Who am I?

Ten years ago I was sat on the top of the hill in my Ashram, surrounded by the serene beauty of nature, lost in deep meditation. Suddenly, tears streamed down my face as I was struck by a bolt of truth – everything I thought I knew about myself was a lie. For years, I had lived with a false identity, trying to fit into the world’s expectations, but now, in that stillness, I finally saw through the illusion. It was like being reborn, with a newfound clarity that cut through all the noise and distractions of life. I was free, finally free, to be who I truly was. And from that moment on, my perception of life was forever changed.

I realised that I devoured knowledge, thinking that maybe, just maybe, it held the key to the universe’s secrets. I earned not one, but two master’s, collected diplomas like trophies, and even learned three languages along the way. But for all my learning, I remained lost, trapped in a maze of facts and figures that left me feeling more suffocated than ever. And I realised – I wasn’t searching for knowledge, I was searching for wisdom.

I’ve been a restless traveller for as long as I can remember, chasing after the next adventure. I’ve seen sights that would make my heart sing, met wonderful people who touched me and had moments of pure, unbridled joy that left me dizzy with wonder. But no matter how incredible those moments were, they never seemed to stick around for long.

I tried to achieve different states of consciousness by using external forces. I got completely lost for a while. But everything was only temporary.

Love, or what I thought was love, became an addiction for me. I jumped in and out of relationships, both healthy and toxic, hoping that each one would finally be the missing piece of the puzzle that would make me happy. But time after time, I was left feeling hollow and unfulfilled. And that’s when I understood – the only person who could truly make me happy was me.

Sitting atop that hill, with hot cheeks and the taste of tears on my lips, I asked myself a question once more:

Who am I?

#yoga #creweyoga #yogacheshire #relaxation #mindfulness #mindbreak #yogaforstressrelief #whoami #orangelotusyoga #annasmithers

Love Yourself First

From my experience how we love people is based on how we love ourselves. And also our perception of the world around us. Because if we don’t love and accept who we are, how can we love others?

Loving yourself is all about feeling good about who you are, inside and out. It’s a process. Here are a few steps to help you get started:
1. Embrace your unique qualities! Nobody’s perfect, and that’s okay! Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, celebrate what makes you special.

2. Take care of yourself! Eating well, getting enough sleep, and doing things that make you happy are all important for feeling good about yourself.

3. Surround yourself with positivity! Being around people who support you and lift you up will help you feel better about yourself.

4. Be confident! If you feel like someone isn’t treating you right, speak up! And don’t be afraid to say “no” if you need some time for yourself.

5. Talk to yourself like a friend! Be kind to yourself and avoid negative self-talk. Instead, try to be positive and encouraging!

6. Follow your dreams! Doing things you’re passionate about and setting achievable goals can help you feel more confident and fulfilled.

7. Use affirmations – positive statements. You can write them down every day. If you are an auditory learner, you can record your affirmations and listen to them. You may prefer to sing it, paint it, or write it on a piece of paper to keep in your pocket. It’s about you and nobody else, so record your affirmation in a way which feels good for you. But do take a moment to revisit them – one idea is to stand in front of your mirror and repeat them out loud. You can do it from three different perspectives or use your name instead for example:
I love and accept myself.
You love and accept yourself.
She/He loves and accepts himself/herself.

 
Remember, loving yourself takes time and effort. Be patient and don’t give up!

Stop waiting …

Very often in my life when I found myself in a difficult situation I waited for something to happen, someone to save me from it, instead of facing it. Life has a way of pulling our attention into the future, enticing us with the allure of “someday.” We often tell ourselves that things will change, that happiness will come, that life will truly begin—on Monday, next month, or at the start of a new year. We wait for the perfect conditions, for someone to save us, for the right circumstances to align. But what if that “someday” never comes?

Yoga teaches us that life is not a distant horizon but the ground beneath our feet, the breath we take, the moment we live right now. Living in the present moment is not just a practice; it is a powerful realisation that waiting holds us back from experiencing the fullness of life.

Stop Waiting for the Right Time

“I’ll start on Monday.” “Next year will be my year.” How often do we delay our actions to some arbitrary point in the future? We postpone joy, growth, and change as if the perfect time is a tangible thing waiting just around the corner. But life does not pause while we wait. The right time is not coming because it is already here. Take action now—however imperfect or small—and step into the present moment, because tomorrow may never happen.

Stop Waiting for Someone Else to Save You

When I was young, I had a phase when I read hundreds of romantic stories, and in every single one of them a secret to a happily ever after was to marry a prince. Subconsciously, that’s what I was waiting for, to meet someone who will save me from my problems and take them away. And even though I met a person I love, I understood that the rubbish in my mind is for me to deal with and it’s nobody else’s responsibility.  It’s comforting to think someone might come along to rescue us from our struggles, to provide clarity, or to bring happiness. But the truth is, no one else can live our lives for us. You are your own greatest teacher and healer. Yoga reminds us that all the tools we need to thrive are within us. Trust yourself to be the hero of your own story.

Stop Wanting to Be Somewhere or Someone Else

“If only I were there, then I’d be happy.” “If I could be like them, life would be easier.” These thoughts lead us away from gratitude and self-acceptance. Everything in our lives—the challenges, the triumphs, the mundane—is part of our journey and a lesson waiting to unfold. By resisting the present, we miss the beauty of where we are and who we are becoming.

Embrace the Power of Now

The present moment is all we ever truly have. Yoga teaches us to anchor ourselves in the here and now through breath, movement, and mindfulness. The richness of life exists in the pauses, the sensations, the connection to our own inner being. When we stop waiting, we open ourselves to the freedom of living fully, with awareness and intention.

Start small. Take a deep breath and feel its fullness. Look around and notice the colours, textures, and sounds of your world. Take one step toward the life you envision, not tomorrow but today. Stop waiting for the right moment, the right person, or the right place—they’re already within you.
Life is happening now. Stop waiting. Start living.

OLY on podcast!

This week’s heartfelt episode of “This place Our voices” features Anna Smithers, the founder of Orange Lotus Yoga, a fully qualified British Wheel of Yoga teacher based in Crewe, and the award-winning author behind the beloved Yogi Superhero children’s book series.

Anna reflects on her transformative journey with yoga—from discovering its benefits to building a career that supports others. She opens up about working with children on the autism spectrum and shares deeply personal experiences of navigating IVF and miscarriage, revealing how yoga has been a source of healing and resilience.

Trigger warning – discussion about IVF and miscarriages

Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/…/orange…/id1771951024…

Benefits of meditation

Acceptance: Moving Beyond Likes and Dislikes

One of the profound lessons of meditation is the cultivation of acceptance. In our daily lives, we are often caught in a cycle of pursuing what we like and avoiding what we dislike. This binary approach to life can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction, as we cannot control external circumstances.
Meditation teaches us to observe our thoughts and emotions without judgment, fostering a sense of acceptance. As we sit in stillness, we become aware of our likes and dislikes, our desires and aversions, but we do not act on them. Instead, we acknowledge them and let them pass, like clouds drifting across the sky.


The Present Moment: A Sanctuary of Calm

The essence of meditation is being fully present in the moment. Our minds are often preoccupied with the past or the future, reliving past events or worrying about what is to come. This constant time travel creates a sense of unease and prevents us from experiencing the richness of the present moment. And your life happens here and now, in front of your eyes. Through meditation, we learn to anchor ourselves in the here and now, allowing us to experience the present moment with clarity and calm.
Being present in the moment does not mean we ignore our responsibilities or become indifferent to the future. It means that we approach life with a sense of mindfulness, fully engaging with whatever we do at any given time.
 

Finding peace of mind through meditation is a journey from chaos to calm which I wish all of you.

Finding Peace of Mind Through Meditation: A Journey from Chaos to Calm

When I started to practice yoga, I couldn’t close my eyes even for a few minutes. My thoughts were constantly bombarding me and it felt like my head would explode. But I knew I wanted to try meditation and work with my mind. So I started with 60 seconds. After a couple of weeks I extended it to three minutes, then five, ten and today I can stay in meditation for over an hour. Someone in the class asked me – why do I do it? And my answer always will be – because it transformed my life and allowed me to find peace of mind.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding peace of mind often feels like chasing a mirage in a desert. Our minds are constantly inundated with thoughts, worries, and distractions, making tranquillity elusive. However, meditation offers a pathway to serenity, providing a sanctuary from the relentless turmoil within, and calming the frantic mind. Meditation also fosters acceptance and presence, allowing us to move beyond our likes and dislikes and embrace the present moment fully.
 

In today’s fast-paced world, our minds are perpetually in overdrive. We are bombarded with information from multiple sources, and the constant connectivity through smartphones and social media exacerbates this mental overload. This relentless influx of stimuli keeps our minds in a state of hyperactivity, leading to stress, anxiety, and a sense of being overwhelmed. The frantic nature of our thoughts creates a mental environment where peace of mind is hard to cultivate.


 Meditation serves as an antidote to this mental chaos. At its core, meditation is the practice of focusing the mind on a single point of reference. This can be the breath, a mantra, or even the sensations in the body. By directing our attention to this singular focus, we quiet the cacophony of thoughts and create space for stillness and clarity. And no matter what happens in our mind we focus on the breath, coming back constantly, allowing the thoughts, feelings, and emotions simply to dissolve. Keep coming back to your breath even if it takes a million times. With time the mind will be calmer and quieter. Imagine the mind as a turbulent ocean, with waves of thoughts crashing constantly. Meditation is like finding a calm spot in this stormy sea, allowing us to anchor ourselves and experience the tranquillity beneath the surface. This focused attention helps to tame the frantic mind, reducing the constant chatter and bringing a sense of calm and order.

Opening your heart

The spring is coming. And every morning I watch in my garden daffodils and dandelions opening their heads to the sun. And just like the flowers, I open my heart to the experiences the day might bring me.
But very often in the intricate dance of life, we often find ourselves caught in the turmoil of past traumas and hurtful experiences. To shield ourselves from further pain, we sometimes resort to closing off our hearts, creating a protective barrier that we hope will keep us safe. While this coping mechanism may offer temporary relief, it ultimately reduces our ability to fully experience life and find true healing. Closing our hearts is a natural response to protect ourselves from being hurt again. It’s a defense mechanism triggered by the fear of reliving past pain. However, as we barricade ourselves behind emotional walls, we inadvertently limit our capacity for joy, love, and connection.

One method often recommended for releasing the grip of past hurt is to let go of the past itself. This doesn’t mean forgetting or ignoring what happened but rather acknowledging it and consciously choosing to release its hold on our present and future. One therapeutic technique involves writing a letter to the source of our pain, expressing our feelings, and then ceremoniously burning it, symbolizing the release of its power over us.

Another vital aspect of healing is to practice recognizing and embracing our emotions. Often, we become so entangled in our thoughts and feelings that we forget we are not defined by them. Instead, we are the observers of our experiences. By cultivating mindfulness and self-awareness, we can begin to untangle ourselves from the web of negativity and pain, allowing space for healing to occur. Instead of saying I’m angry and focusing on the anger itself, maybe it’s worth exploring. Asking yourself a question It’s interesting, I’m angry. I wonder what triggered that? When in my past did I feel like that?

Moreover, it’s essential to let go of the desire for things to be different than they are. Resisting unpleasant emotions only amplifies our suffering. Instead, we must learn to accept them as part of the human experience. Just as an orchestra plays a symphony with its highs and lows, so too does the heart produce a range of emotions. By embracing this truth, we can allow the melody of our hearts to flow freely, without judgment or resistance.

By letting go of the past, practising mindfulness, and accepting our emotions, we can begin the journey toward healing and reclaiming the fullness of our hearts. As we release the shackles of past hurt, we open ourselves up to the beauty and richness of life’s experiences, ready to embrace each moment with courage, compassion, and resilience.