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Namaste Yogis and Yoginis
Happy New Year, or Happy New Moment as Cam says! Every moment, every breath is a new beginning but sometimes we need a special day or an event to bring it to our attention. It gives us a chance to evaluate, consider and shift direction if need be, or refresh enthusiasm for the path we're on. It's easy to discount, but if we do, we may lose an opportunity to grow wise. I don't make resolutions as such, but I do reflect on the year that has been, and the year to come to recognise and integrate the things I have learned, to acknowledge the things I am grateful for, and to recommit to my intentions in life. I am reminded of another year passing and how precious life is. I would not like to let it flow past without even noticing. Celebrating the New Year helps me keep fresh in my appreciation. Recently I have become more of a gardener, so as I ruminate, lessons from my garden permeate my thinking. I have discovered I need to put in some daily attention to my garden, to feed it, water it, make sure the conditions are right for the plants I put in the ground, and then – I have to let nature take its course!! It's like asana practice really, the earth/foundation is regular practice (abhyasa), we water the pose with our consciousness, allow the sunlight of our breath to give it life, and then let nature take its course!! I have also discovered that some poses are lettuces (faster growing) and others are oranges (take a long time!!) and that I can't force it. And I reckon the garden lessons could apply to more of life, so this year is the year of learning from the garden for me (at least at the moment!) put in daily attention, nurture and let it go.Happy New Year everybody, and Happy New Moment.
Om Shanti
(peace)
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With Blessings,
Suzanne Gray | |
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BITS AND PIECES |
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BITS AND PIECES |
·Congratulations to Kris Mckay who won the $200 Miessence voucher. There were a few ways to go in the draw in December, but Kris won by purchasing Miessence products off our website. They are fantastic products and a groundbreaking company. Well worth checking out, and we appreciate their generousity donating the voucher!!
·New charity project: I have started a fundraising page on the Water Projects website. Although we already have several charity contributions running, I was moved to do more to help people access water after seeing the movie “FLOW”. I just couldn't imagine what it would be like to live without safe water, or to be a mother giving her child water knowing it might kill them or make them sick. I plan to hold some fundraising events over the year, but you can contribute anytime by clicking here. Please help others experience this basic human right. | |
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·Beautiful new malas now in our yoga shop. Malas are prayer beads used for Mantra Japa (the practice of Mantra chant/repetition) and I wear mine daily to remind me of my life path and intention. Both Malas and. Mantras are considered very powerful tools for changing consciousness and also for bringing about change in our lives. Each of the Malas is made from a precious stone whose resonance also has an effect on our consciousness. We may feel intuitively drawn to a mala, or we may choose a mala that resonates with a particular chant. Information on the mantras that go with each of the malas we have, and on mantras and malas in general is in the shop. Please feel free to ask if you need more guidance about which of these beautiful malas might suit you. | |
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CALENDAR DATES
January 9-13th inclusive Ashtanga Intensive. Places are still left for the annual Ashtanga intensive held out at Tallebudgera Valley Hall 6-8am each morning. There are many benefits of an intensive – you really get to understand where your practice is at, you awaken new insight and energy, and it's a great way to take your practice to another level. Please enquire at the front desk. A $50 deposit is required to secure your place, although the full amount of $108 is appreciated.
January 14th – the new 2012 timetable begins!!! Thank you for all your input. I have tried my best to incorporate your input, with the teachers' availability and the practicality of the times actually available. Sadly, we couldn't meet all requests, but we have done our best. A substantial number of people at certain timeslots were very happy and didn't want any changes to the timetable!! One of the most frequent requests we had was for stronger practice outside work hours. I feel happy with the outcome, and I hope you do too. Please feel free to let me know. Click here to see it on the website. Hard copies out soon.
Tuesdays in January and ongoing – Feel alive and treat yourself to a fun morning with yoga, surfing lesson and delicious breakfast. Danny is the yoga teacher, and the elite surf coach and chef is Darren Barker aka the Surfing Chef. For more info – click here, or grab a flyer at the front desk.
Sometime in January, we hope to have our new front desk software up and running. Many of you have already signed on, thank you!! It will be a great help to us, to get things going more smoothly with as many people pre-registered as possible. To register, please click here then choose “My Info” and enter your details. If you want to register your credit card, you will never have to bring your wallet to class again!! But this is only optional for your convenience. After that, you don't have to do anything except show up. Sign up in January and you go into the draw to win this months beautiful Hot Rock Massage with the wonderful Wendy Chapman. Please let the teacher at the desk know so they can put you in the draw. If you have signed up already just let one of the teachers know, and they will put you in the draw.
YOGA TIP
Sometimes we are unaware in our efforts to activate a pose that we are overworking and locking the joints. This not only places undue pressure on the joint, but also on the tendons surrounding the joint. Sometimes the pain we feel is not joint pain, but inflamed tendons around it. We can also put pressure on the nervous system, and even block/slow blood flow to the area. Most importantly, from a yogic perspective, you can block the flow of energy.Particularly prone are the hip, knee, elbow and shoulder joints, as well as the spine. Yoga asana is not just about the mechanical activation of muscles and the effect on the joints, it is also about the flow of energy through the body, and the nadis (energy meridiens that run through the body, it is said they follow the nervous system pathways). This effects the flow of prana and the vitality of every part of the body, especially of the organs the nadis connect to. A yoga posture moving from energy flow is effortless. When the energy flow is blocked, we have to use effort and muscle, so we fatigue more quickly. A body that has free flowing energy is responsive – to the moment, the season, changes, and balance. It provides excellent feedback about the bodys energy levels and capacity.A body with blocked energy flow can be insensitive and gives poor feedback, often leading to overwork, fatigue and injury. A body with flowing energy is in harmony with the breath and conscious awareness, a blocked body can be at war with the consciousness and disconnected from the breath. Free flowing energy feels great, you feel energised and in tune, blocked energy feels heavy, the poses feel odious and full of effort or will. Next time you practice, take time to check in and see if your joints are locked, or if they are at ease, and the energy flowing. Soften the knees slightly, relax the shoulders, move in alignment with the hip joint, soften the elbows and give space and length to the spine, you will be amazed at how effortless, energising and enjoyable your practice can be.
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THOUGHT FOR TODAY
"Enlightenment is always there. Small enlightenment will bring great enlightenment. If you breathe in and are aware that you are alive—that you can touch the miracle of being alive—then that is a kind of enlightenment.” - Thich Naht Hahn. | |
