high and low

our life has many ups and downs. luckily there are more ups than downs at the moment, although the downs seem way more or naturally appear more by needing more energy of course.

luckily, especially throughout the last year, I learned to focus on the ups and positivity and I also know what I need for myself to go through the downs and especially to get energy back for myself.
let me just tell you one example that I came back to in the last few weeks, that shows how simple you can calm yourself and get some energy back.
after I was teaching a workshop about pranayama (yogic breathing) a few weeks ago, I thought it was time to vary my own pranayama practice a little bit. meaning, I brought back some techniques that I haven't used for a while. one is called "Bhramari" - bee breath or humming breath. in the simplest version you "just" breath in deeply through your nose, then exhale through the nose and put a humming sound with that. that helps you to lengthen your exhale and also soothes your throat and voice, bringing this wonderful vibration into your lips. that of course feels wonderful in the morning but also you can do it wherever and whenever you like to calm yourself down, keep your voice from rising (oh, I do need that sometimes!) and if you think of letting go of any negativity along with your humming exhalation and bringing in fresh energy on a long deep inhalation - batteries are recharged and on you go :-)
try it, for me it just woks wonders at the moment!

but let's come back to the highs throughout the last weeks, this is what counts and makes our life so wonderful and thinking about it makes the downs a little smaller...

so here are some of the recent highs...
...our beautiful yoga benefit "Namaste India" - such a wonderful day!
...two wonderful school reports from my great girls!
...so many afternoons that the girls enjoy our pool!
...organising things for the last days of school, that I love, although these days are exhausting!
...booked holidays!
...the girls doing beautiful shows at home!
...comfort cooking!
...reading my book out on the terrace!
...

I'm not going to point out the lows, as that would just give them the focus they'd like. we did have some things, and there is still some stuff coming up, that'll need a lot of energy... but I hope I can stay focused on the positive and find my time and space to sit down and refill with energy.