I’ve been writing a lot. So much so that I’m getting headaches and my sleep is restless. It’s OK though, I’m enjoying this time, I am feeling very wordy at the moment and I’ve purchased quite a few poetry books and novels to review on this blog.
I’d say Literature was probably my second favorite subject at school, beaten only slightly by Art since at the time I felt Art gave me more freedom and Literature has a tendency to be taught in a regimented way in schools.
Regardless, because of my love of both forms of expression I do enjoy fusing both together as mixed media pieces, I include text or script to my video installations and I’m currently creating an illustrated poetry book.
Here are ten Joyful Things for your viewing pleasure!
Florence and the Machine sings to a girl with bone cancer, in hospital. An old farm in the mountains of Costa Rica was turned into a sanctuary for 900 dogs. Just purchased The Clay Girl, it’s a magical realist novel. Super excited to read & review it. We’re off to Bulgaria soon, check out these beautiful places we might visit. Hilarious video of British men trying to get a bike of an electric fence. Yummy, summery ice cream recipes up on Goop! Interesting article about giving our emotions space so we can heal. I LOVE Shakira’s new single, have you heard it? It has a lovely, summery vibe. Clever recycling machine feeds stray dogs, this is a wonderful idea! Ten must see Bookshops in the world according to the Guardian.
*Art work by Alexandra Dvornikova. She’s a Russian artist training to be an art therapist. I’ve just discovered her work and instantly fell in love. I adore how mystical and macabre her paintings are. Almost reminiscent of the old folkloric tales.
I have known Sarah now for over a year. We became friends instantly and she allowed me to stay with her whilst I did my Kids yoga teacher training in Brighton, back then we were discussing our dreams and our eventual path towards becoming certified yoga teachers and possibly running retreats together. We also got tattoos together to celebrate our budding friendship. Fast forward to this present moment and I’m about to train as a Teen yoga teacher and Sarah has just completed her 200hr yoga teacher training! Sarah is a beautiful fusion between gentleness and sass. Her soothing, husky voice has the capability of calming even the most anxious person and she has the sweetest disposition. She is spirited, gracious, and generous with a big heart and I really wanted to give readers a glimpse into her thoughts and of her current adventures in life.
Describe who you are and what you do in three sentences or less. I’m Sarah, psychology graduate and newly qualified yoga teacher! I am an Aries (with the fiery hair to match!) and I currently live in Worthing, which is just down the coast from Brighton.
Tell is your life journey and how it lead you to Yoga? Yoga has always fascinated me. I remember taking books on Yoga out of the library as a teenager and trying to hold the pages open with one foot whilst attempting to contort myself into the poses. Needless to say, it wasn’t too successful! During my late teens and early 20s I struggled with a huge lack of confidence, depression, and turbulent relationships. I felt incredibly lost in life and was experiencing a feeling of disconnection from everything. I can’t remember the specific moment I decided to explore Yoga again, but I do remember sweating like crazy in Downward Facing Dog and feeling this huge wave of peace wash over me in Savasana. I had never experienced anything like it before, and every fibre of my being was calling me to repeat the practice. So I did. Again and again. Yoga has been instrumental in shaping my growth and development as a person, and I honestly don’t know where I would be without it.
What are your other passions and interests? I am an avid reader, although I buy far more books than I will ever read! Living by the sea I also love going for walks along the beach. I have recently begun writing for the Bad Yogi blog, and am currently learning to play the ukulele… although with limited success so far!
From your perspective how does psychology and yoga overlap? Yoga, like psychology, is a science. It is the science of careful self enquiry in order to gain knowledge and wisdom about ourselves. As BKS Iyengar so succinctly puts it “Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one’s being, from bodily health to self realization”. One of the roles of psychology is to understand more about (and how to treat) mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. The role that yoga can play as an adjunct treatment for these issues is of huge significance.
Who or what inspires you? I am inspired by people who speak and live their truth, it just shines out from them. As I have studied more Yoga Philosophy, I have also become inspired by the Bhagavad Gita and the Hindu gods/goddesses.
In your career and life, what’s been your greatest asset? And, if you care to share, your greatest hindrance? How did you overcome it? Hmmm…I don’t know if I could define it as an asset, it’s probably more of a work in progress at the moment! But I would have to say trust. The trust I have to listen to my gut feelings about situations and decisions in my life, about when is the time to stay, to go, to make a change. And as I develop my connection to that inner intuition it feels like more things in my life are slotting into place. My greatest hindrance would have to be my tendency to compare myself with others and feel ‘less than’. I think this is hard given the ‘highlights reel’ of other people’s lives that we are exposed to on social media. But at the end of the day, we choose what information we feed ourselves, and I find that consciously selecting what I read and watch, and focusing on cultivating my own happiness has helped me to overcome these feelings.
What is your personal measure of success and what makes you happy? I try not to strive for ‘success’ as such, of course I have goals and ambitions, but they are not end points. I can’t imagine getting to a point in my life where I think ‘great – I’ve made it now’, because we are always growing and evolving. What makes me happy? Sorry to be such a huge cliché, but it really is all of the mundane little pleasures that make up life; lazy morning cuddles in bed, a chilled glass of rose, walking barefoot through grass, laughing, sharing.
What is your best advice you’ve ever gotten? ‘Do the right thing, and the right thing will happen’ – Trust that you are doing all that you can and the opportunities and synchronicity will arise.
What’s next for you and what are your life goals? Give us a glimpse into your bucket list? As a newly qualified yoga teacher I am really excited to get teaching and start to embody all of the knowledge that I have gained over the course of my training. I am very much open to seeing where it takes me without really having much of a plan (why change the habit of a lifetime eh?). In terms of my other life goals, I am very keen to travel and see more of the world. I would also like to dedicate more time to being creative. I used to love to read, write, paint and draw, but I never make the time to do this anymore, so I would love to rediscover my artistic side! I never want to stop learning and there are so many areas that I would love to pursue in the future; massage, aromatherapy, ayurveda…The list goes on!
Do you have any tips and advice for those wishing to pursue their dreams? Do you have an inspirational quote or mantra you live by that you’d like to share? Dream – dream big, dream small, but mean it. Trust in the process, and trust in your inner voice or gut feeling that is guiding you. Try not to be disheartened or distracted by the opinions of others, it is your life and your happiness, so why should anyone else govern it? I believe that the practice of setting a Sankalpa can be very helpful. A Sankalpa is a short positive affirmation that you repeat three times at the start of a yoga or meditation practice, such as ‘I am enough’ or ‘I trust in my wisdom’, which blooms and blossoms in your unconscious mind. To get to know Sarah a little more, follow her on instagram or read her articles on the Bad Yogi Blog.
Israeli artist creates funny & cute illustrations of every day life with his wife. Youtuber book geek talks about all things books and she’s delightful to watch. 5 ways you are using magic when practicing yoga, there for you are a yoga witch or wizard. A wonderful article about the dark realities of mermaids and their sexual power. There was an amazing Thunderstorm in Plymouth, I’ve never seen a thunderstorm like it. Meghan Currie released a beautiful piece of music called Le Grand Poem. I’m treating myself to this surreal and mystical poetry book. This young man hugs stray dogs and gives them the love they deserve, so touching. This young woman creates mermaid tarot portraits, I think I might have a go at this myself! This poetry magazine looks amazing, I may purchase a few copies to take to Bulgaria.
Life can be difficult and cause major illnesses in the body, lets take some time out and do joyful things to heal the body-mind?
Spout the Wonder Pup tries to play with his Yogi Mum. Very cute Acro-Yoga Proposal, I love the woman’s reaction. Sailaway Dress company have brand new home decor products, playsuits & day dresses, Woop! I love this Belly Dancer, her name is Zoe Jakes, I love scrolling through her instagram. I still really want these Oracle cards, may treat myself next month. This poetry book looks beautiful and interesting, it’s a poetic response to mental health. Found this Belly Dance Teaching manual, again something to purchase very soon methinks! Fancy living a nomadic lifestyle? This couple living in a van are very inspiring. I’m switching to using Bamboo toothbrushes & hair brushes to reduce my effect on the planet. This & This Yogi Tea mug sets are super cute, I’ve been looking for a new mug.
Sometimes we can’t always be there for the world. It does not mean we do not care, it means we care enough to rest so we can fight another day. Spend time reading, doing yoga and walking in nature to replenish your soul.
A friend of mine Cara, who is also a lifestyle blogger recently published a blog post about turning 29 and listed all the things she’d like to try and do before she is 30. This inspired me to do the same, obviously I am no longer 30, I turned 31 October 2017 but I have plenty of things I wish to achieve before I do the whole settle down-get married-have kids milestone. A lot of the things on this list will be travel related but there is no particular order. So this is my three year plan of things I want to do before I become a mum.
1: Get my 4th and 5th tattoos. 2: Publish a book, I’ve always wanted to do this & I’m working on an illustrated poetry book. 3: Visit Ireland & Scotland because these places are part of my heritage. 4: Have my own home and loving partner. 5: Do my yoga teacher training. 6: Visit Bali. 7: Go skydiving just once, I’ll be petrified but I’ll do it! 8: Start learning how to grow my own herbs. 9: Organize or be a part of a yoga project to help others 10: Learn to rollerskate and attend adult ballet classes for flexibility. 11: Learn to trust people again, create close friendships. 12: Try doing a spoken word poem performance or poetic meditations. 13: I’d love to be published with a magazine. 14: Be able to do the splits (childhood dream). 15: Teach internationally (alongside my local classes), perhaps Spain and Portugal? 16: Visit Bali (again) 17: Swim with Dolphins (Making sure they are not in captivity). 18: Go hot air ballooning somewhere amazing (not the UK).
19: Visit a place of paradise (like the Maldives) as part of my honeymoon.
20: Train in Yin yoga, yoga nidra and become a Rhythm of Beauty therapist.
Wish me luck! That’s a pretty epic list! A lot of these things I know I will achieve within the next few years (I hope) and you’ll notice I didn’t include any European destinations to travel to and that’s because, whilst I may go on mini breaks to maybe be a guest teacher (who knows), I am fully aware that places like Italy, Czech Republic and Spain are easy to visit with kids, so certain destinations will be put on hold until I have kids to go on family holidays in Europe.
It’s a lot harder to visit the Far East with children and sometimes less fun when you have to be responsible for little people.
we stayed over night in a hotel in Portimao instead of heading back to Faro so that we could catch an hour long train journey to Lagos. The main reason we wanted to venture here was for the cliff side walk which makes this part of Portugal famous. The coastlines here are breathtaking and another destination to put on your bucket list.
Lagos is probably our favourite place during our stay and we both said we could live here, although we have no idea what the high season is like however it did appear less commercialized than Portimao.
Lagos town has quaint shops and your usual souvenir stores alongside cobbled streets and beautiful architecture, it had a sleepier aura than the high rise resort complexes of Portimao. First we ventured to a local fish market to see the locals doing what they do best. The Portuguese are renowned fishermen throughout history, hence the reason why so much of their murals depict sea goddesses and mermaids on stone walls and I am pretty sure they have their fair share of pirate tales too!
Lagos is a harbour town so there are all kinds of fish on the menus of all restaurants, we stepped into a local fish market and found it intriguing because there was an array of fish, squid, crab and octopus plus this is their livelihood and it’s good to be involved in another culture somehow, it was also great for Jon’s photography, capturing a small glimpse into how people live in a different culture.
About a week ago I met up with a friend called Lauren whom I’ve known for 4 years now. We started out as work colleagues in the same part time job and she has now moved on within the world of law and I am very proud of her accomplishments. We hadn’t seen each other since my birthday so we decided to have lunch and a mooch around our favourite shop, the Body Shop together.
What I love about Lauren and what she teaches me is to relax and to treat myself more. She is not an over spender on things but she does work hard to get what she wants. When I tell her there is something I really want, her response is always “Get it then, don’t feel guilty for treating yourself.” and I love that. I do struggle with guilt and learning to value myself has been a hard road to walk down but I’m slowly getting there (Hence the red lipstick and tattoos). Through friends like Lauren I am learning that buying stuff for myself doesn’t make me a consumer or a shopaholic, it makes me normal for wanting to be attentive towards myself plus the Body Shop uses organic products that are not tested on animals. At the Body Shop Lauren found a body mist she felt would suit me and it did smell divine and very sensual and so she devilishly tempted me to buy this very sexy Black Musk body mist. Lauren: “Katie, get it, it’s very you, I mean just look at the sign, it says “Sweet on the inside, Fierce on the outside.” it’s totally you!” Me: “Do you really think so?” Lauren: “Yeah it’s just you if you were a perfume.” Me *with a smile*: “OK then!”
Sometimes you need friends around you to remind you of your worth and to teach you self love, in a world where we are bombarded with negativity on a daily basis, it’s important to give yourself some love, to be kind to yourself and others throughout the bad times by just getting that book or dress or perfume you wanted, sit in meditation for 5 minutes, laugh at puppy videos on youtube or take a nap and go see friends and family members whom you can be yourself around. Life is so short so practice love in all shapes and forms.
“The Rig Veda states; ‘In the beginning there was desire and this was the first seed of the mind.’ Hindu cosmology believes that the process of creation emerged from primordial chaos and a frenzied sensuality. The idea of creation was manifested as an amorous act between the gods and goddesses; making the formation of the universe both sacred and erotic.
Everything in nature makes love in order to create new life and to rejoice in the beauty of spring. The ancient Indians viewed love and sex as highly important because it connects us to nature and to the cosmos. The pursuits of pleasure of the human body was seen as one way of being closer to the divine and thus attain spiritual union (or achieve Moksha) that one aspired for.
Much like the practice of Yoga, the Kama Sutra is hugely misunderstood around the world. The Kama Sutra is an ancient book of Love; it is not just a book of sex positions. There are 64 different positions that can be assumed during loving making and are actually one small part of the entire book. Kama Sutra literally translates to “love lessons” or “Desire Song” and was used as a guide for couples of all ages, courtesans to the king and was a great resource for the ancient holy women or priestesses residing in temples and were said to be a direct connection to deity and thus making love to them was extremely sacred.”
The most beautiful, deepest, cleanest lake on earth. Anyone ever heard of a Quokka? They are super cute animals that enjoy taking selfies with you. My Aunt Valerie interviewed for Exodus Travel, she is so inspiring. This is the cutest baby sloth I have ever seen! I’d love to meet a sloth one day. Find out what kind of man or woman you are attracted to based on your signs! I am loving this instagraming yogi and her dog at the moment. Nepalese designer goes back to Nepal in this stunning short video. This beautiful devotional song to Durga is brilliant for meditation work. Sweden has run out of rubbish we should all learn how they did it. Sailaway dress company now include homeware in their shop and it is gorgeous.
My time in the North of England visiting family and friends was good for me, it was a time of reflection and contemplation about the direction I want to go in with my career and life. I’ve realized, Plymouth is not for me anymore, even though there are some loose ends to tie up and small things to do first before I move on. Then after all of that, there is nothing in Plymouth for me anymore. There is change in the air and I really don’t want to be in this part of the UK anymore or even this part of the world at all. I am searching for opportunities that suit me and thinking up ways to leave, I have itchy feet and a heart that has healed and is ready for the next adventure. I feel like something will happen over the next few months and although I am nervous because I feel like something is round the corner, I am also excited because I am bored out of my mind being in Plymouth.
Just spending time with my best friend performing and teaching in Liverpool showed me there is a huge creative and holistic hub where my line of work fits The whole atmosphere up North felt more bohemian and more welcoming of individuals like me.
I am excited to have my website go live with brand new content. I am also creating new up to date resumes as an English, Art, Dance & Yoga teacher/holistic practitioner too. I have so much to work on and it feels like I am nesting in prep for the next phase, putting everything in order whilst I wait for the opportune moment, it’s all about divine timing.
Chatting for hours with best friend have given me the clarity I need. My best friend and I spent our days imagining running holistic music, art, dance & yoga workshops together around the North West. Another friend is in contact with a beautiful tea cafe owner who allows teachers to facilitate workshops in her cafe or assist her on her charity project in Gambia, these are all things I want to do and are within reach. I do believe before this year is up I’ll go back up North for a short while to promote my work in the community and to collaborate with friends.
In the mean time, alongside all of the little things I hope to do whilst I am still in Plymouth,So much is being planned, some of it may not come into being and that’s OK, but it feels good that these things are the final chapters to my time in Plymouth. It is coming up to the time now where I need to spread my wings and show people what I am made of after a few years of quiet servitude.
