Hello beautiful yogis.

Well, what a strange month it has been. With all the rushing around, preparing for and transitioning to classes online, I have found myself in a surreal world.

Having seen my lifestyle slow down quite profoundly, and having found some time to enjoy the sunshine and get out on my bike or take some walks in the local countryside, I am really aware of how blessed I am to have been able to transition with relative ease and minor adjustment.

I know that finding some extra time to become still is not available to everyone, and I am also aware that while we have all had to make huge sacrifices, whether they be financial or as a result of the social distancing measures and lack of family connection, life for most of us right now is far from relaxed.

Even with all this ‘space’, I have found a kind of ‘false stop’ effect taking hold every so often. Where I would feel naturally inspired to do a simple task or to make a simple decision about something; such as choosing the outfit I am going to wear that day, or deciding to perform a domestic task, I get thrown a ’false stop’ feeling, almost as if my monkey mind is asking “What is the point, you’re not going anywhere and you won’t be seeing anyone! Today will be the same as tomorrow and the day after that!”

I seem to then, for a split second, feel all at sea!

I have realised as the days have gone on that this inner dialogue is just my ‘habitual behaviour’ trying to reaffirm who it was, based on my past commitments. Who am I without the life I new before? Where will we go from here? What is my new normal?

It came to me quite strongly in my own practice this morning, just how many times we set ourselves up and arrange ourselves, not just to be the best for ourselves but to be the best in the eyes of the world, and the people we will meet in any given day. With a lack of connection and lack of certainty for any plans we may wish to make, this need is not being fulfilled.

We all need to feel connected and accepted in some way and to know that what we offer the world each day, matters!

Whether that privilege has been taken away through isolation within your own home, or through being thrown into chaos on the front line, the past life and therefore sense of ‘self’ we knew may have changed beyond all recognition.

It is taking time but I am working on becoming more conscious of these old thought patterns and instead adapting myself to what is happening now.

I had a very strong feeling yesterday that my inspiration and sense of worth, on any given day, firmly rests within my own inner response, not through the outside stimulus or circumstances that I have been so used to relying on.

Whilst sitting in the back garden, I began reflecting on what the world will be like when we transition back out of the metaphorical cage that has been placed around us, and in a flash, I once again felt all at sea!

Immediately, I reflected on the stillness I have found within myself during my practices and how, when this all started, I listened to my own inner guidance and gut instinct and adjusted my actions and business strategy according to what I knew I needed to do, rather than take a wait and see approach. I acted on an inner knowing, rather than an outer one. On reflection, I realised that if I quieten my mind and calmly rest within, the inner feelings of strength and guidance would start to filter through.

I am now at peace with the knowledge that wherever this storm takes us, I will find a pathway through it, by attuning myself to the moment and inner guidance that is leading me…and not from the ‘monkey mind’ that has been trying to throw me a curve ball, based on past habit patterns and daily routines.

With that in mind I recognised what is really leading me through life…the connection to this very moment, where there is no worry for tomorrow and no regret for the past, however the moment presents itself and the gut feelings this connection is calmly revealing, it is a foundation from which to move forward.

I am being guided and inspired to communicate more with you, in order to help to ease some of the current burdens that we are all facing. Connection is so important! To recognise that you are valued, is so important!

I will be recording some short podcasts for you to listen to in your own time.

They may be themed on topics that crop up during the yoga classes or in general discussion with my students, or they may be small moments of stillness represented through relaxation techniques or breath inspired meditations to calm the body and mind.

I am open to suggestion so if there is anything at all you would like me to explore in a ten minute segment, do let me know.

As a thank you for your continued support and connection, I would love to offer you the Transformational Journey workshop that is taking place on 16th May, for a discounted price of £5 if you attend any of my online Yoga Classes during week commencing Monday 11th through to Friday 15th May.

The regular price of the event is £15.00, and you are of course welcome to attend this event, independent of any class I am running.

There will be no regular Saturday yoga class on that day. They will return to normal the following week.

You can see details of the Transformational Journey workshop here.

And should you choose to, you can book onto a regular weekly class to make use of the offer above, you can do so here.

With love and so much gratitude!

Carrie-Anne.