“Gorilla Cart” is a brand and it’s essentially a beefed-up version of a metal garden cart you pull to move things around. The one I have has a mesh bottom, steel side rails, pneumatic tires, and can support a load up to 800 pounds. Mine is five years old now and has had a lot … Continue reading Noticing Load + Incline
Author: Neil
Better the devil you do know
It’s a bit eerie the way online streaming service Spotify learns your music tastes and feeds new content likely to appeal. It must have been picking up on my current indie-kirtan-ambient-yoga-ethereal vibe when it played a track by East Forest titled “Grandmothersphere”. As it begins, lush music fades in with a dreamy voiceover asking “do … Continue reading Better the devil you do know
Mind Your “Posture”
In one of my journals, from one of the workshops or retreats I’ve attended, I found a note I made about the importance of maintaining good posture. I’m not clear if it was something said by the facilitator or by another participant, or maybe an insight that I jotted down, but I do know it … Continue reading Mind Your “Posture”
Reality Emerges from Stillness
I had one of those 2+2 moments yesterday when something simple yet powerful, that should have been so obvious, came together. But first, a quick bit of context. When guests stay over here, whether airbnb renters or friends visiting, they often ask if they will see wildlife on the property. My usual answer is to … Continue reading Reality Emerges from Stillness
Be a gracious guest, of life
A few weeks ago I found myself re-reading my copy of The Nordic Guide to Living 10 Years Longer, by Bertil Marklund. I got through it in a matter of a few hours. It is about as succinct and compact a self-help book as you will find, with practical strategies and behavioural changes that will … Continue reading Be a gracious guest, of life
When saying nothing says more
"Are you adding something to the silence by speaking?" ~ Caroline Shola Arewa ~ I am a Yoga Alliance™ Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) and throughout this COVID time the Alliance has been supporting their members with a wealth of online learning opportunities. Back in the autumn I took a seven-part series on exploring the chakras, … Continue reading When saying nothing says more
A pearl by Rumi
"You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the ocean in one drop."~ RUMI ~ According to my A Year with Rumi: Daily Readings , yesterday (September 30th) was the birthday of the renowned Sufi mystic poet back in 1207. That's over 800 years ago, and his work endures perhaps more than ever … Continue reading A pearl by Rumi
Removing Blocks by Making Blocks
One of my occasional pursuits since making the move to full-time rural living up here in northern Grey County has been making yoga blocks. I craft them from local White Cedar which I order from the Amish sawmill just a few minutes down the road. Blocks are a common type of yoga “prop” used for … Continue reading Removing Blocks by Making Blocks
Gaining control by giving up control
As I drive along the rural road approaching my laneway, I typically drive slowly if for no other reason than physically slowing down helps to mentally slow down as I arrive home. On this particular day, with snow and some ice on the road, I was going a little slower than usual as I came … Continue reading Gaining control by giving up control
Appreciating what you’ve got
"The easiest and least expensive upgrade is gratitude."~ NEIL BALDWIN ~ I feel a bit sheepish inaugurating this blog with a quotation of my own devising, but gratitude has been muchly on my mind. Phones, devices, and technology are symptomatic of our tendency to want the latest and greatest. And it extends to so many … Continue reading Appreciating what you’ve got
Soul Trail 