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Ponderings
Welcome to my little life check-ins.
What I love most about yoga philosophy is the chance it gives us to pause and examine our lives. "An unexamined life is not worth living," said Socrates.
Each week I share a pondering to sit with and see which little seeds get planted.
What would your tattoo say?
I recently came back from retreat, and one of my favourite things was watching people soften and come back to what is important to them…
Emily Cook
1 day ago1 min read
An enriched mind (and a cheeky invitation)
In yoga, we practise yogaś citta vṛtti nirodhaḥ, usually translated as “yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.” Ah, isn’t that feeling amazing?…
Emily Cook
Nov 41 min read
Alone, but not lonely
I recently spent three days in gobsmackingly stunning New Zealand nature on a restorative retreat. Some of my most special moments were spent out in nature, alone but certainly not lonely…
Emily Cook
Oct 221 min read
We don't have to fill in all the gaps
We don't have to fill in all the gaps. Even a micro gap in the day, and we'll probably feel an urge to pull out the phone. Or get in the car and call a friend, or put on…
Emily Cook
Aug 241 min read
What's your life filter?
Wouldn't it be boring if all our photos had the same filter? And yet — isn't it interesting to think we might be walking around with one filter, shaping what we focus on…
Emily Cook
Aug 171 min read
I want to want less
Want, want, want — there's always something we're chasing, isn't there? I'll be happier when... I get the new job, the bigger house, the love, the shoes... I don't love…
Emily Cook
Jul 71 min read
Your friendships are good for your health (science agrees)
Just emailing from Bali airport after a wonderful gathering of friends I've known since high school, celebrating our collective fiftieth. It was so good to have so much…
Emily Cook
Jun 21 min read
I wish I'd handled that better
You know that feeling when you come away from a situation and think... oh, I wish I'd been a bit more patient there. Or: I could have said that more kindly. Or: I really…
Emily Cook
May 251 min read
Are you waiting for someone to say it's good?
Does any of this sound familiar? You get ready for a night out. You look in the mirror — you've made an effort, you feel good. Your partner doesn't say a word. Something…
Emily Cook
May 181 min read
Feeling S C A T T E R E D?
Which do you find harder — discernment or discipline? Discernment is knowing what to focus on. Discipline is actually doing it. Both are necessary. Both are hard! And…
Emily Cook
May 121 min read
You've been robbed.
This week's theme is Asteya — non-stealing. When you hear that, what comes to mind? For me, it's: who or what is stealing my precious time? Your presence is a present.…
Emily Cook
May 41 min read
Little lie: "Sorry, I can't make it — I've got stuff on."
Little lie: "Sorry, I can't make it — I've got stuff on." Truth: " I have a date with the couch, but I feel bad telling you..." We've all done it, haven't we? A…
Emily Cook
Apr 271 min read
Kindness is turning up
This week we're starting something new. We're starting with Ahimsa. Non-violence. Or the way I like to think about it — kindness. Think about the muscles at the sides of…
Emily Cook
Apr 211 min read
It felt like a giant Do Not Disturb sign
We were away from the usual to-dos. Away from looking after other people. Away from the ping and the pull of everything waiting for us at home. It felt like a giant Do…
Emily Cook
Mar 301 min read
Befriending your demons
What if the things that scare, anger or worry you most weren't problems to solve — but teachers waiting to be heard? This week we're meeting Kali Ma — the fierce, loving…
Emily Cook
Mar 171 min read
Our brains have a greatest hits album.
We all have old stories, familiar feelings that loop on repeat and weigh us down. Can you think of any? It's like a tyre stuck in the mud — eventually it creates such a…
Emily Cook
Feb 231 min read
Are we just skimming the surface?
This week we're exploring Abhyasa - ongoing commitment to self-study, reflection, good habits and rituals. We’ve all heard “Consistency is key”. “No effort is wasted.”…
Emily Cook
Feb 161 min read
Hello from Japan 🇯🇵
I've been learning about kokoro — a beautiful Japanese concept of the heart, mind, and spirit all as one. Living from this place of the heart. We'll be exploring kokoro…
Emily Cook
Dec 18, 20251 min read
I've always admired people who can just say no
Can you feel it? Psychologically, we're limping to the finish line with work, getting kids and grandkids through the last weeks of school, and social Christmas catch-ups…
Emily Cook
Nov 24, 20251 min read
Not now... never the right time
Do you ever hear yourself say... "Nah. Not now. It's not the right time.... " "Never the right time. Never get time." Can't chores, roles, work, wait for just a little…
Emily Cook
Nov 18, 20251 min read
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