Asana – Hatha Yoga Ipswich

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.

May 2025 YOGA classes

May 5, 2025May 14, 2025premaria

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

Wednesday 9:00am – 10:00am Seniors Yoga class
Thursday 10:00am – 11:00am Seniors yoga class

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.

Yoga Classes in April 2025

April 1, 2025May 14, 2025premaria

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

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

Wednesday 9:00am – 10:00am Seniors Yoga class
Thursday 10:00am – 11:00am Seniors yoga class

The next Meditation class on a Friday evening at our home in Silkstone. You need to book and confirm for this session. Thank You:

Friday 11th April 5pm – 6:30pm
and mark your calendar for May
Friday 16th May 5pm – 6:30pm

YOGA Classes 2025

January 6, 2025premaria

Happy New Year 2025, our Yoga classes resume on Tuesday 14th January 2025.

Weekly Hatha-Yoga & Senior’s Yoga classes. https://hathayogaipswich.com.au/
Monthly Meditation, usually on a Friday evening. https://hathayogaipswich.com.au/satsang/
Weekend Retreat 29 – 31 August 2025. https://hathayogaipswich.com.au/retreat/

YOGA 2025, all details below…… Contact Maria for any questions.

Current Yoga class schedule

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.)

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

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

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.

Satsang Meditation

Letting go of the Winter blues during an inspiring, motivating, & uplifting Yoga & Meditation weekend.

We’ll be surrounded by beautiful, peaceful nature. While being nourished with delicious, vegetarian meals.

This and more awaits you the Yoga & Meditation Weekend Retreat, Friday 29 – Sunday 31 of August 2025.

The Retreat is taking place a the Glasshouse Mountains Ecolodge.

Yoga Retreat September 2026

Yoga classes & meditation until Christmas 2024

November 18, 2024premaria

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

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

Cameron Park, Scout Hall, Easton Street, Booval 4304 (this hall has air-con.)

Wednesday 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

Wednesday 9:00am – 10:00am Seniors Yoga class
Thursday 10:00am – 11:00am Seniors yoga class

Two Meditation classes on a Friday evening at our home in Silkstone. You need to book and confirm for the meditation. Thank You:

Friday 22nd November 5pm – 6:30pm
Friday 13th December 5pm – 6:30pm

The Tree (balance pose)

October 31, 2024October 28, 2024premaria

The Tree (balance pose)

Balance on one leg – the Tree pose
The balancing postures on one leg are mentally highly demanding. These postures develop, to the highest degree, the powers of mental concentration and single-mindedness of thought, as well as physical balance.
It also improves the muscle strength in the standing leg. Therefore always practice on both sides, even though usually one side is easier than the other.

Start with lifting the foot a little to stand on one leg. As the balance improves bring the leg up higher, all the way to half-lotus.

Another way to practice standing on one leg. Close your eyes and count for how long you can stand on one leg, repeat on the other side.

Repeat, repeat, repeat. …….

Yoga Retreat August 2024 spaces available

July 15, 2024premaria

A few more spaces are available for the upcoming Yoga & Meditation Retreat at the Glasshouse Mountains Ecolodge, Friday 23 – Sunday 25 of August 2024.

Immerse yourself in a Weekend of Yoga & Meditation surrounded by beautiful nature, towards the end of Winter to shake off the Winter blues.

Our program for the weekend looks like this:

Friday:
• 4pm yoga class (asana, pranayama)  
• 6pm Dinner  
• 7:30pm evening meditation   

Saturday:   
• 6am morning sunrise meditation   
• 7am yoga class  
• 8:30am breakfast 
• 10:30am Chakra & Aura talk  
• 12noon lunch 
• Afternoon activities , e.g. hike Mt Tibrogargan circuit, 
• 4pm hatha-yoga class (sun salutations, asana, pranayama) 
• 6:30pm Dinner 

Sunday:  
• 6am sunrise meditation and morning stretches 
• 7am yoga class 
• 9am Breakfast

The cost for the Retreat is $690.00 per person, this includes the whole yoga program, all the meals & accommodation in single or shared rooms, with private ensuite. https://hathayogaipswich.com.au/retreat/

Please contact me for any questions, or to book your space. https://hathayogaipswich.com.au/contact/