In the beginning, the middle and the end, there is always the breath, our inner life force and our connection with the universal energy flow.

Like a finely tuned woodwind instrument, our bodies need oxygen in order to sing and play. The sweeter the quality of the breath, the sweeter the quality of the harmony in our lives.

Whether you practice yoga as a physical exercise or embrace it as an all-encompassing life philosophy, the breath is at the heart of everything. The beginning. The middle. The end. And whatever comes after that.

Many spiritualists believe that the breath is what connects us to the energy of the universe.

It’s not hard to follow their logic: In nature, the trees so deeply rooted in the earth absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into the oxygen that we inhale with every breath. We, in turn, exhale carbon dioxide which the trees need to keep them  – and ultimately, us – alive.

It is one long, continuous, connected cycle between humans, nature, the earth and everything else in the universe.

Is that a little bit ‘far out for you? How about looking at it on a more personal level.

Most of us breathe shallowly… aimlessly… without conscious thought. When we are stressed or angry or frightened, we breathe faster. When we are calm and relaxed and at peace, we breathe more slowly.

Through conscious breathing, we can easily turn this equation around: By controlling the pace of our breath, we can control our mind and emotions.

If your desire is to live your life in a state of peace and serenity, take control of your breath and inhale slowly… deeply… with deliberate, conscious thought.

Still a little to esoteric, you say? Well let’s bring it back to pure biology: the human body can survive up to four weeks without food and somewhere between eight and fourteen days without water. Without oxygen, death comes within a matter of minutes.

Whichever way you want to look at it, the breath is our most precious commodity. Through the practice of complete yogic breathing, we can prolong our life, improve the quality of our life and forge a connection with the eternal life force of the universe.

Slow it down

In India, they say we only have a certain number of breaths in our lives. The faster we breathe, the faster we will use up the breaths we have been given.

The average respiratory rate for an adult is around twelve breaths per minute.

Imagine if we could reduce that down to six slow, deep conscious breaths.

According to those Indian sages, we could be adding years to our life… and life to our years.

We only have to look at the animal kingdom for proof: Rodents are among the fastest-breathing creatures on earth and have the shortest lifespan. A tortoise takes around four to five breaths per minute and will generally live up to 200 years or more.

Notice, too, all the negative emotions associated with faster breathing: stress, anger, fear, uncertainty, panic. Surely our ultimate goal must be to live our lives in peace, harmony, serenity, confidence and all the other positive emotions associated with slow, deep, relaxed breathing.

Easy Air – Breathing easy

A blend of essential oils specially formulated to support you in breathing easy. This amazing blend maintains feelings of clear airways and easy breathing using a mix of oils:

• Laurel Leaf
• Eucalyptus Leaf
• Peppermint Plant
• Melaleuca Leaf
• Lemon Peel
• Cardamom Seed
• Ravintsara Leaf
• Ravensara Leaf

This blend is known as Breathe in the US and was the first doTERRA essential oil I fell in love with when I was given it as a gift. It’s still one of my absolute favourites and I use it almost daily! I believe that there isn’t anything more important than the quality of your breath and this oil truly supports that.

If you’re looking for more on breath, join me for two hours of yin yoga and aromatherapy! We will be working with the Easy Air essential oil blend and going within to explore how truly powerful and transformative the breath really is.

Breathe Deeply

Friday 6-8pm, 24th November 2017

Class is only $20 for everyone!

To reserve your spot, pop into the studio, call 07 5526 6600 or click here

This first part of this post was an excerpt from my book Breathe Bend Blossom. You can buy a copy here or in store at Essence of Living in Mermaid Beach, Australia.

This easy little recipe comes from my amazing nanny who helps us with the twins. It makes an awesome dessert or a snack and adults will love it just as much as little ones!

Ingredients:

• 8 apples or pears – skin on or off – quartered (you could also do a bit of each!)
• 500 mL of water or coconut water
• ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
• ½ tsp grated fresh ginger
• Sprinkle of cinnamon
• ⅓ cup quinoa

Method:

• Add apples/pears, water/coconut water, vanilla bean paste, ginger and cinnamon to a saucepan and simmer till soft
• For ease, blend all cooked ingredients in the saucepan with a handheld mixer
• Add quinoa to the puree and simmer until quinoa is soft. The mixture will be deliciously thick!
• Enjoy warm or cool.

“Buddhaful: A reference to used to describe someone or something that embodies a Buddha like nature and beautiful attributes inside and out.”

The term Buddhaful originally came from my wordsmith sister Clare. If you know Clare, you know she is a super creative yoga-fairy! Of course, as with most words, I took my own personal interpretation of the word – what it meant to me. Every word has its own personal connotations, and the above definition is mine.

Life Lesson 1: Sometimes we can be triggered by certain words, we think they mean something negative or bad. A part of living yoga is separating ourselves from these first, primitive reactions and realising that there are deeper levels at play here. Instead, we seek to find the meaning behind the word and recognise that it’s not inherently negative or positive.

At Essence of Living, we started the Body Buddhaful Challenge five years ago. This 12 week challenge isn’t simply about the physical form, and that’s why we decided to use the Buddhaful term, to inspire our students to aspire to beautiful attributes inside and out.

As in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the first word has the most power – Buddha. So, what is Buddhism?

The fundamental teachings of Buddhism

When I first heard the four noble truths many years ago they shook me to my centre. I’ll let you read them first and then tell you a little more about my reaction:

The four noble truths

• Dukkha – Life is unsatisfactory, disjointed, suffering.
• Samudaya – There is a cause of suffering, which is attachment or desire.
• Nirodha – There is a cessation of suffering, which is to eliminate attachment and desire.
• Marga – The path that leads out of suffering is called the Noble Eightfold Path.

The first time I was introduced to the four noble truths was at a workshop. And, to be quite honest, I shut down after the first was said. Life is suffering?! No thanks!

I ran straight in the other direction – in fact I got up and left the workshop. I couldn’t relate to this at all. I was a positive, happy and optimistic person, I couldn’t accept that life was suffering. It sounded awful to me.

This was many years ago, I was young and naive. And it has taken many years of practice, learning and letting go to come to this understanding: The first noble truth is 100% right!

Yes, life is suffering. But not necessarily the extreme, painful suffering I first mistakenly took it to mean. Suffering can be mild – discomfort, dis-ease… It can be physical, mental or emotional. And the practice of Buddhism is to move out of that suffering. If we follow the path the fourth noble truth sets out for us, we will keep moving away from the suffering.

Life Lesson 2: While I was young when this first teaching made me flee, it could also have been that I had made my way to the wrong teacher. It’s so important that we find the right teachers for us, teachers that we resonate with and that make misinterpretation of learnings less likely to happen.

“Yesterday I was clever and wanted to change the world, today I am wise and want to change myself.”

The eightfold path

We can break up the eightfold path into three categories, Wisdom, Morality and Concentration. I could explore each part of the path with you for days on end, but I’ve listed the key components of each for you below. I find it so interesting to observe the similarities and the congruent level of sophistication between the Buddhist eightfold path and Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga and other teachings!

Wisdom

1. Right Perspective – See the Real from Unreal
2. Right Intention – Be Kind

Morality

3. Right Speech – Impeccable with Words
4. Right Action – Do your Best
5. Right Livelihood – Respectful Career

Concentration

6. Right Effort – Conscious Alignment
7. Right Mindfulness – Control Thoughts
8. Right Concentration – Meditation

Life Lesson 3: “There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.” – Morpheus, The Matrix. While we might not always be on the path, the important thing is that we get back on. We have the inner discipline (tapas) to realise where we have left the path and that it is time to return – and actually do it!

Tapas

Tapas is heat, specifically the kind of heat generated by certain yogic practices that burn off impurities. Tapas is the friction generated by going against the grain of habit, of complacency, of doing what’s easiest, of getting away with things. Tapas is the fervor of striving to be the best you can, which may mean shifting what you do and how you do it.

Tapas is often translated as discipline however discipline must be fuelled with devotion and love opposed to fear.

The Buddhist teaching Right Effort doesn’t mean More Effort. You don’t become a better yogi by doing more yoga or harder yoga; you become a better yogi by raising the bar of your intention to live in alignment with your highest self. And the same goes for the rest of your life.

“Yoga doesn’t necessarily make your life better, instead it makes you better at living your life.” Alanna Kaivalya

Are you ready to take the plunge with our Body Buddhaful challenge?

Our twelve week challenge is designed to retrain your habits, Spring clean the dusty corners of your body and give you the inspiration and motivation to achieve your goals.

The next challenge starts on Monday 5th February – 29th April 2018 .

What’s included in the challenge?

• 12 weeks unlimited Yoga & Pilates classes
• Michelle Merrifield’s Body Buddhaful Journal or an ‘Essence Logo’ singlet
• Weekly inspiration, education & motivation
• Body Buddhaful Forum
• 7 day online support
• Receive one week of unlimited classes for free when you complete the challenge!

You also can attend the Body Buddhfaul Mindful Talk Series with Michelle Cassidy for free! So bring a friend along.

Sign up today?  Download the forms here, fill them out and email them to us at essence@essenceofliving.com.au or bring them with you to your next class!

To register for $39/week for 12 weeks call 07 5526 6600

As someone who has attended over 20 teacher trainings personally and also has had over 200 students come through my own teacher trainings, I thought I’d let you in on what I think makes a great teacher training.

First up, you have to ask yourself, “Why am I doing this teacher training?”

Is it to become a yoga teacher or is it to simply deepen your own practice?

This is very important because many teacher trainings are more focussed on personal development rather than actually producing yoga teachers. There is nothing wrong with this, but if you really want to be a teacher you don’t want to find yourself in the personal development course!

How do I tell the difference between a personal development TT versus a career-focussed TT?

Generally, your more immersion style TTs will be more focussed on deepening your own practice, personal development and yoga philosophy as it affects you. Another common feature is a lack of assessment (written exams, assignments, book reports, talks etc). A personal development yoga TT will probably not be quite as strict and is more about guiding you on an inward journey and a stronger asana practice.

A career-focussed yoga TT will be more focussed on the outcome of the training – teaching! You should learn about sequencing, adjustments, communication skills, anatomy, injuries, special populations (young, old, athletes etc) and the business of yoga (finances, legal, marketing etc). These trainings will often be over a longer period time and will probably include assessment like exams and written assignments. If you’re looking to become a yoga teacher make sure your TT will truly set you up for success by including all of these things.

So, as you can see, depending on your goals, a great yoga teacher training can look different!

What does ‘great’ look like?

Regardless of which outcome you’re looking for, you will want to do your research on the facilitator/s of the TT. Some things to explore:

• Are they a great yoga teacher? Note: I said teacher, not practioner!
• How long have they been practicing for?
• What training do they have?
• What is their lineage? (Who taught them? And who taught them?)
• How successful have they been as teacher in the industry?
• Are they well respected?

If you’re looking to come out of training as an effective yoga teacher, you’ll also want to examine:

• What are the outcomes of their previous students?
• Are they now confident and successful teachers?
• How quickly did those students enter the industry?

We must remember to not judge a book by its cover, or in this case its Instagram feed.

An amazing yoga practitioner doesn’t always make an amazing yoga teacher… or an amazing yoga teacher trainer for that matter. And the same goes for amazing yoga teachers, they may not make amazing yoga teacher trainers.

A special set of skills is required to train new yoga teachers and these skills aren’t as apparent as a beautiful asana practice. This is why we must explore a little deeper and dive into the questions I posed above.

It’s also a really good idea to meet the facilitator, go to some of their classes and talk to some of their previous students. Once, before I committed to a TT, I flew to India to first try out the classes to make sure there was alignment with my goals!

Let’s talk price

Yes, a cheaper TT may look appealing from the outside, but if you’re unable to reach your desired outcomes you’ve only cheated yourself. Research carefully if things don’t seem to add up, a budget price might mean substandard facilitation or teaching.

What about online training?

I love online training, it’s accessible anywhere and is usually very reasonably priced. However, an online environment will never stack up to face-to-face training.

Nothing beats an in-person training, especially when you’re learning hands on techniques and physical skills. An in-person TT also allows you to build beautiful and special relationships and join a yoga community – the friends you make in yoga TT will often be besties for life. You build friendships and alliances, often resulting in partnering up in the future to run retreats or start businesses. Lastly, face-to-face training keeps you accountable!

Online training is perfect for upskilling through, building on the foundation you carefully created with your in person TT. I personally love to take online trainings as well as in-person.

The Essence of Living Academy

At my studio, we are focussed on creating successful yoga teachers who are confident in entering the industry at the end of our TT courses.

Join us or find out more on the EOL Academy page.

Does your mind whirl and twirl all over the place? Do you often feel overwhelmed with your thoughts and unable to still your monkey mind? Do you want to learn how to clear and master your mind by using tried and tested yogic techniques and principles? Read on!

“Who am I before the mind?”

The great sage Patanjali defines yoga in his/her yoga sutras as yogash chitta vritti nirodhah. Let’s break that down:

• yoga – of yoga, union; literally, to yoke, from the root yuj, which means to join; same as the absorption in samadhi
• chitta – of the consciousness of the mind-field
• vritti – operations, activities, fluctuations, modifications, changes, or various forms of the mind-field
• nirodhah – control, regulation, channeling, mastery, integration, coordination, understanding, stilling, quieting, setting aside of

Putting this all together, we can translate the Sanskrit to mean something like ‘yoga is stillness of the mind.’

“Yoga is an inside job”

Patanjali goes further in his/her sutras, exploring the five fluctuations of the mind in sutra 1.6. It is said that all thoughts can be categorised into one of five areas, pramana viparyaya vikalpa nidra or smritayah. We can translate these from Sanskrit as the following:

• pramana – real or valid cognition, right knowledge, valid proof, seeing clearly
• viparyaya – unreal cognition, indiscrimination, perverse cognition, wrong knowledge, misconception, incorrect knowing, not seeing clearly
• vikalpah – imagination, verbal misconception or delusion, fantasy, hallucination
• nidra – deep sleep
• smritayah – memory, remembering

Patanjali tells us that by witnessing and starting to distinguish between our thought types, we are taking the first step towards mastering our thoughts.

“All problems originate in the mind”

There are a number of practices we can use as tools to further master our minds, including asana, pranayama, dharana and dhyana.

Asana

Asana is third limb on Patanjali’s eight-limbed path of yoga and is the physical postures most people associate with yoga. We practice asana when we come to a studio to move our bodies or we roll out our mat at home.

When we practice asana there are three qualities which are important to embody so we are able to quieten the mind:

• sthira – steady, stable, motionless
• sukham – comfortable, ease filled
• asanam – meditation posture (from the root ~as, which means “to sit”)

For those that find sitting in the stillness of meditation overwhelming and even scary, beginning with asana can be helpful as your focus will be one-pointed – focusing on the physical postures rather than your thoughts. We must be careful not to let asana be a distraction though, rather a point of focus.

Pranayama and Dharana Practices

Pranayama is the fourth limb on Patanjali’s eight-limbed path of yoga and is made up of two Sanskrit words:

• prana – life force
• yama – harnessing

Although we use the breath in particular during our pranayama practices, the breath is not our actual prana or life force, it is simply something the prana rides upon. Prana is so much more than simply our breath!

Dharana is the sixth limb on Patanjali’s eight-limbed path of yoga and translates to ‘concentration’.

We can use both pranayama and dharana practices to still the mind, some suggestions for you:

• Nadi Shodana – alternate nostril breathing
• Kriya Pranayama – initialises our chakras
• Kundalini Pranayama – stokes kundalini energy usually dormant at the base of the spine
• Trataka – a form of meditation focusing on a single point (sometimes a candle flame)

Dhyana

“Meditation is not just for enlightenment anymore”

Dhyana is the seventh limb on Patanjali’s eight-limbed path of yoga and translates to ‘meditation’. It is said we must first master dharana (concentration) before moving onto dhyana.

Dhyana is when we have merged with the point of concentration for an extended period of time (it makes sense that we first practice dharana doesn’t it?).

When we practice meditation we are ‘taking out the trash’, clearing out the dusty corners that might not get much attention. We clean our houses, cars, even our bodies, so why wouldn’t we clean our minds?

This post is the second in a three part series based on talks I delivered at my studio Essence of Living. You can read the first post – The Art of Awareness – here.

Today I’m sharing with you another recipe from the 360Health Recipe Book. As I’ve mentioned before, Mark Robinson from Team 360 is my dietician, nutritionist and the secret weapon who helped me lose the last of the weight I had put on whilst pregnant with the twins.

These protein balls are super easy to make, have no refined sugar and are the perfect mid-morning snack. I literally eat these every day and the twins enjoy them too!

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop vanilla Ezy Protein
• 1 cup almond meal
• 2 tbsp water
• Shredded coconut

Method:

Mix in food processor and roll balls in shredded coconut. Make 20 balls.

I keep these in an airtight container in the fridge – but they don’t last long at our house!

– Michelle, Essence of Living founder and owner

P.S. You can work with Mark too! Book in for nutrition consultation for a discounted rate of $240 through Essence of Living. You will receive a personalised eating plan, measurements and follow up appointment. Contact us if you’re interested.

The 360Health Recipe Book is full of tasty, clean and lean recipes to help you live a healthy lifestyle. There are a variety of different recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and also snack options. Most meals are quick and easy to make, no fuss with maximum flavour and nutrition.

Get your copy (ebook or hard copy) here.

There are many ways in which we can discover awareness, presence or mindfulness. In today’s post I will be covering some of the tools and practices I use in hopes you will find them helpful in your own life.

Self observation

“Self observation equals presence”

Yoga is an amazing lense for us to observe ourselves through, and when we do this, we find a wonderful sense of presence and awareness. I’d like to start this post by exploring the fourth niyama of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras known as svadhyaya. Svadhyaya can be broken into two parts:

• Sva – means “self.”
• Dhyaya – is derived from the verb root dhyai, which means “to contemplate, to think on, to recollect, or to call to mind.

Let’s dive deep into your own svadhyaya by asking some questions and seeking presence through observation.

The difference between the self & the Self

The small ‘self’ is exactly that, a small,
disconnected self. Whereas the big‘Self’
is our universal self – a Self that is connected
to all, to everyone and to the Divine. It is our
highest most true Self. Our true nature.

Who am I?

Remember, we are not our thoughts, nor are we our bodies. Our true Self resides away from these things. It exists without them.

It is where our uniqueness come from – our individual talents and gifts. And it is these unique skills and capabilities which help us to understand why it is we are here. They help us to find our dharma.

Why am I here?

Dharma is the natural universal law whose observance enables us to be contented and happy. Our dharma is our purpose or our life’s work. It’s the thing or things we do that use our natural talents and skills in a unique way which not only serves the world and those in it, but it also fills us up with joy and satisfaction. Our dharma is why we are here – what is yours?

Be in the present moment

“We are most empowered in the present moment”

One of the things I love so much about the great sage Patanjali is that she/he always puts the most important things first. Meaning the first sutra is most pertinent, and looking even deeper, the first word of the first sutra is most relevant. How amazing is that?

So let us look now to the first word of the first sutra:

Yoga Sutra 1.1: The Power of Now
Atha yoga anushasanam

For modern yogis, ‘atha’ whispers a subtle reminder that all yoga teaching emerges from and leads us back to the timeless, ever-present now. Before you begin your next practice, say it silently and see if it draws you into the present.

If the word atha isn’t for you, try ‘now’.

Sit with your spine straight, close your eyes, and slow your breathing. With each exhalation, say the word “now” to yourself, drawing out the “w.” Feel how the present moment becomes suspended even as time passes and transforms into another moment of now.

Remember: Yoga is both a noun and a verb

We do yoga to BE yoga. Yoga is functioning
freedom, our everyday actions, it’s being fully
present, mindful and aware in each moment.

Be the eye of the storm

“Often it’s not what you do but how you do it”

When we are centred and fully aware we are like the eye of the storm – anything can be happening around us but we remain still, non-reactive and clear. How can we consciously create this quality of stillness within?

• Be the silent observer
• Stay curious and engaged by continually challenging yourself to articulate your inner experience.
• Watch your breath, heartbeat, thoughts, feelings, actions
• Slow down and pay attention

It’s in the action

“Mindfulness isn’t being inactive, it’s being active with awareness”

When we are aware our mind isn’t divided, we are of one mind, we are focused, one-pointed, clear and concise. We don’t have to sit in meditation for hours every day to cultivate awareness, instead we want to tend our awareness in our everyday lives. We aim to be present in the line at the supermarket, behind the wheel of the car and when we’re spending time with our partner, children or friends.

If you feel that you’re losing your awareness, your mind’s one-pointedness, one of the oldest and easiest method to cultivate this awareness of the Self is to follow the breath. Sit (or stand) with your spine straight, close your eyes (if you can), and slow your breathing.

With each breath, feel the breath move in and feel the breath move out. Feel how the present moment becomes suspended between the breaths. Float in both the fullness and emptiness between the breaths.

To finish, I’d like to leave you with one my very favourite quotes from The Bhagavad Gita:

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”

What lights you up?

What would you do if money wasn’t an object?

Where can your excitement lead you?

Often young people are encouraged to follow a career that pays a certain amount of money or that is expected of them by others. However, if we dedicate the majority of our lives to doing something we don’t like we tend to start acting in ways we don’t like. Why? Because we are miserable inside.

We have all experienced these moments in our lives (sometimes days that turn into weeks or, even worse, months) when our light has been dimmed or extinguished and dreams left aside. We end up behaving in below average ways, either hurting ourselves or hurting others.

How can we break the cycle of darkness and ignite our passion again? When everything is dark and we don’t know where we are, let alone which direction to take, how can we find the light?

My suggestion is to find someone with a torch and a map! There are many mentors and role models out there both living and nonliving that can inspire your new direction. Look for someone who inspires you holistically; they are successful on ALL frontiers of life. Remember, with some direction, motivation and discipline anything is possible.

On a day to day basis, I also like to use essential oils to inspire me in my work, they keep me clear, joyous and kindle my motivation. I have been an ambitious woman most of my life, always striving for the next thing. These days I’m less ambitious and more aligned, so I don’t need to paddle up stream so much. Instead I paddle with the current and trust that I’m going exactly where I’m meant to. Don’t be confused though, I’m still paddling with the same amount of passion! The key difference is that my higher power is guiding my higher purpose so I am in flow.

What oils do I use to inspire my passion?

I particularly enjoy the doTERRA Passion blend to ignite my passion, creativity, clarity, joy and wonder.

How to use the Passion blend:

• Diffuse in the morning to start the day feeling energised and enthusiastic.
• Apply to pulse points and heart throughout the day to feel inspired and passionate.
• Diffuse at work to spark creativity, clarity, and wonder.
• Add to fractionated coconut oil to make your very own spicy, sensual massage oil to use with your love.

Ingredients: Fractionated Coconut Oil, Cardamom Seed, Cinnamon Bark, Ginger Rhizome, Clove Bud, Sandalwood Wood, Jasmine Flower, Vanilla Bean, Damiana Leaf

For more inspiration on igniting your passion watch Zen Philosophy luminary Alan Watts here: https://youtu.be/_B7GZxaJ2Gc or join me for my FREE Pursue Your Passion Talk with the Sacred Sister Project Thursday 24th August, 6pm at Essence of Living.

This post is the sixth and final in a series. Check out Spanda – moving from disconnection to connection, Tamas and Rajas – the seed of inspiration sprouts, Purifying your physical body, Purifying your Energetic Body and Purifying your mind + the Unclouded Mind first.

Purification has led you back to connection and clarity. You have travelled from the darkness of the mud, ignited your passion and fuelled the flame of inspiration. It’s time for your fragile shoots of inspiration to transform themselves and bloom into the beautiful lotus flowers they were always meant to be. This is sattva, a state of harmony, balance, joy and intelligence. It is where you have reached your full potential.

A flower doesn’t bloom forever though. Many blossoms will open to the sun and close at night. The work (rajas) doesn’t end. We must weed our gardens and water our blossoming flower.

What may be appear to be blossoming today may not be blossoming in the future. Our goals grow. Our vision might change. Things outside of our control may happen.

Things like the global financial crisis have happened and will continue to happen. (This is the true test of a sustainable business.) The ability to weather any season. If your lotus flower is strong, it will continue to blossom through the cold harsh winter, where other flowers may wither and die.

My business, Essence of Living, continues to grow every year regardless of the climate – including through the GFC. Many people, including my accountant, are baffled at this. They see yoga and Pilates as a ‘luxury’, not a necessity. But we offer more than yoga and Pilates classes, we offer an experience, a feeling and a community. We offer connection. And that’s the magic. The people who come to Essence of Living leave feeling better than when they arrived.

People don’t buy things, they buy feelings. So how can you keep making people feel amazing no matter what is happening in the world?

Of course we’re also practical, Essence of Living has a flexible business model that covers many price points from top dollar private sessions to community classes that are free or just a few dollars. We also have retail, DVDs, books, online classes, the teacher training academy and I do speaking engagements. We cover the whole spectrum.

Yoga teaches us the importance of flexibility in our physical bodies, our minds and in business.

Let’s talk specifically about business for a moment.

A sustainable business is a flexible business and this means being comfortable to change your business. Continuously analyse the industry, market and your own business’ results. Track everything and be willing to grow (you don’t want to become the next Blockbuster). What’s working? What’s not working? I literally do this on a weekly basis. We’re also continuously updating – policies, procedures, systems.The trick is to think like a big business owner, even if you’re a solopreneur or a small to midsize business.

I’ve learnt in my years in business that ‘doing the work’ or rajas is key to success. You can’t cheat the system, there is no ‘hack’ to being successful.

All businesses are only as great as their captain. Never cut corners on personal development – investing in you is investing in your business.

What I know for sure is if you do the work – purify the koshas (body, energy and mind) – you will move into clarity and learn to trust in yourself. And remember yoga is a practice not a perfect, there is always more to learn!

Ready to blossom with Michelle?

Join Michelle Cassidy for 2 luxurious hours of Yin Yoga, utilizing the healing powers of aromatherapy. 3 events coming up!

Balanced Body
Friday 11th August 6.15pm-815pm | $20
Enjoy a sacred night of balancing the body and mind by using specific yin yoga postures and aromatherapy oils that you can use and practice at home, in order to live your personal balance.

Location: Live Life Well Studio
Level 1/409 Nepean Hwy, Chelsea Melbourne 3196 | info@livelifewellstudio.com.au | 03 9773 9486

Peace of Mind
Sunday 5-7pm, 13th August | $20
Enjoy a sacred night of cultivating peace of mind by using specific yin yoga postures and aromatherapy oils that you can use and practice at home, in order to live your personal balance.

Location: Daily Dose Studio
2 William Street Balaclava 3183
hello@thedailydosestudio.com.au
(03) 9530 3659

Passionate Heart
Friday 6-8pm, 18th August | $20
Enjoy a sacred night of passion igniting practices along with using specific yin yoga postures and aromatherapy oils that you can use and practice at home, in order to live your personal balance.

Location: Essence of Living
3/52 Peerless Ave, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
07 5526 6600

This recipe comes from the 360Health Recipe Book. Mark Robinson from Team 360 is my dietician, nutritionist and the secret weapon who helped me lose the last of the weight I had put on whilst pregnant with the twins.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m a total sugar junkie. And I don’t mean lollies and other super processed foods – my love is for fruit, think acai bowl after acai bowl! Now, under Mark’s guidance, I’ve cut the sugar out of my diet except for a cheat meal every two weeks or so (or the three days I ate leftover cake after the twins 1st birthday party – whoops!).

This former fruit bat is loving the payoff of quitting sugar though! Cellulite I never thought was going to leave is gone, I’m being told that my eyes are sparkling and my skin is clear and bright. Like anything in life, too much of a good thing isn’t good for you, even fruit!

If you’d like to see results like this yourself, you can work with Mark too. Book in for nutrition consultation for a discounted rate of $240 through Essence of Living. You will receive a personalised eating plan, measurements and follow up appointment. Contact us if you’re interested.

Now, onto the food!

I love this recipe because unlike many loaves (think sugary banana bread) this one keeps me feeling full and satiated! It’s the perfect on the go mid morning or afternoon snack if you’re a busy mum or business owner like me.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup protein (I choose Ezyprotein vegan protein powder)
• 2 egg whites
• 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
• 1/4 sugar free maple syrup
• 1/2 cup almond milk, unsweetened
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 medium apple, peeled and diced
• 2 dates, pitted and chopped

Method:

Preheat oven to 175C. Mix everything together except the apple. Add the diced apple and stir evenly throughout the mixture. Line a bread loaf with baking paper, then pour the mixture into the pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is slightly browned or a knife inserted comes out clean.

Slice into 8 pieces and enjoy!

The 360Health Recipe Book is full of tasty, clean and lean recipes to help you live a healthy lifestyle. There are a variety of different recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert and also snack options. Most meals are quick and easy to make, no fuss with maximum flavour and nutrition.

Get your copy (ebook or hard copy) here.