Ahh lockdown.

A welcome respite one day, suffocating and stressful the next.

While there’s no denying great suffering is being experienced by many, now is also an opportunity- for those of us privileged with health, a home and access to functioning healthcare – to take stock and appreciate what’s going right.

I’m curious- what have you come to appreciate more in your life since March?

I’ve noticed becoming even more thankful for space and nature – and I’m so grateful I get to live in a neighbourhood with clean air, lots of trees and where I can step outside anytime to experience it. 

This appreciation has really deepened for me lately. 

The other thing being quarantined has inspired– albeit infrequently – is to get stuck into jobs I don’t normally make time for (but are still necessary).

What’s this got to do with Japanese yoga?

The thing about Japanese yoga (and all yoga) is it doesn’t begin and end on the mat.

It’s a lifestyle.

For Japanese yoga specifically, this includes movement that changes with the seasons, seasonal wholefood eating and cooking styles and using natural (seasonal where possible) products and fabrics in your house and on your body.

I dive deeply into all this in my online course, Japanese Yoga for U.

Basically- a big part of Japanese yoga is acknowledging that as a human being you’re not simply a part of nature.

You are nature.

And from this perspective doing the best you can to live as close to nature as possible (while still being honest about enjoying the convenience of modern plumbing and Netflix!).

I don’t get this right all the time- and as I’ve matured I’ve become better at accepting my best as good enough even if it isn’t perfect.

While staying open to tips and tricks that help me get better. 

Today I’d like to share two slightly quirky quarantine cleaning tips to support you connect even more with natural living.

1. Car Deodorising and Fabric Clean
2. Makeup Brush Deep Clean

The irony that driving cars and wearing makeup aren’t terribly ‘natural’ isn’t lost on me 😉

These recipes are easy, cheap and cheerful – using natural products and pure essential oils.

Car Deodorising and Fabric Clean

Ingredients:

• Large recycled glass jar with lid
• Bicarb of soda/baking soda
• 8-10 drops of tea tree (melaleuca) essential oil (must be pure*)
• 8-10 drops of lavender essential oil (must be pure*)

Instructions:

1. Grab your recycled, clean glass jar 
2. Fill it up with bicarb of soda 
3. Add tea tree and lavender essential oils
4. Put on lid and give it a good shake to mix
5. Sprinkle generously over fabric seats and carpet floor of car
6. Leave for 1-3 hours
7. Use heavy-duty vacuum to remove (I took my car to the service station and used their super star trek vacuum- but if you’ve got a strong suction vacuum at home it would work just as well).

Makeup Brush Deep Clean

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fractionated coconut oil
• 5 drops tea tree (melaleuca) essential oil (must be pure*)
• 5 drops grapefruit essential oil (must be pure*)

Instructions:

1. Add fractionated coconut oil and essential oils into a small bowl
2. Swirl your makeup brush in the fractionated coconut oil until you see the makeup start to come out of your makeup brush
3. Rub brush in a circular motion on the palm of hand to help get the makeup out
4. Rinse the brush under warm water. Gently squeeze brush bristles until clean, and the water runs clear

Note: Point the bristles down when running under water and keep water away from where the bristles connect with the wooden part. Direct water contact may loosen the glue where the bristles are attached and shorten their lifespan

5. Let makeup brushes dry on a towel (outside if possible) for four hours, or until dry. Repeat once a month, or as needed.

How did you go with these tips?

Leave a comment below and share.

*All oils aren’t created equal. You really want to use the most pure essential oils you can get your hands on for maximum benefit. I’ve been using Doterra essential oils for years and I find their purity and consistency never let me down. For more information about how you can get pure Doterra oils at a discounted price, click here.