What's The Difference Between Self Improvement And Self Growth?

We live in a culture obsessed with becoming better and doing more.

Better bodies, systems, routines - a never-ending project of fixing who we already are.

And, oh my goodness, me too! I have also been a part of this self improvement culture. You only need to take a look at the books on my bookshelf. LOL I’m a lifelong learner and student- curiosity is in my bones, but over the years I too have tried many of the strategies, 6 step frameworks and other ways to try to “improve” myself……..

Tanya Cameron25 November 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreat, self improvement, self growthComment

The Art Of Friendship

“Friends are the family we choose for ourselves”

Friendship was never easy for me when I was younger. Although I longed for genuine connection, it never came easily for me. I think part of the reason was that I was a people pleaser and shape shifted myself in different situations to “fit in”. As a young woman and “party girl” I wasn’t really clear on what my values were. I wanted to belong, to be liked, to be part of the fun. I would never speak up if I disagreed with something. I stayed silent and agreeable to keep the peace……

Tanya Cameron22 November 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreatComment

Rediscovering Our Originality

Everywhere I look I am noticing more and more, the sea of sameness.

Do you notice it too ??

Our originality is being flattened by trends and authenticity has been turned into a marketing strategy. I find myself searching for words and content that feel “lived-in” again - not the scroll of imitation and sameness. Quite frankly, it feels boring, flat and predictable because our words and expression have lost their texture through repetition and overuse.

Our voices and expression are not templates, they are the source of our deepest, lived experience and truths and truth is a living practice…..

Tanya Cameron11 November 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreatComment

Taking Off The Mask And How Dancing Helps

There’s something about midlife that invites a kind of unmasking.

The people-pleasing begins to lose its grip as we stop making so much bloody effort to be likeable.

And slowly, the parts of ourselves that we have kept tucked away begin to stretch and breathe…..

Tanya Cameron11 November 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreatComment

Softening The Mind - How Yoga and Mindfulness Help

In our mindfulness class this week we explored the ways in which we can notice and ease our hard habits of thinking such as perfectionism, judgement, control and comparison that keep us locked in patterns of tension and reactivity.

When we practice softening the mind, we begin to notice when we’ve slipped into autopilot - when our minds and thought begin to loop into over-analysis and we resist and tighten against life.

Here are some of the ways the mind becomes hard - the patterns, defences, and habits that create mental rigidity and inner tension……

Tanya Cameron8 November 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreat, blog, softening the mind, yoga, mindfulnessComment

Lessons From A Spoon

I’ve taken up a new hobby - carving spoons!

My friend Bron, gifted me two beautiful hand carved spoons and I loved them so much, that I asked her if she could teach us her art.

And now I have the “spoon bug”.

A spoon is such an ordinary and humble thing.

It feeds, stirs and serves.

It carries soup to the mouth and honey to the tea……

Tanya Cameron28 October 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreat, lessons from a spoonComment

The Emotional Heat of Menopause - Why We Turn Into Hot Messes🥵 And How Yoga Can Help 🥒

While menopause is a universal experience, our culture rarely honours it as the psycho-spiritual life transition that it is.

Through the lens of yoga, menopause is a period of purification and transformation.

In yoga philosophy, this heat is known as tapas - inner fire of transformation - to burn away what is no longer needed. The emotional intensity that we can experience is the “fire of awakening” doing its work.

Menopause is a call inward……

Tanya Cameron15 October 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreat, menopauseComment

Triggers Are Data: Listening To The Wisdom Of Our Reactions

We use the word triggered to describe a strong emotional reaction - anger, shame, fear, defensiveness. Quite often we avoid or deny or don’t take much notice of these reactions.

What if triggers are information rich signals from our nervous system ?

When we are triggered, it’s like a flashing neon sign saying “Pay attention - something important is happening here”.

The surge of emotion is not random, it’s actually data.

It can mean…….

Tanya Cameron8 October 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreat, triggersComment

The Art Of Radiant Aging 🌸

I’ve dabbled in Ayurveda for years, which is the “sister science” of yoga. After my trip to India in January, where I spent time in the “ayurvedic capital” Kerala, and a recent health scare, I’ve returned to studying Ayurveda with a deep devotion and reverence for its wisdom and healing intelligence.

Ayurveda offers a map for living in harmony with our changing bodies. It reminds us that we don’t have to deplete ourselves with strain or heat - but instead cultivate ojas, the subtle energy of vitality or the nectar of wholeness and integrity.

Ojas is what gives us our radiance, resilience, and juiciness. It’s built through nourishment, loving routines, and living in rhythm with nature…..

YogaTanya Cameron30 September 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreat, Ayurveda, the art of radiant agingComment

The Difference Between a Yoga Class and a Stretch Class

At first glance and especially as yoga has become more westernised, yoga and stretching can seem like they are the same thing, but the intentions and outcomes are actually very different.

A stretch class is designed to improve flexibility, mobility and posture.

It is an external practice focused on the body as an object and a desired outcome.

A yoga class extends far beyond the physical body, it is designed to nourish our whole being.

It is an internal practice that works on the whole system - body, mind, emotional well-being and nervous system regulation…….

YogaTanya Cameron14 September 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreat, blog, yoga class, stretch classComment

The True Cost Of Busyness

We live in a busy world - one that seems to keep accelerating.

Everything is getting faster and faster.

But beneath our habits of busyness, rushing, endless to-do lists, and the constant push for efficiency and urgency …

What is the true cost?

The pull away from presence……

Tanya Cameron2 September 2025tanyacameron, seedyogapullenvale, templeretreat, the true cost of busynessComment

10 Everyday Ways You Can Be An Activist

This week’s blog is inspired by Joanna Macy who passed away this month aged 96. Joanna was a visionary woman, a scholar of Buddhism, and one of the most influential voices in environmental activism of the last century. I first came across her work, The Work That Reconnects and Active Hope, over 10 years ago now and it has deeply informed my work and how I live my life…….

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