Georgie Alice Monro
I was born in England before moving to Perth, Western Australia when I was 5. This is where I found my love for the Ocean. Shortly after we moved, I joined the closest surf life saving club, which taught me how to understand the ocean and learn how to surf. Surfing is now such a huge part of my life. When I surf it brings me joy and peace. I stop thinking, I feel present and it feels like nothing else matters.
When I finished high school, I moved to Sydney to pursue my passion for Exercise and Health, studying a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, followed by a Graduate Diploma in Exercise Rehabilitation which I completed back in Perth. Since graduating, I have worked as an Exercise Physiologist in Perth for the past 3 years, assisting injured people recover from injuries through movement.
I have also always had an interest in yoga, being dragged along to class by my mum at a young age. I was initially drawn to it due to the physical benefits it had on my body. Being a runner it really helped with my recovery and stay relatively injury free.
Particularly in the last few years’ yoga has really benefited me psychologically. Two years ago I was diagnosed with something called a Hemifacial Spasm, which peripherally looks like an eye twitch and face spasm. It is when a blood vessel is pushing on a nerve causing this twitch/spasm to occur involuntary. It was not painful for me, but really affected my self confidence and made me increasingly anxious in social situations. I was told the only cure would be a decompression brain surgery. In 2016 I underwent this surgery. It was a long road to recovery, I was unable to do any of the things I love, including: running, surfing and even a simple forward fold in yoga for months. The support from the people I love, very gentle yoga and meditation got me through this time, teaching me the power of acceptance, slowing down, gratitude for the small things in life and really tuning in and listening to what my body needed. The surgery seemed successful, but unfortunately 8 months later my Hemifacial Spasm returned, leaving me in the same place. At the time it was heart breaking, but going through this with yoga has taught me so much about myself and life. I have decided not to undergo surgery again at this time, hoping to self heal through alternative methods. Yoga to me now is so much more than just a stretch. To me its about being present, moving with awareness, breath and mind/body connection to assist with finding a place of inner peace.
After slowly deepening my own yoga practice and feeling its benefits (both physical and psychological), I was inspired to learn more and be able to share my knowledge with others. I completed my 200 hours Yoga Teacher training at Radiantly Alive in Ubud Bali in late 2016. Soon after returning, I started teaching a yoga class at Oceanstyle, a longboard surf shop my boyfriend (Jim) and I owned in North Fremantle.
Last year Jim and I sold our business and packed up our lives in Perth to set off an adventure of a lifetime. Since February this year we have been travelling around Australia in our Troopcarrier called Dory, hugging the coast in the search for waves, long stretches of beach to run, peaceful places to do yoga and get lost in nature. My motto at the moment is ‘concentrate on feeling rather than thinking’. We will be trying to soak up every moment.
If you would like to keep updated on our travels, follow us on Instagram: @curiouslygeorgee_
Through this blog I will share with you ours travels, adventures and stories. I also hope to inspire by sharing my knowledge of exercise, health, yoga, meditation and lifestyle balance.
Curiously Georgee 