Recently I had my first go on a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) when my best mates husband brought his to town; story here. The following day at Scarness when SUPING he was approached by Enzo who was inquisitive about the boards and bringing them to the bay.

Well, when having a coffee this afternoon at Enzo’s on the Beach Cafe what did a spot but a SUP!!!!!!

How exciting!
I spoke to Enzo to find out the go and to hire one is $40 for an hour or I think $50 an hour if you require a lesson.

To buy a OXBOW SUP brand new from Enzo you would be looking at:
10’6 foot SUP $1,495
Carbon Paddle (light) $395 or Aluminium Paddle (adjustable height) $195
Pads (No slip rubber) $295 

I know what I will be doing this weekend!!! 

Call Enzo today for more info: 07 4124 6375

Yesterday it was off to destination unknown with our local Hervey Bay Beachfit Trainers & Commando! We left by bus at 7am and were home just before 4pm. 

Our first destination being Mt Walsh at Biggenden which we climbed taking 01:16mins to complete. It was extremely steep, slippery and quite scary in some places and you could certainly feel the burn in your calves on the way up and quads on the way down! 

Rangers Warning; only experienced walkers should attempt the 2·5 hour hike to the summit of Mt Walsh. 

Next we were dropped at a gate near Lenthalls Dam and instructed to run to the Boat Ramp. This turned out being over 5km on a dirt road in the very hot sun! We then had to blow up our inflatable kayaks and do 6 laps per team around the lilly pads in the middle of the dam. On completion we undertook an orientation course with several amusing tasks including, swinging out over a river, making a balloon doll, jogging with our legs tied together. All tasks had to be photographed to prove we had completed what was required. This took us 01:46mins. 

By the time we had our delicious healthy lunch we were thoroughly exhausted! 

The team I was in team WON in the end by ONE point! 96 to 95 …. What an extremely well planned course to achieve such a close result! 

I thoroughly enjoyed a low carb beer on the way home thanks to Emma! What an AWESOME day, can’t wait for the next one!

As I love learning new things last week I went to see a kinesiologist due to the recommendation from a best friend; not really know much about the practice of Kinesiology at all.

It was explained that kinesiology is a way of identifying imbalances in the body including buried or suppressed issues and releases the emotion attached to a memory.
We don’t forget past issues but realise the emotions of attachment so we can objectively recognise the lesson without distortion.

After reading the energy coming from my body she explained I had disconnected from my earth node (crikey!) and then rectified this for me.

She explained an issue out of my control that had caused me pain over the past few years had also happened in a past life making the process of putting it behind me far harder than usual.

I explained I felt sorry for the people who cause me hurt and she explained this is Sympathy;

‘Sympathy – harmony of or agreement in feeling, as between persons or on the part of one person with respect to another.’ 

This is not appropriate as there is no harmony or respect from the other persons. It also stimulates a poor me attitude, allowing those persons to still have control. I should instead look upon the situation with Empathy;

‘Empathy – Identification with and understanding of another’s situation, feelings, and motives.’  

I can forgive the people as they are deluded, I will not forget but I have moved on, it is in the past. My mind will continue to remain empowered to stand in my own strength. Therefore I can clearly see the situations as they are and am appreciative for the opportunity these people have given me to learn more about myself plus the development of new life changing knowledge and skills. They have taught me about the sort of person I don’t want to be.

Now when I think of people or thoughts that used to instantly make me angry my mind does not change from its calm level and my emotion remains the same. This I feel is new, excellent and very exciting!

An interesting saying I once read, goes something like this….. “Imagine if everyone threw their problems into a hat, would you pick a new one out or prefer to keep your own!!!”

I felt extremely relaxed and tingling sensations as I felt the energy moving within my body as we worked on healing the different energies and issues that arise on their own. I felt light as a feather afterwards! What a wonderful practice to experience, extremely interesting and I learnt so much! May have to go again for the fun of it!

Activity 4 (Sunday) 

Mt Coolum

Mount Coolum is an isolated volcanic dome, 208 metres in height, roughly circular in outline, covering a plan area of approximately 1 square kilometre. Geologically, it is principally composed of sodium and potassium rich rhyolite with some sandstone surrounds. Potassium-argon dating gives and age of between 25 and 26 million years. One of the most notable features of the mountain geology is the striking columnar / crystal jointing patterns clearly visible both on the main cliffs and the faces of the disused quarry….. click here to learn more.

Activity 3 (Saturday)

Chenrezig Institute is a centre for Buddhist study, meditation, retreat, and practice nestled in the foothills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia.

Established in 1974 Chenrezig Institute was the first Tibetan Buddhist centre in the Western World and remains one of the largest.

Today, the Institute is home to a Tibetan Geshe (Lama), a large community of ordained Sangha (nuns and monks), students, residents, volunteers, retreatants, and guests. 

Apart from the formal study programmes, Chenrezig Institute is a peaceful, calm and relaxing place to spend a few hours, days or weeks. Stroll along the bush paths, wander in the formal garden, sip espresso in the café, have a vegetarian meal, drop in for a meditation class or teaching, or just sit and listen to life.

CI’s mission is to transmit the Tibetan Buddhist tradition as the path to ultimate happiness and freedom from suffering.

Activity 2 (Saturday)

I ran a PB time of 01:01:01, I’m still yet to crack the hour. Unfortunately I found the km signs along the track confusing for the 10km and half marathon and I was about 7mins off track for some reason…. if I had of realised I was really only one minute off cracking the hour not 7 I could have pushed harder; very disappointing, oh well next time!

I kept to tradition and enjoyed a huge bacon, eggs & coffee after my run followed by some W’SUP (Satand Up Paddle Boarding) in Twin Waters Canel.

On Thursday I went to Twin Waters, with a few casual clothes with the intent of running 10km in the Mooloolaba Half Marathon…. this is what I ended up doing!

Activity 1 (Friday)

The charity function was awesome; I even had my photo taken with Mark Beretta from Sunrise (Channel 7) who was our host at the event.

 This has been a year of big changes for me (Choeying)  personally as well as the Meditation Room which has now been formally named The Oddiyana Dharma Sanctuary.

Change is usually difficult for most people.  I was fortunate (or unfortunate as some may see it) enough to grow up in a family where things were constantly changing around me….. please click here to read more.

This morning I went to Burrum Heads and survived my first attempt at using a Stand Up Paddle board (SUP) which seems to be the latest rage at Maroocydore. The technique had been around since the 1960’s and benefits the user with a strong core workout. I also felt my legs muscles being used while keeping my balance. A new Stand Up Paddle board costs $2,000 +……

Stand up paddle surfing (SUP), or in the Hawaiian language Hoe he’e nalu, is an emerging global sport with a Hawaiian heritage. It can be traced back to the early days of Polynesia. The sport is an ancient form of surfing, and began as a way for surfing instructors to manage their large groups of learner surfers, as standing on the board gave them a higher viewpoint, increasing visibility of what was going on around them – such as incoming swell….. click here to learn more.

This is the name our teacher gave to the Calm Abiding Meditation Course | Retreat I have just completed on Sunday taught by Choeying a very wise Buddhist nun who has studied Buddhism for 20+ years. By the end of the course it sure felt like Bootcamp, I was physically and mentally exhausted! 

What I was I looking for in deciding to learn meditation?

I guess less anger and stress plus more knowledge and skills to become a better person. 

What did I learn? Where does one start!!!!

1. Well the same principles as any Bootcamp apply – No Pain No Gain!
2. We all consist of 2 things; our mind and body.
3. The course is about ‘Letting go”
4. We are all deluded!!!
5. Let your thoughts come in, be with it, let it go!
6. Nothing will bring you happiness if you don’t fix your mind.
7. Our mind determines whether our life is good or bad.
8. Alertness & mindfulness are the 2 things we want as a meditator.
9. Our enemy is our teacher; they have a message for us. They are our mirror what do we need to learn?
10.  The better your posture the better your meditation.
11. Don’t avoid pain, understand why it is there, then let it go.
12. Pain is temporary.
13. See pain as your teacher.
14. The pain in our body during meditation is years of blocked emotion that needs to be released.
15. Everything is impermanent.
16. A lifelong tool and skill to handle any situation.
17. You really have to come along to experience it, it is so deep.

Choeying has taught extensively in many parts of the world and has now started her own Sanctuary on the Fraser Coast. We are very blessed to have the opportunity to learn from her. This was officially the first Calm Abiding Meditation Course taught at The Oddiyana Dharma Sanctuary and a huge honour to be a part of such an enlightening experience.

Are you seeking a challenge | life altering experience, plus the tools | skills to control your mind and the opportunity to meet likeminded people? Then please contact Choeying for information on the next course 07 4124 5530 or choeying.dolma@gmail.com

Quote of the course from Peter’s homework diary; “Why am I listening to this woman who believes she is going to come back in another life and be able to fly!”

This morning for the completion of month 5 of Bootcamp I had to perform a Beep Test! At the start of the month my result was 6.4, my fitness level this month has improved to the extent today’s result was 8.1! What an awesome result! I could now pass the fitness entry-level required to enter our Army. 

Shuttle Run

Aim: The shuttle run is a 20 metre multi-stage fitness assessment designed to measure the aerobic component of physical fitness.

 Once the CD is started ….. the disc will beep at regular intervals. In time with the regular beeps you must be at the opposite 20 metre line by the time the first beep sounds. Upon reaching the line you place one foot on or over the line. If you reach the line prior to the beep sounding you are to wait until the next beep sounds before commencing the next shuttle.

You are to run for as long as possible, until you can no longer keep up with the speed of the beep cadences. If you are unable to maintain the speed required on two consecutive beeps you will be withdrawn from the assessment. 

[Images & info via Australian Recruit Training Centre]