Christmas Gathering 19th December 2008

Set aside Friday 19th 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! Bring along your family and friends.

When: Friday 19th December
Time: 6pm-9pm
Where: Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, 23 Kurilpa Street, West End
Bookings: 3895 8944

Exotic Indian Vegetarian Cooking Class

Next Saturday the 29th November we will be hosting our popular bi-monthly vegetarian cooking class. This months theme is Exotic Indian and we will be demonstrating nine mouth-watering dishes including, Dosha, Korma Curry with paneer, Indian bread, Malpuras with yoghurt, Red lentil and Eggplant Daal, chutney, Bharats, and Festival Rice. We finish the demonstration off with a lovely buffet meal so that you can savour the delicious dishes that have been cooked during the demonstration.

This is the last cooking class for the year, so don’t miss out, book early to avoid disappointment as these classes book up quickly.

Where: Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, 23 Kurilpa St, West End
When: Saturday 29th November 2-6pm
Contact: 3895 8944 for bookings

Christmas Closing Dates for the Centre

Well here we are again, almost at the end of another year. It is hard to believe that Christmas 2007 was almost a year ago. It only seems like yesterday that we were at last years Australian School of Meditation and Yoga Christmas gathering. As you know the teachers and volunteers at the West End centre work very hard all year round without a break, so Christmas is a time when we close the centre for two weeks to give them that much deserved break. It gives us all time to organize our programs for next year, relax, revitalize and rejuvenate.

The last program for the year will be our Christmas gathering to be held on the 19th December and our first program back in 2009 will be our refresh and relax class held on Monday 5th January at 5.30pm.

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian Meditation and Yoga

Vegetarian Cooking Classes

Last month we held our Moroccan Delights Vegetarian Cooking class at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga West End. It was a great success attracting over 40 people. There were a few people who were disappointed because they couldn't make it along to the class so over the next few weeks I will be publishing the recipes from the class on our vegetarian blog site:

www.australianschoolofmeditationandyogavg.blogspot.com

Beetroot, Fennel and Lentil Salad
Orange and Radish Salad
Spiced Rice
Pumpkin and Bean Tagine
Chickpea Patties
Mock Chicken with Lemon and Olives
Spinach Fatayer
Semolina Slice

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Stress Less this Christmas!

There are only four more 2-part meditation courses to run in 2008 and be assured that they will come around very quickly. 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 people’s 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. Unfortunately if we don’t make the time to meditate a priority in our lives, time will pass us by, another year is over and we still haven’t put any time aside to meditate and relax. I find that at the end of the year, our meditation and relaxation class numbers usually drop as people get caught up in the Christmas hype. However last year I really stressed to everyone that they should to get along to classes right up until the Christmas break as this is the time it is really needed. Most people took heed and came right until we closed the centre. They all commented how much more relaxed they were and how much better they were able to cope with the stresses of life.

Take note and make meditation a priority in your life!!! Course info can be found at http://www.asm.org.au/locations/qld/brisbane/west-end/

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Thai Massage and Meditation Lifestyle Workshop

Yesterday at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, we held our bi-monthly full day meditation retreat. It incorporated meditation, relaxation, Chi-Kung, Thai massage and lots of eating and socializing. It was a beautiful spring day and the workshop attracted over 30 people. We began the day with some breathing, meditation and relaxation followed by some peaceful chanting meditation. Chi-kung was next, which is a very popular ancient Chinese system of exercise. It is very meditative as well as a healthy way to keep the body fit and balanced. This was followed by some progressive body relaxation and a delicious Thai style buffet lunch. The menu consisted of eggplant and sweet potato green curry, tofish, satay sticks with peanut sauce and array of mouth watering salads. The afternoon consisted mainly of a 2 hour Traditional Thai massage course, where everyone paired up to give and receive. To top the day off, ginger lemon and honey tea was served with cardamom burfi. Every one floated home feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and revitalized.

Unfortunately a lot of people missed out on this particular workshop as numbers are limited. To avoid disappointment make sure you get in early with your bookings. The next full day meditation lifestyle workshop will be held on Saturday 13th December incorporating aromatherapy hot towel facials.

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Nadi Shota Pranayam - Alternate Nostril Breathing

This breathing technique is wonderful for that afternoon slump. It you are tired at about 2pm, instead of reaching for the coffe, practice some Nadi Shota Pranayam. It will get the oxygen into the blood stream, make the mind more alert and calm the body.

Nadis are the subtle nerve channels or meridians that run through the body and Shota means cleansing or purifying, so this practice helps to keep the meridians opened and unblocked which helps to keep the whole body healthy and in good working condition.

Just 5 minutes of nadi shota pranayam will be very beneficial to the health of your body.

• Place your index and middle finger on your forehead

• Put your thumb to your right nostril and your ring finger to your left nostril

• Press your left nostril and exhale and inhale through your right nostril

• Press your right nostril and exhale and inhale through your left nostril

• Continue to repeat this breathing alternating from one nostril to the other

• Breathe normally though both nostrils

• Relax your breaths

• Relax your chest and lungs

• Be aware of how your breaths are now moving so smoothly and effortlessly

• Your mind is sharp and alert

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Japa Meditation

Japa meditation is such a calming form of meditation that can be practiced anywhere. You can even go for a walk while chanting japa meditation. It is a very simple but potent way of meditating. For Japa meditation you'll need a set of meditation beads. Beads can be found everywhere these days, or you can make your own. Just thread 54 beads onto a piece of string with a larger bead at the top. This larger bead will tell you when you have finished one round of japa. The instructions for Japa are as follows:

· The largest bead is called the head bead

· Start with the first bead on the side of the head bead

· Hold it between the thumb and second finger of your right hand

· Softly say the mantra while holding this bead

· When you complete the mantra move your fingers onto the second bead (away from the head bead)

· Repeat the following mantra

Gopala Govinda Rama
Madana Mohana

· Continue chanting the mantra on each bead until you come back to the head bead

· You have just completed one round of Japa Meditation

· Try to place your mind on listening to the mantra as you repeat it each time. Gradually you will experience control of your mind, as well as a feeling of inner-peace and satisfaction

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Progressive Body Relaxation

Yoga relaxation is a very deep technique that is equal to 4 hours sleep. You will come out of it feeling refreshed and relaxed. You will go to that realm between wakefulness and sleep, so you will feel like you are drifting in and out of sleep, but you are conscious of your surroundings and aware of what is going on around you. At the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, we offer yoga relaxation at our refresh and relax sessions, our 2-part meditation course, our deep peace sessions and our full day lifestyle workshops. Here is a shortened version that you can practice at home. You could tape it and play it back to yourself or get a friend to guide you through.

· For best results, we recommend you always perform this relaxation while playing a mantra meditation CD. Lie down on your back. Keep your body warm by covering it with a towel or blanket. Let your arms roll away from your body and separate your legs slightly, letting your feet fall outward.

· Become aware of your breath and allow it to slow down and deepen. If your mind becomes distracted just draw it back to your breathing.

· Relax your body by breathing into the body part on the inward breath and relaxing the body part on the outward breath. Relax in this order:

Toes, heels, feet, ankles, calves, knees, thighs, hips, lower back, middle back upper back, shoulders, upper arms, lower arms, wrists, hands and palms, neck and throat, face, lips, cheeks, eyebrows, forehead, temples. Left hand, wrist and forearm, elbow, upper arm, shoulder; right hand, wrist and forearm, elbow, upper arm, shoulder; back of the neck, spine, back left buttock, thigh, knee, ankle, sole of foot right buttock, thigh, knee, ankle, sole of foot, abdomen and stomach, ribs and chest, throat, scalp, forehead, temples, cheeks, jaw, mouth, nose, ears, eyes, face.

· Bring your awareness back onto the inward breath; your body expands. On your outward breath, you are experiencing your entire body relaxing. The body as a whole is sinking down into the floor, letting go and releasing all the tension. In this completely relaxed state you can’t feel the body any more. Allow your mind to rest by focusing or listening to the sound vibration of the mantra.

· To come out of the relaxation begin to move your fingers, toes, hands and feet, stretch. Sit up slowly, by rolling on to your left side first.

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

National Vegetarian Week 2008 - Healthy, Wealthy and Wise

29 September- 5 October

At the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, we promote healthy living and have a number of people coming along who are interested in making the change to vegetarianism or reducing their meat intake National vegetarian week can give you lots of tips and advice for getting started.

Following is the press release for National Vegetarian Week;

Want to save money on your groceries, improve your health and reduce your carbon footprint?

Mark 29th September in your diary now to join millions of Australians in giving vegetarian meals a go and do your wallet, health and the environment a big favour.

Australia's second annual National Vegetarian Week, sponsored by Sanitarium Health Food Company, runs from 29 September to 5 October and features a comparison of high meat, plant-based and vegetarian seven-day meal plans and tasty, contemporary recipes the whole family will love.

With NewsPoll research showing that seven in ten adult Australians eat vegetarian meals - with almost half wanting to know more interesting ways for cooking them - a range of community events will be held around the country to shine the spotlight on the vast array of scrumptious plant-based dishes that can be quickly whipped up at home.

For more information: http://www.vegetarianweek.com.au/aboutvegetarianweek/about-vegetarian-week.a

Gayatri

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Yoga Breathing

A great way to reduce stress, release toxins from the body and energise the body with some fresh oxygen is to practice some yoga breathing on a regular basis. If you come along to our meditation and relaxation classes at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga West End, chances are you'll get to experience yoga breathing. However, if you'd like to practice at home, here are the steps to follow:

• Sit comfortably with your back supported.

• Close your eyes and bring your awareness onto your breath. On the inward breath, feel your chest expand as you bring fresh prana or energy into the body. On the outward breath release of all the tension that is being held in the body.

• To derive the best benefit from the breath, bring the breath down into the abdomen by expanding the abdomen. Then move the breath up into the chest, into the middle chest and ribs, then move the breath into the upper chest. Become aware of these three areas of breathing.

• On the outward breath relax the upper chest, followed by the middle chest, and finally draw in the abdomen to expel all the stale air. Try to feel the breath flowing like a wave, the inward breath connecting with the outward breath in a nice rhythm.

• Feel the inward breath rejuvenating the body; feel the outward breath relaxing the body, releasing the tension from the body. Feel the shoulders relax and feel them dropping as you relax, releasing the tension in your shoulders, down through your arms and into the hands. Feel the entire body relax with each outward breath.

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga West End

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga - West End - Timetable of programs

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga - West End - Timetable of programs

Meditation Helps your Memory!

Is your mind sharp and clear? Is your memory as good as it used to be?

Most people past 40 years of age will agree that they have experienced a decline in mental ability, their brain may be a little slower to understand things, their retention may not be as good and who amongst us has not heard of someone they know who has declined in their old age into some type of dementia?

But it’s not just old people who have memory problems. Not everyone breezes through their studies with A’s and A+’s. Many students know the grind and pressure of study and parents may even know the expense of having to provide tutors so their sons and daughters can pass their exams.

Many people from all walks of life would agree that a sharper clearer mind would be a wonderful asset.

Well good news! A study carried out by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 2007 has provided good evidence that just 12 minutes of meditation a day can improve cognitive abilities.

This heartening study was conducted amongst the 52 – 70 age group who already had some form of mental decline and after just eight weeks of daily meditation their memories showed startling improvements.

Andrew Newberg, M.D., the study’s principal investigator, said, “For the first time, we are seeing scientific evidence that meditation enables the brain to actually strengthen itself, and battle the processes working to weaken it.”

Other studies at Massachusetts General Hospital show that regular meditation thickens the cerebral cortex in the brain by increasing the blood flow to that region and some researchers believe this can enhance attention span, focus, and memory.

There are many, many good reasons to add a regular meditation practice to your life and a sharp clear mind is just one of them.

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

TRYING TO LOSE WEIGHT? TRY MEDITATION

The latest National Health Survey shows that 58% of men and 42% of women are either over-weight or obese. While medical conditions such as an under-active thyroid or polycystic ovary syndrome do have an impact on levels of body fat, many weight issues can be addressed by lifestyle changes. Most of us are aware of what those changes are. But the big factor is whether we consistently apply them.

The struggle is to actually follow that regular exercise program, and to keep our intake of food balanced with our energy output, by cutting down on fats and sugars and eating a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.

How can meditation help? Consider the following scenarios. Each of them gives a situation where many of us “fall off the wagon” in our attempts at healthy living. Meditation can help with them all.


• You have an argument with someone, or hear some bad news, or feel sad and you reach for the (you fill it in … chocolates, ice cream, sweets, biscuits, etc.)

We are reaching for that sweetness because it releases endorphins in the brain and makes us feel good. That’s why it’s called comfort food. Meditation also releases those endorphins, so in the same scenario we might reach for our meditation beads or our meditation CD. Meditation is a stress buster. It is calming both for the body and mind, lessening the emotional impact of the inevitable difficult times in our lives.

• You love food that you know is going to put on weight, you know you shouldn’t eat it but it tastes so good, so you do it anyway. It’s a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips.

With meditation we gain both the perspective and the inner resources to make intelligent decisions about our food intake and life in general. We also gain a positive source of happiness which eclipses the temporary pleasure which eating comfort food gives.

In these and similar situations meditation gives us awareness of how our mind is working, and we develop the ability to step back from what our mind is telling us. Meditation also gives us bodily awareness so that we develop an appreciation of how good we feel when our diet and exercise are balanced nicely. Then meditation gives us the strength of mind to follow what we know we should do. There are many wonderful benefits of meditation and helping us to lose weight is just one of them!

Try some of the many free meditation classes held at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga West End.

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Meditation for a Peaceful Mind

Have you ever thought about how much time and effort we put into keeping our bodies clean? We wash our clothes and keep our houses and cars clean but how many of us ever think about cleansing the mind?

The mind is a storehouse for everything we have ever seen with our eyes, heard with our ears or experienced through our other senses. It can be compared to a TV set that’s switched on 24/7. It’s constantly jumping from one thought to another, one worry to another responsibility and so on until we’re burnt out and want to rest. Even at night our minds don’t rest, keeping us awake or filling our heads with restless dreams.

Through the process of meditation, the mind begins to find comfort, relaxation and peacefulness and we become relieved of a certain amount of built up stress, tension, anxiety and worry. Over time, meditation has the effect of gradually clearing our minds and hearts of anger, envy and hatred. It has a purifying effect on the mind. We begin to experience more insights into the meaning and purpose of life, more tolerance towards others, more ability to forgive, more concern for others and more love for others.

The effect that meditation has on the mind is beautifully described in the yoga scripture, Bhagavad-gita:

As a lamp in a windless place does not waver, so the transcendentalist, whose mind is controlled, remains always steady in his meditation on the transcendent self.

Bhagavad-gita 6:19

Free meditation courses and classes held regularly at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga West End

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Deep Peace at the Australian School of Meditation & Yoga West End

Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you

Deep peace of the gentle night to you

Moon and stars pour their healing light on you

Deep peace to you

Traditional Gaelic Blessing


Who is not looking for peace? A deep inner peace. But where is that peace to be found? We may find glimpses of it in the beauty of nature, in the sleeping child, in a mother’s touch or in a sweet song. Just a glimpse and then it is gone. Deep within us we have a place of abundant peace. Beyond the temporary cares of this world, beyond our aches and pains and beyond our fears there lies a world of love and peace. Meditation can bring us to this sweet wonderful world.


As we tread the path of meditation we see the obstacles which are within us and which are preventing us from attaining that deeply peaceful state. The simple process of meditation allows us to feel truly peaceful and at the same time provides us with a source of transcendental joy.


In our 2-Part Meditation Course, called Discover Meditation, we teach three different methods of meditation and in our Deep Peace sessions we practice them along with some guided relaxations and complete yoga breathing. Come along to one of our sessions and you’ll wonder why you hadn’t tried meditation a long time ago!

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Stretch and Relax at the Australian School of Meditation & Yoga West End

For a great combination of stretching, meditation and relaxation, come along to Candace’s stretch and relax class at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga West End. This class is held on a Wednesday morning from 9.30-10.30am. There is a small charge of $5 for this class which includes half an hour of gentle stretching and ½ hour of guided meditation and relaxation. Limber up and relax at the same time.

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Free classes Australian School of Meditation and Yoga Open Day

The Brisbane community is invited to chill out this Sunday 14th September when the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga (ASMY) hosts its popular free Open Day from 9.30am.

This is a chance for many in the community to try yoga, meditation and relaxation classes for the first time, discover how they can improve people’s lives by bringing balance to the body mind and soul.

Set yourself on the path to health and wellbeing. Learn practical yoga lifestyle skills that will really benefit your day to day life.


WHAT: ASMY holds free Yoga, meditation and relaxation classes

WHEN: Sunday 14 September 2008 from 9.30am

WHERE: Gauranga Meditation Centre, 23 Kurilpa Street, West End

For more information on the free classes, please phone 07 3895 8944.

The Australian School of Meditation and Yoga is a non-profit organisation with centres in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Guided Meditation and Relaxation at the Australian School of Meditation & Yoga West End

If you are after a full guided meditation session, our refresh and relax, held at the Australian School of Meditation and yoga West End, may be the perfect option for you. Held at 5.30-6.15pm Monday and Thursday evenings, they are the perfect way to relax after a hard days work. No bookings are necessary so it is easy to drop in after work for 45 minutes of pure bliss. We practice the whole session lying down so you are sure to feel immediate relief from stress, tension and anxiety. Relax the body, calm the mind and give yourself some much needed spiritual food.

Gayatri

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Full Day Meditation Lifestyle Workshops at the Australian School of Meditation & Yoga West End

A great way to experience the wonderful benefits of meditation and relaxation is to come along to one of the Australian School of Meditation and yoga full day meditation lifestyle workshops . These workshops are a full day of utter bliss. At every workshop we offer a full meditation and relaxation session which includes:

Gauranga breath meditation

Yoga relaxation

Breath awareness,

Yoga breathing

Nadi shodan pranayam

Silent witness meditation

Japa meditation

Sacred chanting meditation

During the day we also offer a full chi-kung or yoga class and a delicious vegetarian buffet. After lunch we pair up for one of our infamous life-enriching classes. Each lifestyle workshop offers a different class and our next workshop features ayurveda. In this class you will learn the constitution of your body or your dosha (vata, pitta, kapha), lifestyle and dietary tips for your body type as well as some ayurvedic recipes including a simple but tasty dhal and kitchery. To finish the day off, you will be served halwa and masala chai tea.

These full day lifestyle workshops are sure to relax and calm even the most agitated mind. So if your body needs some stretching and relaxing and your mind needs to find some peace, book yourself in on the 30^th August 2008. The workshop starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm. The cost is $40 which includes a meditation pack (guided meditation CD, meditation beads and booklet etc.)

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Discover Meditation Courses at the Australian School of Meditation & Yoga West End

Probably the first step in learning meditation is to come along to one of the free Dicsover Meditation courses held at the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga. These courses are held twice a month, on a Monday evening and Wednesday morning. You can find out the dates for these courses from our website http://www.asm.org.au/meditation

Each class is approximately 1 ½ hours in length and in that time you will learn a variety of simple breathing techniques, four different meditation practices as well as yoga relaxation (guided progressive body relaxation). All methods learned in the course are simple techniques that you can apply in your daily life and I’m sure you will find them to be simple and enjoyable.

Gayatri

Instructor

Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Australian School of Meditation & Yoga West End Blog

Namaste, my name is Gayatri and I am a teacher at the Australian School of Meditation & Yoga in Brisbane. We are a non-profit organization offering our classes and courses as a community service. All our teachers are volunteers who offer their time and energy free of charge. At the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, we offer a wide range of classes and courses. We have 2-part meditation courses, guided meditation and relaxation sessions, hatha yoga classes, full day meditation workshops and vegetarian cooking classes to name but a few.

This blog is dedicated to teaching people about meditation and keeping you updated on what is on at our very popular centre at West End in Brisbane. I’ll be giving you detailed information on our meditation classes and courses as well as giving you some simple ideas for practicing meditation at home.

Meditation is so simple and enjoyable that anyone can practice it on a regular basis. All you need to do is to put some time aside each day. As little as 10 minutes will calm the mind, relax the body and give you an inner peace that can be found from no other source.

Gayatri

Instructor

Austalian School of Meditation and Yoga