Just please remember to bring socks, jumper and if you like even a blanket for the final relaxation. It will make you feel more comfortable. Just coming back from Switzerland, I realise that there is no bad or cold weather, only wrong or not enough warm clothing.
On the other hand, being physically active and doing any kind of exercise in the Queensland Winter is the best Season for it. Plus it helps you build your immune system and emotional well being.
While in Switzerland I went for a walk almost every day. Young and old everyone goes for bushwalks, hiking and short pleasant strolls, no matter the temperature and weather conditions. It’s a daily dose of nature’s medicine for well being.
One of my friends (a working-mother of two young children aged 4 and 6, they walk or play outside every day) told me, she read in a study: That if everyone would go for a good walk in the fresh air amongst trees, mountains or the ocean for a total of two hours per week. There would be less illnesses, physical and emotional illness.
To good health and a positive outlook on life.
Maria xx
Auf dem Gurten, Bern. May 2016Grindelwald, May 2016
As most of you know, if you are a regular yoga student and receive my newsletter, I’m flying to Switzerland soon. It’s almost six years since I’ve been “back home”, so I’m very much looking forward to catching up with family, friends and spend some days in the Swiss Alps.
The last classes before I go away are this week, last class on Thursday 28th April 2016. The first yoga class when I’m back is on Tuesday 31st May 2016.
This Year we continue with the regular yoga classes and timetable, at least as a start. I know some people would like different times and days. Though many loyal yoga students are happy with it and used to the well known times & days. It also works easiest with the locations/ scout halls the classes are taken.
This year I’m again organizing and teaching a Yoga Weekend at Gunnebah Retreat near Murwillumbah, NSW.
26th – 28th August 2016 (Friday – Sunday).
I teach the whole yoga & meditation program. The delicious vegetarian meals are lovingly prepared by the Gunnebah Catering team, Vanessa from Tulsi Foods.
Early Spring is a good time to recharge your batteries, shed the winter blues and set new intentions. Get ready for the New Season with a weekend of intense yoga&meditation, surrounded by beautiful nature. We enjoy delicious vegetarian meals. You can look at it as a detox; having no meat, fish, alcohol, processed food and too much sugar for a whole weekend. Join us, you will not regret it.
Bush walking at the Retreat with views to Mount Warning. Photo from August 2015.
This year I’m organising and teaching a weekend retreat again, it has been four years since I offered a yoga retreat last time.
Early morning walk / meditation.
It takes place at the Gunnebah Retreat Centre near Murwillumbah, northern NSW. We have been there before and it’s an ideal location for a yoga weekend, surrounded by most beautiful nature. In the past I used to prepare and cook the meals myself, lot’s of work before and during the retreat for just one weekend. This year the Gunnebah catering team, will provide all our vegetarian meals. So less karma yoga for all of us, no chopping, cooking and doing the dishes. Instead kick back a little. Therefore also the higher cost than in the past.
The Retreat is from Friday 28 – Sunday 30 August 2015. It is open to newcomers, beginners, if you need to give your yoga practice a fresh boost and experienced yoga students.
The hatha yoga class will be mostly two hours, instead of the usual 90 minutes like in the weekly classes. So more time to go deeper into postures, explain details, more variations and holding postures longer. We practice the silent japa meditation, maybe Tratak (gazing at the flame of a candle) and chant Kirtan (mantra singing), as I bring my harmonium along.
During the lectures we might also cover other topics, than the classic yoga philosophy Vedanta. Wisdom, knowledge, practices, a holistic approach to life, etc. that interest me and I like to share more with you. For example: How the moon influences our bodies, the way it guides the ocean tides. (Saturday 29/08 will be a full moon). The facts and importance of the fascia. Tapping Solution for EFT (emotional freedom technique). Such interests and similar.
So it will be a very uplifting, inspiring and empowering weekend. Practicing and learning the vast horizon of Yoga, Meditation, Mantras and more. While we are in the middle of beautiful rain forest nature.
For more information please browse through theRetreat section on this website, phone or email me.
Looking forward to hearing and seeing you soon.
Namaste, Maria Prema
Pranayama practiceOutdoor eating at Gunnebah Retreat.
There are numerous modern physical culture systems designed to develop the muscles through mechanical mouvements and exercises. As Yoga regards the body as a vehicle for the soul on its journey towards perfection, Yogic physical exercises are designed to develop not only the body. They also broaden the mental faculties and the spiritual capacities.
The Yogic physical exercises are called Asana, a term which means steady pose. This is because the Yoga Asana (or posture) is meant to be held for some time. However this is quite an advanced practice. Initially, our concern is simply to increase body flexibility.
The body is as young as it is flexible. Yoga exercises focus on the health of the spine, its strength and flexibility. The spinal column houses the all-important nervous system, the telegraphic system of the body. By maintaining the spine’s flexibility and strength through exercise, circulation is increased and the nerves are ensured their supply of nutrients and oxygen.
The Asanas also affect the internal organs and the endocrine system (glands and hormones).
Traditionally, Yogis practice Surya Namaskar, the sun salutation, before the Asanas. Although there are many Asanas (8,400,000 according to the scriptures) the practice of the 12 basic postures brings out the essence and all major benefits of this wonderful system.
During the month of March I will be teaching a one hour Mama & Baby Yoga Class, first class is on Friday 6th March 2015.
Where:
Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights 4305 (parking behind the hall)
When:
Friday 10am – 11am
Cost: $14 per class
What to expect:
For mothers with pre-walking babies (from about 2-3 months to one year old). One hour yoga class mainly to give the mother a chance to stretch and recharge in a relaxed atmosphere. Practicing some yoga exercises and stretches for strength, balance and flexibility together with your baby and other mothers. Some exercises we will do with the baby. If at any time during the class your baby needs your full attention for a feed, nappy change or cuddle that’s fine take a break and join again later.
What to bring:
Yoga mat if you have, otherwise a towel is fine. Blanket for your baby. Extra cushion.
Wear something you feel comfortable stretching in.
Good to know:
This class will run for four weeks during the month of March.
You do not need to register, just come along.
If there is enough interest, we will continue the class in April (after Easter).
Please tell your friends and family about this special Mum & Bub yoga class.
Friday 21 September, Satsang and additional Hatha Yoga Class
Frangipiani in my Garden
This week is the monthly Friday hatha yoga class and Satsang. Make sure not to miss it, it’s the last one for 2014. 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!
Where: Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights
What: Hatha Yoga Class (breathing exercises, sun salutation, 12 basic postures, guided final relaxation. When: 5pm – 6:30pm Cost: $14 or regular class pass (no free trial class on this day).
What: Satsang: is a combination of meditation, uplifting Sanskrit chants, yoga lecture. When: 6:45pm – 8:15pm Cost: $7(or free if you attend the earlier class)
In between the two sessions we have a cup of (herbal) tea and something sweet.
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.
Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. If our lifestyle does not provide natural motion of muscles and joints, then disease and great discomfort will ensue with time. Proper exercise should be pleasant to the practitioner while beneficial to the body, mind and spiritual life.
Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs to their maximum capacity and how to control the breath. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical. This increases vitality and mental clarity.
Long before the invention of cars, planes, telephones, computers, freeways and other modern triggers of stress, the Rishis (sages or seers) and Yogis of yore devised very powerful techniques of deep relaxation. As a matter of fact, many modern stress-management and relaxation methods borrow heavily from this tradition. By relaxing deeply all the muscles the Yogi can thoroughly rejuvenate his nervous system and attain a deep sense of inner peace.
Besides being responsible for building our physical body, the foods we eat profoundly affect our mind. For maximum body-mind efficiency and complete spiritual awareness, Yoga advocates a lacto-vegetarian diet. This is an integral part of the Yogic lifestyle.
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 practicing the teachings of the philosophy of Vedanta. The mind will be brought under perfect control by regular practice of meditation.
” Health is wealth, peace of mind is Happiness. Yoga shows the way.”
Hatha Yoga Ipswich 