Biscuit Recipe

Namaste
This biscuit recipe is the one I use week after week at the Sunday Free Yoga Session at Fradgley Hall Burleigh Heads. People are always asking me for the recipe so here it is:

160 g soft butter (1/3 of 500g)
1 cup rich brown sugar

4 Tbsp yoghurt or soured milk (milk mixed with cider vinegar)
1 cup sultanas

1 cup rolled oats
1 cup coconut (optional)
2 cups self raising flour

Yields about 32 small biscuits or 18 large

Beat the butter and sugar, mix in the yoghurt and sultanas and then stir in the dry ingredients. Roll into balls and squash down with a fork onto a greased tray. Bake for 20 - 30 mins at 280 degrees centigrade.

Cool on a wire rack.
Store in an airtight container for lasting crispness.
These biscuits are super quick to make and are delicious. For variation I sometimes add carob chips, nuts, carob flour and at Christmas time mixed fruit with a cherry on top.

happy eating
Margaret

Yoga Aid Challenge 2009

Namaste

This years Yoga Aid Challenge was held in the picturesque riverside park in downtown Brisbane on Sunday November 15

About 120 people greeted the morning with 108 Sun Salutations.

The day was just beautiful. Sheltered by a huge fig tree and cooled by a soothing breeze which swept in from the river Brisbanites and Gold Coasters got together to celebrate yoga and raise money for refugees, cancer sufferers and children in need.

Salutes came in many variations from the different yoga leaders and the whole event had a peaceful community feel.

After about two hours of exercise everyone felt they had earned a really good rest

But the best part was saved till the end when everyone opened their hearts to yoga meditation

Here's what some of our teachers thought after the event:

"I felt great and so energised afterwards, I really must have needed that!" Mrna lini

"Ooh my hamstrings are telling me they got a good work out yesterday!" Andrew

"It was fun!" Amara

"Looking forward to next year!" Candace

We're all looking forward to the event next year, maybe you'd like to join us!

Namaste

Margaret

Namaste

People often comment on how deliciously scrumptious our food is at our Balanced Life Retreats, Mini Yoga Retreats and Sunday Spiritual Gatherings, so I thought I'd publish this recipe for an Indian style Sweet Rice that tastes so heavenly it's hard not to go back for seconds not to mention thirds or fourths. This recipe is for 2 light eaters or one hungry person.

Absolutely Delicious Sweet Rice
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups full cream milk
1 heaped Tbsp butter
6 cardamon pods
1/4 tsp black pepper
5 bay leaves

2 Tbsp medium grain white rice

1/3 cup currants
1/2 cup white sugar

Method
Bring first 5 ingredients to the boil, then add the washed rice and stir to bring back to the boil. Turn the heat down to medium, cover with a lid and leave to slowly boil for 40 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.

After 40 minutes remove the bay leaves and cardamon pods and add the washed currants, stir then leave to boil for 10 more mins. If your mixture is starting to thicken you will need to stir it often. Lastly add the sugar and boil for 5 minutes stirring the whole time. Remove from the heat and leave to cool. As it cools it will thicken.

TRUTH AND BEAUTY

Namaste Last Sunday saw the final Mini Yoga Retreat for the year. Every retreat I give a little talk on applying the spiritual side of yoga in our daily lives. This month I read out the article which is featuring in the ASMY November newsletter and elaborated on it a little. It’s such a nice article I thought I would publish it here. And if you don’t already receive our newsletter you can contact us and we’ll send it out to you. Then every month you will have to opportunity to read an enlightening article like the one below, try out a tasty vegetarian recipe, learn a yoga pose and read an interesting article about the benefits of yoga asanas.




Twilight. The crimson sun dipped toward the horizon, bathing the sky glowing saffron. The silvery ocean reflected the blaze of colour, tropical flowers perfumed the air and delicately winged bats darted through the gathering dusk. Magic! We are naturally attracted to beauty but the beauty of this world does not last. With the passing of time, the blooming rose shrivels, the radiant sunset dims, fades and is gone. We can’t hold on to beauty because it is not permanent. The beauty of this world is not only temporary, it is also superficial. The bodily beauty that attracts the eye is only skin deep. We may become enamoured by a pretty face, but because it is not lasting or totally satisfying, we become frustrated. Real beauty exists. Our longing and search for beauty need not end in frustration. We can find and relish real beauty. We simply need to know where to find it. Everything beautiful in this world is but a tiny reflection of the beauty of the Supreme. We are attracted to beauty because we are a small part of the all beautiful Absolute Whole. Our bodies may be ugly or old, but they are only an external garment covering our true self. We, the living force, are by nature eternally beautiful and it is this inner beauty that shines through our eyes, our thoughts, our words and our actions. Our yoga practice is not just to keep our bodies healthy, but also to develop and nurture our inner beauty. We need to develop the spiritual vision to see and appreciate this transcendental phenomenon. We need to become self realised to perceive our real nature and the all-attractive nature of the Supreme. This will give us real and lasting satisfaction. The most valuable gift yoga has to offer is meditation on transcendental sound vibrations or mantras. Mantras are no ordinary sound vibrations; they are spiritual in essence so they are inherently attractive to the spiritual soul and have the effect of awakening one’s dormant spiritual consciousness and opening one’s eyes to real spiritual beauty. We experience joy in the beauty of a lovely face or a scenic view but it’s impossible to imagine the boundless happiness for those who perceive the very source of beauty. The wise and determined seek the most beautiful, the reservoir of all beauty and their search is never frustrated. Such wise men live in this world relishing the eternal pleasures and beauty of a different world. “Know that all beautiful, glorious, and mighty creations spring from but a spark of My splendour.” Sri Krishna,Bhagavad-gita Namaste Margaret

Cooking Demo at the Balanced Life Retreat

September's retreat was again a huge success with 26 happy participants, delicious lunch as always and a relaxing foot reflexology workshop from Amara. The cooking demonstration given by Mrnalini was an introduction to tofu and this is what she told us.

Tofu is a product made from soy milk and a coagulant. It is a very good source of protein while at the same time being very low in saturated fat.Tofu provides an abundance of iron as well as manganese, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, phosphorus, copper, calcium and magnesium.

This wonder food is touted as one of the world’s healthiest foods and for good reason. It has been found that soy products help to regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and keep estrogen in balance. There are also studies which show soy intake helps to prevent colon, breast and prostate cancer as well as atherosclerosis.

Yet, like all foods, soy needs to be incorporated into a person's diet in a balanced and individualized way. It’s important that even very healthy foods are consumed in moderation.


Tofu has very little flavor or smell on its own. Consequently it lends itself equally well to either savoury or sweet dishes. As a method of flavouring it is often marinated in soy sauce, chilis, sesame oil, etc. Fresh tofu is usually packaged in water and once opened it should be kept in the refrigerator and it's water changed daily. In this way the tofu can last up to a week.

Tofu is sold in a number of different ways:

Silken/Soft tofu has the highest moisture content of all tofus. Its texture is similar to a very fine custard and is often used in desserts, smoothies, soups and sauces.
Firm tofu is dense and can be cubed and stir-fried, grilled, scrambled, pickled, smoked, baked, barbecued or served in soups. Firm tofu is higher in protein, fats and calcium than other types of tofu.
Fried Tofu puffs (bean bubble) are deep fried until light and airy at the core and are delicious in soups because they soak up the flavour like little sponges.
Pressed Tofu is usually seasoned and pressed to remove excess water content. This can be cut into strips and used in soups or stir fries or used in sandwiches.
Frozen Tofu (thousand layer tofu) By freezing tofu, the large ice crystals that develop within the tofu result in the formation of cavities that soak up the flavours of the dish once the tofu is defrosted, the moisture squeezed out and marinated.

September Mini Yoga Retreat

Did you miss the mini yoga retreat on Sunday the 20th of September? Never mind there’ll be another in October. We have a day of yoga, meditation and massage on the 3rd Sunday of the month which runs in conjunction with the free Sunday yoga class as Fradgley Hall in Burleigh Heads.

It’s hard to say what the highlight of the day is, whether it’s the shared massage at the end, the beautiful meditation led by Yadu with his velvety voice or maybe the delicious lunch cooked by his wife Monica. There’s certainly something for everyone: yoga asanas, relaxation, the chance to make new friends, eat delicious food and the opportunity to start or continue our spiritual journey.

This month’s massage was shared reflexology. A reflexology massage only involves massaging either the feet, hands or ears and because there are so many nerve endings in these places it is said to have a wonderful effect throughout the whole body. Amara led us through a simplified routine to massage the feet that was designed to be both soothing and stimulating to many other parts of the body from the pituitary gland deep within our head to the neck, liver, kidneys, digestive system and lower back. In fact after the foot massage many of us commented how we felt like we’d just had a full body massage!

So now we know how relaxing it is to get our feet massaged and also we have the ability to give this wonderful gift to a friend or family member.

namaste
Margaret

THE IMPORTANCE OF KINDNESS

Recently I read an article about how dairy cows give more milk if they have names and are known by them. Isn’t that sweet! I thought of how those cows day after day are having their milk taken from them and when they develop a relationship with the farmer and feel respected and cared for they’re happy to give more.

What a wonderful example this is of the importance of love and friendship.

There are so many lonely people in the world whose lives are grey and bleak and just a smile or a kind word from us might make all the difference to their day. But of course the highest kindness is to give them the chance to experience the transcendental yoga process which will take away that loneliness and give them the chance to be deeply peaceful, satisfied and even joyful.


The yoga process is more than just healthy exercises and focused breathing but actually becomes transcendental when we engage in yoga meditation. Yoga meditation draws our consciousness away from the troubles of this world to that place deep within each one of us, which is where we can find shelter, love and true kindness

My friends and I get together every Sunday to engage in yoga meditation at Fradgley Hall which is above the library at Burleigh Heads from 4 – 6 pm and everyone is most welcome to come along and bring a friend.

The Making of Andrew’s Amazing Yoga DVD

Ever been down to Hastings Point at 5.30 in the morning? Not something I do regularly I must admit, but a few of us assembled there last week to roll the cameras and get started on Andrew’s Stretch and Relax DVD. We had to get there really early to catch the sunrise and get a magic meditation shot. How nice the atmosphere is at that time of day! A soft hazy serenity, just right for meditation. But no time for too much of that we had to get moving on the yoga poses. Our camera men told us that after 8.00 the light becomes too bright and the colours wash out, so even though it is only an hour class we knew with all the miss–takes (ha ha mistakes) we’d be pushing it to get through in time. It all went very smoothly though; after all we were working with talent! One cameraman is an acclaimed surf photographer and the other a naturally gifted amateur and all three yogis are fantastic yoga teachers, so there wasn’t too much stopping and starting.

Hastings Point is a truly beautiful place and we were able to capture some exquisite shots of the waves and birds and dolphins as a moving backdrop to the yoga poses. A lot of people seem to know how nice this place is too because by 8 o’clock the car park was full of people who were either off fishing, exploring or simply sitting and viewing and I’m sure our little crew added to the interest of the day.

So hopefully by Christmas time we’ll have the DVD out. Watch this blog and you’ll be the first to know!!

Namaste
Margaret

Yoga in the Park

Due to increasing numbers the Council’s Active and Healthy yoga class at Robina Library has now been moved to a nearby park at the same time on Tuesday morning at 9.15.

We’ve been in the park now for 8 or 10 weeks and even though we started off in the rainy season as yet haven’t had to call the class off. The first Tuesday in the park was a bit damp underfoot and a bit grey, but the next week most of us determined souls were prepared with ground sheets to put under our yoga mats. We’ve had a few near rainy days and one day we could see the rain drops on the lake but narry a drop on us.


Everyone has found that they really enjoy doing yoga outside. But of course it’s not just any old place outside. The Lion’s Park in Cheltemham Drive Robina is a little slice of heaven. There’s the trees, an assortment of ducks, black swans, cheeky magpies, blue water lilies and for the last few weeks beautiful pink blossoms. We all feel very lucky to be doing our yoga in this idyllic setting. It seems so natural to be outside doing our yoga asanas, absorbing the natural energy of the surroundings while our minds are soothed by the serene beauty.

Some people because of their health have had to stay away so it’s not for everyone but fortunately no one misses out as now the Council is offering a yoga class every Wednesday morning at the Mudgeeraba Memorial Hall. So if you are in the area come along to one or both of these free classes, make some new friends and get active and healthy.

Namaste
Margaret

An unforgettable day for us!

International Free Yoga Day on Saturday, March 14, was an unforgettable day for us. The day was a huge success on the Gold Coast. 2009 is the third year that the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga has participated in Free Yoga Day. It has grown from just our regular classes being offered for free to a full day of free yoga and meditation classes from 7am to 5pm.

We knew that the day was off to a great start when we had over 30 people arrive for our 7am Energy Yoga class. The weather was beautiful and sunny and people kept on rolling up with many new faces trying yoga for the first time and many regulars passionate about exploring their practice further. Highlights on the day include; 110 students participating in a mid morning ‘pick me up’ Energy Yoga class; over 150 yoga enthusiasts partnering up to learn how to give an Indian Head Massage; a tasty and sumptuous lunch and refreshments served throughout the day; inspirational and beautiful yoga chanting meditation that left everyone feeling like that had stepped under a clean mountain waterfall and the amazing teamwork of all the ASMY teachers and volunteers who made such a successful day possible. More than 200 people joined us on Saturday at the Albert Waterways Community Centre to celebrate all things yoga.

Free Yoga Day is an international event aimed at promoting the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of the time tested yoga tradition. Some feedback from students on the day included; “I wish that I could do this everyday”, “I feel great, so relaxed and peaceful”, “I am so glad that I made the time to come” and “There is no better way to spend a day”. If you missed out on Saturday be sure to mark March 14 in your diary for next year. We hope to make next year even bigger and better.

A big thank you to all the people who came, without your support the day wouldn’t have been such fun and a big thank you to all the helpers on the day, without you it would not have been possible! A special mention must be made to the amazing kitchen crew who served out over 180 plates of Indian Dahl, rice, salad and pappadams for lunch and over 400 baked items such as Pina Colada Muffins, Pumpkin Scones and Vanilla Cookies throughout the day.

We hope that you continue to enjoy and pursue your passion for yoga.

Namaste

Amara

Another successful Clean Up Australia Day!

In the mid morning sun we gathered to contribute our part in keeping our beautiful country clean and green. On behalf of Clean Up Australia and the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga I would like to thank all the volunteers who gave up their Sunday morning to lend a helping hand.

I remember back to when I did my first Clean Up Australia Day, when I was 7, around the Tallebudgera Creek. This year I was fortunate enough to be supervising the Nobby Beach Clean Up Site. Having only registered the site 2 weeks ago I honestly thought that I would be one of only a few people at our site. I was over the moon when people kept on rolling up to help out. With 23 online registrations and 23 registrations on the day, I was very excited to see everyone’s community spirit.

We cleaned along the Nobby/Miami Beach foreshore and coast, Lions Head Park and the bushland edging on Miami State High School. In total we collected 3 ½ wheelie bins full of rubbish. Our most interesting and unique finds that I thought would be worth sharing with you were; a Buddha with only half a head, a one wheeled pink girls bicycle (later on we found the other wheel) and a wheelless skateboard. The amount of empty bottles, cans and cigarette butts that we found was a shock to everyone. Members of the public joined in helping us to pick up rubbish as they saw us passing by with our Clean Up Australia Day bags.

After all the hard work and heat we headed back to the studio and had some much needed refreshments. Everyone received a certificate of appreciation from Clean Up Australia for their participation. All in all in was a very successful morning and yes, this little part of Australia is a little cleaner because of it! Why not try to make everyday a Clean Up Australia Day? It doesn’t take much effort to pick up some litter when you see it, or at the least put your own rubbish in the bin.

Here's to keeping Australia clean and green!

Amara

National Free Yoga Day March 14 2009

The Australian School of Meditation & Yoga (ASMY) will again be participating in the National Free Yoga Day by having a whole day of free classes and workshops. The day was so successful in March 2008 that in 2009 we are holding the day at Albert Waterways Community Centre, a large community hall behind Pacific Fair. In the spirit of generosity and love, ASMY, along with many other participating yoga schools would like to promote the wonderful gift of yoga.

National Free Yoga Day gives the community an opportunity to enjoy some gentle stretching, breathing and relaxing, whilst accessing the many benefits of Yoga for the mind, body and soul. This is a chance for many in the community to try Yoga for the first time, for others to return to Yoga and for regular practitioners to try a different style of Yoga.

Find out what Australian School of Meditation and Yoga is doing for Free Yoga Day 2009.

We are looking forward to a great day and hope that you can make it!

Namaste,

Amara

Set yourself on the path to health and wellbeing

An increasing number of people want a lifestyle which will help them achieve overall well-being physically, mentally and spiritually. Because this is what yoga offers, people are naturally attracted to it and are interested in its practice and applying its principles and techniques to their lives.
Yoga is for everybody - men and women of all ages and all levels of fitness.
Through the practice of yoga you can become stronger, healthier and more flexible and get into shape in a way that is less stressful on your body. Yoga will give you the tools to improve the quality of your life and you can become physically and spiritually renewed through the time tested practices of the yoga lifestyle. Experience meditation and relaxation so deep, so peaceful, so tranquil.
Around the globe, over thousands of years countless millions of people have experienced the life enhancing benefits of yoga. So can you.

Mermaid Beach – Southport - Burleigh Heads – Nerang

More information www.asm.org.au 5554 5440

Come along to one of our free or low cost Community Classes in conjunction with the Gold Coast City Council Active and Healthy Program.

See you at a class soon,

Amara

Clean Up Australia Day 2009

Namaste,

Clean Up Australia Day is coming up on March 1 and the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga have registered the Nobby Beach area as a Clean Up Site. Every year hundreds of thousands of Australians get stuck in and clean up their local environment by collecting and removing rubbish on Clean Up Australia Day. It is fun, easy and everyone can get involved.

This is how you can help:

1) Register to volunteer for Clean Up Australia Day

If you would like to volunteer at our Clean Up site, you can register as a volunteer here.

Or you can meet us on the day and fill out a volunteer registration form.

2) Volunteers can make a donation to Clean Up Australia Environment Fund

On the right click on the ‘Donate Now’ link and follow the prompts.

Or you can make a donation at one of our yoga or meditation programs.

Donations will assist Clean Up Australia to continue to work and foster relationships between the community, business and government to address critical issues of waste, water and climate change.

3) Support us by making a donation to our fundraising target of $800

Those you can not be involved on the day can visit our fundraising page and make a donation to help us reach our fundraising target. If you are volunteering and would like to get more involved with fundraising you can register your own fundraising page. Just click the 'Sign Up & Join this team' button.

When: 1 March 2009 8-10am
Where: Nobby Beach area. Meeting at the ASMY for an 8am start.
What to bring: Gloves, sturdy shoes, sunglasses, sun protection and water.
Questions: amara@asm.org.au or (07) 5554 5440

Great saints, sages and yogi’s understand that cleanliness and hygiene are important elements to a healthy, balanced life. A peaceful and tranquil environment is much more conducive to a meditative state and self realisation.

We hope to see you at the centre on March 1.

All the best,

Amara

Our Sunday Spiritual Gathering

We invite you to our Sunday Spiritual Gathering, with beautiful chanting of sacred mantras, guided meditation, a fantastic vegetarian dinner and an inspiring talk that explores the spiritual essence of yoga.
The heart and soul of the evening is the joyous, enlivening chanting that will reawaken your spiritual consciousness and transport you to a place of peace and harmony.

Yoga wisdom has been studied and praised for thousands of years for its clarity, insight and wealth of spiritual knowledge. Here is the chance to tap into this most ancient of sciences that has been handed down from self-realised spiritual teachers since time immemorial. If you would like to learn more about your eternal spiritual nature, meditation, real happiness and life’s ultimate purpose, then this is for you.

Gain insight into the workings of the mind though guided meditation and develop more clarity and wisdom. This is the perfect time to inquire about spiritual topics, make new friends and cultivate your spiritual garden.

Every Sunday 4-6 pm

Burleigh Library Hall, Cnr Gold Coast Hwy & Park Ave
More information www.asm.org.au 5554 5440

See you there,

Amara

Back By Popular Demand

Namaste,

For those living on the Northern end of the Gold Coast you will be pleased to hear the good news. Our Thursday morning free Easy Yoga Stretch and Relax with Meditation class will be resuming this Thursday (Feb 5). Initially this was a 6 week program (Oct 9 to Nov 20) at the Southport Library. Due to popular demand, this class will now continue indefinitely at the same time, at a new venue (Southport Scout Den).

Thursday 9.15am Southport Scout Den (Corner of High and Smith Sts)

In conjunction with the GCCC Active and Healthy Campaign, this class will continue to be offered free of charge. This class features half an hour of gentle stretching and half an hour of relaxation and meditation and makes it very easy to relieve tension in the body and the mind. You will leave feeling alive and with a sense of peace and inner calm. A great class for anyone wanting to try yoga for the first time. We have hired a much larger hall, so why not do your friends and family a favour and invite them along.
Please bring a towel or mat to this session.

Don't forget that we also hold meditation and yoga classes at the Southport Community Centre on a Monday and Wednesday night and Yoga in the Park Thursday mornings at Labrador. Read more.....

Any questions 5554 5440 or asm@onthenet.com.au

We look forward to seeing you at a class soon.

Amara