Eleni’s Yoga and Movement Studio, now also at Activ Therapy Clemton Park, situated in Clemton Park Village.

Introducing my new Winter Yoga and Movement Health Series: 22nd June to 11th August at Activ Therapy Clemton Park @activtherapyclemtonpark.

Eleni will be conducting two weekly classes:

• Yoga Core class – 10am Wednesdays
• Gentle Yoga Flow class – 9:30am Thursdays

These classes will create overall body strength, awareness and suppleness, while making you feel relaxed, calm and grounded – positive benefits for both your body and your mind.

Cost per class is $25.

Special offer: pre-pay and book four classes with Eleni at @ Activ Therapy for $100 and get a 5^th class free! That’s just $20 per class. Note, free class applies only to the Activ Therapy timetable. This offer can be shared with a friend/family member.

Bookings are essential. Please contact Eleni on 0412 772 397 or eleni_yoga@yahoo.com.au

Find out more at: https://www.activtherapy.com.au/clemton-park-yoga.html

I have felt that everyone really just wants this month to end. Wait – more like this year to end! It’s like a feeling of let’s wrap it up, see ya 2021 and let’s try again for 2022.

Of course, rushing for the finale does mean we miss how precious each day is. We have many days left in 2021 to enjoy and just be. To accomplish, to keep succeeding, and to enjoy this precious life that we have. So let’s not hurry, let’s keep our sanity, and have fun!

I’ve thought about 5 ways you can see off 2021 with love, laughter and positivity.

1. Get into nature

Nature is healing and is fundamental to a calm headspace and relaxed, natural living. The Japanese coined the term Forest Bathing in the ’80s. They put research and programs in place for its population who were in critical need of relaxation and improve the immunity and psyche of the people. The Cure? Spending time in nature, in the forest and among trees. During the Round 2 Covid Lockdown this year I was at Cooks River twice a day walking or running. Believe it or not, I was still able to discover new pathways, and loops from the streets and areas of Cooks River that I had not visited before. It brought a smile to my face. So, how can you start your journey to get into nature? Start by visiting a beach, parkland or valley that you have wanted to visit but have always been too busy to go. Take a picnic, your favourite book or just yourself and enjoy being in nature. We have reached the end of a year that has had so many restrictions in how we conduct our lives, you owe this to yourself. If you need more motivation, there are walks that are organised by many groups. One of our yogis leads great nature day walks every few weeks to raise money for various animal shelters. Walking for a cause is another great initiative that is good for your total health spectrum. My next adventure is to visit Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden in Lavender Bay! Maybe I’ll see you there?

2. Eliminate unwanted clutter

This is a huge topic and has been a favourite of mine for a while. Let’s start with getting rid of clothing that do not fit you! Please let me elaborate on this. I don’t mean just size because it’s so much more than that. Does your clothing emotionally lift you up and does it match your current lifestyle and needs? Do you feel confident in it? Comfortable in it? Is your wardrobe full of clothing because you have loaded up from online shopping rampages that you probably don’t actually want or need but haven’t had the time to return? Some great steps to tackle this are: Question what you buy, who are you supporting with your purchase? Do you love it? Need it? Can you afford it? Is it Australian made? Ethical? Sustainable? Did the person who sweated making your clothing get paid a living wage with proper work safe conditions? Look at Oxfam and their campaign: She makes my clothes. This is why I am so passionate about my own clothing line being made here in Sydney by two amazing women, Chrysoula and Fotini. I want to give people quality and beautiful clothing that will last. I want it to be affordable and made with love, yes love, years of expertise and the human touch. But most of all I know there is fair pay and women supporting women in business!

3. Breathe and slow down

In my Homeopathic practice, I meet various clients who reach out for holistic health support for themselves and their families. A repeated concern for many is the lingering anxiety, stress, tension and discontent post Covid lockdown. From their consultation, I prescribe a remedy for their presenting symptoms that fits their personal unique story. That’s what I love about homoeopathy, it is such an individualised method. I’ll also prescribe some breathing techniques.
Conscious breathing slows down the fast brain thoughts. When the mind races it is unrelenting with thinking, planning and worrying. Our attention withers. Slowing down at certain parts throughout the day does not make you unproductive or lazy. It’s the opposite! You have vitality and attention to the tasks in need but don’t feel so distracted, overwhelmed and exhausted that you fall in a heap. How can you apply conscious breathing? Lie down, close your eyes and place your palms on your abdomen. Feel it rise and fall for two minutes. It will become soft and move like a small wave. Observe. For the next 4-5 minutes count your inhalation breath from 1-4 Pause. Then let the breath escape from counts 1-8. Pause. Repeat. Slow, rhythmic and steady. This is for all ages and again, no Yoga experience is needed. Do this once a day and work it up to twice. And of course, a reminder of no phones!

4. Yoga

Well, how could I not mention yoga???!!!! It has been so lovely to reconnect with all the students post lockdowns well as getting to meet new Yogis – wooohooo! Everyone’s texts, emails and messages on social. To receive everyone’s texts, emails and messages on social media was wonderful and so supportive to be checking in with each other. Teaching private sessions at the park during lockdown weeks was a saviour for me. The ritual of walking to the reserve and meeting each yogi as well as observing and waiting to see Mr Fluffy the Kookaburra. Yoga is a science. It’s a ritual of movement that requires all other stimuli to stop, and for you to be with your body, your breath on your mat. Totally present. Small group classes bring the wonderful energy of a community. Every yogi comes to feel better. We share our experiences but also work in unison by balancing, moving, stretching and at the end of the class relaxing. What if you are not ready to come to a class yet? Don’t place pressure on yourself. Search for online content on youtube and just start. Or, be old school (like me!) and borrow Yoga books from your library or buy from your local bookshop. Be mindful that without the guidance and expertise of a teacher not to attempt yoga postures that are beyond your current level of fitness and experience. You do not want to get injured. Work with what feels comfortable and when you are ready, jump into some classes for added support and variety.

5. Make plans that excite you

Planning for the future seems a bit hard to contemplate after the last 2 years. But, we cannot dismiss the feeling of what it’s like to look forward to something super wonderful. A few years ago I attended a Yoga Festival on the South Coast. It had an amazing array of speakers and presenters. There was a woman presenting a seminar that I had chosen to sit in as I waited for my chosen seminar to start. My yogi crew, you are aware of my inability at times to remember names but I’ll never forget the presentation. She used charts of our brain waves to amazingly describe what our mind does and how our immunity is boosted with the knowledge that we have an upcoming holiday or getaway to look forward to. Literally planning for a holiday boosts our immunity and uplifts our productivity! I’m waiting for the refund of my 2020 airline ticket to Greece. It has been 8 months since I cancelled and I’m still waiting for my so-called refund. I regret applying for one because I feel I will definitely be purchasing another airline ticket to the Motherland. I decided that even planning for my next Summer in Greece in 2022 would make me happy and it does! The planning of a road trip with my man makes me smile like crazy. Hosting a Summer Yoga retreat at Callala Beach at the end of January makes me jump with excitement. Attending a yoga course for my continued Professional Development in February at Byron Bay beams me up with happiness. We cannot deny it – small travel plans and getaways bring us hope and happiness.

If you have made it this far, thank you for reading!
Let me ask you…
What are you looking forward to in 2022?
What are you leaving behind this year?
Drop me a line.

Xoxoxo

Yogis, I have started to look at my business in a different light and I have had some amazing support and mentoring by someone very special. Google reviews is one of those steps I had to take to build my business. It made me realize that this is a great and important addition in ensuring that what I do and what you like about me – my yoga teachings, homeopathic work and my clothing range – gets a voice that stretches out to the community, city and beyond.

Thank you to all the yogis who have taken the time to give me a Google review, thank you, thank you.

I would really love you, yogi, to please use the link below and give me a review xxxx

Leave a Google Review for Eleni

Early last Wednesday morning, I had a fabulous run at Bondi. I was super excited because I made it to Wylies Baths at Coogee. What was different about this morning, though, was the number of cars lining up for COVID-19 testing. All of Bondi Road was bumper to bumper. I attended my Pole class afterwards at Bondi and there was talk of new measures for Sydney.

That afternoon, I started teaching with a mask on, as did the yogis who were participating. It was the most surreal experience!! On Thursday one of our yogis, Maggie, texted me to confirm if class was still on and that we wearing masks. I said “yes” and she replied: “See you then ? I know people say you can’t breathe with a mask on but I figure surgeons use them so that’s good enough for me.” Amazing.

Then news of the Eastern Suburbs lockdown was then of course swiftly followed by news of the Greater Sydney lockdown for two weeks. Unfortunately, this means there will be no group classes at our awesome little studio for a while – at least until we get the all clear from the State Government.

However – outdoor Yoga classes are a big YES!! I cannot give you a fixed timetable because it’s so weather dependent, so please keep a close eye on my social media where I’ll be posting about classes that are available each day. In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact me. Bookings will be essential to ensure we do not exceed maximum numbers.

With positivity and a calm mind, we will get through this. Big love and hearty laughs to everyone experiencing lockdown.

_____

Until lockdown began, I had seen more yogis attending classes this season than in summer or past winters. Classes were booking out well in advance. I’m a wuss in winter. I have been moaning about it and spending a lot of time dreaming my past Greek summer escapes. How can you not? While rugging up in a few layers for outdoor classes will be the norm for a little while, we will get back into the studio eventually – and we have a new heater waiting for us on our return wooohoooo!

Also when restrictions ease, we will have a few new classes to add to the timetable. I will let you know when this will come into effect.