Behind the scenes - Your body is already doing this

I just love learning about the body, and the way it works with such intelligence.

The first time I heard about Autophagy was when I joined my first ever fasting retreat, a decade ago.I had the privilege of translating for a Japanese couple who have been teaching fasting in the Blue Mountains for over 30 years.

Autophagy is a function in the body, studied by biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi, and became more widely known after he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2016.

The function is so fascinating! It’s like a Pac-Man—it breaks down and recycles old parts of our cells, helping them renew. It can also help clear out things that are not beneficial for us.

The health of our cells plays a big role in our overall wellbeing. And we have around 37 trillion of them.

I feel a lot of gratitude for this body that just does its thing.

Of course there are many variables, but we often hear that stress is a major contributor to dysfunction in the body, even at a cellular level.

This idea of Autophagy feels like a reflection of something in us—letting go of what’s no longer needed, not holding on to what’s impermanent.It comes with awareness, acceptance, and acknowledging with care and kindness.

For me these days, it’s less about trying to “enhance” Autophagy, and more about creating the environment for the body to do what it already knows how to do.

Rest, nourish, exercise, slowing down, space between things… getting out of the way.

This is why I love offering Yin.

Yin creates a space for us to be aware, to accept, to acknowledge.

There’s no magic or promised results.

But when we feel safe in the body and soften a little, something shifts—and the body can do its thing.

If you feel called, please join me for Yin this month:

Sydney – 17 May, 3 pm

Ballina / Online – 24 May, 4 pmDetails below. 

PS. Only 1 room left for Japan Retreat.