Perfect Poise, Perfect Life
Bring your body into balance and revolutionise your life
By Noel Kingsley
Publisher Hodder Mobius
AVAILABLE HERE
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Holland Park
In the fine springlike weather it is wonderful to simply go for a walk in our local park and reconnect with nature, hear the birds and experience the quiet and peaceful atmosphere. We are fortunate indeed to have Holland Park, London just a few minutes away and honestly if it was located on the other side of the city I would make the journey specially to see it and wander along its paths through the various areas that have their own special atmosphere. There are many peacocks displaying their feathers, squirrels in their hundreds and also foxes.
The Japanese Garden has a lovely waterfall and pond with large goldfish, surrounded by many traditional plants, trees and shrubs. It was created around 14 years ago in the same location as a previous Japanese garden once existed over a hundred years ago. Specialist teams of Japanese gardeners were flown over to design and supervise the layout. Even the large rocks and stones were all specially selected in order to create the most harmonious and authentic layout.
These were the gardens of the original Holland House that stood here for several centuries until it suffered bomb damage in the 1940s. Previously owned by Lord Holland and host to many elaborate garden parties it is as resplendent now as it ever was. During the time of the Reformation when theatrical performances were banned, the house played host to many ilicit productions, frequented by Lord Tennyson, Lord George Byron and many other literary and social figures. Now the house remains are both a backdrop to the famous Opera Holland Park stage beside a wing now housing a student hostel. These are the traditional 17th century formal gardens that are immaculately laid out with seasonal floral displays.
I have been coming here for over 20 years and never tire of it. No matter what is going through my mind, whatever requires my contemplation, a decision or idea to a project or a solution to a problem, a wander around these quiet paths through the woodland and around the formal gardens usually provide me with the peace and calm to find an appropriate answer. Walking and movement helps free up my thinking and the changing scenes stimulate new ideas, to look at the same things from different perspectives.
Holland Park is a gem of a space in the heart of London. We're so lucky to have it near by.
