The Camel – Ustrasana. The camel pose, also known as the sitting wheel.
This Yoga posture gives you all the benefits of the backward bends. Strengthens the thighs while improving the flexibility of the back. If your knees are sensitive and to protect them from pain, use a blanket or other cushion under your knees. In the beginning reach back with one arm only holding onto your foot, while stretching the other arm up to the sky. Alternatively place your hands on your lower back, leaning back as far as you can. Keep the chin forward, don’t tilt the head back, only the upper body. If this feels good, reach back with both hands to hold onto your feet.
This is a legitimate question I do get asked often. Maybe some of you wonder about this as well, but do not want to ask the question for what ever reason. Here an answer for everyone.
The mantra OM (also spelled AUM) is one of the most sacred and foundational sounds in the Yogic Traditions. Its meaning and significance are both spiritual and symbolic.
🌟 Meaning and Symbolism of OM
1. Primordial Sound of the Universe:
OM is believed to be the first sound from which the universe emanated.
It represents the vibration or frequency of the entire cosmos.
2. Threefold Nature (A-U-M): OM consists of three syllabic sounds:
A (ah) – represents creation (the waking state, Brahma)
U (oo) – represents preservation (the dream state, Vishnu)
M (mm) – represents dissolution or transformation (deep sleep, Shiva)
Together, they reflect the entire cycle of existence: birth, life, and death, and beyond.
3. The Fourth State – Turiya:
Beyond A, U, and M is silence — the stillness after the sound, representing the state of pure consciousness or enlightenment (called Turiya).
This is the transcendent reality beyond time and space.
🙏 Spiritual and Practical Uses
Meditation: Chanting OM calms the mind and prepares it for deeper states of awareness.
Yoga Practice: Often used at the beginning and end of sessions to set intention and seal the practice.
Mantra Practice: OM is frequently part of longer mantras (like OM Namah Shivaya or OM Mani Padme Hum).
🕉️ OM Symbol
The visual symbol “🕉️” represents the syllables A-U-M and the silence.
Each part of the symbol has deep significance linked to consciousness and the self.
Summary
OM is the sacred sound that symbolizes the essence of ultimate reality, consciousness, and the universe. It is both a sound and a spiritual concept — powerful, transformative, and timeless.
When we chant the Mantra OM with sound, it’s also helpful as a breathing exercise, opening the lungs and vocal cords. On an energetic level, this stimulates the heart Chakra (anahata chakra). Read my blogpost abou the Chakra ….
While I’m away, I will teach one Yoga class per week online. Some weeks it will be on Tuesday 6pm, others on Wednesday 5pm, Brisbane time. If you would like to join online, please send me an email to hathayogaipswich@gmail.com.
All the Yoga classes in-person and online will resume on Tuesday 22nd July 2025.
I have yoga classes recorded on video, that you can practise for yourself any time. Some of you have one or two of these videos, time to have a look in your digital library or an old email.
The Videos availabe are:
Hatha Yoga class 60 minutes
Senior’s Yoga class 60 minutes
25 minutes short Hatha Yoga class, morning energiser or evening cool down.
12 minutes Sun Salutations
8 minutes Standing Sun Salutations
I can send them to you via dropbox or google drive.
The cost per video is $22 for the 60 minutes classes, $11 for the shorter practices. Once dowloaded on your end, you can watch and practise daily.
All our Yoga classes at almost usual times and locations. At the Scout halls or online on Zoom, please let me know if you need the Zoom link. If there is a slight change, I’ll inform those of you affected directly. Otherwise scroll down for locations, days & times. Hatha Yoga and Senior’s Yoga classes:
Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights 4305
The next Meditation class at our home in Silkstone is on Friday 23rd of May at 5pm – 6:30pm. You need to book and confirm for this session. Thank You!!
For the month of April we have YOGA during the Queensland School Holidays.
I take a short break after Easter; we have NO Yoga classes on Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 of April. This is the week between the Easter and the ANZAC day long weekends.
Apart from the above mentiond dates, all classes as usual,
At the Scout halls or online on Zoom, please let me know if you need the Zoom link:
Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights 4305
Our first Meditation for the year is already coming up, on Friday 17th January 2025 at 5pm – 6:30pm. You need to book for this session. Thank you, call or text Maria on 0423 477 725.
The Christmas pause this year is from 15th December 2024 until 11th January 2025.
The last Yoga class in 2024 is on Thursday 12/12 at 10am, a Senior’s Yoga class.
A Meditation / Mantra chanting session on Friday 13/12 at 5pm, including a gratitude and release ritual for the past year. (you need to book for this class – thank you).
Christmas Holiday 2024
All the Yoga classes at the Scout halls and Zoom online, resume on Tuesday 14th January 2025. As per our well known yoga class times. https://hathayogaipswich.com.au/
Merry Christmas & and a happy, healthy start into 2025 !!
From Tuesday 19th November onwards until Friday 13th December 2024, we have the following weekly yoga classes (our well known schedule). I hope to see you in some of these classes before the end of this year.
At the Scout halls or online on Zoom, please let me know if you need the Zoom link:
Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights 4305
Hatha Yoga Ipswich 