The ‘divine feminine’ is a popular paradigm in yoga and personal development circles and my own work in the world is no exception. I think when we’re repeat something in our work and our businesses many times it’s really useful to define terms. What follows are my reflections about the divine feminine or ‘feminine form’ and what this term means to me personally and in the context of Bhakti Rose offerings.

Divine Feminine takes that which is complex and finds a simple application. Our society and culture is extremely complex. For us to live in a way that is simple and sattvic is profoundly counter-culture and it’s difficult. ‘Simple Living, High Thinking’ (Srila Prabhupada) is a hard principal to live by. Simplifying complex concepts requires a deep understanding of the subject matter, the ability to discern which elements are essential, and the creativity to convey these elements in an accessible manner. This is not about reduction but it is about distillation - preserving the essence while shedding the unnecessary. When we can grasp complex ideas in simpler terms, we're more likely to engage, apply what we've learned, and build upon that foundation. As yoga teachers and spiritual mentors one of our biggest goals must always be practical application. Application can only happen when we’re not overwhelmed by complexity or paralysed by too many choices.

Through repetition the magic is forced to arise. This teaching comes from my dear teacher Sharon Gannon (Jivamukti Yoga). We shouldn’t be afraid of repetition. If you are a teacher it’s important not to fear repeating yourself, people often need to hear something many times before it is really absorbed. We can do the same asana practice or meditation many, many times over many years and in the repetition find great insight.

Magic is a shift in perception. Another wonderful teaching from Sharon Gannon.  I believe we don't need to look too far or change too much to improve our wellness, our connection to spirit or our relationships. Sometimes all that is required are small changes or tweaks in daily habits or routines. Some of those habits are on the outside (like what time do you eat breakfast or when do you exercise) and some are on the inside (like how negative is your self-talk or how anxious is your mind). Everything is fluid and can be switched if you know how.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Food for one should be food for all. This teaching comes from my ayurveda teacher Maya Tiwari (Mother Maya) and refers to the idea that health and wellness on all levels should not be an elitist or privileged experience. We should all have access to good food, kind communities and support and care beyond our basic human rights. If we get too precious about our needs and preferences at the cost of other beings or the environment this needs evaluation and re-balancing. 

We acknowledge and honour. Specifically our First Nations brothers and sisters and the land on which we live and meet, the lineage of yoga and ayurveda and our teachers, and the wisdom keepers from within our own culture and ancestry.

We believe that people can change and see all others as holy beings. In the heart of yoga philosophy lies the profound belief that transformation is possible for every individual. This perspective views all beings as inherently sacred, embodying the divine essence that connects us all. By recognising the holiness in others, we open ourselves to the infinite potential for change within us. Yoga teaches us that through dedicated practice, mindfulness, and compassion, we can shed layers of ego, fear, and negativity. The ‘dust’ over our eyelids. This journey of self-discovery and transformation allows us to see the world through a lens of love and unity. Embracing this belief empowers us to support and uplift ourselves and others on a spiritual path.

We ask of the teachings, how does this apply to me? How is this relevant to my lived experience? Applying the teachings of yoga philosophy to our lives transcends the realm of theoretical knowledge, transforming it into a lived experience. This practice is essential because it bridges the gap between understanding concepts and embodying them. Through application, the profound principles of yoga—such as mindfulness, non-attachment, and compassion—become tools for navigating the complexities of daily life. They guide our interactions, shape our responses, and influence our decisions. This integration supports personal growth, inner peace, and a deeper connection with the world around us. It’s in the living application of yoga philosophy that its true power is realised, leading to a more harmonious and purposeful existence.

Alignment of values and actions. This embodies the essence of yoga's holistic approach to living. Yoga teaches us the importance of harmony between body, mind, and spirit, and this harmony is achieved when our actions reflect our deepest values. Alignment means that we live authentically, making decisions that resonate with our core beliefs and principles. This congruence builds inner peace, there is no conflict between what we believe and how we act. We are able to trust ourselves because our integrity is intact both within ourselves and in the perception of others.

We play the long game. Many natural healing processes, such as detoxification, rebuilding gut health, or improving mental health through practices like yoga and meditation, inherently take time. The body needs periods of rest and activity to heal and regenerate. A long-term approach respects the body's natural rhythms and timelines for healing.

The importance of apprenticeship. We are life-long learners, we’re always curious, we keep an open mind and we’re willing to change our minds. We seek out and commit to teachers, we create accountability in our lives and live and work in the context of community.

We honour the Red Thread. The journey through puberty, giving birth, perimenopause, menopause, and into elderhood represents a profound series of rites of passage for women, each stage marked by unique joys, challenges and transformations that deeply intertwine with the principles of feminism, choice, and support. We can think of this journey as the ‘Red Thread’ of our lives. This Red Thread sets the rhythm of our lifelines and the tone of what is passed down through generations both energetically and genetically. ‘Red Thread’ is impacted by our own individual journeys as women but also by our heritage, our culture, our meta-genetics and our history, including the stories we have been told about who we are and our place in the world.

NOTES:

Masterclass WOMEN'S HORMONAL HEALTH

What you'll learn:

• Go deeper into tools and methods for realigning yourself with nature’s rhythm.
   
• A deeper look into the ayurvedic protocol of Uttara Vasti for womb and moon cycle health.
   
• A gentle method of reawakening the shakti prana in your sacred womb space. This session is good for all women from puberty to post-menopause especially if you have problems with your periods or hormones.
   
• Time for Q and A

Notes for this session: 

Katie discussed the concept of the subtle body, emphasising its ubiquity and its role in our daily lives. She shared her personal journey of studying and understanding the subtle body, and expressed her desire to inspire others to explore their own subtle bodies. Katie also introduced the 'Tree of Life' diagram, a representation of the healing journey and the movement of energy in the subtle body. She stressed the importance of trusting one's own feedback loops and intuition in this exploration. 

She emphasised the importance of understanding the connection between the literal and poetic anatomy of a human being. Katie also shared her thoughts on the cultural and historical differences in perceiving the world, and stressed the importance of transcending the separation between mind and body, as well as the gross material and subtle planes.

Books -

Mindful Living by Katie Rose (excerpt read at the beginning of the session is from Chapter 6)

The Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila translated by Mirabai Starr

Entering the Castle by Caroline Myss

Notes for this session:

Swastha – being established in the self / Self (all koshas). Looks different in each dosha and phase of life. 

Women’s hormones guide our dhatu regulation and agni. Metabolism drives dhatus.

Hormones only impact cells that have a receptor site for that hormone. Like puzzle pieces. Ama gunks up these receptors. The liver has to get involved for clean-up (eat lots of greens). 

Ojas – immunity, resilience, boundaries not depleted. When low agni is low. 

Rasa – juice, nectar. White blood cells. Lymph (1st dhatu), that which nourishes. 

Soma – nectar of immortality. Expansive, full, swelling. 

Soma foods – ghee, coconut, pomegranate, cashews, dates, almonds, sesame, raw honey. 

HERBS 

MUGWORT – for dreams, processing through release, insight, relaxing (named after Artemis arrow). Re-wilds us. 

RED CLOVER – brings fertility back to the soil after mono-cropping. Balances fertility and hormones in women. 

TURMERIC / DANDELION – to stabilise liver. 

MILK THISTLE – liver support. 

CLARY SAGE ESSENTIAL OIL – great for clearing uterus (massage into womb area in a carrier oil. DoTerra Clary Calm roll on is also great for this. 

Honey Eggshell Elixir - https://embodybee.com/products/brahmari-black-honey 

‘May you be filled with spiritual vigour (soma) as the sun fills it’s sky with rays’ Sama Veda.

NOTES:

Book recommendation: Yoni Shakti by Uma Dinsmore-Tuli

Katie discussed the subtle body map, the significance of maintaining good posture for energy flow, and described the limitations of perspectives based only on physical body anatomy. Katie explored the concept of Kundalini and its connection to creativity, personal growth, and spiritual awakening.

Highlights included:

• Kundalini, subtle anatomy, and Divine connection
• Exploring subtle body map and energetic interference
• Exploring energy flow and symbolism in yoga
• Managing trauma and vata postpartum in childbirth
• Awakening kundalini for fertility, creativity, and growth
  Exploring kundalini energy and feminine intimacy
• Please be aware there are two downloadable handouts for this session. 

Please click the button below to download the Kundalini Handout.

Please click the button below to download the Subtle Body Handout