I was tangled up in some extremely weird looking pose thinking if you were a stranger to yoga you would think how on earth will that benefit you. I know when I was doing personal training, my instructor would often say, but I like to sweat, yoga is just too boring. Once upon a time, I thought that too. But I can tell you right now, that is a myth. I sweat, I breathe, I push myself into these awkward positions-but in return I have never been more flexible, I am getting more toned and am full of love and compassion.

I’ve had years of working in hospitality or lugging heavy film equipment and now often sitting in front of a computer all day. I’ve realized that without yoga I would be a sorry sack of aches and pains. I have been doing classes off and on since I was about 17 and it has always been my savior. Last night, I thought to myself, I am going to do this for the rest of my life because it makes me feel good. That is after all my biggest and most simple mantra, if it feels good do it, if it doesn’t, then don’t.

I have especially loved my classes at Yoga Concepts in Richmond where I’ve been going for over a year. My instructor Jane is a poster girl for why you should do yoga, she looks amazing. But it is not just that, she also starts every session with positive words about caring for your inner and outer self, having a compassionate heart, how important breathing is. So every time I enter the room, no matter how I’m feeling, I always leave with a clear head and good thoughts.

I think we can all forget just how important stretching is and not just after going for a big run. Someone at my work said the other day that sitting at our desks all day is like what smoking cigarettes were like in the 50s, acceptable but bad for your health. It is no surprise that I get neck and shoulder pain when I’m all hunched over my desk, or even sore wrists when typing too much. That is why doing things like yoga is so beneficial. My posture is straighter, my core is stronger and I feel more energized. But we could all help ourselves by getting up more often and walking around the office, going outside for your lunch break and even doing a quick stretch.

The other great thing about my yoga class is the meditation factor. It is a way to clear your mind and forget about stress. Simply focusing on your breathing can be one way or through visualization, there are many techniques. Lewy & I have done meditation classes together where you also learn to clear and balance your chakras. He gets up and meditates every morning which I know I should do too. But I also meditate in different ways. When I run, I focus on my breathing and the music and there is nothing else. When I swim, it is the same-ok bar the music bit. Sometimes when I sit on the tram, I close my eyes and breathe and do the same. Yes I may look like that weird girl who has fallen asleep on the tram, but in fact, I am probably more aware and alert that most of the weary eyed travelers.

Point is, most of us live in a world where we all get so busy and wrapped up with schedules and work, so we all need to give ourselves some tender loving care too. I am renowned for being an extremely busy girl, but I also believe I give balance to my life by doing things like yoga or doing exercise or stopping to read a book on my own. Lewy started doing the classes with me too and I’ve noticed just how much stronger and flexible he has become-and hey it’s a nice thing to do together. I turn 32 this year and I feel better than I ever have, so isn’t that saying something. I also know as I get older, I don’t want to be weighed down by negative thoughts. So either tangled up in some crazy pose or doing my downward dog, it is good to know I am doing something for my physical body, my inner emotional and spiritual self and creating a more beautiful mind in the process.

Weddings, birthday’s, engagement’s-they are all times when your friends and family come together for a special occasion. These are also the times that get me thinking. I look around the room and I think about history. People who’ve known me since I was little or had pimples, dressed like a tom boy, had my first date, got drunk for the first time. You see some people have come and gone and that is ok as they were there at that time for a purpose. But I also have the best of friends, an amazing partner and a family who are my rock so I am one lucky girl.

Life is fleeting, we all know that. It is full of beautiful moments that at the time can seem like they will last forever, then one day, it is 20 years later and you think wow where did the time go. I often wonder then why do so many people wait till it is often too late to tell the people they care about, that they love them. I think I’ve always had a lot of love to give, I don’t ever want to say too much as is there such a thing? But it did take people to pass away for me to really grasp the idea of mortality and that though your love may last forever; people do not. So really why wait till it is too late?

I’ve been spending the last ten years especially, telling my loved ones how much they mean to me. I tell friends they are beautiful, I hug my parents, I smother my niece and nephew with kisses, I adore my partner and sister, I tell new friends I like them. What are people afraid of? I mean really isn’t ‘love and happiness’ what we are all searching for (thanks Al Green)? You can have all the money in the world, and yes you can buy the most expensive heater, but that ain’t really going to keep you warm at night. Money won’t honestly laugh at your jokes, tell you the truth even when you don’t want to hear it, it won’t love you even when you’re sick. Because that it what true friendship and love is for.

Yes the times they are a changing and you need to keep up with it. We now live in a cyber world, where it is a fact that we often have less human interaction and more virtual. We talk on the phone, text, we now online date. I’m not criticising this either as I have been born into it, but I just fear it tends to bring walls up between people. But it does also connect us in ways that the early pioneers would never have dreamed of. I just think we need to use these resources to our advantage. I know when I was living overseas I didn’t see my families face at all and it was hard. But now with programs like skype and facetime, isn’t it amazing that you can talk to a friend half way across the globe like they are right there sitting in your lounge room.

Trying to be all philosophical, I’ve said to a few people at these special events something that I’ve really recognized about myself in the last few years. Yes I would like to be successful in my career and financially, but my true measure of success is when I look around at my friends and family. I am truly a successful woman because of them. Because they love me just as much as I love them. So really as you get older, isn’t it important that you tell them all this. That you don’t wait till next time you see them. That maybe someone was having a shitty day and all they needed was a hug and you didn’t give it to them. So this week I urge you to turn any hatred or bad thoughts into love and compassion, help another and tell them that you care.