On the 1st of December I started with a 21 days meditation/manifestation challenge, initiated by a meditation group in Germany. Two weeks ago I suggested in a couple yoga classes (so not all of you in the classes know about this). Repeat a different positive affirmation or mantra every day as an Advent Calendar starting on the 1st of December until Christmas. If you were busy or didn’t know about it from me….. do it now or as a family game at Christmas or New Year’s Eve: everyone states a positive affirmation. You can come up with your own or there are many in the books by Louise Hay, Dr. Wayne Dyer, etc. for example.
If you like New Year’s resolutions start at the 1st of January.
You can start for yourself anytime…. and know that many around the world are doing the same. The gist is, when you practice or do something for a minimum of 21 days every day (if you miss one you start again at day one) it becomes a habit.
Here are some examples I created for you as a motivation and inspiration. When you repeat an affirmation often it becomes a Mantra.
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.
The practice of Gratitude is something I wanted to write and post a blog about it since some time. (Better late than never, while starting the New Year with good intentions and put them into practice) 🙂
Back in January 2013 I posted the following on my Facebook page:
“This idea made the rounds on Facebook last week.
Start on January 1st with an empty jar. Throughout the year write the good things that happened to you on little pieces of paper. On December 31st, open the jar and read all the amazing things that happened to you that year.
So I started my own with a hand made label and I call it “Gratitude Jar”, seeing and appreciating the beauty and abundance in life. If you like you write a daily note, about anything that put a smile on your face that day and made you feel happy in your heart. Of course you can use a smaller jar……. “
Half a year later my Gratitude Jar looked like this:
Since then I still add more notes to my jar. I write about anything that brings joy to my heart, the smell of a flower, a delicious organic fruit, the many new and loyal happy people in my yoga classes. A phone call, a postcard, etc. I received.
A few years before I started the gratitude jar I wrote a gratitude list at the end of each year. I still do that and also add things to the list throughout the year. After I write my gratitude list for the previous year, I then write my intentions list for the new year.
If you prefer you keep a gratitude journal, where you write your daily or weekly notes. Anything you give thanks to.
It is a wonderful practice that brings abundance, as you start to see the beauty in your life.
It’s actually a practice that I did for a while as a teenage girl. And it really helped me a lot back then (it was after my father died), no one told me about it, I listened to my intuition. I would write in my girly diary when: someone in the street smiled at me, I saw a nice flower on the side of the footpath, if a certain boy at school would say “hi” or “hoi” to my …… 🙂 I did not call it gratitude back then, I just noted what brought me joy that day, usually the smaller the better.
This year I do my gratitude on social media. Instagram has these wonderful hashtags #366grateful #365grateful #366daysofgratitude #366grateful2016 and more similar # or you start your own.
If you like to follow me on Instagram you find me under @mariaprema
I hope you join me this year in the practice of gratitude in some ways & the format that speaks to you. Let’s share our experiences throughout the year.
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.
Holidays can sometimes put a lot of pressure on individuals. Travelling through busy airports and train-stations, being struck in traffic on long distance travel. Meeting with family just because it’s a tradition to meet with family members on holidays, when otherwise there is not much contact or much in common. It can be more of a burden, than a pleasurable joy.
I like to share with you this good affirmation from Louise Hay for a situation like this or similar:
“I release all drama from my life and now get energy from peace.”
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.
“If you change your outlook, vision, imagination and attidude even a bit you can be happy everywhere.
Man/woman suffers on account of his/her own imagination and old habits of thinking. He/she never allows him/herself to be changed. This is Maya – the illusion.”
Hatha Yoga Ipswich 