Rocklyn Ashram is a busy place of peace, calm and natural beauty. I hear you think ‘busy’?...that can’t be right, can it? It’s all the right kind of busy though, and if you’re looking for an affordable way to bring peace and calm into your every day, and to learn how to self-care amidst the madness of modern living, the ashram is the place to go.

The day begins with the sound of chanting emanating gently around the ashram, and by 6am you’re on the yoga mat ready for a session of Satyananda yoga, where asanas (physical postures) and pranayama (breathing) are practiced with awareness, gentleness and in a non-competitive environment. No-one cares about what you wear or your skill level. That’s not what yoga’s about here. Nor is it about twisting yourself into the shape of a pretzel while balancing on one leg.

It’s instead about gently improving flexibility so energy blocks are cleared, and body, mind and breathe can work harmoniously together. A magic formula that when brought to your everyday life, can help you navigate all kinds of situations.

Yes, you can go get a massage or a hot rock treatment, or sit in a spa, or imbibe alcohol to create a sense of peace and calm, but when the going gets tough in the real world, it’s not so easy to jump into a spa bath or arrange a massage during a difficult meeting or a challenging exchange with a colleague. And it’s not so great for your health either to be drinking every day, as it appears so many are doing these days.

But when you know how to use your breathe, mind and body to create peace at any time, that’s when you can truly and more simply take care of yourself out in the big wide world. And that’s what a visit to the ashram gives you.
After your yoga session, there’s half an hour of chanting before breakfast. Meals are simple, vegetarian and delicious, and everyone pitches in after breakfast to clean up.

And then by invitation, it’s time for karma yoga – yoga of right action. You might be asked to work in the garden for a couple of hours or complete some maintenance around the place or a special project suited to your interests and skills. By contributing to ashram life you become part of the community, mindfully offering service to others as best you can without attachment to how well you’re performing or whether you’ll be rewarded. It helps bring a sense of purpose, and again can be brought to your every day so you are less likely to see your ‘chores’ as a chore, and instead see them as an opportunity to give, and again to harmonise mind (thoughts), body and breathe.

Other yoga practices later in the day include yoga nidra (relaxation), meditation, and havan (fire ceremony), all of which continue to develop your ability to support and care for yourself and to show gratefulness for your life and the world in general. 

And then of course there’s the property – a stunning natural environment that reminds us of how lucky we are to live on such a beautiful planet. You can find a quiet spot to reflect, write or read while observing the passing kangaroos and amazing birdlife, or go for a wander on the clearly marked forest tracks surrounding the ashram. 

There’s many programs on offer at Rocklyn so just choose the one that fits best for you and begin the journey of simplifying and enjoying your life more. Sustainable self-care is the beginning of true awareness, leading you to a more fulfilling life. And who doesn’t want that?

Helen
February 2018