"Permaculture is a practice, a way of life, a consciousness based on holistic, sustainable living.” This is a beautiful definition of permaculture that also applies to yoga. And it’s beautiful how the principles of permaculture collide, coincide, compliment and collaborate with the practice of yoga. The 1st permaculture principle, observe & interact, is applicable across a variety of life situations.

When we are born, the first thing we do (before all the crying) is breathe.

This is why, in Yoga, we must always return to the breath. This life-sustaining force that welcomes prana (life-force energy) into our being, connects us back to those first innocent moments here on earth.

During Asana practise, we use the breath as a guide for our movements – inhalation for expansion; exhalation for the release.

WHO LOVES CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!????

Or perhaps more fitting - who doesn’t?

Guess what - chocolate happens to love us, too.

IXCacao is known as the Spirit of the Cacao Tree, Goddess of the Earth….

The first step to changing this world for the better starts within. Committing to a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) can be one of the most powerful decision that you make on your spiritual journey but with 1000s of programs available, how to choose? Clearly we are biased, however, this bias exists because we believe that this path is a transformative and powerful approach to individual and social change.

Embarking on such a journey with the unique and genuine souls I was surrounded by was such a pleasure amongst these teachings. As one of the most wholesome periods of my life thus far, it set me up on a path to places I can envision with so much clarity in the future. One of my intentions was to find more direction and I now know I'm becoming ever closer to my calling as I seek to maintain that inner peace we're all so fond of.

I think us Yogis would all agree just how much we adore Yoga.

So why is it so darn hard sometimes to just roll the mat out and get on with it?

Whatever the reason, we’ve all been there.

So how do we get past it and get on that mat?

Here’s some motivation for exactly that…

Have you ever seen those beads that spiritually-inclined people tend to wear around their necks? Ever wondered what they’re all about?

Originating in Hindu and Buddhist culture, I first encountered Malas in Thailand and later again during my travels through India. I was aware they were prayer beads, similar to those used in Christianity, yet their deeper meaning escaped me on these trips.

I’ve been walking around barefoot a lot these days. It feels only natural. So much so that shoes now feel kind of weird on my feet! Who's born with shoes anyways?

In which ways do Yoga and Permaculture intersect?

Whilst on Awakened Spirit’s Sacred Earth Yoga Teacher Training, the Principles of Permaculture were passed along to us. Permaculture is the sustainable merging of people with nature that creates an ecosystem for all to thrive in. The ideals of this concept were coined by the duo David Holmgren and Bill Mollison and have since inspired many conscious humans (including myself!) to live by their values. This echos beautifully what yogic philosophy teaches us: when we embody these ancient principles, we are forging and creating a more harmonious existence with the world within and around us.

In today’s world of Yoga, exploring our edge is something heard often - but what exactly does that mean? It involves leaving that much loved zone of comfort in order to find real area for growth, having the bravery to peer into into the uncertainty of not knowing yet wanting to discover, whilst testing the limits.

In the legendary ancient Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali, Sutra 2.46 mentions ‘Sthira Sukham Asanam’, ‘Sthira’ meaning unwavering/stability and ‘Sukham’ being comfortable/sweetness. In regards to postures and edge exploration, this can be seen as applying a subtle effort to find that sweet spot right between the ease and the challenge. (On a cliff edge, you would have the perfect view of below without being blown off the top).

The majority of cultures around the world live their life through thanks - really taking the time, energy and enjoyment for the acknowledgement of this blessing of life. It seems we’ve lost our way somewhat. I learnt recently that the Hawaiian saying of Ho’oponono ‘I’m sorry; Please forgive me; Thank you; I love you’, used to only be ‘Thank you, I love you’, before we began destroying our home, this Earth. Giving thanks is natural and indeed needed. We as Westerners can probably most likely relate this to prayers before eating, perhaps in a religious concept, which it need not be. Simply to remember with true respect allows us to keep it all sacred.

Kleshas are something I've known of my whole life, but had never put a name to. Basically, they're all the pesky things holding you back. Or more literally, 'poisons'. They come under five main titles: avidya (ignorance), asmita (ego), raga (attachment), dvesha (avoidance) and abhinivesha (fear). From a Yogic perspective these are seen as the root cause of all suffering.

There is a certain kind of magic that I experience when I am in Peru that is hard to express in words. In the weaving of majestic landscapes, humble people, its’ culture, ancient history and mystical treasures, transports me to a place where I feel like everything vibrates and shines a bit more brightly. A place where I feel like the veil between this world and the spirit world is at it’s thinnest. A place where I feel more vitally alive…

Plants are sentient, intelligent, perceptive souls. Of course they are. They just aren’t as loud as us about it. You'll find that every plant has its own frequency and thus its own unique effect towards you. Combining their use with meditation, appreciation and mindfulness of the medicine allows a synergistic bond to form between you both.

The first step to changing this world for the better starts within. Committing to a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) can be one of the most powerful decision that you make on your spiritual journey but with 1000s of programs available, how to choose? Clearly we are biased, however, this bias exists because we believe that this path is a transformative and powerful approach to individual and social change.

Embarking on such a journey with the unique and genuine souls I was surrounded by was such a pleasure amongst these teachings. As one of the most wholesome periods of my life thus far, it set me up on a path to places I can envision with so much clarity in the future. One of my intentions was to find more direction and I now know I'm becoming ever closer to my calling as I seek to maintain that inner peace we're all so fond of.

In which ways do Yoga and Permaculture intersect?

Whilst on Awakened Spirit’s Sacred Earth Yoga Teacher Training, the Principles of Permaculture were passed along to us. Permaculture is the sustainable merging of people with nature that creates an ecosystem for all to thrive in. The ideals of this concept were coined by the duo David Holmgren and Bill Mollison and have since inspired many conscious humans (including myself!) to live by their values. This echos beautifully what yogic philosophy teaches us: when we embody these ancient principles, we are forging and creating a more harmonious existence with the world within and around us.

When we are born, the first thing we do (before all the crying) is breathe.

This is why, in Yoga, we must always return to the breath. This life-sustaining force that welcomes prana (life-force energy) into our being, connects us back to those first innocent moments here on earth.

During Asana practise, we use the breath as a guide for our movements – inhalation for expansion; exhalation for the release.

WHO LOVES CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!????

Or perhaps more fitting - who doesn’t?

Guess what - chocolate happens to love us, too.

IXCacao is known as the Spirit of the Cacao Tree, Goddess of the Earth….

Embarking on such a journey with the unique and genuine souls I was surrounded by was such a pleasure amongst these teachings. As one of the most wholesome periods of my life thus far, it set me up on a path to places I can envision with so much clarity in the future. One of my intentions was to find more direction and I now know I'm becoming ever closer to my calling as I seek to maintain that inner peace we're all so fond of.

We feel you! We have the travel bug too. We love adventures.