Julia Matheson
I was so fortunate to do Eoin Finn’s workshop when he was in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago. He is my all time favourite yogi, but what he teaches goes beyond yoga – he is a modern day hero in my eyes.
He has a way of being that just lights people up inside. He has a true gift of connecting us to ourselves, and to each other. He is just so beautifully HUMAN.
This year has been a challenging one for me on a personal level. 2014 has been pushing my buttons, testing my boundaries, it’s prompted me to claim my position, define my values, and rule out my tolerations. It’s been challenging, painful, eye-opening and exhausting. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s provided me with a powerful source of awareness, clarity and growth. Nothing great ever comes out of my comfort zone anyway.
My favourite festival, Wanderlust, has come to Australia for the first time! I was beyond excited to attend and celebrate in my hometown Melbourne yesterday.
WAN•DER•LUST
[n] a strong or irresistible desire to
Travel • Practice Yoga • Listen to Music
Eat Well • Be Green • Appreciate Art
and create a community around mindful living [Read more…]
What are the things you are passionate about in life?
Like many Australians, the ocean is one of my biggest loves. There’s nothing I like more than spending a day at the beach under the water.
I am also a firm advocate for standing up for what you believe in.
I don’t normally write about politics, but this is a topic very close to my heart. I believe I have a responsibility to help raise more awareness.
Knowledge is power. And when you know better, you do better.
Sadly, of late the Australian government has made some poor decisions not only for our country, but for the world.
1. Industrial development, the Great Barrier Reef, QLD.
One of the Seven Natural Wonders Of The World. Yes that’s right, approval has been granted to build one of the world’s biggest coal export facilities inside the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. This would see a brand new coal terminal adjacent to a turtle nesting beach, bushland trashed on the World Heritage listed Curtis Island, and 3 million cubic metres of seabed ripped up and dumped inside the Reef World Heritage Area.
Luckily with the advocacy of Green Peace, a petition with 70,000 signatures was delivered to Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s door. Independent enquiries and investigations are now underway – let’s hope this is enough to stop the project.
Diving on the Great Barrier Reef is probably the biggest highlight of my life. It is such a magical place. A true example of just how wonderful the world is in all it’s natural glory. I really hope that many many more generations of people to come will be able to enjoy this natural wonder.
2. Shark culling policy, W.A.
A Shark massacre has just been approved for our western shores. The once protected Great White shark is now allowed to be caught and killed under the new shark culling policy. This has been regarded as a knee-jerk emotional reaction, one that is not based on scientific research.
Some interesting facts: In Australia jellyfish stings have caused at least 60 recorded deaths compared to 202 deaths from shark attacks. The chance of drowning is over 1000 times greater than dying from a shark attack.
Please take a second to sign the Shark Cull Petition by Green Peace
Sadly, it doesn’t stop there. Over in Japan 22,000 dolphins are slaughter every year. The worst happens at the annual dolphin killing season in the secret cove of Taiji. What’s even more tragic is that most of the Japanese people don’t even know it’s happening. I highly recommend watching The Cove, an eye-opening documentary that highlights not only the harrowing cruelty to animals, but also the damaging effect the mercury contaminated dolphin meat (being sold as whale) is having on deforming and killing it’s own people. Here’s a link to The Cove trailer.
Our oceans, and the animals and reef systems within them have been around since the dawn of time. Long before humans arrived on this earth, and certainly well before our current Government was elected. What makes us think we are better than nature? What makes us approve these kinds of atrocious decisions? We have a responsibility to protect, and conserve our precious world so that it may survive for far longer than we ever will.
We are part of nature, we are all one. We have a responsibility to protect the world we live in, to stand up for mother nature.
I’m sorry to say it, but it makes me ashamed to be Australian.
What gives me hope though, is the thousands upon thousands of people who are advocating, challenging, raising awareness – standing up to the Government and holding steadfast to their beliefs. It is these people who make me proud. It’s finite proof that together we can make a difference.
We as a people are so much better than these acts against nature.
Apathy is our worst enemy in situations like these. I know that sometimes the issues seem so big that you don’t even know where to start. Well awareness is the key. Research the facts, talk to people, talk to your friends, your colleagues, your local government. Start the conversation.
But awareness without action is wasted, so make sure you support the change-makers around you, be it Green Peace, The Sea Shepherd, or your local community groups. If there is no person or group currently advocating change, then perhaps it’s time for YOU to step up?
There is HUGE power in numbers.
Together we can make a difference.
I have just returned home from a lovely little bush getaway. Just me, my best friend, her gorgeous little bubba and the countryside.
We packed the car and hit the road – venturing into Victoria’s beautiful Yarra Valley – full of rolling green hills, vineyards, orchards and fresh country air.
As soon as I left town, and the first glimpse of bush was in sight, I wound down my window and sucked in the eucalyptus filled air. The ultimate hit of refreshment! As the sky got bigger, and the landscape opened up, I felt stress just melt away, my shoulders seemed to soften, and a little smile crept up on the corners of my lips. Ahhh natural beauty, you just can’t beat it.
It was just what I needed.
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed. And to have my senses put in tune once more.” – John Burroughs
We spent the day winding down – treating ourselves to delicious local produce at lunch, wandering through the quaint little shops in the main street, and just slowing down the pace of life. There was nowhere we had to be, or agenda we needed to adhere to. We had complete freedom. Cider in the sun? Why not! Picnic in the park? Hell yes! Dip in the pool? I’m putting on my bikini!
Last night at our little log cabin we sat out on the deck under the night sky watching the stars. Oh so many stars! We spent the evening eating dinner and making our way through a nice bottle of red. I thought to myself – I am in absolute heaven right now. I was so relaxed and content just sitting outside enjoying the beautiful surrounds. More often than not, it’s the simple things that have the most profound impact. Gum trees, fresh air, my best friend and good conversation. Just fabulous, what more could I want?
As the sun set we listened to a symphony of sounds – I couldn’t believe how loud all the insects and creatures were! The cicadas were out in full force, and started so suddenly, like they were all on cue – talk about surround sound! The beautiful bird calls at dusk were glorious – kookaburras, wattle birds, rosellas, galahs, cockatoos and magpies. Then the frogs started croaking down in the dam below us. I put my feet up, closed my eyes, and just listened to all the wonderful sounds going on around us in nature. Not one man-made sound was heard that night (well, other than a crying baby inside our cabin!).
Spending time with a little person always highlights the power of simplicity. Everything is new and so exciting to them! A puddle – well that’s hours of splashing pleasure! A fork at the lunch table – best new toy ever! There are always new sights, sounds, tastes and things to touch. I know where the saying ‘simple pleasures’ comes from.
I took little Aurelia for a sunrise walk in the morning through the bush. We saw moorhens walking around the reeds on the dam, ducks swimming with their little ducklings, kangaroos bounding across the hillside, rabbits jumping around with their little white tails. She splashed in puddles, picked up sticks, squelched in the mud, pointed at different things and just had a ball. You know what, so did I. Watching her simple fascination really opened up my eyes to the magic that was all around us.
“Never neglect to see the exquisite beauty in all living things.” Robin Sharma
While we were at the park yesterday we met another mother and her two gorgeous little girls – Cherry and Honey. I was roped into playing hide & seek, and competing in running races around the trees – so much fun. We discovered that they moved up from Melbourne recently as her husband works at the local food & wine hot spot. She said how she loved living here, and that they no longer needed two cars – she and the girls can walk everywhere in town. They don’t have to commute anywhere. As I watched the girls run around the park, wild white ibis birds walking around the place, giant old trees, a fresh water stream running by – I thought, what a lovely little life they have here in the country.
Me and my girlfriend fantasised about having a country house to escape to one day. It’s already on my vision board.
As I drove back home I vowed to venture into the country more often. To get away and explore new parts of the land.
A country getaway is now going on my monthly goals!
When was the last time you went on a little getaway?
I love the beach.
It’s my refuge. The ocean has an intense healing effect on me.
Living up in the Canadian mountains for the past year has made me realise just how important the ocean is to me. I now have a deeper appreciation for all things sandy and salty.
Yesterday I walked along the beach for two hours, shoes in hand, feet in the shallows, strolling along in the sunshine. I love collecting beach treasures (see below!) and looking out over the endless water on the horizon. It’s one of my favourite things in the world.
I have always been a ‘water baby’. My sister and I grew up coming to the coast most weekends with my family, snorkelling, swimming and exploring the sea shore. I remember my Dad patting sting rays, and coaxing octopus out of their hiding holes to show to us. Then, as soon as I was old enough I started scuba diving. Wow, what an incredible experience that is – to be part of the under water world. Diving needs a whole other post!
The fondest memories of my life revolve around something water based. For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to water by something bigger than myself.
Life is good when my feet are in the sand and salt is in my hair.
I often feel land-locked when I’m away from water for long periods of time. A certain claustraphobia slowly takes its gripp on me – even in the vastest of open country sides. When I return back to the ocean, I feel like I can breathe again.
I have been told by spiritual healers that I have a strong connection with the ocean. They speak of past lives, dolphins, and mermaid energies. So perhaps at one point I was a mermaid, dancing under the ocean waves with the creatures of the sea. It sounds pretty cool to me. I don’t know if it’s true, but what I do know, is that I feel great when I’m at the ocean.
Close your eyes and think of how relaxed you feel surrounded by the ocean, walking barefoot on the sandy shore, the foamy waves lapping at your feet, hearing the rhythm of the crashing waves, and smelling the salty air. . . The stress of everyday life just seems to melt away.
It’s no wonder water has a soothing, calming effect on our bodies and minds: (1) We are made up of water, over two-thirds of our body is water, (2) Even our bones are composed of more than 20% water! (3) Every living thing has water, and we need water to survive. Yup, water is kind of a big deal.
“The beneficial qualities of seawater have been known to mankind for centuries and have been noted as having a great healing effect. Sea water contains many minerals needed by your body to help heal and detoxify.” – Aqua For Balance, water-based wellness.
Not convinced? Check out these natural healing properties of the ocean – 3 more reasons to get your butt to the beach:
That’s some pretty amazing benefits just from a simple trip to the beach!
I know that when my life gets crazy, and I’m feeling disconnected – that a trip to the ocean is the only prescription I need.
Just me and the water. It’s my favourite form of meditation.
What is your natural healer?
It may be the mountains, the open country side, a peaceful park, or your own garden.
When did you last take the time to heal yourself in nature?
