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When, while the lovely valley teems with vapour around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees.

Nieuw perspectief

ByJoanne de Fretes 15 december 2020 2 Photography / Story

Zoveel ideeën, zoveel topics, zoveel tools en zo weinig ruimte…

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GROUND. 🤎 Sooo excited to welcome our beautifu

GROUND. 🤎

Sooo excited to welcome our beautiful group of participants tomorrow and starting our grounding journey together in the mountains of Málaga. Follow @essenza_retreats to get a sneak peak.

Getting extreme fomo already? We still have spots for our SPACE Retreat in September 🤍.
Link in bio!

Pics @alina_krasieva

LOVE NOTES ♥️ They said: ‘You look so happy

LOVE NOTES ♥️

They said: ‘You look so happy and radiant. Did you meet someone?’

I said: ‘Yes, I did. Myself.’

💌

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE If you’ve been to my class

TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE

If you’ve been to my classes before you know I love to share my Vedic Astrology studies with you and enjoy geeking out on the planets, the stars and the constellations 🪐 - especially when it comes to eclipses.

So what’s the deal with eclipses?
Eclipses disturbe our natural order - caused by the gangster shadow planets Rahu and Ketu, also known as the North and South node in Western Astrology. They occur when the nodes, the Sun, the Moon and the Earth are in perfect alignment which casts a temporally shadow on Earth which gives a shock to the system (say hello to Rahu) and paradoxically challenges us to stay in alignment - sometimes even forcing us to realign which isn’t always comfortable… #typicalketu

It’s a potent time to do spiritual practices that help you to connect to your own light so you can reflect (on) your (golden) shadow - embracing the darkness to find more clarity and purpose (direction) from within.

This one takes place in the sign of Scorpio 🦂 and the lunar mansion (we have 27 in Vedic Astrology) of Vishaka ⚡️which is quite intense - symbolized by a lightening bolt associated with radical change like an electric shock that forces growth, or a lightening bolt that splits a tree in half or starts a forest fire. Perfect inspiration for my next nidra - can you imagine the visualizations 👁

Do you want to know more or experience one of my Vedic Astrology inspired practices? Join my Cosmic Flow each Tuesday at 10.45am @thekulalife where I uniquely combine movement with yoga nidra or come to one of my Yin & Nidra classes at 5pm on Thursdays @balanzs.

And for the Dutchies: listen to my @cosmiccocktails.nl podcast 🎧 where my friend @evadusch and I take your brain to another dimension - mixing our passion for Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology & Dream Yoga with our down to earth attitude to help you playfully navigate through all tastes of life - even the bitter ones ;-)

Curious about your Vedic chart? Contact me for a Vedic Reading to find out more about the role you play in this epic saga called life - zooming in on the special effects of the Universe. Ready to start the show 💫 ?

Image: @rtrvsd

NIDRA & SOUND ✨ Very excited to announce this s

NIDRA & SOUND ✨

Very excited to announce this special Nidra & Sound workshop!

On Saturday the 7th of May, Felix and Joanne will take you on an expansive journey combining Nidra and Sound.

We will dive deeper into the practice of yoga nidra - explaining more about this powerful and transformative practice and afterwards traveling deep into the nidra state with the guidance of Joanne’s voice and complemented by Felix’ his beautiful instruments. Guaranteed deep rest ánd awakening ;-) - both physically, mentally and emotionally. Check out the whole video to get a little preview!

Afterwards there will be plenty of time to share our experiences with each other.

DETAILS
Date: 7th of May 19-21u
Location: @balanzs Mariniersweg Rotterdam

We hope to see you there!
Tickets via the link in bio!

TRANSITION This week’s theme was transition, in

TRANSITION

This week’s theme was transition, inspired by the change of seasons, to become more aware of all the (little) transitions in our daily lives. From the waking to the dreaming state and back out again, moving into your yoga class and back out into the ‘real’ world, transitioning from one situation or person to the next…. or perhaps even into a new season of your life.

We’ve been honoring the ‘rebound’ as a sacred transition (without involving any other people ;-)). How do you respond when you find yourself in between? Do you feel restless and impatient? Does it spark curiosity and excitement? Or do you suddenly realize you’re very tired and need to rest a little bit more? And more importantly, can you embrace the moments in between to feel what it is that you need to support yourself during times of change?

All of this has been (unconsciously to be honest) building up to today’s New Moon in Revati - the last of the 27 lunar mansions that sits in the sign of Pisces. No wonder I picked the theme of transition because it resonates deeply with Revati which is my very own Lunar sign - a placement of transcendence, nourishment and transition which allows for healing and rebirth. It’s a space in between two worlds that supports awakening - bringing divine wisdom into the earthly realms which fits perfectly with the practices of yoga nidra & lucid dreaming that I have been intuitively combining for quite some time now. I now feel that it’s time to rebirth this into a new form: Active dreaming. Curious? Contact me for more info!

This New Moon is an excellent time to turn more inward to fully embrace yourself. What is ready to die off (like Winter) so you can awaken, rebirth and grow into the next version of yourself with this fresh Spring energy as we move into the Vedic New Year.

Yesterday’s nidra was infused with this New Moon’s energy to fully support you during this current transition so you can firmly plant and nourish your intentions for the new year into the fertile Spring soil. Click the link in bio to listen to the recording.

Happy New Moon 🦋

VEDIC ASTROLOLGY ✨ If you’ve been to my class

VEDIC ASTROLOLGY ✨

If you’ve been to my classes before you know that I love to weave in my Vedic Astrology studies. Studying the stars not only teaches me more about the patterns in the sky but most of all it gives me tremendous insight in my own patterns - bringing me more awareness and ease in my daily life.

Today I would like to give you a little ‘insight’ into my themes. I hope it sparks your interest in the Science of Light and joining one of my classes so we can practice (life) together.

Tomorrow morning we have a Full Moon in the Nakshatra aka Lunar Mansion (we have 27 in Vedic Astrology!) of Uttara Phalguni that sits between the signs of Leo & Virgo.

Even though the Moon is usually seen as a more Yin energy, a Full Moon actually has more Yang energy. If you want to know more about Yin & Yang and how you can play with these opposite forces in your life then sign up for my upcoming workshop The Magical Encounter of Yin and Yang with the ‘incredibile’ @lucabellucciyoga.

The energy of tomorrow’s Full Moon inspired today’s firey Yin Flow @thekulalife where we connected to the element of fire first - digesting and burning through old patterns and versions of ourselves that no longer serve us in order to transform them into something new. During the yin practice we embraced the nourishing and generous energy of this Nakshatra to fertilize the soil - connecting to the earth element of Virgo to plant new seeds just in time for Spring season so we can pluck the fruits of our hard work during the Summer.

I will also bring this imaginary and symbolism into my nidra class @balanzs today & tomorrow. Still time to join!

If you want to work with the energy of Spring even more you can still join our GROUND. retreat in Málaga this May @essenza_retreats 🤎

For the first time I also shared a special ritual during class that I will also share during tonight’s live on @cosmiccocktails - a podcast for spiritual insights and practical tips to playfully navigate through all tastes of life - where my friend @evadusch and me share our love for Ayurveda, Vedic Astrology and Dream Yoga (in the mix ;-))

Hope to see you in class or online today!

Happy Full Moon 🌕

THE MAGICAL ENCOUNTER OF YIN AND YANG Do you curr

THE MAGICAL ENCOUNTER OF YIN AND YANG

Do you currently play with the contradictions of life?

The energies of Yin and Yang can be revealed in many forms, which most of the time expose themselves as opposites. Although they represent a different side of the same coin they need to be balanced in order to embrace our growth as both human and a spiritual beings.

During this workshop, you will understand the presence of these opposite forces so you can learn how to navigate your own dualities to find balance from deep within 🤍🖤

WHAT TO EXPECT
Luca and Joanne have created a journey where you can experience and understand for yourself how you can play with Yin and Yang energies regardless of practising a Vinyasa Flow or a Yin session.

We will start with a 15 minutes Pranayama practice to embrace the breath and its qualities. After that we will move into a 60 min creative flow led by Luca where both Yang and Yin energies will be incorporated in the Yang journey. At the end we will transition into a "rebound savasana" to to feel the effect of the Yang practice in both body and mind.

After the "rebound" Joanne will guide you through a 60 min Yin session where she will bring masculine energy into the Yin practice with the use of more Yang postures and challenge your level of discomfort using props and assists. Towards the end of the sequence she will slowly let us transition into a full Yin energy.

The workshop will end with a 45 min "2 voices Nidra" exploring the concept of duality - playing with opposites and mixing male and female voices to experience a place of non-duality which will inspire the mind to create new neural pathways (neural plasticity).

We, @lucabellucciyoga & @headtohearts.nl, cannot wait to share this unique experience with you 🤍🖤

DETAILS
Studio Bondi - The Hague
Saturday 23rd April
14.30-17.30u

Sign up through the link in bio!

YOGA NIDRA IN 5 MINUTES Sharing one of my bigges

YOGA NIDRA IN 5 MINUTES

Sharing one of my biggest passions with you!
Watch this video when you want to find out why:

🔹It pisses me off when people call it sleep yoga
🔹You’re probably not using the full potential of the practice
🔹Yoga nidra can help you transform patterns and behavior
🔹Yoga nidra can help you improve your quality of sleep

Contact me for more information on my tailor made (sleep) nidras if you want to relax your mind and awaken your heart. Ready to wake up to life?

ONLINE RELAXING YIN & NIDRA FOR LESS STRESS AND BE

ONLINE RELAXING YIN & NIDRA FOR LESS STRESS AND BETTER SLEEP 🤍💙

Having trouble falling asleep? Experiencing difficulty unwinding and resting body & mind? Feeling tired and foggy even after 7-8h of sleep? Or are you just looking for a relaxing practice to ease into your sleep?

This month I will be hosting two Online Relaxing Yin & Nidra sessions for less stress and better sleep. We start at 8.45pm so you call roll straight to bed afterwards. The class will be 60min with an option to extend to 75min when you fancy an extra long nidra infused savasana to support your quality of sleep even more.

Sliding scale prices available from 25-30€ (includes both sessions). You can also join one class. DM me for more info!

Tuesday 8th & 22nd of March on ZOOM
From 8.45pm to 9.45/10pm (you choose!)

Sign up through the link in bio! And please add info@headtohearts.nl to your contacts so the emails don’t get lost in digital space ;-).

If you have any questions you can drop them below or you can send me a DM.

Hope to see you on the mat!

Pic @viviennemagaliephotography

DANCE LIKE NOBODY IS WATCHING? Not quite... Scar

DANCE LIKE NOBODY IS WATCHING?

Not quite... Scary as f***.
No plan. No control.

Releasing fear, expectations and at the same time releasing my courage, fire and passion.

Allowing all of me to move freely - in any direction.

Navigating the dance between my head and my heart while embracing all that is - anger, frustration, heartache and so much more.

Enjoying every minute of it.

Feeling more alive, more vibrant, more me.
SO liberating to set yourself free.

So much gratitude for @vvoeljevrij for this amazing concept and their energy. Follow them for upcoming events.

See you there 👁

#pengelengboemba

ONLINE YOGA NIDRA SERIES - THE POWER OF REST ☁️💙☁️

Beyond excited to share that I will host a yoga nidra series in collaboration with @we_onair.
I cannot wait to share my enthousiasm and passion for this powerful and transformative practice with you to relax your mind and awaken your heart so you can wake up to your full potential.

This series includes:
- a 90 min live interactive yoga nidra session with intention setting on Sunday 23rd of January
- an introductory 30min audio session for deep rest
- a special audio practice for better sleep

During these series we will explore all the benefits of yoga nidra. The ultimate goal of this workshop is to provide you with tools and techniques to cultivate a multi layered practice of rest and well-being and move beyond the limitations of the mind to connect you with your essence, your most true self.

This offering is free for ON AIR members, with sliding scale prices available for guests. Sign up at we-onair.com, link in bio!

GROUND. 🤎 RETREAT After realizing my dream re

GROUND. 🤎 RETREAT

After realizing my dream retreat in Italy last year I’m beyond excited to share that I’m expanding @essenza_retreats to the south of Spain this year!

We’re kicking off with a Spring Retreat in the mountains of Málaga. A retreat to (re)connect to (your) nature.

Essenza Retreats proudly presents:

GROUND. 🤎
A retreat to (re)connect with (your) nature

Thursday 19th - Monday 23rd May
Málaga, Spain @fincaserrato

I will be hosting this retreat with my dear friend & Essenza teacher Kim @unfoldyouryoga. We cannot wait to share our love for the more slow and grounding practices with you which suit the Spring season perfectly.

Visit our @essenza_retreats account or website for more information. Link in bio.

We only have 3 spots left so register today if you want to join us!

Hasta Luego!

Photo @artursmartinovs

(LUDIC) DREAMS - READY TO WAKE UP TO LIFE? So now

(LUDIC) DREAMS - READY TO WAKE UP TO LIFE?

So now you know what REM sleep is, but why exactly do we create such a bizarre theater filled with autobiographical themes each night?

Dreaming takes the painful sting out of difficult, even traumatic, emotional episodes you have experienced during the day. It is a perfectly designed nocturnal soothing balm - one that removes the emotional sharp edges of our daily lives.

Next to nursing our emotional and mental health (if that wasn’t enough), REM sleep also enhances our problem solving skills and creativity. Dreaming is like informational alchemy. It fuses and blends elements together in abstract and novel ways - integrating and connecting the dots beyond the limitations of the mind. It is the difference between knowledge and wisdom. No wonder the greatest inventions such as the periodic table were discovered during a dream. And you might have experienced this yourself too when you woke up with the answer to an impenetrable problem or question. Sometimes you just have to sleep on it ;-)

And what if I told you that you can find the answer to every question in your dreams? Even big questions such as: What should I do for a career? What is my purpose in life?

Enter the world of lucid dreaming - a dream where you are aware of the fact that you are dreaming while you are still sound asleep in your bed. Yes, you can actually wake up in your dreams and interact with your own psyche. If this starts to sound like The Matrix, it should! Practicing lucid dreaming changed my view on life forever and made the Matrix even more real than I already thought it was 💚

I love to combine lucid dreaming with yoga nidra because although different, they both teach us how to expand our awareness. The practices help me to live more aware, more awake and with a little bit more humor now that I have experienced how brilliant the mind is in creating and sustaining illusion, building an entire world without any visual input. Now imagine your brain doing the exact same thing in the waking state….

Are you ready to wake up to life?
Sign up for my newsletter so you are the first to know about my future events & workshops!

Sweet dreams 🤍

SLEEP AND YOGA NIDRA (TO THE RESCUE) By now you h

SLEEP AND YOGA NIDRA (TO THE RESCUE)

By now you hopefully understand how important sleep is for your overall health. And that they are many simple ways to improve your sleep, one of the most effective ones being breathing exercises (read my last posts) and of course my all time favorite: Yoga Nidra. So how does it work?

Practicing yoga nidra during the day will recalibrate your stress levels, preventing them from building up throughout the day and spiking during bedtime - the perfect recipe for sleepless nights. Yoga Nidra is one the most easiest ways to help your nervous system move out of the fight or flight mode (stress response) and switch to your rest & digest mode so you can relax and restore. You can listen to one of my daytime nidra’s for free through the link in bio.

You can also practice yoga nidra before you go to bed with a special sleep nidra that is designed to allow you to fall asleep which is different than a daytime nidra where I will always bring you back into the waking state.

And the beauty of it all: it is so simple to practice yoga nidra. Everyone can do it! The only thing you have to do is lay down, in the comfort of your own home, and listen to my voice (recording). The nidra will do the rest!

I already helped many people solve their sleep problems within a few weeks with my tailor made sleep nidra’s that I always combine with specific breathing exercises (see review highlight for testimonials).

Ready to wake up to sleep? Contact me for more information on my sleep coaching (Dutch & English).

BUSTING 3 HARDCORE SLEEP MYTHS ⚡️ 1. I don’

BUSTING 3 HARDCORE SLEEP MYTHS ⚡️

1. I don’t need more than 6 hours of sleep

Every major system, tissue and organ of your body suffers when sleep becomes short. - Matthew Walker
Three years ago, 350 scientific review papers advised sleeping 7-9 hours a day. So why do people still contradict this and think they can get by with less? Maybe because being sleep deprived has the same effects as being legally drunk… not just compared to your ability to react but especially the tendency to overestimate your performance…. thinking you can drive or believing you can navigate through life with clarity and ease while you’re actually sleepdrunk….
And the long term effects are even more disastrous - from weight gain to Alzheimer's disease. Time to wake up to sleep!

2. I don’t dream

REM sleep dreaming offers a form of overnight therapy nursing our emotional and mental health. It’s a perfectly designed nocturnal soothing balm - one that removes the emotional sharp edges of our daily lives. It is so important that you cannot prevent it from happening unless you have had a head trauma or a stroke. Even so much that after 4 to 5 days without dreams you will go into a psychosis because the brain will start to dream with your eyes open - they actually used this as a torturing method in Guantanamo Bay, robbing prisioners from their REM sleep and dreams.

So, you definitely dream, you just don’t remember it. If you want to, you can train this! DM me for my special sleep nidra to start remembering your dreams.

3. Naps are bad for you

Nope, napping can actually be really good for you as long as you do it 6 hours before your intended bed time. Research has shown that a 60 to 90min nap after a 4 hour night of sleep restores the neurological functions of the brain to the same level as 8 hours of sleep. Bye bye brain fog!

In need of a little reboot to relax and restore within those 6 hours? Or don’t have enough time to take a nap? Yoga nidra to the rescue! It’s the perfect alternative to recharge yourself without messing with your circadian rhythm. You can try one of my 30min daytime nidra’s for free through the link in bio (Dutch).

Next up: Sleep & Yoga Nidra (to the rescue)

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