LIFESTYLE

Simone Callahan: ‘Yoga is my force for good’

19 June, 2023 . 0

After a challenging year, it’s one day at a time for wellness warrior Simone Callahan, who is finding solace in simple things, including her children and yoga.

As anyone who follows on Instagram will know, ice baths have become Simone Callahan’s latest challenge.

“I’ve always enjoyed winter swimming in seven or eight degrees but I’ve never been immersed in water below zero,” the yoga and wellness activist says.

“It’s like brain freeze after eating an icy pole, but for your whole body.”

Coached by son Jackson during his recent 30-day ice bath quest, Simone notes the physical and calming benefits of an icy plunge.

“It really gets your circulation going and you feel your whole body working at an optimum level.

“There are a whole lot of benefits to ice baths. I’m going to stick with them.”

Adjusting to life without Shane Warne

For Simone, a lithe and fresh-faced natural beauty at 53, the past 16 months have been the most difficult of her life.

She describes the hole left by her ex-husband and father of her three children, cricketing great Shane Warne, as “a huge void”.

“Nothing remains the same when we lose a loved one, as so many people would relate (to). My kids lost their dad and I lost the father of my kids,” she says.

“It’s a hard feeling to put into words, but it’s always there with you.

“It’s something you never think will happen and it’s something that can’t be fixed.

“There’s a heaviness — just the whole process of living life without Shane in it. But what the kids and I shared with him, we’ll always have.”

Melbourne-born and bred, Simone was working as a promotions girl for Foster’s beer when she first met Shane at a celebrity event in 1992.

Back then, the cricketer was about to play his first Test match for Australia and was on the cusp of becoming one of the greatest spin bowlers the world has ever seen.

The pair tied the knot in 1995 and had their first child, Brooke, two years later.

Son Jackson and another daughter, Summer, were to follow before the couple divorced in 2005.

While much has been written about Shane’s extramarital affairs, Simone says the two were able to remain friends as they continued to co-parent Brooke, 25, Jackson, 23, and Summer, 21.

While the thought of being a sole parent is daunting, she says she is inspired by her children as she “watches in awe their courage and strength”.

“Shane was such a huge presence. All of the time you spent with him, it was always quality, even if there wasn’t a lot of quantity,” she says.

“I’d never called myself a single mum because every moment Shane had, he’d spend with the kids, having fun with them, teaching them life skills and being a dad, so it’s an enormous void he’s left.

“But the kids are so strong and I believe Shane is guiding them through.

“It’s there in so many little signs and things that happen. We’re seeing a lot of butterflies and dragonflies and rainbows.

“Even Jackson, when he moved into his own home, it was number 23 (a number Shane famously loved), and he believes he’s being guided by his dad.

“A lot of Shane’s friends have become Jackson’s friends — it’s lovely to see.”

Simone Callahan

How Simone found power in yoga

Simone has become known for her quiet dignity, during not only the past 16 months but the sometimes turbulent ups and downs of her marriage and relationship with the cricketer.

She credits yoga with not only transforming her body but helping her find inner peace.

“Yoga is my force for good. It’s a life practice of goodness, supporting and transforming me emotionally, physically and mentally. I’ll forever be grateful for it,” the certified yoga instructor says.

It was after travelling to India and witnessing the calm and tranquillity of the locals as they practised tai chi and chanted from the temples that Simone, who had always been into fitness, decided to give the ancient practice a go.

“It was about the time that Summer was born, and it was like my therapy,” she reveals.

“Yoga really teaches you life skills.

“You take what you do on the mat, off the mat, and it gives you the tools to build strength and resilience and compassion.

“A lot of stuff is brought to the surface.

“It gives you a sense of calm and helps you release all of those emotions.

“If you don’t release them, the anxiety and stress can create disease.

“Yoga leads to real wellbeing in every sense.”

After practising the Iyengar method of yoga, Simone explored ashtanga and then vinyasa yoga, and completed her teacher training in 2017.

“There was a lot of growth when I did my training.

“I learnt so much about the philosophy and the spiritual side and the history of yoga.

“It’s so much more than just exercise.

“It’s a whole way of life and such a sacred practice.

“There’s a science behind it.

“Through the poses and the breath and the body and the alignment, it cultivates wellness.”

Simone teaches three days a week in Red Hill, close to her home on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, with the rest of her week given to “precious time” with her children and catching up with a small circle of close girlfriends.

Being a wellness activist for Wanderlust, a Melbourne-based company known for its liquid herbal supplements, sits perfectly with her holistic approach to life and fuss-free approach to wellness.

“Wanderlust is about harnessing the best in nature, and all of the products are vegan-friendly and made from organic, plant or natural ingredients, which really resonates with me,” she says.

“There’s a lot of goodness going on and I love the clean, plant-powered philosophy.”

Simone says hers is a simple life.

“I don’t wear much make-up and I can’t remember the last time I used a hairdryer.

“What’s more important to me is what goes on internally,” she says.

“I’m going through menopause at the moment, which has been challenging — all of the aches and pains and the brain fog.

“But, as the saying goes, this too shall pass!”

As for the future, she says she learnt a long time ago not to plan too far ahead.

“I hope to get back to India next year,” she says.

“I’d love to hold a yoga retreat and then, when everyone goes home, stay and live in an ashram for a while. That’s one of my dreams.”

Simone’s tips for wellness

Be in the moment

“I’m really protective of my space and my energy now.

“Often when I’m with the kids, we’re not really doing anything — we’re just talking, connecting, agreeing and disagreeing — but it’s the being together that counts.”

Get into nature

“As a kid, I grew up among the market gardens and I was always outside.

“It was a very joyful and free life.

“These days, I love walking my dog Missy on the beach or through the bush.”

Give yoga a go

“I love combining yoga, pranayama (breath control) and meditation.

“It helps me with clarity and to feel more grounded through stressful times.

“I recommend it to everyone.”

Ignore what others think about you

After almost 30 years in the public eye, Simone says it’s hard to see her children facing the same stressors.

“Things still hurt, but we’ve learnt to take it with a grain of salt and what people think of us doesn’t really affect us, because we’re a team.”

Cherish your girlfriends

“I agree with Jane Fonda — not having women friends is as bad for your health as smoking.

“We get to show our vulnerability with our girlfriends, and that’s such a big thing for me because I keep things close to my chest.

“Women take care of each other.”

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Written by Liz McGrath.