You Don't Have to Say Yes to Everything

Can we all agree that saying "yes" can sometimes be exhausting? Yes, I'll help. Yes, I'll bring a plate. Yes, I can do that. Yes, I'll fit that in somehow. Before you know it, your calendar looks like a game of Tetris and you're wondering why you're feeling a bit flat. I've been there too. Someti... Read More

The Day I Realised I Was Terrible at Relaxing

A few years ago, someone suggested I spend an afternoon doing absolutely nothing. Nothing. No jobs. No emails. No cleaning. No errands. No "while I'm here, I may as well..." Just relax. Turns out, I was surprisingly bad at it! I sat down with a cup of tea and immediately started making a mental l... Read More

Why Are Your Shoulders Up Around Your Ears?

Quick question... Where are your shoulders right now? If the answer is somewhere near your ears, you're definitely not alone. It's amazing how much tension we carry around without even noticing. We sit at the computer. We drive. We answer emails. We scroll our phones. We think about the 47 things... Read More

Rest is Productive Too

Somewhere along the way, many of us were taught that being busy is a good thing. A full calendar? Productive. A long to-do list? Productive. Running from one thing to the next without stopping? Apparently productive too. But sitting quietly with a cup of tea? Taking a nap? Reading a book in the m... Read More

You don’t need to be flexible to start Yoga

This might be one of the biggest myths about yoga ever created. Right up there with: “I’ll just have one potato chip” “I’ll only watch one episode” and “I’ll start my diet next week” The number one thing people say to me before trying yoga is: “But I’m not flexible.” And honestly? You do not need... Read More

Sip & Stretch: Because Yoga Should Be Fun Too

Not every yoga class needs to be silent, serious or filled with perfectly matched activewear and whispered breathing Sometimes yoga can simply be about moving your body, having a laugh and slowing down with good people around you.That’s pretty much the vibe behind Sip & Stretch.Over the years, I’... Read More

What I’ve Learned from Retreats

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to host and experience retreats in some pretty incredible places. From weekends close to home around Yeppoon, Emu Park and Pumpkin Island, to places like Bali, Komodo and Nepal, every retreat has been different in its own way. But one thing stays the same ev... Read More

Why Gentle Yoga Is Harder Than People Think

When people hear the words gentle yoga, they often imagine an easy class where not much happens. A few stretches, a lie down, maybe even a sneaky nap at the end. 😴 And while yes, sometimes there’s a very good relaxation involved, gentle yoga can actually be one of the most challenging styles of y... Read More

Welcome to Notes from the Mat

If you’ve found your way here, welcome. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m Leesa, the face behind Settle Petal Yoga, and I’ve been teaching yoga for over 10 years. Over that time, one thing has become really clear to me… Most people aren’t looking to become yoga experts.They’re looking for a way to fee... Read More