Hello dear Yogi friends 👋

What’s occurring?

I am currently on a big study break and will be away for a month. Classes recommence July 28.

#1. Sabbaticus – Latin

Sabbatical in the late 16th century described periods of rest or cessation from labor. Early usage among clergy in the 19th century applied the term to a year free from pastoral duties for study and preparation.

Academic sabbatical began at Harvard University in 1880 with faculty leaves of absence. Professors could take a year off after six or seven years of service, either at full salary for half a year or half salary for a full year – to pursue research and intellectual development!

From what I have read, nowadays the concept of sabbatical includes corporations – extending leave to employees after a period of service, often for personal growth, travel, or skill development.

So – it has evolved from a biblical agricultural practice, to structured academic leave, to a modern professional benefit. Intentional rest and renewal are core principles here.

Wikipedia tells me there are different types of sabbatical these days:

• Working Holidays – characterised by “intense periods of work and dedicated breaks to rest and rekindle long-neglected relationships.”
• Free Dives – during which participants “leaped out of work and dove straight into intense exploration.”
• Quests – which found people “pushing their personal limits to discover themselves.”

Everyone take a sabbatical! You need a sabbatical!

It’s the perfect word for what I am embarking on. I look forward to all of the above. New spaces, interruption free periods of creativity, dedicated breaking away for contemplation, sharpening my connection to self, deep exploration of fascia bodywork and exploring my personal edge. Learning, learning, learning, but with more time to digest and embody it. Remembering I am enough. Spending quality time with Mother Nature.

One area of further training will be Yin Yoga – particularly expanding my understanding of Meridian Theory of Chinese Medicine. Comprehending lots of recent science alongside ancient knowledge.

Heaps of personal practice ahead. I think the richest kind of teaching comes from embodied and conscious practice. Theory can only take you part of the way. Speaking of which…

#2. Listen to Your Body.

Treatment of all kinds are based on standards. Standards are created from studies. Studies can have very little to do with you.

Question the research. The math can be manipulated and misinterpreted. There are always confounding factors. The best approaches in my opinion come from individual discernment. 

What might be recommended in conventional (even holistic!) care settings, may not be what’s best for you. 

A key tenet from Ayurveda (and many others) is that we are all slightly unique. There are patterns across humans yes, but I believe it best to treat ourselves by understanding our own patterns. The approach in all ancient healing systems as far as I can see is to observe the pattern, and custom design your treatment plan/path to your version of better wholeness and wellness. 

Understanding your patterns can inspire strategy to shift them. Why not customise your health care, and advocate for that customisation in any setting. You are a valid expert on how you feel and what you need.

#3. The goal is to die with memories, not dreams.

Loved ones of loved ones have been lost recently. Mortality reminds me of life’s ephemeral nature. Love large, overshare with strangers, be weird and take risks.

Live for yourself, not the system. If we all fill our cups and pour from overflow the world changes overnight. Take a day off. Take week off. Take your banked up leave. What are you saving it for?

Rest is Resistance. Rest is Revolution. Rest is Revolt.

#4. The Yiniverse

Try all the Yin you possibly can while I am away! Here are some links to classes coming up with other teachers:

DATE	TIME	LOCATION	INSTRUCTOR	BOOK	COST
June 30 / Tuesdays	5:45 pm	Green Monday Studios	Bella	Yinyasa – click here	Donation
July 1 / Wednesdays	9.30 am	Think Focus Act	Ludmila Liga	Yin – click here	$25
July 1 / Wednesdays	6.15 pm	Green Monday Studios	Rhiannon Glewis	Yin – click here	$25

Or practice at home – recommended list in last month’s newsletter.

#5. Class Pack Extensions.

I have extended everyone’s Class Packs expiry by a couple months. Please get in touch with me if I have missed you.

OK. That’s all. Write to me with all your Yin questions. I would love to hear from you!

💖from Uluwatu, Bali – The Island of the Gods.
Hong xoxo

Yin Yoga, like any good thing is best practiced consistently. Practicing often will guarantee needle moving positive change and healing.

Remember ~ Yin is the balance to Yang. Yang is sweaty exercise, busy lifestyles, power, building, growing, going-going-going. Yin is slow and steady, quiet, internal, softness, cultivating, repairing, enjoying-enjoying-enjoying. You need both!

Spread the wonderful practice of Yin Yoga and forward this on to a loved one, colleague, neighbour or friend. 🧘‍♀️✨