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Namaste Yogis and Yoginis
I didn't know what to write this month as it has been a bit of a bumpy ride, but then I remembered hey that's life!! As we flow with the river of life, sometimes it's a smooth ride, easy navigating, a pleasure, then other times the river dries up and we have to work a bit harder to go forward (sometimes even carrying the boat on our back!) and at other times, we hit the rapids and all we can do is put on our lifejackets, keep breathing and hang on for the ride!!! The only thing we know for sure is this too will pass!
The times I felt best this month, even while in the rapids, were either when I was helping someone else, or doing something simple and close to nature like walking or riding my bike along the river.
Another reminder that a simple natural life helping others leads to happiness?
And while still on the topic of flowing water and life....
I love a story I read recently in Conscious Living magazine about the 13th Dalai Lama, who once sent an emissary to the court of King Edward 7th to find out what he could about the British, and their spiritual practices. When the emissary returned he reported the English were very knowledgeable regarding the true nature of existence. He had learned a sacred mantra that all young children in the British Empire were required to chant from the moment they could speak. He told the Dalai Lama that in just a few short lines this mantra offered advice for living a good life. It also clearly revealed existence as merely an illusion that should not be taken too seriously. Naturally, the Dalai Lama was very excited and eagerly asked to hear the sacred mantra. The emissary respectfully replied:
Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.
Om Shanti
(peace)
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With Blessings,
Suzanne Gray | |
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Yoga Aid Charity Fundraiser |
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Afternoon of Yoga |
Sunday 15th November
6 am, be one of a group of yogis dedicated to exploring their practice, and raising money for charity, as you flow through 108 salutes. Money is raised through the entry fee $5, or by donating online (link on our website) or at the front desk. All money raised will go to Barnardo's childrens charity. Get your friends and family to sponsor you! Then they'll feel good too and give you extra motivation! | |
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Sunday 22nd November From 1.30 to about 5pm join in philosophy, pranayama, meditation & asana before enjoying some yummy refreshments, and choose to stay on for our Kirtan night 6-8pm. The cost of the afternoon is $25 all inclusive or just turn up for the Kirtan by gold coin donation.Content | |
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COMING UP
Wow we have a lot on this month and next!!
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Sunday 6th November Swap meet. If you missed this opportunity to get new stuff in an eco-friendly way, keep your eye out for future swap sessions.
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Sunday December 13th Yoga xmas party. A more traditional demo this year (practice based, not choreographed), yummy chai and great music set the tone for a great way to wind down the year. Keep your eye on the noticeboard/website for further details.
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Monday December 21st Jan 10 inclusive Christmas Timetable. Make sure you grab a timetable or check the website to make sure you can keep coming to classes over the xmas season. It's important to balance out the busy-ness & festivities with yoga and mediation to stay calm, relaxed and feeling good this xmas season!! Also make sure you grab a NEW TIMETABLE FOR 2010 as there will be a couple of small changes. If you haven't had a chance to get one, you can always check in on the website or phone before heading into class.
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January 4th -9th inclusive Ashtanga Intensive. Details TBA
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NEW NEW NEW STUFF
We are in the process of getting in Direct Debit to make your commitment to your practice even easier. Not only that, it has been suggested that people who use Direct Debit attend more regularly and get even more benefit from their practice! Keep your eye out for information on how to sign up coming soon!
Awesome sunscreen from OneGroup/Miessence that is also organic and no nasty stuff. Kath road tested it at a rock festival, and I can ride my bike at any time of day knowing I'm protected. If you love Miessence, order through our link on the website or through us and save on postage (might take a little longer though!)
Music and books we are constantly updating our little collection and have added a few new titles to the CDs and books we supply. If you have a book you are chasing, let Mark or Suzanne know, we may be able to get it in for you.
New eyebags on the way, and a fresh batch of mats & straps. Ask one of the teachers for gift certificate options if you have a yogi friend and want to surprise them for xmas but not sure what they'd like.
Check out our new weblinks especially our TRAVELLING YOGIS photos shared by John D from his recent trip OS. We love the creativity in the shots and being able to share in the wonderful journey he went on, thanks John!! if anyone has some yogi shots from their travels, send them in, and brighten up all our lives!!
Also a couple of new recommendations (you know I love to track these things down) 1: Zenergy Bulk foods,18a Griffith St, Coolangatta is an awesome little shop, with all kinds of great stuff especially organic SPICES and HERBS! 2: Gary Anderson of Viva la Natural hair is now offering great hair cuts using only organic and natural products, from the SheOak Shack in Fingal. (he also has a salon in Mudgeeraba) 0424 852 688.
and NOT NEW but a reminder, tell us if a friend referred you, we would like to say thank you!! There are some yogis/yoginis out there that we are really grateful to, for sending along their colleagues, family and friends, and sometimes we find out much later. Word of mouth really helps us to thrive, keep costs low, and lets us know you appreciate what we do, which feels great. If you do enjoy the classes or teachers here, put it into a few words for our website.
REMEMBER TO KEEP CHECKING OUR NOTICEBOARD FOR NEW EVENTS/SPECIALS & INTERESTING BITS.
THE SURVEY
It took a little while, but we have finally collated the survey, thank you to all who participated. We have taken note of a number of things we can do to improve our service to you, some we can implement straightaway, others might take a little longer, thank you in advance for you patience.
In short it was interesting to note: (answers in order of highest response):
The main reasons people are attracted to yoga are to feel calmer, to grow spiritually and general wellbeing.
The main reasons people come to the GCYC are for the professional and friendly teachers (thank you!!)
The main medical conditions that students suffer from are stress and injury.
Over 85% of students who had a medical or other condition found yoga relieved that condition.
Most of our students are female The largest age bracket is the 45-60 age group, then 25-35.
There was a lot of positive feedback thank you, and some insight to being able to improve in a few areas, and bring in workshops of interest. We are always interested in feedback, positive and negative. Make sure you let Suzanne know if you have anything to offer.
THE STORY OF THE CRACKED POT - FOR ANYONE WHO'S NOT PERFECT!
An old woman in India used to walk daily to get water from a nearby well. She carried a pole across her shoulders with a water pot hanging at each end. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.' The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.' 'For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.' Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'
To all those cracked pots out there, I hope you realise the magnificence in your unique flaws!
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THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars.
- Les Brown, American Author
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