Yoga with Maria – Hatha Yoga Ipswich

YOGA Classes for the remainder of 2025

November 24, 2025premaria

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 air-con.)

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

Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights 4305

Wednesdays, 9:00am – 10:00am Seniors Yoga class
Thursdays, 10:00am – 11:00am Seniors yoga class

To finish the Year we’ll have a meditation class on Thursday evening 18th December 5pm – 7pm, with a reflection practice & release ritual of the past year. Please get in touch for details.

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

Payment:

You can pay cash.
Direct bank deposit (please ask me for my BSB & account number).
PayID it’s my phone number 0423477725, account name Maria Steiner.

If you would like to pay by credit, please use this button for single class payment:

single yoga class

THANK YOU !!

Holiday November 2025

October 27, 2025October 27, 2025premaria

I’m on my yearly early-summer-holiday soon: NO Yoga classes from Monday 10th until Saturday 22nd of November 2025.

Yoga classes resume on Tuesday 25th November 2025 for four weeks until a three weeks Christmas / New Years holiday.

Creative Meditation

October 23, 2025October 23, 2025premaria

Hi There,

This is a spontanous subject and idea for our Meditation class tomorrow Friday 24 October at 5pm. (please contact me for location details).

We have a big rosemary bush growing in the herb – garden. I’m inspired to talk about the benefits of rosemary and herbs in general “how can we use herbs to improve our state of mind and general well being, can it bring calmness?” To be creative and “drop the head into the heart”, will be making smudge sticks. Be inspired and surprised by this different approach to meditation. I look forward to share some herbalims as well. Maria

Rosemary bush and rosemary smudge sticks.

Halasana

October 3, 2025premaria

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, Maria in May 2007.

halasana the plough pose, Maria in May 2007.

the eagle pose

September 29, 2025premaria

The Eagle Pose

is named after Garuda, the mythical eagle, who had the beak and wings of a bird but the body of a man.

Garuda Asana does for the arms and legs what the Spinal Twist does for the spine, twisting and squeezing first one side and then the other, to increase circulation to the limbs.
It is an excellent remedy for varicose veins.
Because the leg that supports your weight is bent, this strengthens your leg muscles.

Squeezing your arms and legs together while maintaining the balance improves circulation and develops an awareness of your extremities, right up to your fingers and toes.
Hold the pose, breathing deeply, then repeat on the other side, changing arms and legs.

The Camel

September 14, 2025premaria

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.

What is the meaning of the Mantra OM ?

August 2, 2025premaria

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 ….