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.

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

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

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

Discover Meditation Courses

The year has flown by and there are only three more Discover Meditation courses left to run in 2008. Time seems to be flying by far too quickly, so make sure you mark the dates in your diary early as Christmas is just around the corner and social calendars will be booking up. At this time of year, people really need meditation and relaxation in their lives as it is a very stressful time of the year and extremely busy for most of us.

Meditation calms the mind, nourishes us spiritually and gives us inner resources to deal with the busy-ness of life. Unfortunately if we don’t make the time to meditate a priority in our lives, time will pass us by, and before we know it, another year is over and we still haven’t put any time aside to meditate and relax. People who make the effort to maintain a regular meditation practice right through the Christmas period always comment on how much more relaxed they felt and how much better they were able to cope with the stresses of life.

Mark these dates in your diary and make meditation a priority in your life:

Mermaid Beach
10.30am Wednesday 3rd and 10th December
7.30pm Thursday 4th and 11th December

Nerang
11.45am Friday 12th and 19th December

“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance.
Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back,
and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”
Buddha

Words of Wisdom

The yoga tradition is a holistic and balanced approach to living. Especially in the western world when we think of “yoga” or someone that is good at “yoga” we think of a person who is flexible like a gymnast. The yoga lifestyle encompasses much more than flexibility. The ancient science perfectly combines strength, stamina and flexibility with a tranquil mind and inner peacefulness. Very simply yoga can be broken into three areas, each complementing the other; meditation, breathing techniques and yoga asanas (exercises). A healthy, balanced diet, hygiene, cleanliness, simplicity and higher thinking are also important elements.

Here are some of my favourite quotes that represent the concept of simple living and higher thinking:

Insights from Jesus

(from the Holy Bible)

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ...

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Insights from Buddha

Better than a hundred years of ignorance is one day spent in reflection. Better than a hundred years of idleness is one day spent in determination. Better to live one day wondering how all things arise and pass away. Better to live one hour seeing than one whole life beyond the way. It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or demons, heaven or hell.

Insights from India

There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed.

Mahatma Gandhi

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Mahatma Gandhi

The petty mind thinks, ‘This is mine. That’s for others.’ Whereas men of noble thought consider the whole world as one family.

Chanakya

Insights from China

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

Lao Tzu

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.

Lao Tzu

Insights from Western Philosophers

The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different. Hippocrates

Until mankind can extend the circle of his compassion to include all living things, he will never, himself, know peace.

Albert Schweitzer

Enjoy this food for thought. To read more check out our website or stay posted for more to come.

Amara

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Our November Mini Yoga Retreat @ Burleigh

Sunday saw the Fradgley Library Hall at Burleigh Heads filled to the rafters with yogi’s and yogini’s for our Mini Yoga Retreat day. The regular 10:30-12:30pm yoga session overfilled with students, so a group of us went down to a shady park and enjoyed the cool ocean breezes and fresh air as we stretched. The outdoor class is so popular with the students that they are asking for it each week. Feedback that I have received is that the difference an outdoor class makes is incredible. Nothing beats the fresh energy that our body absorbs when we are outdoors in nature.

Friends of ours joined us to lead us through some kirtan, beautiful chanting of sacred mantras with musical accompaniment, a very simple and beautiful way to meditate. Kirtan relaxes the body and brings peace of mind and joy to the heart. Mantra can also be chanted on beads and added to the breath. To learn Japa and Mantra Meditation you can visit the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga website.

Margaret spoke briefly about the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of the ancient yoga system and how ultimately yoga is a spiritual quest. She explained various limbs or rungs of the yoga system and how they assist the yoga practitioner on their journey of self discovery or self realisation.

Lunch was very simple but extremely tasty, mung dhal and Turkish bread. Writing it like that just doesn’t do it justice though. Honestly, it was one of the tastiest dhals I have ever tried, and almost everyone there agreed with me. Over lunch a group of us threw around great tried and tested recipes that we have collected over the years and shared healthy cooking tips and information.

Ready for a siesta, we got something better. One of our resident massage therapists guided us through a face and scalp massage. We learnt simple and effective massage techniques that we can use on friends and family to help them de-stress and unwind. We all felt truly relaxed and uplifted afterwards.

For those who didn’t want to leave, the Sunday Spiritual Gathering at 4pm gave them an excuse to stick around a little longer. Intimate and cosy, the beautiful yoga chanting created an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. Everyone involved had a fantastic day and look forward to the retreats starting up again in January.

Keep an eye on the website for upcoming events in 2009.

Take care,

Amara

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Back by Popular Demand

Initially the easy yoga and meditation class at the Robina Library was a 12 week program from 2 September to 18 Nov. However due to popular demand, this class will continue indefinitely at the Robina Library every Tuesday at 9:15am for an hour. This class is offered by the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga’s most senior yoga instructor, Margaret, through the Gold Coast City Council’s Active and Healthy Program. It is free and as you can well imagine, very popular. Each week Margaret has been having 30 plus students to her class.
Margaret’s class features half an hour of gentle yoga stretching and half an hour of relaxation 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. These classes run also at Southport Library and will start next year at the Nerang and Runaway Bay Libraries.

This is your chance to add yoga to your life. In addition to these library classes, we run many other Deep Peace Meditation Classes, Stretch and Relax Classes and Meditation Courses that are free or by donation. Please bring a towel or mat to all our classes.

See you at a class soon.

Amara

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

National Free Yoga Day MARCH 14, 2009

Yoga Centres Around Australia Throw Open Their Doors

&
Offer Yoga to Everyone Free of Charge

The Australian School of Meditation & Yoga 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 will be holding the day at Fradgely Hall, a large community hall in Burleigh Heads. In the spirit of generosity and love, the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga along with many other participating yoga schools will be promoting the wonderful benefits 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.

To read about the day’s activities visit our website and/or give us a call.

The Fradgley Library Hall is on the corner of Park Avenue and Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh Heads. It is conveniently located for public transport users. Surrounded by palms and cooled by ocean breezes it is the ideal location to spend your day in a spiritually satisfying way.

Come down and join on in the fun,

Amara

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

A great start to the month

Our November Mantra Rock Dance was awesome. With over 100 people (adults and children) at the Fradgley Hall at Burleigh Heads, the vibe was sensational and everyone had an enjoyable night. Each month some friends of ours join us and bring with them their passion for music and meditation. It is such a perfect way to finish the week and start a new one.

The highlight of the evening is the rock part of the program when the musicians skilfully combine melody and meditation so that everyone is up dancing. Easy and enjoyable, mantra meditation is refreshing, uplifting and purifying. The program started with mellow kirtan or chanting and a guided meditation that can be practiced at home. You can now also download for free this same guided meditation from our website to listen to at home or on your MP3 player.

Ray Linsley, one of the senior teachers at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga gave a reading from the ancient Bhagavad-Gita and spoke briefly on the yoga tradition, the workings of the mind and transcendental knowledge. The Australian School of Meditation and Yoga volunteer cooks whipped up yet another mouth watering feast. The culinary theme was ‘Tastes of Mexico’.

We invite you to join us at our Sunday Spiritual Gathering each Sunday from 4-6:30pm and our extra special spiritual event, the Mantra Rock Dance, the first Sunday of each month. Our next Mantra Rock will be 7th December. The last one for the year!

Everyone of all ages are welcome.

Amara

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Add Meditation To Your Life

Our November ‘Discover Meditation’ workshops start this week at Nerang and Mermaid Beach. At this two part workshops you can learn practical tools to add meditation to your life. These workshops are perfect if you are a beginner or if you have been meditating for years. If you have been attending other classes at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga and want to learn more formally about meditation and its benefits, you will find these workshops ideal.

We clearly explain how meditation works and give you the opportunity to experience the benefits yourself. The timeless art of meditation has been practiced by saints and sages since ancient times to bring about the joyful state of self-realisation. In this consciousness a person is free from temporary worries, anxieties and concerns and is immersed in a higher spiritual happiness and inner peacefulness.

Through the practice of meditation a person can experience an actual inner spiritual fulfillment or happiness. The secret to gaining the benefits is to practice it regularly. By starting your day with 15 minutes of meditation, you will find that your whole day flows more smoothly.

To find out more or book, visit our website or call. These workshops run by donation monthly.

Namaste,

Amara

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Christmas Gift Ideas

Share the benefits of the healthy yoga lifestyle this Christmas.

__________________

Vegetarian
Cookbook
$15

_________________

Yoga Pass
5 Class Pass - valid 2 months
$50

__________________

Yoga Pass
10 Class Pass - valid 3 months
$85

___________________

Yoga Pass
1 Month Pass - Unlimited
$80

____________________

Balanced Life Retreat
Gift Certificate $60

____________________

Available for purchase at each class or the Sunday Spiritual Gathering.

Namaste,

Amara

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Guided Meditation: Free Download

You can learn an uplifting meditation practice using breath and mantra that will energise your body, calm your mind and bring joy to your heart. We are offering a free recording that you can now download to your computer or MP3 player to use and enjoy whenever you like.

The slow deep breathing has the effect of calming the entire nervous system. The mantra is calming, uplifting and cleansing to the heart and mind.

Sit comfortably and lengthen your spine so that you can keep the chest open for nice deep inhalations. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Bring the breath deep down into your relaxed abdomen, and as you exhale draw the abdominal muscles back and up, then release them for the inward breath. Spend time with your breath feeling the relaxing effect of the outward breath, and the energizing effect of the inward breath.

To add mantra to the breathing, take a deep breath in, vibrating the mantra “Gauranga” on the long outward breath. As you say the mantra, simply listen to the sound. When the mind strays, simply refocus on the sound of the mantra. As you say the mantra allow your mind to become fully immersed in the sound, feeling its vibration throughout your whole body. You may like to spend 2 or 3 minutes in meditation at first and gradually increase the time up to 5 or 10 minutes.

For a free download of this meditation, go to www.asm.org.au and download the Guided Meditation from the Videos and Music page http://www.asm.org.au/videos-music . It’s a very nice way to go to sleep at night to ensure you have a sound and tranquil sleep; it’s also a nice way to start the day to ensure your day is peaceful and energized. During the day, whenever you get a chance, it is a wonderful refresher and a great way to de-stress and calm the mind.

Namaste,

Amara

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Annual Christmas Celebration

Set aside Sunday, 21st of December for our annual Christmas party where we gather together to celebrate the life and teachings of Lord Jesus Christ through songs, chanting, meditation and, of course, feasting! We would love to have you come celebrate Christmas with us.

The Festivities will include:

•Meeting old friends and new
•Chanting of sacred mantras
•Songs of Praise
•Video presentation of the life and teachings of Jesus
•Sumptuous Vegetarian Feast
•A joyous Mantra Rock Dance

We believe Christmas is best when shared with family and friends

To help us with meal preparations, please RSVP by Tuesday 27th of November.
5554 5440 asm@onthenet.com.au

Please invite all your family and friends.

Namaste,

Amara

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Inspiring Words

Truth is recognized wherever it is found, in all languages and all cultures. Here are a selection of our favourite insights from cultures and saints around the world – all concise and eloquently spoken. Keep checking because we’ll add more as we come across them.

People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering.
St. Augustine


Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Namaste,

Amara

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Yoga Aid Challenge – Only eight sleeps!

The Australian School of Meditation and Yoga is striving to raise money for children in need. On Wednesday 22 of October, only 8 sleeps away, hundreds will be doing yoga around Australia to raise money for different charity events. The Yoga Aid Challenge was developed so that the yoga community can give something back through their love of yoga. It is a way to facilitate the giving for living concept. An integral aspect of the traditional yoga system is non-greed, non violence and introspection.

I would like to share with you some truths from different cultures and saints around the world:

There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed.

Mahatma Gandhi

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Mahatma Gandhi

The petty mind thinks, ‘This is mine. That’s for others.’ Whereas men of noble thought consider the whole world as one family.

Chanakya

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

Lao Tzu

To be without a friend is to be poor indeed.

Swahili

It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace and live in peace.

Shenandoah

The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness.

Lao Tzu

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.

Lao Tzu

He who really wants to do something finds a way; he who doesn’t finds an excuse.

Confucius

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Confucius

When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us.

Arapaho

For information on how you, your friends and family can support the Yoga Aid Challenge click here.

Yoga practitioners use the Sanskrit word ‘namaste’ as a greeting. Namaste is a yoga greeting of respect.

Namaste,

Amara

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

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