Category: Health & Happiness

Halasana

Halasana

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Halasana — the plough pose

Introduction

Halasana is very similar to the shoulderstand pose. In this Asana all muscles from the neck to the heels are stretched.

As you practice, please watch your neck and keep your body symmetrical.

Physical Benefits

  • Brings fresh blood to the throat and thyroid gland.
  • Locking of the chin massages the thyroid gland.
  • Extends the cervical section of the spine giving it a powerful stretch. Same to the rest of the spine as well as hamstrings and calves.
  • During the inhalation intense pressure is applied to the abdomen giving a good stimulation to the digestive system.
  • Opens up the shoulder joints.

Energetic (Pranic) Benefits

  • Stimulates the vishuddha chakra (throat psychic center).
  • Stimulates the stomach, spleen, small intestin, heart, liver, gall bladder and kidney nadis (acupuncture meridiens). 

Mental Benefits

  • Reduces lethargy, mental sluggishness and laziness.
  • Appeases insomnia and restless sleep.

Contra-indications

Do not practice halasana if you have any neck problems.
Do not stretch too far and do not hold the posture too long.

halasana the plough pose
halasana the plough pose, Maria in May 2007.
Maria in plough pose, September 2011, Corindi Beach, NSW
Maria in plough pose, February 2020.
Maria in plough pose variation, Februray 2020.
Maria in plough pose variation, Februray 2020.

May 2025 YOGA classes

May 2025 YOGA classes

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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

  • Tuesday 9:00am – 10:30am (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)

Cameron Park, Scout Hall, Easton Street, Booval 4304 

  • Tuesday 6:00pm–7:30pm (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)
  • Wednesday 5:00pm–6:30pm (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)

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!!

Maria, May 2007, find and keep the balance.

sitting spinal twist

sitting spinal twist

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Ardha-Matsyendrasana or the sitting spinal twist.   

(literally Ardha stands for half = half spinal twist).

There are many benefits to this posture, but the most important is that the entire length of the spine receives a lateral twist in both directions – first to the left and then to the right.
 

Physical Benefits

  • Increases flexibility in each vertebrae of the spine, from the base of the spine through the neck
  • Stretches the back muscles and hips
  • Massages the abdominal organs, helping to relieve constipation
  • Breathing becomes more rapid, speeding up circulation and creating an aerobic effect
  • Brings more blood flow to the spine

Energetic (Pranic) Benefits

  • Helps rouse the Kundalini Shakti

Mental Benefits

  • Brings peace of mind
  • Helps to cure nervous disorders
Spinal Twist. Maria Steiner, May 2007.
 Easy version of the sitting spinal twist, with leg straight. Maria Steiner June 2023.

YOGA Classes April + May 2024

YOGA Classes April + May 2024

premaria

I had a good week off to enjoy a couple last Queensland – Summer – Days.

As of Tuesday 26th March, all Yoga classes according to your weekly schedule, in-person at the Scout Halls and online on Zoom. https://hathayogaipswich.com.au/

Enjoy the cooler, rainy days and see you back on the Yoga mat soon. Maria, OM OM OM

Maria at North Kirra Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland. March 2024

Equinox Break

Equinox Break

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Please note, that I’m taking a short late summer break.

No Yoga classes in the week from Monday 18th March to Saturday 23rd March 2024.

All the classes in the week before and after the Easter Weekend, as well as during the school holidays, are on as normal.

Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast, February 2024.
Maria Steiner, June 2023.
2024 YOGA classes resume on Tuesday 16th January.

2024 YOGA classes resume on Tuesday 16th January.

premaria

A happy, healthy and content New Year to you.

I look forward to welcome you back on the yoga mat soon. Classes as follows at the Scout Halls, or you can join online on Zoom. For Zoom please contact me to receive the login details. Thanks.

Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights 4305

  • Tuesdays, 9:00am – 10:30am (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)

Cameron Park, Scout Hall, Easton Street, Booval 4304 

  • Tuesdays, 6:00pm–7:30pm (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)
  • Wednesdays, 5:00pm–6:30pm (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)

Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights 4305

 Cost  

  • first trial class: free
  • single class $18.00
  • 5-class pass (valid for 2 months) $75.00
  • 10-class pass (valid for 4 months) $140.00

Cost for Senior Classes  (Wednesday 9am + Thursday 10am)

  • first class: free
  • single class  $12.00
  • 5-class-pass  $55.00
  • 10-class-pass  $100.00

If possible please book for your first yoga class, but it’s is perfectly fine if you just show up at the Hall about 10 minutes before the class begins. Thank you !!

Start the year on a positive note, January 2024.
Yoga classes July 2023

Yoga classes July 2023

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Classes as per weekly schedule during the school holidays and beyond:

Hatha Yoga classes & Senior’s Yoga, all the classes can be joined online via Zoom from the warmth & comfort of your home.

Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights 4305

  • Tuesdays, 9:00am – 10:30am (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)

Cameron Park, Scout Hall, Easton Street, Booval 4304

(this hall has heating, nice & cosy even in Winter)

  • Tuesdays, 6:00pm–7:30pm (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)
  • Wednesdays, 5:00pm–6:30pm (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)

Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights 4305

Saturday afternoon Hatha Yoga Class and Satsang Meditation

is on 15th July 2023. (2pm – 5pm)

First time that we have this class on a Saturday afternoon, changed from Friday evening in previous months & years.
2 pm   Hatha Yoga Class (please arrive from 1:30pm onwards)
3:45pm Meditation (mantra chanting, silent meditation, empowering talk)

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

You can join for both sessions to get most benefits. Or if this is not possible for you,  just attend the Hatha Yoga class or the Satsang/Meditation class.

After the Meditation we’ll have a cup of tea and something sweet, I usually make a raw vegan cake or snack. If you have time to stay a little longer & chat.

Please book for these classes by contacting me. Thank You !!

Maria, June 2023
January 2021, Yoga resumes Tuesday 12/01/21

January 2021, Yoga resumes Tuesday 12/01/21

premaria

Happy New Year 2021 !! I hope you had a good, relaxing Christmas Break. The Yoga classes resume on Tuesday 12th of January 2021.

We start the new year slow with 5 Yoga classes per week. These classes are at the Scout Hall in Cameron Park and Raceview Scout Hall. Same as at the end of last year, all classes can be joined online via Zoom from the comfort of your home and own yoga space.

Cameron Park, Scout Hall, Easton Street, Booval

The Hall has been renovated, new paint and ceiling. Come check it out for yourself.

  • Tuesdays, 6:00pm–7:30pm (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class) (no class on 26/1/21 Australia Day public holiday)

Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights

  • Tuesdays, 9:00am – 10:30am (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class) (no class on 26/1/21 Australia Day public holiday)
  • Thursdays, 5:00pm – 6:00pm  Seniors yoga class 
  • This class time will change on February 4th, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
  • Thursdays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class)
  • This class will only be 3 more times, January 14th, 21st, 28th. As of February 2021 the Raceview Scout Hall is no longer available for the later time yoga class. At first we will most likely change it to a Zoom only class 7pm – 8pm, and later in February/March I look for another time/venue, or even a weekly meditation class instead.

Any Yoga class passes issued as far back as late 2019, are valid to use up in 2021.

I look forward to welcome you back to the Yoga classes at the Scout Halls and/or online.

Christmas Break 2020

Christmas Break 2020

premaria

The Christmas Break for the Yoga Classes will be three weeks, from Monday 21th of December 2020 until Monday 11th of January 2021.

Even over the Holiday Season take some time out for yourself to go into stillness, take some deep breaths, calm down, meditate. Spend quiet moments in nature to ground yourself and recharge.

All the Yoga classes resume on Tuesday 12th of January 2021, as follows:

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)
  • Thursdays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm (90 minutes Hatha Yoga class

These days and times are our classes for January 2021 (except Tuesday 26/1/21 Australia Day – public holiday).

If you can’t make it to the Scout Halls, you can join any of these classes online via Zoom. One thing we take with us from 2020 into 2021… is Zoom Yoga.

As of February there will be a change to the Thursday classes. I will give you the details, closer to the date.

Plus I will most likely offer a few additional Yoga days & times. Extra Zoom classes, and possibly a weekly meditation class. However we’ll start the New Year slow and steady.

Poinciana tree at Raceview Scout Hall, December 2020.

https://wp.me/p3u5Sm-MR