Tag: positive thinking

Yoga Retreat August 2019

Yoga Retreat August 2019

premaria

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. 


The same counts for the Yoga Retreat, you can be a complete beginner to attend the 
Yoga & Meditation Weekend in August, Friday 16/8 – Sunday 18/8/2019.

  • 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:

https://hathayogaipswich.com.au/retreat/

Looking forward to hearing and seeing you,

Prema Maria

Sunrise Meditation, Retreat September 2018.

Dharana & Dhyana – concentration & meditation

Dharana & Dhyana – concentration & meditation

premaria

Based on the “Five Points of Yoga” as outlined by Swami Vishnu-Devananda-ji.+

5. Meditation (Dhyana) and positive thinking

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.

Gratitude Jar

Gratitude Jar

premaria

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……. “

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Half a year later my Gratitude Jar looked like this:

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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.

 

 

Friday class 18th September

Friday class 18th September

premaria

Altar with gerbera flowers.
Altar with gerbera flowers.

I hope you had a good start into Spring.
It’s time to get back into the routine and I like to offer again some extra classes for your practice in the new season.
It has been a while since the last Friday Hatha Yoga Class and Satsang Meditation. Next session:

Friday 18th September 2015 at

Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights:

5pm – 6:30pm  Hatha Yoga Class (breathing exercises, sun salutation, 12 basic postures, guided final relaxation)

The cost is $15 or regular class pass 

6:50pm – 8:30pm Satsang (silent meditation, uplifting Sanskrit chants, an inspiring reading)

The cost is $8 or free if you come to the 5pm class.

In between the two sessions we have a cup of tea and something sweet.
If 5pm is too early for you, you can just come for the Satsang, please arrive for 6:30pm. Or only do the hatha Yoga class.
If you know you will join one or both of the classes for sure, please let me know. Otherwise you can always just show up, no booking necessary.
Looking forward to a good start into the weekend. See you soon,
Prema Maria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yoga & Meditation Weekend

Yoga & Meditation Weekend

premaria
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.
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 the Retreat section on this website, phone or email me.
Looking forward to hearing and seeing you soon.
Namaste, Maria Prema

Pranayama practice
Pranayama practice

Outdoor eating at Gunnebah Retreat.
Outdoor eating at Gunnebah Retreat.

 

 

 

© Photography Maria Steiner / Ian Grasmeder
Happy Easter

Happy Easter

premaria
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.”

Swiss Easter chocolate bunny
Swiss Easter chocolate bunny

Mama & Baby Yoga Class

Mama & Baby Yoga Class

premaria

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.

 

Looking forward to meeting you all soon. Maria

 

Buddha Meditation

 

 

© Photography Maria Steiner

 

 

Change your outlook to be happy.

Change your outlook to be happy.

premaria

“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.”

Sri Swami Sivananda

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Geranium in my garden.

 

 

Satsang Friday 21 November

Satsang Friday 21 November

premaria

Friday 21 September, Satsang and additional Hatha Yoga Class

Frangipiani in my Garden
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.
Prema Maria

 

© Photography Maria Steiner