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.

Christmas Break December 2018

Christmas Break December 2018

premaria
Christmas tree at Sydney town hall, November 2018.
Christmas tree at Sydney  town hall, November 2018.

 

This year’s Christmas / New Year’s break will be for three weeks, from Monday 24th December 2018 until Sunday 13th January 2019.


The last Yoga classes in 2018 are on Thursday 20/12/18.

All Yoga classes resume on Tuesday 15th January 2019.

The yoga class at the PCYC Ipswich will resume one week earlier, on Wednesday 9th January 2019, 6:30pm – 8pm.

 

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy New Year !!

Thank you for your loyalty during the past year.

Looking forward to welcome you on the yoga mat in 2019 again.

Be well and healthy.

my rant about beer – yoga

premaria

Overtime there are always many fads that come and go. Some are funny, cute, amusing, trendy and market themselves under the umbrella of Yoga, such as cat-yoga, doga, SUP-Yoga , nude or naked-yoga, etc.

But the latest one beer – yoga goes under my skin, and I need to state my opinion and probably that of many serious yoga practitioners: beer –  yoga.  What an insult to the masters and ancient wisdom of yoga.

I have nothing against drinking beer, a good glass of wine, fancy cocktails, what ever rocks your boat.

But beer – yoga: drinking while practising Asana, Pranayama and Meditation.  You missed the point of the true nature and teachings of Yoga.

If you want to drink beer, while doing certain stretches and exercises, do that if you want, but please don’t call it Yoga.

Prema Maria

Focus on breathing

premaria

How I recently experienced the power of proper breathing.

Healing on and by the water. Tallebudgera Creek, November 2018. Photo by Prema Maria

A couple weeks ago I had a root canal treatment. It wasn’t my first one ever. But for this one, I had to go to an Endodontist, a specialist for those kind of procedures. I spare you of the details.

The procedure took about two hours. I couldn’t do much, lying there with my mouth open, breathing through the nose. 

And that’s exactly what I’ve done. I had my hands on my belly, focusing on deep abdominal breathing, taking the attention and focus away from my face. While I visualised healing light all around me, specially on my tooth, as well as for the Endodontist and Assistant. They did the hard work, I was just lying there. 

Now in general I very seldom meditate for longer than 15 minutes. But I had no other choice, no place to go – nothing to do. I tried to detach from my body and observe myself from the outside. Forgetting time and space. 

Of course I felt dizzy and was numb on one side of my face, once the procedure was finished. Instead of going home or trying to drink, let alone eat anything. I went straight to the movies. Probably the best I could do at the moment, and I can highly recommend it. I watched “A Star is born”. It made me forget my tooth, I was distracted in a dark room. While the sensation in my face and mouth came back slowly. Afterwards I drank a green smoothie with a straw and went home on the train.

In the evening I was teaching a yoga class, without bending forward or moving my head too much.

At night before going to sleep I took two pain-killers, just in case it would help me from waking up through the night with pain. Plus I did not need to be a hero, as I almost never take any painkillers.

The next morning I had the day off. I could feel the pain and swelling ease by the hour. I was thinking more about the movie I saw, listening to the Soundtrack of “A Star is born”, than my tooth.

I give credit to my almost pain-free experience and quick healing to the BREATH, proper deep abdominal yoga breathing, meditation of detaching from the body. 

Everyone in my yoga classes the following week, had to listen to my story. As I was practising and experiencing in every day life, what I preach.

Thank you for reading my story !!  Prema Maria 

PS: In addition to the breathing exercise, I would recommend to go straight to a movie theatre after a root canal treatment or similar. 

Tallebudgera Creek, a few days after the procedure we had a nice Sunday on the stand-up-paddle boards on Tallebudgera Creek. November 2018, Photo by Prema Maria







   		   	

   	
   	
      



			
				



   
   

               November Break
         


   
   

   	

   		
November Break

   		   		

   			premaria   		

   		   	


   	   	

   		
I’m on an early Summer Holiday (before the silly Season starts).


NO Yoga classes from 19th November until 30 November 2018.


The yoga class at the PCYC Ipswich on Wednesday 6:30pm – 8pm, 21/11/18 + 28/11/18, will be taken by Silvia.


In December we have all the Hatha Yoga classes, as per new schedule,  from Tuesday 4th December until/including Thursday 20th December 2018.


 




  
I’m off on a road trip. 







  
We are on a road trip. 




   		   	

   	
   	
      



			
				



   
   

               Retreat Review
         


   
   

   	

   		
Retreat Review

   		   		

   			premaria   		

   		   	


   	   	

   		
Hatha Yoga Weekend September 2018


 


 


Yoga Retreat at Luther Heights, Coolum from 7th to 9th September 2018


I have never been to a yoga retreat and I was quite sceptical initially. A friend told me about it and I thought I will give it a go. It was a great decision! The teacher Maria Prema was great  – skilled and personable; I felt really comfortable with her.  The view was breath-taking and the food was delicious. Meeting like-minded people and doing yoga for the 3 days was wonderful. To do Surya Namaskar while watching the sun rise over the ocean was quite an amazing experience. On the whole, it was soul-enriching  and the retreat was a real treat for me!


Review by Thana.


 




 

   		   	

   	
   	
      



			
				



   
   

               Change to Thursday Yoga Classes
         


   
   

   	

   		
Change to Thursday Yoga Classes

   		   		

   			premaria   		

   		   	


   	   	

   		
As of Thursday 18th October 2018, 


Thursday class schedule / timetable as follows:


These Yoga classes are at the 


Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights, 


Yoga Class at the Raceview Scout Hall with Maria Steiner.
Yoga Classes at the Raceview Scout Hall with Maria Steiner.


5pm – 6pm Senior Yoga class (new class), cost $10.-


this class is suitable for everyone who likes or needs an easier and shorter yoga class, this class is one hour. For the breathing and other exercises we sit on the chair, instead of floor. We do standing up exercises and on the yogmat or continue on the chair. In general we do not practice the Sun Salutation in this class.


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Standing spinal twist, my mother Pia Steiner, November 2015.


 


6:30pm – 8pm Hatha Yoga Class (new time), cost $15.- or yoga class pass


our usual 90 minutes hatha yoga class, breathing exercises (pranayama), sun salutation, 12 basic postures, final relaxation.


 


Hatha Yoga class with Maria Steiner at Raceview Scout Hall, Eastern Heights, Ipswich, QLD.
Hatha Yoga class with Maria Steiner at Raceview Scout Hall, Eastern Heights, Ipswich, QLD.


 

   		   	

   	
   	
      



			
				



   
   

               # Yoga 4 Dignity, 1st September 2018
         


   
   

   	

   		
# Yoga 4 Dignity, 1st September 2018

   		   		

   			premaria   		

   		   	


   	   	

   		
#Yoga4dignity will bring thousands of women & men from Australia together to Share the Dignity whilst at the same time opening our hearts and touching our toes. In Australia we have 48,000 homeless women and it is our GOAL this year to have the same number practicing YOGA in your hometown as we share #Yoga4dignity.


Purchasing this ticket enables you to be part of this amazing event.


 


The cost is $20 and you donate directly to https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/


I donate my time to teach this class, and the Scouts are donating the use of the Hall on this Saturday, I don’t have to pay any hall hire cost.


The class I’m teaching will be at the


SCOUT HALL in Cameron Park, Easton Street, Booval 4304


Saturday 01/09/18   9am – 10:30am


All proceeds go directly to #SharetheDignity, I don’t handle any money. Please buy your tickets here:


 https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/shop/yoga4dignity-y009-booval/ 




This is the second year of #Yoga4Dignity. Last year we had a sold out class of nearly 30 Participants and Yogis, at the Scout Hall, Booval. Let’s see if we can do this again.


Thank you for helping to Share the Dignity.


Y4D-Instructor-placcard 2018.png


yoga for dignity class.jpg
#Yoga4Dignity sold out class 2nd September 2017. Let’s do it again in 2018.


 


Nice article in the local paper QT Ipswich to help promote #Yoga4Dignity #ShareTheDignity


https://www.qt.com.au/news/be-a-part-of-australias-biggest-simultaneous-yoga-/3501078/#/0


 

   		   	

   	
   	
      



			
				



   
   

               September 2018 Yoga Weekend
         


   
   

   	

   		
September 2018 Yoga Weekend

   		   		

   			premaria   		

   		   	


   	   	

   		
via Retreat




I have a few last minute spaces available, if you would like to join our Yoga & Meditation Weekend.


Friday 7th – Sunday 9th of September 2018.


The cost for the weekend retreat is $420 including, Yoga & Meditation program, accommodation, meals. 


If you are short on time you can join us for one day only Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th of September 2018, at the cost of $300.-


All bookings need to be confirmed and paid by 30/8/18.


Please, don’t hesitate to contact me for any questions and discuss details.


Looking forward to begin Spring in Queensland with a Yoga Weekend: release – relax – recharge.


OM Shantih – OM Peace, Prema Maria


 


 


 


 


 

   		   	

   	
   	
      



			
				



   
   

               Support Aussie Farmers
         


   
   

   	

   		
Support Aussie Farmers

   		   		

   			premaria   		

   		   	


   	   	

   		
I decided to donate $2 for every person coming to a yoga class this week, August 6th – 10th, 2018 in support of the Farmers in Australia living though the worst drought in many, many years.


This includes the Yoga class I teach for the PCYC Ipswich on a Wednesday evening. And everyone coming for a free trial class. So please bring your friends and family to a yoga class this week.  Dust off your yoga mats, the days are warm.


I’m thinking to donate the final amount to Drought Angels, based in Chinchilla, Queensland. \ https://www.droughtangels.org.au/


I know it’s a small gesture, but I believe if everyone shows a bit of Support to the drought stricken farmers, we can make a difference.


Through the month of July (school holidays and many cold, frosty mornings) an average of 40 Yogis came to class per week.


Please come to the yoga classes in high numbers this week. Thank you!!


 


Update 13-8-18


52 happy Yogis made it to a class. Many gave extra change, and my husband helped to top it up to a even $200.-, which I donated to Drought Angels this morning.


Thank you everyone for coming to class and showing support.