste 

Do you experience anxiety, stress, depression, insomnia? Meet morning Uddiyana Bhanda !

I woke up just before 6am. I have taken to the habit of opening wide the doors which open on to a small balcony. I lie back down in bed, warm under the covers. I can see the stars shining in the dark sky. I do Uddiyana Banda upward flying force, a good 20 to thirty times, and a 5 element visualisation relaxation, opening my eyes every now and again to keep an eye on the stars. 

Why am I telling you this? If you experience anxiety, depression, emotional imbalance, insomnia? ..If so,  Uddiyana bhanda is a wonderful tool. The stomach, the "2nd brain" will thank you for it.

Later in the morning as I walk to the Laundry, a small girl giggles on the street. She «hides» bedind a lamp-post on her grandmother. Her 2 shoulders and feet clearly jutting out. She giggles. This warms the bottom of my heart and perhaps my stomach , I smile deeply. 

I look forward to practicing together!

Tracey

Yoga in English

Lundi 20h - 21h15

à Keep A Breast, 23 rue du Ruat, 33000, Bordeaux

Mercredi 8h30-9h45 et 19h-20h15

au Centre d’animation St Pierre, 4 rue du Mulet, 33000, Bordeaux

Cours d’essai : 5€ /Cours à l’unité : 15€/Carte 10 séances : 130 € Inscription à l'année : 340 € 

A perfect Yoga teacher, non! Perfect effort, oui !

I spoke with a mum at the Centre D’animation St  Pierre just before the yoga for children and parents workshop. She talked about her and her daugter’s anxiety. I inquired about her  profession, she’s a florist. She explained that it’s not all a bed of roses! 

I smiled and said the the same thing about being a yoga teacher on a spiritual journey. I haven’t expressed  a lot about the difficult periods, or I tend to lighten or colour a story.

This past while I have experienced  a lot of anxiety. Just before the rentrée  deep sciatic pain arose. A while back I would have panicked and thought «what sort of yoga teacher am I» The anxious period had caused me to do too much, too fast , I ignored my limits: confusion and stress built up. I needed to remind myself to be compassionate and loving to myself first and foremost. That didn’t come easy. Gentle reminders every now and again.

Being a yoga teacher does not mean we are perfect.  Fortunately though we do have the gift of yoga postures, breath and we develop the tendency to observe all that comes up. Knowing deep down, this is not who we really are.  Knowing it’s a manifestation of the ego thoughts, emotions, old memories, family fears. I read on a yogi tea one morning, there’s no such thing as perfect, only perfect effort. 

I cut down on sugar and coffee, concentrated on yoga poses for sciatica, breath and visualisations to heal. I also referenced «le grand dictionnaires des maladies» which more or less summed up exactly what emotions , thoughts were causing the sciatica. I am concious of my fears, limits. Just becoming concious will allow them to evaporate, little by little, know that they are just thoughts generating emotion. 

Breathe, long, slow , deep breaths and know deep down that all is ok. I am releasing the pain in my backside!

I am advancing in life slowly and gently. Listening in, remaining connected to the self.I continue my spiritual readings and repeat affirmations daily, trusting  that the seeds of hard physical, mental and spiritual work will come to bloom.  Sending  positive uplifting messages to my subconcious through words and images. The subconcious is a both a source of old pattenss and a blueprint for wisdom, creativity and love. I direct my attention to the latter. Meditating with breath and heart awareness, opening the heart -mind channel to wonderful change.

I am delighted to be teaching in new places in bordeaux and excited about all that is to come.

A quote and comment from Sri Ramakrishna, the great Bengali master of the nineteenth century, when asked why we suffer, poignantly replied: “To add zest to the [Divine] play.” In classic works of comedy, from Shakespeare to the Marx Brothers, things get darkest before the dawn. 

Hail the dawn !

Namaste

Tracey

Your outer world reflects your Inner world

Today Friday 13th, a friend sent  me a mesage telling of some strange encounters. Indeed they were so random and strong, my reply was obvious:  observe and meditate upon what you encouter in your daily life, your outer world is a reflection of your inner world. Who am I? There’s a nice light question for the weekend! Bon weekend!

Back to Yoga 2013-2014

Yoga dans le cadre de l'exposition 14h39 "notre rapport au temps" juin 2013

Good news, yoga en ville continues this summer!

Registrations are open from today.Classes are given in English with French translation if necessary. Looking forward to practicing together! Namaste.

WEEKEND DE MARCHE EN PLEINE CONSCIENCE en DORDOGNE: LE PROGRAMME

Tracey Farrell de Yogavita est heureuse de vous proposer un  stage de yoga et marche en pleine conscience  . 

Dans la simplicité, la présence, et la convivialité nous séjournerons dans un petit havre de paix, au  Gîte  de soi           
 au Buisson en Dordogne 24 480   www.legitedusoi.com   

Du vendredi 05 juillet le soir, samedi 06 et  dimanche 07 juillet

Arrivée le vendredi soir entre 20h et 22h

Départ le dimanche 06 juillet entre 16h30 et 17h30

Programme

Vendredi 5 juillet

20h-22h Arrivée ,s'installer, et se reposer. Une tisane chaude sera servie.

22h-22h30 La marche en pleine conscience sous les étoiles (20 minutes)

Samedi  6 juillet

7h-8h  Méditation et  pratique douce matinale à jeun

8h-9h Petit déjeuner

9h00  La Marche guidé en pleine conscience (20 minutes)

9h30-12h Yoga  

12h- 14h Déjeuner sur place 

14h-15h30   Du temps libre pour soi  (éteindre les portables)

15h30 -18h Yoga

18h-19h  Du temps libre pour soi

19h-22h   Diner: préparation et manger ensemble dans la convivialité, suivi de   musique, jeux, lectures selon vos envies  

Dimanche 7 juillet

7h-8h  Méditation et   pratique douce matinale à jeun

8h-9h 00  Petit déjeuner

9h00 La Marche en pleine conscience (20 minutes)

9h30-12h00  Yoga

12h-13h  Déjeuner

13h-14h30  Du temps libre pour soi  (éteindre les portables)

14h30 -16h30 Yoga 

 Départ   à partir de 16h30

Tarifs

Le tarif global pour le weekend s'élève à à 180 euros ce qui comprend:

13 heures de pratique de yoga et méditation

L'hébergement au  gîte  en chambre partagée  avec petit déjeuner , un grand plat à base de légumes pour compléter le   buffet du samedi et dimanche, des tisanes à volonté, et la location de la salle yoga

Inscription

Pour réserver  :  

renvoyez votre bulletin d'inscription ainsi qu'un acompte de   80 euros à l'ordre de TRACEY FARRELL  

avant le 07 juin 2013 à

Tracey Farrell

50 rue Montfaucon

33800 Bordeaux

Ou bien envoyez votre bulletin d'inscription par email   à  YOGAVITA33@GMAIL.COM   avant le 07 juin 2013 et en faisant  un acompte par virement bancaire. A la réception de votre email de confirmation je vous enverrai le RIB pour le virement.

Participation aux repas

Dans l'esprit de la collectivité, nous proposons que tout le monde participe aux repas.  

Pour rendre la gestion de la cuisine plus simple, nous vous demandons d'amener un plat de votre choix   pour le samedi et dimanche pour créer un beau buffet ensemble.

Pour la pratique du yoga  :

Votre tapis de yoga,coussin et couverture   pour la relaxation.  

II y'aura des tapis à disposition sur place si vous en avez pas.

Pour l’hébergement  :

Un Sac de couchage  

ou

draps pour lit simple 

linge de toilette

Pour la marche  :

Chaussures confortable de marche

Un bon livre, jeux ou instrument de musique,

Pensez au solde pour votre stage soit 100€ en argent liquide ou cheque.

Comment m'y rendre?

Le Buisson se trouve à mi-chemin entre Bergerac et Sarlat, le Buisson de Cadouin est à 50 km au sud de Périgeux, sur la vallée de la Dordogne.  

Le gîte du Soi est situé à 1 km du village, sur la colline de Falgueyrat, un hameau calme en hauteur.

En Voiture

Cliquez sur ce lien pour le plan d'accès   si vous venez en voiture

http://www.legitedusoi.com/chambre-hote-dordogne/le-buisson-perigord.htm

Co-Voiturage : merci de remplir la fiche d'inscription en bas.

En Train

Pour venir en train de bordeaux ou ailleurs

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/billet-train/resultat?hid=35Z

Merci de nous dire votre heure d'arrivé pour qu’on organise d’aller vous chercher à la gare.

Pour repartir à Bordeaux ou ailleurs nous pouvons vous amener à la gare. Merci de nous dire votre heure de départ pour qu’on organise   de vous amener à la gare.

http://www.voyages-sncf.com/billet-train/resultat?hid=1506

Au plaisir de pratiquer ensemble!

Tracey

Tracey Farrell

Professeur de yoga

Tél:  0629260437

Site web:   www.yogavita.fr

Blog:   http://yogavita33.blogspot.fr

Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/yogavita33

Fiche d’inscription 

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Prénom…………………………………………………………………………….......................

Tél………………………………………………………………………………………...............

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Merci de nous indiquer

Covoiturage desiré     ou         J’offre du covoiturage  

Nombre de places.................

Avez vous déjà pratiqué le yoga?

A propos de vous: (Limitations physiques, allergies alimentaires...)

Conditions

 La réservation est de 80 €. Cette somme vous sera remboursée si vous annulez avant le 14 Juin 2013.A partir de cette date la la somme ne sera pas rembourse sauf en cas de force majeure.

WEEKEND DE MARCHE EN PLEINE CONSCIENCE en DORDOGNE

Une marche en pleine conscience

Dans le yoga nous faisons la geste de NAMASTE
les deux mains jointes devant le couer
réunissons nos polarités
la gauche  et la droite
le jour et la nuit
le masculin et le féminin
la fermeté et la douceur
l’être et l’avoir
le vide et le plein
l’esprit et la matière
l’inspire et l’expire


C'était dans cet esprit que l'idée m'est venue de vous inviter à une marche en pleine conscience de deux ponts: relier le rive gauche  et droite à pied.
Le rendez vous est  devant la Porte Cailhau à 7h le samedi 27 avril.
La marche est de  2 heures approximatif.
Le prix de participation est  à 2 , 4  ou 6 euros,  selon vos moyens, vous payez ce que vous voulez.
Pour nous joindre pour  la marche en pleine conscience, envoyez moi un email pour confirmer votre présence avant le 25 avril.
Au plaisir de marcher avec vous!
Tracey

Atelier Yoga pour enfants et parents le samedi 06 avril

Yogavita March News in Francais

Les choses ne se déroulent pas toujours  comme prévu. Arrivant en Afrique du sud c'était le cas.Le conseil que Yogi Babacar Kane  donnait lors de la formation yoga m'est alors venu à l’esprit. «Accueillir, accepter et adapter». Dans des moments pareil,la respiration est aussi un outil magnifique  pour retrouver l’unité, le calme et la clarté  :

La peur et l’angoisse montent parfois

Je veux les dépasser

Je reviens à la respiration

Je lui donne toute mon attention

Une main sur le ventre

Une main sur le coeur

J'apprécie chaque respiration

J’inspire  :le ventre, les cotes, la poitrine, les clavicules montent    et s’ouvrent

J’expire  : les clavicules, la poitrine, les cotes, et le ventre se détendent en baissant.

Encore et encore

Chaque respiration me ramène à moi même

Chaque respiration me ramène au chemin du milieu

Ici je me sens calme

Ici il est chaud    à l'intérieur

J’étais bien accueillie comme prévue et transportée direct dans le «bush»!  Au lever du soleil j’ai observé des lions, girafes, zèbres, springbok dans une véhicule sans toit. Au coucher du soleil    des rhinocéros, un troupeau d'éléphants, des cobras et  des girafes.  Quand j’observe les animaux je suis pleinement présente. La vision de leurs comportements lents et simples me procure une vraie joie. Environnement coloré, paisible  : c’est magnifique  !

Au Cap, autrement nommé «la ville mère» des écureuils sympathiques se promènent dans les «Company Gardens» qui sont entourés de la majestueuse    «Table Mountain» et «Lion’s Head». Une randonnée de 2 heures et demi de marche  pour arriver au sommet  ou les nuages coulent à travers  le pic pour plonger ensuite dans l'océan.

Le lendemain j’entamais un voyage en train «vigilant» pour Simon’s Town. Je n’avais pas trop peur jusqu’ au moment où plusieurs femmes en route m’ont dit « tu n’as pas peur de voyager seule  ?»    «rentre tôt le soir» et «toujours voyager en taxi la nuit» «prenez le premier classe en train».Cette expérience m'as bien fait  apprécier l'environnement sécurisante de Bordeaux. Mes voyages me permettent de voir le coté lumineux et sombre de chaque lieu.

Au Cap de la bonne espérance, des mers bleu turquoise et des vents sauvages. Un arrêt à la plage de Boulders - seulement ici pouvait-on    lire un panneau signalant «merci de vérifier sous vos voitures la présence de pingouins avant de partir» ! une petite baignade et promenade au bord de la mer.

Je tourne ma tête, une baleine!

la grâce avec laquelle  

elle soulève sa queue puissante

nous donne une petite idée

de tout ce qui n’est pas visible

Sous l’eau

La cap est un endroit où la beauté est crue et les blessures aussi: l’esclavage, l'apartheid, la pauvreté, le chômage, la violence et le VIH. Ceci dit, l’esprit humain de courage et de détermination est fortement ressenti dans la muséum de Nelson Mandela, La Maison de l’esclavage et beaucoup d’autres belles initiatives comme le festival d’art «Infecting the City» et le carnaval auquel j’ai eu le plaisir d’assister pendant mon séjour.  

En route pour l'aéroport à nouveau, le conducteur m’a demandé ce que c’était le yoga? Il me dit «donc c’est pas pour se battre» ?

J’ai répondu    «seulement une bataille intérieur pour conquérir ses propres démons et découvrir son vrai soi».

Yogavita March News in English

Things don’t always happen as expected. Arriving in South Africa that was the case. Yogi Babacar Kane’s advice came to mind: to welcome, accept and adapt.  In such moments, breath is also a wonderful tool to find unity, calm and clarity

Fear and  anxiety rise sometimes

I want to overcome it

I come back to breath

I give breath my full attention

One hand on belly

One hand on heart

I savour each breath

I breathe in: the belly, ribs, chest, collarbone rise and expand

I breathe out: collarbone, chest, ribs and belly relax down

Again and again

Long slow deep breaths

Each one brings me closer to my true self

Each one brings be back to the middle road

Here I am calm and warm inside

I was welcomed as planned at the airport and transported straight to the bush! At sunrise, I watched Lions, baby lions, girafes,springbock, zebras in an open air véhicle. At sunset, rhinos, a whole herd of elephants, cobra and giraffes. Observing the animals i feel fully present. Their slow, clear movements are a joy. Colourful, peaceful, wonderful.

In Cape town also known as «the mother city» friendly squirrels roam in the company gardens, sheltered by the majestic Table Mountain and Lion’s head. 

A challenging 2 and a half hours hike was very worthwhile: clouds melting over the mountain top into ocean as sun set. The following day, a "vigilant" ride on the train to Simon’s town. I didn’t feel scared about travelling on my own  until I received a few comments en route «you are travelling by train  on your own, a woman, are you not scared?» Now i was a little! I was advised to travel first class and to travel back early evening and to always take a taxi after dark. This experience  allowed me to really appreciate the safe environment of Bordeaux! As I travel see that places have their dark and light sides.

The cape of good hope:Turqoise seas and wild winds.Boulder beach- only here would one see signs reading" please check under your cars for penguins before driving off". A a quick dip in the sea and a stroll.

I turn my head a whale

The grace with which

she lifts her mighty tail

Gives us an inkling

Of what is unseen 

Below water

 Cape Town is raw beauty and raw hurt: slavery  , apartheid, poverty, high unemployment, violence ,AIDs. The human spirit of courage and determination can be felt at the Nelson Mandela museum, the Slave lodge and many other initiatives throughout the city, like the Infecting the city performing arts festival as a means of empowerment and the carnival which took place on my last night! The driver on the way to the airport asked me what yoga was all about?  «so its not for fighting ? ». I replied «only the fight within yourself to conquer your own demons and discover your  true self».