Looking back at August, having spent the past month high up in the Andes mountains, immersing in a mystical yoga teacher training, it has been nothing but magical!
On my way back to Norway – where I’ll be Oslo bound until mid October – I spent a couple of days at the Texas coast, museum hopping and eating delicious food with my boyfriend in beautiful Houston.
I know that I am very lucky to be spending most of my days someplace sunny by the sea, but after a month up in the mountains, I do really miss the sun, the sand, the sea and the surf. However beautiful and magical the mountains may be, I feel a bit claustrophobic staying away from the ocean for too long. And I don’t really like to wear shoes… But with the fall quickly sneaking up on us here in Norway, I guess the barefoot life will have to wait for a couple of months. Oh well…
WANDERLUST : PERU
After having spent the past month high up in the Andes mountains, immersing in a mystical yoga teacher training with school yoga institute, I believe it’s impossible for anyone to spend time up there and not be affected by the powerful energies of the Sacred Valley. The Andes mountains are pure magic.
So I would teach myself to live in constant uncertainty, moment by moment, step by step. I would live as if I were dead already. With nothing to lose, nothing could surprise me, nothing could stop me from fighting; my fears would not block me from following my instincts, and no risk would be too great (…) My duty is to fill my time on earth with as much life as possible, to become a little more human every day, and to understand that we only become human when we love ~ Miracle in The Andes
And not only is Peru is beautiful, the people are open and friendly and the food is good too! Since I was immersed in a teacher training, most of the time was spent at Sacha Munay retreat and yoga center. The pictures on their website does not do it justice, and their food is amazing, so I would definitely recommend to go! Sign up for one of their yoga retreats or go there too hike and explore the majestic mountains surrounding Sacha Munay, on your own!
If your are in the Pisac area and you are interested plant-medicine, seek out Salva for ayahuaska and/or her mother Doreese for San Pedro/Wachuma. I belive that the plant medicines should be highly respected, and, therefore, who leads the ceremonies are of the outermost importance (and I cannot stress this enough), amd these two women are true gems when it comes to ceremonies and plant medicine.
Salva is simply the most wonderful and beautiful ayahuscara (a female ayahuasca ceremony leader), who has been making ayahuasca and leading ceremonies since she was only 12 – 13 years old, growing up in the Amazon jungle. She has such a powerful energy, is an amazing space holder, and her voice is so beautiful and pure as she sings the medicine songs of the jungle, guiding you with a steady hand through the night, and all the layers of the medicine. So if ayahuasca is on your bucket list, I simply cannot recommend this woman enough ♡
Her mother Doreese is no less powerful. She starts every san pedro ceremony with a cocoa-leaf reading to determine how much of the medicine you can take, and she never gets it wrong. You can also see Doreese for a coca-leaf reading, and I haven’t met one person who doesn’t say she is extremely precise in her readings!
These wonderful women don’t have any website as I know of, but if you contact Sacha Munay, they will be happy to provide their contact information!
Outside of Sacha Munay, I visited Pisac and Cusco. Pisac is a small “shamanic-hipster town” with lots of spiritual shops, events and yummy organic food, located about 3000 meters above sea level. Even though you will arrive in Cusco (if you arrive by air), Pisac is a nice place to start out when you arrive in the Andes, as it is easier to get used to the altitude here. After some days in lower altitude, it will be easier to travel to Cusco (3400masl) later on.
If Machu Piccu (2200 masl) is on your to do list, it is located even lower, so this could potentially be a good place to start. There are a number of ways to get to this sacred site, including catching a train or trekking on one of the alternative trails to Aguas Calientes – the town in the valley below Machu Picchu, but the most popular one is by far to hike the impressive Inca Trail to Machu Piccu, rated by many to be amongst the top 5 treks in the world! Check out The Only Peru Guide’s essential tips to Machu Piccu.
If you love to hike, and you want to challenge yourself a bit, trekking to the peak of the less known Rainbow Mountain/Vinicunca (5,200masl) is a “must do” if your health allows it. The most popular route to see Rainbow Mountain is a 6-day hike called the Ausangate trek, Even though the Rainbow Mountain may not be as popular as the Inca Trail, the absolutely stunning Ausangate trek taking you through the wildest and rarely visited areas in Peru and all the way to the top of this this holy mountain, is a “must see”. And, unlike the Inca Trail, no permit is needed for this adventure, so you just need to pack your bags and go!
FAVORITES from AUGUST MONTH
Kombucha! I am a self proclaimed kombucha addict and my favorite this summer has been GT’s organic kombucha – Gingerberry.
Alberto Villoldo PhD. This medical anthropologist, neurologist, psychologist and practicing shaman is one of my favorite authors and teachers., and I cannot recommend his books enough – my favorites being One Spirit Medicine and The Four Insights. Both life-changing books!
I’m also super exited to do his 300h intensive with The Four Winds – the worlds most renown school of energy medicine – in Chile this November, diving deeper into the world of healing!
Spanish! I’m learning Spanish at the moment, and Duolingo has become my best friend. They claim it’s both fun and addictive and I agree. And the best part – it’s free! Also, traveling a lot in central and south America, Penguin’s little Spanish Phrase Book has also become a favorite of mine. It’s small enough to bring on your travels, and hold all the phrases you need to get around. Get your own copy here!
Traveling! And this summer it has been a lot of that. I’ve been to Virginia – Corpus Christie,TX, – Mexico – Port Lavaca, TX – Peru – Houston, TX and then back to Norway again. Puh! I cant wait to slow down a bit, and spend more time in one place. That being said, for those who love to be on the move, Ryan Shauers’ book Big Travel, Small Budget: How to Travel More, Spend Less, and See the World is a ‘must have’!
As Ryan says; “To experience the freedom of long-term travel you need to either have a lot of money in your bank account or you have to cut corners and travel uncomfortably to stick to a budget” – so what are you waiting for? Pick up this book, your bags and go!
ASTROLOGY : VIRGO SEASON
It’s Written in the Stars
It’s VIRGO season! “August 22 marks the end of the Sun’s four-week tour of razzle-dazzle Leo, as it shifts to by-the-books Virgo until September 22. Tune into the practical magic of the zodiac wheel with a Virgo season meditation to help you stay calm during this mentally active and anxious time…” Read the Astro Twins full astro-insight for Virgo season here.
Also, be sure to check out the above mentioned awesome twins monthly horoscope. Read your September horoscope here!
Autumn Equinox!
September is the month of the autumnal equinox. The equinoxes (spring/fall) are powerful times, not to be missed. Check out what Chani Nicholas – one of my all time favorite astrologers – has to say about the powerful autumn equinox here!
Yoga for Virgo Season
It’s the season of the dedicated, helpful and hardworking Virgo – Bring out your planner and schedule all those yoga classes into your calendar – it’s time to get organized! Virgo is connected to our lower abdomen and intestines, and yoga poses for all during Virgo season includes… read more
The Zodiac and the Tarot
One of the main reasons I created Magic is something you make, was to connect all the dots of how everything is interlinked, for you to mix and mach what resonates with you. Like astrology and the tarot deck. The tarot card connected to Virgo season is IX THE HERMIT so why not take some time to dive into the energy of this powerful tarot card while the sun visits Virgo until September 22nd.
Moon Magic
Did you miss out on my New Moon + Solar Eclipse write-up this month!? This was a powerful one, so why not have a quick look back at the past month and the lunar influences of the intense eclipse and Leo New Moon. Maybe it’ll give you some clarity around certain incidences that happened around those times.
Mantra of the month
“I trust. I surrender. I let go.”
YOGA : TEACHING
From mid August to mid October I will be back in Oslo, teaching at my studio Leela Yoga. I’d love to see you on the yoga mat, so please come check out one or more!) of my five weekly classes.
Tuesdays:
Heart Opener – 18.15 – 19.15
Yin + Yoga Nidra – 19.30 – 20.45
Fridays:
Core flow – 13.30 – 14.30
Yin – 16.00 – 17.00
Vinyasa – 17.15 – 18.15
New Moon + Full Moon Flows
This fall I will in addition teach two New Moon and two Full Moon Yogastrology® flows – don’t miss out!
September 6th – Full Moon in Pisces : Water : Feelings
September 20th – New Moon in Virgo : Earth : Body
October 5th – Full Moon in Aries : Fire: Spirituality
YOGA : WORKSHOP
Workshop: Get Grounded
What: 2h Slow Flow, Yin + Yoga Nidra workshop – get ready to get grounded!
Where: Leela Yoga
When: Sunday, October 1st, 6pm – 8pm
Price: 300,- non Leela members, 250,- Leela members
YOGA : TEACHER TRAINING
Yogastrology® Initiation Training : Mandala of Wholeness
Whether you are a yoga teacher wanting to learn how to apply Yogastrology® to your classes and workshops, or simply curious and wish to deepen your knowledge of the yoga + astrology correlations, the Yogastrology® Initiation Training is for you!
In the Yogastrology® Initiation Training you will learn…
- …more about yourself and your sun sign, connecting astrology to the divinity that is your body.
- …how to connect yoga + astrology, building bridges between the ancient sister systems.
- …how to embody the four elements / Fire / Air / Water / Earth, transforming your everyday wellness into a personal healing ritual.
- …powerful intention settings, and healing ways to work with journaling throughout the seasons.
- …how to create simple rituals in sync with the natural rhythms of the sun + moon.
- …how to put it all together to lead gatherings/workshops/women’s circles, or simply for your own personal spiritual practice.
- And much more!
YOGA : RETREATS
Next year’s Yoga Retreat will be held in magical Tulum, Mexico. Stay tuned for more information!
Get ready to ignite your own inner magic!
WISHING YOU AN amazing FALL!
