As we tiptoe toward the end of another year, I want to pause right here – before the tinsel, the to-do lists, and the rush – and look straight at you (Obviously with my big delightful smile). 😂
Yes, YOU.
The one who kept showing up even when life felt heavy, who breathed through the wobbles and injuries, who chose kindness for yourself on the days it would have been easier not to.
This December isn’t just about celebrating a season; it’s about celebrating you – the quiet, fierce, beautiful miracle that you are.
You don’t need to earn rest or joy;
You already are the reason for both.
So let’s close 2025 the way it deserves: by wrapping our arms around the person who matters most – YOU – and giving you the gentlest, brightest, most well-deserved celebration of all.
Important December Dates
Tuesday 2 December – Yoga Christmas Party
Come down to Roy Wood Reserve Tuesday 2nd December 12pm
Bring a plate to share and your own drinks and let’s enjoy each others company. If the weather takes a turn, we will work out a plan B.
Roy Wood Reserve has enough covered tables and is further away from Corlette Hall. Please make sure you know the correct place.
Toys for Treatment or Yoga Tuesday 2nd December
If the spirit moves you, please bring a new, unwrapped toy (suitable for children of all ages) to donate to local families for this Christmas. In lieu of payment for class on Tuesday 2nd December.
Kevin is doing his annual Toys for Treatment Day on Tuesday 2nd, where instead of paying for Chiropractic Care, donations of toys, gift vouchers, care packages are accepted. These donations will be given to local families in need.
Kevin ran this campaign for many years in his business of Hunter Valley Chiropractic and then with Port Stephens Chiropractic & Yoga, we continued this tradition for the last 16 years. This initiative has been adopted nationwide as part of the Australian Chiropractic Association as the #givingback campaign.
Here are some photos of the evolution of this program here in Port Stephens. 8 of the 16 years accounted for in these pictures 😊
A Day to Celebrate You!
Last Retreat for 2025 – Monday 9 December
One final day to press pause before the festive whirlwind… plenty of time to just breathe and be.
Strip away the layers of grief, stress, emotional burdens, physical inflammations, limitations and embody the mindfulness of self-healing.
In this intimate journey, you’ll surrender what’s ready to release and set powerful intentions for your next chapter of holistic wellness—mind, body, and soul.
Your Experience:
45-Minute Private Treatment – Choose a rejuvenating facial, deep-tissue massage, or energy healing session tailored to your needs.
Guided Therapeutic Yoga – Gentle, breath-led movement to unlock stored tension and emotions. Calming restorative Yoga combining Hatha, Raja, and Therapeutic with guided meditation and Yoga Nidra
Wisdom Workshop – Where cutting-edge science meets ancient soul practices to embody the mindfulness of healing.
Sound Healing & Crystals – Vibrational tuning to realign your energy field.
Aromatherapy Immersion – Custom essential oil blends to soothe and elevate.
Leave lighter, clearer, and fully recharged— Light refreshments included.
This is in collaboration with The Wellness Path.
Please let me know directly if you would like to attend and I will organise the bookings link to be sent to you. 🤗
Staying Centered When the World Feels Crazy
December can feel like a sprint to the finish line, but your nervous system doesn’t have to run the race. A few little anchors that help me stay balanced:
5-minute breathing breaks (even in the shopping-centre car park!)
A daily “no-phone” cup of tea – just you and the steam
Saying “no” to one thing so you can say “yes” to your peace
Remembering that being fully present with the people you love is the best gift you can give
You don’t have to do it all. You just have to do what keeps your heart light.
Make time for yourself this month.
Celebrate YOU –
The you who showed up on the mat all year,
The you who kept going even when it was hard,
The you who is worthy of rest and joy right now, today.
Thank you for being part of this beautiful community in 2025.
I’m so grateful for every breath we’ve shared.
Class Dates for December January
No Thursday Class on Thursday, 11th December
Classes will run until Tuesday 23rd December is the last class for the year….
Return Tuesday 6th January – a more detailed schedule will be provided in a few weeks.
As I send this to you, we are on a day trip to Coonabarabran for a Corroboree celebration. These events are always an interesting experience as the authentic celebration and sharing of the living culture is truly heart-expanding.
I have let some of you know that the week of the 3rd of November, I will be commuting from the Central Coast.
Nothing is changing!
All classes are on!
BUT, I may need more hugs as it is a homeschooling event which always provides an opportunity for personal growth for me. 😂
Important Dates
Christmas Party Tuesday 25th November 12pm Roy Wood Reserve. Bring a Plate and your drink(s) and have a wonderful time together!
Toys for Treatment / Giving Back or Toys for Yoga Tuesday 2nd December.
December Interruption for Melbourne Family Christmas – No Class Thursday 12th December
Christmas New Year Break: Wednesday 24th December to Monday 5th January 2026.
Reflections 💞
Listening to your shared questions and your needs, the following subjects are for you to have some of the answers in writing, so you can revisit them and have the links for certain sequences with easy access.
Our Overall Process with what we do in Yoga with me and why you feel so great after our sessions.
Imagine your body as a flowing river of energy, where the gentle pulse from your skull to your tailbone (the craniosacral rhythm) keeps everything in sync—like a soft inner tide.
This tide lifts your main breathing muscle (the diaphragm), fills your lungs with fresh air, and lets your heart glide smoothly in its sac.
These organs are all linked by invisible energy highways called meridians, especially the “triple warmer” line that hugs your chest and connects to your stomach and spleen to spark digestion.
Science backs this: studies on fascia (the body’s connective web) show that tight spots around the diaphragm or mid-spine can choke blood flow and nerve signals, impacting gut function and stressing the heart-lung team (e.g., research in Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies on thoracolumbar restrictions).
Therapeutic yoga is our gentle reset button in one simple pathway with our chest opening sequence. Simple poses that melt tension in the chest, free the diaphragm, and let meridians flow…. and that is just one of our sequences.
The result? Effective breaths, calmer heartbeat, and a happier gut—all riding the same restored wave of energy and as well as supporting biomechanics.
This is why I have coordinated with Linda from The Wellness Path to deliver this workshop below for these specific needs.
Digestive Serenity & Adrenal Balance
A 3-hour healing immersion for anyone facing diverticulitis, IBS, bloating, inflammation, or adrenal burnout from chronic stress and high cortisol.
Learn simple, proven tools to calm anxiety, deepen sleep, quiet restless legs, and ease back, hip, and joint pain—so you can reclaim the energy and ease stolen by discomfort.
Held in Wellness Path’s tranquil studio—softly lit, infused with calming sound frequencies—this session blends gentle therapeutic yoga, guided holistic meditation, and restorative energy practices to:
Smooth digestive flow
Lower inflammation
Recharge your adrenals
Restore whole-body balance
Fully adaptable—every pose and breath is modified to honor sensitive digestion and low energy. These sequences will the be given to you as a recording so you have more tools available if you have an episode of challenge.
Elevate your renewal: A soothing massage, rejuvenating facial, or energy healing (booked either 10am or 1pm) to deepen relaxation and fast-track healing.
Wednesday, 12th November $175
10 am – 1 pm or 11 am – 2 pm All Inclusive: Includes immersion workshop of Therapeutic Yoga, Energy Clearing, Sound Bath, Aromatherapy and Frequency Attunement, your choice of treatment, and light refreshments.
Please see the following links so you have fresh access to the recordings that you have asked for.
My thoughts on health demise and health recovery…..
I’ve walked the razor’s edge between miracles and surrender—witnessing bodies rise from the brink of collapse, pain evaporating like morning fog, while others whispered the quiet incantation “I’ll never get better,” sealing their fate with every breath.
In three decades of firsthand experience, I’ve learned that the body is not a machine to be fixed but a living symphony: fascia humming like violin strings, the craniosacral tide pulsing from skull to sacrum, the diaphragm dancing with lungs and heart in a rhythm older than language.
When thoracolumbar tension knots this flow, science confirms (Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies) that vagus nerve signals dim, gut function stalls, inflammation surges, and adrenals drown in cortisol.
Yet beneath every layer—muscle, meridian, memory—lies the sacred core: transcendent emotions that shift biology.
Hope ignites neuroplasticity.
Certainty steadies the autonomic nervous system.
Faith opens cellular receptors to healing.
Present-time awareness dissolves cortisol loops.
Gratitude floods the system with oxytocin.
And LOVE, the highest vibration, rewires despair into cellular remembrance:
You were and never are broken.
Holistic well-being is not a checklist but a sense of coming home.
A supported heart-opener (our upper back release) over a “blankie” releases the diaphragm’s sigh, our breathing technique, rekindles digestive fire along the stomach meridian, and a guided meditation anchors you in the now, where pain loses its story. You know what we do, and everything has a purpose… even my crazy stories!
Every practice is adaptable—whether you’re tender from IBS, stiff from adrenal fatigue, or simply weary—enter with safety, not strain. I’ve seen restless legs still, sleep deepen, and inflammation fade not because of a pose, but because someone felt hope in their bones for the first time.
This is the alchemy:
When LOVE becomes the medicine, the body remembers it was born to thrive.
You don’t need to believe yet—just show up.
The emotions will do the rest.
Chiropractic: The Core of My Health Journey
Chiropractic isn’t just a modality I utilse for myself and my family —it’s the heartbeat and essence of my entire approach to wellness.
When you ask me about modalities, pathways, or protocols, know this:
Chiropractic is my foundation.
It’s the lens through which I see all foundation healing.
Why? Because Chiropractic empowers you – me to take comprehensive responsibility for your/ my health.
It’s not about waiting for someone to “fix” you.
A great Chiropractor will simply say that they helped you by getting your body doing what it should do, which is healing itself!
The hardest patients who walk through the Practice door (and we still love and care for them!) are the ones begging for a quick fix—they’ve surrendered their power. The next pill, potion, remedy, intervention….
But the ones who thrive?
They understand:
You do the work.
You invite experts into your journey.
You ignite your own innate healing capacity.
That’s the miracle. By keeping your “electrics” in order—your nervous system clear, coherent, and unobstructed—everything else flows.
Energy.
Vitality.
Clarity.
Joy.
When your spine is aligned and your nerve channels are free, you’re not just surviving—you’re radiating.
You’re embodying the living miracle you were born to be.
Just like your car engine has a service, that is the beauty of keeping our nervous system at optimal function. To continue the car metaphor for a moment…. You keep the outside of the car polished, put the best fuel in… but without the electrics, the car will not start. The electrics need to be at optimal function.
In your body the electrics are your nervous system.
That is why I encourage Chiropractic.
Holistic Wellbeing
Cultivating feelings of joy, gratitude, awe, and love—especially by keeping happy mental pictures ready during tough moments—helps calm the body’s stress reaction right away.
Ongoing stress keeps the body in high-alert mode, raising tension that tightens the shoulders, pulls the head forward, and rounds the upper back into a “hunch,” while flattening the natural curve of the neck.
In contrast, turning to joyful thoughts or warm memories quickly eases that pressure, relaxing tight muscles, opening the chest, and restoring upright posture with a gentle neck curve. This shift lifts mood, lowers swelling in the body, strengthens focus and connection with others, and builds greater strength to handle life’s challenges.
When stress drags on, the liver gets overloaded trying to clear excess stress hormones, which can lead to a buildup of harmful substances. This strains the liver, causing it to store extra fat, become inflamed, and work less efficiently at its cleansing job. As a result, toxins back up and affect the whole body—feeding a cycle of tired energy, mood swings, skin issues, digestive trouble, a weaker immune system, and even more muscle tension that locks in the hunched shoulders and straightened neck. For a deeper look, read Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky (3rd edition, 2004), a clear and trusted guide on stress and its effects on the body.
So why do I encourage puppy and cat videos as an example….
Watching cute puppy and cat videos triggers a real feel-good rush in your brain by releasing dopamine, the reward chemical that sparks pleasure and motivation, along with oxytocin, the bonding hormone that warms your heart and reduces stress.
The wide eyes, playful antics, and innocent expressions of baby animals tap into our natural caregiving instincts, lighting up the same brain circuits as when we hug a loved one or eat something delicious. This quick hit of positive emotion lowers tension, slows your heart rate, and even eases muscle tightness in the neck and shoulders—helping undo the hunch and forward-head posture that stress locks in.
Just 30 seconds of giggles at a kitten chasing its tail or a puppy wagging in slow motion can shift your body from fight-or-flight into calm and joy, proving that a little online fluff is more than just fun—it’s a mini stress-relief therapy session.
There is method in my madness! 😂
My best wishes and support are with you always!
Maree
Health Reset Program
This is an opportunity to look at your goals, your symptoms, your current strategies and potential pathways and help you improve your vitality and quality of life.
Whether it is pain and inflammation related, weight loss or weight gain, headaches/ migraines, toxicity, the edge of burnout, anxiety, depression, heart health issues, memory and brain function
Your body might be giving you warning lights to indicate the dysfunction, so let’s look at how to bring balance back into your body. Rather than symptom and intervention, let’s address the cause and the rebalance.
If it’s inspiration, motivation including fatugue related, we will reconnect you to your purpose and values to assist y I ur daily actions being connected to your highest good.
This is the physical, emotional, energetic and spiritual.
It is exercise related, nutritional, supplementation discussions as appropriate, sleep, digestion, liver, detox protocols as appropriate and so much more.
4 week reset.
Personal 75 minute session with Maree
4 weeks of group coaching 2 one hour sessions per week. Recorded for replays to be available
Heavy Metal Detox detox course (covers parasite concerns)
Month free to VIP Online therapeutic yoga, core strength, injury rehabilitation, meditation, breathwork and energy healing meditations
$325
Or remember for my regulars one-off sessions are available $190 for 90 minutes or a cash discount.
(Google says this is about a 7 minute read, enjoy when you have a moment 🤗)
As Autumn’s extremely damp air settles in, it’s a gentle reminder to pause and listen to our bodies. The changing season invites us to tune into the wisdom of our symptoms—those quiet signals urging us to slow down, reflect, and nurture ourselves. Just as leaves fall to make way for renewal, we too can shed what no longer serves us and prioritize rejuvenation. Let’s embrace this time to rest, nourish, and reconnect with our inner rhythm.
By honoring our body’s needs, we cultivate balance and resilience, preparing us for the vibrant renewal that lies ahead. Here’s to a season of deep listening and self-care.
Follow up to Bone Broths & Tea – Nutrition
As we discussed in class, keep your kitchen stocked with the nourishing goodness of bone broths—perfect for sipping or cooking! You can easily buy pre-made broths for convenience or dive into the wealth of online recipes to find flavors that sing to your taste buds. Whip up these nutrient-packed elixirs when you’re feeling vibrant, then freeze them for those busy or under-the-weather days. With a stash ready to go, you’ll always have a cozy, health-boosting option on hand!
Here’s a no-fuss way to make bone broth. Grab 1kg or so of chicken bones (leftover roast chicken or cheap wings work great) and toss them in a medium pot or small slow cooker. Add half an onion, one carrot, one celery stick, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Cover with about 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 12-24 hours (or set your slow cooker and forget it). Strain, cool, and store in a jar. Sip or cook with it all week! For more easy recipes, check online.
Maybe research Potassium Broths as they are my favourite for respiratory support.
Lemon Ginger and Honey Tea
When you feel the early signs of a cold or flu, I highly recommend a soothing Lemon, Ginger, and Honey Tea. I like to make a large batch—about 3-5 liters—in a big saucepan. Simply slice a lemon and add it to the pot along with roughly chopped ginger and a generous dollop of Manuka honey. Pour in boiling water, stir, and let it steep to meld the flavors. Whenever I or my family take some out to enjoy, we top it up with more hot water to keep the batch going.
You might also enjoy exploring recipes like Fire Cider. Preparing these in advance ensures you have simple, supportive options ready when you need them most.
Further Information about Cranial Nerves
The explanation below about the Nervous System is truly insightful. I’m excited to share it with you to deepen your understanding of why I’m so inspired to promote cranial support techniques and a strong advocate for Chiropractic Care to support nervous system health.
In my own journey, I experienced a profound improvement in my healing and overall well-being through Chiropractic Care and craniosacral support. I hope this offers you a clearer perspective on the benefits of these techniques! If questions arise or you would like more explanation, bring your questions to yoga class or the free health care class on Tuesday 3rd June. (Further information way down below in this post😊)
The Vagus Nerve & Autonomic Nervous System – Dr Frans Kromhout
“Many health issues stem from the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates involuntary functions like heart rate and digestion. Think of its three states like Goldilocks’ porridge:
Too hot – Sympathetic “fight or flight.”
Too cool – Parasympathetic dorsal “freeze and shut down.”
Just right – Parasympathetic ventral “calmness and healing.”
This is the Polyvagal Theory.
The ventral vagus fosters rest, digestion, and recovery—an optimal state.
The dorsal vagus, however, triggers a survival “freeze,” leading to depression, brain fog and fatigue.
The sympathetic mode drives stress and action.
Ideally, we’d spend 90% of our day in the healing parasympathetic state and 10% in fight-or-flight.
Yet, Applied Kinesiology muscle testing reveals that almost the entire world’s population is stuck in sympathetic mode 100% of the time.
The vagus nerve, the body’s “Internet,” connects the brainstem to every organ. If it malfunctions, it sends “fake news” to the brain, causing symptoms like anxiety or palpitations, despite healthy organs.
The body has hardware – the heart, lungs, and all the organs. And then there is the software.
Most of Western medicine is focused on the hardware.
The vagus nerve’s action on our entire system is like the software controlling the body’s hardware, vital for relaxation, digestion and connection.” — Dr Frans Kromhout
Hopefully, some of the above information can help you appreciate why you feel so clear after our sessions. Cranial sacral work and nervous system support are great foundational pillars of health.
Online VIP Community Upgrade
I’m so excited to share some heartfelt updates to make our journey together even more vibrant, accessible, and inspiring—no matter what season of life you’re in. My mission has always been to support your health and wellness with practices that feel nurturing, doable, and empowering, and I’ve been pouring my heart into creating something truly special for us all.
A Warm Invitation to Our Online VIP Community
I’m thrilled to announce that our VIP Members Area is getting a big, loving upgrade! This is your cozy, virtual space packed with tools to keep you moving, healing, and thriving—whether you’re joining us in person or practicing from the comfort of home. Here’s a peek at what’s waiting for you:
Over 50 exclusive classes (via private YouTube links) to guide you gently through your practice.
Tailored recovery programs for knees, hips, spine, shoulders, feet, and more—designed to meet you exactly where you are.
Meditations and breathwork to calm your mind and uplift your spirit.
Recordings of workshops and Q&A sessions diving into topics like gut health, liver support, inflammation, immune boosts, and so much more.
New challenges and resources to keep you inspired and connected.
This space is all about you—whether you’re navigating an injury, staying home with a cough, or simply craving a quiet moment to heal on your couch or bed. It’s your go-to for gentle practices that oxygenate, restore, and empower you to feel your best.
Why This Matters
Life is dynamic, and so are we. Sometimes you can’t make it to class, or you need a practice that fits around a busy day or a healing body. That’s why I’ve made this online haven super accessible—now just $25 a month (a big drop because I believe so deeply in our shared journey). You can also use one of your Yoga 5 visit sessions each month to join, and because we’ve been together for so long, I trust you to keep track🤗 .
A Little Laugh and a Lesson
Oh, and a quick story—my recent “Live” sessions on YouTube accidentally welcomed some unexpected online guests (hilarious, but not quite the vibe I was going for!). Meanwhile, the Facebook “Live” sessions vanish after 30 days, which just doesn’t feel right for our community’s needs. That’s why I’m doubling down on creating a private, intentional space where we can grow together without any surprises.
Your Next Step
This is more than a membership—it’s an invitation to weave health, healing, and joy into your everyday life. Whether you’re flowing through a class, breathing deeply in meditation, or exploring a workshop on diverticulitis or immune health, you’re part of a community that’s here to lift you up.
Let me know if you are allocating one of your Yoga visits on your class pass (1 per month) and I will get you the link and password access ASAP.
Health Mapping with Maree
Discover the power of health mapping this autumn! This holistic approach helps you listen to your body’s unique signals, uncovering the root causes of symptoms. By charting your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, health mapping guides you toward personalized strategies for rejuvenation and balance. Embrace this season as an opportunity to prioritize self-care, tuning into your body’s wisdom to foster resilience and vitality. Continue your journey to vibrant health today—map your path to wellness and thrive!
Immerse yourself in the vibrant healing of Frequency Attunement Sessions this autumn! This transformative therapy weaves Cranial Sacral Techniques, Chakra Balancing, and Body-Soul Communication to ease pain, sharpen mental clarity, and melt stress. Tailored to your unique needs, each session can restore harmony and ignite vitality. Simply relax as I guide you through this gentle, non-invasive journey, nurturing your body’s innate wisdom to shine. Book here to experience this colorful path to deep rejuvenation and radiant wellness! Limited spots available!
FREE Health Care Q&A session. Tuesday June 3rd, from 12–12.45 PM
You can ask questions and gain practical insights. In today’s information age, it’s easy to miss the basics, especially when it comes to managing pain, inflammation, and building a strong foundation for health recovery.
We’re planning monthly Tuesday lunchtime gatherings, starting with our first session on Tuesday, 3rd June 12pm.
At The Practice, Cascade Walk Arcade. Spaces are limited, so please text me to reserve your spot. Let’s explore wellness together!
If you would like to come along, please text me 0428438315
Exciting new chapters are unfolding soon! Look forward to the return of Calming All Things Inflammation, Frequency Attunement & Meditation, Brain Gym, immersive retreat experiences, and a host of other transformative programs designed to uplift and inspire.
Free Resources
The Free Resources page offers gentle yoga, breathwork, core exercises, post-exercise stretches, glute activation, hip flexor sequences, standing posture sets, and more.
We’ve had a limited selection of health solutions on our shelves due to a recent change in suppliers. Exciting news, though—detox foot patches are arriving next week, along with a variety of other products to support your wellness journey
Autumn and Winter at Corlette Hall
Please remember layers of clothing and warm socks… maybe even gloves. Please ensure that you are warm enough and that you are able to regulate your temperature to be cooler especially on the Monday afternoon session.
Maree Frawley 