Besides being a busy time of the year with Christmas and end of 2019 approaching fast, we are all affected by the current bush fires in our wider area and all over Australia. The smoke haze, bad & dry air, the lack of rain puts extra stress on all of us and our bodies.
So it’s even more important to practice some yoga, meditation, conscious relaxation and deep breathing. Even a class or two over the next few weeks is helpful.
Below is the current timetable until Friday 20th of December 2019.
Cameron Park, Scout Hall, Easton Street, Booval:
Tuesday, 6:00pm–7:30pm (last class 17/11/19)
Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights:
Tuesday, 9am – 10:30am (last class 17/11/19)
Thursday, 6:30pm – 8pm (last class 19/12/19)
Senior Yoga classes at the Raceview Scout Hall, Eastern Heights:
Only a few more weeks until our Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Coolum Beach, on the Sunshine Coast, at the Luther Heights Youth Camp.
We still have spaces available in our small, focused group. If you feel inspired and called to immerse yourself into a weekend of traditional Hatha Yoga and Meditation, don’t hesitate to contact me for detailed information and to book.
email: hathayogaipswich@gmail.com
phone or text: 0423 477 725
Yoga & Meditation Weekend Retreat Friday 16th – Sunday 18th of August 2019 at Luther Heights Youth Camp, in Coolum Beach, on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Experience, learn & practice traditional Hatha – Yoga, Meditation, Rituals and Kirtan (Mantra chanting).
Simple, basic, clean accommodation and amenities.
Delicious, vegetarian meals, that might inspire to try new recipes at home.
Spectacular ocean views, observing the sunrise.
Walks along the beach, or buswalk at Mount Coolum. If we are lucky we spot some migrating whales in the distance.
Release – Relax – Recharge.
Letting go of the Winter blues, to be ready for Spring.
The topic of the weekend retreat is based on the five points of Yoga, as taught by Swami Vishnu-Devananda:
1) Proper Exercise (Asana) Proper exercise should be pleasant to the practitioner while beneficial to the body, mind and spiritual life.
2) Proper Breathing (Pranayama) Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical. This increases vitality and mental clarity.
3)Proper Relaxation (Savasana) By relaxing deeply all the muscles the Yogi can thoroughly rejuvenate his/her nervous system and attain a deep sense of inner peace.
4)Proper Diet (Vegetarian) A lacto-vegetarian diet. This is an integral part of the Yogic lifestyle.
5) Positive Thinking and Meditation(Dhyana) Here is the most important point of all, we become what we think. A positive outlook on life can be developed by learning and practicing the teachings of the philosophy of Vedanta. The mind will be brought under perfect control by regular practice of meditation.
During the weekend we practice these five points of yoga.
The retreat is suitable for beginners to learn about the basics of yoga and for more advanced yoga students to deepen their practice.
The cost for the weekend is $420.- Included in this price are the complete yoga program, accommodation (Please bring your own linen) and vegetarian meals. A non-refundable deposit of $120 .- is required to reserve your space. The final payment is due one week before the Retreat.
I’m teaching a meditation course starting Monday the 13th of May 2019, from 5pm – 6pm for 6 consecutive weeks.
The cost for the whole 6 sessions upfront is $80.-, if you prefer you can pay and attend each session individually $15.-
The course is based to learn step-by-step the Japa Meditation practice (repeating a Mantra as a focal point). But each week, has also it’s own, individual lesson. So in case you can’t commit to 6 weeks ahead of time, you are most welcome to join for a couple of lessons.
This meditation class is taken at our home in Silkstone, and you need to book and confirm please.
What to expect from this meditation course:
Besides and as preparation for the Meditation, we’ll do light stretches, breathing techniques, concentration exercises and learn about the purpose of meditation.
It has been a while, since I offered a course like this. If you are interested, make some time to attend all six weeks or a few lessons.
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.
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:
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.
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
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 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.
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, 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.
Lately in our meditation session on a Tuesday morning 10:30am – 11am (after the regular yoga class), I have been reading and sharing from the wonderful book “SOUL SHIFTS” by Dr. Barbara DeAngelis.
Personally I read the book very slow, take my time to reflect on it. I read it in two ways one bookmark starting from page 1, and then every so often I open the book randomly and see what comes up for that moment/day.
