Yoga Safari
The Yoga Safari was fabulous; for me sharing Zambia was a dream come true. Thankyou to Deb, Sharon, Deb and Margie who joined shared and experienced so much with me. As one of my fellow travellers said: “I have learnt so much”.
A Walk by Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 - 1926)
(English version by Robert Bly)
My eyes already touch the sunny hill,
going far ahead of the road I have begun.
So we are grasped by what we cannot grasp;
it has its inner light, even from a distance -
and changes us, even if we do not reach it,
into something else, which,
hardly sensing it, we already are;
a gesture waves us on, answering our own wave...
but what we feel is the wind in our faces.
Pictures are the best way to show the variety of wildlife and landscape; the people, the dancing, walking and swimming; the dining on an island and under the stars and eating local cuisine in a cafe (food tastes better when eaten with your hands); visiting a village, an art gallery and creative projects that support the community and a market for a little shopping; getting wet at Victoria Falls and seeing the lunar rainbow (next years trip is also timed to fit the full moon in Livingstone); and within all of this we practiced yoga every day. Yoga to invigorate and yoga to rest and find calm.
Pictures here and on socials (links above).
I will be taking another group next year, 5-16 May 2025. If you are interested, or know anyone who may be, I am offering an early bird price for bookings before August 31st, 2024. Details will be posted soon https://www.foodandbody.com.au/yoga-safari
Contact me for enquiries.
Where am I Travelling?
I am staying on in Livingstone for the winter; back to my old home ground, and the joy it brings.
With returning comes contemplation of the old and of travel in itself.
Why are some people so drawn to adventure travel, to experiencing the new; the unimagined, the unseen and the uncertainty that one holds with anticipation?
For me the change that comes with adventure contrasts with the continual change that impacts live, the change that I am not choosing and often not wanting.
How is it that in the choice for change and challenge comes excitement as I embark with curiosity on new experiences and stimulate all the senses in new ways. However, to unsolicited change my approach and response is often very different.
I am asking myself can I accept and move towards change with a sense of curiosity and enquire, with acceptance rather than resistance. Why is there resistance? Can I move towards change with positive anticipate?
How will this change impact my life? How can I adapt and accept this? Can I acceptance and ‘move with’ change the next time it not of my making?
How can I learn to experience and re-experience with new eyes.
I am giving it a try. I am exploring how it feels in my body to not resist.
What am I Learning ?
I am trying to learn a little Nyanga, one of Zambia’s many languages. With 73 tribes there are similarly many languages, with about 8 widely spoken, English being the official language.
Nyanga is from the east of Zambia, Malawi and Mozembique where it is also called Chichewa and Chinyanya and parts of Zimbabwe too. It is increasingly being spoken across Zambia making it the best language for me to attempt.
How am I Moving?
In southern Zambia the weather, at this time of year, is warm and sunny during the day and cool at night. I am doing my usual activities with extra yoga which is a joy. And all this moving in African Time”.
Ayurveda practices for winter
Around winter we may sense feelings of lethary or the loss of motivation for things we usually do regularly and enjoy, perhaps even yoga at a different pace or in different ways. Here in the southern hemisphere we are nearing the winter solstice. This is not just a celestial event; it's a profound moment for inner contemplation of time, darkness, and light. It is an invitation for renewal - to relax, feel, and allow the cycle to proceed as it will.
As you look around observe nature and the way she manages the changing season as the temperature drops, the wind picks up, and things (like the leaves of trees) dry out. Ayurveda (the sister science of yoga) refers to this features as Vata; it is one of the three dosas, or constitutional types. The three types are Vata, Pitta and Kapha and within each of us there is a balance. In finding the balance within we thrive.
The seasons can alter our balance and this is particularly true for some of us in winter. Utilising the Ayurvedic system can help us to move back into the balance we seek. If you are feeling too much movement of any kind; you feel cold or there is dryness a useful practice may be to slow down, to change the pace you do things and what you do; to sleep a little more and to push a little less. Warm up with slow gentle movement, wear warm clothing particularly around the neck and wear the colours of fire - red, orange purple which invoke warmth. Finally add moisture; oil your body and avoid foods that are crisp and dry like cold salads.
Try a variety of soups to nourish the body. For this recipe add more protein if it is your meal. It goes well with bread and cheese.
Life Balance
If you are in search of some life balance this winter season, Sharon Salzsburg is offering a ten day course beginning June 19th. Recorded lessons are released daily starting June 19th, after which you will have lifetime access. It will include: teaching (pre-recorded audio), inspiration meme (image), reflections, daily takeaways, and references.
I highly recommend Sharon’s work and am sure this new course, like others, will also be of value. She offers a flexible scale of payment.
https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/equanimity
THE SENSES (in Zambia)
The sounds, sights, and smells of nature contribute to a holistic life experience, increasing energy levels and enhancing the feeling of peace. Hippocrates called the awareness that comes with this observation “green exercise”. It offers a fresh perspective and is beneficial for physical, mental, and emotional health.
This is what we experienced in Zambia.
Sight - what am I seeing
So many amazing sights. Here is the Lunar rainbow, a moon lit rainbow over Victoria Falls. (My picture does not give it the energy it reflected.) This full moon was the Flower Full Moon. A perfect representation to end our 12 days together.
Touch - what am I feeling?
Zambian meal - eating with your hands things taste so much better.
Smell - what I am smelling?
The smell of the earth, always with us as we spent our days in nature.
Taste - what I am eating?
Floating Lunch on the Zambezi river. A vegan pasta salad with cashew cream followed by spiced oranges, so delicious under the Zambian sky.
Sound - what I am listening to?
The Royal Zambezi Lodge Choir. I can not keep my body still with these African rhythms. Please excuse the bounce in this 'home' video.
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.