Julia – Page 7

vision & vinyasa

January 27, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

A new Love Your Life workshop has been announced!

Come join Jenny Clark for a vision-focused yoga session, followed by a Vision & Goal setting workshop with me all in the beautiful Botanical gardens of Melbourne!

What:

A vision-focused moving meditation/yoga sequence
Design an inspiring Vision for your life
Learn how to set powerful goals around your Vision
Leave empowered with the knowledge and tools to create lasting change in your life

When: Sunday 2nd February, 2014

Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm

Where: Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne. Entrance GATE D (entrance on Birdwood Ave, off Domain Rd South Yarra).

Details: BYO yoga mat, or towel to practice on. Please bring a bottle of water as it will be a hot afternoon! We will be situated in the shade, but feel free to bring sun protection, hats etc.

RSVP: julia@love-your-life.com.au by 31/1/2014

Yoga mats can be provided for you if you email me by Friday!

Hope to see you there 🙂

happy australia day!

January 25, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

xxx Love Your Life

ps – SAVE THE DATE: Sunday 2nd February for a rad workshop! Yoga. Meditation. Vision. Goals. I’ll be collaborating with one of my favourite yogi’s Jenny Clarke. Stay tuned for more details on the event page . . . I’m excited!

eat good. feel good. do good.

January 23, 2014 by Julia 2 Comments

I think I have enough health food to get us all through the apocalypse.

It’s one of my goals this year to learn a new healthy recipe every week. My interest lies in gluten free, sugar free and raw food. Que recipe researching via my favourite healthy chefs and nutritionists and a looong shopping list to boot!

I spent the afternoon at Fruit Peddlers in High St Northcote, Melbourne. Stocking up on super foods, organic produce, raw treats, and weird and wonderful powders from South America.

This isn’t just any old health food shop. Wandering through the narrow little wooden aisles here is an experience in itself. Shelves packed to the ceiling full of unusual and wonderful goodies. Hipsters, kids, mums and dads, hippies, all negotiating their pathway through the organic goodness carrying big cane baskets (provided by the store). Let me tell you, the line up was nearly out the front door!

I know I feel a big shift in myself when I take care of my body, and eat natural nourishing foods.

This triggers a positive cycle for me, as when I eat well – I feel better, I have more energy, I want to exercise more, and in turn I feel great. And when you start feeling that vitality, only good actions can come from it. When I’m conscious about what I’m putting into my body, it makes me more conscious about what also comes out – meaning my attitude, my actions, my energy. We live better when we eat well. I guess it comes down to mindfulness. It’s not rocket science, fuel your body with goodness, and goodness you will exude.

EAT GOOD – FEEL GOOD – DO GOOD.

Remember what they told us when we were in primary school? ‘You are what you eat’. Well, they were onto something. . .

What the heck is a superfood anyway? Not all foods are created equal – some are so packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and other beneficial substances that they’ve been deemed ‘superfoods’.

Superfoods are considered the most powerful nutrient sources on the planet. How amazing that mother nature produces such potently rich goodness for our health? Not surprisingly, most, if not all of the super foods come from South America – the Amazon rainforest, Peruvian Andes, Chilaen Patagonia – most being the staple diets of the ancient Incas.

“Superfoods have incredible health benefits, packing a powerful nutritional punch that helps protect against cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol, protect the organs from toxins and improve digestive health. Some nutritionists even say superfoods can help you live longer.” – Sydney Morning Herald

My wicker basket was full of raw cocao, activated buckwheat, un-hulled tahini, raw almonds and cashews, an enormous bunch of fresh organic green kale, super greens powder (for my smoothies – chlorella, spiralina, wheat grass & barley), maca powder, goji berries, black chia seeds, quinoa, agave syrup and cold pressed coconut oil. Oh and the most delicious raw organic chocolate I’ve ever wrapped my lips around. All items are organic and Australian made. I would have got more had I been able to carry it! (Now I know why people bring their little ones, I’m sure it’s just so they can carry more baskets! ** Note to self, must borrow child for next visit).

Most of these foods I’ve used before, but am really keen to get into the Maca powder, and to start cooking some sugar free goodies with the raw cacao and agave syrup. Once I try new recipes or ingredients, they easily become part of my cooking repertoire. The great thing about superfoods is that you can add them to everything – smoothies, salads, muesli, juices – they are really versatile.

I’m feeling pumped, and ready to start cooking some new and exciting (and super healthy) recipes!

What are you fuelling your life with?

Choose foods that are aligned with how you want to feel.

“Most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel.” – Kevin Trudeau

good vibes only

January 19, 2014 by Julia 3 Comments

I like to fix things. To have everything flowing.

To solve any problems to maintain equilibrium. My world feels out of balance when something or someone is out of sorts.

But I’m learning that to save my own sanity, sometimes you just need to step away.

You know what they say, time heals all wounds. Well I’m the one with my finger on the fast forward button – repeatedly! I’m leaning more and more, that I can only control myself – my mind, my emotions, my actions. I can’t, and never will be able to control anything outside of myself. This is one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learnt to date.

What situations or people kill your vibe? Have you removed yourself? If not, why do you keep subjecting yourself to these vibe killers? Is it a false sense of responsibility, fear of judgement, or perhaps it’s simply just become a habit? Know that you can step away at any moment. We always have a choice in life. Freedom is one footstep away.

This has been hard for me, I have to consciously make myself stop, breathe and let go. It’s been tough at times, but what’s even harder is swimming upstream. Constantly trying to force situations that maybe should just be left alone. Sometimes we need to push against the current, and sometimes we just need to let the stream gently guide us along. Deciphering between the two is the challenge.

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.”

I’m learning that choosing to step away, and allowing distance to form is sometimes the only thing I can do. Actually, its the best thing I can do. And it’s a choice I have in every moment.

And perhaps it’s in this distance that the solution will come. I don’t know. Only time will tell.

In the meantime I’m putting up my ‘Bad-Vibe Protection’ Shield.

Surround yourself with love, support and kindness – you deserve nothing less.

** GOOD VIBES ONLY **

transformation through yoga

January 19, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

So I completed my first yoga workshop! #goaltick

I’ve done a yoga retreat before, where I delved pretty deep into my physical practice – but this was the first time I really got to expand my mind with traditional yoga ideas and philosophies – notepad and all.

The workshop was an Introduction to Tantric Yoga – and I’ll be honest, the word ‘tantric’ was a little off putting. It immediately brought to mind something sexual, something a bit ‘R’ rated. But, as I learned, it seems this word has lost it’s true meaning.

“Based on ancient Indian and Tibetan traditions, Tantra Yoga is an energy based system that teaches us methods for consciously connecting with the Universe in order to feel, harness and amplify beneficial Universal energies within our own being; aspects such as vitality, creativity and imagination, self-confidence, love and compassion, intuition, mental concentration and spiritual lucidity.”

Tantic yoga actually has two branches 1) Hatha and 2) Kundalini. I never knew these styles were both delineated from Tantric Yoga.

“Yoga, in its authentic form, is a system that allows us to balance and harmonise not only our physical bodies but more importantly, our thoughts and emotions, bringing a state of inner calm and stability that will lead to health and healing, personal empowerment and better relationships.”

I learnt all about traditional yoga; the chakras, correspondence and resonance, asanas, sublimation. But what really stood out to me was the personal transformation aspect of yoga.

In yoga, this personal transformation is called self realisation. It’s the thing that fascinates me, and drives a lot of my work – the question “Who am I really?“. Its an inquiry into ourselves, into something deeper than our personalities or physical existence. It’s that sense of “I”, that is disconnected from our body or our circumstance. It’s the true ‘us’ separate from our state of mind, or identification with our thoughts or emotions. It’s our sense of self that remains constant.

Who am I?

Why am I here?

Yoga gives us the tools to start to investigate these questions.

There is a universal intelligence within us, and yoga allows us to tap into this. It can help us decipher the meaning of our lives.

How rad, that simple breath and body work can connect us to universal energy, and ultimately our life’s purpose.

HAPPINESS = ENQUIRY INTO THE SELF

Happiness is not outside us, which unfortunately in our culture we are lead to believe. It’s the ‘when I have’ mentality – “When I get that promotion life will be great.” “When I have the body I want I will be happy.” “When I have my overseas holiday . . .” “When I get that new car. . .” “When I find the perfect partner . . .” “When I save enough money . . .” Can you see how prevalent this way of thinking is? I know I can be guilty of it too.

It’s a perpetual cycle none different to a mouse on a wheel. The problem with this mentality though is that it puts the power outside of us, we are made to be dependant on others, or on things to bring us happiness. Instead of finding happiness within ourselves.

Self enquiry brings us freedom within ourselves. We are free beyond our minds or emotions. In yoga our minds are likened to a crazy monkey. In fact – a crazy monkey that’s been stung by a scorpion! Our minds are constantly throwing bones for us to fetch. For most, it is our minds that rule us, instead of us controlling our minds. So cultivating this enquiry into the self allows us to live mindfully, to be conscious of ourselves in the world, as opposed to constantly chasing the bones our mind throws us.

It ultimately creates a freedom from fear and inadequacy. And it’s when we step away from fear, that we allow our true selves to shine. We become more connected to our driving force, our personal mission in life.

Self realisation is the deeper aspect to our own existence.

“Dare to be free, dare to go as far as your thought leads, and dare to cary that out into your life.” – Swami Sivananda

I’ve always gained a certain sense of peace, power, and connection through my yoga practice – but this was the first time it was really explained as to WHY! Talk about the penny dropping. Wow.

Know who you are and why you are here.

Namaste.

“Know yourself and you will know the Universe.” – Ancient Greeks

PS – For more information on meditative Tantric Yoga – check out Agama Yoga.

ready. set. goals.

January 15, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

THIS is how I feel after the READY. SET. GOALS. workshop last night!!

A HUGE thank you to everyone that came down. It’s a true privilege for me to be able to share my passion with you.

I hope you now have the tools & knowledge to ROCK 2014!!! (and beyond . . )

Stay tuned for more events in the pipeline!

Whats one thing you can do today that will bring you closer to your one year goal?

Go do it!

Much love

xxx

stop selling yourself short

January 10, 2014 by Julia 1 Comment

I was very surprised when one of my clients told me today “You should charge people more”.

Have you ever had a paying customer tell you they want to pay more for your services?

Wow talk about truth bomb. I love the honesty and realness about that conversation. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Why do we sell ourselves short?

The more I think about it, the more it’s evident – someone compliments my outfit, I straightaway down play it – ‘oh this old thing, it’s nothing special!’. I receive praise for something, and I immediately shift the attention on to other people instead. I receive a compliment – and I start rattling off the reasons why it’s not really true. Seriously! Why do I do this?

Money in particular is a tough cookie. We seem to have a hard time asking for it – putting a monetary value on what we’re worth. When was the last time you walked into your boss’s office to successfully gain a pay rise? When was the last job interview that you negotiated your salary before accepting? And if you are doing it – then more power to ya!

I noticed this pattern when I was younger and new to the workforce. I didn’t fight for myself. But now I’m aware that if I don’t back myself, then who will? I have gained confidence when it comes to salary negotiation, and what I deem to be acceptable remuneration. But enter the sole trader (that’s me), and somehow all that confidence goes out the window. I’m no longer asking my manager for pay, I’m directly asking my clients for money out of their own pockets – that’s a big difference, and a change I need to get used to.

But in life we need to back ourselves. Put money on for the win.

“Sell yourself high, put a high value on yourself. Others will take notice, and may even raise your value even higher. You’ll find that you’re standing straighter, your head is higher, you’re getting a lot more respect and you’re a much happier and more successful person.”

What I have to offer is special. The work I do is important. And I am dam good at it.

I am worthy.

Yes, I am going to become best of friends with this little mantra. And next time someone pays me a compliment? I will smile, and say ‘thank you’.

Where in your life do you need to stand a little taller? Be a little louder?

Play to your strengths. This is your time to be LOUD & PROUD!

Hundred dolla bills y’all. Cha-ching!!

“Show me the money!” – Jerry Maguire

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

new year, new you

January 6, 2014 by Julia Leave a Comment

As I close the door on 2013, and look at the fresh slate laying before me for 2014 – I can’t help but brim with possibility.

There’s something magical about fresh starts. It reminds me of the start of the school year when I was younger. Getting a fresh uniform (probably a little too big), brand new books, contacting said books, fresh stationary, polished school shoes, and a new hair cut to match! Everything was new, eyes were bright, mind was clear, and the future was exciting. Who were my teachers going to be? What new friends will I make? What adventures will I go on?

And decades later, things haven’t changed much – I have a new blank diary in front of me, a sense of wonderment for the new year ahead, and even a fresh new hair cut! (Yes, I cut it all off – talk about a literal new beginning!)

After revisiting my 10 year vision, and reflecting & celebrating my 2013 goals – it’s now time to turn over a new page.

To dream and create. To start the new year with fresh and exciting goals.

“All successful people men and women are big dreamers. They imagine what their future could be, ideal in every respect, and then they work every day toward their distant vision, that goal or purpose.” – Brian Tracy

This is a time to really stand in possibility – if anything was possible for you next year, what would you want to happen? Say it out loud, write it down – start to believe you can have it, and set the wheels in motion through the law of attraction.

What were your highlights of this year? What were the low points? How can you bring even more highlights into 2014?

What do you want to focus on and how do you want to spend your time?

What goals do you need to set to make this happen?

Want to change your life? Then do it. You are the only person in control of your destiny.

You are more powerful than you know. And it’s far easier than you think! True life change is spontaneous –

“It happens in the blink of an eye, the very moment you decide from the deepest core of your being that you will raise your life to its highest level. In that instant, you will be a changed person, one set on the course of his destiny.” – Robin Sharma

This is not the time for resolutions. When was the last time you kept your NYE resolution anyway? . . . Thought so.

Resolutions generally get thrown out along with the dried up christmas tree every year.

And it’s not that we don’t have good intentions. Infact we have the BEST intentions, but resolutions are setting us up for failure. They are generally set from a mind frame of punishment, ie/ lose 20 kilos, cut out chocolate, quit smoking, – they are set in the negative, and tend to focus on things to stop/quit/reduce, as opposed to creating something brand new from a positive mind frame.

Goals on the other hand, are directly linked to your core values, and to your life vision. They are specific, measurable, realistic and timely – meaning you know when you’ve hit the mark! They are far more rewarding and satisfying than an ellusive resolution, that, 9 times out of 10 only makes us feel like a failure before we even start.

It’s time for some serious GOAL SETTING.

Put aside one day this week where you can have some down-time. Make an appointment with yourself for some ‘me’ time. Spend some time reflecting on the year that’s been, and really start to envisage the year ahead in detail.

Where do you want to be this time next year?

How are you going to love your life in 2014?

Who are you committed to being from this day onwards?

“From tonight onwards, take complete control of your life. Decide, one and for all, to be the master of your fate. Run your own race. Discover your calling and you will start to experience the extacy of an inspired life. Finally, always remember that what lies behind you and what lies in front of you is nothing when compared to what lies within you.” – Robin Sharma

HAPPY NEW YOU ! !

PSSST!! Love Your Life is hosting a workshop next Wednesday 15th January at lululemon athletica Brighton – Ready. Set. Goals. Check out the event page or Facebook for details.

the art of stillness

December 30, 2013 by Julia Leave a Comment

Meditation has been on my to-do list for ions. And yes – I DO realise how contradictory that is!

So, for the past 6-weeks I have been incorporating this goal into my life.

With the help of Eoinn Finn and his Blissology dvds, my Duncan Peak meditation cd, and also the nifty little Headspace app on my phone, I have meditated every single day.

Wow, 10 minutes of stillness can really have a profound effect! I must say, it really has become an integral element of my life. My mind and body are calmer, clearer and more focused.

Looking back I wonder why it took me so long to take up this practice? To be honest, I never made time for it, for myself. Yet I’m learning that it’s precisely when I feel I have no time to meditate, that’s when I need it the most.

I’ve heard lots of anecdotal praise for meditation from friends, and there’s also lots of science to back up all that positive talk. Research has found the following benefits of meditation –

lowers high blood pressure
helps depression
relieves anxiety
reduces stress
fights heart disease
improves immunity
better fertility
improves focus

Just a few small benefits. Yes, this I must try. (For more info on the benefits of meditation, check out this article on the yoga blog).

“To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.” – Lao Tzu

I have many active forms of meditation – for me it’s yoga, running and swimming. But I have never allowed myself the time and space for still meditation. To just sit, and breathe. To allow for that kind of stillness.

I think it stems from a long held belief that: HEALTH = MOVEMENT.

I took up yoga later in life, because well, I really didn’t know much about it, and I was always focused on getting the best work out in the least amount of time. I clearly remember going to the gym, looking at the class timetable, and completely dismissing yoga – I wanted to workout, not stretch! I wanted to arrive, sweat, and leave. Efficiency was key. (This was clearly before I knew about power and hot yoga!).

I now look at health more holistically, as a body, mind and spirit connection – not just the body.

“The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

My meditation has been varied. Sometimes nestled on the sand overlooking the ocean, or sitting cross legged in-front of my tv, others I watched the sunset from my balcony, or floated in the sea looking up into the sky.

It has been a slow process. At first (and much to my frustration), I tried to silence my thoughts and the voice in my head, but then realised that simply being witness to my thoughts is meditation in and of itself. I still find myself getting distracted by thoughts, or noises happening around me – but I’m learning to become more detached. My meditation muscle is getting stronger every day.

I recently finished a book by the Dali Lama – “How To See Yourself As You Really Are”. In it, he talks a lot about meditation reflection. How to meditate on objects, things, philosophy, people, feelings – this opened up a whole new world for me!

What? I dont have to sit there and try to clear my mind, try to empty any thoughts, try to silence myself – instead I can use my thoughts FOR meditation? Now that’s a new concept. I always thought that meditation was trying to rid my mind of thoughts completely.

“Before I started meditating, I didn’t know how to be a non-judgmental observer of my thoughts – letting them float past me like helium balloons and picking the ones I want. I experienced my thoughts as happening to me and ‘real.’ Meditation helps me be aware of the thoughts I’m having without getting lost in the storyline of them.” – Stephanie StClaire

There has been a lot of change happening for me lately, new country, new job, and moving between houses every other day. The frantic pace of Christmas and the holidays only adding to this. I was starting to feel quite unsettled at times. Normally this would send my mind into chaos, leading to stress and irritability. But my new meditation practice has allowed me to connect back to myself and reduce this considerably.

Coming to my mat every day to breathe has kept me balanced and clear headed.

Focusing on the breath brings me out of my head, and back into my body.

I find this still reflection a chance for me to block out all the busy noise, the parts of life that can drown out our pure intentions. The stillness allows the less important things to evaporate away. It leaves me with a sharper focus, clarity around who I am, and how I want to show up in this world.

“The vast majority of my innovations, ideas, plans, and life insights have come from the clarity I get when I stop my barrage of thoughts. Intuition follows from paying attention. Learn to pay attention, and you’ll begin to hear the quiet voice within that will guide you.” -Christine Comaford-Lynch

Do you meditate? How has your experience been?

What is it that brings you stillness in life?

The secret is in the breathe.

“To make the right choices in life, you have to get in touch with your soul. To do this, you need to experience solitude, which most people are afraid of because in the silence you hear the truth and know the the solutions.” – Deepak Chopra

’tis the season to celebrate goals!

December 20, 2013 by Julia Leave a Comment

As another year draws to an end, it naturally becomes a time in our lives for reflection.

Is it just me, or do the years actually speed up every year? I’m sure they do, there must be some logical explanation, like the earth must rotate at increasing speed or something. . . how is it less than 5 days till Christmas already?!

And because the time goes by so quickly, and we lead our lives at such a fast pace, I’m a big fan of taking time out. I put time aside for me, for solitude and some down time. Where I can have peace and quiet, alone, with no distractions, and can sit peacefully with my thoughts for personal reflection.

I mostly do this in my morning meditation, but I also love setting time aside regularly to journal, to think, to dream and to tap back into myself. Today was one of those days. I took my goal book and a pen to the beach, and reflected on the year that was. I now feel proud of what I’ve achieved, and invigorated by the possibilities for the year to come!

So cast your mind back to this time last year. . . How were you feeling? Where were you? What were your goals for 2013?

Reflect on the last 12 months, how has the year been for you?

Ask yourself –

what did I achieve, both personally and professionally?
What were my biggest successes?
my hardest failures?
What’s the most important lesson I learned?
What are you most grateful for in 2013?

Take some time now to write down your answers.

“Take pride in how far you’ve come, and have faith in how far you can go.”

As I think back over the year that’s been, I realise how massive it was for me personally. There have been big highs and lows. But as I sit here today, back home after a long whirl-wind journey across the globe, I am so happy for where I have landed. I feel as though I am exactly where I need to be. That is a wonderful feeling.

I ticked some big goals off my list this past year. But it’s only on reflection that I realise that. Once I achieve a goal, I’m always so eager to get started on the next one! I don’t often take the time to really acknowledge myself, and give myself a pat on the back.

Celebrating our successes is such an integral ingredient to goal setting. Yet one that we often skimp out on (me included).

Well enough of that. Achieving our goals is pretty dam fantastic, and I’m going to celebrate them here with you! Here’s what’s getting a BIG TICK on my goal list:

2013 Goal Crushes

Personal:

travelled south america; trekked to Machu Piccu, adventured through the amazon jungle, and sailed the Galapagos Islands
lived overseas in Canada
saw three more natural wonders – Iguazu Falls, Niagara Falls & the Grand Canyon
celebrated my 30th birthday with my twin sister in North America
did my first U.S.A road trip!

Career:

began my first blog
started my own business
lead Vision & Goal workshops at primary and secondary schools

Health:

attended my first yoga retreat
conquered crow pose (yay!)
started my own meditation & yoga practice
learnt how to snowboard

Wow – it has been a big year! And the best bit? I like who I’m becoming in the pursuit of my goals.

The goals I set for myself this year really pushed me to grow, to develop, and to expand myself.

Reviewing and reflecting (and of course – CELEBRATING!) our goals is an important step in goal setting. It get’s us connected to where we have been, where we are now, and also get’s us clear on where we want to go.

So what are you celebrating for 2013?

Let the confetti reign, and that champagne POP!

You are freakin awesome!

Celebrate your victories, you fought hard to get here.

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