Tags
blog award, bush fires, CFA, Ganesha, Hatha yoga, Nataraj, Prayers, Yoga
Yoga…
So, last night I went to my first class at the yoga school where I’ll be studying this year.
Lovely school, got to meet the principal and one of the yoga teachers who’ll be around for parts of the training. Her class was a lovely mix of Vinyasa, Hatha and Iyengar styles and very enjoyable.
There’s beautiful art on the walls – a painted Nataraj here, a Ganesha there, a Kali yantra over the other side… books that I recognise and rate line the hallway, too.
There’s an orientation on 21st Feb, and then we commence the following Saturday. Yay! 🙂
Bloggy award goodness
Okay, so the other day, Holly from Earth to Holly gave me a blog award, which I’ve duly posted on my awards page (things were getting a little cluttered in the side bar).
As I mentioned to Holly, I’ve got a kinda ‘hybrid’ approach to these things.
Don’t wanna offend those doing the offering (so I say thanks and accept them, coz its lovely!), but also get a bit exhausted thinking of blogs I haven’t passed an award on to. Stopped doing so after my second or third one I think! So, if I’m feeling inspired I’ll give them out as and when…
Victoria’s bushfires
Last, but definitely far from least – I wanted to mention the horribleness that are the bushfires Australia is currently experiencing. Most of them are occuring in the state of Victoria (where I live) and so far, they’ve claimed at least 183 lives.
I am safe – don’t live anywhere near the regions they are occuring in. And unlike the fires that encircled Sydney some years ago, from Melbourne we can’t even smell the smoke, the sky above us isn’t red and there’s nothing other than the dreadful photos to show us how bad it really is.
Sadly, it seems that a number of fires were started by people. Deliberately lit. Then with the 46C day we had last Saturday with hellish winds, there’s so many people who just never stood a chance.
There’s an incredibly vivid piece of journalism in The Australian (a rather decent newspaper here) – written by a journalist who actually fought for his house and the lives of his family. Worth a read.
Of those who survived the fire, so many families have lost everything. These fires have wiped out whole towns in country Victoria.
If you’ve got a spare coin or two, there’s plenty of ways you can donate – such as the Australian Red Cross or the Salvation Army.
But if you can’t afford to send money, spread the word to those who can and also send your thoughts and prayers. Anything is good at a time like this.
**UPDATE** Check out these pictures, which show in graphic detail the nastiness of the fires…
~Svasti
Svasti: A Journey From Assault To Wholeness 
Great news about your yoga school, and such horrible news about the fires, especially that people started them on purpose. Then, that’s all the more reason to become a yoga teacher and help people to be more mindful, centered, and compassionate, isn’t it?
Happy for you about the school and congrats on your award.
The fires are too horrible for words. I live in an area that is regularly ravaged by fires, often driven by extreme winds. It is heartbreaking whenever it happens, but to think someone deliberately caused this is a subhuman act in my opinion.
Glad you are in a safe area.
Congrats on the award!
Glad to hear you are safe from the fires… It is so terrible – beyond words.
The fires are unspeakably awful. I don’t know if it would be preventative, but I think they should lengthen the sentence for arson in these areas/these conditions. In my book, the people who did this are guilty of manslaughter, if not murder.
I am glad you are safe x
@Jay – The response here has been incredible. So many people are doing fundraisers. Individuals as well as companies. Even one of the local movie theatres is doing a benefit. Generally, most of us here are just horrified.
Its lovely to see so much compassion out there. Imagine starting again with absolutely nothing except the clothes on your back!
@tricia – I live in the inner city. Still a leafy area, but not anywhere that’s in danger of burning down. Much of the country has been in drought here for years, so its all very dry. Add a hot day, nasty winds and a firebug… its a recipe for disaster in country areas!! No matter how well prepared people are, and they have been very prepared.
@Michelle – Thank you, and yeah… the images we’re seeing here every day make me cry. Me and a lot of other people, too.
@la – There’s plenty of discussion like that here. Our Prime Minister has come out and said ‘its murder’. And it is. Anyone who’s been in this country for any length of time knows how dry it is here, and how bad bushfires can be when they get going.
I’m currently looking at whatever clothes and possessions I can cull and give to the appeal. Although I understand right now they are swamped actually, with so many people going out of their way to give.
Only bummer is I can’t give blood right now on account of the tattoo I got last year… can’t give blood for 12 months after!!