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Welcome to edition #6 of e-News.
Using the seasons as a guide, it may be nice to view this time of year as coming out of hibernation, so to speak, and using the warmer weather and longer days to begin to explore some of the activity that may have served you in the past. Daylight savings certainly opens up another hour of the evening for doing whatever it is you like to do.
For our teachers involved in the Professional Learning Program term 4 signals the opportunity to lead delivery of the program with the support of your coaches. We recognise and support you in this challenging, yet rewarding time.
Our profile this month features one of Bluearth's original coaches and the unofficial Mayor of Gippsland, Brenton Wight. Our Ultimate Physical Activity Challenge looks at Bore Surfing and we have part two of our feature on 'Sitting'.
And, as always we are interested in your feedback, let us know how we are going: enews@bluearth.org.
Enjoy
e-News
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Bluearth is currently looking to recruit a coach into Brisbane, Queensland.
If this sounds like an opportunity you would like to explore check out the Bluearth website www.bluearth.org under 'Jobs' for further information including a position description and get involved.
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Bluearth publishes a quarterly collection of articles called 'Insight Shared'.
It covers a range of topics that are contributed by our coaches and staff and provides an in-depth view on what is informing us in our living/coaching/teaching/being. If you would like to be sent a copy and be added to the distribution list see below. You can also view it through the Bluearth website at www.bluearth.org.
To receive the latest edition of 'Insight Shared' send an email to: enews@bluearth.org
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After the success of current workshops there are still a couple remaining. Watch over coming editions for more dates to be released for the second half of the year.
Click on the 'register' button to download registration form, or speak to your coach to lock in your spot.
| AREA |
DATE & TIME |
LOCATION ADDRESS |
| TRARALGON |
Wed 22nd October 2008
9.30 am - 3.00 pm |
Traralgon Basketball Stadium
Catterick Crescent |
| RIVERLAND |
Thu 23rd October 2008
4.30 pm - 6.30 pm |
Barmera Primary School
Rumbold Dve, Barmera, SA 5345 |
| SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS NSW |
Thu 6th November 2008
10.00 am - 2.30 pm |
Mittagong Public School
21 Pioneer Street, Mittagong, NSW 2575 |
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To register for any of these workshops, please download and complete the enrolment form (pdf 84KB). |
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| Role at Bluearth: |
Regional Coordinator South Eastern Victoria and Really Good Guy |
| Passion in life: |
My family (new arrival Samuel and wife Lidia) and living a life of happiness with them |
| Current book: |
The Nature Doctor by Dr H.C.A Vogel. It reaffirms beliefs and teaches new aspects of health |
| Past Activities: |
Played traditional sports Basketball and Australian Rules Footy (you might of heard of me? I am kind of a big deal around here) |
| Passionate physical activity: |
Surfing – yesterday was up there with the best sessions ever. Sun shining, waves clean and everyone was smiling. Dancing with Mother Nature at her best |
| Other interests: |
I love feeling good so everything that goes with that; Eating well and growing your own food, music listening and playing, reading to learn and to be lost in another world, honouring movement from walking to yoga to a full game of Barry with the Bluearth Team. Laughing and love are high in my other interests. |
| On a good day: |
They are all good days if you want them to be but the ultimate days are around eating good food, chilling out with family and friends on a sunny beach and having a couple of surfs during the day. Then at night listening to some soothing tunes over a meal and couple of beers. Then a full night's sleep as Samuel sleeps through! |
| My Dark side... |
Luke...I am your Father |
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Being based in Australia and surrounded by countless breaking waves, surfing anywhere other than a beach may sound ludicrous.
However, in recent times bore surfing has developed to challenge other aspects of surfing such as speed and most notably, distance.
The Severn river in England is host to the first such recorded rides and is arguably the centrepiece of bore surfing where waves occur here over a 4-5day period each month with rides of up to 10km in length.
The other world famous bore ride is the 'Silver Dragon' of Qiantang bore in China. Recently, two French men rode the Dragon for over 17km to put themselves into the record books. It is rumoured that this bore ride can be up to 3km wide and more than 7m high.
There are over 100 rivers around the world that display these wave surges, including the famous Amazon. The highest tides of the lunar cycles force water up these rivers to create this natural phenomenon and is celebrated by the group www.boreriders.com
There is even a movie exploring the history of the sport – 'Longwave'
Submit your ultimate physical activity challenge: enews@bluearth.org
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Submitted by Cam McMullan & Mark McGrath
In the last edition of e-news we were introduced to the practice of 'sitting'. (See September edition for Part 1).
In this issue we go further in and how you might consider incorporating it into your daily practice.
A sitting is the antidote to mental noise and its physical response. For anyone interested in living optimally regular downtime is vital and is a practice worth fitting into your day.
Begin by setting some time aside to simply be. Make yourself comfortable and go to the background. Allow any thoughts or evaluation to arise and subside without identification. Notice your breath, notice the sounds around you.
Initially a sitting simply involves putting time aside for nothing, paying attention to stillness, breath and the background. After a period of time and some familiarity with stillness and the background the practice can evolve to noticing and feeling what you are doing at a cellular level, feel the energetics of the body. Noticing the body and feeling at a cellular level is the gateway I use to find stillness. Going further and feeling the edge of your energy field. Does it finish at your skin? Can you reach energetically to another person? This is a rejuvenating practice and allows us to complete the tasks of daily living with more clarity and ease. In a school setting a sitting requires minimal time but has the potential to significantly influence the energy of the group bringing individuals to a more focussed state.
Ultimately the practice of sitting is the gateway to pure unconditioned awareness.
Why would I sit?
A daily practice of sitting in silence with nothing happening and allowing the external and internal world to simply be, is a rejuvenating practice re-energising us for the rest of the day, and consistent practice creates the means for long-term health, well-being and equanimity.
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Bluearth Champion – Colin Scotts
Colin Scotts or 'Scottsy' as we like to call him is our original and most actively involved Bluearth Champion.
Colin is out there regularly championing Bluearth to all who will listen to increase uptake and knowledge around what it is we do. His background, believe it or not is in Gridiron.
As a school boy rugby union player, Colin was spotted by a scout during a world tour in the U.S. He was the first Australian to receive a full scholarship to play football, heading to the University of Hawaii to play defensive end. He was then drafted into the NFL and spent time at the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Oilers. This has begun a growing line in Australians heading over to play in America's national sport.
Anyone who has spent time around Scottsy would appreciate his energy and the passion with which he lives his life and spreads our message.
Colin Scotts is a true Bluearth Champion.
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The poem below was uncovered by Mark McGrath recently and shared with the coach group here at Bluearth. It is that good we wanted to share with all, enjoy.
A Rare Happening
Listening is a rare happening among human beings
You can not listen to the word of another speaking if you are preoccupied
With your appearance
Or with impressing the other
Or are trying to decide what you are going to say when the other stops talking
Or are debating about whether what is being said is true
Or relevant
Or agreeable.
Such matters have their place,
But only after listening to the word as the word is being uttered.
Listening
Is a primitive act of love in which
A person gives himself to another's word,
Making themselves accessible
And vulnerable to that word.
William Stringfellow
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October 15 is ride to work day. It is a national day where everyone is encouraged to celebrate the fact that they ride to work or encourage those who may be considering starting.
There are events around the country so check out the attached web link to find one in your area. There are prizes for registering and plenty of Free Breakfast 'sites'.
It's hard to deny the physical, health, economic and environmental benefits.
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If you like what you've read and have friends or colleagues you think would like to receive a copy of e-News, you can now use our new 'Forward to a Friend' facility to add them to our monthly distribution list. And of course we'll send them a copy of this issue too!
Forward to a Friend
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FEEDBACK
Here at Bluearth we often receive stories from schools around how our program is progressing and significant experiences that students or staff may have had. We invite you to send these stories through and we'll publish them here. Pictures are welcome as well.
www.bluearth.org
enews@bluearth.org
Bluearth, Level 5, 1 Bowen Crescent
Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
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