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) 😘
Gratitude Jar

Gratitude Jar

premaria

The practice of Gratitude is something I wanted to write and post a blog about it since some time. (Better late than never, while starting the New Year with good intentions and put them into practice)  🙂

Back in January 2013 I posted the following on my Facebook page:

“This idea made the rounds on Facebook last week.

Start on January 1st with an empty jar. Throughout the year write the good things that happened to you on little pieces of paper. On December 31st, open the jar and read all the amazing things that happened to you that year.

So I started my own with a hand made label and I call it “Gratitude Jar”, seeing and appreciating the beauty and abundance in life.
If you like you write a daily note, about anything that put a smile on your face that day and made you feel happy in your heart. Of course you can use a smaller jar……. “

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Half a year later my Gratitude Jar looked like this:

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Since then I still add more notes to my jar. I write about anything that brings joy to my heart, the smell of a flower, a delicious organic fruit, the many new and loyal happy people in my yoga classes. A phone call, a postcard, etc. I received.

A few years before I started the gratitude jar I wrote a gratitude list at the end of each year. I still do that and also add things to the list throughout the year. After I write my gratitude list for the previous year, I then write my intentions list for the new year.

If you prefer you keep a gratitude journal, where you write your daily or weekly notes. Anything you give thanks to.

It is a wonderful practice that brings abundance, as you start to see the beauty in your life.

It’s actually a practice that I did for a while as a teenage girl. And it really helped me a lot back then (it was after my father died),  no one told me about it, I listened to my intuition. I would write in my girly diary when: someone in the street smiled at me, I saw a nice flower on the side of the footpath, if a certain boy at school would say “hi” or “hoi” to my …… 🙂  I did not call it gratitude back then, I just noted what brought me joy that day, usually the smaller the better.

This year I do my gratitude on social media. Instagram has these wonderful hashtags #366grateful #365grateful #366daysofgratitude #366grateful2016 and more similar # or you start your own.

If you like to follow me on Instagram you find me under @mariaprema

I hope you join me this year in the practice of gratitude in some ways & the format that speaks to you. Let’s share our experiences throughout the year.

 

 

Christmas Break until 11/01/16

Christmas Break until 11/01/16

premaria

I’m on a short Summer break. Around to answer any of your yoga questions and hopefully post some blogs here on the website, but no classes. 

my humble Christmas tree
my humble Christmas tree

All the yoga classes resume on  Tuesday 12th January 2016, according to schedule. 

I walk my path

I walk my path

premaria
I recently wrote this poem:
  
As I woke up today I decided this is a new day, from now on I do it my way.
I walk my path.
I looked at the sun and saw so much fun.
…. I decided to walk my path.
I gathered my stuff and did let go of the rough.
…. now I walk my path.
I see my beauty, that shining sparkle in the eye, it feels like I can fly.
I walk my path.
If you are happy, kind, alive in your heart, I invite you in my life to play a part.
I walk my path.
If you rejoice to be with me, feel free to walk beside me.
…. as I walk my path.
I walk my path.
Maria Steiner 28-09-2015

© Photography Maria Steiner 16/01/15 at the Spit in Mooloolaba

 

 

Friday class 18th September

Friday class 18th September

premaria
Altar with gerbera flowers.
Altar with gerbera flowers.
I hope you had a good start into Spring.
It’s time to get back into the routine and I like to offer again some extra classes for your practice in the new season.
It has been a while since the last Friday Hatha Yoga Class and Satsang Meditation. Next session:

Friday 18th September 2015 at

Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights:

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

The cost is $15 or regular class pass 

6:50pm – 8:30pm Satsang (silent meditation, uplifting Sanskrit chants, an inspiring reading)

The cost is $8 or free if you come to the 5pm class.

In between the two sessions we have a cup of tea and something sweet.
If 5pm is too early for you, you can just come for the Satsang, please arrive for 6:30pm. Or only do the hatha Yoga class.
If you know you will join one or both of the classes for sure, please let me know. Otherwise you can always just show up, no booking necessary.
Looking forward to a good start into the weekend. See you soon,
Prema Maria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature is a Miracle

Nature is a Miracle

premaria

Wonder at the Miracle of Nature, and let it uplift you.

Double Rainbow
Double Rainbow, view from our Veranda.           July 2015

© Photography Maria Steiner

Yoga is a light 

Yoga is a light 

premaria

“Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.”

(BKS Iyengar)
Yoga & Meditation Weekend

Yoga & Meditation Weekend

premaria
This year I’m organising and teaching  a weekend retreat again, it has been four years since I offered a yoga retreat last time.
Early morning walk / meditation.
Early morning walk / meditation.
It takes place at the Gunnebah Retreat Centre near Murwillumbah, northern NSW. We have been there before and it’s an ideal location for a yoga weekend, surrounded by most beautiful nature. In the past I used to prepare and cook the meals myself, lot’s of work before and during the retreat for just one weekend. This year the Gunnebah catering team, will provide all our vegetarian meals. So less karma yoga for all of us, no chopping, cooking and doing the dishes. Instead kick back a little. Therefore also the higher cost than in the past.
The Retreat is from Friday 28 – Sunday 30 August 2015.  It is open to newcomers, beginners, if you need to give your yoga practice a fresh boost and experienced yoga students.
The hatha yoga class will be mostly two hours, instead of the usual 90 minutes like in the weekly classes. So more time to go deeper into postures, explain details, more variations and holding postures longer. We practice the silent japa meditation, maybe Tratak (gazing at the flame of a candle) and chant Kirtan (mantra singing), as I bring my harmonium along.
During the lectures we might also cover other topics, than the classic yoga philosophy Vedanta. Wisdom, knowledge, practices, a holistic approach to life, etc. that interest me and I like to share more with you. For example: How the moon influences our bodies, the way it guides the ocean tides. (Saturday 29/08 will be a full moon). The facts and importance of the fascia. Tapping Solution for EFT (emotional freedom technique).  Such interests and similar.
So it will be a very uplifting, inspiring and empowering weekend. Practicing and learning the vast horizon of Yoga, Meditation, Mantras and more. While we are in the middle of beautiful rain forest nature.
For more information please browse through the Retreat section on this website, phone or email me.
Looking forward to hearing and seeing you soon.
Namaste, Maria Prema
Pranayama practice
Pranayama practice
Outdoor eating at Gunnebah Retreat.
Outdoor eating at Gunnebah Retreat.

 

 

 

© Photography Maria Steiner / Ian Grasmeder
Asana – proper exercise

Asana – proper exercise

premaria

Based on the five points of Yoga. See me blog post of November 15, 2014

https://hathayogaipswich.wordpress.com/2014/11/15/the-five-points-of-yoga/?preview=true&preview_id=876&preview_nonce=95b6934216&post_format=standard

1)  proper exercise (Asana)

What is Proper Exercise?

There are numerous modern physical culture systems designed to develop the muscles through mechanical mouvements and exercises. As Yoga regards the body as a vehicle for the soul on its journey towards perfection, Yogic physical exercises are designed to develop not only the body. They also broaden the mental faculties and the spiritual capacities.
The Yogic physical exercises are called Asana, a term which means steady pose. This is because the Yoga Asana (or posture) is meant to be held for some time. However this is quite an advanced practice. Initially, our concern is simply to increase body flexibility.
The body is as young as it is flexible. Yoga exercises focus on the health of the spine, its strength and flexibility. The spinal column houses the all-important nervous system, the telegraphic system of the body. By maintaining the spine’s flexibility and strength through exercise, circulation is increased and the nerves are ensured their supply of nutrients and oxygen.
The Asanas also affect the internal organs and the endocrine system (glands and hormones).
Traditionally, Yogis practice Surya Namaskar, the sun salutation, before the Asanas. Although there are many Asanas (8,400,000 according to the scriptures) the practice of the 12 basic postures brings out the essence and all major benefits of this wonderful system.
These 12 Basic Postures are:
  1. Headstand (Sirshasana)
  2. Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana)
  3. Plough (Halasana)
  4. Fish (Matsyasana)
  5. Forward bend (Paschimothanasana)
  6. Cobra (Bhujangasana)
  7. Locust (Shalabhasana)
  8. Bow (Dhanurasana)
  9. Spinal twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana)
  10. Crow pose (Kakasana) or Peacock pose (Mayurasana)
  11. Standing forward bend (Pada Hasthasana)
  12. Triangle (Trikonasana)

 

Trikonasna - the Triangle pose
Trikonasna – the Triangle pose

 

 

© Photography Maria Steiner / Ian Grasmeder

Oneness

Oneness

premaria

In his book “Messages to Mankind” Swami Chidananda writes:

The true basis of human unity where all beings are at one is the factor that is the essential being within us. Superficial factors express diversity; there is a difference. In form all are different. Diversity, more than unity, seems to be the law of creation. In everything, everywhere upon the face of the earth, we find diversity. No two leaves are alike but even though a tree is full of diversity, and is full of diverse branches, twisting twigs, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc., is rooted in unity. The root is one; the tree springs from oneness. So, if you trace all diversities to their source, the apparent diversity is found to be based upon unity, based upon oneness, having a singleness of source. There could no more be an apt analogy to bring home to us the truth of oneness of mankind than that of the tree with its diverse branches, shoots and twigs being founded upon the one, viz., the root.

bottle brush tree in flower
bottle brush tree in flower