This year’s YOGA & Meditation Retreat is from Friday 11 until Sunday 13 September 2026, at the Glasshouse Mountains Ecolodge on the Sunshine Coast, QLD.
The Yoga Retreat is suitable for everyone. Regardless if you are a beginner and Yoga is new to you, or you are more advanced and need to give your practice an extra boost. I accommodate and help you each individually. Spring is always a good opportunity to invigorate your practice.
The Retreat is for women and men, even though, we are always more women.
The cost for the weekend is $760.00 per person, it includes the Yoga program, accommodation & the meals. You are basically covered for the whole weekend.
The numbers of guests/participants/Yogis are limited to 12 – 15 persons, that everyone can be in a private room / cabin with ensuite. Unless you would like to share with a friend or family member.
For more detailed information, please head over to this link https://hathayogaipswich.com.au/retreat/ or message me, and I’ll send you the seven-page – brochure as a pdf file.
The first Friday evening Meditation and Satsang (Mantra chanting) this year will be on the 6th of February 2026 at 5:30pm – 7pm. Please book for this class by text or let me know in the yoga class. Thank you.
Cost
first trial class: free
single class $18.00
5-class pass (valid for 2 months) $75.00
10-class pass (valid for 4 months) $140.00
Cost for Senior Classes (Wednesday 9am + Thursday 10am)
first class: free
single class $12.00
5-class-pass $55.00
10-class-pass $100.00
Payment:
You can pay cash.
Direct bank deposit (please ask me for my BSB & account number).
PayID it’s my phone number 0423477725, account name Maria Steiner.
If you would like to pay by credit, please use this button for single class payment:
To finish the Year we’ll have a meditation class on Thursday evening 18th December 5pm – 7pm, with a reflection practice & release ritual of the past year. Please get in touch for details.
Cost
first trial class: free
single class $18.00
5-class pass (valid for 2 months) $75.00
10-class pass (valid for 4 months) $140.00
Cost for Senior Classes (Wednesday 9am + Thursday 10am)
first class: free
single class $12.00
5-class-pass $55.00
10-class-pass $100.00
Payment:
You can pay cash.
Direct bank deposit (please ask me for my BSB & account number).
PayID it’s my phone number 0423477725, account name Maria Steiner.
If you would like to pay by credit, please use this button for single class payment:
This is a spontanous subject and idea for our Meditation class tomorrow Friday 24 October at 5pm. (please contact me for location details).
We have a big rosemary bush growing in the herb – garden. I’m inspired to talk about the benefits of rosemary and herbs in general “how can we use herbs to improve our state of mind and general well being, can it bring calmness?” To be creative and “drop the head into the heart”, will be making smudge sticks. Be inspired and surprised by this different approach to meditation. I look forward to share some herbalims as well. Maria
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.
Eagel Pose, Maria, March 2016Eagle Pose, Maria, May 2015
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.
This is a legitimate question I do get asked often. Maybe some of you wonder about this as well, but do not want to ask the question for what ever reason. Here an answer for everyone.
The mantra OM (also spelled AUM) is one of the most sacred and foundational sounds in the Yogic Traditions. Its meaning and significance are both spiritual and symbolic.
🌟 Meaning and Symbolism of OM
1. Primordial Sound of the Universe:
OM is believed to be the first sound from which the universe emanated.
It represents the vibration or frequency of the entire cosmos.
2. Threefold Nature (A-U-M): OM consists of three syllabic sounds:
A (ah) – represents creation (the waking state, Brahma)
U (oo) – represents preservation (the dream state, Vishnu)
M (mm) – represents dissolution or transformation (deep sleep, Shiva)
Together, they reflect the entire cycle of existence: birth, life, and death, and beyond.
3. The Fourth State – Turiya:
Beyond A, U, and M is silence — the stillness after the sound, representing the state of pure consciousness or enlightenment (called Turiya).
This is the transcendent reality beyond time and space.
🙏 Spiritual and Practical Uses
Meditation: Chanting OM calms the mind and prepares it for deeper states of awareness.
Yoga Practice: Often used at the beginning and end of sessions to set intention and seal the practice.
Mantra Practice: OM is frequently part of longer mantras (like OM Namah Shivaya or OM Mani Padme Hum).
🕉️ OM Symbol
The visual symbol “🕉️” represents the syllables A-U-M and the silence.
Each part of the symbol has deep significance linked to consciousness and the self.
Summary
OM is the sacred sound that symbolizes the essence of ultimate reality, consciousness, and the universe. It is both a sound and a spiritual concept — powerful, transformative, and timeless.
When we chant the Mantra OM with sound, it’s also helpful as a breathing exercise, opening the lungs and vocal cords. On an energetic level, this stimulates the heart Chakra (anahata chakra). Read my blogpost abou the Chakra ….
Hatha Yoga Ipswich 