This years Yoga Aid Challenge was held in the picturesque City Botanic Gardens


150 people greeted the morning with 108 Sun Salutations. The day was just beautiful. Sheltered by a huge trees and cooled by a soothing breeze which swept in from the river. 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

Bircher Muesli
• 1½ cups rolled oats
• 1½ cups apple juice
• ½ cup flaked almonds, toasted
• ½ cup hazelnuts, toasted, skinned and chopped
• ¼ cup raw pepita seeds
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 cup low fat Greek yoghurt
• 10 lychees, peeled, deseeded and halved
• 2 passion fruit, pulp removed
• To serve - extra seasonal fruit & low fat Greek yoghurt (optional)
• Place the oats into a bowl and pour the apple juice over.
• Cover with cling film and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready remove from fridge and add the rest of the ingredients, mix until all ingredients are combined.
• Spoon muesli into your serving bowl and dress with seasonal fruit and extra Greek yoghurt if desired.
• Preparation time: 15-20 minutes
(Requires some preparation the day before)
Cooking time: nil
Serves 4-6

You can't beat a beetroot

This superfood is packed with many health promoting antioxidants and nutrients such as beta-carotene, foliate, potassium, iron and vitamin C. The purple pigment in beetroots contain antioxidants that help protect cells from free radical damage preventing the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Try this delicious salad recipe

Ingredients (serves 6)

* 6 medium (about 2 bunches) beetroot, ends trimmed
* 60ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
* 100g (1 cup) walnut halves
* 60ml (1/4 cup) Red vinegar
* Salt & freshly ground black pepper
* 1 x 150g pkt baby spinach leaves
* 100g goat's cheese, crumbled

Add above ingredients to your shopping list
Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Place the beetroot on a baking tray. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour or until tender when pierced with a skewer. Remove from oven and set aside for 15 minutes to cool slightly. Wearing rubber gloves to avoid staining your hands, peel beetroot and cut into wedges.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the walnuts and cook, tossing, for 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

3. Add the vinegar to the walnut mixture. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

4. Divide the baby spinach leaves and beetroot among serving plates. Sprinkle with goat's cheese and drizzle with walnut dressing. Serve immediately.

Come along to our Thai vegetarian cooking demonstration and learn how to cook at least 6 delicious dishes. You’ll get loads of practical tips and know how and you’ll also receive a recipe booklet. If we are teaching something a little tricky, we’ll get everyone up for a hands-on session.

At the end of the class, we serve out all the dishes buffet style, so you get to try everything. Please don’t arrange to go out for dinner afterwards, or you’ll be sorry!

Where: 23 Kurilpa st West End on Saturday the 23rd October from 2pm-6pm cost $35 please book by calling 38958944

YOGA BEATS COFFEE

In the morning, we tend to feel drowsy because the oxygen level in our blood is low and our circulation is naturally slower as we emerge from sleep. Because coffee is a stimulant, there’s no question that it wakes you up- but it also lets you down after a few hours.

Yoga, on the other hand, revitalizes your body and mind with out the “caffeine crash”. And it won’t damage your nervous system, heart and adrenal glands the way caffeine does. When you wake up go outside and do a few asanas (yoga exercises) with deep breathing.

The oxygen from the fresh air will wake up and energize your body while the increased circulation will leave you feeling bright and alert. So instead of stumbling into the coffee club, roll out your mat on the back porch- or just open a window- and practice yoga. For an afternoon pick-me-up, get outside, stretch, and breathe deeply for a few minutes.

Knock out cold & flu symptoms

Most likely you have had a cold this season or at least know some one who has. Since this flu season has been particular bad I thought I would include this wonderful anti inflammatory drink to Knock out cold & flu symptoms

1 Lemon juiced
1 tsp turmeric peeled and diced
1 tsp ginger peeled and diced
1 tsp munuka honey
add hot water (not boiling)

Whats the Benefit?

Lemon
Lemon is alkalizing and recent Japanese research shows that the juice of 3 lemons improves deep vein blood flow by almost 20% in minutes

Turmeric
It rids anti inflammatory conditions

Ginger
Ginger is the best thing for angry mucous lining, very soothing

Munuka honey
Anti bacterial & anti fungal

"Let food be your medicine" Hippocrates

Having trouble trying to breathe?

Many air borne pollutants can have a irritating effect on our lungs which can lead to inflammation that may trigger bronchitis and asthma-like-symptoms.
According to a study by the US National institute of Health, people who ate the most apples were 33per cent less likely to have chronic phlegmy cough than those who ate the least. It has been shown that the pectin and antioxidants in the peel of an apple can reduced inflammation in the lungs.

WAITING TO EXHALE

Did you know that most of us take between 12 to 18 breathes per minute.
Research concludes that slowing down our breathing rate to as little as six breaths per minute can reduce short term physical pain.
A study conducted by Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona discovered some amazing things. People who halved their breathing rate had a higher pain threshold than those breathing normally. It's is believed that slow breathing helps to regulate the sympathetic nervous system, calming your nerves. Consider this next time you go to the dentist!

ARE YOU YOUR MIND?

This very important question will be answered through your very own practical meditation experience during this series titled The Nature of the Mind.

The mind for all of us is a major source of anxiety and distraction.

By definition the mind is like a restless child that won’t sit still, as soon as you tell a child to sit and do nothing, they cannot, not even for a moment. So is it any wonder we feel exhausted from the constant harassment of the mind

Stilling the thinking through mindfulness meditation is a powerful tool for bringing the mind under control.

Our first mindfulness meditation for this series is very simple yet very profound. Find a quite place and close your eyes, then let your mind run, let all of the thoughts of the day come in, you can see the mind is always changing thoughts coming and going. Do this for a couple of minutes, now ask yourself this question who is the person who is aware of the changing mind? That is you the person who is aware of the changing mind; you are separate from your mind.

Hey folks,

Try some delicious Rosemary tea over the winter period. Herbal teas are great way to help balance the internal workings of your body's organs and keep your body healthy and well. Rosemary tea is fantastic and may help to treat symptoms associated with colds and flu's including

• headaches
• body aches
• bad breath
• poor digestion
• muscle stiffness

Place 1 tablespoon of rosemary leaves in a teapot and add boiling water (around 500mL). Let it infuse for around 20 minutes and the tea is ready.

Namaste

Simon

Indian Head Massage Workshop

Full Day Meditation Lifestyle Workshop – Featuring an Indian head massage
Indian head massage originated in India over 1000 years ago and began as a way of keeping the hair in good condition. It is based on the ancient healing system of Ayurveda. This form of massage works on the upper back, shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp, ears and face. The areas are massaged using firm yet gentle, rhythmic movements that involve acupressure points called Marma points
Indian head massage is great for relieving the stress and tension in our everyday lives. It is a very relaxing and soothing form of massage. Regular sessions may help with the following conditions:

Ease headaches and migraine
Relax muscles
Relax and tones facial muscles
Help localized blood and lymphatic circulation
Boost the immune system, restore joint movement
Relieve sinusitis
Reduce stress
Release anxiety

When: Saturday 29th May

Where: 23 Kurilpa Street West End
Time: 10am - 4pm
Cost: $45 includes guided meditation CD, meditation pack and full buffet vegetarian meal
Bookings Essential
Visit our website or call 3895 8944 or email Brisbane@asm.org.au

Yoga Aid Challenge Brisbane 2010

Namaste friends,
The Australian School of Meditation and Yoga have volunteered to host the first Yoga Aid Challenge in Brisbane and it would be wonderful if you could be a part of it. The Yoga Aid Challenge is a two-hour Yoga practice consisting of 108 Sun Salutations with your local Yoga community on Sunday the 15th November down by the river at beautiful, leafy Orleigh Park in West End starting at 9am till 11am. The Yoga Aid Challenge event is a fun and safe event for all regardless of age, yoga experience or fitness level. The event is free to attend
and all the money raised goes directly to charity. The Yoga Aid Challenge aims to raise awareness of the benefits of Yoga and money for charities by each participant fund-raising prior to the event. So far the Yoga Aid Challenge events have raised $540,000 for charities worldwide. This year we are seeing Yoga Aid Challenges take place across Australia, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan , UK and USA.
This is a morning full of fun! We will begin with Yoga Breathing followed by the Sun Salutations, then finish off with relaxation, Mantra meditation and a healthy snack. To register simply visit the Yoga Aid Challenge website at www.yogaaid.com.au and start fund raising. Internet fund-raising is a proven, simple way of raising money online. It is fully secure and provides tax refund receipts for donors worldwide. Thank you for supporting the Yoga Aid Challenge and I look forward to bringing yoga to communities across the world and raising money for children in need.
Together we can make a difference.
Kindest Regards,
Candace Earl Yoga Aid Challenge Community Ambassador
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga
23 Kurilpa Street, West End, QLD 4101
Email: Candace@asm.org.au
Phone: 07 3895 8944

Yoga and Meditation - Full Day Workshop

On September 26th the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga West End will be holding a special full day yoga lifestyle workshop. Over the span of the day there will be three one hour yoga classes, meditation, relaxation, breath work, kirtan and a delicious, wholesome, healthy vegetarian buffet style lunch. At the end of the day we will be serving our famous masala chai tea and some mouth-watering indian sweets PLUS you get to take home a meditation pack including a lovely guided meditation CD to help you to ad meditation to your life on a regular basis. The benefits of meditation and yoga are amazing and this full day will give you the opportunity to get a taste of what these ancient practices have to offer. The day will be suitable for beginners and for regular practitioners alike, so don't delay in booking a place. The space is limited and these days book up very quickly.

When: Saturday 26th September 2009
Where: 23 Kurilpa Street, West End
Time: 10am - 4pm
Bookings: 3895 8944 brisbane@asm.org.au

See you there!

Gayatri
Instructor

Mind Body Spirit Festival Brisbane

This years Mind Body Spirit festival was a great success. We've already had a number of people come along to the centre who picked up a leaflet at the festival. I've posted some photos of our stall.

Mind Body Spirit Festival 2009

Coming up this weekend is the annual Mind Body & Spirit festival. Every year the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga is a participant in this popular event. This year there will be 169 exhibiters. Our stall is 9a, so drop in and see us.

For more information see the mind body and spirit website at www.mbsfestival.com.au

See you there!!!

Gayatri
Instuctor

Yoga Fest 2009

This year we held a stall at the 3rd annual Brisbane yoga festival - Yoga Fest 2009. This is Queenslands largest clelbration of Yoga and was held yesterday Saturday 7th June from 8.30 - 6pm. I'm sure if you made it along, you'd agree that it was a huge success. It was one of the nicest festivals we have been to and had such a lovely friendly vibe to it.

Yoga Fest 09 is held in Brisbane’s beautiful & historical Old Museum which was built in the late 1800’s. The Old Museaum is one of only two exhibition halls from this period still standing in Australia.

The Old Museum
Cnr Gregory Tce & Bowen Bridge Rd,
Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.

Included in the day were free classes and workshops, delicious vegetarian food, numerous stalls, massages and a wonderful chai tent.

With it’s attendance of hundred’s of Yoga students and enthusiasts, Yoga Fest 09 is the perfect opportunity to meet and connect, so make sure you don't miss this opportunity next year.

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Traditional Tibetan - Vegetarian Cooking Class

For people interested in our vegetarian cooking classes, the next one is looking to be very popular, so make sure you get in early with your bookings. It will be held on Saturday 27th June and the theme will be "Traditional Tibetan".

Tibetan cuisine, is very different from it's neighboring countries, because at such high altitudes, only very few crops can be grown. The most important crop is barley, which is made into a dough called tsampa, and is the staple food of the Tibetan people. This dough is either rolled into noodles or made into steamed duplings calles momos. Mustard seeds are another important crop which is used frequently in Tibetan cruising. Yoghurt, butter and cheese made from Yak milk is very popular as well as Tibetan flatbread made on a skillet and Thenthuk, a type of cold-weather soup made with vegetables and noodles.

We will be sticking with traditional cruisine and are researching various delicious dishes to demonstrate on the day. The class itself is sure to attract a large number of interested people as it is quite different from the other vegetarian cooking demonstrations we have had in the past. If you'd like more information or to book a place you can phone Candace on 3895 8944 or email me at brisbane@asm.org.au.

Hope to see you there!

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga

Mantra Rock Party - May 15th 2009

This Friday 15th May, we will be holding our popular Mantra Rock Party. Experience some mellow chanting, breath meditation, a delicious vege burger and cake. After dinner, let your hair down and rock out. These Parties are only held 4 times a year, so make sure you don't miss this one as the next one won't be on for a couple of months. It starts at 6pm and goes til about 8.45. If you'd like to bring something to contibute to the meal, a block of tofu would be much appreciated. The Mantra Rock Party is held at The Australian School of Meditation and Yoga, 23 Kurilpa Street, West End. Phone 3895 8944 or email at brisbane@asm.org.au

International Free Yoga Day - Gold Coast

On March 14th this year the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga Gold Coast participated in the International Free Yoga Day which is held thoughout Australia and the world. The program was held at the Albert Waterways Community Centre, just behind Pacific Fair. Fortunately it is a very large hall as over 200 people attended the day which included:

Energy yoga
Refresh and Relax
Indian Head Massage
Sacred Chanting Meditation
Stretch and Relax
Delicious Vegetarian Lunch

Publish Post

To see a live video of the days activities you can go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yO5Xeq2RZnU

International Free Yoga Day

On the 14th April this year, we were fortunate enough to be a part of International Free Yoga Day. It is the first time the Australian School of Meditation and Yoga has been a participant in this wonderful worldwide event and it was a great success. The popularity, especially of the early morning classes, were so overwhelming, that next year we will be hiring a much larger venue so that we can fit everyone in comfortably. All classes were well attended with over 80 people participating throughout the day. It was a chance for people who haven't been for a while to reconnect, regular students to get in that extra yoga class and for new people to check out the centre for the first time. Everyone had a wonderful time, Nat served out chai, chai and more chai and there were platters of delicious, healthy finger food served throughout the day. So make sure you mark March 14th 2010 on the calendar for next year as International Free Yoga day will be even bigger and better than 2009.

Gayatri
Instructor
Australian School of Meditation and Yoga