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.
Asanas or yoga postures/exercises focus on increasing and maintaining flexibility of the spine, toning and rejuvenating the nervous system. The gentle stretching, twisting and bending movements bring flexibility to the joints and muscles of the body, as well as massaging the glands and organs. Circulation is also improved, ensuring oxygen to all the cells of the body. The different poses put pressure on various points, which help to relax the nervous system and therefore also helps to release stress.
The Sanskrit word Asana means steady pose, therefore holding the yoga postures is beneficial. Taking a few deep breaths in every pose, slowing down.
Ardha Matseyndrasana – half spinal twist.Halasana – the plough.Standing spinal twist in triangle – Parivritta Trikonasana.
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.
Spring is here: how wonderful it is warm and sunny. Now more excuses to stay under the warm blankets and covers. Come out, dust off your Yoga mat, before you feel it’s too hot to do anything.
Try something new, if you have never been to a yoga class.
If your practice got slack over winter, we are still here. Same times, same locations.
Looking forward to welcome you on the Yoga mat.
See you soon, Maria Prema
Cameron Park, Scout Hall, Easton Street, Booval
Tuesdays, 6:00pm–7:30pm
Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights
Tuesdays, 9:00am – 10:30am *) followed by meditation 10:30am-11am, if you wish to stay.
Wednesdays 9:00am – 10:00am Seniors Yoga class *) followed by meditation 10am – 10:30am, if you wish to stay.
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.
Hatha Yoga Ipswich 