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 during Queensland Winter

Yoga during Queensland Winter

premaria

I’m back in Ipswich from another beautiful trip to my home country.

All classes during autumn / winter / early Spring as per our well-known weekly yoga class schedule:

Cameron Park, Scout Hall, Easton Street, Booval

(this hall has a heather, no excuse to miss class)

  • Tuesdays, 6:00pm–7:30pm

Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights

  • Tuesdays, 9:00am – 10:30am *) followed by meditation 10:30am-11am, if you wish to stay.
  • Wednesdays 9:00am – 10:00am Seniors Yoga class  *) followed by meditation 10am – 10:30am, if you wish to stay.
  • Thursdays, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
  • Thursdays, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

 

 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 Class (Wednesday 9am – 10am)

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

 

 

snow in April 2017 photo 2
Snow in Spring near Lucerne, Switzerland, April 2017.
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Spring in Switzerland, country side of Basel, April 2017. This should be enough firewood for our Queensland Winter.
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Spring in Switzerland, May 2017.

 

Pranayama – proper breathing

Pranayama – proper breathing

premaria
Based on the “Five Points of Yoga” as outlined by Swami Vishnu-Devananda-ji.
2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama)

Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs to their maximum capacity and how to control the breath. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical. This increases vitality and mental clarity.

Breath is life. We can live for days without food or water, but deprive us of breath and we die in minutes. In view of this, it is astonishing how little attention we pay in normal life to the importance of breathing correctly. To a Yogi there are two main functions of proper breathing: to bring more oxygen to the blood and brain: and to control prana or vital energy, leading to control of the mind.

What is proper breathing?

Breathing correctly means breathing through the nose, keeping the mouth closed, and involves a full inhalation and exhalation which bring the whole of our lungs into play. There are three basic types of breathing: clavicular (shallow), intercostal (middle) and abdominal breathing (deep). A full yogic breath combines all three, beginning with a deep breath into the abdomen and continuing the inhalation through the intercostal and clavicular area. Without lifting the shoulders. The abdomen fills, the chest rises.  When we inhale, the abdomen expands and the diaphragm moves down, massaging the abdominal organs. When we exhale, the abdomen contracts and the diaphragm moves up, massaging the heart. In the beginning it is very helpful to place one hand on the abdomen, and the other one on the chest.

Pranayama literally means control of life force or vital energy. Prana=vital energy, yama=control.

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Anuloma Viloma – the alternate nostril breathing is one of many yogic breathing techniques or exercises.

© Photography Maria Steiner

Autumn Break

Autumn Break

premaria

I’m off soon for a visit to family & friends in Switzerland and France this year. 

Therefore we have NO Yoga classes from Tuesday 18 April until Friday 12 May 2017.

All Yoga Classes will resume on Tuesday 16 May 2017, as per our normal weekly schedule.

I wish you all a good Easter break, ANZAC Day, labour day weekend. See you when I’m back.

OM OM OM  Maria Prema

 

 

Cherry Trees in bloom May 2016
Cherry trees in full bloom. I took this photo last year May 2016 in Baselland, Switzerland.

 

© Photography Maria Steiner

 

Asana – proper exercise

Asana – proper exercise

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

1. Proper Exercise (Asanas)

Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. If our lifestyle does not provide natural motion of muscles and joints, then disease and great discomfort will ensue with time. Proper exercise should be pleasant to the practitioner while beneficial to the body, mind and spiritual life.

Asanas or yoga postures/exercises focus on increasing and maintaining flexibility of the spine, toning and rejuvenating the nervous system. The gentle stretching, twisting and bending movements bring flexibility to the joints and muscles of the body, as well as massaging the glands and organs. Circulation is also improved, ensuring oxygen to all the cells of the body. The different poses put pressure on various points, which help to relax the nervous system and therefore also helps to release stress.

The Sanskrit word Asana means steady pose, therefore holding the yoga postures is beneficial.  Taking a few deep breaths in every pose, slowing down.

 

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Ardha Matseyndrasana – half spinal twist.
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Halasana – the plough.
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Standing spinal twist in triangle – Parivritta Trikonasana.

© Photography Maria Steiner

The Five Points of Yoga

The Five Points of Yoga

premaria

During the yoga weekend retreat we practice the five points of yoga.

premaria's avatarHatha Yoga Ipswich

Swami Vishnu-Devanandacondensed the whole yoga tradition into a very practical system, aptly named ‘The Five Propers or ‘Five Points of Yoga’:

1. Proper Exercise (Asanas)
Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. If our lifestyle does not provide natural motion of muscles and joints, then disease and great discomfort will ensue with time. Proper exercise should be pleasant to the practitioner while beneficial to the body, mind and spiritual life.
2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs to their maximum capacity and how to control the breath. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical. This increases vitality and mental clarity.
3. Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
Long before the invention of cars, planes, telephones, computers, freeways and other modern triggers of stress, the Rishis (sages or seers) and Yogis of yore devised very powerful techniques of deep relaxation. As a matter of fact, many…

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Friday 24th February 2017

Friday 24th February 2017

premaria

Time for a Friday Hatha Yoga Class and Satsang Meditation.

Coming up on Friday 24th February 2017:

At the Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights.

5pm – 6:30pm  Hatha Yoga Class (breathing exercises, sun salutation, 12 basic postures, guided final relaxation)

6:45pm – 8:30pm Satsang (silent meditation, uplifting Sanskrit chants, an inspiring reading)

The cost is $15 or  one tick on the class pass.

You can join for both sessions to get most benefits, a good way to end the working week. Or if this is not possible for you,  just attend the Hatha Yoga class or the Satsang/Kirtan class.

In between the two sessions we have a cup of tea and something sweet.

If you know you will be coming  for sure, please let me know (message, email or in class). Otherwise it is perfectly fine to just show up and bring your friends.

Looking forward to a yogic start into the weekend. OM OM OM

Maria Prema

 

altar-2

 

 

 

Australia Day Holiday

Australia Day Holiday

premaria

A short reminder, that we have NO Yoga Classes on Australia Day Thursday 26/1/17, and next week.

NO Yoga from Monday 30th January to Friday 3rd of February 2017.

All back to normal schedule and weekly routine as of Tuesday 7th February 2017.

Looking forward to seeing you back on the mat. 

marigold-in-my-garden
Marigold blooming in my garden.

 

 

 

Christmas Break 2016

Christmas Break 2016

premaria

The Christmas Break this year is for two weeks,

24th December 2016 until 6th January 2017.

The last yoga classes in 2016 are on Thursday 22/12/16.

All the yoga classes resume in 2017 on Tuesday 10/01/17.

As per usual schedule, days, times locations.

Christmas in Brisbane, December 2016.
Christmas in Brisbane, December 2016.

Satsang Friday 4th November 2016

Satsang Friday 4th November 2016

premaria
Next week on Friday 4th November 2016 we have a Friday hatha yoga class and Satsang.
In a  Satsang class we begin with silent meditation, then Kirtan Mantra chanting and a lecture on different yoga topics and philosophy.
It is  a stress-releasing way to start the weekend, letting go of the week. Do something good for your soul, even if you feel tired at the end of the week. You will feel a big difference come Saturday morning!
Jacarandas in flower.
Jacarandas in flower at the Raceview Scout Hall.

 

Where:  Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights

What:   Hatha Yoga Class (breathing exercises, sun salutation, 12 basic postures)

Time:  5pm – 6:30pm

 

What:   Satsang (silent meditation, uplifting Sanskrit chants, an inspiring reading)                                                                                                                           

Time:   6:45pm – 8:30pm

Cost:     $15.00  or   class pass  (no first free trial class on this day).

 

The lecture for this month will be on the Mantra. The meaning of OM, why we meditate on OM, the benefits of chanting Mantras.

nice-aya-om

You are most welcome to join for just one of the classes. If you like an extra exercise session you come for 5pm.
If you like to learn/practice meditation and get deeper into the yoga philosophy or if you like the Sanskrit Chants (Kirtan) please come to the hall for 6:30pm.
In between the two sessions we have a cup of (herbal) tea and something sweet.  I made a raw vegan chocolate cake, it’s setting in the freezer.
raw-chocolate-cake

raw chocolate cake, vegan, gluten-free

You get most benefits if you join for the whole program from 5pm onward. But if this does not suit you, you are most welcome to come only for the yoga class or meditation/Kirtan (Satsang) only.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Prema Maria