Author: premaria

Namaste Welcome to my website and wordpress blog. www.hathayogaipswich.com.au Here you find all the information about the yoga and meditation classes I'm teaching in Ipswich, QLD, Australia. In my blog I post info for the latest change in the yoga class schedule and/or events. I write about the different aspects of the yoga philosophy, quotes by yoga masters, that inspire me. Nice photos, humour, general inspiration, uplifting and positive thoughts. To shine a light in the world..... 🌟💫 I recently also started a more personal blog www.mariasteiner.com On "maria steiner unplug" I intend to share more personal stories, poems and photos by me. Happy reading and thanks for stopping by. Prema Maria (premaria) 😘
Yoga Retreat August 2019

Yoga Retreat August 2019

premaria

So far this year, about once a week someone or two came back to a yoga class, who hasn’t been in class for a while/years. It’s interesting; often when people miss for a long period, they are almost embarrassed to come back to a yoga class. There is no need to be embarrassed to return to the yoga class after a long absence.  As I hear this excuse a lot, if you wan’t to come back to class come back, no questions asked.


The next excuse I hear from people not coming to a yoga class is: “I’m not flexible”.  Well that’s the purpose of yoga to become flexible and allow movement to your own ability. Improve and moving to your own level. 


The same counts for the Yoga Retreat, you can be a complete beginner to attend the 
Yoga & Meditation Weekend in August, Friday 16/8 – Sunday 18/8/2019.

  • We will return to the same venue as last year, Luther Heights Youth Camp in Coolum Beach. The accommodation is very simple, bunk beds, dorm style. But since we occupy only a third or quarter of the beds available, we can spread out nicely. There are separated niches to share with your friends & family. You need to bring your own linen. 
  • Toilets, showers are basic & clean.
  • The vegetarian meals are delicious, and a good variety.
  • Even good coffee (a luxury, not following traditional yoga ashram rules).
  • So rather than a luxury yoga Retreat, this is more a traditional Yoga & Meditation Camp, as they used to be, when Yoga first arrived in the West. Or more like a Yoga Ashram in India, where the focus is on the practice of yoga, rather than a luxury bed & spa. (which is very nice, but has it’s price). 
  • This allows me, to keep the price below $450
  • The cost the for whole weekend is $420 (including the yoga program, accommodation and meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner).
  • We are surrounded by beautiful, peaceful nature, trees and grounds. Views over the ocean and towards Mount Coolum.
  • Spectacular sunrise, to start the day with Sun Salutations and Meditation.
  • Short walk to the beach and Point Arkwright lookout. 
  • A good location and opportunity to immerse into the practice of Yoga. Dust of the winter blues, getting ready for Spring.
  • My friend Amrita Kamala will mostly likely join us again, to play the harmonium.
  • As a new activity this year, we might have a camp fire on Saturday evening. The Camp has the facility for this, but of course this will be weather permitting only. If no fire restrictions.
  • For the Retreat Weekend to go ahead, I need a minimum of 15 -18 bookings. 
  • Please let me know by 31 March 2019, if you are seriously interested to attend the Yoga & Meditation weekend.
  • As by then I can cancel the venue without any extra charges, and of course I would refund your deposit as well. Fingers crossed, that will not be the case. 

Please contact me for any questions and bookings. I can also send you a detailed pdf file by email , or you find all the important details by following this link:

https://hathayogaipswich.com.au/retreat/

Looking forward to hearing and seeing you,

Prema Maria

Sunrise Meditation, Retreat September 2018.

Yoga is back for 2019

Yoga is back for 2019

premaria

Grab your Yoga mat. All Yoga classes with Maria resume on Tuesday 15th January 2019.

(No unforeseen interruption to weekly class schedule until Easter mid April 2019).

Hatha Yoga with Maria Steiner
Hatha Yoga with Maria Steiner

Weekly Yoga class schedule:

Cameron Park, Scout Hall, Easton Street, Booval

  • Tuesdays, 6:00pm–7:30pm (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)

Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights

  • Tuesdays, 9:00am – 10:30am (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)
  • Wednesdays 9:00am – 10:00am  (Seniors Yoga class) 
  • Thursdays, 5:00pm – 6:00pm   (Seniors yoga class – new class)
  • Thursdays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm  (new time – 90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)

 Cost  

  • first trial class: free
  • drop-in class $15.00
  • 5-class pass (valid for 2 months) $70.00
  • 10-class pass (valid for 4 months) $120.00

Cost for Senior Classes  (Wednesday 9am – 10am + Thursday 5pm – 6pm)

  • first class: free
  • single class  $10.00
  • 10-class-pass  $80.00

Plus every Wednesday night 6:30pm – 8pm. I teach the yoga class at the PCYC Ipswich. Now since 10 years.

Please phone, email or message me, if you have any questions. All of the above Yoga sessions are suitable for beginners.

Looking forward to welcome you on the yoga mat in 2019!!

Dharana & Dhyana – concentration & meditation

Dharana & Dhyana – concentration & meditation

premaria

Based on the “Five Points of Yoga” as outlined by Swami Vishnu-Devananda-ji.+

5. Meditation (Dhyana) and positive thinking

Here is the most important point of all, we become what we think. Thus we should exert to entertain positive and creative thoughts as these will contribute to vibrant health and a peaceful, joyful mind. A positive outlook on life can be developed by learning and practising the teachings of the philosophy of Vedanta. The mind will be brought under perfect control by regular practice of meditation.

Meditation is a natural state of consciousness that isn’t learned, any more that you learn to sleep. It just happens. When the mind becomes one-pointed and steady, it will naturally go beyond the normal mundane awareness into the state referred to as meditation.

Before meditation, practice concentration, one – pointed thinking. Then this practice will lead to a meditative state of the mind. Train the mind in a variety of ways in concentration in the beginning. Sit in a quiet place, or in nature focus on your breath. Inhale – Exhale …… mentally repeating a Mantra “OM” or “Soham”. Concentrate on any concrete image: a flower, a candle, the blue sky. Concentrate within on one of the Chakras.

In meditation do not strain the eyes. Do not strain the brain. Do not struggle or wrestle with the mind. Relax. Observe the thoughts like a cloud passing by. Gently allow the divine thoughts flow.

Meditation practice – Concentration on a flower.

Through regular meditation, the mind becomes clear and the motives pure. The subconscious mind release hidden knowledge that allows a better understanding of oneself and our relationship to the world. the limited personality slowly dissolves into an expanded consciousness. Ultimately, the super-conscious or intuitive forces are released, leading to a life of wisdom and peace.

Swami Vishnu-Devananda

Sunrise Meditation in nature – yoga weekend retreat September 2018.

Christmas Break December 2018

Christmas Break December 2018

premaria
Christmas tree at Sydney town hall, November 2018.
Christmas tree at Sydney  town hall, November 2018.

 

This year’s Christmas / New Year’s break will be for three weeks, from Monday 24th December 2018 until Sunday 13th January 2019.


The last Yoga classes in 2018 are on Thursday 20/12/18.

All Yoga classes resume on Tuesday 15th January 2019.

The yoga class at the PCYC Ipswich will resume one week earlier, on Wednesday 9th January 2019, 6:30pm – 8pm.

 

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy New Year !!

Thank you for your loyalty during the past year.

Looking forward to welcome you on the yoga mat in 2019 again.

Be well and healthy.

my rant about beer – yoga

premaria

Overtime there are always many fads that come and go. Some are funny, cute, amusing, trendy and market themselves under the umbrella of Yoga, such as cat-yoga, doga, SUP-Yoga , nude or naked-yoga, etc.

But the latest one beer – yoga goes under my skin, and I need to state my opinion and probably that of many serious yoga practitioners: beer –  yoga.  What an insult to the masters and ancient wisdom of yoga.

I have nothing against drinking beer, a good glass of wine, fancy cocktails, what ever rocks your boat.

But beer – yoga: drinking while practising Asana, Pranayama and Meditation.  You missed the point of the true nature and teachings of Yoga.

If you want to drink beer, while doing certain stretches and exercises, do that if you want, but please don’t call it Yoga.

Prema Maria

Focus on breathing

premaria

How I recently experienced the power of proper breathing.

Healing on and by the water. Tallebudgera Creek, November 2018. Photo by Prema Maria

A couple weeks ago I had a root canal treatment. It wasn’t my first one ever. But for this one, I had to go to an Endodontist, a specialist for those kind of procedures. I spare you of the details.

The procedure took about two hours. I couldn’t do much, lying there with my mouth open, breathing through the nose. 

And that’s exactly what I’ve done. I had my hands on my belly, focusing on deep abdominal breathing, taking the attention and focus away from my face. While I visualised healing light all around me, specially on my tooth, as well as for the Endodontist and Assistant. They did the hard work, I was just lying there. 

Now in general I very seldom meditate for longer than 15 minutes. But I had no other choice, no place to go – nothing to do. I tried to detach from my body and observe myself from the outside. Forgetting time and space. 

Of course I felt dizzy and was numb on one side of my face, once the procedure was finished. Instead of going home or trying to drink, let alone eat anything. I went straight to the movies. Probably the best I could do at the moment, and I can highly recommend it. I watched “A Star is born”. It made me forget my tooth, I was distracted in a dark room. While the sensation in my face and mouth came back slowly. Afterwards I drank a green smoothie with a straw and went home on the train.

In the evening I was teaching a yoga class, without bending forward or moving my head too much.

At night before going to sleep I took two pain-killers, just in case it would help me from waking up through the night with pain. Plus I did not need to be a hero, as I almost never take any painkillers.

The next morning I had the day off. I could feel the pain and swelling ease by the hour. I was thinking more about the movie I saw, listening to the Soundtrack of “A Star is born”, than my tooth.

I give credit to my almost pain-free experience and quick healing to the BREATH, proper deep abdominal yoga breathing, meditation of detaching from the body. 

Everyone in my yoga classes the following week, had to listen to my story. As I was practising and experiencing in every day life, what I preach.

Thank you for reading my story !!  Prema Maria 

PS: In addition to the breathing exercise, I would recommend to go straight to a movie theatre after a root canal treatment or similar. 

Tallebudgera Creek, a few days after the procedure we had a nice Sunday on the stand-up-paddle boards on Tallebudgera Creek. November 2018, Photo by Prema Maria







   		   	

   	
   	
      



			
				



   
   

               November Break
         


   
   

   	

   		
November Break

   		   		

   			premaria   		

   		   	


   	   	

   		
I’m on an early Summer Holiday (before the silly Season starts).


NO Yoga classes from 19th November until 30 November 2018.


The yoga class at the PCYC Ipswich on Wednesday 6:30pm – 8pm, 21/11/18 + 28/11/18, will be taken by Silvia.


In December we have all the Hatha Yoga classes, as per new schedule,  from Tuesday 4th December until/including Thursday 20th December 2018.


 




  
I’m off on a road trip. 







  
We are on a road trip. 




   		   	

   	
   	
      



			
				



   
   

               Retreat Review
         


   
   

   	

   		
Retreat Review

   		   		

   			premaria   		

   		   	


   	   	

   		
Hatha Yoga Weekend September 2018


 


 


Yoga Retreat at Luther Heights, Coolum from 7th to 9th September 2018


I have never been to a yoga retreat and I was quite sceptical initially. A friend told me about it and I thought I will give it a go. It was a great decision! The teacher Maria Prema was great  – skilled and personable; I felt really comfortable with her.  The view was breath-taking and the food was delicious. Meeting like-minded people and doing yoga for the 3 days was wonderful. To do Surya Namaskar while watching the sun rise over the ocean was quite an amazing experience. On the whole, it was soul-enriching  and the retreat was a real treat for me!


Review by Thana.


 




 

   		   	

   	
   	
      



			
				



   
   

               Change to Thursday Yoga Classes
         


   
   

   	

   		
Change to Thursday Yoga Classes

   		   		

   			premaria   		

   		   	


   	   	

   		
As of Thursday 18th October 2018, 


Thursday class schedule / timetable as follows:


These Yoga classes are at the 


Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights, 


Yoga Class at the Raceview Scout Hall with Maria Steiner.
Yoga Classes at the Raceview Scout Hall with Maria Steiner.


5pm – 6pm Senior Yoga class (new class), cost $10.-


this class is suitable for everyone who likes or needs an easier and shorter yoga class, this class is one hour. For the breathing and other exercises we sit on the chair, instead of floor. We do standing up exercises and on the yogmat or continue on the chair. In general we do not practice the Sun Salutation in this class.


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Standing spinal twist, my mother Pia Steiner, November 2015.


 


6:30pm – 8pm Hatha Yoga Class (new time), cost $15.- or yoga class pass


our usual 90 minutes hatha yoga class, breathing exercises (pranayama), sun salutation, 12 basic postures, final relaxation.


 


Hatha Yoga class with Maria Steiner at Raceview Scout Hall, Eastern Heights, Ipswich, QLD.
Hatha Yoga class with Maria Steiner at Raceview Scout Hall, Eastern Heights, Ipswich, QLD.


 

   		   	

   	
   	
      



			
				



   
   

               # Yoga 4 Dignity, 1st September 2018
         


   
   

   	

   		
# Yoga 4 Dignity, 1st September 2018

   		   		

   			premaria   		

   		   	


   	   	

   		
#Yoga4dignity will bring thousands of women & men from Australia together to Share the Dignity whilst at the same time opening our hearts and touching our toes. In Australia we have 48,000 homeless women and it is our GOAL this year to have the same number practicing YOGA in your hometown as we share #Yoga4dignity.


Purchasing this ticket enables you to be part of this amazing event.


 


The cost is $20 and you donate directly to https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/


I donate my time to teach this class, and the Scouts are donating the use of the Hall on this Saturday, I don’t have to pay any hall hire cost.


The class I’m teaching will be at the


SCOUT HALL in Cameron Park, Easton Street, Booval 4304


Saturday 01/09/18   9am – 10:30am


All proceeds go directly to #SharetheDignity, I don’t handle any money. Please buy your tickets here:


 https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/shop/yoga4dignity-y009-booval/ 




This is the second year of #Yoga4Dignity. Last year we had a sold out class of nearly 30 Participants and Yogis, at the Scout Hall, Booval. Let’s see if we can do this again.


Thank you for helping to Share the Dignity.


Y4D-Instructor-placcard 2018.png


yoga for dignity class.jpg
#Yoga4Dignity sold out class 2nd September 2017. Let’s do it again in 2018.


 


Nice article in the local paper QT Ipswich to help promote #Yoga4Dignity #ShareTheDignity


https://www.qt.com.au/news/be-a-part-of-australias-biggest-simultaneous-yoga-/3501078/#/0