Pranayama – proper breathing

Pranayama – proper breathing

premaria
Based on the “Five Points of Yoga” as outlined by Swami Vishnu-Devananda-ji.
2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama)

Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs to their maximum capacity and how to control the breath. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical. This increases vitality and mental clarity.

Breath is life. We can live for days without food or water, but deprive us of breath and we die in minutes. In view of this, it is astonishing how little attention we pay in normal life to the importance of breathing correctly. To a Yogi there are two main functions of proper breathing: to bring more oxygen to the blood and brain: and to control prana or vital energy, leading to control of the mind.

What is proper breathing?

Breathing correctly means breathing through the nose, keeping the mouth closed, and involves a full inhalation and exhalation which bring the whole of our lungs into play. There are three basic types of breathing: clavicular (shallow), intercostal (middle) and abdominal breathing (deep). A full yogic breath combines all three, beginning with a deep breath into the abdomen and continuing the inhalation through the intercostal and clavicular area. Without lifting the shoulders. The abdomen fills, the chest rises.  When we inhale, the abdomen expands and the diaphragm moves down, massaging the abdominal organs. When we exhale, the abdomen contracts and the diaphragm moves up, massaging the heart. In the beginning it is very helpful to place one hand on the abdomen, and the other one on the chest.

Pranayama literally means control of life force or vital energy. Prana=vital energy, yama=control.

IMG_5470_Anuloma Viloma small
Anuloma Viloma – the alternate nostril breathing is one of many yogic breathing techniques or exercises.

© Photography Maria Steiner

Autumn Break

Autumn Break

premaria

I’m off soon for a visit to family & friends in Switzerland and France this year. 

Therefore we have NO Yoga classes from Tuesday 18 April until Friday 12 May 2017.

All Yoga Classes will resume on Tuesday 16 May 2017, as per our normal weekly schedule.

I wish you all a good Easter break, ANZAC Day, labour day weekend. See you when I’m back.

OM OM OM  Maria Prema

 

 

Cherry Trees in bloom May 2016
Cherry trees in full bloom. I took this photo last year May 2016 in Baselland, Switzerland.

 

© Photography Maria Steiner

 

Asana – proper exercise

Asana – proper exercise

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

1. Proper Exercise (Asanas)

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.

 

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Ardha Matseyndrasana – half spinal twist.
IMG_5510_Halasana small
Halasana – the plough.
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Standing spinal twist in triangle – Parivritta Trikonasana.

© Photography Maria Steiner

The Five Points of Yoga

The Five Points of Yoga

premaria

During the yoga weekend retreat we practice the five points of yoga.

premaria's avatarHatha Yoga Ipswich

Swami Vishnu-Devanandacondensed the whole yoga tradition into a very practical system, aptly named ‘The Five Propers or ‘Five Points of Yoga’:

1. Proper Exercise (Asanas)
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.
2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs to their maximum capacity and how to control the breath. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and rhythmical. This increases vitality and mental clarity.
3. Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
Long before the invention of cars, planes, telephones, computers, freeways and other modern triggers of stress, the Rishis (sages or seers) and Yogis of yore devised very powerful techniques of deep relaxation. As a matter of fact, many…

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Friday 24th February 2017

Friday 24th February 2017

premaria

Time for a Friday Hatha Yoga Class and Satsang Meditation.

Coming up on Friday 24th February 2017:

At the Raceview Scout Hall, 32 Taylor Street, Eastern Heights.

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

6:45pm – 8:30pm Satsang (silent meditation, uplifting Sanskrit chants, an inspiring reading)

The cost is $15 or  one tick on the class pass.

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

Maria Prema

 

altar-2

 

 

 

Australia Day Holiday

Australia Day Holiday

premaria

A short reminder, that we have NO Yoga Classes on Australia Day Thursday 26/1/17, and next week.

NO Yoga from Monday 30th January to Friday 3rd of February 2017.

All back to normal schedule and weekly routine as of Tuesday 7th February 2017.

Looking forward to seeing you back on the mat. 

marigold-in-my-garden
Marigold blooming in my garden.

 

 

 

Christmas Break 2016

Christmas Break 2016

premaria

The Christmas Break this year is for two weeks,

24th December 2016 until 6th January 2017.

The last yoga classes in 2016 are on Thursday 22/12/16.

All the yoga classes resume in 2017 on Tuesday 10/01/17.

As per usual schedule, days, times locations.

Christmas in Brisbane, December 2016.
Christmas in Brisbane, December 2016.

Satsang Friday 4th November 2016

Satsang Friday 4th November 2016

premaria
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.
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.

nice-aya-om

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

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.
Prema Maria
New Prices as of 1st November 2016

New Prices as of 1st November 2016

premaria

On the 31st of October 2016 it will be 10 years since I teach yoga classes here in Ipswich, QLD. Time to give myself a payrise.

These are the new prices for the yoga classes as of 1st November 2016:

  • first trial class: free

  • drop-in class   $15

  • 5-class pass (valid for 2 months)  $70

  • 10-class pass (valid for 4 months)  $120

Cost for the Senior Class (remains the same) on a Wednesday morning 9am:

  • first class: free

  • single class  $10

  • 10-class-pass  $80

    hibiscus-flower
    Hibiscus flower in our front Garden.

 

Prices for eye-pillows. Presently available in ten different colours. I make them myself.

$15 each

$20 each with matching removable cover.

 

eye-pillows
Eye pillows available in ten different colours. I sew them myself.