“In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness.” – Mohandas K. Gandhi

We could all use a little more time. As a yoga teacher, massage therapist and a Mother I am often giving out to others. Almost all day every day! There is an exchange that comes with this, and I am lucky to teach and massage some of the most interesting and kind people I have ever met. If you have seen me for massage or reiki or attended one of my classes, this means you! There are many of you out there who can relate to this BIGTIME.

I often take time to listen to people after class who have specific concerns they feel I may be able to shed some light on in my role as teacher and healer. I love this, and often the Universe provides me with exactly the right experiences at the right time to speak a wisdom into their lives. I cannot claim this as my own, it is available to all of us.

Amongst the adventure of my work it is important that I recognise that above all I am a student in this life. No teacher ever stops being a student. A couple of weekends ago I gave myself a two day meditation workshop with the Art of Meditation. We all need to take time out of our day to day lives and reconnect with what makes us feel alive. I recognise more and more that my life force is most nourished and centred by connecting to the Source of that divine energy through silence and meditation. The learning itself can be tiring, but the practice gets deeper and the daily rewards greater as we work it into our daily lives.

What do you do to recharge?

It has been many years since I had a whole week to myself to grow and regenerate. This is why I am going to Belize in February 2016. I know I can reach more people with a clearer, more powerful flow of energy when I take this time to build my skills, nourish my soul and focus my intent. The good people on the Catalyze retreat are fired up to make this a transformational experience personally and for our businesses. After all, we are our businesses! You can’t carry water in a broken pot.

If you have any questions about the Catalyze Retreat, my daily Practice or any of the Wellbeing Services I offer, please leave a comment here, on Facebook or Twitter.

If you would like to donate to my personal fundraiser click here: Donate to Business development retreat in Belize

Photo of me used courtesy of Feel Hot Yoga where I am both student and teacher.

Thank you so much for your kind energy!

Blessings

Shasha xx

“Life has only one equation. The equation of giving.”
― Amit Ray, Nonviolence: The Transforming Power 

I have been humbled by some very kind donations this week and I am so grateful to those of you who have chosen to do this. You are on my healing list. My love flows out to you without reservation.

Soul-searching over this fundraiser, one very pertinent question that I have been asking myself is “Why should people give their money to help me do this?”

In the world today there are a huge number of situations requiring our urgent assistance. At the forefront of my mind at the moment, as for many, are the Syrian Refugees. Why should people donate to my fundraiser instead of giving money to help those in need of basic requirements for survival? The answer is THEY SHOULD NOT. Give to the refugees and any other causes that seem right to you. Don’t even think about donating to this fundraiser if you think the money should go elsewhere. I have donated, and will continue to do so as needs in the world arise.

This is because I believe in giving. Not just money but time, energy, and most of all love and healing. This is my work, not just my job, it is my calling in life. I had a beautiful experience at a Wellbeing Event in Watford on Saturday. A number of therapists gave their time via the Feel Hot Yoga & Wellbeing tent and free treatments to anybody who wanted one. The number of smiles of relief that we received when clients climbed of the treatment chairs and couches brought us a lot of joy. What a blessing to be a blessing!

Of course we are paid in our day to day business lives as we too want to be independant enough pay our own way in life. But events like this and monthly Reiki Shares, Treatment Exchanges etc mean that we keep in balance and in perspective with ourselves.

The Catalyze Retreat is a major toolbox for me to ensure that my daily giving is channelled efficiently. I need to keep myself in good shape so that I can keep on giving, this will teach me the business side of that equation while nourishing me physically and mentally.

Giving is really the only gift that truly keeps on giving. In the word’s of Abike’s father “I want to leave this world empty. I don’t want to take anything with me. I want to give it all away.”

To Donate: https://life.indiegogo.com/fundraisers/business-development-retreat-in-belize/x/6568054

What’s this about Belize?

“I used to be the girl who never had a plan..” Little Dragon

Dear Friends,

Have you ever seen or read something that hit you in the face so hard you couldn’t ignore it? Suddenly all your dormant dreams rise to the surface together with your personal fears and create a swirling vortex around you. When I stumbled across Catalyze retreat it was as though someone was reaching a hand down into that vortex and offering to pull me up. I had a vision of the possible future I had barely dared to believe positioned tantalisingly over the rim of the swirling mayhem.

Since posting my campaign to social media I have had a number of people approach me to ask “What’s this about Belize?” They would like to know what I expect to get out of it, and the underlying (politely unspoken) question is “Why should we help you with this?”

First let me clarify that I do not expect a free ride on a self-indulgent trip. I am dedicated to making this trip happen with or without the help and support of others. This has always been my approach in life. There is no ‘should’ when it comes to helping me, if you wish to support me, you will, if you do not you wont. There is a deeper issue at stake here. One of the important things I intend to get out of this trip is to

FACE MY FEARS

Fear #1 : Asking for help

I have received a lot of help over the years from many different quarters, most often my friends and family. I have appreciated it and shown this appreciation every single time. It was not easy for me to accept the help offered but I had to acknowledge that it was necessary for me to move forward, and that I am not a one-woman-band.

“Limit your wants, meet your needs” – Gandhi

A lovely client quoted this to me when I was speaking to her about the trip and my plans to raise funds. I love it because it perfectly embodies my plan of action to ensure that the goal is met. I work very hard at everything I do, believing that I should give 100% to my clients at all times. This is the same whether I am providing a deep tissue massage, a healing session, or teaching a yoga class. I believe I am there to help and to heal. Try me! Donate and leave me a request on Facebook and I will perform a distance healing for you personally.

Over the years I have sought comfort in food, social activities and shopping to name a few. These things became a pacifier for unmet needs rather than something healthy and enjoyable. However I have come to a place now where I realise that there is very little that I require materially to be content. The additional motivation of the Self-development opportunity I need offered by Catalyze really crystallises this for me and keeps me from being distracted.

Fear #2 : Other people’s opinions

“If we all did the things we are really capable of dong, we would literally astound ourselves” – Thomas Edison

I’m not a self-indulgent person. I work hard as I have said. However in launching this campaign I have had to acknowledge anew how much I still care what other people – even strangers think of me. This has been one of the most limiting factors in my personal development. This fear could be broken down into many different expressions: Fear of being considered selfish, of rejection, of not being good enough, of disappointing others, of being mocked. It all boils down to the same thing. I have valued other people’s opinion of me more highly than my own. There are times when I have genuinely disappointed myself in life, but there are many other times when I have allowed outside influence to sway me away from what I know to be the best path for me when I should have trusted my own compass. This will not be one of those times. I have no criticism either way on what people think or speak of me but I had to put this out there to prove to myself that it doesn’t matter to me whether anyone else approves of what I consider to be honourable intentions.

Fear #3 : Failure

This fear is common to most of us, so I know I am not alone in this. The suspicion that I cannot do any better than this, and that I will always be working fingers to the bone just to pay the bills while trying to rustle up some extra energy to be a loving parent, friend and girlfriend is bleak to say the least. I’ve worked around this fear for years. I’m no stranger to failure really, but I dust myself off and try again.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” – Thomas Edison

I am very fortunate that I have now found what I can confidently state is my purpose in life. After trying many things for work and leisure I have found something that I do not want to give up EVER. I never want to stop giving healing energy to people, I never want to stop helping people to feel better and improve their lives. What comes first though is to create of myself a clear and sustainable channel of that energy. Catalyze is going to help me do this. Failure can become my friend as it teaches me the direction not to go in. I am extremely grateful for that.

Fear #4 : Being a burden

As babies we start as a burden and a blessing. My beautiful parents would never regret a single ounce of energy, love and yes, money they have expended on my behalf. As I have grown I have felt a strong desire to become less of a burden and more of a blessing in my personal relationships and on society. I wish to be the superhero, I want to provide for those who have provided for me in my infancy and into adulthood.

When I was 10 years old, my parents unselfishly gave up their opportunity of any kind of career to serve the needs of others in the Middle East. They returned to the UK when my Dad reached retirement age and my Mum redesigned and re-qualified herself as a foot-care specialist to support them. Even in her work she is giving again and again. There is only so much longer this will be possible. It’s hard work and she does this despite having suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for many years.

I feel it really is my turn. Facing this fear and turning it around is not an option, it is a necessity, and this very special team of people on the Catalyze Retreat are offering the resources I need to make these kind of level-jump in my business.

Fears aside, opening this door already seems to have caused a shift in my life patterns. This past week I have been contacted by two people offering work opportunities which I am excited to be a part of. If even the act of setting this intention to attend the Catalyze trip has brought positive opportunities to my doorstep, who am I to back out now. Like Edison, I shall always try, just one more time.

To donate visit http://igg.me/at/wduQ7tCuATE

To learn more about Catalyze visit www.thecatalyzeretreat.com

To follow my page on Facebook www.facebook.com/shasharishi

The elegant meditation space

There is something special about working a Yoga Retreat. The Mondays, Fridays and Humpdays make way and every day is TODAY and every moment NOW. Each moment is full of potential and we begin to see ourselves and our yogis unfurl as we realise that in this time and place, any question can be asked, any asana attempted and anything is possible.

In a place like Poulstone Court in Herefordshire, wifi is conspicuously absent, and the senses breath a sigh of relief, not only due to the peace of nature surrounding and pervading the Retreat Centre, but also due to the blissful silence in the absence of portable technology. Our everyday concerns left us at the top of the driveway. Our yogic enthusiasm bubbled up and our joyful chatter did nothing to disturb the tranquility. The high ceilinged rooms are warm, expansive and inviting: full of a mindful energy.

Practice in the Barn

Soon this was the energy with which we approached our teaching and practice, eager to learn and grateful for the healing effect on our bodies. We easily settled into a rhythm of walking the short distance through the grounds to the barn for morning, afternoon and evening practices focusing on energising, renewal, alignment and attention to detail.

Asana Clinic

In the late evening we made a natural decision to take our Bhakti and meditation practices in the beautiful high-ceilinged room in the main house. At times with an air of experimentation, and at others the outward sigh of grateful relaxation, we moved from class to class.

Dinner time!

The delicious vegetarian and vegan meals that were served by the delightful Poulstone staff were anticipated and enjoyed to the full, laughter and conversation ringing through the house from the warm glow of the dining room.

Thai Yoga Massage

I had the opportunity to offer Thai Yoga Massage to some of our Yogis, and it was a magical healing experience for both of us.

Cells and minds were renewed and passion for life recharged.

You would have loved it.

Greetings all!

We are taking it back to basics with our second Drop-in clinic.

WHERE: B Healthy, 41 The Quadrant, Marshallswick, St Albans

WHEN: Thursday June 13th

TIME: Between 10am and 2:30pm

COST: £8 for 15mins

£15 for 25mins

These ROCK BOTTOM prices are for the drop-in only and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. The sessions are designed to target specific areas for those strapped for time or cash!

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Any enquiries, please call 07854 157 234 and speak to Shasha.

Sports Massage

Summer is taking it’s time to join us this year it seems. So to cheer you all up and keep your body in good condition Shasharishi is offering a discount on massage series.

You can now purchase 5 sports massages for the BARGAIN PRICE of £175 which is a whopping TEN POUNDS off per treatment!

To take up this offer simply call Shasha on 07854 157 234 and quote ‘series offer’ when booking your appointment.

I had the pleasure in June of training with Shared Beauty Secrets on the Lava Shells Relax course. It is a course I signed up for at the Holistic Health exhibition earlier this year and I have to say the course is fantastic!

Peace