Sometimes the universe deals us some truly painful cards and often a vulnerable hand. So we need to surrender, to learn to accept what is. There will be many times and many situations when we simply lose control and are confronted with what we cannot change and with what scares the living daylight out of us. However, acceptance is the key to ascending and transforming our lives. "Accept what is, let go of what was and have faith in what will be."

We often think that we cannot escape the past and believe that the future is forever linked to it. And so if we don't escape our past, we carry it with us and often don't realize that by doing so, we are encumbered with the same burdens and carry on with the same thoughts, behaviours and habits that are no longer useful to us. We live 'back there' and in doing so we fail to 'live here'. The future doesn't have anything to do with the past. We just think it does. We need to let go of the future too. Truly living is 'living' in this moment, stretching time and breathing more fully. The moment is fleeting. We need to grasp it and cherish it. I am thankful to the poet who kindly allowed me to use the work "Let Go". I read it to my students often and each time I do it opens new windows for them and for me. It has helped me inhale more easily and perhaps it will resonate with you too.

We need to train our minds to think beautifully. To see the gentle, soft side of co-existence. Without each other, we cannot operate effectively. We cannot live harmoniously. We cannot be peaceful. And in the words of novelist Henry James: "Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind."

What is gratitude? It is the quality of being thankful; the willingness and eagerness to recognize the good things we have in life; to identify and to show appreciation for each blessing; and to return kindness whenever the opportunity arises. What are the gifts of gratitude? We become more mindful of the little things! We let go of the unimportant and futile. We feel happy, enthusiastic, and calm. We relish the life we lead. Thank you L.R. Knost for your beautiful poem 'Life is Amazing'.

Close your eyes, listen to the whispers in your body, breathe effortlessly, quiet your mind, move slowly, relax deeply...let go! This session is ideal for beginners and those who wish to deepen their already established practice.

Close your eyes, listen to the whispers in your body, breathe effortlessly, quiet your mind, move slowly, relax deeply...let go! Ideal for beginners and those who wish to deepen their already established practice. This practice has a little more emphasis on flexibility in the neck and shoulders and introduces Left Nostril Breathing (Ida Nadi). Take it easy and remember to be kind to yourself! Enjoy!

Yoga Nidra is a powerful technique in which you learn to deeply relax but at the same time remain conscious and aware of the process. Therefore it is not sleep. May I suggest it is like a half-waking, half-sleeping state. Feeling calm and soothed but at the same time alert and refreshed. Experiencing physical, mental and emotional release. Completely 'Letting go'. In preparation, lie down somewhere warm and quiet. Cover yourself in a wrap or blanket. You may need something beneath your knees for additional comfort. Rest, breathe with ease, and enjoy!

Whether you are feeling weak or courageous today, remember, that there is very little difference between the two states of being. Both have fear. It is said that the coward listens to his fears and becomes frozen by them and/or controlled by them. The courageous person puts them aside and pushes through or meanders around the obstacles and refuses to be ruled by dread. You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore. William Faulkner - Nobel Prize - Author

It is said that listening is our access to understanding. But it seems we are now so easily distracted in our day-to-day existence that we can no-longer hear 'the whispers'. The turbulent noise of the outside world has become deafening. Breath whispers, mind whispers, body whispers, heart whispers. Nature is asking us to listen. Is it not time to pay a little more attention?

Needing some deep, deep, rest? Do you worry and then reflect upon these worries just before you go to sleep? Do you then worry because you can't sleep? Vicious circle isn't it? If you are a 'worrier' you are at greater risk of not sleeping and not resting well. So it is important to focus on being more relaxed and drowsy before going to bed and whispering to yourself, everything will be OK and know that where your intention goes, energy flows. By the way, using alcohol for relaxation may lead to worse sleep. It is a popular myth that alcohol improves sleep. It may send you to sleep but then it will cause disruption during the night. Gentle relaxation techniques are a much better antidote. Some can function on little sleep and not be concerned about it knowing that this will not necessarily happen all the time. When we accept, and let go of what we believe 'should' happen, then more often than not, we relax a little more and are able to rest a little better. Again the energy will flow. Guided mindfulness and meditation practises can help considerably in giving the mind something to do other than worry about what has happened, what is happening and what 'could' happen. In the yoga tradition, lying down on your back with your arms nestled beside you, your palms open, your legs long and loose, your face soft and your breathing settling into a slow, calm rhythm is known as 'Savasana'. Translated from Sanskrit, it means the 'corpse' pose. Symbolically it simply implies letting go of behaviours, habits, beliefs, thoughts and worries that are no-longer useful to you. Letting them die away. Often the reason why we cannot settle, rest or sleep, is because we are constantly in our head, creating stories and a lot of nonsensical worries and plights, and our poor body suffers as it does not get the rest it needs. It's the worry that usurps you.... Not the lack of sleep. Less worrying......better sleep. Quote: A candy-coloured clown they call the sandman Tiptoes to my room every night Just to sprinkle star dust and to whisper Go to sleep, everything is all right! Roy Orbison