When East Meets West

Japa Mala Journey

Have you been wanting to understand the science of yoga and its philosophy beyond the limited Western lens?

If so, from and , will be guiding an opportunity for you to delve deeper into your understanding and learning with Mala beads and how to establish a deeper connection during personal practice.

This two-hour session serves as an introduction to Japa Mala, it will include:

* initiation into mantra
* wisdom on nada yoga, japa, ishta (Ganesha) + sadhana
* chai & connection in community

Japa Mala, while commonly associated with Hinduism and Buddhism, is not inherently tied to any specific religion. The use is primarily for meditation, prayer, mindfulness, and spiritual reflection, making it adaptable and inclusive of diverse religious and spiritual beliefs.

If you have your own set of Mala beads, please bring them along to participate in the practice, alternatively there will be spare sets to use and purchase at an additional cost if you so choose.

Come join us on Saturday 20th April.
2pm-4pm

Investment: $45.00
Location:
6-8 Tanner St, Breakwater VIC 3219

We are so looking forward to connecting with you.

Direct message to grab your tickets 📿

An Ode to all Mothers ..

May the Mother’s of the world continue to honour themselves, for their place here is of vast importance.

Mother’s are the nutrients, the healthy nourishment feeding their young.

Teaching, creating, preparing, weaving.

A mother’s loving sacrifice, to place the lives of their babes at the forefront of their mind.

It does not go unnoticed.

Every detail, each effort.

The restless nights and early mornings.
An ever unfolding duty, fuelled by the deepest unconditional love.

One that does not know many bounds.
One that must learn patience.
One that is forever guiding, forever ready to hold you when you need it.

May the Mother’s of the world continue to acknowledge their place, alongside strong and compassionate men who hold safe foundations.

A Mother’s warmth is that of the sun, her hugs wrap around like strong branches.
She is the wind, the air that you breathe.

Forever weaving her wisdom through song, dance and play.

May we continue to honour the Mother’s of the world, and respect the deep love they continue to teach.

May we send our blessings to the Mother’s who have bled, who’s babies did not make it earth-side, but reside safely amongst the stars.

May we send love to all children that arrived, and those who are yet to come.

May the Mother’s of the world continue to honour themselves.

To rest when they are tired, to ask for help when they need it.

May they remember themselves, as strong, heart centred, happy women.

May they continue to celebrate their life.

Dance wildly, and sing songs to the next generation that inspire hope, healing, and freedom.

🌹

Clients & friends.

I have been in a space of deep introspection over the last few months, feeling into services I offer and how I wish to move forward.

I am taking a step away from 1:1 Reiki + Massage treatments.

The intention of this time is to regroup and rest.

I want to simplify my life even more, to sing, paint, dance and finish my studies.

I am unsure of what this time away will be, and for the first time in what seems like a long time …

I am at peace with not knowing.

My body is needing to pause, to rest.

So, I must listen.

For those with gift vouchers or wish to be in touch regarding services,
please contact me via email:
[email protected]

Into the cocoon I go.

“you can let it go”

Let it all go …

The shame
Fear
The desire to control
To know
Let go of the fear
The constant chatter of the mind
Let go of concern
Of any doubt that’s blocking your flow
Let go of your worry
That you won’t have enough
That the world is not safe
That you are alone

Just let it go
Drop it
Put it down

And when you do
Go towards that place
The place deep within you
The place that knows

And listen.

Meditative Movement.

Sunday 19th March, 2023.

Two sisters, from When East Meets West and Joanne Panetta from come together to co-create this journey.

We invite you lean into self-enquiry, to recognise, release, relearn and reflect through the healing modalities of meditation, somatic movement, dance, and sound combined with cacao; but most of all, to have fun, let go and connect.

We begin this three-hour journey with an introduction to cacao, acknowledging ourselves, each other, the land, and this heart opening medicine.

We then unravel the body, mind, and soul, through dance, yoga, sound, meditation, and breath.

We slow things down and invite you to rest, reflecting on the experience through a guided sound journey with both vocal and instrumental expression.

Connect with us and community; as we dive deep, finding balance within all aspects of self – mind, body, heart, and spirit.

Tickets are limited.
Head to the link in bio to secure your place.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Universal life energy.

It’s known and recognised around the world as a subtle energy, presented as a force that governs all life.

Over my time as an energetic practitioner, I have come to acknowledge and understand the different threads from culture to culture.

Beliefs, rituals, and ceremonial practices differentiate, taking time to understand and acknowledge these teachings, offers an opportunity to appreciate the commonality of energy that underlies them all.

I am humbled by those around me, the brave ones who are willing to have a look at what’s going on deep inside.

I hold space, not to fix, judge or make people feel inadequate, not to impact the outcome or influence what must be done next, but to sit quietly beside them; providing gentle, compassionate support, without adding more fear to what’s happening or feed further shame.

We are all walking this path of healing, rediscovering what it means to crack open, trust in the process and let go.

It’s certainly not an easy path to walk, but deep down we all know that it’s worth it.

If you were to look back at the person you are becoming,

What would you say to yourself?

Would you express how proud you are of your courage?

Would you acknowledge bravery, and how much it takes to unlearn and relearn ways of being in the world?

Would you applaud yourself for standing firm in truth, for not giving up on what safety, purpose, freedom mean to you?

Would you notice that each day your intention is to become better than who you were yesterday, that you are doing your best?

Would you shed light on your kindness, your loving heart … ?

Would you remind yourself that your place in the world matters, that you are needed?

That the hearts of those around you feel the love inside, that it helps when your around.

Would you encourage yourself to understand the person you are is whole, open, and full of life, of prana?

That your life is here to weave a new web in the world.

One that serves us all.

When you look at the person reflecting back, acknowledge your place.

After fails, losses, and falls, the gift of breaking has led you here.

It’s been messy, wild, but so beautiful too.

So much of who you thought you were, needed to be lost; a reunion with your true self required all of this to unfold.

This is who you are becoming, this is who you are.

I tend to feel overwhelmed and stretched out towards the end of the year …

It’s this felt sense that times “running” away from me.

I notice this for most people, the pressure to get it all done before Christmas, then planting seeds for the New Year begins, it’s all very fast.

This future focused planning triggers anxiety, moving us further away from presence.

So, with that in mind, I felt the call to offer a special for November -

Reiki 60 minutes – Full price $90.00, special $60.00
Healing Massage – Full price $180.00, special $99.00

My intention is to help you slow down, regulate, and find your centre.

I provide a holistic approach to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

I work with the body to help transmute dense energy, creating more room for you to flow.

Treatments are tailored to your individual needs and concerns.

For more information and booking inquiries send me a direct message 💌

I rest patiently for instruction from within.

Gently finding grace, unbinding myself from fear.

The unknown is looking back at me, waiting for me to take the brave step forward.

I notice my comfort zones, safety nets and pockets of “certainty” created to keep me secure …

Yes, I desire to stay here a little longer.

For I am tired and unsure.

I don’t feel quite ready to work at it.

So, for now, I grant myself permission to go gently.

I stay grounded, there is no need to rush.

I come back to trust.

Trusting that whatever is happening, is simply happening …

There is so much growth here, so much expansion.

Just as the roots beneath and around me continue to spread and stretch, I lean into knowing that I too, will grow and reach forward when it is time.

For now, I rest.

I close my eyes and give myself permission to be here.

🍂

If you resonate with the words above, I encourage you to take your time.

Keep it simple, be gentle.

You have permission to slow down.

You don’t always have to work at it.

Nature takes time to rest and regroup, and so can you.

I have been inquiring lately about how healthy our society is.

We spend most of our time and energy addicted to stimulants and distractions that are not sustainable to our health and well-being, yet we continue to participate … why?

We indulge in short term pleasures to help settle feelings of discomfort; we haven’t been taught that its normal to feel or given the space to grieve and slow down when life knocks us around.

We have been trained to get on with it, keep going, keep consuming.

Although we are collectively waking up, most are still asleep.
Driven by behaviours and daily practices that are designed to keep them stuck in suffering and dependant on unhealthy habits, and it’s not necessarily all their fault.

Yes, it’s a choice, one we all make … but the distractions out in the world are here to keep us lost and disconnected from ourselves, community, nature and the knowing that what we are here to experience in this life is far deeper, far greater than what is being presented to us as a healthy model to live by.

Take a moment to pause.

Can you reflect on behaviours and choices you are making each day that “support” you?

Are they sustainable?

They might feel nice in the moment, they might alleviate some form of pain you are in, but long-term results are not fulfilled here ... and we know it.

It’s time to put OUR healing back in OUR hands.

Time to start calving out space to truly feel into our body, observe the thinking mind, give room to be real in what we are feeling.

It is possible for us to get well and find balance.

First, we must become aware of what’s preventing us from getting there; second, we must make committed, conscious choices that reflect the life we want to create.

If what you are doing isn’t working and you need support, I’m here.

I have been working closely with clients, teaching them about the Vagus Nerve and how to regulate our nervous system from sympathetic (fight/flight) into parasympathetic (rest/digest).

By developing our awareness and tuning into our bodies, we can approach distress, anxiety and overwhelm from a centred place.

Always know your body and the internal network available, no matter what is happening outside of you.

My intention is to teach you how to become conscious of your ability to heal yourself.

The Vagus Nerve is a teacher.

You are the medicine.

Alignment ...

Described as something arranged in a straight line or correct position.

During yin yoga, we were encouraged to understand that although the postures were relatively “easy”, that the alignment we were seeking wasn’t necessarily required from the shape we created and how it “looked” …

But from feeling it within the body and knowing it through a “felt” sense that it was the correct position for us individually, at that moment.

It dawned on me that most of what I have been trying to create that is in “alignment” with my life, was mainly based on how I perceived it to be, how I wanted it to look, how organised, tidy, and structured I desired to see it …

I haven’t been practicing what it means to “feel” aligned.

Feeling our experiences brings us straight into presence, into the now.

The more we meet ourselves here, the deeper our practice becomes.

I encourage you to develop awareness regarding what alignment not only looks like, but what it would feel like.

What would it FEEL like in your body, nervous system, and mind to create a life that is in full alignment?

Pause.

The poison is the medicine.

When life doesn’t cooperate, and the world seems to be moving quickly, our bodies and nervous systems struggle to keep up.

How do we navigate the unpleasant emotions, triggers, and shame in a way that really serves awakening?

There are two basic ways that meditation helps:

1: Intentionally cultivate wholesome emotions; do practices that help us develop loving kindness, generosity, and gratitude.

2: Bring mindfulness and compassion to the difficult more primitive emotions.

All emotions are here to move us, they are life energy that is wanting to protect and promote life.

They are all expressions of life loving life.

When we take a moment to pause, we sense that powerful life energy loving life, wanting to protect it.

When dense energies arise, they can take over, the whole sense of who we are becomes identified with the emotion; we become small.

When we have fear thoughts, that feed the fear feeling, it becomes a circling energy that is getting caught in the body.

We become the scared self.

How do we relate to the primitive energies that we all get possessed by, to help untangle them?

We transform when we begin to nourish these parts with wise attention.

This is where the poison becomes the medicine.

“The cure for the pain is in the pain” – Rumi.

These teachings by have guided me to lean in when negative or low vibrational emotions arise.

E-motion = energy in motion, simply moving through us.

The less we bind to them as being wrong, the more space we allow them too simply be.

We free ourselves from suffering.

Can you pause?

Can you be with what is?

Photography:

Remember where your wish for freedom comes from.

Remember the ones who came before you, the ones who will come after.

Remember what they couldn’t fight for, for the words they couldn’t say.

Remember the dreams they once had, for themselves, for their children, their community, for you.

Remember the sacrifice they had to pay again and again so that you and I can be here now, speaking openly, from the heart that pumps within.

Remember your ancestors, your lineage, feel it in your blood, body, and bones.

Remember them and what they couldn’t reach, what they couldn’t attain, what they weren’t allowed to believe in.

Remember this each time you stand for something that’s outside the box, that doesn’t seem to fit, that goes against logic.

Remember that your wish for freedom goes way back, beyond where you stand.

Remember this each time you are faced with adversity, judgement or shame.

Remember that you are not alone.

Remember they are with you.

Remember where your wish for freedom comes from.


Photography:

The drum is as old as humanity.

Echoing the heartbeat of the Earth, the drum enhances our ability to connect with the natural rhythm and cycles of life.

The Earth vibrates at a frequency of 7.8 – 12 cycles per second; the drum has a frequency of 7-14 cycles per second.

When we connect to rhythm of the drumbeat, we align ourselves with the Earth’s vibration.

In shamanic traditions, the drum is used as medicine to call in spirits, ancestors, and guides.

Drumming is used to guide healing, strengthens the immune system, and synchronises both hemispheres of the brain when used with intentional beat patterns, resulting in more balance and clarity.

Using the drum during labour of childbirth offers support during contractions, the vibration helps to dissipate the intensity of pain and supports mothers with focus, empowering them to access altered states of consciousness.

We were encouraged to explore our own birth story, and notice where our experience during birthing our drum reflected this.

It was hard, I was met against myself, all shadow aspects within me creeped in, and I had to breathe through it and keep moving forward.

The forward motion was guided by the Kangaroo hide I worked humbly alongside.
I connected to the spirit of this animal, asking it for guidance and support each time I wanted to give up, and boy did he show up for me.

Kangaroo medicine reminds us that we can only move forward, not backwards.
The energy of the Kangaroo reminds us to remain centred and focused, leaping into the unknown without fear, with strength, stamina and power needed to keep moving forward.

I give thanks and honour the spirit of the Kangaroo, our native animal and one of which I haven’t connected to until now, I felt you alongside me the whole way.

To the sisters and teachers who shared this experience with me, thank you.
I see you; I hear you; I honour you.

This experience is up there as one of the best moments of my life, to my beautiful tribe of siblings, thank you for gifting me the opportunity, you are each woven into my drum and heart.

The term ritual is defined as something that is characteristic of a rite, practice or observation, a ceremony that consists of a series of actions particular to a religion or spiritual belief.

Rituals, however, occur often within our everyday lives.

We form rituals based on our values, accessing ritual helps us to live out our values in a practical way.

Our world is moving fast, it is becoming more stimulating and distracting.

We find ourselves drifting off too far into an unknown future or lingering in memories of the past.

Living in the mind this way takes us further away from the now.

When we practice ritual, we are encouraged to be with the present moment, our focus and attention is with the experience fully.

Rituals have the power to ground and stabilize us, they are here to enhance our concentration and purpose.

Practicing ritual each day, even for a short time, increases self-awareness, connection, and creativity.

Showing up in this space can provide a sense of security and belonging, can ease the weight of grief or depression, and may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and distress.

What rituals are you accessing each day?

I’d love to hear, share below …

⬇️⬇️⬇️

Earlier, I was sitting in my morning practice, chanting the Reiki symbol Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, representing the origin or existence of all correct thought.

“I am correct consciousness, the Buddha in me reaches out to the Buddha in you. Past, present, future are one
- Right mindfulness”

As I recited the symbol over and over, I felt the vibration move within embodying the symbol, I slowly tapered off into silence and stillness, witnessing my body, mind, and emotions.

My awareness drifted off to parts of our country I am yet to travel, I could see myself on many adventures, Tassie, Uluru, Byron … living the van life, exploring, and opening myself up to new land, new experiences.

As this happened, I was welcomed with a warm, happy, and excited feeling throughout my entire being, the smile on my face was beaming, the desire to explore ignited a fire in me that I didn’t know was there.

Suddenly, without force ... my consciousness pulled me gently back to the present moment, back to where I was sitting, back to the land I was present.

In this moment I was encouraged to hold onto those feelings of warmth, happiness, and excitement, and to channel them towards my current experience.

I settled into this awareness, the smile on my face still beaming, my body and mind were settled, and my heart fell into gratitude for where I was, for where I am.

Bringing ourselves back to the present moment, whilst holding onto gratitude guides us to practice right mindfulness.

Right mindfulness is about making sure our mind doesn’t get caried away by labelling things, as we channel this energy, we are able to stop getting distracted by dualistic thinking.

We cultivate acceptance, and through this enhance our ability to be exactly where we are without the desire to escape.

What is found here, in this place ... is peace.

Permission.

You have permission to inhabit your own life.
To say no.
To say yes.
To inhabit your own knowing,
Your own body,
And all you allow or do not allow
within it.

To love who you love.
To feel.
To inhabit anger,
contentment,
joy. And heavy sorrow.
To be full of strength,
and to know weakness.

Permission to stand for something. Or to walk away.
To find rest. To tell your story.
To give or take what is yours,
And to never explain why you leave -
Or why you stay.

You have permission, grand permission,
to have a voice. And to use it.
And to let others have theirs too.
To add your voice to the Grand Mosaic,
Your brilliant tile to humanity,
and not be silenced.

You have permission to tell the truth
and to let others tell theirs. Or to be in quiet.
To choose to engage in the old wars
To win the game. To lose it,
or to stand firm.
- Or to find something higher.

To know. When not to listen,
Or when to be cracked open.
To let the silver spores of being, infuse your life.
Or to watch your tender soul unfurl,
and come to flower.

You have permission to be Wild. So wild
To live in, under, to live “through”.
To experience belief. And what it is to follow.

To Lead,
Or to gather all you own, your whole being, if need be,
and take up your sacred path.
You have permission to live in your full truth today,
Even if it that truth is gone, tomorrow.

To be reborn.
Stunned like a babe, gasping from the womb,
only to find rest in the warmth and soft breast of new knowing.

You have permission to follow the call of your soul -
Even if it doesn't make sense.
Even if it is inconvenient.
Even if it only forms more questions -
Even if it only brings you freedom,
Or a heavy burden.
For you are not a herd beast.

You are a Being of Light,
Individuating your way out of the sleeping tribe.

You are an archangel, exalted to human,
Spreading the great arms of your wings
into Life.

You are a Boat Builder,
A Clock Maker,
A Worker at the Compass.
Full of beauty. Complexity,
and magnificent contradiction.

You, my dear, are a Singer of the Soul.

Never,

Ever,

ask for permission.

~Rachel Alana (R.A Falconer) Midwives of the Soul.

“Everything can be done if you’ve got your heart in it … just take baby steps.”

- My mother’s words.

She is right.

There will be moments in your life where you notice just how far you’ve come, how much work you have put in.

This work will be reflected in your environments, relationships and opportunities.

You will notice your growth.

All those times where you thought you couldn’t, that it wasn’t possible, that you weren’t brave or worthy enough slowly dissipate.

And you will meet yourself in this space.

You will feel it inside.

Your beliefs start to recalibrate, your nervous system begins to trust.

You begin to open.

Be at the heart of it all, and just watch as the world opens up for you.

… and always listen to your mumma, she knows, love you .panetta.90 ♥️

And a man sat alone,

Drenched deep in sadness.

And all the animals drew near him and said:

“We do not like to see you so sad …

“Ask us for whatever you wish, and you shall have it.”

The man said:
“I want to have good sight”

The vulture replied: “you shall have mine.”

The main said:
“I want to be strong.”

The jaguar said: “you shall be strong like me.”

Then the man said:
“I long to know the secrets of the earth.”

The serpent replied: “I will show them to you.”

And so, it went with all the animals.

And when the Man had all the gifts that they could give …

…. He left.

Then the owl said to the other animals: “Now the man knows much, he’ll be able to do many things …

Suddenly, I am afraid.”

The deer said: “the man has all he needs.

Now his sadness will stop.”

But the owl replied: “No.”

“I saw a hole in the man …

“Deep like a hunger he will never fill … it is what makes him sad and what makes him want.”

“He will go on taking and taking ….

“Until one day the world will say ….

“I am no more, and I have nothing left to give.”

🍂

We must not demand or take in order to fill the hunger that is within.

We must lean inwards, prepared to do deep work, if we are to find balance and harmony here on Earth, we must begin by finding balance and harmony from within.

- this is a piece I shared from one of my favourite movies Apocalypto.

A story about the Mayan kingdom at the height of its opulence and power but the foundations of the empire are beginning to crumble. The leaders believe they must build more temples and sacrifice more people or their crops and citizens will die.

Reflections of mine.

Re-emergence 🦋

I have a generous inner world.

Sensitivity and vulnerability walk alongside me in an ever changing, harsh reality.

My mind racing to far forward, my emotions struggling to catch up.

Is what I feel even mine?

Leaning back into empathy, deeper towards compassion.

I find myself slipping away, back into the dark cracks of my inner landscape.

Further down I go, seeking peace and quiet, solitude and silence.

I like it back here, I trust it.

However, I am lonely.

Addicted to this feeling of disassociation, causing me to withdraw, pushing away all the joy and possibility that still exists.

Gentle now, don’t get stuck here … rest whilst you must.

But know, there will come a time for you to get back up, to shine once more.

To share the secrets behind your smile with the rest of the world.

A gentle reminder that you have full permission to stop, to take time, to rest and reset, this is sometimes all we need, it’s the best medicine.

If you feel out of balance, listen.

Spend time in nature.

Get outside and breathe.

Feel the sun on your skin.

Do nothing …

I’ve noticed myself feeling a little off balance lately.

As the cooler months draw closer, I have become aware of a deep desire to go inwards, reset and regroup.

My energy has been feeling stretched and overstimulated, so I will be taking a step away from social media and technology, for how long I am not sure.

My body is calling for rest, my mind is calling for stillness and my intention for this time is to come back to my centre, so that I can be of full service to others.

It has taken me some time to prioritise rest, I now understand how important and valuable it is, so that we can function and flourish at our best.

I will be taking appointments again from the 6th of June, for all booking enquiries please head to the link in my bio, for all other inquiries my email address is listed below.

💌 [email protected]

The importance of ceremony.

No matter which religion, culture, or ethnicity you belong to, ceremony and rituals have been accompanying us through the ages.

They mark life’s essential moments, reflect, and strengthen our beliefs, hopes, faith, traditions, culture, and spirituality.

The art of ceremony and ritual can show us we belong, united together through a practice that reminds us that we are governed by something larger than ourselves.

Gathering in ceremony motivates us, stimulates our emotions, prompts memories, and guides us to develop further self-enquiry and awareness.

The positive effects of ceremonial practice are universal, with the intention to emotionally embed and imprint the event into the memory of those who gather.

Ceremony and rituals that are intentionally thought out and conducted lovingly can provide a gateway for people involved to progress from one phase of their life to another.

Our survival is dependent upon water, food, love, and shelter; we also need ceremonies and rituals to survive, as they cultivate a sense of belonging, this need is deeply embedded in our DNA and is critical for survival.

The art of ceremony and ritual reminds us of something greater than we are able to perceive, creating an awe of universal laws, strengthening our desire to understand paradigms of devotion, unity, connection, and oneness, providing a gateway that helps us connect to the divine.

We therefore need ceremony and ritual to help enhance our quality of life, it is here as we connect deeply, that we can receive intuitive guidance, an intrinsic strength that is within each of us, guiding us with sense and direction as we navigate our way through our human experience.

Ceremony and ritual are here to support us, when we calve out time to arrive, we are provided with an endless opportunity to enhance our quality of life and state of being.

For those who are feeling called to experience more ceremony and ritual in your day-to-day life, but feel unsure of where to start drop a ✨ below ….