Quote of the Week!
I completed a Degree at the Drama Centre London in 2001, studying ballet and movement as part of my acting course led me naturally to yoga....and onto to an Advanced Diploma in Health & Yoga in Sydney.
I've been inspired by so many wonderful teachers and different traditions over the years and this is evident in the way that I teach.
I have a light hearted, creative approach and strongly believe that we should practice according to how we feel day to day, physically, emotionally and mentally.
It is my aim to help students move toward their full potential. To experience on the mat their own innate strength and courage, compassion
and gentleness and then take that into their everyday lives and relationships.
Each class I teach is a mix of asana (postures), breath work and meditation creating a balanced, wholesome experience.
I am also a Doula, calmbirth® practitioner and Reiki 11 channel.
Our Philosophy
The LifePod is a relaxed studio, an inner city haven where you are made to feel welcome and comfortable from the moment you arrive. It is run by two sisters, Lauren and Belinda Penning. Their intention is to create a space that feels great to be in and to provide you with the very best care and support. Enjoy the personal touches that make all the difference to your experience; warm tea on arrival, gorgeous candle lit space, smaller classes, individual guidance through practice, recommendations and referrals to sustain yourself through other modalities and overall a lovely sense of community and support.
Lauren's Intentions
"I am passionate about providing a home away from home environment, where everyone who walks through the door feels at ease and open to experience the full intention of what's brought them to The LifePod. We are all so profoundly unique and I thoroughly enjoy providing a space where we can celebrate those differences, practice with integrity and reap the wonderful benefits in our everyday lives." - Lauren Penning
"I am enormously grateful to all our clients, from my yoga students to pregnant mums, calmbirth couples, doula clients and little bubs. You are the greatest teachers!" - Lauren Penning
Healthy Suggestions
Welcome to our "healthy suggestions" section. Here you'll find some great recipes suitable for the season we're in and yummy alternatives for yourself and the kids.
There will always be a simple breathing exercise that's easy to follow, ideal in helping to reduce stress levels and creating some moments of peace in your day.
I've included some great recommendations for music that will support and encourage a peaceful environment. These are all things that I play at The Life through my classes.
Enjoy other tips and suggestions!
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Recipe Suggestions
Bircher Museli
- 2 cups of quality oats
- 2 oranges
- 1 cup of yoghurt
- handful of almonds
- tsp of honey
- LSA
- fresh fruit to serve
:: Method ::
Place the oats in a bowl with the juice from one orange.
Slice the 2nd orange into small pieces and place in the bowl with the oats.
Add the yoghurt sliced almonds, honey, LSA and mix together.
Leave covered in the fridge over night
In the morning add fresh fruit YUM!!
Tab's Tahini Balls
Recipe provided by Tabitha MaCintosh(www.awakenyourhealth.com.au)
- 1/2 cup of unhulled tahini (available in jars at health food Store - Melrose is a good brand)
- 1/2 cup of raw honey (or be extravagant and use a Manuka honey)
- 1+ cup good quality cocoa powder (organic if possible: the darker, the better)
- And to dust, a few tablespoons of LSA (ground Linseeds, Sunflower seeds, and Almonds) or shredded coconut.
- Mix top three ingredients thoroughly until thick and sticky (a little extra cocoa powder is needed sometimes)
- Wet your hands, and roll the mixture into bite-size balls.
- Dust wet balls in LSA mixture or shredded coconut
- Put on a tray and leave in fridge to harden for 30 mins
:: Tips ::
- These keep in the fridge well (airtight) for about 3 days
- Try not to eat them all at once!
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Stay hydrated through these cold winter months!
Now that winter is really set in it's so important to keep up our water intake. A good way to keep drinking through the day and of course support our great planet is to buy a water bottle that you can re use and keep with you all day.
A fantastic, eco friendly brand is 'Earthlust' www.earthlust.com
The yummy herbal tea that I've been serving at the LifePod recently is 'Gorgeous Geisha' from T2.
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Chants at The LifePod
Breathing exercise:
Awaken joyfully to a new day!
On waking in the morning, take a moment to be conscious of your breath and open to the opportunities a new day brings. Rather than jumping out of bed abruptly in the morning make the transition gently into your day.
While still in bed, take a deep breath in through the nostrils and then a long breath out.
Feel your body opening and expanding on the breath in and softening back into your mattress on the breath out.
Count your breath, in to a count of 3 or 4 and out for the same count.
Repeat in your mind as you practice:
I breathe in 2, 3, 4...
I breathe out 2, 3, 4...
I breathe in and open...
I breathe out and relax...
Repeat for 5-10 rounds.
This is a technique that once you've practiced you'll be able to use in all sorts of situations and times through your day.
If you're at work and find you're getting nervous or stressed breath in this even and calm way, you'll feel yourself relaxing with each breath and becoming more alert and capable to deal with the situation.
Make this part of your day:
Stuck in traffic - breath
Before you react out of habit - breath
At the end of your day - breath
In bed at night - breath
Remember, when we're stressed we are less intelligent! We compromise our health and well being. Practice this calm breathing technique without judgment and enjoy the benefits throughout your whole day! Practice makes permanent!
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Music suggestions:
This is music that I play through my classes.
If you're pregnant and looking for music to play to your bub all of these would be suitable and great to play to your baby after the birth or through your labour.
Sacred Earth this music is divine! They have several albums and are all great. I play in the studio "The way home" and "Divine devotion".
Jai Uttal's music and chanting is fantastic. He has quite a few albums and it's worth having a look at his website and listening to some of his music.
Shavasana by WAH the artist is WAH and the album called shavasana. Absolutely gorgeous! Highly recommended to prenatal clients!
Deva Premal & Miten have many albums, they're a huge favourite of mine. Have a look at their website and enjoy their gorgeous music.
The spirit of Yoga by Ben Leinbach I play this all the time!
I'll be updating this list so check in again soon!
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Referrals & Links
Therapists:
Massage:
- www.deepholistictherapies.com.au Alex Page is a wonderful massage therapist. Her lovely clinic is centrally located in Bondi.
Reflexologist / Massage Therapist:
- Hiromi Okada-Zalewski (M) 0402 386 158 (P) 9818 5575 - Hiromi is absolutely fantastic! She specializes in treating pregnant women and is also a doula. I've sent many clients to her and they all go back for more!
Acupuncturists:
- www.redtent.com.au A dedicated group of practitioners who have a broad range of healing skills so you can work out what will best work for you and your family. They offer treatment for pregnant women, mums, their children, their partners, women wanting to conceive, women going through IVF cycles and women who generally want to improve their health. Rebecca Mar Young and Naomi Abeshouse are both incredible practitioners and wonderfully passionate about serving women and their families.
- www.sueboothacupuncture.com.au Sue Booth is an absolutely fantastic acupuncturist! She is also a midwife and has many years of experience.
Homeopath:
- www.restoringhealth.com.au Ann Manning
Naturopaths:
- www.awakenyourhealth.com.au Tabitha McIntosh comes highly recommended. She changed the way I view food and health! She works with many pregnant women and is a mum of two.
- www.claudettewadsworth.com.au Claudette specializes in treating fertility, pregnant women and is a doula. She is a wonderful natropath and also comes very highly recommended!
Nutritionist:
- www.healthquarters.com.au Katherine Rothwell is a personal trainer, an iridologist and a nutritionist. She is also a mum of two. Katherine is wondefully dedicated to what she does and i've loved working with her.
Osteopaths:
- David Vivian Jones- (P) 9363 0878 David is absolutely brilliant!
- www.bulbosteopathy.com.au Nicole Wilson is a wonderful osteopath who specializes in treating mums and bubs. I took my son to see her and she was brilliant in treating him! Other clients have seen her with their bubs and had great results.
Support through pregnancy:
- www.calmbirth.com.au A highly recommended way to consciously prepare for the birth of your baby with your partner.
- www.birth.com.au pregnancy, labour and birth resource
- www.australiandoulacollege.com.au the Australian doula college will assist you in finding a doula that is perfect for you. They are a wonderful resource for mums, bubs and families.
- www.birthrite.com.au -Offering a comprehensive range of services for pregnancy and early parenting, including Active Birth and pre natal classes.
- www.fertility.com.au The Jocelyn Centre for natural Fertility and Management
Support into parenthood:
- www.breastfeeding.asn.au -the Australian breast feeding Association is a great support for new mothers. Breast feeding is a learnt skill and at times requires help and assistance.
- www.naturalparenting.com.au -Great resource for parents. Providing information and sense of community
- www.bellybelly.com.au -Information and resources for pregnant mums and parents.
- www.kindredmedia.com.au Natural parenting, green and sustainable parenting
Bookstores & music stores:
- www.adyar.com.au -Fantastic bookstore in the city. Great place to look for alternate books and music.
- www.phoenixrisingbooks.com.au this bookstore is in Glebe and another excellent place to buy books and music.