Sue
Hawkins' experience is based upon her own journey through Yoga. From
the high profile, fast paced life in Sydney as a TV Producer to her
life in Byron Bay now, she teaches from her own yoga studio and runs Yoga Retreats
and Yoga Getaways in Byron Bay and overseas where you can experience
yoga, meditation, pranayama, chanting, massage, pampering and more.
Sue discovered yoga 23 years ago and has studied Iyengar Yoga in
Sydney and completed a teacher training course at Yoga Arts in Byron
Bay in Astanga and Hatha yoga. She decided to further her studies and
travelled to India to study with BNS Iyengar in Mysore. Practicising
Astanga and deepening her understanding of the spiritual aspects of
yoga. This also involved a Mantra Initiation with a Vishnava Guru to
deepen her connection with spirit and to move her life path even deeper
in the direction of teaching Yoga and healing. Sue was given a spiritual name "Sudasi" - meaning Servant of God. Sue also
trained with Dharmavirsingh Mahida in Pune studying yogasana, Ayurveda
and yoga philosophy.
Yoga means 'union'. To practice yoga is to unite the body with the
mind and the mind with the soul. Yoga is more than putting the body
into 'interesting postures' (asanas) it is a combined journey into
learning how to use the breath (pranayama) to move deeper and open the
body, preparing for meditation and allowing time for deep relaxation
(yoga nidra).
Motivated by an inner feeling of emptiness, Sue realised she needed
to find her centre. Something was missing in her highly stressed life
in the city. She needed grounding and her soul like a cup needed to be
refreshed and filled at a deeper level.
"Yoga for me has been a life saver. When you are leading busy
stressful life there is no room for the soul to feel connected in any
way. You are on a treadmill blindly running from deadline to deadline.
There was not much connection with spirit or myself. Finally I came to
a point where I had all the money and material things around me but an
incredible feeling of emptiness and depression. I was dissatisfied at a
deep level. I decided to take up yoga again and from that day onward
have continued to integrate it into my daily life."
Yoga is a committment to searching the truth within yourself. It is
a lifestyle choice and the benefits that come into your life are so
rewarding once you begin this path it is virtually impossible to get
off! You feel better, look better, your skin is different, your diet
changes and your outlook changes. You experience inner joy and
happiness in the heart space and this energy goes out to all who come
in contact with you. Your attitude becomes more flexible and tolerant.
You may start to see things in a different light. Yoga is the key to
opening up what is truly underneath the armour. Once the body becomes
flexible it starts to release stored emotions and helps to correct
defects in the posture which may have been caused from old injuries
over the years. The body very soon becomes more agile and lighter and a
sense of wellbeing and confidence takes over. This is when the
alchemical changes begin. It frees us of disease and brings the body,
mind and soul together in harmony.
Most importantly one becomes distinctly aware of the fluctuations of
the mind. With a compassionate and consistent practice one can find
liberation!
Namaste
Sudasi
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