A list of 7 reminders for staying joyful and content with life and its moments.
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Life is certainly a rhythm of events that go all sorts of ways. We might understand it better if we allowed ourselves to trust and to flow with all that comes. But of course we have been conditioned from a young age to certain beliefs and values which affect our habits and the way we perceive the world.

One thing is certain and that is change. Yoga philosophy teaches us about everything in the physical world being changeable and inconsistent. So change of all kinds happens. If we want to find contentment in life, according to Yoga philosophy, then we must learn to surrender to changes and about the importance of vairagya, non-attachment or dispassion. This is perhaps one of the most difficult aspects to practice because some believe that having attachment for something or somebody means that we love or value them. But attachment is a form of dependency, and when we depend on anything in the material world, yoga philosophy says that dukkha will come (suffering).
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Although our practice is not a quick fix, but a lifestyle we commit to, we can learn to keep this consistent and allow it to take us deeper than the physical aspect. This too should be approached from a place of non-attachment, but freedom and joy.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE JOYFUL?
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In my opinion, living joyfully is applying the above approach. We become grateful to what we are given from life, and not fall every time things don’t go the way we want them to. Living from a space of joy to me is about learning to trust the Divine infinite consciousness, that which sees the truth and that which knows the truth. Without allowing our mind to create scenarios, to lead us to fictional stories, joyfulness brings us into the present moment.

​It is here and now that life happens, it is in this moment that we are living and experiencing the physical reality. I think it’s not fair to say to living joyfully is easy, because like everything, it requires work. But life itself is a form of work, karma, a form of action that we go through as long as there is breath. If we can remind ourselves not to be too stuck in our mind and be open to what comes, joyfulness will eventually become a natural way of living.


Here are 5 reminders to remain joyful in life:

1. Focus on doing activities you love. Find your hobbies and spend time on them. We are here to serve, so find what you enjoy and share it with love.

​2. Remind yourself that everything is temporary and often out of your control. Then you will be adaptable, unattached and free.

3. Do something creative as often as you can. Creation stops stagnation.

4. Surround yourself only with people who bring love and joy in your life and you the same for them. Be kind to all but wise who you share your energy with.

​5. Do some form of physical exercise everyday. This will help to clear your mind and focus. Move to feel good.

​6. Spend at least 10 minutes a day, everyday, still and in silence. Meditation is an uninterrupted concentration.
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​​7. Every morning, before you do anything else, remind yourself of who you are and say thank you for being given another opportunity to contribute to the world.

A lovely skin treat with this 3 ingredients relaxing DIY body exfoliator.

​I’ve been making my own body exfoliation/scrubs for a long time. I know there are many great products out there, but I love the idea of customising my weekly exfoliation routine based on how I feel. In general, I use raw brown sugar as my base ingredient and then I add a carrier oil (usually coconut, sesame or almond) and one or more essential oils.

This particular one I’ve been making feels so nourishing for the skin and delicate. My skin looks so hydrated, soft and radiant straight after I apply this exfoliator. I have quite a few essential oils, although recently I have really enjoyed Palmarosa. It’s so powerful yet soft, and I find it quite a feminine fragrance, so it may help us women get in touch with our patient, gentle and receptive energy.

Palmarosa is a tropical grass from India, similar to lemongrass, but with a strong rose like scent. As an essential oil it comes with so many great benefits for the skin, the muscles and the mind. It may help to relieve muscle soreness, physical and mental fatigue. In my opinion, it can also be a suitable choice when focusing on Anahata (the heart chakra) as one of its benefits is said to help balance emotions and stress relief.

Palmarosa is known as a popular ingredient used in skin care products as it is said to nourish the skin and reinvigorate skin cells as well as having an anti-ageing effect. With its deep cleansing quality, it might also be helpful when treating some skin conditions which may be suitable for Pitta dosha individuals also.

For this relaxing and nourishing body exfoliator, I used these 3 ingredients:
Raw brown sugar (2-3 tsps)
Coconut oil (20-30ml)
Palmarosa essential oil (10 drops max)

Mix them all together in a small dish or cup until the oils are absorbed in the sugar. It should become a little bit of a thick scrub like paste.

I apply this all over the body in the shower and rub gently in most areas in circular movement. Once I have applied it all over the body, I let it sit on the skin for about 5minutes then I wash it off. To remove the excess oil from the skin, I then wash my skin with soap and then rinse again. If you do this before bed time, the water can be on the hotter side because this will help relax the muscles even more which can help with a good night’s sleep.

I always use a light natural moisturiser after just to nourish the skin a little more and it feels amazing:

*Please check with your doctor first if you are pregnant because some essential oils are not suitable during pregnancy. Whenever using essential oils, I suggest to always mix it with a carrier oil and make sure it is suitable for your skin (if you are not allergic to any etc).

Candles provide a wonderful atmosphere and set a calm mood. Aside from being decorative and beautiful, they also come in different fragrances which serve for specific purposes. You can find sage aroma candles; tea tree or mint, which can refresh the atmosphere;lemongrass which uplifts the energy or of course, lavender, for its calming and cleansing effects. They come at different price points and there is something for everyone. Personally, I always burn candles in my house. In the evenings, often I prefer having candles instead of the lights on. There is something so serene about this.

Life is full of ups and downs. The constant shift between the two polar energies of yin and yang, feminine and masculine, of up and down, light and dark, happiness and suffering etc are all part of the natural rhythm of life.

​In the yoga philosophy, Sri Patanjali defines yoga as “Yogah citta vritti nirodha” which can be translated as “controlling the modifications of the mind”. These modifications are the thoughts, emotions, impulses etc which create this rhythm between reaction and surrender. So by learning to witness the mind instead of being involved in it, we can find our centre. The space where equanimity/ balance is established. Whether something exciting comes or something painful rises, we remain in the centre, we don’t rise too high, or fall too low. There is internal awareness and balance, which is not influenced by any external factors.

This of course requires a lifetime of practice. Asana, meditation, learning and so on. Another practical and useful way to implement some balance and inspiration in life is by using affirmations. They are powerful phrases that when done with belief and meaning, they have the power to reprogram our subconscious part of the mind. Yet again, this requires practice and patience.

Practicing affirmations that we can relate or aspire to, can indeed begin to change the way we perceive life’s events. The law of the universe provides us the opportunity to be in constant connection with the infinite Divine essence of creation. When we work together, without resistance but with fluidity and being open, wonderful things can begin to take place. And life is an experience. We can do the best we can with what we have. And through this attitude, we can start to believe in our potential to create a life of meaning and peace.


Here are 5 affirmations you can use (if they resonate with you) to give you more inspiration for life, self-belief and a sense of joy to transform your life in a way that best aligns with your purpose.

Life can be playful and joyful if you decide to live it this way. You are the artist of your own life and even though you cannot control the external events, you can create the ones you do want to experience. Being open to the flow of life and making the decision to take responsibility for how you live can create a huge positive outcome.

​We are all creative beings with the gift to explore and architect our life in a way that suits our path of purpose and dharma. Decide how yours will take shape and start to live that way.

The number 1 is a symbol of freedom, confidence, action and new beginnings. 10 can be looked at as the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new one. 22 is known as a master angel number and it is said to bring good fortune. But to attract this, we must be in that energy field. So it is all about being present and making the most of where we are right now.

We often rush towards the future, to something new, craving for what is to come but we rarely pause to let ourselves really be part of all that is in the moment. This month, try to realise that where you are now, is exactly where you are meant to be in this moment. Even if you are not experiencing something that you want, trust in Divine reason. I always believe in synchronicities and that whatever we have been given from life it is because we need to experience that. Maybe it is because we need to learn something (like patience, forgiveness, become stronger or more open etc); maybe it is to push us towards something new; maybe it is because it is something that we once wanted but forgot about it or realise it is not for our highest good after all. Whatever it is, try to find a reason (or more) to be grateful for what it is that you have and where you are now. The law of abundance only works if we are grateful for what we have. The more thankful we are, the more abundance comes because we are in that energy field and the Divine power of the Universe only works on vibration.

When we are clear about this, then we experience contentment or as we know from Yoga Philosophy, Santosha. From this space, we can easily end cycles because we are in good spirit and joyful state. We are not bound by fear to let go, but open to acceptance and surrender. Decisions from desperation are usually made in fear, which creates even more of it. So whatever cycle is coming to an end, allow it. Find a way to open your heart, to forgive and to forget but from a space of acceptance and love; to be grateful for it even if it wasn’t so pleasant. The Universe only gives us what we can handle, so trust you are strong enough for it.

Finally, the best part of this October is inviting the energy of the new. A big change is not necessary in order to experience newness. Just by simply becoming more relaxed, trusting and adaptable to the flow of life, we can create brand new experiences for ourselves. Whatever it is your inner wisdom takes you towards, let it.

During this month, it is useful to practice meditation to cleanse the mind; pranayama and breathing exercises to expand the prana and relax the mind. To learn a new skill to help you the freedom that comes when you step out of your comfort zone. And focusing on hobbies that maybe you have not prioritised for some time. Focus on finding that spark of joy for your life; on eating nourishing and wholesome meals, on spending time with quality people who are supportive, loving and optimistic.

​Remember and affirm to yourself:
​”I am the artist of my life and I can create the life I want to live. From this moment on, everything is possible”.

Taking the Yoga Philosophy on the mat - How can we apply the Yamas in our asana practice...

The Yoga philosophy of Patanjali (Raja yoga) provides us with 8 clear steps towards enlightenment or freedom/Moksha. These 8 limbs of yoga (yamas, nyamas, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi) are the pillars of Raja yoga and can be practiced by anybody who follows this yoga path of self-discipline and will power. The first limb is the "Yamas" which are the social conducts and how to behave in the world. There are 5 Yamas mentioned by sage Patanjali which I will attempt to explain below in my understanding. Although they were created for external use in the social life, it is important to practice these everywhere, on and off the mat. When we understand the meaning and application of each one in practical sense in our yoga asana practice, this might help us do so in our social environment also. Below I will relate these to the asana practice and how we can apply the Yamas on the mat to the best of my knowledge and personal experience both as a student and as a teacher.

Ahimsa presents us the concept of no harm or non-violence in our thoughts, speech and actions. Often times, ego can get involved in our practice and we can start to compete with ourselves or others. This can impede our development on the mat, cause distraction and maybe even injury. We can apply the concept of ahimsa by inviting kind thoughts in our practice without any judgement of the body or the level of our asana practice. Should thoughts that are judgemental or negative come through, we can learn to pause and observe these, taking Balasana (child's pose) to regroup and as a reminder of the purpose of the asanas. We can apply ahimsa by not forcing ourselves into an asana or pushing our body to reach a posture when it is not ready. This is not a safe approach for the physical self and also for the mind. Instead, we can learn to appreciate the current state of the body and learn to accept this. The body is always changing, one day we can feel strong, and another, we can step on the mat feeling completely out of balance. Neither are wrong, weak or in need of judgement, they are just different. Practice with compassion, self-acceptance and non-harm.

Satya is the second of the Yamas and it refers to being truthful. This is an important aspect of our yoga practice on and off the mat. We must always be truthful in our practice with no ulterior motives, without the need to be admired for our abilities or in denial of our current physical state. Practice in truth and remind yourself why you step on your mat when you do. Setting a Sankalpa (intention) at the beginning of the practice can help to keep the focus when these distractions occur. If an asana is not accessible for you in that moment, let it go. Do it to the best of your abilities and be truthful to where you are at currently. Most importantly, stay truthful to your practice and do it with integrity. The intention of our practice has more significance than how “advanced” we do each asana.

I can relate the concept of asteya on the mat with looking around at other's mats and trying to copy what they are doing or trying to do it better than they do it. Our focus should always be on our own practice. Every physical body is different and every person has their own journey on the mat. Stay truthful to yours, focus on your own practice and try not to take other's practice and apply it as your own. Instead, apply the teachings from your yoga teacher to best support your asana journey and let it unfold naturally. 

Although Brahmacharia refers to celibacy, its meaning can also be also be associated with self-discipline and learning not to lust or be in constant desire. Exhausting our energy will also affect our asana practice. Learning the self-discipline of brahmacharia off the mat can help us to integrate the concept of will-power in our practice.

The last of the Yamas is Aparigraha, which can be known as non-possessiveness. The philosophy teaches us to be humble and steady, balanced and centred. When we attach ourselves to our practice this can lead to suffering. No form of attachment leads to a peaceful mind according to Yoga. So every time we step on the mat we can do so from a new perspective, without any possessiveness for the practice or labelling it. I also relate Aparigraha to not claim ownership even of a space of practice or a specific mat. Our asana practice can be done anywhere, so long as there is a clean, well aired and safe environment space.

In general I try to avoid labelling in any kind of yoga practice, especially in asana practice. However it is helpful for those who are just starting out to have guidance into some of the key postures to practice first. By no means these are easy, but they help to set a foundation for an asana practice. 

Tadasana or Mountain pose is the foundation asana for the standing asanas but also in our daily life. Tadasana represents the correct body posture we should maintain in daily life. Tadasana teaches us the correct alignment for the body so that we can always learn to create balance in our practice on and off the mat.

Adho Mukha Svanasana or downward facing dog is a key posture in any asana practice. It is used in all sun salutations sequences and it’s a great transitional asana. Adho Mukha Svanasana helps to stretch the spine, the hamstrings and calves. It also strengthens the quads, back and arm muscles and stretches the digestive organs.

Virabhadrasana II or Warrior II is definitely a key asana to learn. Just as its name suggests, it provides a combination of strength and flexibility which are also very warrior like qualities. It helps to set a strong foundation in the practice and in life, as this asana activates Muladhara, the root chakra, the energy centre for grounding and balance in life.

Anjaneyasana or low lunge pose targets the hips, shoulders and chest. Having the back knee on the mat provides support for the body to focus on the hip opening instead of trying to also find balance. This is a beautiful chest and shoulder opener and great for stretching the hip flexors.

Bhujangasana or cobra pose is a more accessible back bending asana but by no means it is easy. A variation that can be practiced is Salamba Bhujangasana which is done on the forearms. Bhujangasana strengthens the back muscles, improves flexibility of the spine and opens the shoulders and chest.

Vrksasana or tree pose is a standing asana which helps us to set a strong foundation in the body, mind and in our practice. Finding stability and balance takes time and Vrksasana can support us in doing so. 

Trikonasana or triangle pose provides a deep opening to the intercostal muscles, the inner thighs, chest and shoulders. It also strengthens the legs and stimulates the digestive organs. Trikonasana can be practiced with a block to place the hand on until one can reach the mat (although this is not necessary). Always ensure the shoulders are in a straight line and the upper hip is externally rotated .

Lizard pose is a beautiful hip opening asana, which is very versatile and comes with many modifications to suit different levels and states the body is in. Although it is considered a deep hip opening asana, it is one of the more accessible ones due to the modifications it has.

Kumbhakasana or plank pose helps us to develop strength overall in the body, particularly in the core and back muscles. It is also a great asana to use in between the other yoga postures, as it brings the body in a straight line and helps create balance. A variation for this is to do it on your forearms, or place the knees on the mat with the feet up.

Savasana is the most important asana from any asana practice (in my opinion). I like to call it "The master asana" because it is during Savasana that the teaching of the practice are revealed. It teaches us to be still, relaxed, effortless in the body, breath and mind. No doing, just being. And this can be challenging, but one of the most rewarding parts of it.

Life is constantly changing. Rarely we stay present with each experience; most of the time we are physically present but the mind is either in the past, future or in judgement. If we can learn to be in the experience in real time, as it comes, without the need to judge it but to simply live it, we can find our balance. This is what dharana (concentration) & dhyana (meditation) practices teach us. To be still, to be present. In life, there are times we need to be active and dynamic and times when we need to be passive and pause. If we can find the middle ground, then we can learn to go through each event of life with more ease, in a state of acceptance & balance.

Setting goals is part of life and most of us are taught that life is about becoming something great and ticking things off our To Do list, that the more we achieve, the greater we are…The philosophy teaches us that whether we tick things off or not or achieve anything, we are still great. Because our true self is the greatest light there is in each one of us, coated in these layers of physical experience. Instead of focusing on how you can be greater, yoga teaches us to shift this onto the collective, “How can we better be of service, do great for others, the nature etc”…We should indeed strive to live a life of integrity and bringing good to the world. It is our duty as human beings to be of service in some way. When we are in a constant state of desire, suffering will come. Because if the desired outcome does not happen, then this will bring disappointment. And when the desire is fulfilled, another desire will follow and the cycle continues.

This is perhaps one of the hardest aspects of the philosophy. Most of us love with attachment and condition. Many even attach to their spiritual practice. We cling onto things, places, careers etc to give us some sort of solid ground on who we think we are and how we live our life. Attachment in the philosophy is said to only bring dukkha, suffering. Everything is temporary, including our relationships. So no doubt suffering will be experienced if we attach to anything or anyone, because as it comes, at some point it will go. Practicing vairagya is difficult. It requires time, patience and faith. For some, unlearning the conditions they have learned throughout life. But when we start to feel joy and be grateful for every thing, every person, every aspect life gifts us with, without needing to be dependant on it or claim ownership for it, then we are free. And this internal state of freedom is one of the most powerful insights we can realise from the yoga philosophy.

One of the key outcomes of a consistent and dedicated yoga practice (this goes beyond just asana practice) is the realisation that we are not just the body and the mind but that beneath these, the essence which reflects through these is our true nature. These are indeed the objects of manifestation in physical life of our essence. This is difficult to understand and it requires consistent practice and reaching the highest forms of spiritual practice, such as meditation and Samadhi/enlightenment; the awakening of what I am, the true meaning of self-realisation. All the physical aspects of the self are constantly changing & impermanent, but the essence remains. It is not bound, dependant or affected by any external factors. This is where the meaning of “union” of yoga comes in to join all the dots and reach the AHA moment. How are we all connected? Because we all are just one essence manifested in different form.