Newsletters Index

Newsletter June 2006

Namaste yogis and yoginis

Welcome to winter! I for one am loving the chance to rug up in scarves, boots and jackets! Remember to warm up properly in winter. Cold causes contraction in muscles, and stiffness in the joints so take time to warm up slowly. You can even do a couple of extra gentle stretches pre class, or shake your body out. When warming up in class, relax, take your time, just be happy to be there initially, and activate the poses more only as the body and breath allow.Also remember to wear warm clothes to and from the centre, often you can feel warm and relaxed after class and going out into the cold weather can cause quite a shock! Not the outcome we’re looking for!

Website:

You may have noticed our new website, if not make sure you get on and have a look. It has become our second noticeboard, we update it almost daily with info about classes, times and events. You can access the newsletter online now, and there are lots of articles to read (although please be patient as some of the articles are still being uploaded). On our front page we have a section of student comments about “why yoga?”Lovely Norma has kindly agreed to be our first student comment, and we’d really appreciate further contributions. If you have noticed any benefit from practice, and feel happy to put it in our “why yoga” section, please jot it down with name & age and hand pass it on to Suzanne via any of the teachers. Thank you in advance – Suzanne

The 5 yagyas

In Vedic philosophy (the Vedas are considered to be the source texts from where the various yoga philosophies originated) we come into the world with 5 great debts, and hence we must make in return 5 “yagyas” or “sacrifices”. In English, sacrifice has a connotation of loss, but in Sanskrit it refers simply to an exchange. For example if you put wood into a fire, the fire gives you back heat and light. This exchange of energy is yagya. The 5 debts/or gifts we are given are:

1. birth itself: so we owe a debt to our mother, and our father for literally bringing us into the world and caring for us when we were unable to care for ourselves. (substitute primary caregivers if that feels more appropriate)
2. knowledge and learning: so we owe a debt to our teachers in all their forms.
3. a divine spark: so we owe a debt to the gods/god/higher intelligence/the cosmos whatever we attribute that magic behind our existence to.
4. the support of society: roads, schools, hospitals, access to water, electricity, food, friendship, companionship, fun all come from the network of humans we belong to called society
5. the support of the earth itself: the air, the earth, water, all natural resources that support life come from mother earth. This includes animals and all of nature.

So if we apply this and each day we try and “repay” a little of our debts we find ourselves living naturally with more compassion and awareness. It can simply be phoning our Mum every day to see how they are, using less water in the shower, remembering to be thankful for the good things in our life, paying our taxes without resentment, and continuing our study, little examples like these bring our yoga into daily life.

Other tips to contribute: child sponsorship, membership to environmental groups, choose the “earth’s choice”option on your energex bill, volunteer, donate unwanted goods & clothes, reduce personal spending, reduce waste, recycle, cook for family/friends, do something nice for your parents, help a child with homework , the list is endless!

Reviews

Anniversary Concert: Thanks to all who attended our celebration, and for all good wishes and gifts, we really appreciate your support. There was a great turn out, beyond my expectations. Margs provided delicious dahl & curry, and her usual yummy cakes and chai. Her food makes any event an occasion!! Raasa were wonderful. We are so lucky to have such talented and committed musicians in our local area. Raasa play traditional Indian sitar and tabla, although on occasion they might bring in a flute player or Spanish guitar. Both of these traditional instruments are very complex and require a lot of study, yet the sound they produce is so pure. No wonder it creates such a meditative experience! The teachers also did a few poses for students to guess the names of and if the name was guessed in Sanskrit, a prize was won. It was a little silly and a lot of fun. We wanted to find a way to still share asanas in a relaxed way, and I think it worked!?

Hot Rock Bliss: Also thanks to Wendy who donated a hot rock massage as a prize on the night. I forgot to mention that she is offering $20 off introductory massages at the moment. Winter is the perfect time for hot rock, let the heat seep deep into your bones and relax…. To book in call 0404 077343

Food, food, food: Foodie that I am, I like to keep you in touch with delicious & healthy food around the place, so we can all feel well together! My latest favourite spot is Satto Japanese/Korean food on the highway between 6^th ave and Palm Beach Ave. I go there for a fresh vegie stir fry & rice that they have as a lunch special for only $6.90! In other lunch news, Swell (across the car park) have re-introduced their excellent winter soups. I enjoyed Thai pumpkin the other day, and am promised lima bean and veg tomorrow mmmm!

Afternoon workshops: hard for me to be objective, but I think they’ve been going well. I really enjoy teaching them and the intention is to round out the experience of going to classes by adding in extras like the philosophy behind the pose, detail of postures, focusing on techniques to progress the practice and so on. Keep an eye on the noticeboard/website for the latest topics and dates.

Bubba offers one of her favourite philosophies:

“10 things you can learn from your dog”

1. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them
2. Let others know when they’ve invadedyour space
3. Be loyal – never pretend to be something you’re not
4. If what you want lies buried, dig till you find it
5. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and muzzle them gently
6. Thrive on attention and let people touch you
7. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do
8. No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing, run right back and make friends
9. Bond with your pack
10. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk (thanks Santina for this contribution!)

Newsletters index