Newsletter April 2008 Namaste Yogis & Yoginis I love Autumn, it's my favourite time of year. I think it goes back to my childhood in Sydney, where the autumn days are cool and crisp, with glorious clear blue skies and the trees shades of gold and red. Everything feels as if it has been brought into sharper focus. Yet there is a poignancy, a bittersweet awareness of time passing. Summer is leaving us. We are on the journey towards longer nights and darker days, towards a time of hibernation and going in. The sharper focus perhaps comes from knowing these mild days will soon be gone, and we are moved to pay extra attention. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could be that mindful all the time. The gift in autumn is that reminder, that feeling, and the richness that comes with it. Yoga helps us to cultivate mindfulness more consistently. As an extra bonus, we learn how to allow time to pass, to let go and detach peacefully, so we are free from the yearning that sometimes comes with that awareness. And as we know, this too shall pass. Everything passes sooner or later, the seasons, the days, things we look forward too, things we dread, even our own lives. This autumn, take the opportunity to observe the beauty of the days and the season, appreciate them, and joyfully let them pass without regret. This practice will help bring a more consistent contentment over time, as we learn to apply it to more and more aspects in our lives. ADAPTING YOUR PRACTICE As the days get cooler, the focus of the practice changes a little. Remember to take a little more time and care to warm the body up, and bring something a little warmer to put on during savasana and after class. Let the mood of the season guide you. Start to observe and evaluate all the changes and advancements you have made over the year, and begin to let go. Let yourself move into a more relaxed, witnessing state. Allow the striving and effort to drop away, and begin to absorb and integrate. Look for a sense of centre and grounding in your practice, as autumn is a season of vata (influenced by the elements of space and air that need to be balanced out). Be gently consistent and cultivate patience. This season is the time for integrating and stablising your practice. Watch out for a deep sense of satisfaction, contentment and richness in your practice at this time of year. BACK FROM A JOURNEY Even journeys end, and new ones begin. I am back from my time away. I had a very rewarding experience. Not only did I connect with family and friends, have some time in nature, and some time out for myself, but the most satisfying part was visiting other yoga centres, and trying different styles, and (re) discovering I can be very proud of the team here back home!It was very affirming! I spent time at about 8 different centres, and experienced about 20 different teachers. Each style has something to offer, and I enjoyed the different approaches. I got a lot out of the consistency of the practice in the ashram, even though the style was very gentle, and quite passive. It reminded me how important consistency is, and how striving in practice creates a false sense of progress. That's not to say you can't work hard, but don't push beyond your individual limits and lose your awareness! At the other end of the spectrum was the style I enjoyed most, Power Yoga! This completely surprised me, as being drawn to fairly traditional approaches, I thought it would be too modern and physically oriented. Although it was a good strong practice, the teachers consistently reminded us to be aware of where our thoughts were, encouraged us to take options, and when appropriate encouraged us to move through our inertia (yes, in the abdominals!) It was very balanced. The only part I wasn't so fond of was the heated room, being a pitta (dominance of the fire element in my chart) I found it a little overwhelming, but I got used to it, andenjoyed sweating. Made me feel like I'd worked really hard!!! I felt great afterwards. I feel I've had plenty of time to reflect on my practice, yoga in general, and have gained insight and inspiration for direction in the future. Now the hard part, putting it all into practice!! COMING UP Luckily we don't have to go away too often for inspiration! As well as the regular (great) classes here, we have a few workshops lined up this year.   The next is Clive Sheridan, on the 18th May. Clive is a yogi's yogi! Having spent decades exploring and teaching yoga in Europe, Asia and Australia, he has a very deep and unique perspective on practice, and pranayama. His sparkling eyes and innate joy add to the experience.   I have again received great feedback about the workshop with Alison Pomroy. Sadly blokes couldn't attend the last one, but you have your chance in July as she is returning for a general workshop, open to all! Many of the comments about Alison were about how present she was and felt, and how powerful yet simple her approach is. There is a strength underlying her gentle methods that comes from years of discipline in the Iyengar system, combined with surrender.   August 8-10 we will be running our Springbrook weekend retreat again. Time to rug up, leave the daily grind behind and spend some time in nature, on the mat and with a yoga community. Details TBA   Around September, we are hosting Philip Stevens. As well as being a swami, and co-author of the mammoth yoga survey that examined yogis all over Australia, Philip has degrees in Psychology and Physiology, and applies that specifically to studying the effects of yoga and pranayama on the body and brain. He brings western science in to strengthen the wisdom of yogic science. Some of you may have been lucky enough to attend when he visited us 4 or 5 years ago.   In October, long time favourite Glenn Ceresoli is back. Many of you have experienced Glenn, and enjoy his constantly evolving approach blending philosophy, technique, observation and application. Glenn's strength is his depth of understanding, & his ability to take the experiences of yoga on the mat into the challenge of daily living through Constant Integrated Awareness.   There will also be a couple of our own in house workshops, and social events happening too,keep your eye on the noticeboard.   So save up, get ready, clear space on your calendars, we have a great year coming up. AYURVEDIC RECIPE – Almond Smoothie Soak 5-10 almonds overnight (or at least 4 hours). Peel off the skin (you can lightly blanch to make removing skin easier) Blend with a little pure warm water (for vata constitutions/imbalances use ½ warm milk) Add: 5or 6 ground cardamom pods (or ½ tspn ground cardamom) A pinch of cinnamon Optional additions: 3 chinese dates or a few raisins or sultanas 1-2 tspn of ghee and/or flaxseed oil 1 tspn Turmeric powder (a good place to put powdered herbs you may be taking like shatavari or withania) This is a great protein drink, a good breakfast or snack – use warm water especially in winter. Good for the mind, memory & concentration and stabilizes blood sugar. Courtesy Clinic Ayurveda Recipe Booklet. If you are interested in finding out more about Ayurveda, practitioner Micheal Hatchett  is available for consultations at the yoga centre on Monday afternoons. SMILE: Over the next few weeks you may notice the teachers occasionally taking a photo of a class for our website. These will be group photos and not of any individual, and we hope you will be happy to be in them, but please feel free to let the teachers know if you would like to be left out! LAST WORD “It is far more important to be content with what is actually happening than to get upset over what might be happening, but isn't” John Heider (taken from the Vedanta newsletter)