Trusting The Adventure of Life this August

Life IS the adventure my friends! We can fill it with exciting journeys along the way, but our entire lives tell the story our of own unique adventures.

This is what August’s theme is going to be all about. Not about that time you did a skydive, or drove Route 66… or even scaled Mount Kilamanjaro! Don’t get me wrong, those things are cool, fun (sometimes) and certainly adventures… but they are only a part of your life. A little blip in the entire journey. A story to tell, sure- but not the entire story.

In life’s adventure there are many ups and downs. Sometimes life is tough, sometimes it's fun, sometimes it’s smooth sailing and sometimes it’s outright awful- but it's all an adventure that we can learn to navigate and enjoy. Even those tough times… ok maybe enjoy is a strong word, but we can certainly learn to look back on those moments and find reflection, learning and gratitude. I know I have. Some of my darkest times have taught me so much about myself, how I operate in the world, how I want to grow and I’m grateful for them. They also help to serve perspective…and perspective my friends, is a great way to cultivate a sense of contentment in your life.

Ultimately on this little life adventure – contentment (most people will call it happiness) is what we are looking for right?!

Contentment as you might remember from July’s theme is all about finding peace, calm and acceptance of yourself in the present moment. Happiness is more of a fleeting emotion, but contentment lasts.

This month in class we are going to be learning to trust in the adventure of life. Accepting that the universe has our backs and that life will go exactly how it needs to go for us.

And, my friends, through the act of consistently showing up for yourself, by setting intentions, doing your best and taking action, you start to set the foundation for trusting in the adventure.

Then, by letting go of the outcomes of your actions, the control of needing to know where your next step will take you, you can release and give over to the universe, just a little.

Now please don’t misunderstand my words…I’m not encouraging you to just stop doing everything and let life provide for you. Nothing will happen without YOU! YOU need to continue to show up, take action with intention so that the universe knows exactly what you want it to deliver.

But what I am saying is... stop trying to control your future within an inch of its life! That will not lead to contentment, only anxiety and dread.

Bringing these ideas to life I will be introducing you to the concepts of:

Abhyasa - consistent effort and practice

Vairagya - letting go of attachment to outcomes and things

In summary- keep showing up, put in the effort and trust the process.

We will be working on some exciting postures in class and exploring these themes more online too.

Excited to practice with you this month!

My story- learning to trust the adventure

I swear I have two parts to my personality…. well actually technically I do if you love and believe in star signs like me. And let’s face it, having multiple facets to our personalities is what makes us such interesting people…that’s what I like to tell myself anyway when I’m trying to navigate these two sides.

I have my more natural side, which is fun loving, spontaneous, free, calm, lives in the present, embraces joy.

And then I have my other side that is just a little more high maintenance.

I once told my family that I was a low maintenance girly and they outright laughed in my face!! Laughed!! I was taken aback… what do you mean I’m not low maintenance?!

Anyway, I’ve come to love and embrace my high maintenance side which sometimes is completely at odds to my more chill side I explained above. This girl wants to control everything! Everything! Now, this desire has come from lots of social conditioning – starting with school and the need to obey AND impress authority figures, moving through university and then later into my corporate career. This social conditioning tells you that you will be safe if you follow the rules, create a 5 year plan (ick) and stay in your lane.

Anywaaaaay…. I have two sides to my personality and sometimes they are so at odds with each other I don’t know which way to go.

BUT with the help of some of these yogic teachings and lots of very wise friends I am starting to learn to trust the adventure of life!! My life has already been an adventure so far;

Navigating school and university

Boyfriends and friendships

Meeting my partner at work

Creating a blended family

Corporate life… nuff’ said

Starting my own business

Living through self-confidence issues, imposter syndrome and the like

You get it!

In each one of these moments my natural personality wanted to trust, but my fear and need for security made me cling onto the control. That high maintenance girly.

I have learnt to love her… because honestly, all she’s trying to do is keep me safe. But through time, learning, and of course Yoga- I’m now able to reassure my nervous system that I am safe and that it’s ok to let go, release my attachment to the future and just trust in the adventure.

Not easy at all and something I battle with often- but a journey nonetheless.

I’d love to hear some of your experiences on this – you can always DM me.

Wellness Activity – Your Life Story

This is a really cute wellness activity for us to do as we start thinking about the idea of life being an adventure and our very own story.

• Grab a pen and paper and get scribbling.

• Imagine your life is a book. Every season is a different chapter. Some are exciting, some are challenging, some are full of quiet moments, and each one has shaped who you are becoming.

• What would the title of your current chapter be?

Mine would be:

Trusting the Unknown

• Then reflect: What has this chapter taught me so far? What strengths have I discovered in myself? What do I hope the next chapter might hold?

  
  

Enjoy!

Love, Tash xx