December 17, 2010

What a year!! New studio, new home new husband!!!

Here we are at the end of 2010, what a year!
I look back on everything that's happened and I'm once again amazed at my capacity to fit so many things in!!
Amazed and thrilled!! It has been a time of tremendous change and growth and i feel a mix of contentment and mild exhaustion. It feels nice at this point to know that there is a few weeks coming up to rest and prepare for next year. It's that kind of tired that now doesn't bother you, it's like the feeling of having eaten that huge Christmas lunch..... you know that the afternoon can simply unfold in front of you....

This year has seen the LifePod move from it's original space to our lovely new premise in Victoria street, a personal move from Paddington to Palm beach and last but definitely not least my wedding!!

Preparing for a wedding was certainly an intense experience, as many of you shared the journey with me, it was at times more stressful than i had anticipated. I promised myself that i wouldn't become a 'difficult' or stressed out bride but if the truth be told, there were moments when i failed dismally and i found a new sense of empathy for women who are about to walk down the aisle to the big 'I do!'.
My sister was the one who put up with most of my 'moments' and i wish every bride to be had there own version of Belinda, if not hire one!! It's times like these when family are the only ones that will still love you and not run in the other direction swearing and cursing....even if they want to.

The day approached at rapid speed and of course it wasn't all smooth sailing. We came up against a few little obstacles, things that always seem so much bigger in moments of high stress, like the cake won't be ready, you can't have access to the property at the time you thought, the tables aren't big enough to seat the guests, there's deer poo all over the grass, one's not allowed to speak to their groom all day, my son refused to put his wedding shirt on and finally my dress was in desperate need of hollywood tape in places I hadn't quite expected!!!!

Having said all of that it was the most spectacular day and all of the above were tiny little moments that worked out perfectly in the end! The cake arrived, deer poop cleaned up by the best, best man ever, phoenix put his shirt on, the groom and I caught moments together and my dress was the most beautiful creation ever!!!

We had the most spectacular experience, everything went off without a hitch, we both said 'i do', had a very romantic kiss, were announced as Mr and Mrs falconer and I now have the most gorgeous husband ever!!

We both felt so incredibly loved and supported by all our family and friends, we are truly blessed and i am deeply grateful for everyone that I have in my life, especially at this time of year, when we get to slow down and actually enjoy each other.

I'm looking forward to resting, sleeping, keeping up my practice, eating great food, creating my new years resolutions, catching some rays, swimming, reading books, watching movies and generally living at a much slower pace over the next three weeks.

May we all enjoy this time and keep in mind that if we stay centered in the moments that may seem chaotic we will find what is right for us, we will be able to move forward with integrity & presence rather than from our habitual patterns of response. This is my one of my intentions for now and the coming year, to align my thoughts, my words and my actions in the world..... to take time when i need it and be mindful! I'll let you know how it unfolds.....

Wishing you an abundant year filled with happy times, lots of love and your dreams coming true!!

Lauren











September 2, 2010

A healthy balance....? Our way to peace...

'You're living in the express lane!'
Said a wonderful and wise healer.....

After blogging only once since last September my world has felt like an express lane! The fast forward button was hit!
My partner proposed, we moved the LifePod to our gorgeous new studio, we moved house to Palm Beach, we're planning a wedding, our son turned three and the wheels of everyday life keep a rollin!
I've been asking myself, "have I really been so busy that I couldn't find the time to write a blog? Have I just been making excuses??

If the truth be told, it's a bit of both.

So, how do we find the balance? How do we do it all? Is this even possible or just some expectation of our time... I certainly feel the desire, the pressure, the inspiration to have it all... family, business, success, detachment, inner peace, love and eventually a healthy harmony of it all and time to write my blog!

How many balls can we juggle, are we taking multitasking to a whole new level?
What is going on!?!

At times i feel like I'm addicted to the chaos, the bustle, the to do list that is a mile long, the washing, the cooking, the shopping, my yoga, the lunches that need to be made the bills that must be paid, the carpet that needs to be vacuumed, the dishes, the time to meditate, read, send emails, phone calls, classes, meetings..........ahhhhhhh!!!!!

I can't see the forest for the trees!

I take a deep breath in and know the answer to all of this.... a resounding, loud inner wisdom says..

Keep it simple...
Be thankful, gracious and compassionate...

Relax, breathe, go with the flow, surrender, don't sweat the small stuff!! Stay present and know that there is always a deep connection to self that can nourish, energize and allows us to live calmly within the chaos.
This is our gift, this is the ultimate benefit of a yoga practice and a life dedicated to truly knowing oneself. It's all within us, in every moment.

So yes, I have felt ridiculously busy recently, ( like many of you I'm sure).... I have in many ways been giving out too much and not taking care of myself the way that I know I can. But all experiences lead to the next and i see that life is that wonderful tapestry that ultimately creates an artwork of perfection.

We can relax and fall back into the arms of life and take comfort in the knowing that in the centre of our craziest times there is the eye of the storm, there is the jewel in the lotus, there is peace.

I see this each day in my son, the sparkle of living in each moment, the delight in having no judgments or expectations, no to do lists. He really is my talisman.

I am finding the balance......
I am feeling the peace.....
Right there in that smile.... xx