Element : Fire
Focus : Pride cometh before a fall
Drishti : Outstretched hand

1. Position yourself on all fours with your knees together
2. Lace your left hand under your right shoulder and come to rest
so that your entire left arm and shoulder are resting on the
ground
3. Your right arm will be bent and your left cheek will be resting
on the ground
4. Now lift your right arm, straighten it, flex hand and reach back
5. Look to your outstretched fingers on the right hand
6. When you are feeling balanced lift your right leg so that the
right side of your body is fully extended
7. Remain here for 5-10 breaths testing your limit before repeating
on the other side of your body

FIRE AND THE STORY OF BURNING COUNTRY

Cape York Elders and Community Photographed and Recorded by Peter McConchie, Cyclops Press2013

These 2020 fires may be the single biggest opportunity we have to turn Australian society in the right direction. This book, published in 2013, is the most beautiful , grounded pictorial description of Traditional land management , ongoing but interrupted since Colonial intervention. The words recorded and transcribed are those of the true Custodians of this country, whose relationship to fire is knowledgeable, touching and as deep as the earth itself .
Yoga has the capacity to bring us back into a state of connection with ourselves as part of nature, its rhythms and unfathomable beauty and mystery. Our practice allows us to come back into the seasonal and deeper rhythms of this beautiful country and to truly respect the knowledge held by Traditional Owners .Lets open our ears.

In the Introductory words of Victor Steffensen :

”There is a common belief that climate change is to blame for an increase in wildfires. However, the climate has always changed and the people adapt the fire to whatever climate we get each year, hot, cold, wet, or dry. This makes the burning time different each year and is done by reading country. Climate change seems to be identified as the new threat by the institutions, taking away the basic truth that people are just disconnected from the land. This is a false sense of reality that simply continues to undermine traditional knowledge and stops community - drive aspirations from being part of current solutions.

In conclusion, it comes down to attitudes, opinions, and single-minded concepts that continue to threaten the future of our country, all due to people seeking to maintain their lifestyles and institutions. When a wild fire destroys land, property, or even human life, the government looks for someone to blame. Te truth is they are all to blame, because they are not managing country the right way.

Managing country with fire prevents loss of life and property, and also importantly protects our wildlife, trees, rivers and our Mother Earth. If we do that then we are protecting our life and property by becoming part of the land and enriching our people and culture once again.

Eat More Flowers

There are so many flowers that can be eaten.Their direct joyful expansive energy is a tonic to the heart and so many medicinal qualities! Its always good to listen to the experts ( Thankyou Costa)

These beautiful nasturtiums for example. Both the leaves and petals of the nasturtium plant are packed with nutrition, containing high levels of vitamin C. It has the ability to improve the immune system, tackling sore throats, coughs, and colds, as well as bacterial and fungal infections.The leaves are high in vitamin C, iron and other minerals and the flowers are plentiful in vitamins B1, B2, B3 and C and also contain manganese, iron, phosphorus and calcium.

SALAD OF ORANGE, BEETROOT, RHUBARB & TOFU

Ingredients

• 4-6 medium-sized beetroot

• 2-3 stalks of rhubarb

• 2-3 Navel oranges

• pinch of salt

• 1⁄2 Tbsp of rice syrup

• 1 cup rocket – picked and washed

• 1 cup watercress – picked and washed

• 1 packet of silken tofu

• parsley and mint leaves – picked

DRESSING

• 2 Tbsp unhulled sesame seeds

• 4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 Tbsp brown rice vinegar

• 1⁄2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 1⁄2 tsp Natto miso

Instructions

1. Steam beetroot until tender: 45-60 minutes. Once cool, rub off skin then cut

each beetroot into 8-10 segments.

2. Cut rhubarb into 5cm pieces then slice these length-ways into 4-6 pieces. Rub

with salt and rice syrup then let sit for 30-45 minutes.

3. Take skin off oranges and carefully remove the pith. Using a sharp knife, cut

either side of membrane to release the segments.

6

TO MAKE THE DRESSING

1. Roast the sesame seeds until golden brown. Put in a suribashi with the miso

then grind for 30 seconds.

2. Add the remaining ingredients.

3. Check the flavour, adding salt and pepper to taste.

TO SERVE

1. Cut tofu into 1cm slices and arrange on a platter. Place beetroot and orange

segments on top, alternating them for colour contrast.

2. Sprinkle rhubarb pieces on top.

3. Mix rocket, watercress and herbs with dressing and place either on top of

rhubarb or on the side.

Eye on the Prize

EYE ON THE PRIZE
In Japanese Yoga Warrior Pose takes on a deeper meaning.
ELEMENT Wood – FOCUS Use the eyes to visualise what lies ahead of you – ORGAN Liver

EYE ON THE PRIZE

1. Stand at the top of the mat, big toes touching, heels slightly apart

2. Take a long step back with the left foot

3. Swivel on the big toe, turning the foot inwards slightly

4. Ensure the heels are in line with each other

5. Square the hips and torso to the left edge of the mat, tucking the pelvis under

6. Lengthen upwards through the spine

7. Raise the arms at shoulder height, palms down

8. Energise the arms but soften the shoulders

9. Turn the head to look past the right index finger

10. Bend the front knee so the thigh is parallel to the mat, ensuringthe knee doesn’t extend past the ankle

11. Sinking into the hips, hold the torso in a vertical position

12. Press down through the feet to connect with the earth, allowing the face to soften

13. Hold for 5-10 breaths

14. Repeat on the other side

D’harawal Climate and Natural Resources

Frances Bodkin
Sussex Inlet, 2017

Perhaps thinking deeply as we do in terms of the Japanese Five Seasons, governed by Yin Yang Go Gyo we could revisit or supplement our understanding by listening in to the knowledge deeply held by the elders in this land. Frances’ beautiful book with illustrations by Lorraine Robertson presents the 6 seasons as they occur in The Wollongong region of NSW. in D’harawal Country. Travelling up to the Daly River in the Northern Territory one becomes aware of the 13 Traditional Seasons in Nauiyu Country and there are 11 in Yolngu Country..These seasons are intricately understood by Communities in each of Australia’s many many individual Aboriginal countries

As the Foreword says :

”Imagine if the first settlers had understood the concept of hunting certain species only at particular times of the year, or Wirrimbirra, sanctuary areas where hunting was prohibited ..So many species could havebeen saved from extinction, our rivers wetlands, red cedar forests and swamps protected.”

Frances provides an in depth description of the many cycles that govern nature, the Gamaruwamumu or Times of Day, The Annual Cycle, The Mudong Cycle 11-12 years and the Garuwanga Cycle which stretches over the millenia . As they say, change is the only constant.

For those of us living in Australia it is so important that we understand the cycles that affect this land and all of us in it.

If you would like to go one step further why not cleanse everyday with a Neti Pot and avoid colds, flus, headaches and hayfever? https://lovearth.com.au/shop/neti-pot. Contact us on info@lovearth.com.au for scholarly articles and details about neti pot use.

Daikon and Carrot Pickles

Ingredients
• 1 daikon

• 1 carrot

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 Tbsp umeboshi vinegar

• 1 Tbsp mirin

• 10 basil leaves—lightly torn

Instructions

1. Slice daikon and carrot as thinly as possible.

2. Put in a bowl and add salt, vinegar and mirin.

3. Mix with your hands for 1—2 mins.

4. Put a weight on top and leave for 30—40 mins.

5. Check the saltiness.

6. If too salty, give a quick rinse in water.

7. Add basil and mix.

8. Serve in a bowl

A purple carrot was used in this photo, hence the beautiful colour.

ENJOY!

Open the borders

ELEMENT Wood- FOCUS release tightness in the sides of the body - DRISHTI Upwards ORGAN Gall Bladder

1. Stand at the top of the mat, big toes touching, heels slightly apart
2. Take a long step back with the left foot
3. Swivel on the big toe, turning the foot inwards slightly
4. Ensure the heels are in line with each other
5. Square the hips and torso to the left edge of the mat, tucking the pelvis under
6. Lengthen upwards through the spine
7. Place the right elbow on the right knee, left hand on left hip and roll the left shoulder behind you
8. Take the left arm up and over the head, reaching with the hand towards the front with the palm facing down
9. Look up underneath the left armpit towards the sky
10. Take the right hand to the floor, without collapsing the torso
11. Place the right hand either on the inside or outside of the right foot, depending on your flexibility
12. Keep on rolling the left shoulder behind you and press the left ribs to the sky
13. Feel a long line running from left heel to left fingertips, stretching the side of the body
14. Hold for 5-10 breaths
15. Repeat on the other side

The Way of the Five Seasons

John Kirkwood
Singing Dragon, London 2016

The author’s deep understanding of the five elements and its day to day integration and enhancement of the practitioners life is awe inspiring . Having immersed myself in the lifestyle afforded by deep understanding of Yin Yang Go Gyo  ( 5 element theory)  for the past 30 + years, it is a total joy to be taken further into the journey.

“Imagine a great gong being struck.  Its powerful sonorous note passes out into the universe and all things of a similar vibration pick up the note, vibrating in perfect resonance.

Now imagine five great gongs sounding simultaneously , each with its own unique note.  Imagine that, according to its nature, every single atom in the universe is resonating to one of these notes.Nothing is left out of this primal harmony.

Similarly, each of the Five Elements acts like one of the five great gongs, vibrating with its own frequency, a frequency that resonates precisely and profoundly in all expressions of that Element : a season of the year, a colour, a sound, an emotion, an odour, an organ of the body, a sense organ, a set of tissues, a psychological state , a spiritual state .  They all pick up the note and resonate with its vibration like a great clan singing the same tone in harmony.” Pg 37

John’s capacity to provide a readable and relevant version of Yin Yan Go Gyo is beyond measure. Oriental understanding of yogic lifestyle was developed parallel to the Indian version and documented circa 300 BC . The learnings continue to be rich and fruitful in conducting our day to day lives.