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