http://Shivashaktiunite.com/, https://www.shivashaktiunite.com/samavesa-circle

Shiva Shakti Unite ॐ, Hawthorne, New (2026)

06/08/2026

Last year, I had a great fortune of studying Jyotish for yoga teachers in a beautiful course with Kristin Marshall . I’ve sat with my curiosity about Vedic astrology for a number of years and this exploration was a sublime way to begin to delve into the immense subject.

What stayed with me so clearly through this preliminary study is how much Jyotish weaves together so many aspects of yoga and Vedic wisdom. From elements to gunas to deities to aspects of karma and the evolution of the self — it feels as though nearly everything I’ve learned thus far is woven into the web of Jyotish.

I’ve been reflecting and feel a yearning to share what I learned. The topic is so vast, I am truly only at the beginning of delving in; yet I feel ready to begin weaving this into my studio classes.

I could not think of a more simple or accessible way to do so than introducing the Navagrahas or nine planets. This will include the seven primary planets utilised in Jyotish, those we can see with our naked eye, plus the two nodes, Rahu and Ketu.

Each Friday at 9:30am Ananda Yoga Belgrave ~ we will explore one aspect of reality in the form of a planet. Over 75 minutes, we will include an opening explanation of its qualities, pranayama, asana, mediation and more as we delve into the embodiment of the graha.

To begin and invoke our Friday journey, we will begin with Venus, Śukra 💖 this feels symbolic as Venus is my Lagna lord, or the planet that rules my Vedic chart and also because our classes are held on her day — it is aligned within me to begin with this Venusian energy.

I so look forward to welcoming you for practice as we dive into this Jyotish journey 🪐💫

01/08/2026

A friend is participating in her first yoga teacher training and asked about book recommendations for studying yoga philosophy. It got me thinking how much reading these books have deeply inspired what I practice and teach today.

Below is a few, okay well many 😆, recommendations that I gave to her.

What do you think of the list?! To all the yoga lovers out there ~ what ones did I miss? ❤️

PS I did not include Yoga Sutras of Pantajli although I know it’s on every teacher training; I’m not naturally inclined to classical yoga. Albeit helpful to many, I feel okay to exclude below.

Books I adore:
- “Awakening Shakti” by Sally Kempton
- “Mediation for the love of it” by Sally Kempton
- “Stories beyond the poses” - by Dr. Raj Balkaran

Books for foundational learnings:
- “Light on Pranayama” by BKS Iyengar * though don’t agree with all of his perspectives, there are gems within
- “Ocean of Yoga” by Amy Landry * newly released
- “Roots of Yoga” by James Mallinson and Mark Singleton * tricky to read but helpful non the less
- “Truth of Yoga” by Daniel Simpson * thought provoking

Specific texts to teach from:
- Devi Mahatmyam
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika
- “Radiance Sutras” by Lorin Roche * scholars say it’s loosely translated version of original Vijñana Bhairava Ta**ra but I do like it
- Mahabharata * they have read the Bhagavad Gita but may like to consider broader context one day!

Resources helpful for teaching:
- Kundalini Ta**ra by Bihar publishing
- Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Bihar publishing
- “Ta**ra Illuminated” by Christopher Wallace * hard to read and would recommend if you really want to understand the context and nuance of Ta**ra

📚 please share if this would be helpful to your community 🙏

I’ve also been ferociously reading fiction again, thanks public library! Let me know in the comments if you’d like those recs too 💫

07/06/2026

Mother :: Ma :: Shakti :: Mama :: Mom

The path of learning to love the Goddess, in all her flavours, has brought me to truly learn to love all parts of my Self. The blessing of Shakti has rippled to reach and shape every part of my life. It extends to my deep reverence of Mama Earth and the changing of the seasons & her subtle cycles.

In turn, becoming a Mum has touched every part of who I am. There’s no part of me that’s spared through this experience and I mean that in the best way. It is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and somehow at the same time; one of the most natural, rewarding, fulfilling roles that I’ve taken on.

The two paths no longer feel separate.

My practice and devotion to the Goddess informs & shapes my love & dedication to my beautiful children. Today I want to celebrate and honour the power, kindness, love, grace and care that I see so many wonderful Mums in my life demonstrate. That doesn’t mean we don’t have sh*tty days or moments where we make a mistake, but it means we care enough to do better or simply to know there will be a good day when we can try again.

🤎

Sending the Moms + Mums in my life, including those who have left their bodies, so much love today! For those with a challenging relationship in the path of motherhood or your Mother, giving you grace and care to navigate today.

To my children and Naga girl, I am incredibly grateful to be your Mama. You are all the greatest joy and bliss that I’ve ever known!

To my husband, thanks for an extra special, loved up Mother’s Day this year! I wouldn’t want to share this life with anyone but you. Love you Papa.

🌹

07/06/2026

Being a parent stretches you in ways I never could have imagined 🌀

My heart has grown to a capacity that seems to be infinite for my family. My ability to dig deep has expanded. My buttons are pressed at times, with creative precision 😆

All the while, I get to share this gift with my best friend — shaping the childhoods of these little humans 🩷🩵 the experience is both a joy and a challenge.

And the chance to rewrite how I was raised and parented through the journey of parenting them 😮‍💨 I’m still getting regularly humbled by that one.

Thank you for choosing us little ones, I love you!

07/06/2026

As dramatic as it sounds, yoga has completely shaped the trajectory of my life since we started our living relationship 15 years ago. Its influence has rippled to reach and influence every corner of who I am.

𑁍

On a remarkably normal day in Boulder, Colorado in 2011, I decided to walk into a (hot) yoga class. I could not have imagined that moment would lead from the bustling Bikram classes around New York City to the sweaty arena style shala in Thailand to the incredible studios in Melbourne all the way to my various home practice sanctuaries within the eastern suburbs.

𑁍

As an ode to this incredible journey of studentship thus far, I have been reflecting upon how that one decision sparked so many aspects of who I am today.

It was being drawn to yoga that led me to deepen my spiritual beliefs. Specifically a dear friend Susan who in the Bikram change-room one day invited me to join a beautiful meditation group

It was that decision which strengthened my faith and deepened my interest in mysterious, divine practices. It was also the time where my connection to nature started to really flourish.

And, it was the deep, immense drive I had for that very intense style of practice, which gave me the courage to leave behind corporate America for good!

Once I arrived to Melbourne to teach yoga, it was my yoga students who invited me to a bush doof two months after touching down in this beautiful country. It was then after many hours (and a few years) on dusty dancefloors, which led me to meet my sweet, wonderful husband on one of those very fun dancefloors.

From there, it unfolds in ways that I simply could have never imagined. Each and every step along my yoga path has led me to my beautiful, overflowing life as it is now.

𑁍

To the path and practice, I’m immensely and unbelievably grateful. Yoga has held me through heartbreak, joy, grief, bliss, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, parenting and so much more. I am truly humbled.

In deep reverence to the good fortune of being a student of yoga & life, I bow and bow and bow 🌀🪞🙏 here's to many more years along this glorious path!

Jai Maa

02/04/2026

Divine blessings for Hanuman Jayanti 🧡

In my first pregnancy, I was drawn to Hanuman more deeply and during it, I decided to learn the Hanuman Chalisa. A beautiful 40 verse ode to Hanuman; describing many aspects of his love and devotion to Rama, Sita and Lakshmana.

Hanuman holds much significance to my path of motherhood. He has unwavering dedication and is innately able to put his commitment to others before himself. And the way he loves… ooft being a mum has shown me how this image of him feels!

Looking back, it feels so powerful to have been drawn to him right before I stepped into my first threshold of parenting with my daughter. It has also meant that as I transversed through two births, postpartum periods and beyond – I have been able to rely upon the Hanuman Chalisa as a balm during difficult times, meltdowns (of child or parent), sickness, and moments of instability.

On this night of Hasta Purnima, a full moon in the lunar constellation (nakshatra) of Virgo, I am reflecting upon the symbolic essence of this time. Based on Vedic Astrology known as Jyotish, this full moon is symbolised by the hands. As a mother, we are constantly using our hands to feed, clean, nourish, prepare, hold, support and so much more.

I couldn’t think of a more aligned period to reflect upon my intention in all of these motherly actions with my hands. Without judgment, I admit that there are many moments when I feel frustrated about the endless dishes, chores, things I have to do constantly as a stay at home mum.

However, I’m becoming curious – do I approach these mundane tasks from a place of frustration or as an extension of love? How can I lead my actions with devotion to my family, to the childhood we’re creating, to the world we are shaping for them?

𓇼

Jaya hanuman
Ati balavān
Rām nām rasiyāre
Prabhu mana basiyāre

~~~

Victory to Hanuman
The one who is powerful beyond all limits
The name of Rama is your nourishment
Oh Lord, please come have a seat in my mind

🧡

27/02/2026

Motherhood is my sadhana.

Over the past few years, I’ve contemplated how to show up in this online space. If I am honest, I’ve struggled. How do I take yoga practice and neatly merge it with the actual messiness and beauty of motherhood in a way that’s aesthetic pleasing for the grid? It’s impossible!

I can’t find a pretty way to show you how being a mother who is trying to be calm and loving whilst maintaining a romantic relationship, a dedicated yoga practice, her place in the world and running a family plus household. It is the most difficult sadhana I’ve ever experienced.

It reminds me of a quote that I love from Ram Das where he says something along the lines of “if you think you’re enlightened, go spend a week with your family”. Well, I know I am not enlightened 😂 but here are my versions of that quote in the daily context of my life.

If you think you’re patient… try folding four loads of laundry with a two year old.

If you think you’re unattached… try imagining the child you grew, birthed, and fed feel any immense pain, let down or failure.

If you think you’re calm… try having a screaming newborn and toddler melting down in the same breath.

If you think you’re strong… try holding 20+kg between a newborn in the carrier and picking up your toddler.

If you think you’re focused… try doing any task and being interrupted 3047 times before you’re complete.

If you think you’re dedicated to practice… try enjoying 23 minute postpartum yoga flow with a toddler all over your mat, newborn needing to breastfeed and dog wanting a toy thrown.

None of this fits nearly into the grid 😂! Until I figure out how to step back out into the yoga world as a Mum of two little humans, I’m going to share what’s showing up in my life.

Maybe, that’s going to be on my mat or at my altar — mostly, it’s going to be in the trenches of parenting. I don’t have aesthetic pictures of daily puja or strolls along the Ganga to fill my page, as delightful as those would be. But I do have moments where my heart explodes for these little humans and pure grace washes over me to believe this precious simple life is mine.

What I know is in this season, motherhood is my sadhana♥️

30/01/2026

Birth is so misrepresented in modern culture.

To many people, birth is synonymous with pain and this creates a narrative where women dread it. We see birth play out in Hollywood entertainment as a horrible event, forcing the mother to endure suffering and painting an image of a completely hopeless person (usually the dad) infuriating the birthing person.

Truthfully, it’s bu****it!

Is birth intense? Yes. But is it awful? Absolutely not!

I know many incredible women who have birthed in completely empowered states, without any interventions by their choice and with loving, incredible partners at their side. Would you believe this is a possible reality?!

It doesn’t matter where you want to birth, although I’ve wholeheartedly chosen to birth my babies at home; I really wish for a world where every mother feels their power, knows their options and comes away feeling whole in all that unfolded.

I feel we are doing a disservice to birth, by painting it as a horror that we have to endure.

For me, those two moments my precious children were born were two of the most euphoric feelings I’ve ever experienced. I’m talking more so than meditation, drugs, or***ms, you name it!

I mean look at my face in the second photo!?

The wave of love and joy that washes over you after birth is the closest that I’ve come to pure total bliss.

And you know what, my husband was right by my side for every moment! I wasn’t angry at him during either labour or birth - quite the opposite. I felt immeasurable love and so well supported.

Why don’t we share this message with the next generation?

It upsets me that many paint this treacherous picture of birth which sets the foundation of how these little humans come into this world. Instead, we could stop and celebrate birth as the miraculous, powerful, wonderful, intense journey it is!

To be clear ~ I want to call out that I’ve been fortunate to have uneventful births and I do not wish to be insensitive to those who have lost mothers or babies in childbirth. That is tragedy which I don’t have lived experience of and my whole heart extends out to those families ❤️‍🩹

Photos of my 2nd birth by our beloved doula .org.au

21/01/2026

Grief ~~~ a topic that has been on my mind, albeit a beautifully abundant time of my life. I truly dreamed for my life now - a loving partner, beautiful children, a peaceful home; I am beyond grateful.

Yet, it is only right to consider the layers of my grief that are so intrinsically connected to motherhood.

~grief of not being as available for my first born
~grief of less focus solely to my newborn
~grief of never feeling like you can offer enough
~grief of losing dedicated time with my husband
~grief for letting go of my career, identity, body &…

Do not get me wrong - being a mother is the most fulfilling, heartwarming role I’ve ever had the privilege to be. But it can also be intense and demanding!

It’s these moments that I’m so grateful for my practice. Even when I don’t want to practice and rather numb out with food or tv - she draws me in.

I’ve experienced many flavours of Shakti throughout both of my pregnancies and the entire journey of motherhood but right now, I am drawn to Dhumavati ~ the smokey one, the crone.

She’s completely underappreciated in my humble opinion. Likely because she doesn’t hold the immediate charm of many of the goddesses.

Yet, she holds a complex presence and mysterious beauty that’s all her own.

I sit with her when I’m in the depths of frustration, disappointment and grief. Because she brings me to the place beyond suffering where she sits.

She is a reminder of the connectedness that’s possible when we allow the situation or story associated with an issue to dissolve; thus we orient ourselves in the collective womb of loving Shakti.

I’m here with deep gratitude to Dhumavati on her horseless carriage, in her rags as clothes, discarded to the edges of patriarchal society.

Although she may not look like the embodiment of pregnancy or birth, she is a symbol of surrender and letting go.

Her power reminds us to dissolve into the ever flowing current of grace and love, which we all come from and ultimately all will merge back into. 🖤🌀🩶

**ra

Shiva Shakti Unite ॐ

06/08/2026

01/08/2026

07/06/2026

07/06/2026

07/06/2026

02/04/2026

27/02/2026

30/01/2026

21/01/2026

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