MIXED LEVEL YOGA CLASS TIMETABLE- NEW! Hatha Yoga Classes at Wolli Creek
Monday-
Hatha Mixed Level Yoga- 6-7.15pm & 7.30-8.45 pm- St. Georges Rowing Club, Paddles Hall,
1 Levey Street,Wolli Creek
$13.00 per class for monthly enrollments and $17.00 for casual classes.
Wednesday-
Hatha Mixed Level Yoga- 5.30-6.45 pm & 7-8.15 pm Como Yoga
Address: Guide Hall Corner of Waraba & Mulyan street,
Como, NSW 2226
Hatha Mixed Level class is deeply nurturing and suitable for all, especially for those with busy and stressful work/ lifestyle. The class starts with some gentle stretches to open the hips and relax the spine, followed by some dynamic sun salutes and poses using a variety of props. You will be taken into a short guided meditation and we finish with deep relaxation. You will leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
No previous yoga experience required!
For further information log on to - http://www.findyoga.com.au/ and quick search "Yoga sanctuary" or call Prachi on 0422577268
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Friday, December 26, 2008
Bliss meditation.......
A short guided meditation to relieve stress and bring your mind to stillness.
Watch it, do it & enjoy it! An express to Relaxation and bliss!
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu25RgITrRI
Watch it, do it & enjoy it! An express to Relaxation and bliss!
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu25RgITrRI
The Best Gifts!!
Deep down inside we know that the best gifts don't come from catalogs or shopping malls They don't come in brightly-colored packagesor fancy envelopes and they're not sitting under a tree somewhere... The best gifts come from the heart. They come when we look at each other REALLY look at each other and say 'You mean a lot to me' or 'I'm so glad you're a part of my life' A gift like that will never go out of style or be forgotten or be returned for a different size. A gift like that can change the world...
Ron Atchison
The Mayor of Inspiration Peak
Ron Atchison
The Mayor of Inspiration Peak
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Yoga Nidra
What is yoga nidra?
It is a state in which you are neither asleep nor awake. If you fall asleep, it is not yoga nidra. If you remain awake, then too it is not yoga nidra. If dreams overtake you, it is not yoga nidra. Yoga nidra is a state in which there is awareness of the conscious, subconscious and unconscious fields of your mind all at one time. It is a perfect therapy. It removes all psychological abnormalities and samskaras, and helps you to become your normal, natural self.
Patanjali has defined yoga as the control of the chitta vrittis, mental modifications. Good behaviour is the outcome of the chitta vrittis; similarly, bad behaviour is also the outcome of the chitta vrittis. Our conscious, subconscious and unconscious fields are our chitta. Simultaneous awareness of these three fields is Aham asmi or ‘I am’. This state in which you are aware but not aware that you are aware comes in yoga nidra. Thereafter a process of sure but imperceptible sublimation takes place within.
It is a state in which you are neither asleep nor awake. If you fall asleep, it is not yoga nidra. If you remain awake, then too it is not yoga nidra. If dreams overtake you, it is not yoga nidra. Yoga nidra is a state in which there is awareness of the conscious, subconscious and unconscious fields of your mind all at one time. It is a perfect therapy. It removes all psychological abnormalities and samskaras, and helps you to become your normal, natural self.
Patanjali has defined yoga as the control of the chitta vrittis, mental modifications. Good behaviour is the outcome of the chitta vrittis; similarly, bad behaviour is also the outcome of the chitta vrittis. Our conscious, subconscious and unconscious fields are our chitta. Simultaneous awareness of these three fields is Aham asmi or ‘I am’. This state in which you are aware but not aware that you are aware comes in yoga nidra. Thereafter a process of sure but imperceptible sublimation takes place within.
Benefits of Yoga Nidra
» Yoga nidra induces deep relaxation at all the levels – physical, mental and emotional.
» Yoga nidra can be used to change the nature of mind along the positive lines.
» The quality of sleep improves dramatically by practicing yoga nidra.
» The work efficiency increases manifolds by practicing yoga nidra.
» Yoga nidra is highly effective in removing stress.
» The diseases like insomnia, hypertension, depression, asthma, digestive disorders, migraine and ulcers can be cured by yoga nidra.
» The practice of yoga nidra shifts pressures from the coronary system.
» It exerts positive influence on the physical matter in the brain.
» Yoga nidra awakens the psychic body and gives the practitioner, experiences of the astral plane.
» The process of learning anything becomes very quick by yoga nidra
Join me for a session & feel the magic for yourself!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Subtle Anatomy- Let's know our body!
Subtle Anatomy
All of the following terms have originated from Sanskrit. The ancient language of India. Though having their unique roles and benefits they have commonalities ie all are related to “Prana” the life force, all can not be seen physically. Knowledge of these and practises ie, Pranayama & asanas will help enhance your experience of all and bring wellbeing into your life.
CHAKRAS
Chakra means "wheel" and it refers to each of the seven energy centers of our consciousness, our energy system. There are seven chakras in our bodies.These are our “Energy points”. Each chakra can be associated with particular part of the body and particular functions. These start at the base of the spine and go up through the head. Each chakra has a different frequency of vibration, symbol, color, and sound that it is attuned to. When your chakras are not vibrating or spinning properly you are unable to move your physical, emotional, and mental body onto a higher spiritual level. Basically, if our charkas are working fine we would feel energetic, free from mental & physical pain. Let’s look at the Visuddha-Throat chakra. The aspects of expressing and receiving. Expressing can be in the form of communicating what one wants and what one feels. Someone who has difficulty in expressing themselves, suppressing their feelings and thoughts would be having difficulty with this charka. Some poses you can practise for this are Fish (Matysasana), Supported Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana), Camel (Ustrasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) and Plow Pose (Halasana)
The main seven charkas are Sahasharara, Ajna, Vishuddha, Anahatta, Manipurs, Swadisthana, Muladhara.
BANDHAS
Bandha means "Lock or restraint". They are locks, which prevent the outward flow of energy by directing energy inward thus activating the nadis and the energy body. It may be defined as a particular focused and intentional action involving pressure or contraction of the muscles. They can be achieved by pure concentration. Bandhas are like a “Control device”. They not only affect the body and energy, but also builds the mind and spiritual centers in the body. They are tools that restore hormonal balance in the body making you happy and relaxed.
There are three classic bandhas, Jalandhar Bandha, Mool Bandha and Udyaan Bandha.
NADIS
Nadis are thought to carry a life force energy or “prana”. Nadis are not nerves but rather channels for the flow of consciousness. The literal meaning of nadi is'flow'. Just as you have a fuel pipes in a car supplying fuel to the required areas in the same way, Prana flows through every part of our body via these nadis. There are 72,000 or more such channels or networks.
An early version of the nadi system is mentioned in the Chandogya Upanishad, which says:
“ A hundred and one are the arteries of the heart, one of them leads up to the crown of the head. Going upward through that, one becomes immortal. (CU 8.6.6)[1] ”
There are three main nadis in the body, Ida, Pingala & Sushumna.
GRANTHIS
Granthis are knots, which act as barriers to the free flow of prana. These are blockages restraining the upward flow of Life energy force. The ida and the pingala go up spirally, alternating from left to right and from right to left, forming a loop around each chakra. They originate from the common center of muladhara at the base of the spine, but at the top their ends are free. We come back to the same thing again. Prana the life force has to be free flowing in the body, anything blocking it, would be a hindrance and granthis are one of them. But it is only through consistent yoga practise and over lifetimes that we are able to pierce these. The first knot is below the navel and is called brahma-granthi. When the flow of energy is restricted to this region, instinctive drives like hunger, thirst and sense pleasure dominate the mind. The second knot is below the heart and is called vishnu-granthi. This is the region of the emotional life of man. The third knot is below the eyebrows and is called rudra-granthi. This is the area of intellectual activity.
PRANA VAYUS
Prana, as pointed out from the outset of this essay, is the Sanskrit word for the life force. The root pra means “first” and na means the “smallest (or most basic) unit of energy” – so Prana is the first or fundamental unit of energy. Everything living functions by virtue of Prana; all activity and change – mental and emotional as well as physical – is a manifestation of the workings of Prana. Prana is the radiance of life itself. Within us, prana is the moving force. The word “vayu” is translated as “wind”. The root ‘va’ means “that which flows”. A vayu is a vehicle within our body for activities and experiences. It also means ‘a force’ that moves in a specific way in a certain area of the body that is overseas.
There are 49 prana vayus or types of vayu in the body.The main 5 are Udana Vayu, Prana Vayu, Samana Vayu, Apana Vayu, Vyana Vayu.
KOSHAS
It is described that human consciousness is folded into five layers, or sheaths, (koshas) around the central point, containing the self (chitta). Each of the sheaths or koshas is only an appearance. In truth, all of the levels, layers, koshas, or sheaths of our reality is only appearance, and that underneath all of those appearances, we are pure, divine, eternal consciousness, or whatever name you prefer to call it. When we unravel all these layers to reach the inner most, it is a state of bliss. Just like a present one gets, which is wrapped around by several layers of gift paper. Slowly yet steadily you open it one after another layer till u get to the gift and what do you feel then is a sense of bliss. It basically means your true inner-self which relates to the universal power is covered by five layers and these sheaths are uncovered through yoga practises ie asanas, pranayama.
The five main Koshas are Physical - Annamaya kosha, Energy - Pranamaya kosha ,Mental - Manamaya kosha, Wisdom - Vijnanamaya kosha, Bliss - Anandamaya kosha, Self - Atman
All of the following terms have originated from Sanskrit. The ancient language of India. Though having their unique roles and benefits they have commonalities ie all are related to “Prana” the life force, all can not be seen physically. Knowledge of these and practises ie, Pranayama & asanas will help enhance your experience of all and bring wellbeing into your life.CHAKRAS
Chakra means "wheel" and it refers to each of the seven energy centers of our consciousness, our energy system. There are seven chakras in our bodies.These are our “Energy points”. Each chakra can be associated with particular part of the body and particular functions. These start at the base of the spine and go up through the head. Each chakra has a different frequency of vibration, symbol, color, and sound that it is attuned to. When your chakras are not vibrating or spinning properly you are unable to move your physical, emotional, and mental body onto a higher spiritual level. Basically, if our charkas are working fine we would feel energetic, free from mental & physical pain. Let’s look at the Visuddha-Throat chakra. The aspects of expressing and receiving. Expressing can be in the form of communicating what one wants and what one feels. Someone who has difficulty in expressing themselves, suppressing their feelings and thoughts would be having difficulty with this charka. Some poses you can practise for this are Fish (Matysasana), Supported Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana), Camel (Ustrasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) and Plow Pose (Halasana)
The main seven charkas are Sahasharara, Ajna, Vishuddha, Anahatta, Manipurs, Swadisthana, Muladhara.
BANDHAS
Bandha means "Lock or restraint". They are locks, which prevent the outward flow of energy by directing energy inward thus activating the nadis and the energy body. It may be defined as a particular focused and intentional action involving pressure or contraction of the muscles. They can be achieved by pure concentration. Bandhas are like a “Control device”. They not only affect the body and energy, but also builds the mind and spiritual centers in the body. They are tools that restore hormonal balance in the body making you happy and relaxed.
There are three classic bandhas, Jalandhar Bandha, Mool Bandha and Udyaan Bandha.
NADIS
Nadis are thought to carry a life force energy or “prana”. Nadis are not nerves but rather channels for the flow of consciousness. The literal meaning of nadi is'flow'. Just as you have a fuel pipes in a car supplying fuel to the required areas in the same way, Prana flows through every part of our body via these nadis. There are 72,000 or more such channels or networks.
An early version of the nadi system is mentioned in the Chandogya Upanishad, which says:
“ A hundred and one are the arteries of the heart, one of them leads up to the crown of the head. Going upward through that, one becomes immortal. (CU 8.6.6)[1] ”
There are three main nadis in the body, Ida, Pingala & Sushumna.
GRANTHIS
Granthis are knots, which act as barriers to the free flow of prana. These are blockages restraining the upward flow of Life energy force. The ida and the pingala go up spirally, alternating from left to right and from right to left, forming a loop around each chakra. They originate from the common center of muladhara at the base of the spine, but at the top their ends are free. We come back to the same thing again. Prana the life force has to be free flowing in the body, anything blocking it, would be a hindrance and granthis are one of them. But it is only through consistent yoga practise and over lifetimes that we are able to pierce these. The first knot is below the navel and is called brahma-granthi. When the flow of energy is restricted to this region, instinctive drives like hunger, thirst and sense pleasure dominate the mind. The second knot is below the heart and is called vishnu-granthi. This is the region of the emotional life of man. The third knot is below the eyebrows and is called rudra-granthi. This is the area of intellectual activity.
PRANA VAYUS
Prana, as pointed out from the outset of this essay, is the Sanskrit word for the life force. The root pra means “first” and na means the “smallest (or most basic) unit of energy” – so Prana is the first or fundamental unit of energy. Everything living functions by virtue of Prana; all activity and change – mental and emotional as well as physical – is a manifestation of the workings of Prana. Prana is the radiance of life itself. Within us, prana is the moving force. The word “vayu” is translated as “wind”. The root ‘va’ means “that which flows”. A vayu is a vehicle within our body for activities and experiences. It also means ‘a force’ that moves in a specific way in a certain area of the body that is overseas.
There are 49 prana vayus or types of vayu in the body.The main 5 are Udana Vayu, Prana Vayu, Samana Vayu, Apana Vayu, Vyana Vayu.
KOSHAS
It is described that human consciousness is folded into five layers, or sheaths, (koshas) around the central point, containing the self (chitta). Each of the sheaths or koshas is only an appearance. In truth, all of the levels, layers, koshas, or sheaths of our reality is only appearance, and that underneath all of those appearances, we are pure, divine, eternal consciousness, or whatever name you prefer to call it. When we unravel all these layers to reach the inner most, it is a state of bliss. Just like a present one gets, which is wrapped around by several layers of gift paper. Slowly yet steadily you open it one after another layer till u get to the gift and what do you feel then is a sense of bliss. It basically means your true inner-self which relates to the universal power is covered by five layers and these sheaths are uncovered through yoga practises ie asanas, pranayama.
The five main Koshas are Physical - Annamaya kosha, Energy - Pranamaya kosha ,Mental - Manamaya kosha, Wisdom - Vijnanamaya kosha, Bliss - Anandamaya kosha, Self - Atman
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Simple poses to help release the day's stress and ease the back!
Viparita Karani-1. Sit next to a wall with the side of your body on the wall and your knees bent into the chest.
2. Bring the lower back onto the floor while bringing the legs up the wall. Keep the upper body supported with the elbows on the floor.
3. Slowly release the elbows and lower the whole back down to the floor.
4. If you are comfortable, stay here several minutes.
5. To come out, bring the knees into your chest and roll to your side.
Benefits: This posture promotes resting of the heart . It gently lengthens the hamstrings. Allow the spine to lengthen and stretch with maximum support. The sacrum is flattened to complete a graceful full-spinal extension.
Props to use: Folded blankets & bolsters may be used beneath the sacrum
Another gentle pose- Lie on your back, put a pillow under your neck, bend your knees to a 90-degree angle, and put your lower legs and feet on a chair/ottoman/table. Now, relax your neck & shoulders.If its available to you close your eyes. If you hve a eye pillow use one. Soft music would do wonders in this pose! Stay here for 5-15mins.
****** Disclaimer Hatha Yoga requires your complete attention. You are responsible for your own practice and knowing what is right for you in the present moment.******
Hanuman Chalisa- Splits/monkey pose is named after Hanuman
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=fKKSurfd6Ys
"It was the greatest leap ever taken. The speed of Hanuman's jump pulled blossoms and flowers into the air after him and they fell like little stars on the waving treetops. The animals on the beach had never seen such a thing; they cheered Hanuman, then the air burned from his passage, and red clouds flamed over the sky . . ." (Ramayana, retold by William Buck)
Hanuman, General of the Monkey Army, was devoted to King Rama. Hanuman symbolizes devotion & service. Hanuman's father Vayu, God of wind, helped his son make his great leaps.
True depth comes from proper alignment. Let this posture lengthen your body from the inside out. In Hanumanasana the hip flexor muscles are being stretched as well as the hanstrings. Hanumanasana is also a back bend, when the full position is attained.
"It was the greatest leap ever taken. The speed of Hanuman's jump pulled blossoms and flowers into the air after him and they fell like little stars on the waving treetops. The animals on the beach had never seen such a thing; they cheered Hanuman, then the air burned from his passage, and red clouds flamed over the sky . . ." (Ramayana, retold by William Buck)
Hanuman, General of the Monkey Army, was devoted to King Rama. Hanuman symbolizes devotion & service. Hanuman's father Vayu, God of wind, helped his son make his great leaps.
True depth comes from proper alignment. Let this posture lengthen your body from the inside out. In Hanumanasana the hip flexor muscles are being stretched as well as the hanstrings. Hanumanasana is also a back bend, when the full position is attained.
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