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Namaste Yogis & Yoginis
There are four qualities highly esteemed in both yoga & buddhist traditions. They are: maitri (friendliness) mudita (empathetic joy) karuna (compassion) and upeksha (equanimity), In fact they are so esteemed that they are sometimes referred to as the Four Immeasurables or Four Heavenly Abodes! It is said that within these four qualities are the remedy for any affliction that disturbs the tranquility of the mind. Focus on cultivating these qualities allows us to begin to pacify disturbing thought patterns (vritti) and bring about tranquility in the mind, known as the state of yoga. There is a lovely definition of mudita given p 130 of “Warmth – the cookbook” put together by the Mudita Institute (of which Micheal our Ayurvedic/mindfulness practitioner is a founding member) available in our shop; and of course all four are important. With Christmas coming up however, I would like to focus on upeksha (equanimity) as a valuable tool in a time where schedules, routine, and conscious daily living are often disrupted, and often to our detriment; where we swing from a time of calm to frenzy, quiet to excess socializing. Try to focus on maintaining balance this year, including keeping some routine, some daily practice, and some quiet time to come through the season feeling balanced and sane, yet having enjoyed quality time with family & friends. Try to be equanimous when the xmas pudding comes out, and try to maintain at least some of the healthy habits you have been practicing during the year, even if you have a little treat here & there. Upeksha means not getting carried away, not swinging to the extreme, and not letting go of mindfulness in the excitement of the moment. Just keeping a gentle focus on this one quality; and maintaining your practice will make a huge difference to how you get through the holiday season; and will allow you to get back on track more quickly after it's all over. Of course try and include maitri for more joyful interactions, and karuna as everyone is under pressure at this time of year, including yourself!! Be joyful, stay calm, have compassion, be open, and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
NEWS NEWS NEWS!
- Normal timetable continues up to and including the 5.15 class on Tuesday the 23rd December. Please note there will NOT be a beginners class that night. XMAS timetable begins Wednesday 24th through until Friday January 16th, with regular classes resuming Saturday Jan 17th. PLEASE NOTE there maybe some minor changes to the timetable in 2009, so make sure you check the website, grab timetables or check the answering machine for all timetable enquiries over Dec/Jan.
- Feeling hot, hot, hot! As the summer season has arrived, please remember to bring towels to place on the blankets especially in the sweaty classes!!
- XMAS SPECIALS We have gifts for you and your friends!! Buy a pass for someone else during December and get $20 off!! Buy one for yourself and get an extra 2 days or 2 classes. (NB we always add a few days on monthlies to cover xmas anyway, and we are happy to put monthlies or yearlies on hold if you are away, just let our teachers know). Buy any 3 products (excluding books/$5 basket) and get %10 off! Gift certificates can be made out for any amount or item.
- As well as our regular products we have some great new products; Mudita institute cookbook - yummy recipes with a mindful philosophy; yoga paws for the travelling yogi = minimal packing and still being able to practice, some great new book titles, organic yoga mats and organic clothing.
- BOOK NOW for the January Ashtanga Intensive. A great start to the year, and to give your practice a boost. Cost $120 for 6 mornings 5-10th January, 6-8am at Tallebudgera Valley community hall. For those of you that have attended before you know how an intensive can lift your practice to another level. For those of you curious about Ashtanga, now is the time to get to know the practice, and our Ashtanga teacher Mark. As one student remarked, “fancy having a world class Ashtanga teacher just round the corner from my house!” and I agree!!
- We also have some great workshops coming up in 2009 including Duncan Peak, Clive Sheridan, John Ogilvie & Glenn Ceresoli, so keep checking the notice board & website!
- Your generousity continues to be put to good use! This month's charity jar helped sponsor Brett Addison's moustache for Movember. Proceeds go to prostate cancer and Beyond Blue.
- The xmas party & demo was great fun, the demo inspiring, the music excellent & the company outstanding!! Keep an eye out for the video up on our website in the next week or so. If you ever get a chance to see Murray Kyle, go! He played melodic reggae/roots tunes with a pure soul, connected to the earth, life and community, and great to dance to
RECIPE (From “Warmth – the Cookbook”) - One Pot Daal Soup
Ingredients:
1 tspn ghee, 1 tspn tumeric, 1/8 tspn asafoetida/hing, 6 curry leaves, 1 tspn ground cumin, ¼ tspn ajwain (Indian celery) seeds, ½-1 tspn salt, ½ cup split moong (split yellow) daal/toor (chunky yellow) daal, ½ cup red lentils, 2/3 veggies of choice diced, 5-6 cups boiling water.
Method:
Rinse the daal and lentils in the saucepan 3-4 times until the water runs clear. Add 5-6 cups water from a recently boiled kettle. Add the ghee, asafoetida, turmeric, curry leaves, some salt and veggies (not onion). Bring to the boil and turn down to a low heat, simmer partly covered for about 15 mins.
Lift the lid to check water levels and add the cumin powder and ajwain seeds. Simmer again over low hear for another 15 mins or until the moong daal and red lentils have broken down. Add a little lemon juice and coriander at the end, plus additional salt/pepper to taste.
NB toor daal is more nourishing for the blood and muscle tissues but can be more gas-forming and can take longer to cook than moong daal.
HINTS FOR THE SILLY SEASON
If you are tired:
a) because you are giving out too much (energy, money, work) and not replenishing yourself - do legs up the wall, with sacrum flat (use a blanket if necessary) for at least 20 mins. If your hamstrings are tight, you can put your legs on a chair instead. Breath into your belly & kidneys at least 5/6 times then relax breathing naturally.
b) because you feel stressed/have overindulged/have been unwell/ have your period – do supta baddha konasana (laying down, feet together, knees wide) with rolled blankets or towels under the thighs. Spend at least 20 mins breathing and relaxing.
If your back is aching:
Try legs up the wall (as above for 20 mins) or child pose for 2/3 mins. Legs up the wall is also good for fluid retention after standing on your legs too long (xmas shopping!?)
If you have overeaten:
Any form of virasana. Kneeling sit between the heels hands on lap for 10 mins. Sit on a blanket to take some stress out of the knees. Supta (reclining) virasana is even more effective. Again support your spine with blankets/bolsters to take pressure off the knees and spine. Massage your knees after.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or need quiet time do savasana, yoga nidra, or find a quiet space and sit quietly with eyes closed. A useful mantra is “I am (on inhale) peace (on exhale)”. We have a great 10 min yoga nidra cd (somnologix) in our shop sure to bring back sanity. It also brings many other health benefits when practiced daily.
Ask your teachers for help if you don’t know these poses and have a healthy happy holiday! |
