Welcome to February, I hope your 09 is shaping up to be everything you wanted it to be. For those of you achieving all your goals and plans, well done, keep up the good work. For some of us, it's about this time of year when our New Year's resolutions start to slide, and the wheels may start to fall off our plans for the year. This tends to begin with our health, diet and fitness regimes, as we start to prioritize other facets of our life over our most important asset, our health. So here I am to pump you up a little, with some encouragement, information, and also a challenge!
Starting next Monday, February 16, Yoga Vida will be holding its inaugural 8 week challenge. I have designed it to improve our practice, create comraderie, and to also quantify positive results, in a bid to enhance Yoga awareness. The aim is to eventually achieve recognition as a government endorsed health modality. With terrific, healthy prizes on offer, and some wonderful workshops and seminars from some of the Coasts best speakers, you can join in the challenge for only $10. Check www.yogavida.com.au for more info. Scroll down under Latest News tab. So let's step up our yoga to the next level, learn a little, and have some fun while doing it. See you Monday!
From all accounts, Beach Yoga has been extremely successful, with a regular team joining in every Thursday at 6am on the spit, opposite the yacht (not surf) club. So far we have been blessed with wonderful weather, and it truly has been an awesome experience. Fresh sea air, birds singing, cool breeze, and a swim in the surf afterwards. What better way to start the day? Beach classes will continue throughout the year, with maybe some time adjustments as we head towards winter. Classes are held in the studio if the weather is not so pleasant.
For the not so early risers, we have a terrific way to end the day. Monday night's sacred music class has also been popular. This class is the ultimate in relaxation and self introspection. Performed in candelight, to the sound of sacred music, little instruction is offered (I can be quiet!), creating a truly relaxing atmosphere. Suited to our more experienced yogis, please complete approx 10 regular classes before attending, to get the full experience.
Spine TWist (Ardha Matsyendrasana) is the posture of the month. For the good oil on this posture, which we often finish class with, see Jimmy teaching it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ctlADtUcig&feature=related. He teaches the two variations, and as always, adds a new slant. If you have any questions about this, or any other posture, please don't hesitate to ask, either in class, or afterwards if you prefer. Keep your eyes peeled for my Yoga Posture & Allignment workshop, coming soon during the yoga challenge.
Finally, I would like to introduce my awesome brother in law, Matthew Hammond, who has some information regarding another vital part of our life, healthy finances. For those of you who claim that my sense of humour could use some work, now you can hear from one of my inspirations. Enjoy the information as well as his writing. See you all on the Yoga Mat,
Namaste, Bryan
Financial Fitness
Now that Bryan has you well on the way to improvements in your physical and mental well being, I’d like to undermine his fine work by talking about the crass and mundane, ie money. I propose that keeping your finances in order will also do wonders for your quality of life, both in terms of decreasing stress and allowing you the freedom to take advantage of opportunities when they arise....such as that new 6 month yoga pass. Taking a deliberate, honest look at your financial situation is a lot like exercise, we all know we should do it and we will feel better afterwards but all too often it gets bumped down the list of priorities in favour of the crisis du jour, or Desperate Housewives. The good news is that like anything, once begun the job is half done, and the feeling you gain from having control of your money and knowing where it is going, is its own reward. There are no secrets to good financial conduct, like exercise it comes down to a little bit of discipline and a fair serving of common sense. As enlightened yogins you are obviously brilliant, open minded, good looking people, however just in case I baffle anyone with my amazing command of technical financial terms and phrases let me try to put some basic tips in language all you activity minded people can understand. • Start with the goal in mind: whether it’s picturing yourself causing jaws to drop on the beach next summer or walking through the door of your dream house, having a target and visualising yourself attaining that target makes a world of difference. • Take the time to write down your financial fitness program: having a timetable or program does wonders for motivation and results in the gym and even the most basic outline of your financial aims will help you achieve your targets more quickly. Try to avoid bland, general statements in favour of actual detailed goals. Instead of - “I want to be so rich my friends are physically ill”, try - “within the next 5 years I will have 2 investment properties and I will achieve this by.....etc “. • Avoid overstretching: finances and budgets can only stretch so far, stay within your limits to avoid permanent injury. Allow and budget for the unexpected, it’s not as exciting as swaying with life’s little punches but neither is credit card debt. • Build up slowly: a regular savings plan which puts aside even a seemingly inconsequential amount each week soon builds into something quite substantial. As an example, try putting 10% of your regular income into a ‘hard to get to’ savings account the day you get paid, you will be amazed at how little you miss the cash and how quickly it grows. • Avoid fad diets: moderation in all things they say, so don’t try to get rich overnight. Never invest in something you do not understand or are uncomfortable with. Sometimes the best investment is the one you don’t make. • Cut out the fat: try to honestly determine how much of your hard earned income actually goes on worthwhile purchases and what goes on froth and bubble. It’s horribly depressing for coffee lovers but that morning cappuccino could literally be costing you years on your home loan and thousands of $ in interest. • Reward yourself: Unless your name is Bryan it is impossible to be dedicated and disciplined every single day of the year so it’s important to replenish your new hard won attitude with a little reward every now and again. “One skinny cappuccino please.... hold the chocolate sprinkles...” • There is no secret to success: small amounts of discipline and self control when applied regularly will achieve lasting results. That, and lots of yoga.
For the record my name is Matthew Hammond and I am a mortgage broker. I would be very happy to have a chat with anyone who is thinking about taking out or refinancing a home or investment loan, or would just like to see what options and choices are available to them, let’s call it a financial health check. I’ll bring the coffee.
The above column is general advice in nature and should be taken in light of each person’s individual situation. Please don’t sue me.
Matthew Hammond Eastern Financial Solutions 0407 765 500 matt@efsolutions.com.au
