Wonder

Time away, always brings inspiration for me and when I took time off in May it allowed space for me to tune in; in turn bringing to life the foundations of our last theme: Creating a sense of curiosity & playfulness and the wonder of the simple things.

A couple of things fuelled this: spending time with my friends little ones - the curiosity of a 2 year old is just an absolute joy to watch! The wonder, the unknown, not falling into an automatic assumption of what we already perceive the thing to be.

The second thing that I experienced was watching the sun set at Shell Island. The combination of the land, the sea, the sky with the late light was so beautiful. I was so present in the moment, but I also returned back to this sense of wonder. As I watched the landscape I associated the mountains and the earth to my physical body, I matched the sea and the wave like qualities to my breath, and the vastness of the sky to my sense of being; my essence, my awareness, my spirit (whatever the word is you personally may choose to call it!).

Here's a more detailed look at what we covered over the previous 6 weeks:

  • Stillness and Meditation with a connection to Breath:
    Practices like meditation and mindfulness, which are integral to yoga, can cultivate a sense of inner peace and clarity, allowing one to experience the world with a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation. 


  • Playfulness and Exploration with a connection to Body:
    Yoga practices, especially those incorporating playful movements or variations in poses, can awaken a sense of wonder by encouraging you to approach your body and movement with curiosity and a beginner's mind. 


  • Santosha (Contentment) with a connection to the Mind:
    The yoga principle of Santosha, or contentment (something that some of you may remember we have done as a theme previously) promotes finding joy in the present moment and appreciating the simple things, which can lead to a deeper sense of wonder about the world around us. 


  • Nature Connection:
    Yoga practices often encourage a connection with nature, both in the physical environment and within oneself. This can inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world. 


  • Interconnectedness - bringing all of the above to connect:
    Yoga philosophy emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the universe, suggesting that everything is part of a larger whole. This understanding can create a sense of awe and wonder at the intricate web of life.

Yoga philosophy suggests that a receptive and open mind can lead to a greater capacity for wonder. By letting go of preconceived notions and expectations, one can open themselves up to the infinite possibilities of experience; to emphasize the interconnectedness of all things and beauty of existence, with a sense of awe and wonder. 

Photo of me in the Azores in May on our holiday 😊

(Photo of me in the Azores on our holiday 😊)

Here are the linked posts featuring some more moments of wonder on my social media:

You can join me for weekly in-person classes in Comberbach and Northwich, and also from your home with my Gentle Mat & Chair live online classes

1-to-1 and Corporate classes are also available.

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Finding Peace in the Welsh Hills ~ Reflections on our Summer Weekend Retreat