“Pugono, Pugono” - Slowly, Slowly
I feel the ryhthm of my life is “Pugono, Pugono - slowly, slowly” (Nyanga, one of Zambia’s many languages). It feels good; much more than just "OK”. The pace is gentle and without a sense of pressure. I have the space, the time for it all; seeing friends. teaching yoga, reading lots, resting and day dreaming. Presently I am reading a book of short stories by a Zimbabwean writer, Petina Guppah, “Rotten Row”. It is excellent and feels very familiar, although the stories are from the other side of the river, the Zambezi.
The yoga I am teaching is fun and varied. I have group classes at one of the backpacker lodges, open for guests and locals; twice weekly @ Royal Livingstone the 5* hotel, classes at several of the lodges on request, and some regular privates classes. It is very special practicing outside and by the river. One of the client’s, a lodge guest, expressed a new joy in her yoga as she practiced under the dappled light of the trees with the sounds of bird song and hippos as a backdrop. She found this yoga was an unexpected benefit at the end of her travels. (An example of how yoga can enhance ones life experience. It supports us in more than the difficult times.)
Last month I posed a question about the different responses we have to change; the different ways we react and respond to chosen adventure and the unexpected change that life deals us.
I believe that yoga and yoga therapy support us to accept the new and unexpected that change brings, rather than resisting it. It is the resistance that cause discomfort, anxiety, worry, stress and other unpleasant feelings. Yoga teaches us by slowing our reactions enabling us to: stop and explore the feelings, thereby enabling us to consider the response we make rather than responding in an automatic way.
The word ‘curious’ can describe this slowing down and this enquiry. ‘Curious’ with its 'positive ring' questions our response. One could even choose to allow 'being curious' as a personal exploration as you enquire: how do I feel; where do I feel it? how can I respond? TRY IT
Tara Brach has a practice that I have found useful when managing change in my life. She uses the acronym “SOBER”
Stop - slow down and bring awareness to your mind and body.
Observe - how does it feel in your body
Breath - take a few slower breaths and feel your breathe; feeling some release as you exhale
Expand - your awareness to include your whole body and the situation and context with a
kindness. Accept the feelings, thoughts, and emotions that are present, with acceptance.
Respond - mindfully, in a way that supports your intentions
Practicing in this way builds resilience; the ability to adjust, to recover. It achieves this by calming the mind, developing a flexibility of the mind and an emotional strength. Described as psychological resilience (Dale et al., 2011). This can also be described as improved vagal regulation, an expression you may have heard.
Yoga Safari 2025
In May 2025 I am again offering a Yoga Safari to Zambia.
I have picked the best national parks and great lodges that provide good guiding, accommodation and food. As one of this years guests wrote “Safari of a lifetime."
My stay here in Livingstone makes me even more enthusiastic about sharing an African experience, an experience beyond safari and yoga, as you can read on www.yogasafari.com.au
You can see posts of my travels and the safari on Facebook and Instagram
Contact mewith any questions you may have. I enjoy all chat about africa, adventure and travel.
EARLY BIRD price until August 31st.
THE SENSES (in Zambia)
I like to believe I am practicing yoga all day. The vibrancy of Zambia supports this endeavour through my moment to moment awareness of life; the colours, shapes, sounds, tastes and sense of touch around me. It takes my yoga ‘off the mat', into many moments of my day.
I challenge you to try this; to bring more awareness into your life today.
When you observe one of these senses, hold it for 30 seconds; feel into it. How does it make you feel in your body? Perhaps there is a release of tension in your shoulders, your eyes open wider, or your breath slows. This response will bring with it positive feelings. These feelings build upon each other and develop what we call resilience, a strength to manage life (including the unexpected change discussed above).
Smell - what I am smelling?
Zambians love their fish. At the market there are many fish on sale. The small dried fish in the photo are called kapenta. They are very tasty and often fried with onion and tomato and served with nshima (cooked maize meal, not dissimilar to polenta) and perhaps green leaves.
Sight - what am I seeing
Living a few kilometres from Victoria Falls I visit frequently. It never looses the AWE factor.
Sound - what I am listening to?
Birds, birds and more bird song.
Touch - what am I feeling?
As some of you know I use men’s ties as straps in yoga to support body position and stretching. Needing a few for classes I went to the market and found a ‘tie shop’. What a fabulous array of textures, colours and patterns.
Taste - what I am eating?
Chickpea Pancakes
I regularly make chickpea pancakes and add veggies, a salad or 'left overs' for a quick nourishing meal. To ensure enough protein I often add an egg or two to the pancake mix making it lighter and softer. (Chickpea flour is also known as besan flour.)
A Request
I will be back in Tassie in late October. While thriving on this adventure I am looking forward to returning home.
Between late October and April I am exploring opportunities to house sit/dog sit/garden care. Perhaps you can help.
I am tidy and organised and respect and care for the homes and animals of others. I love dogs, although I do not yet have my own (good thing with my transient lifestyle these past months) and enjoy gardening, even weeding!
If you or you know of anyone who wants a sitter please think of me. I have a couple of references from previous dog sitting ‘gigs’.
Big thanks
For all dog lovers:
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring—it was peace.”
— Milan Kundera
Offerings
Ways to nourish yourself
Based in Livingstone, Zambia for a few months my yoga and other offerings are now online. (Unless of course you are in Zambia where I am teaching and consulting.) Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are interested in working with me. As we now know Zoom is a good medium for consult and teaching.
Private & Group Yoga Classes
In-Person in Livingstone, Zambia.
Online for those in Hobart and elsewhere for 1:1 yoga. Soon I will provide online ‘Yoga Snacks’. 15 - 30 minute recorded practices to: start the day, move gently during the business of life, or to find rejuvenation at the end of the day.
Contact me for more details.
Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda and Nutrition
In-Person in Livingstone, Zambia.
Online for those in Hobart and elsewhere.
Contact me for more details.
Mindful Eating
In-Person in Livingstone, Zambia.
Online for those in Hobart and elsewhere.
Contact me for more details
Please pass this newsletter on to any friends, family or colleagues who may be interested. They can contact me to receive their monthly newsletter.