Well, we’re nearly saying goodbye to April and May is just about here (or maybe by the time you read this it will be May already!)

We are all reflecting lately on how fast is each week going by. Is 2021 flying?? I’m still having trouble remembering that the year is not 2020 (case in point, when I was making my April Spotify playlist, I typed 2020 instead of 2021. Oooops. Not sure if I have changed it yet.)

What I’m loving more than ever in 2021 is teaching yoga. You are all amazing!!! Your progress has been so uplifting and SUPER (must read that with a Greek accent ?) I have to make things harder for you all!!!

Please note that some of the private groups have changed to open classes. For example, bookings for the Wednesday night 7:30pm class are now open for anyone who wants to attend in that time slot.

There will also be one or two classes shifting this season so please check my timetable for any changes.
And I will be adding some pop up classes including meditation and slow flow yoga, as well as abs, butt and thighs. These will be advertised on Facebook and Instagram – another reason why you should like and follow haha.

I’m really grateful to everyone who has been willing and able to shift, compromise and change their schedules and still make it work. You have all been wonderful in your bookings and cancellations. Thank you so much for such smooth sailing.

Hello, also, to all the new students who may still be in shock of the amount of talking I do in class. Which leads me to this: how well do you know your Yoga teacher? Just for fun, answer this mini quiz below??
Send your answers by email, text or photo and be in the running to receive a FREE yoga class to the value of $24.

xx Eleni

In Spring, I feel like I’m on holidays. My music selection for classes probably reflects that.

Yoga is my number one de-stressor. What I try to do in every class is really honour the reason of why on that day you have chosen to come to class – it’s all important for me. Sustaining our practise is such a precious tool for our wellbeing. How good does it feel when you have reached the end of the class!? You are all so motivated and I feel this year you have just pushed to a higher level. This has nothing to do with me, but you – superstar yogis.

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Did you know on 22nd August the studio reached a super milestone of 15 years!!!!! I feel so strong and lucky to be able to follow through after the COVID shut down. The decision to move from Bexley North and set up in a different space was not taken lightly, but wow. I have been so busy, it’s been super exciting and a pleasant surprise. I did not mark the 15 year anniversary with a party, but hey, we have so much to look forward to. Thank you for your support everyone. I’m really, really grateful. This could not have happened without you.

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I have been registered as an Australian Homeopath for the last 12 years and as a practitioner, I know that you are all looking at your health from so many different angles. What makes Homeopathy stand out as a holistic modality is that how we feel – the mind symptoms – are rated with as much importance as the physical.

I want to share a story. On Monday, I walked to my chiropractic appointment in Bexley North and on my walk back to Clemton Park, I took some detours. As I walked past a house and admired a beautiful plant, there was a lovely lady sweeping her porch.

I said ‘good morning’ and she told me that this particular plant was planted by her late brother, who had died 10 months after planting it. This was followed a year later by the death of her other brother on Christmas Day. We talked for a while, and I felt that she had not talked to anyone for a while. I was there to listen to her story.

Her Mum had dementia and her younger sister had Cerebral Palsy. She herself had survived bowel cancer and detrimental heart problems (she mentioned the name of her diagnosis, but I cannot remember.) She gave very detailed descriptions about her health issues, including dates and names of her doctors and specialists.

She said “No one could explain the reasons for my heart problems before I had surgery to fix. I never smoked or drank alcohol, but I’ll tell you why – the grief ate me up. All the worry, and and grief, I kept it all in my heart, until I could not hold anymore.”

In my mind, as I listened to her story, I thought of all the Homeopathic remedies I could have given her. Yes, medical intervention was needed – she’s only around because of surgery by a specialised team that brought her back to life in a 13 hour operation. Allopathic medicine is wonderful but us humans are such complex creatures, healing takes many avenues and I truly believe Homeopathy can help do that.

The lady was so wonderful and wise – a retired academic. I’m happy that she shared her story, we all need to share our stories.

I asked her name and she replied Helen.

I said: I’m Eleni.

xxx

Hi everyone,

I cannot express how amazing I feel. There’s a strength in my mind and body, a trustful energy of protection and positivity. There were many moments of OMG over the last few weeks! Thoughts of:

But damn you fear I did not let you come in, and when you did you had to leave after just one glass of red wine.
 
Resilience, faith and daily goals allowed me to adapt to the daily new temporary normal. I stayed focused. I did not plan too far ahead – five days max.
 
My surgery also went ahead and everything was fine – I’m in perfect health.
 
Thank you to everyone who booked for private yoga sessions, had homeopathic consultations, and bought clothing from my yoga range. I was so excited when I posted two pairs of the yoga pants to South Australia!
 
I also allowed and will continue to allow yogis who have passes to use their stickers for private classes to the value of $80.
 
Thank you for all the messages from past and present students checking in and saying hello. What a beautiful community that we have.
 
There will be more changes this year (it’s that kind of a year!!) but no fear – just abundant positivity and inner perseverance.

The theme of this blog – the last one of 2019 – has been inspired by an unknown: a young kid who I see kicking and practicing soccer at my local park every afternoon.

He is no older than 13 or 14 and he says ‘hello’ whenever I walk past with my crazy dog Jedda. Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn, rain or shine, he’s there, concentrating on going through the drills. He does not have a coach or mum or dad going through the drills with him, he’s just on his own. He practices non stop – so dedicated and in the moment. A strong mindset, a strong inner purpose. Time is of no consideration to him.

Such a resilient young soul, he just radiates. Like an old Nanna, I always whisper: may he be blessed with all the luck in the world.

Personally I feel I have needed to have resilience and perseverance in spades this year. I have definitely been spoilt in the past, with my annual trip to Greece. Greece is my inspiration – a portal to creativity and wellbeing, an essential part of my life. This year I actually took no holidays. Zilch, just public holidays. Of course, no violins serenading here, I am blessed to work in my dream jobs. Healing, health, yoga, movement – it’s soul-inspiring work. I am surrounded by such nice, nice, nice people, I have no words.

Getting to a yoga class week in, week out requires such perseverance and discipline. So many of you did that. Some yogis never missed a week of practise this year. I find that extraordinary. I feel so in awe of you. Morning practitioners, afternoon, evenings. Some yogis running 5-10 minutes late to make class, leaving kids to designated baby sitters, dashing post work, to not miss their class.

This year I truly noted how far some students have progressed in their practise. Regulars who truly stepped it up. And up. And up!!! Yogis who were beginners who are now just so strong and smooth, beautiful, mindful operators.

My Homeopathic practise has also been a blessing. Even in my personal life as well, when I see the benefits that my clients experience. For me, Homeopathy took care of me, and it was on the sphere of the mind. My compulsive mindset. My anorexia in my early 20’s later saw me become exercise obsessive and food obsessive. I counted my daily food intake relentlessly and I set my own warped standard to follow. I punished myself by restricting food and adding more exercise. Over the years, behaviour patterns like that become normal. But self awareness and the will to change took over. I could not continue to live like that. My body complained, I had no periods for one stretch of three years, then in my 30’s, I experienced six years of amenorrhea. My mind at times would add and subtract what I ate 40 or 50 times a day until I felt satisfied. The the next day came and it started again.

My first Homeopath, who still is and was also my lecturer, steered me to a remedy that was so subtle. I will never forget, I was walking with my Mum on the sand at Brighton Le Sands, and I turned to her and said: “Today I have not made a mental list of all that I have consumed.” I was so surprised!! And the best feeling was realising that WOW, my mind was at rest, and I could do other things. Another of those WOW moments was when I experienced a progressive guided relaxation class with my late teacher, Acharya Upendra Roy.

Homeopathy took off this year like a rocket, and I have officially practised for 10 years. 10 years of Perseverance and Resilience. I’m happy that I did not give up, I kept up my registration requirements, and education. I continued even when some months the work that came was at a snails pace.

Life is at times such a challenge, but so wonderful and amazing. Thank you for choosing me as your yoga teacher, guide, Facilitator, Homeopath, friend. Truly I cannot ask for anything more.

Merry Christmas if you celebrate the religious/Christian aspect of this holy day like I do.

Otherwise, a Happy Happy 2020 and an amazing festive season for whatever you are celebrating. I wish you a year with more love, connection, health, peace and blissful smiles and hearts. There is no room for anything else.

PS. I wrote this blog before the week of the great fires that have engulfed our state and caused, among other devastation, such poor air quality in Sydney. Well, this kid still practised on those afternoons. Never give up.

xoxoxoox
Eleni

14 years. Just as well I like even numbers, haha.

My goodness were did 14 years go? I’m older, more in tune with my energetic soul and my passion for yoga, holistic healing and health is off the charts. I actually enjoy teaching now more then ever, and I’m always aware of how big my responsibility is as a yoga teacher.

I registered the yoga studio on the 22nd of August in 2005, and when I received the certificate from the Office of Fair Trading I was like: “Wow. Here we go!”

At the time I was working around four or five  jobs. Mum and I had a cafe on Eleventh Street Mascot, I had the contract at State Parliament in Macquarie street teaching fitness classes, I was teaching as a permanent regular at gyms such as Fernwood next to Wynyard station (which doesn’t exist anymore), training private clients and studying homeopathy.

It all came together so organically and bit by bit.

My emblem was designed by a beautiful soul named Renata who I have lost touch with through the years. I had met her in Simon Borgs’  6:00am classes at Bondi Junction. When I told her what I was embarking on, she offered to create my logo and sign. Payment? Bartering. I trained her with outdoor fitness sessions and, well, you have seen my symbol. Blessings of the universe.

While reflecting on the past I started looking for my diaries. I’m very passionate about documenting my feelings, life, events and my integration in this world. I would design my own diaries and add clippings from magazines that sparked my interest. I have kept a record of every student that has come through the studio doors through all these years.

Let me remind you that when I started the yoga studio there was no Facebook or social media advertising. No Instagram, no website. My yogi customers came from pamphlet letterbox drops and referrals. People called me for enquiries (I still have the same phone number) and I wrote all the enquiries and address down – so cute.

I have so many stories from the last 14 years I have no idea were to start, but there’s a yoga book that I will be getting out in the future. I can’t help it, I’m a story teller and a big talker!!!! Would you still believe me if I told you that I still get a few butterflies at the start of some classes? Yes I do.

I have been teaching group and private classes for 25 years every day, every week, with the only breaks being while i’m on holidays (HELLO GREECE!) or public holidays. I don’t take sick days but I started this year saying “no” sometimes (for example, I won’t teach that class today because it’s not busy, or my vocals are exhausted or my legs.)

My strength as a teacher is that I can teach any age group. Of course I have so much to learn and I’m always learning and refining. I have had many students and clients become yoga teachers over the years. Recently I had a homeopath contact me for a remedy, and I realised she was a homeopathic client of mine before she became a homeopath herself.

To stay around for 14 years it comes down to the community of people who back you up. A strong foundation of yogis who want to learn and are passionate about their practise. It’s not a fad, it’s a lifestyle, and it’s a part of you.

My discipline matches my students’ discipline. Passion for the yoga is the gift that we hold in our soul and also share with our loved ones.
I am truly grateful for all my students, from the past, the present and the future. I have no words, just hugs.

My number one supporter has been my Mum. What a woman!!! Without her, i’m not sure if I would have had the strength at times to continue. She has my back and her advice and the way she boosts my confidence when I lose to the fear cloud.

What does the future hold for me and us?

Well there’s no denying that leading yoga retreats in Australia and taking small groups of yogis to Greece for health, fun, yoga and fitness is my passion and what  i’m working towards more. Greece 2020 dates and prices are up on the website. I will also be leading yoga teacher training courses in the near future. That will be amazing, and your responses and interest so far have inspired me even further.

My homeopathy practise has become so much stronger and the results are what gets me more and more bookings. Did you know I’m officially a national homeopath, registered for 10 years and winner of clinical training? I’m thinking of branching out to a practise at Bondi Beach or the Shire. How much time do I have and what can i fit in?? haha, I have no idea.

And there will be a 14-year yoga party for sure!!! But I’m waiting for Summer. I love our gatherings at Nielsen Park and we are so due for one.

Big love to you all,

Eleni xxx

PS. There will be a surprise offer, which will appear on social media close to the studio’s birthday either on my Instagram account or Facebook page. Follow, share or if you’re old school like me, phone me. 😉