Sending sweet post Autumn solstice (spring for those down under) love to all! Reporting from my last days here in Chiang Mai, taking in the monsoon season in the bursting lush green that the rains have brought about. I'm wrapping up my life in the little sanctuary on the outskirts east of the old city, trying to make time amidst the teaching and packing to savour another steaming bowl of Kao Soy (northern Thai curry noodles), and saying goodbye to the good people here before I leave. It's been 8 years since I left my home country Singapore. I nested in Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam… travelled through Europe, before anchoring in Thailand, and in a few weeks' time, I will be calling Australia home, together with my partner. While I'm super excited about our new adventures in a beautiful new locale, it's also bittersweet to bid another farewell to a place I've called home for the past 15 months. My partner and I met on a beautiful hike here 2 years ago, and when we decided to build a life together, Chiang Mai has offered me nothing more than grounding and serenity after being on the road. It was here that I followed an inner beckoning to slow down and turn inwards, to take a pause from the insatiable wanderlusting. I uncovered an endless stream of treasures through self-study and reflections, and realise that to be a better human being and teacher, it begins from within. This is also where I've built deep bonds with a heart tribe of people who are shamelessly passionate in learning, teaching and sharing, so that we can help ourselves and others… I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. 2016 has been a landmark year of professional growth for me as I decided to step up my game to offer continuing yoga studies under the Yoga Alliance registered program, Yoga with Daphne. This in turn manifested a structured platform for me to create on-going workshops, retreats, trainings and mentorship programs with more continuity for practitioners. I'm also delighted to have connected with Yogamour Seva, a non-profit organization that I'm supporting, who inspires yogis to take our yoga off our mat and into the world in the form of selfless service to foster health and wellness initiatives in India, Myanmar and Thailand. Please do click on this link and check out how you can help in terms of retreat, donations, or even teaching :) So now it's upwards and onwards… I'll be entering the spring season in the Blue Mountains down under, to continue to create magic and wonders. May the universe keep throwing wonderful curveballs to propel our growth! The world will keep spinning, so we can't take anything nor anyone for granted. What matters is to be kind, be humble, be tolerant, and to always walk the talk. In love, Daphne |
Daphne Chua
Registered Yoga Therapist, Somatic Movement Educator, Bodyworker, Yoga Teacher Trainer
December 2021
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