Category: Events

The iconic Wahluu/Mt Panorama in Bathurst is famous for its car race but for many of us the view from the top has inspired many a love story to spark.

From teenage romance at the drive-in, to steamy nights parked at the lookout; tales of last goodbyes and unrequited longing abound. What is it about this special place that inspires us to love it large?

Everybody loves a love story. We would love to hear yours.

Open Casting Call

Romantic, familial or spiritual, if you have a love story about Wahluu/Mt. Panorama email a 50 word description with your name, age and mobile phone number.

Include:  Who, what when and how + a photo or send a 2-minute video.

Selected storytellers will feature in ‘The LOVERS’- a short film about love and longing on our beloved mountain.

AGE: 18 + only.

If you submit a story you need to be available for filming on Friday 22nd/ Sat 23rd April 2022 in Bathurst, NSW.

Submissions close April 8^th

So the thing about lockdown is, that it really is a mixed bag. We are not by any means ‘all in this together’. I appreciate the sentiment, but sometimes I think it comes from a place of privilege and it could not be more unhelpful. But is it possible to do something that can connect you to sense of collective wellbeing, something beyond the confines of the space or place you are in emotionally or literally? Yes it is possible. You can breathe consciously. As corny as it sounds, it works. The thing about western yoga is that the hot, bendy, bodies get all the love and those of us in the “I am not that flexible, too fat, too old, too fast, too busy, too past it” you name it category think, that yoga is just not for you. Fair cop. Maybe it isn’t.

Yoga is about much more than moving into poses. Yoga moves are simply a pathway.

To stillness in the mind.

To an immediate and simple sense of calm.

Yoga really all about breathing.

Breathing slowly and deeply into the belly activates the vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve runs from the gut to the mid-brain and when switched on stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system.

Your rest and digest response.

I have been scrolling more, eating more, ‘liking’ more and moving less. It dulls and disconnects me from the beauty and magic in the space I am in right now. Even if the house is a mess and every one around is driving you nuts, take a minute to focus on something right in front of you that you love. A tree, a flower, the sky out the window.

If like me, sometimes you need tone it down about a thousand try this simple short breathing exercise.

Equal Part Ratio Breath

Breath slowly and gently in through your nose for 5 counts.

Expand the belly as you inhale.

As you breathe out for 5 counts draw your belly in to your spine.

You can do this yogic breathing anytime, anywhere.

Try it. I hope it brings you back into your body. I hope it helps you remember that no matter what we are all in some small way connected.

By one breath.

If you would like to join me for Zoom Yoga – details on my yoga page or DM on insta# katesmithyoga or facebook Kate Smith Yoga

Ever heard yourself say “I am not creative”, and secretly thought, “But I could be…” To live a rich creative life takes practice and patience. It is about managing expectations and curly questions about success and purpose. I am a deeply creative person who has had more than nine lives in what I call a cross sector creative life. Creativity takes so many forms and sadly, is easily stifled in a culture loaded with ideas about what equals creative success.

Creative careers are more often than not, non-linear, they do not progress in a logical way and like many things one has to innovate. One of the most satisfying experiences I have had was to be awarded a CreateNSW Fellowship in 2019. At a cross roads in my career as touring performer and writer I wondered what was to come next. Mid-career with a school aged child, I could no longer go on the road for long stretches of time. Nor did I want to. I love my home life, based on a small farm on the outskirts of regional city.

The fellowship saw me dive into a period of deep research and study, to leap forward into the unknown. It has opened up new horizons, oriented me toward new partnerships, cross-sector collaborations and enabled me to spotlight my expertise in new and exciting ways.

A rich creative life comes with a willingness to change, to embrace an open attitude and to take leaps of faith when imposter syndrome comes calling.

Over the past two years, I have been trialling my mentorship offerings with emerging creatives to realise their projects and established creatives desperate for a change; I have connected with grass roots community groups to create connection through a series of creative workshops and secured multiple sources of funding to write and direct a brand new show about Wahluu/Mt. Panorama- an iconic mountain in Bathurst, NSW.

I have cooked and mothered and meditated and pondered and procrastinated.  Essential ingredients to live a rich, creative life abundant and at my fingertips.

If you feel the call to live a rich , creative life; take a look at my mentorships, read the blog about my new project ‘Fast Cars & Dirty Beats’ or get in touch.

Watch this space for more info soon to be posted.