V E N U S Y O G A L I F E

Baby Sleep School, Yoga Nidra & Notes from my Venus Mama Diary.

Shivani — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:18:22 +0000

For the first four months of his life, our son, Kaiun, would be wrapped and lulled to sleep with “white noise” that my husband composed. My husband is quite the master wrapper no doubt thanks to origami being a childhood pastime in Japan. I would watch in awe as the wrapping and the white noise worked. Always, every time.

At five months Kaiun was tossing and turning and breaking free of the wrap. He outgrew his crib. A new chapter had begun. We bought a beautiful bed and placed it next to ours. He gave it one look, one try and refused to ever sleep there. I did not want to fight his cries of protest so the middle of our bed became his new sanctuary. For his midnight and 3am feed it was convenient. He would roll over. I would roll over. Boob to mouth it was easy and he would drift peacefully back to sleep.

…BUT this queen size bed of ours was too small for the 3 of us. Hubby was squashed to one edge and I to the other. Kaiun became the king of our bed and I my light sleep became even lighter just in case I needed to protect him from any sort of co-sleeping danger. In Japan I am positive we would all be sleeping on the floor and hence this would not be a problem. But here in OZ our sleeping arrangements mean two separate beds. . We have to adapt.

So off to sleep school we went. Like yoga retreats I had gone to in the past this family trip had that feeling of renewal, concentration and discovery. The mother craft nurses (angels in disguise) whispered words of wisdom in our eyes and we watched on in amazement. Kaiun was training to sleep and he learnt quickly.

For the five days that we were at sleep school my “yoga nidra” practice became a “mama nidra” practice.

Below I share my diary notes with you as they reveal some of the sleep training process and how my limited beliefs about how my son could sleep were removed.

Always thankful for yogic philosophy and techniques. They soothe me, they energize me, the make me a better mother.

(At first glance this photo looks kinda cold. But Kaiun seems to be so happy in his new bed and wakes up smiling and talking to his animal friends on his sheets. Mama and Papa also sleep much better. That means more energy for our day time adventures).

NOTES: Yoga Nidra is ‘psychic sleep’ involving the systematic inducing of physical, mental and emotional relaxation while maintaining awareness. As you relax you repeat within your heart your “sankalpa” (resolve) a short statement, phrased in positive present tense language that sinks into your subconscious to help you, inspire your, comfort you. “My sankalpa for the week was

“I am a mama. I nurture, protect, initiate and empower.”

LINK: to hear the White Noise hubby composed click on the link below. Feel free to try it to lull your bundle of joy to sleep too.

White noise to lull baby to sleep.

More: To learn more about the sleep school. Where, Who and What. Send me an email. info(at)venusyogalife(dot).com

(These were the days when I would have to lull Kaiun to sleep on my chest. Often I would sleep sitting up and he would slowly fall to a comfy place on my lap)

Mama Nidra.

Notes from my Venus Mama Diary.

I am a mama. I nurture. I protect. I initiate. I empower.

I see my son itchy his weary eyes. He only stops to stare, deep and blank faced I snuggle with him, kissing his smooth cheeks. It is time for bed. Soon, my challenge is to just let him be.

I place him face up in his nest. The angel besides me whispers , “Its Ok to let go”. I relax. I leave the room. I close my eyes and repeat my sankalpa. I send him positive sleepy vibes.

I am a mama. I nurture, protect, initiate and empower.

I hear my son crying. Self soothing, hand in mouth, singing a sad tune. He is yet to know the joys of sleep. He is yet to know the brilliance of dreaming. My challenge is to just let him be.

High pitched sounds fill the hallway drowning the “white noise” playing. My breasts start to pulsate…milk seeps I know he needs my help now. I enter the room. He has turned to warm his belly. His bottom, cute and round. I manage a half smile and pat his back . Pat, Pat, Pat.. Softly, strongly, gently with love. He will soon know the freedom of sleeping in his own bed.

I step away and bathe in the sleepy silence He has drifted into dreamland. The angel besides me whispers , “Its Ok to let go”. I let him be. I repeat my sankalpa.

I am a mama. I nurture, protect, initiate and empower.

Next to his nest is our bed. My husband’s welcoming hand pulls me in. I let my bones and body become heavy. With a kiss goodnight everything is light and we exhale out to our separate stars.

Now I am a woman. Alone, with her thoughts. my breath guiding me to sleep.

I am a mama. I nurture, protect, initiate and empower, my son and myself.

February 15th, 2012. Sydney.

(With gratitude to my mother for the bedroom pics).

Please share your thoughts and ask any questions here ↓

on.fb.me/sleep-school-mama-nidra

Yoga Benefit for Japan in Sydney. 10/3/12

Shivani — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:44:57 +0000

Yoga Benefit for the Tsunami Survivors in Japan
March 10th (Saturday). 6-8pm. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

How can yoga help to heal pain and stress?

How can we collectively make a positive difference to our world?

Join us for an uplifting evening blending yoga + mantra + live music + dance + meditation.

March 11 marks the 1st anniversary of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.
Thousands of people are still suffering from the effects of these disasters not only in Japan but around the world.
In Japan a special event, ICHI@3.11, will be held to embrace the themes of ’harmony’ , ‘hope’ and ‘connection’.
Here in Sydney we will link with this event through these themes and healing sound using the Shumann Resonance.

Come along, bring your family and friends and be inspired by the positive intention of the healing and rebirth yoga can offer.

Date: March 10th (Saturday)
Time: 6pm-8pm

Cost: $25

Place: KMYOGA. Bondi Junction Sydney. http://kmyoga.com/

100% of the proceeds will be donated to children living in the worst affected areas of Japan.
Detailed information will be shared on the night.

Feel good. Do good. This is Yoga with a healing cause!

Event Facilitators.

Kathryn McCusker,
KMYOGA Founder + Director,

and Opera Singer will guide a healing circle

and share the power of Kundalini Yoga.

Sara Shivani,
lived in Japan for a decade where she created the female specific Venus Yoga.

She will guide mantras, a healing breath exercise and share information about the emerging

healing movement in Japan since the Tsunami.

Julie Geeti,
lived and studied in Japan for many years with the founder of ‘Kiryuho’ movement. She will share the power of this dynamic meditation style and guide a free style dance segment.

Guru Devi Kaur,
originally from Japan, will share with us a nurturing Kundalini meditation.

Prabhu S Acharya,
originally from India, will guide us through the meditations while playing the beautiful musical sounds of the ”Hang” drum.

Kiyo Nakano,
from Japan, has composed theme music for a remembrance event (ICHI 3.11 ) to be held in Japan on March 11. He has composed it using the vibrational pulse of planet Earth (the Shumann Resonance) to provide mental, emotional and physical rejuvenation. This track, “Inori Eclipse 311″, will feature throughout the evening. To hear “Inori Eclipse 31″ click http://www.eugenius.jp/ichi311/sound_e.html#performer

Ohad Rein

Ohad Rein, based in Sydney, is known for his musical project Old Man River.In 2008 his songs reached top chart success in Japan and since then Ohad visits and tours Japan frequently, consequently falling in love with its people and culture.After the Tsunami disaster Ohad initiated the 1000 cranes for Japan campaign, where fans and friends worldwide were encouraged to fold an origami paper crane and make a recovery wish for the people of Japan. The Cranes were personally delivered to school kids in the town of Minamisanriku in October 2011. To hear Ohad’s beautiful song supporting the Crane Project click http://www.1000cranesforjapan.net/

March 11th (JAPAN)
SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE EVENT IN OKAYAMA CITY

English website link.
http://www.eugenius.jp/ichi311/index_e.html

January Workshops in Sydney

Shivani — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 09:50:24 +0000

Sydney, Australia. Goddess Yoga Workshops. January 2012. Venus Yoga

CLICK here to view the flyer with all info.

January 27th (Fri) 7-9:00pm

&

January 29th (Sun) 3-6:30pm.

More Info & Bookings: (02) 8084 1486 or 0411 607 759

http://yoganic.com.au/

VENUE: YOGANIC, Level 1, 551 Willoughby Rd, Willoughby

January 28th (Sat) 3-6:00pm.

More Info & Bookings: 02 9389 8343 or

http://kmyoga.com/

VENUE: KMYOGA, Level 1, 28 Spring Street, Bondi Junction

The divine art work that graces the poster above was created by

Nicole Mizoguchi Visionary Artist

Visit her beautiful sites for Soul Portraits, Mandalas and Classes.

www.nicolemiz.com www.facebook.com/nicolemiz

A hit in Bali, Japan and Australia `Venus Yoga` is inspiring a new way to enjoy yoga and life.

WEEKLY SESSIONS in Ubud Bali are on hold but workshops and classes in Sydney Australia are on for 2012

PERSONAL SESSIONS in Sydney Australia can be booked. Just email me info(at)venusyogalife.com

♀ 25 words ♀

Shivani — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:07:40 +0000

A 25 min. meditative inquiry.

What are your 25 words? Give yourself 25 minutes for this meditative writing inquiry.

Please share your thoughts and ask any questions here ↓

http://on.fb.me/25-words

and for a deeper experience join us this Friday, Saturday or Sunday in Sydney for

↓Nurturing Your Goddess Essence↓

Sydney, Australia. Goddess Yoga Workshops. January 2012. Venus Yoga

CLICK here to view the flyer with all info.

January 27th (Fri) 7-9:00pm

&

January 29th (Sun) 3-6:30pm.

More Info & Bookings: (02) 8084 1486 or 0411 607 759

http://yoganic.com.au/

VENUE: YOGANIC, Level 1, 551 Willoughby Rd, Willoughby

January 28th (Sat) 3-6:00pm.

More Info & Bookings: 02 9389 8343 or

http://kmyoga.com/

VENUE: KMYOGA, Level 1, 28 Spring Street, Bondi Junction

The divine art work that graces the poster above was created by

Nicole Mizoguchi Visionary Artist

Visit her beautiful sites for Soul Portraits, Mandalas and Classes.

www.nicolemiz.com www.facebook.com/nicolemiz

`Expansion`

Shivani — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:05:27 +0000

Expansion: Waist lines, Birth and Womanly Wisdom. Thoughts, Feelings and Images on my `Estimated Due Date`.

15 August, 2011.

“From the moment we are born, the world tends to have a container already built for us to fit inside: A social security number, a gender, a race, a profession or an I.Q. I ponder if we are more defined by the container we are in, rather than what we are inside. Would we recognize ourselves if we could expand beyond our bodies? Would we still be able to exist if we were authentically ‘un-contained’? Paige Bradley

Expansion is a word and a theme that has inspired my yoga life since I found out I was pregnant in December 2010. Physically, emotionally and spiritually, I have expanded in ways I never thought possible. Often I found it hard to recognize myself~the cocktail of hormones filling my system brought on a host of negative feelings and when I started obsessing with my expanding waist line I had to pause and remember the tools of my yoga practice. When I activated those tools I could tap into my feelings of expanding as a whole woman. Then I could remember once again that we are more than just our physical size. The content making up our size does matter BUT if we are consistently eating healthily, exercising and yoga-ing then surely the intelligence of our bodies knows the perfect size for us at different chapters in our lives.??? My mantra for many weeks now has been, ` Expanding to give birth. Expanding to feel and share the inner light of my destiny`. These words have comforted me, inspired me, become me. Whether it is a baby, a new project, a new relationship or a new lifestyle `expanding` can be something pretty damn good.

Now that the `estimated due date` is here I wait patiently and breathe deeply down to the little one in my belly. Yesterday on the Full Moon its movements were constant and more active than anytime in the last 40 weeks. It seems to be `engaged` but still waiting for the perfect time to make its grand appearance. As it teases me with its movements and growing weight I contemplate birth, rebirth, divine light and all the women and mothers in my life who inspire me. If you are reading this then you are one.

I have spent most of my pregnancy `off line`, on an inner retreat and expanding into my instinctive self but now as I enter a new chapter of that expansion (bring it on cervix!) I feel compelled to `log on` again and touch base with you all~learn about what is going on in your lives, ask questions and share. This sculpture (Venus to the core!) and the quote above by the goddess artist, Paige, perfectly summaries my thoughts and feelings~ I just had to share it with you all. Isn`t it spectacular?

I wonder what words and or images capture you lately?

Share your thoughts & Join in the Conversation.

Twitter→ http://twitter.com/#!/Venus_Yoga

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/sara.shivani

Love and Thanks, Shivani

IMAGE and QUOTE from

http://paigebradley.com/sculpture/expansion.html

SHIVANI`S most recent blog posts
POST 2: Intuition and the Seduction. 28 February, 2011. Ubud, Bali. The Dynamics of INTUITION and the SEDUCTION of Small Islands. http://www.venusyogalife.com/blog-2/post-no-2/ POST 1: Secrets, Sex and Surrendering. 16 February, 2011. Ubud, Bali. What to do when an unexpected situation comes your way. http://www.venusyogalife.com/blog-2/

Intuition & Seduction

Shivani — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:05:05 +0000

28 February, 2011. Ubud, Bali A month from today I will be on a plane and waving goodbye to Bali. I had planned to live here for a few years, even a decade! To try and make sense of my decision to leave I have dedicated my second blog entry to the dynamics of intuition. It is kinda long but if on first glance your intuition says take the time to read it, please get comfortable and have a read. May you enjoy and feel inspired to share your thoughts too. The Dynamics of INTUITION and the SEDUCTION of Small Islands. How do you know when it is the right decision even when the decision seems illogical? What are the orgasmic gifts you will receive for following your intuition? Content: ~My latest challenge ~whispers and a voice. ~The seduction of small islands. ~The positives and negatives in a decision. ~How to know its intuition guiding you. ~Why your intuition is NEVER wrong. ~3 orgasmic gifts you will receive for following your intuition. ~2 ways to inspire you to take the intuitive path ~PS to my friends in Australia, Japan, Bali and all around the world. Now that I am finally finished with the first trimester of my pregnancy (and all the sickness and surrendering that comes along with it), my freedom of choice has returned. I can do what I want, when I want. I can practice yoga again, go out to eat, spend time with friends and even indulge in sexy times with my man. BUT there is one exception. I have no freedom of choice on a certain matter. To me it is a big matter and this is my latest challenge that I would love to share with you and hear your thoughts and experiences. Perhaps I am looking for some comfort and some re-assurance? Since the moment I found out I was pregnant I have been hearing soft but persistent whispers. Sometimes I think it is the soul of my baby, other times I know it is my soul, in other words my intuitive self. The voice tells me I need to leave this new paradise I have in Ubud! WHAT!? REALLY!? This voice becomes louder and more powerful with every sun rise and I feel helpless because I can`t turn it down~maybe this is another test of my ability to surrender? But in this case this voice seems so illogical. The positives of living in Ubud are very seductive. Here is my list of positive points: ~Facilitating Venus Yoga at the Yoga Barn to amazing women from around the world is pure joy! Sometimes in a class I will have women from over 10 different countries. The diversity and core similarities fulfill my curious nature to the max. I live to see women come together, share and take out to the world their feminine radiance. ~I am surrounded by a rich international community of artists, creators and wanderers each with intriguing past stories and inspiring present projects. ~I am in organic, raw and super food heaven. Ubud has so many wonderful cafes that even deliver to my villa for free and all at a cost that is half the price of Tokyo or Sydney. ~If I was to stay here and give birth I could have all the help I needed~cook, cleaner, baby sitter…many MANY luxuries at a small cost that most new mommies in modernized countries can only fantasize about. The positive points could go on and on but this voice, those whispers always seem to diminish the power of the positives. Life is not meant to be hard but the voice is saying it is also not meant to be just easy. The more I listen to this voice the more I start to think that the voice is not only illogical it is crazy! My beloved man is also filled with positive possibilities in Ubud but he knows if I am not happy then our home will not be happy and he has graciously agreed to follow the soft screams of my intuition. So back to Japan we will go in April. No, not Kamakura and no not anywhere near Tokyo. A decade working in the concrete jungle is all I can take. The small, very small, island of YAKUSHIMA is calling. If you have seen the brilliantly animated Japanese film `Princess Mononoke` (`Mononoke Hime`) you will know that this world heritage island is voluptuous. Nature oozes from every direction. She has beautiful beaches, scenic mountains and majestic trees that have been around for about 7000 years. I have never been to this island yet through documentaries and recounts by my man (who has been and loves this island) she has already seduced me. Many positives about this island but also many points that at first glance appear to be negative. Negative Points~ ~Yakushima is very isolated. She has a population of only 15,000 people. ~there is no international yoga community (probably not even a yoga studio). ~there are no raw-superfood cafes. ~She is very farrrrrrrrrr away from family and friends living on the main island and of course very far away from my parents, grandparents to be, in Australia. ~there are no midwives on the island and the hospital there does not allow water births (my first choice for giving birth of course!) Short but powerful list of negatives. I imagine that life on Yakushima will be less dynamic and not as easy as the one I have currently in Ubud. Are the whispers of this voice logical? No! Is packing up and moving to Yakushima the right move to make? Yes~ without a doubt. WHY? The first reason is obvious I guess~ The above points are not really negatives. The positive points push through when I really let the voice speak to me. My soul and this baby inside my belly constantly crave lush unspoiled nature. Ubud had it but in my opinion (and perhaps many others) it is losing its seductive edge as a place of pristine nature. The Balinese have embraced economic evolution (and good for them) but it has changed their inner and outer landscape. Environmental education has really only just begun so EVERYWHERE we go there is rubbish. Busy these shanti people are and even busier they are on the roads trying to speed through bumper to bumper traffic. Motor bikes zoom past and wild dogs roam the streets and rice fields. While most do no harm I never feel overwhelmingly inspired to go for a `work-out` or leisurely walk and with a new born in my arms I can not even contemplate it. A bit snobby perhaps. Many foreign women have given birth here and love raising their children in this care-free mini city. Please don`t misunderstand me~Bali still has many beautiful treasures but this body and this soul are just not feeling it here at the moment. And I love to walk free of worries. I am an Aussie after all. This is my raw truth and I can`t argue with that and don`t wish to hide it from others. So on second glance I guess there maybe some logic in the whispers after all. More importantly I know I can not ignore my intuitive voice. WHY? In the past when I did I paid a big price. I felt immense regret and a lingering fatigue ensued for a quite a long time. I got caught up in mind games and went for a few depressing roller coaster rides. Recently a participant at a workshop I attended asked, `What if your intuition is wrong? What if you end up at the wrong place?`. I was quick to raise my hand and answer because I knew from many of my experiences that intuition is NEVER wrong. Those whispers and that voice always lead you to where you need to go at a particular point in time. The process and the outcome may not have been as you envisaged or to your liking but it has got you to the perfect place for a new lesson, a new discovery, a new chapter in your evolution of self. Intuition always lead us to our higher purpose. Subconsciously we know this is true because no matter the outcome there is no trace of regret in our systems. I keep reminding myself and this voice that we can always return to Bali once the baby is born and used to the outer world. Everything will be different but if it is in my and our best interests the universe will allow us to return. My man is counting on this because he wants to spend a few more years in Bali. Lets wait and see. So, how do I know this is really my intuition and not a flood of crazy hormones (pregnancy hormones in my case)? Read any yoga or spiritual book and most will tell you that ~your intuition is located in the six chakra (energy vortex) at the point between our eyebrows (the third eye). ~you usually feel it in your core. It is a feeling that lingers until it is acted upon. Yoga is an ancient science and even if modern science is only just starting to validate it most of us long term practitioners know the truth from direct experience. Like many of you in order to develop my intuition I have meditated on my third eye point, massaged it tenderly, and often place a bindi there to `really feel it`. In my silent meditative states I sometimes feel sharp tingles on my third eye. But in everyday situations when there are sounds all around me my intuition comes to me in a very different way. Instead of lingering feelings in my core I feel it as a whole body sensation. My skin feels alive. Everything tingles. Even if I am in a bad mood or feeling tired somehow this whole body sensation remains and then I know I am NOT at the mercy of my hormones. I am reminded again and again~Intuition is a whole body sensation. It may start in your core or even as some pressure at the third eye but eventually it will embody you and when you act on it it will shower you with gifts. So what are some of the gifts you will receive for following your intuition? When we follow our intuition we are subtly driven by a sense of passion and hence we give 100%. From my experience I believe we receive three orgasmic gifts. 1: We enter into a deeper realm of our femininity (yin energy) and expand our six sense. Life becomes much juicer and expansive. We become more confident and feel protected by our highest self. A whole new way of being, feeling and seeing arises. 2:There is no need to wonder `what if…?` . (`What if….?`s drain us on all levels~ physical, mental, emotional and spiritual). Instead we are flooded with a rush of wild energy…we feel FREE! ….and FREEDOM (moksha) is not only a the core goal of yoga it is what we modern day people desire the most (along with LOVE and PEACE of course). 3: Wisdom, contentment and happiness emerges. We enter the calm state of perceiving things as neither right or wrong, good or bad. We feel content and happy. The power of our intuition stimulates the pituitary gland and serotonin (the happy hormone that creates wellness) explodes within us like beautiful fireworks. So if like me, you are hearing whispers from your intuitive voice that seem illogical LISTEN, listen some more and if you start to feel that whole body tingle then despite any obvious odds I suggest FOLLOW it. ~Know (that as always) you are not alone. In Venus Yoga workshops many of my gorgeous students also share with me their intuitive voice struggles. There are plenty of women (and men) out there who will lend an ear and say it is OK. ~Recall a time in your past when you did not understand the voice but followed it any way. Did it lead you to a sacred place free from `what if…?`s and regret? Did you feel the rush or energy and serotonin? My bet is YES. So embrace those whispers and that sensation, even actively do things to turn the volume up. Make the decision. Waiting for you on the other side is a new way of being and living. PS to friends in Australia, Japan and Bali. Before landing in Yakushima we will go to Australia for two weeks. In Sydney and Byron Bay I will finally realize my dream of sharing Venus Yoga to women in OZ! Hope you can join us (will post workshop dates and details soon). After a few weeks in Yakushima to scope out the island we will head up to the Kanto region to pick up boxes in Yokohama Bay and see a few sunsets at the beach in my old home of Kamakura. So Tokyo and Shonan folk~hope to see you! Bali friends~only one more month left to share with you here. Hope to see you all for some fun times. PPS: THANK YOU for all your emails congratulating me on my new motherhood course. THANK YOU for sharing your wisdom and experiences and even sharing with me a secret or two of your own. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts and experiences on your dynamics of intuition. So much to share and when we do it all seems to make so much more sense. I look forward to your emails. Email me at info@venusyogalife.com Big Thank you! Big Love. Big Venus wishes. Love Shivani February, 28 2011. Ubud, Bali

SHIVANI`S other blog posts

POST 3: Expansion: Waist lines, Birth and Womanly Wisdom. 15 August, 2011. Sydney, Australia. Thoughts, Feelings and Images on my `Estimated Due Date`. http://www.venusyogalife.com/blog-2/expansionpost-no-3/ POST 1: Secrets, Sex and Surrendering. 16 February, 2011. Ubud, Bali. What to do when an unexpected situation comes your way. http://www.venusyogalife.com/blog-2/

Share your thoughts & Join in the Conversation.

Twitter→ http://twitter.com/#!/Venus_Yoga

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/sara.shivani

Secrets, Sex and Surrendering~Post 1

Shivani — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:04:03 +0000

16 February, 2011. Ubud, Bali Finally my first blog post. Not sure if I will write once a week, once fortnightly, or once a month but write when I have something special to share I will. Enjoy! To celebrate the end of my blog start-up procrastination I decided to dedicate my first post to sharing my big secret. Enjoy and let me know your thoughts~what you agree and don`t agree with. This is all about sharing, learning, expanding and `Venus-ing` our vibes. Secrets, Sex and Surrendering. What to do when an unexpected situation comes your way. Content: Shivani`s secret revealed. How NOT to feel helpless and surrender blissfully to an unexpected situation. What to do if your and your partner`s sex drives (desires) starts to diverge. Let me confess my big secret. I just finished a three month course in motherhood 101. I am pregnant. As you mothers (and fathers) out there all ready know this is a body, mind and soul changing chapter of life. Despite the fact that until recently all I have been able to do is eat, sleep and sleep some more I am in awe of the way I have lost control of my body. Lost positive control! My mind is no longer in charge and I learnt some big lessons about SEX and SURRENDERING. I did `the test` because I heard my mind gasp at the fact that `wow~I have not had coffee or chocolate in two weeks`. A first in my 32 years of life! I am (was) a proud choco-coffee-aholic. I knew my abstinence meant something strange was going on. Was I happy at the positive pee reading? Hmmm I will be honestand say no. One day, someday, YES I would love to have a baby but now? ! I was in the process of re-establishing a new life and expanding my career on a new island, Bali. Of course, I am deeply grateful for this gift from the universe but it has taken some time to feel happy about the situation. It has taken sometime to finally be able to write about it and understand how my discoveries may be of some inspiration to all my beautiful friends and yoga students. Below are some things I would love to share with you and as I wrote earlier~agree or not agree have you say and lets have a conversation. How NOT to feel helpless and surrender blissfully to an unexpected situation. 1: When the unexpected happens say `thank you` and be grateful. Of course this is after the shock subsides. While in shock sit down, lay down,breathe deeply. Once the surprise has settled in~ look up to the sky, crouch down on the earth and say `thank you` to the universe. It has just provided you with a new 101 course in something~ a journey of learning and expansion. 2: The body never lies. Listen to it. Feel it. The mind can create beautiful illusions and seductive stories but the more we get involved the more we move away from the truth. `The body never lies` and this is true all the time. For example, when you get sick the body is asking for something different. A change of pace. A change of diet. A big change. The body never lies` ~ This is actually a big lesson that comes up in a Venus Yoga workshop. You can directly experience and witness how this is true with a pretty cool qigong (tao yoga) exercise. Wanna try it? Then come to one of my workshops (hehehehe). Someday I hope. 3: Be open and share with those around you what is going on. Partners, parents, friends, teachers, even strangers are more than happy to help if and when they can. There is no need to tell everyone straight away but share with people who are close or in close proximity to you. When we give of ourselves we receive in return. People love to share their wisdom. It validates their experience and leads to self realizations. So share your unexpected situation, ask for advice or help and all involved will no doubt mutually benefit. Thank you to all I have already received advice! It really has helped! THREE is a sacred number so my thoughts for this part ends here. Back to my personal story. The sleep and sex part. No more caffeine injections, no more sugar cravings and no more over-eating. `This is a dream come true`, I thought! But 8 weeks into my pregnancy I became a sleep-aholic and all my vibrant energy seemed to fall to my womb. I called my mum and a few goddess super mama friends and asked what was going on~`Your making a baby honey~exhaustion is normal. Sleep!` , they chanted. I used to be a happy insomniac in university and I graduated to surviving on 4-5 hours of sleep when I led my busy life in Japan. But now my body not only seems to need sleep it loves sleep! `Remember the benefits of surrender“~This became my new mantra. As I moved into week 10 another unexpected situation. My body needed a break from sex! What?! I love having sex and I love reading about sex (indeed half of the books on my bookshelf are dedicated to the topic in all its tantric forms). After many discussions and trying to go against the force of nature my beloved man and I surrendered and decided to listen even more deeply to the instincts of my body and our growing baby. Deeply grateful I am to him! What to do if your and your partner`s sex drives (desires) starts to diverge. 1: Listen, talk and listen some more. At some point a solution will arise and instead of a cold silence while you are waiting, listening and talking to each other will create a deeper sense of understanding. Learning about the depths of your partners needs and wants is fascinating! If it is hard to talk about it in the bedroom or at home~go on a romantic date and have an eye-to eye, heart to heart conversation. 2: Experience the joys of compromise. Usually a solution to divergent needs and wants comes in the form of some sort of mutual self compromise. As long as this compromise is integral to your highest truth it is usually safe and healing. If you are in a mutually loving relationship compromise for the benefit of pleasing the other never feels like a burden. If you honor each other and communicate as you go joy starts to emerge. It is not easy but it is worth it. And if you don`t like compromise, then live alone, work alone and be alone. Mutual compromise is an element of all great relationships. 3: Remember that `sex` is our core life energy. It is the force that connects everything, body, mind, spirit and each other. It is the force that inspires all of our creative desires and expressions. If for some reason we want no sex or too much sex then something at our core maybe going on. Your sexual energy maybe leaking into some other area of your life (baby-making, work projects, health issues etc). No judgement needed. Just know that your body and spirit is trying to tell you something. Observe, explore and discover. Never be embarrassed or afraid to ask for advice. Most people have gone through something similar. Also remember that there is much more than `sex as sex`. There issensuality and sexiness and you can add food, music, massage and more in order to create a new and exciting way to be intimate with your partner. Try it even if you have no core life energy issues. It can be fun. Now into week 14 of my pregnancy the `morning (day and blasted night!) sickness` has surpassed. Thank the goddesses! Already I have so much more respect for mothers and fathers. Gratitude abounds! Surrendering to rest and sleep has reaped rewards. Energy is moving in and around my womb and body. Still no coffee and chocolate cravings. For this I am grateful because I am saving so much money! Sex drive is rising again~I feel like a juicy fruit goddess expanding under the rays of the sun. AND finally I feel happy about my unexpected situation. May we all embrace our life surprises, discover the inspiring lessons and feel our inner Venus Vibe. Lets open up this discussion on pregnancy, the unexpected, sex and surrendering. I would love to hear from you! Let me know if you would like to publicly share excerpts from your mail too. The Venus community is expanding. YES! info@venusyogalife.com Big Thank you! Big Love. Big Venus wishes. Love Shivani 16 February, 2011. Ubud, Bali

SHIVANI`S other blog posts

POST 3: Expansion: Waist lines, Birth and Womanly Wisdom. 15 August, 2011. Sydney, Australia. Thoughts, Feelings and Images on my `Estimated Due Date`. http://www.venusyogalife.com/blog-2/expansionpost-no-3/ POST 2: Intuition and the Seduction. 28 February, 2011. Ubud, Bali. The Dynamics of INTUITION and the SEDUCTION of Small Islands. http://www.venusyogalife.com/blog-2/post-no-2/

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Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/sara.shivani

Shivani — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:01:50 +0000

…because sometimes 140 characters are not enough to share some sweet inspiration.

recent tweets that Venus Women are reflecting upon.

“The Tao of Motherhood” by Vimala McClure.

An excerpt from the poem on ‘selflessness’.

A mother who gives herself completely to her infant meets herself in the dark and finds fulfillment. In the hours between midnight and dawn, she crosses the threshold of self-concern and discovers a Self that has no limits. A wise mother meets this Presence with humility and steps through time into selflessness. Infants know when their mothers have done this, and they become peaceful.

→

a pleasure patch supersonic rocket socket?

The “Love Your Vagina Song“

~ funny and for a good eco and educational cause. What do you call yours?

You’ll be singing this one when you least expect it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgEXRKIZRvc

→

“WHATEVER you give a WOMAN, she will MAKE it GREATER.

“Give her SPERM, she will give you a BABY.

Give her a HOUSE, she will give you a HOME. Give her GROCERIES, she will give you a MEAL.

Give her LOVE, and she will give you her HEART! She MULTIPLIES and ENLARGES what she is GIVEN.

So, if you GIVE her CRAP, be PREPARED to RECEIVE a ton of SHIT!“

join us in the conversation.

http://twitter.com/#!/Venus_Yoga

Letting Go

Shivani — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:06:12 +0000

A dear beautiful goddess, Tanya, tonight reminded me of the profound power and sheer beauty of LETTING GO!

It is a key theme in all our Venus Yoga sessions. For many of us it may be a key theme in our daily lives.

Tanya shared with me the poem “She Let Go” written by Rev. Safire Rose.

What about you?

Perhaps in one of our Venus sessions you participated in THE LET GO CIRCLE?

Perhaps you remember the first time you really let go in a yoga pose? Perhaps you remember the last time your let go of something precious? Remember that feeling? Every time I let go I feel light, tender, strong and even joyful.

Reading this poem below I feel a similar sense of lightness, vulnerability, strength and joy.

Those feelings I felt in the circle, those feelings I felt when I let go of my first marriage, those feelings I felt when I truly let go of the self centered girl inside me and became a mother to my son. Readings these words may also be a beautiful meditation and reminder to you too. That is my bedtime wish for my Venus sistas around the world tonight. What did you let go of? What will you let go of? Its time to share again. Send me a line. info(@)venusyogalife (dot)com https://www.facebook.com/sara.shivani http://twitter.com/#!/Venus_Yoga

She Let Go.

“She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go.

She let go of fear. She let go of the judgments. She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head. She let go of the committee of indecision within her. She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons. Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, She just let go. She didn’t ask anyone for advice. She didn’t read a book on how to let go… She didn’t search the scriptures. She just let go. She let go of all of the memories that held her back. She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward. She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right. She didn’t promise to let go. She didn’t journal about it. She didn’t write the projected date in her day-timer. She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper. She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope. She just let go. She didn’t analyse whether she should let go. She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter. She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment. She didn’t call the Prayer line. She didn’t utter one word. She just let go. No one was around when it happened. There was no applause or congratulations. No one thanked her or praised her. No one noticed a thing. Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go. There was no effort. There was no struggle. It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad. It was what it was, and it is just that. In the space of letting go, she let it all be. A small smile came (upon) over her face. A light breeze blew through her. And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.” by Rev. Safire Rose.

Venus in Bali! Pre-natal Break until 2012

Shivani — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:15:18 +0000

Weekly sessions in Ubud, Bali may be back again after Shivani gives birth to her first child in August. Until then stay tuned for online workshop and training experiences and stay in touch with all the Venus women through the Venus Yoga group on Facebook. Nurture your feminine body and mind wherever you are. Inspire you spirit by sharing sacred and collective wisdom.

♥Day Workshops held by request. Treat yourself to a full day of self exploration and joyful connection with other women. Deepen your yoga practice and your Venus Yoga practice. Inspire your fitness regime and life in general. Content of the classes/workshop may contain: ★Venus Yoga breathing and movement fundamentals for a holistic detox. ★Female anatomy and reflexology: Theory, philosophy, practices and group sharing. ★Exercises that allow you to find your `YES` in body, heart and life. ★Exercises that free you of negativity, traumas and conditionings about what it means to be a woman. ★Exercises that allow you to positively reprogram sensuality and sacred sexuality. ★Meditations and exercises that improve PMS, period pain, eases menopausalsystems. ★Rituals and mantras that celebrate the female connection with mother nature. ★Chocolate Meditations. ★The regenerative power of Yoga Nidra (yoga sleep). ★Moving Meditations~The Yin and Yang Kundalini Dance Meditation: Tune into the authentic you your through exploring your feminine, masculine and goddess energies. ★Walking meditations~use the power of the mind to find inner serenity and manifest your goals. ★The Feminine Gift of Touch through massage and mantra. Learn a 10-15 minute touch sequence~ so you can give someone special in your life a beautiful surprise. ★Venus Nutrition~discussion about how food affects feminine holistic health. Information about the fundamentals of a diet that will enliven you as a goddess. ★Watch excerpts from various documentaries concerning women, sensuality, sex, energy and the mind body connection. Email me and reserve your place or set a date and time that suits you info@venusyogalife.com

V E N U S Y O G A L I F E

Baby Sleep School, Yoga Nidra & Notes from my Venus Mama Diary.

Mama Nidra.

Notes from my Venus Mama Diary.

Please share your thoughts and ask any questions here ↓

Yoga Benefit for Japan in Sydney. 10/3/12

January Workshops in Sydney

CLICK here to view the flyer with all info.

January 27th (Fri) 7-9:00pm

&

January 29th (Sun) 3-6:30pm.

January 28th (Sat) 3-6:00pm.

Nicole Mizoguchi Visionary Artist

A hit in Bali, Japan and Australia `Venus Yoga` is inspiring a new way to enjoy yoga and life.

♀ 25 words ♀

A 25 min. meditative inquiry.

Please share your thoughts and ask any questions here ↓

↓Nurturing Your Goddess Essence↓

CLICK here to view the flyer with all info.

January 27th (Fri) 7-9:00pm

&

January 29th (Sun) 3-6:30pm.

January 28th (Sat) 3-6:00pm.

Nicole Mizoguchi Visionary Artist

`Expansion`

I wonder what words and or images capture you lately?

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IMAGE and QUOTE from

SHIVANI`S most recent blog posts

Intuition & Seduction

SHIVANI`S other blog posts

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Secrets, Sex and Surrendering~Post 1

SHIVANI`S other blog posts

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TWEET

…because sometimes 140 characters are not enough to share some sweet inspiration.

recent tweets that Venus Women are reflecting upon.

“The Tao of Motherhood” by Vimala McClure.

An excerpt from the poem on ‘selflessness’.

→

The “Love Your Vagina Song“

→

“WHATEVER you give a WOMAN, she will MAKE it GREATER.

join us in the conversation.

http://twitter.com/#!/Venus_Yoga

Letting Go

What about you?

She Let Go.

Venus in Bali! Pre-natal Break until 2012