Finding Meaning – Septembers Newsletter

Finding Meaning

Good morning, good afternoon or maybe good evening to all of ye – September has arrived and here in Gozo we’re hoping the cooler temperatures will start soon as it’s been one HOT summer!
We did manage to jet set off the isla for a month to France, Switzerland & the Azores and I’ll never underestimate the inspiring power that travelling provides. Looking around with a new set of eyes as we set sights on natures magnificence, getting lost through streets we’ve never walked, sitting in cafes and watching all the lovely peoples, bathing in waterfalls, hots springs and the sea. Back home now refreshed and waiting for the weather to match. 🙂

The search for meaning becomes predominant for me when I travel.
Have you ever wondered about life’s meaning?
Do you ever find meaning through your challenges and/or conflicts?
Do you have a habit of giving everything you go through a meaning?
Do you ever make a situation into a story that means more than it really did?

Finding Meaning….

My niece recently recommended a great book called ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ written by Vicktor E Frankl. This man survived 3 concentration camps and as a psychiatrist he had a very interesting perspective as he watched how everyone dealt with the situation they were in. His conclusion is that those who made it through were the ones who could find MEANING through what they were experiencing. The ones who couldn’t, didn’t make it, they couldn’t see the point in going any further.

I like that kind of meaning machine. It leads us to growth and an eloquent way of seeing our challenging situations.
If LIFE were to ask you “What is the meaning of your LIFE?” would you have an answer?
If you don’t here is a breath practice to connect you deeper IN

A breath practice to bring you closer to you:
* In a comfortable seated position begin to notice your natural breath cycle
* Now begin to inhale and count to 5-6 the exhale to a count of 6-10
* Do this for a few minutes
* Once you’re comfortable with that begin to inhale and exhale for 5-6 seconds and hold the inhale in for 3-6 seconds and then hold the exhale out for 3-6 seconds.
* Do this for a few minutes
Then release, come back to your natural breath and notice how everything feels.
The slower our breath the more in tune we become.
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Here’s a talk I found informative, inspiring and forward thinking from one of my favourite doctors who is also an environmentalist – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOmPHFiOMxI

Wishing you all a lens that allows you to see the bigger picture
SatNamNamaste & thanks for reading!

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August Newsletter – Be Proud of your Age

Woman Going Grey Reporting:

I’ve been grey haired and dyeing my hair for many years now.
I’ve stepped into numerous salons with curiosity to how I’d be supported if I mentioned that I want to grow out my grey hair – It’s sad, scary, aggravating & a whole host of emotions to report that 90% of the time the feedback I received from both the stylists and the other female customers present was –
‘No, you can’t do that – you will look so OLD’ :\\ shocking!

How much more UNSUPPORTIVE can it get?

This always made my blood boil as I’m a firm believer in women supporting women.
Who is to say that we all want to look young forever?
Why is it all about ANTI AGEING instead of PRO AGEING?
So much social pressure assumed that what we ALL want is to look young forever.
Further into my research I came across an article by the Guardian about which bikinis are best for what shape and each paragraph stated how a woman can make her body look better than it already is – ARGH!
No wonder we have such a hard time accepting ourselves…

My next step was to research some bios of women who did it, grey hair and all – the ones who were happy to embrace the age and stage that they were in – the practice is presence and as one woman stated:
‘I’m not young anymore, I was at one stage and now I want to experience the age of where I am’ – now that INSPIRED me…

So further along the lines of grey here I am at 50 letting it all GROW – it’s funny how just a few months ago I felt dirty to see my grey roots show and now it doesn’t bother me at all – a simple MIND switch and I embrace my new look with curiosity along with all the different looks I receive as I GROW along, not stuck in my youth, not stuck to others opinions or the social pressures we’ve been subjected to.

I do this not just for me but for all women, for my nieces, for their children, for my students and for those women who think we all want to look young forever. In hope that all men will stand alongside their women and support them as they embrace the natural phase that they are in.

Men & Women alike lets Unite for Naturalism & Acceptance.
Supporting one another to Embrace the Age we ARE.

“There are plenty of things to be anti about…aging isn’t one of them” – Jamie Lee Curtis

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Beyond Reacting – Daily OM

Remembering to pause and take a breath before we react, can shift the energy of the outcome.

We have all had the experience of reacting in a way that was less than ideal upon hearing bad news, or being unfairly criticized, or being told something we did not want to hear. This makes sense because when our emotions are triggered, they tend to take center stage, inhibiting our ability to pause before we speak. We may feel compelled to release the tension by expressing ourselves in some way, whether it’s yelling back at the person yelling at us, or rushing to deliver words of comfort to a friend in trouble. However, there is much to be said for teaching ourselves to remember to pause and take a deep breath before we respond to the shocks and insults that can come our way in life.

For one thing, our initial response is not always what’s best for us, or for the other people involved. Reacting to childish rage with childish rage will only escalate the negativity in a situation, further ensnaring us in an undesirable dynamic. Similarly, when we react defensively, or simply thoughtlessly, we often end up feeling regret over our words or actions. In the end, we save ourselves a lot of pain when we take a deep breath and really tune in to ourselves, and the other person, before we respond. This doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t say anything, although in some cases, that may be the best option.

Some situations require a fairly immediate response, but even just a moment of grounding ourselves before we do so can help enormously. The next time you find yourself wanting to react, try to pause, and in that pause, take a deep breath. Feel your feet on the floor, the air on your skin, and listen for a response to arise within you, rather than just going with the first thing that pops into your head. You may find that in that moment, there is the potential to move beyond reaction and into the more subtle and creative realm of response, where something new can happen.

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INSPIRATION – The ‘I can do it all myself’ Trauma Response

The inability to receive support from others
is a trauma response.
Your “I don’t need anyone, I’ll just do it all myself” conditioning is a survival tactic. And you needed it to shield your heart from abuse, neglect, betrayal, and disappointment from those who could not or would not be there for you.
From the parent who was absent and abandoned you by choice or the parent who was never home from working three jobs to feed and house you.
From the lovers who offered sexual intimacy but never offered a safe haven that honoured your heart.
From the friendships and family who ALWAYS took more than they ever gave.
From all the situations when someone told you “we’re in this together” or “I got you” then abandoned you, leaving you to pick up the pieces when shit got real, leaving you to handle your part and their part, too.
From all the lies and all the betrayals.
You learned along the way that you just couldn’t really trust people. Or that you could trust people, but only up to a certain point.
Extreme-independence IS. A. TRUST. ISSUE.
You learnt: if I don’t put myself in a situation where I rely on someone, I won’t have to be disappointed when they don’t show up for me, or when they drop the ball… because they will ALWAYS drop the ball EVENTUALLY right?
You may even have been intentionally taught this protection strategy by generations of hurt ancestors who came before you.
Extreme-independence is a preemptive strike against heartbreak.
So, you don’t trust anyone.
And you don’t trust yourself, either, to choose people.
To trust is to hope, to trust is to be vulnerable.
“Never again,” you vow.
But no matter how you dress it up and display it proudly to make it seem like this level of independence is what you always wanted to be, in truth it’s your wounded, scarred, broken heart behind a protective brick wall.
Impenetrable. Nothing gets in. No hurt gets in. But no love gets in either.
Fortresses and armour are for those in battle, or who believe the battle is coming.
It’s a trauma response.
The good news is trauma that is acknowledged is trauma that can be healed.
You are worthy of having support.
You are worthy of having true partnership.
You are worthy of love.
You are worthy of having your heart held.
You are worthy to be adored.
You are worthy to be cherished.
You are worthy to have someone say, “You rest. I got this.” And actually deliver on that promise.
You are worthy to receive.
You are worthy to receive.
You are worthy.
You don’t have to earn it.
You don’t have to prove it.
You don’t have to bargain for it.
You don’t have to beg for it.
You are worthy.
WORTHY.
Simply because you exist.
-Jamila White, @inspiredjamila
Coyote Phoenix
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Awakening the Ten Bodies – July’s Newsletter

Awakening the Ten Bodies:

Hola compadres!
I hope this newsletter finds you in a good inner space while the world navigates it’s way around viruses, vaccinations and freedom of choice.

It’s been a hot sweaty start to the summer here in Gozo.
We kicked off Summer with 108 Sun Salutations with a group of 6 of us, done in just 1 hour, the energy was amazing as you can see from our faces 🙂

How’s summer starting for you all?

This month I’m  working with the Ten Bodies as we study in the Kundalini Tradition
In the west we are fixated on the physical body and most familiar with it – but could you imagine that your physical body is like the suitcase for a few other bodies too?

The Ten Bodies Are:
The Soul Body, the Positive, Negative & Neutral Mind, the Physical Body, the Pranic Body, the ArcLine, the Auric Body, the Subtle Body & the Radiant Body

Here are some questions to ignite the Ten Bodies:
* What part of your mind do you listen to most? The Positive, Negative or        Neutral?
* Do you feel connected to the voice of your soul? If so, write down how…
* Do you feel physically balanced? If not, why?
* Do you trust and listen to your intuition?
* Do you find it hard or easy to trust in general?
* Do you find you have an excess of energy, a stable amount of energy or         do you often feel low in energy?
* Do you practice seeing beyond what is right in front of you?

As yoga practitioners we learn that in addition to the Western way of looking at anatomy, there is also a more subtle energetic anatomy to awaken to. One of the ways we can understand our existence and enhance our potential is to learn about and work with our Ten Bodies .

The work is to keep these Ten Bodies in a state of balance. The middle way. As with most things in life if we can just find that centre line we remain in harmony, in balance with the universe.

Here is a 30 minute FREE practice to Awaken the Ten Bodies which can all be done seated. There are a few FREE practices on my YouTube Channel so please do subscribe and enjoy the practices & the FREE soundbath meditations as much as you like!

I appreciate your readership very much and it’s always a pleasure to hear from those of you who get some insights through these newsletters and/or those of you willing to share some of yours…

MBY 2021 Offerings:

KriyaAsana Live on ZOOM | Tuesdays
18.30 – 19.45 CET
(email info@michellebartoloyoga.com to book in)

Kundalini Workshop – Detoxing the Mind
Saturday September 25th | GOZO
11.00 – 15.30
60 euros

Kundalini Workshop Saturday September 25th, GOZO | Detoxing the Mind

MBY KriyaAsana Week Long Retreat
October 10 – 17th | GOZO

KriyaAsana Yoga Week Retreat | October 10 – 17th | GOZO

MBY KriyaAsana 200 hr YTT 
October 20 – December 14th | GOZO

200hr YTT Summer & Fall 2021 – GOZO

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Kundalini Workshop Saturday September 25th, GOZO | Detoxing the Mind

After a lovely summer break I’m looking forward to welcoming you all back for our Kundalini Workshops which happen once/month here in Gozo.
In September we will be working with a Kriya Set to Detoxify the Mind so we can find more spaces of ease and calm in there ?
The morning will consist of breathwork, meditation, inquiry and intention setting, asana warmup and then the kriya set to detoxify the mind.
We will break for a healthy vegetarian lunch in our garden before the afternoon session which will be sound healing through chanting & meditation.
When:
Saturday September 25th
11 – 15.30
Where:
Gharb, Gozo
Invest:
60 euros
Booking is required
Limited to 11 people
Looking forward to reuniting then!
SatNamNamaste
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Guts to Heart – Living the Dream Life | June’s Newsletter

Hope you are enjoying a level of freedom again as restrictions lift and we can all breathe easier again. I find it incredibly beautiful to notice how many of us are so happy to be doing the things we always took for granted before this pandemic hit.

I remind myself and my students regularly that there is always two sides to everything. The positives and the not so much so…I find it a much easier way to navigate life and at the end of the day we will all believe what works for us and from our level of perception.

There is no right or wrong. Just different lenses.

If we live from the truth of our heart we will always be filled with love.
I came across this bit of writing last week which I found inspiring

‘I think we became too rational of a society. At some point we starting ‘trusting science’ more than our intuition. Don’t get me wrong, I’m big on reading and educating ourselves, learning from others with insight. But anytime I’ve gotten myself into a big mess in life was because I wasn’t living inside out – from guts to heart – people can bash people who feel alot , but I promise you, those people are the ones living that dream life you can’t seem to figure out.’ – Michaela Reneej

May we all listen to our hearts more.
May we all feel more.
Use the heart as your charger – plug in to your LOVE charger
Cheesy as it may sound – it works 😉

Some more great news….
If you want more kriya practices subscribe to my YOUTUBE channel. There are plenty of 30 minute practices which you can do from a chair. These practices were all created for We Connect Malta, a holistic wellbeing project by the FIDEM Charity Organisation

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3aAZfCCrRNpkYSxa-d2VQ

 

SatNamNamaste

Michelle x

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Summer Solstice & International Yoga Day | June 21st

Happy Summer Solstice and International Yoga Day!

We started the morning off with a class of 108 Sun Salutations to create more light in the body on the lightest day of the year.

As today is our longest day of light we will honour that lightness inside of us – we will visit what we have accomplished so far this year. It’s the time of year to AWAKEN, to feel and revive oneself and to celebrate our ABUNDANCE.
The Summer Solstice is a powerful planetary moment when the Earth’s tilt brings us closest to the Sun making it the longest day of the year. A time to honour and spend time in the sun, the great power of light & nourishment it provides.
Here’s a great article by The Daily Om on the Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice

Home : Inspirations : The Summer Solstice

Summer solstice represents a time to reflect upon the blessings we have received in seasons past and look toward new growth.

On the longest day of the year, the sun, which has on the days preceding seemed to rise higher and higher into the sky, reaches its zenith and rises no more. This day, which in the Northern Hemisphere can occur between the 20th and 23rd of June, marks the start of summer and is known as the summer solstice. From time immemorial, the coming of summer’s light and warmth has been a time of gladness and celebration. In June, the snows had long since melted, the ground had thawed, the first fruits were ripening on their vines, and Mother Nature had once again renewed herself. Though most of us have turned away from our agricultural heritage, the summer solstice remains a time of new beginnings and life-enriching endings. It is the day the sun reaches the peak of its power as well as the day that heralds the shorter days that eventually bring with them autumn’s chills.

For ancient peoples of the Americas and Europe, the summer solstice was a particularly joyous day — and one auspicious for those seeking year-long luck, fertility, abundance, and prosperity. Men and women on two continents would gather to pay tribute to the sun’s magnificence, to pray for a bountiful harvest, and to bolster the sun’s energy with bonfires and fireworks. Today, the summer solstice represents an optimal time to reflect upon the blessings we have received in seasons past and visualize the new bounties we hope to receive in the season just beginning to flourish. At noon, when the sun is at its highest point, we can pay reverence to its incredible strength and its ability to create life while also musing on the impermanence of life as represented by the impermanence of the season. You can reestablish your innate connection to nature on the summer solstice by spending time outdoors; following the sun’s procession as the day passes; burning sun oils such as orange, benzion, or juniper; or decorating an altar with solar images, summer greens, or colorful blossoms.

Just as the summer solstice is symbolic of agricultural growth, so is it symbolic of personal growth. It is a wonderful time to nurture your potential as you would nurture a tiny seedling and let your creative energy express itself fully. On the summer solstice, you may feel compelled to emulate the noontime sun and be at one with the world around you or to let your inner brilliance shine forth at full strength, if only for a single day. Your life, like the seasons, follows a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and summers, whether literal or figurative, can always be celebrated.

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Inspiration

According to an ancient shamanic blessing translated from Nahuatl:
??I release my partner from the obligation to complete me.
I release my parents from the feeling they failed with me.
I release my children from the need to bring me pride, so they can write their own paths to the rhythm of their hearts, as it whispers in their ear.
I don’t lack anything, I learn from all beings, all the time.
Thanking my grandparents and ancestors who came together to allow me to be alive and follow my path today.
I release them from past failures and unfulfilled desires, knowing they have done their best to travel their way of living with their standard of consciousness.
I strip my soul before their eyes that’s why they know I don’t hide or owe anything.
I must be faithful to myself more than ever by walking with heart wisdom, I know that I am fulfilling my life project, free from family loyalties that can disrupt my peace and happiness, this detachment is my responsibility.
I surrender the role of the saviour, to be the one who unites or meets the expectations of others.
I cherish my essence, my way of expressing it, even if not everyone can understand me.
I honour you, I love you and recognise you innocent.
I honour the divinity in me and you…
We are free.??~
Photograph: Thinloth Photography
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