I realise that in parts of Australia so many out there are well and truly over the rain right now ..but for us in the remote NT ....the build up is scorching and we long for it ….<3 This afternoon my Waku and Gutharra and i were planning our classes for tomorrow ...We are making a big kinship chart with photos of how we are all related ...connected...so amazing .........as we worked the sky rumbled.... I haven't heard this on this visit until today.....'Wolma? ' I asked.....'Yow ŋäṉḏi' yes said waku ...wolma ( thunder ) ...then she quietly began to cry in that special woman milkarri manikay way...the song....straight from her heart..reaching all hearts...the cry of tears women cultivate that's been passed down for generations ....Gutharra said ..’That wolma is speaking to us ..when we hear it...we know the ancestors are close ... we feel our gurruṯu.. family...we feel all those who have passed away .. who have gone recently or long ago’ ....Waku cried more... Gutharra said ‘Wolma is with us right now ....saying 'yow I'm here ...I'm ready'...soon i'll bring the rain............... Rain is coming soon ‘..... The Wolma (thunder) got louder As I walked home the scent of the woody earth was so strong….the clouds black ... billowing .. then I could smell the rain and finally the first splash hit my parched skin…

There is nothing like the sight ..smell.. taste ..touch ..and feel of the first rain on this earth .... the depth of connection …. <3 ‘Waltjaṉ ga buna’ Rain is here ….

#earth #heart #rain #kin #culture

Hello there everyone

Happy New Year !!!

In life we experience our own personal beauty, challenges, shifts and changes. In addition we too are sensitive to the shifts occurring collectively, in our immediate environment, our world and on our planet.

So much took place in 2017 and I have taken the time to reflect and appreciate the happenings and the teachings I received last year.

In this transition, I've been up early greeting the first sun's rays and at times experiencing the sun disappear at the end of the day too …..I love to be soaked in the energy of our precious early morning or evening sun….feel her light in my cells ….feel the air on my skin…the earth under my bare feet.. …

in fact I was fortunate to spend two weeks in Bali in October on a Yoga teacher training with my teachers the Mohans from India. ….The majority of our practice was use of a mantra which honours the life giving qualities of the sun ….Several times a day through the mantra practice, we made this connection with the sun and experienced it in our cells….the light of the sun…the light in our selves and letting this grow our internal light, focus and strength….bringing a steady mind and body.....This is a wonderful practice I would love to share more frequently in workshops and online.

The two weeks with Mohanji and Indraji brought some profound clarity for me in regards to where I put my energies on a daily basis and helped me question my choices and actions as to whether they are coming through me from old habits , a desire to please someone, past patterns or from an authentic heart space.

Being a new dawn ..a new day and a new year …I've been reflective of what this year may bring.

What opportunities may come?

What inspires me? What moves me? How can I express this?

What choices can I make?

When will I act?

When will I wait?

How can I best communicate with my self and others?

What can I offer ...who can I reach? ...others close by? ...further away ?..our planet?

I am open to what is possible and to what may appear impossible and to what I haven't even dreamed up as yet (:

I know there are things I would have liked to have happened by now and perhaps some things I would have preferred not to have happened……Patience is calling me ….especially when I hear the voice of shoudda woulda coulda (: in my ears.

In this transition I take time...relax in nature ... feel my breath move in my body …I listen to the sounds of the birds ..the waves ..my breath.....the smooth feel of the tea tree waters as I swim across the lake.I feel the spirit of the land. I hear the whispers of my inner voice.

I know I’ll be doing this in my challenges too. When I stop, relax my body ..and be with my breath…wisdom will come and I will gain understanding and clarity on what steps to take or not take. Often answers become clear in the quiet ,yet other times can arise like a loud wake up in the midst of action, or be so unexpected in an abrupt fast paced moment.... or in our dream state.

It is easy to get sad and angry about the world now with all that we see and hear in the media……and somethings are very sad ....It is in these times too that it helps to connect to our internal strength …it is there ..its in the ocean ..the sun…the trees…the bush …the moon….the stars...the creatures ...spirit.. and it is in us too…strength and light ….with practice or even moments of cultivation we can find stillness and become centred in the drama of the world …and then we can offer our stillness and strength and light.

Our resilience can increase.

We can look for the beauty in our lives …in ourselves in each other …in our world…..we can appreciate the ways in which we are supported.

The sun itself is a support ..it gives us life every day as does the water air and earth. We can cultivate appreciation for these gifts.

Then when we feel alone or challenged or unloved we can feel the support of life itself.

I want to smile often at strangers and the sun…the moon the ocean at my creations …..and when I feel challenged by another ( the ones that press the most buttons) I want to send them light and love and realise they need it too.

In nature there is life

Find time to relax

to breathe

to be still yet radiant with life and vitality.

Let quiet time give us wisdom and understanding ..healing even …compassion for ourselves and others

Let’s: share our love with ourselves and others….

consider those we feel close to and not so close to , our environment, our planet.....

listen and be willing to act ...

speak up.....

open when we want to close down.....

give love and let love in....

moon watch...star gaze ....write...dance...eat....swim...walk barefoot...intuit....listen...speak .take photos...dare....dream....share hearts...stories....cultural exchange...spirit ...play music....do nothing...love animals....connect.....appreciate.....talk..... sing...laugh ..cry...kiss... hug ...love...be kind...fun...be true ....

love our creations and be willing to share our unique gifts

This is what inspires me for 2018 …..What inspires you?

May we be inspired and inspiring....

Our lights can brighten together and spread across our planet bring deeper peace …deeper harmony….deeper fulfilment

Love to connect more with you all this year…

So much love <3

as always

Mary xxxxxx

Book now for Skype sessions, online courses and

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Life …death… longevity and wellbeing

Hi everyone

I have been through a lot of changes and I look around and see that others also have been faced with many changes these past months and of course the challenges we witness in the world today.

On the 27th of August my dear aunt who was like my second mother, passed away. For some years now my trips to Sydney have had a strong focus on her and I’m so glad that no matter how far or near I roamed that I could spend time with her. She is the last of my mother’s siblings.

In the week close to her death I spent three nights and 4 days by her side in the nursing home. In that space I was deeply moved by her, her friends family and the staff at that place. They called her Moma…mum. During those nights by her side, aunty’s light and spirit filled the room with such beauty it is hard to describe

In this email I thought I would share the eulogy I read to her at her funeral.

Dear Margot

I’m so grateful for you in my life and in the lives of all our family, your friends and all the lives you have touched with your strength, grace and beauty. You have been a mother to many.

I shall miss your smile, the beautiful flowers you grew in your garden and ones that adorned your home. I shall miss your orange cakes and delicious meals and endless cups of tea.

I shall miss our talks when I’m away in remote and strange other worlds.

I shall miss our trips to the art gallery, our walks around the neighbourhood and watching Audrey Hepburn movies whilst sipping wine and nibbling crackers….and our laughter.

On Monday morning when I landed in back Sydney airport , it was strange not to come to you but I’m glad for where you are now. As I walked out of the airport I could feel you everywhere ..in the trees, the sky, the birds , the clouds and the air.

I have always admired your deep connection with God and the church community but it is your essence,: your genuine kindness, your ability to listen, your wise words…your appreciation of everything…..acceptance of all people , your humour and loving attitude that has always inspired me.

In your graceful way you taught me so much about living…..and now about dying too……. Accepting and peaceful until your last breath.

I’m glad for where you are now dear Margot, knowing you are in joyful reunion with mum and all the family. Rest well and thankyou for the loving beauty that you have been in all our lives and shall continue to be as an angel watching over us all.

At times, events in our lives are very unexpected. Other times we know something is coming but still there is a shock reaction when it arrives.

Each death experience is very unique. In these moments we are called to reflect and review not only just the weeks during and or surrounding the death but all the years of our lives ..all the losses, the choices we’ve made ..our relationships….our separations…our creations, our dreams,,..,It is a time of deep spiritual, emotional, physical and mental purification. And if we do not resist it and are willing to honour what it brings forth for our attention, we can embrace a new beginning and a new life. Many emotions and unexpressed feelings can surface. There is loss and grief, the sadness of knowing we shall not share in the same way that we have before. There may be joy for the person who has passed over or not. There is also the beauty and celebration of the life you have been privileged to share with them and cherished memories. These qualities will remain with us and enrich our life….and through reflection we get clearer and perhaps a little stronger about living the life that is most truthful for our selves.

Aunty Margot shall always be with me.

Thailand

On a different note I did venture to Thailand for a week of study with Tao master Mantak Chia. I have followed his teachings for many years. They enhance my life on every level and my work with others in what ever form it may take. I find these teachings lift my spirits, enhance my health and acknowledge my womanhood. They honour the feminine, which can some times get lost in our roles as women these days. I know for me I can push and strive beyond measure rather than stopping to reflect relax and receive….the masculine drives ..acts…the feminine softens ..allows……We have both and in the chaotic world our task is to find balance and love. These teachings focus on health, longevity, vital life force, the creative power and wellbeing. It was inspiring to be in Master Chia’s presence, He is very funny and light hearted but has so much wisdom and knowledge to share and is unshakeable on his life path to do so. Experiencing the spiritual ambience of the Tao Garden, deep organ cleanisng nourishing food, new friendships and some beautiful Qi Gung, meditations and practices was very healing and rejuvenating.

The last month has been life changing and I’m still digesting it.

love and light

Mary xx

Hi all

thought I'd share this blog I never got to post.

I want to welcome you to my new online Yoga studio.

I am sitting on a doorstep in the remote far North of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. Sweat streams down my limbs but rain has gifted us with a moment of cool relief right now. I love the smell of the rain, the green lusciousness of the bush and sounds of the birds gurgling in the rain soaked trees. The sky is rumbling and I am loving being in the raw elements.

We can practice Yoga any where and at any time, so for me being in nature is yoga in that we can experience moments of stillness and oneness. Being bare foot on the earth is very grounding and brings me back to my centre.

Byron bay yoga studio is an online space where we can connect and centre ourselves. I invite you to join me, read my blog posts, participate in my yoga classes on line and if you feel called to participate in a yoga course online and or allow me to support you with an individual Skype session please know this is possible.

Where ever you are .....make a little time......find a spot in nature ...perhaps there's a tree in your own backyard that you've never thought to sit under ......if not.....even pot plants radiate prana...lifeforce...or if you are taking a walk on the beach or in the park or bush ...stop to inhale the elements...drink them in ....really connect with it and let it fill you...energise you ....realign you .....with it and yourself.........connect with the part not caught up in the chaos of the world......we need to let that part breathe and be alive .....enjoy!!

Love and hugs

M x

Hi everyone

I wrote this email for all my clients in Sydney and places far and near but decided to share it with you all as a blog. Welcome ...to all those who I've never had the opportunity to meet in person.

These last two and a half months have been the longest block of time I’ve spent in Byron Bay in years. Whilst I’m starting to feel drawn to travel again now, it has been an important time for me to focus on the book I’ve been writing for many years, share some yoga , healing, enjoy healthy food and the natural surrounds of Byron Bay.

As some of you know I’ve been committed to several projects over time. The book has been a huge and ongoing timeless journey just as is living with the most ancient culture on the planet.

It has been teaching me as yoga does, to remain present with what ever I'm doing, where ever I am and to honour the creative process and it’s cycles. At times we wish to rush things or have an expectation around the 'when'. Then we yearn to let go of a creative project in frustration………. not to say that things cannot unfold instantly. (: .... but sometimes though, real depth can be experienced, focus developed and courage grown on the creative journey.

If we intend to complete something and be authentic about it, it can be helpful to return to our original vision even when we may not be assured of how it may turn out. Yoga continues to encourage me to hold that vision and cultivate stability in uncertainty, through the practice of asana, meditation, pranayama, mantra and connecting with nature. Talking to a loved one or spending time alone can be supportive as well. Writing certainly becomes a practice when you do it enough. Whatever aids us in strengthening our focus is useful (:

I really appreciate having these tools and also strong support from those who have faith in my journey and stick with me in the uncertain times too. These practices ...by the way do not take away my humanity but if anything allow me to be more real in it and accepting of it.

…..The chaos of the world and our lives can be a challenge and this is where cultivating our own tools can help us to return to our centre and move forward freely and 'lighten up'.

Please check out this website now and as it evolves.

I’m working closely with people a lot more on line these days, so if you feel you would like to join me in an online course, or Skype session please do.

We can support each other by sharing with words, energy and our experiences A sense of community is important for us all now.

Please feel free to share this with friends, family or anyone else that you feel would benefit.

Stop sometimes ...take some moments in life to bring your attention to your breath...watch the movement of your breath in your body. Keep it simple. Allow yourself to relax.

We benefit from taking these moments when they are not simply ...‘another thing to do’ but something that can actually create change within us … we benefit…and are inspired from being fully engaged during the time and energy we have chosen to give to ourselves.

Love and hugs

M x

© MaryeMcCarthy