Festivals, fasts and celebrations all connect with the Full Moon. It is of huge significance to many cultures.
Full Moon
Flower of life
The Flower Of Life symbol is a geometric form that turns up in Sacred Geometry. The flower of life is an ancient symbol in many cultures.
Prayer flags and their meaning
You may have seen prayer flags on your travels or in photos. They are often placed outside temples, in the high mountains, across bridges, buildings and trees. What is the significance of these prayer flags? What do they mean?
Lughnasa
Lughnasa is an Irish word meaning the month of August In modern Irish it is spelled Lúnasa. It celebrated on August 1st, it marks half way between the Summer and Autumn equinox. Lughnasa is the beginning of the harvest season.
The Celtic Calendar wheel
The Celtic Calendar was and is still used by the Celts - in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Like any Calendar - it divided up the year into natural cycles. The Celtic Calendar Wheel is based on the connection the Celts had to the Earth. It is dictated by the seasons, the darkness and the light.
The importance of hydration at altitude & every where else!
You are mostly water. All your cells contain water. Every cell works better when hydrated, whether it's a brain cell, calf cell or a digestive cell.
How fit do I need to be to trek to Machu Picchu?
How fit do I need to be to do Machu Picchu? There are many ways to approach Machu Picchu by trek. Earth's Edge have an exciting & challenging itinerary to Machu Picchu via it's sister city Choquequirao. Choquequirao is a stunning hidden that doesn't get any where near the numbers that Machu Picchu experiences. That's what... Continue Reading →
Imbolc
Imbolc marks the beginning of Spring in the Celtic Wheel of the year. It is also called St. Brigid's day. Lá Feile Bríde. Imbolc falls on February 1st. Imbolc (i mbolg- modern Irish) means- in the belly - referring to lambing season, when ewes are pregnant. Imbolc falls roughly half way between the Winter Solstice... Continue Reading →
Self care
What is self care? Often people can see self care as being selfish so they don't allow themselves the luxury of it - but it's not a luxury - it makes sense. If you are caring for others in your life in whatever way- mother, father, aunt, uncle, guardian, sister, brother, taking care of those... Continue Reading →
The importance of Savasana in Yoga.
Savasana is the integration phase from all the physical work you have done in practice- to skip it means that you don't receive the benefits of adaptation and integration from your physical work. So if you want to get the most from your workout - you are simply not doing that by skipping Savasana!
Ikigai
What is your Ikigai? What is your reason for being?
The Elements.. a reflection of connection.
What are the elements? The traditional elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth.To have balance in your life a connection with these elements will see you on the right track. How do you connect with them?
Yoga; The 8 Limbs of Yoga. Ãsana.
While it is good to strive to improve and master a pose, the Yoga is happening on the inside -when you notice your habits and judgements to the obstacles that the pose presents to you. Once you master a pose - there is always another one to challenge you.
Yoga; The 8 Limbs of Yoga. The Niyamas.
The Niyamas are guide lines for ethical living through Discipline.
What is the difference between Yang Yoga and Yin Yoga?
You need both Yin and Yang in your life to create balance but it also depends on what other activities you have going on in your life. Too much Yang will lead you out of balance. Too much Yin will also lead you out of balance.
A Closer Look at the Chakras – Crown Chakra
The Crown Chakra relates to consciousness as pure awareness.
How to support your immune system.
Looking after your immune system is high on all of our priorities right now as the country and world begins opening up restrictions. Your body has already been on high alert since early in the year and in the next few weeks and months it will be tested as you begin interacting with more people.
Emerging from Lock down
With social distancing in place never will a smile mean so much and if you are wearing a mask, Smile with your eyes!
How to ease a stiff back & shoulders from sitting. Part Two.
Be gentle, move slowly and stay within your limitations, it's not about how far you go it's about the intention to move gently and open up softly. None of these exercises should cause you any pain, if so please stop. Listen to your body. what does it need today?
How to ease a stiff back & shoulders from sitting. Part One.
If you maintain a posture regularly, your body will get better at holding this position to support what you do. This means that if you are sitting for your job, your body adapts to this need to sit for long periods. However, this can also lead to soreness and stiffness when you then get up from your desk or get out of the car you've been driving. You might sit again on the way home on public transport or in the car and then you sit to eat and as you relax at home. Your body as a consequence is trapped in the same movement pattern everyday.
A Closer Look at the Chakras – Third Eye Chakra
The Third Eye Chakra is known as the brow Chakra or Third Eye Centre.
A Closer Look at the Chakras – Throat Chakra
The Throat Chakra is related to self expression, creativity
Altitude Sickness Everest Base Camp
Altitude Sickness Everest Base Camp Everest Base Camp is one of the top treks in the world. The question of Altitude sickness tends to come up on any expedition to Everest Base Camp. Rightly so - people are curious - Will it happen to me? Will I be ok? There are many things that you’re... Continue Reading →
A Closer Look at the Chakras – Heart Chakra
The Heart Chakra is related to love..
A Closer Look at the Chakras – Solar Plexus Chakra
The Solar Plexus Chakra rules our personal power, self confidence, willpower, and autonomy as well as our metabolism.
A Closer Look at the Chakras – Sacral Chakra
The Sacral Chakra is related to the element water, and to emotions and sexuality.
A Closer Look at the Chakras – Root Chakra
The Root Chakra forms our foundation.
Yoga. Aesthetic v’s Functional alignment.
In order to analyse yoga postures from the perspective of aesthetic versus Functional alignment. I would first like to identify what each means. Aesthetic alignment is based on how a pose looks - in the mirror, to the student or teacher. They are often initiated at the distal areas of the body - for example... Continue Reading →
Machu Picchu Expedition, October 2018
What happens on trek - stays on trek!!!
Commonly taught meditative instructions that may cause difficulties. How a Yin approach could help relieve these conflicts.
Traditional ways that meditation is taught would be classed as a yang approach to meditation. Yang methods direct the meditator to have a particular focus in their meditation and to return to that effort, whenever the mind wanders. 4 commonly taught meditation instructions include; Focusing on the breath - e.g. at the point of entry... Continue Reading →
Kilimanjaro Expedition, August 2018.
Wind scalped the top of the mountain, blowing others off their feet. There is nowhere to hide on Kilimanjaro from wind.
Machu Picchu Expedition. September 2018.
After multiple flights across the Atlantic we arrive in Cusco to a warm Peruvian welcome and the charming city that is Cusco. It’s my first time for this trek and it’s been in my head for over 20 years - I’m excited and thrilled to be here. Only a few hours later so taken are... Continue Reading →
The difference between Stressing tissues & Stretching tissues
To stress something is to bear a load on it, stress is the degree of pressure applied - this we can do to our tissues. Tissues are often subjected to stress but no movement occurs. There is no shortening or lengthening of the tissues. Stretching occurs when the stress loaded is in excess of the... Continue Reading →
The importance of layering for Mountain Expeditions.
Preparation is key Before you go on your trip of a life time spend a few moments deciding what’s really important to you. I appreciate the hidden dreams in the recesses of your brain that you’ve been harbouring - secretly or not - for a week- or for years. To ensure you have an amazing... Continue Reading →
An experience instead of stuff……
Don’t just buy stuff to tick a box for Christmas… It’s that time of year again when families across the world prepare for Christmas. Needless to say there will be a lot of stuff bought. Plastic is one of THE hot topics right now but that will get side lined in the coming weeks. There... Continue Reading →
An introduction to 432hz, 528hz and Solfeggio frequencies…
432hz, 528hz and Solfeggio frequencies Modern music is tuned to 440hz when in 1926 a standardised system came in. Most ancient greek and Egyptian instruments were tuned to 432Hz, Himalayan Bowls, old music - mozart, Verdi. Gregorian Chants are based on the Solfeggio frequencies. Music based on 432 Hz is said to transmit beneficial healing... Continue Reading →
Everest Base Camp Expedition 2018
I lead an expedition to Everest Base Camp this April & May. I got a good vibe from this group straight away in Dublin Airport when we met. They all knew each other very well & they’d even met our doc on their training weekend - I was the only “outsider”. They took me into their... Continue Reading →
So what are Chakras anyway?
Chakra means wheel in Sanskrit. The Chakras refer to the energy centres in the body. We have many thousands of them, there are 7 main energy centres in the body. Energy flows through the Chakras, but when they are blocked or imbalanced, there is an effect on our emotional, mental and physical wellbeing, which can... Continue Reading →
Family time for free….
Lots of people think that spending money is the main way to spend family time together. It involves paying to keep the kids entertained in whatever form and while that's fun - you can't always do it - also these places are often jammed because everyone else had the same idea. It all comes down... Continue Reading →
Equipment to tackle Kilimanjaro & Everest Base Camp
This article looks at some of the essential gear and items to have on two of Earth's Edge most popular treks – Everest Base Camp and Kilimanjaro. So you’ve booked the trip of a lifetime to Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp – now what? Two things people often worry about are fitness and equipment. Spending... Continue Reading →
Yoga has many benefits for both training for expeditions and while on expedition itself. Whether you’re off to Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp or skiing the Haute Route - Yoga has a place in your pre expedition training and while you’re on the mountain!
The many flavours of Yoga….
Yoga is like ice cream.... With so many flavours to choose from, it can be difficult to decide what style is right for you. Yoga is thousands of years old, so many styles have been developed over the years. Here's a simple short guide (in no particular order) of what some of the Yoga styles have in store for you....
What is Sound Therapy?
Sound healing has been around for thousands of years and has been used in may different cultures as a form of healing. Just think how music can effect your mood when listening to it as an example. It can move us to tears, lift us out our depths, or raise our spirits for joy, battle or focus.
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