​Gestalt therapy talks about the paradox of change, which at its core says that change only truly happens when we are fully invested in what is. The moment we push away our experiences and feelings and wish for things to be different, lasting transformation is elusive. This week I have witnessed beautiful examples in my clients and also in myself when there was a letting go and accepting of the moment, often a difficult reality, and how feelings and sensations organically shifted into the opposite direction.  
 
By allowing the dark, the light appears. By feeling the pain, excitement enters. By admitting the sadness, hope comes in. Sometimes, the sense is that when we do yoga, meditate or do other mindfulness practices, difficult feelings should not appear. Actually, all these tools help us to relate to what is happening differently, so that we can hang out in the present moment without running away or drowning in the experience. When we can be present with what is, shifts occur and lasting change surfaces - organically and sustainably. Whatever is arising is part of the process and it's pointing us in the direction of our next step. It's not something to get rid of, but something to pay attention to. It's about staying with the direct and immediate experience of what's going on.
 
In that way, we hope you will be able to use yoga as a practice for true transformation. Enjoy this free session from us. Thank you Kate F. for making this possible: 
 
Free Recording of Live Streamed Class 

​We hope that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe.  
 
I have done a lot of decluttering during the last four weeks. I'm a huge fan of Marie Kondo and just like she says: Once you declutter and tidy, you understand what is important in your life or what changes need to be made. After the clearing process, my triggers around not doing enough especially when it comes to owning and managing a studio have been staring into my face. There are also huge inadequacies around teaching and offering body psychotherapy. When I'm triggered or in psychotherapy terms when I'm in transference, it's like going down the rabbit hole. It has many complicated stages, thought processes, diversions, painful emotions, etc. Most of it is made up and old story. When reading Sharon Salzberg's Real Happiness, which is on the Forrest Yoga booklist, the following jumped out at me: the process is about starting again and again and again. The moment I want to go down the rabbit hole, it's about recognising it, being gentle with myself and then choosing not to go down there - again and again and again. Even though the rabbit hole might feel familiar, seemingly safe, diverting and somewhat comforting, it's not serving me. It has in the past, but not any longer. This is not about eliminating the rabbit hole either, it's about recognising earlier when I'm about to go down there.
 
I love the following paragraph out of Alice in Wonderland:
 
"... suddenly a white rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her. There was nothing so very remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so very much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, "Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!" (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural);...."
 
It's about catching the rabbit with the waistcoat and the pink eyes earlier and understanding that something is not quite right; something got activated. It's about catching it earlier, looking at it, wondering about it and choosing not to go down the rabbit hole.
​
We hope that the yoga sessions we offer can support you to stay out of the rabbit hole.  
Here is the link to the free class. Thank you Brian for making this possible:  
 
Free Recording of Live Streamed Class 

Whereas guilt can motivate us to do better in the future, shame often is very debilitating and results in us wanting to hide, not be seen and simply disappear. Even though shame is about the fear of disconnection, it actually keeps us imprisoned in the loneliness and isolation. Shame prevents us from talking to one another and thereby making it harder to get out of the spiral. And, we all have shame. Interestingly Brene Brown says that we can't eradicate shame, but we can be resilient to it, i.e. we can go through the experience and come out the other end being stronger and more courageous. Steps in becoming shame resilient are: recognition, awareness, reaching out and talking about it to the appropriate people.
 
My personal experience this week was that I made a mistake and I felt ashamed about it. However, instead of trying to cover it up or try to make excuses, I managed to just fess up to it, feel the guilt around it, feel uncomfortable and sorry, but also know that I'm not a bad person, because of that error of judgment I made. I had my own back in that moment. The way I see the process: It's about snuggling up to the uncomfortable and unspeakable places, becoming aware of them, feeling them and then also speaking about them.
 
My sense is that at the moment, a lot of deeper patterns and injuries are surfacing, accompanied by feelings of shame, anger, frustration and exhaustion. It's easy to move into isolation with that feeling that we are a bad person or that we have not done the work; that there is something wrong with us. I encourage to reach out to people you can trust and who love you and share with them what's going on for you.
 
We feel the live-streamed classes are an opportunity to check in, to connect with one another and to feel less isolated. We also understand that finances might be a concern of yours, so we've made one recording a week available to especially those of you who truly cannot afford a session. For those of you who have the means, recordings are available daily through our website, where regular class rates apply. Even though recordings don't provide the platform to connect as much and you won't get any live and tailored feedback, we hope they are still useful.
 
Here is the link to the free class. Thank you Janet for making this possible:  
 
Free Recording of Live Streamed Class

We've had overwhelming support for our online sessions. Thank you all who took the leap to join.  
 
Clients' feedback has been great, too. People have commented that being in the live online classes had felt almost like being at Equilibrium. You still receive verbal cues and tailored instructions in the sessions. We feel they are the next best thing to being physically at the centres.   
 
Since the announcements one week ago, all online sessions have been broadcast from the teacher's home. Out of this necessity, the issue of the echo has been resolved and the audio improved. Thank you all who contributed to fine tuning the entire experience. We're now muting participants and spotlighting the teacher, so that the screen does not move between people. 
 
We're currently varying the timetable from week to week and we'd like to hear your feedback on what is on offer. We feel it's a fantastic opportunity to try different teachers, also. Here is the link for the timetable: Online Scheduler 
 
Currently, Julie B. is unfortunately unable to teach a class from home. She has kindly recorded a yoga nidra for you.  
 
Here is a link to her free recording:

Thank you for your continued loyalty and support, even during these uncertain times. Our hearts go out to all of you who have been affected by this unprecedented situation. We hope you, your family and your friends are safe and healthy.
 
Our vision is to continue to support our community as best as we can. We've now put together an extensive online schedule. These classes are with Equilibrium Teachers and streamed live. They are capped at 16 clients for the time being. We'd love to hear your feedback on the schedule, i.e. times you prefer, teachers you'd like to see and styles and levels offered.

Currently, the timetable is changing week by week. We've also amended our return and cancellation policy and made it more flexible, so that you are not missing out on the sessions you've already bought. Our amended terms and conditions can be found on our updated blog. 
 
At this time, we'd like to offer some pointers on setting up a safe space for doing yoga at home. These are recommendations and we understand that not all of them will work for you.

• Have at least 2 feet around your yoga mat if possible.
• Be free of any obstructions, so nothing can fall on you. No sharp corners or breakable objects near you.
• Practice on a level ground.
• Use a yoga mat, so you don't slip.
• When you step into your safe space, focus on you and your process. Leave the outside world behind you as much as this is possible right now.
• Consider using incense, gem stones or other objects to create your safe space.

 
See you on your cyber mat!
With love,
Sandra 

Updated 20th March 2020

Unfortunately, we will need to temporarily close our doors at both centres in Huntingdon and Peterborough. However, we have had our first very successful online session with Julie H. this evening. We streamed her 90 minute Forrest Yoga class directly to people's homes. Thank you all who joined.
 
There are two more online sessions available this weekend:  

• 10am Jivamukti with Janet: Info + Booking 
• 10am Forrest with Kate: Info + Booking 

 
The last in person class with be tomorrow with Janet. After that everything will be offered online. 
 
We'd love to see you in our online sessions. Technology, zoom, is easy to use. Once you've booked into a sessions, you'll be sent a link one hour prior to the start of the class. If you've never used zoom before, download the software and then log into the session 10 minutes prior to the start.  
 Just to remind you that we've updated our refund policy, which will be valid with immediate effect until 1st of May and be reviewed again at that point:

• We'll offer a full monetary refund on valid class passes and memberships in the form of a credit to your account. The refund is for any remaining classes or the pro-rate amount on the membership. There's no expiry date on the credit. It can be used for purchasing classes, workshops or products in person or over the phone once you feel more confident coming back.
• We'll offer a monetary refund on valid class passes and memberships straight into your bank account. This incurs a £7 admin charge. Please provide us with your bank details.
• We're waiving our 24 hour notice of cancellation policy. Classes can be cancelled free of charge at any point before the session starts. No shows and failure to cancel will incur the cost of the class.
• However, we will NOT be extending any class passes.

 
It's very easy to get swept up in fear and anxiety. It's therefore essential to get more, centred and to make a commitment to stay in one's body. It's a time to learn how to let go of control.  
​
Walk in beauty and with love 
Sandra  

Updated 19th March 2020

We wanted to give you a further update about the COVID-19 virus and the additional measures we've put into place.
 
We still feel that Equilibrium both in Peterborough and Huntingdon are spaces where we can get grounded and centred, which is even more essential in these times of fear, anxiety and uncertainty. As much as we should not underestimate the current situation, it's also paramount to stay in our bodies, to breathe, to take one step at a time and to stay out of overwhelm. It's a time to make warrior's choices about one's behaviour and attitudes and there is this incredible opportunity to re-assess our priorities.
 
In addition to what we've already put into place and communicated, here are some additional measures:

• We've reduced our timetable and capped the number of students in each class, so that you have more space around you (the recommended 6 feet) addressing the social distancing issue. The reduction in the timetable in Peterborough allows us to open the folding partition and create more room. All classes that are listed on mbo will go ahead as normal. We continually our scheduler, so please keep checking: Click here for up-to-date sessions.
•  We've started to put online sessions on the timetable, which are part of the membership deal and can also be attended using a valid class pass or by paying a drop-in fee. We'll be offering the classes via a platform called Zoom, which is easy to use on a mobile, tablet, desktop or laptop at home. We're starting with live sessions streamed directly to wherever you are. Please visit our updated timetable to book your space with the link above. Further information on how it works, can be found there. Our first live streaming will happen today Friday 20th of March at 6.15pm. We'll be streaming Julie H.'s Forrest Yoga class.
• We've updated our refund policy, which will be valid with immediate effect until 1st of May and be reviewed again at that point:

• We'll offer a full monetary refund on valid class passes and memberships in the form of a credit to your account. The refund is for any remaining classes or the pro-rate amount on the membership. There's no expiry date on the credit. It can be used for purchasing classes, workshops or products in person or over the phone once you feel more confident coming back.
• We'll offer a monetary refund on valid class passes and memberships straight into your bank account. This incurs a £7 admin charge. Please provide us with your bank details.
• We're waiving our 24 hour notice of cancellation policy. Classes can be cancelled free of charge at any point before the session starts. No shows and failure to cancel will incur the cost of the class.
• However, we will NOT be extending any class passes.

 
Let's all breathe together in these uncertain times, be kind to one another, be in our bodies and trust the process. Let's continue to create community, as it is in the relationship with one another where we can find support.  
 
Thank you all for your incredible support and encouraging messages. 
Walk in beauty and with love 
Sandra  

Updated 17th March 2020
​
We wanted to give everyone an update about the COVID-19 virus, there is a lot of uncertainty at this time but we wanted to assure you we are keeping a close eye on the developments of the Coronavirus and will continue to monitor the information and advice released by the UK Government and the World Health Organisation concerning the spread and containment of COVID-19.
 
At this point in time, we are going ahead with our schedule as normal, as we feel that our centres can provide a space to get grounded, centred and into our bodies when there is so much uncertainty around us.
 
We have compiled a list of points below that we would like students to follow whilst attending classes at Equilibrium, this list is also printed and on display at receptions.

• Please stay at home if you are feeling unwell or have returned from any high risk areas of infection as defined by WHO (World Health Organisation).

• Wash your hands more often than usual and for at least 20 seconds, using hot water and soap provided.
• Please bring your own props and mats to the studio. It's a good time to invest into your own equipment.
• We will still provide mats, blocks and belts. As always please clean any studio mats you have used after class thoroughly using the spray bottle provided then wiping down with a cloth, please place used clothes in towel basket. Do not put any mats away wet.
•  Should you need to blow your nose, sneeze or cough then use a tissue (there are always tissues in each studio) and immediately dispose of them in the bins provided in each studio. Do not put used tissues on the floor or window sills.
•  We will be cleaning more frequently, in particular cleaning counter tops, taps and door handles several times each day
•  We are in the process of providing hand sanitizer on reception that we encourage clients to use before and after class.
•  Teachers will not be carrying out hands on adjustments in class; they will give verbal instructions only.

 
Let's all breathe together in these uncertain times, be kind to one another, be in our bodies and trust the process.

Walk in beauty 
Sandra  ​

I have been away in South Africa and one thing that has struck me is the amount of space in that country. The nature is stunningly beautiful and vast. During the retreat I taught there the themes were grounding, centring and boundaries resulting in a lot more physical, mental and emotional space - within the participants, but also within myself.
 
The interesting thing is what happened after the retreat. I had created so much space inside of myself, but then had a really hard time not to fill it again through films, food, work, shopping, etc. I have become so much more apt at creating space within myself, but I still struggle to tolerate the space when it is there. My challenge is about feeling into the emptiness and the vastness without needing to fill it, because that space is a fertile ground for integration, growth, creativity and newness.
 
I encourage you and myself to create space and then have the courage to not fill it again.
 
Be in the empty space in beauty
Sandra  ​

When I was teaching the Forrest Yoga retreat in Prince Albert, I challenged myself by bringing in a new fairy tale. I love working with stories, as they speak to us on a very deep level. On the third day of the retreat, I picked the "Frog Prince", which was fairy tale I had not previously used. Unlike the modern version of the fairy tale, the one by the brothers Grimm does not involve kissing the frog.  
 
The transformation happens when the princess throws the frog against the wall. In that moment when the frog hits the wall and before he touches the ground he transforms into a prince. In that moment where things could not be much worse, the metamorphosis happens. Sometimes the moment where we might feel that we have metaphorically speaking hit the wall, the point where we feel we are at our lowest, that might be the moment of fundamental change and transformation.  
 
I feel it's about re-framing - not pushing down or suppressing - the difficult moments: being patient with feeling what is and understanding the metamorphosis will happen at the most surprising moments where we least expect it.
 
During this year of deep rooted change, where a lot of us re-evaluate our priorities and re-visit our visions, paying attention to the moments we just want to push away or get through, might hold incredible potential for turning the pain and struggle into something extraordinary.