The Christmas Yoga workshop will focus on comfort and joy!
Christmas is the season of ‘comfort and joy’, the holiday that draws our attention to our deepest emotions and spiritual feelings. Even so, with the stress of commercialism and social pressure, sometimes it’s easy to forget the true meaningfulness of this most joyous time of year. Yoga is a gift to your self; a small present to cherish and receive the joy and sharing that is the heart of Christmas. Once renewed, we are better able – through increased health and a calm mind – to love and care for others.
The Christmas Yoga workshop will focus on the traditional cold weather asanas (poses) that generate heat, to warm the body and overcome stiffness. Asanas specific to increased circulation will allow warm blood to rush into areas of stagnation, to improve the bodies overall function. There will be immunity asanas to build the bodies resistance to and recovery from disease, and detoxifying asanas, that naturally flush impurities and toxins that have accumulated in the body.
Already it looks to be a cold winter. Couple cold and flu season with increased outdoor activity (shopping), the usual hustle and bustle of the holidays, and taking time out for a Yoga workshop only makes sense – especially a Yoga routine that emphasizes preventative healthcare. Yoga will help us to enjoy the holidays, not be miserable.
Remember that true Christmas is in our heart, and the best way to share sincere comfort and joy with others is by opening our heart to being happy, healthy and whole. Yoga shows us the way.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
9am-Noon
Hamsa Yogashala
1955 Round Road
Grayson, GA 30017
404 / 455 – 3667
http://hamsa-yogashala.com/
Tea and refreshments served afterwards.
35$ per person (15$ deposit).
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving Gratitude
Thanksgiving to me is a time of good fortune, divine grace and spiritual enlightenment. When I look around at what I have, I cannot help but feel thankful for:
-friends who honestly care about me, for you are my true source of sustenance and joy.
-a loving and attentive husband, whose embrace reminds me daily of the importance of love.
-a shala-refuge that is a center for being happy, healthy and holy, which is the heart's foundation stones.
-my dogs and cats, and orange-yellow trees against a bright blue sky, and cool winds that rustle leaves, and crisp mornings where the grass crunches underfoot.
I am grateful for these things and more. Gratitude is about the bounty of nature and a respect of god. To sit at a table with food before you - either alone or surrounded by family - considering the intent of this singular day, demonstrates self-respect for god within us.
"For I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me."
-Mattheuw 25:35-36
Yes, we should have thanks everyday, in every inbreath and out breath, and this gratitude should be felt and acknowledged and practiced in the most heartfelt way.
T - truth and tenderness
H - harmony
A - aspiration
N - now
K - knowledge
S - surrender
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
-friends who honestly care about me, for you are my true source of sustenance and joy.
-a loving and attentive husband, whose embrace reminds me daily of the importance of love.
-a shala-refuge that is a center for being happy, healthy and holy, which is the heart's foundation stones.
-my dogs and cats, and orange-yellow trees against a bright blue sky, and cool winds that rustle leaves, and crisp mornings where the grass crunches underfoot.
I am grateful for these things and more. Gratitude is about the bounty of nature and a respect of god. To sit at a table with food before you - either alone or surrounded by family - considering the intent of this singular day, demonstrates self-respect for god within us.
"For I was hungry, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in: Naked, and you clothed me: I was sick, and you visited me."
-Mattheuw 25:35-36
Yes, we should have thanks everyday, in every inbreath and out breath, and this gratitude should be felt and acknowledged and practiced in the most heartfelt way.
T - truth and tenderness
H - harmony
A - aspiration
N - now
K - knowledge
S - surrender
Bow to the divine within you.
Give thanks every morning for your health,
for your body and for your mind.
Be thankful to live a life of usefulness,
for yourself and others.
Let your heart be filled with thanksgiving everyday.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Monday, November 24, 2008
"Hamsa" and "Shala"
This past weekend, several retreatees asked if I had a business card. I asked Dayna if it would be alright for me to give them out since it was her retreat and I did not want to detract from her efforts. She was agreeable to the idea so I handed out all that I had in my bag.
Frequently, I found myself explaining what "hamsa" and "shala" meant, so thought that I would explain that here as well. I know that most of you understand these words, having been long-time students, but there are a few new souls here so it is a good idea to review these words and their Yogic meanings.
"Hamsa" means, literally, "swan, gander"; however, there are several alternate meanings. Such as, "advanced sannyasi", or "advanced renunciate". For example, I am a sannyasi or renunciate. The best translation for sannyasi in English is "nun", which, according to the dicitionary means, "a woman member of a religious order, esp. one bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience". So, as a Yogini, I did indeed take sannyasin vows. However, many in the States consider this to be a non-married woman, which is not necessarily the case. Just as Episcopal Priests can marry, so too can Yogins.
Likewise, "hamsa" refers to the breath/prana, as it moves within the body. Breath is seen as the physical manifestation of our spirit - that divine spark gifted us by god. When a baby is born, its first breath is an inhale, or "ham", and when we die or last breath is an exhale, "sa". So that every inhale is "ham" and every exhale is "sa". Hamsa then is considered the "innate mantra", or the one mantra that all living/breathing things share. Further, this idea is seen in the _Maha Vakya Upanishad_ (which is part of Ayurveda, or the health and healing aspect of Yoga). In this text, hamsa is expressed as "hamsa soham" or "I Am That / That Am I". This corresponds to Exodus 3:14 which reads:
"And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM": and he said, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, "I AM has sent me to you."
Because hamsa is the breath/prana, it is also referred to as the "heart of Yoga". And so integral is the idea of hamsa to Yoga that there is even a Hamsa Chakra - which is part of Vishuddi Chakra or the throat chakra (which is, of course, were we breathe). According to Yogic thought, the Hamsa Chakra is the center of discrimination and discernment, which helps us choose the right course of action in our everyday lives. If we consider the breath again – Hamsa Soham / I Am That, That Am I – this makes sense, because, when we trust in god, all our actions are the right ones.
One of my favorite Yoga parables relates:
Hamsa kshveta ha, baka ha kshveta ha.Ko bhedo hansa bakayo ho.Neera ksheera vivek e tu.Hamsa ha hamsaksh, baka ha baka ha.
"The crane and the swan, both are white.So what is the difference between the two?If you mix water and milk together,the hamsa (swan) will drink only the milk.It can pull only the milk from the water,while the bakha (crane) cannot."
My idea of an inhale/hamsa mantra that is positive, and an exhale/bakha mantra that is negative, is based on this parable. For example, in class, when I have suggested that the students inhale something positive and exhale something negative – like joy and sadness, or prosperity and poverty, or calm and turmoil – we are using a form of our innate breath. Another way of expressing this idea is a common childhood sing-song: In with the good, out with the bad.
Hamsa, as the swan that is the 'heart of yoga' is the power of breath that is always with us, like the presence of god, but also assists us in rising above the stress of the physical world. And in so doing, allows us to fly, or evolve, upwards into our natural state of being.
Regarding "shala", that means both "school" and "sanctuary". Not only is it a place where we learn Yoga, but it is a refuge from the rush of daily living, which is why I have always encouraged the students of Hamsa Yogashala to go there to simply relax, unwind, nap or meditate.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Frequently, I found myself explaining what "hamsa" and "shala" meant, so thought that I would explain that here as well. I know that most of you understand these words, having been long-time students, but there are a few new souls here so it is a good idea to review these words and their Yogic meanings.
"Hamsa" means, literally, "swan, gander"; however, there are several alternate meanings. Such as, "advanced sannyasi", or "advanced renunciate". For example, I am a sannyasi or renunciate. The best translation for sannyasi in English is "nun", which, according to the dicitionary means, "a woman member of a religious order, esp. one bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience". So, as a Yogini, I did indeed take sannyasin vows. However, many in the States consider this to be a non-married woman, which is not necessarily the case. Just as Episcopal Priests can marry, so too can Yogins.
Likewise, "hamsa" refers to the breath/prana, as it moves within the body. Breath is seen as the physical manifestation of our spirit - that divine spark gifted us by god. When a baby is born, its first breath is an inhale, or "ham", and when we die or last breath is an exhale, "sa". So that every inhale is "ham" and every exhale is "sa". Hamsa then is considered the "innate mantra", or the one mantra that all living/breathing things share. Further, this idea is seen in the _Maha Vakya Upanishad_ (which is part of Ayurveda, or the health and healing aspect of Yoga). In this text, hamsa is expressed as "hamsa soham" or "I Am That / That Am I". This corresponds to Exodus 3:14 which reads:
"And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM": and he said, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, "I AM has sent me to you."
Because hamsa is the breath/prana, it is also referred to as the "heart of Yoga". And so integral is the idea of hamsa to Yoga that there is even a Hamsa Chakra - which is part of Vishuddi Chakra or the throat chakra (which is, of course, were we breathe). According to Yogic thought, the Hamsa Chakra is the center of discrimination and discernment, which helps us choose the right course of action in our everyday lives. If we consider the breath again – Hamsa Soham / I Am That, That Am I – this makes sense, because, when we trust in god, all our actions are the right ones.
One of my favorite Yoga parables relates:
Hamsa kshveta ha, baka ha kshveta ha.Ko bhedo hansa bakayo ho.Neera ksheera vivek e tu.Hamsa ha hamsaksh, baka ha baka ha.
"The crane and the swan, both are white.So what is the difference between the two?If you mix water and milk together,the hamsa (swan) will drink only the milk.It can pull only the milk from the water,while the bakha (crane) cannot."
My idea of an inhale/hamsa mantra that is positive, and an exhale/bakha mantra that is negative, is based on this parable. For example, in class, when I have suggested that the students inhale something positive and exhale something negative – like joy and sadness, or prosperity and poverty, or calm and turmoil – we are using a form of our innate breath. Another way of expressing this idea is a common childhood sing-song: In with the good, out with the bad.
Hamsa, as the swan that is the 'heart of yoga' is the power of breath that is always with us, like the presence of god, but also assists us in rising above the stress of the physical world. And in so doing, allows us to fly, or evolve, upwards into our natural state of being.
Regarding "shala", that means both "school" and "sanctuary". Not only is it a place where we learn Yoga, but it is a refuge from the rush of daily living, which is why I have always encouraged the students of Hamsa Yogashala to go there to simply relax, unwind, nap or meditate.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Yoga for Christians
Camille, my dear Yoga friend, and I, spent the weekend at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit attending a "Yoga for Christians" retreat.
http://www.trappist.net/
It was presented by Dayna Gelinas of New Day Yoga, and Father Thomas Francis, a Cistercian Monk. The focus of Dayna’s practice is, "to lead people, through yoga and centering prayer, toward a fuller life in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, renewed in mind, and strengthened in body."
http://www.newdayyoga.com/
Frather Thomas' focus is on the "need to deepen our commitment to God" through Contemplative Prayer or "understanding and experiencing the central place of the Triune-God in [our] lives" (*).
Camille and I shared a room, ate many of our meals together, and sat next to each other during the presentations – and for myself, I had a wonderful time.
By far, this was the most beautiful and meaningful Christian experience I have ever had the joy of partaking in. Likewise, the retreat was educational. For example, I have long sought out those bible verses that relate to Yoga, breathing and meditation, and now I have many wonderful examples.
By way of comparison, I could discern little difference between Yoga as it is taught in an ashram and Yoga as it was presented by Dayna at the Monastery. Our rooms were clean and ample for our needs; silence/mauna ("instrospection and reflection") was emphasized and rewarding; ritual/puja ("worship, adoration") was loving, gentle and filled with divine energy; and the monks/swamis ("master of Self") embodied the difference between reading spiritual scripture and living a spiritual life.
Dayna's asanas were gentle and nurturing, relating the basic Yoga 'limbs', namely: asana/body; pranayama/breathwork; dharana/concentration, chanting; dhyana/meditation, prayer; and Samadhi/contemplation. The only term I was unable to immediately identify to its original Yogic model was "Centeredness Prayer". I was finally able to make that correlation during Father Thomas' presentation on Centeredness Prayer, which he likewise referred to as "Contemplative Prayer". Both terms are the English equivalent of Samadhi Dhyana, or "meditation on the triad, sameness meditation".
For example, Yoga is meant to prepare us for Samadhi Dhyana, which is the highest state of meditation/prayer, in which our spirit resides within its natural state – unfettered by body and soul – within the god-self, or, as Father Thomas expressed, "within God-Triune". To stress how identical these two ideas are, both of them – Centeredness/Contemplative Prayer and Samadhi Dhyana – are conditions that are present all the time because they reflect our natural and true being. So that when we learn the Samadhi/Contemplative practice, we open ourselves to our inner grace.
The only unfamiliar aspect of the weekend was the food in which we ate (which I can not say was the same for what the monks ate). The food, though sufficient for our needs, was overly processed, which is quite unlike my experiences in ashrams (Hindu monasteries). One of the five basic aspects of Yoga is "right diet", or Ayurvedic diet, which means eating pure/sattvic food, high in the lifeforce/prana. Food that is pure, close to the source, without preservatives or artificial flavorings calms the mind and sharpens the intellect. Such a diet is easily digested, supplies maximum energy, increases vitality, and eliminates fatigue, so has a profound effect on the physical and spiritual body. This is why Yogi’s for thousands of years have preferred a pure/sattvic diet to one that is denuded of the lifeforce. Eating like a Yogi helps us attain and maintain a high standard of health, a keen intellect, and serenity of mind.
Because I brought fresh fruit and nuts with me, this was a small matter in a sea of metta/loving kindness. In all, I always knew that Christianity and Yoga shared a similar ideal, I just never realized how much – let alone how much information a Monk would have on the subject. Father Thomas, for example, related during his presentation that he "read, reflected, responded and received" wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita and considered it 'one of the worlds greatest spiritual god-texts', and that he particularily enjoyed the writings of Sri Ramana Maharshi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramana_Maharshi
In all, this was a blessed and joy-filled weekend with my own personal "trinity" of: Camille, Dayna and Father Thomas.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
*Angels: Our Guides to Contemplation for the Third Millennium – Trinitarian and Cosmic, by Father Thomas Francis, O.C.S.O., pages 3-4.
http://www.trappist.net/
It was presented by Dayna Gelinas of New Day Yoga, and Father Thomas Francis, a Cistercian Monk. The focus of Dayna’s practice is, "to lead people, through yoga and centering prayer, toward a fuller life in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, renewed in mind, and strengthened in body."
http://www.newdayyoga.com/
Frather Thomas' focus is on the "need to deepen our commitment to God" through Contemplative Prayer or "understanding and experiencing the central place of the Triune-God in [our] lives" (*).
Camille and I shared a room, ate many of our meals together, and sat next to each other during the presentations – and for myself, I had a wonderful time.
By far, this was the most beautiful and meaningful Christian experience I have ever had the joy of partaking in. Likewise, the retreat was educational. For example, I have long sought out those bible verses that relate to Yoga, breathing and meditation, and now I have many wonderful examples.
By way of comparison, I could discern little difference between Yoga as it is taught in an ashram and Yoga as it was presented by Dayna at the Monastery. Our rooms were clean and ample for our needs; silence/mauna ("instrospection and reflection") was emphasized and rewarding; ritual/puja ("worship, adoration") was loving, gentle and filled with divine energy; and the monks/swamis ("master of Self") embodied the difference between reading spiritual scripture and living a spiritual life.
Dayna's asanas were gentle and nurturing, relating the basic Yoga 'limbs', namely: asana/body; pranayama/breathwork; dharana/concentration, chanting; dhyana/meditation, prayer; and Samadhi/contemplation. The only term I was unable to immediately identify to its original Yogic model was "Centeredness Prayer". I was finally able to make that correlation during Father Thomas' presentation on Centeredness Prayer, which he likewise referred to as "Contemplative Prayer". Both terms are the English equivalent of Samadhi Dhyana, or "meditation on the triad, sameness meditation".
For example, Yoga is meant to prepare us for Samadhi Dhyana, which is the highest state of meditation/prayer, in which our spirit resides within its natural state – unfettered by body and soul – within the god-self, or, as Father Thomas expressed, "within God-Triune". To stress how identical these two ideas are, both of them – Centeredness/Contemplative Prayer and Samadhi Dhyana – are conditions that are present all the time because they reflect our natural and true being. So that when we learn the Samadhi/Contemplative practice, we open ourselves to our inner grace.
The only unfamiliar aspect of the weekend was the food in which we ate (which I can not say was the same for what the monks ate). The food, though sufficient for our needs, was overly processed, which is quite unlike my experiences in ashrams (Hindu monasteries). One of the five basic aspects of Yoga is "right diet", or Ayurvedic diet, which means eating pure/sattvic food, high in the lifeforce/prana. Food that is pure, close to the source, without preservatives or artificial flavorings calms the mind and sharpens the intellect. Such a diet is easily digested, supplies maximum energy, increases vitality, and eliminates fatigue, so has a profound effect on the physical and spiritual body. This is why Yogi’s for thousands of years have preferred a pure/sattvic diet to one that is denuded of the lifeforce. Eating like a Yogi helps us attain and maintain a high standard of health, a keen intellect, and serenity of mind.
Because I brought fresh fruit and nuts with me, this was a small matter in a sea of metta/loving kindness. In all, I always knew that Christianity and Yoga shared a similar ideal, I just never realized how much – let alone how much information a Monk would have on the subject. Father Thomas, for example, related during his presentation that he "read, reflected, responded and received" wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita and considered it 'one of the worlds greatest spiritual god-texts', and that he particularily enjoyed the writings of Sri Ramana Maharshi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramana_Maharshi
In all, this was a blessed and joy-filled weekend with my own personal "trinity" of: Camille, Dayna and Father Thomas.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
*Angels: Our Guides to Contemplation for the Third Millennium – Trinitarian and Cosmic, by Father Thomas Francis, O.C.S.O., pages 3-4.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Yoga Winter Soup
This is a perfect winter soup for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Celery Root and Cashew Soup
serves 6-8
1 Tbls butter or margarine
3 cups chopped celery roote
4 stick of celery
2/3 cup cashews
4.5 cups water
1 potato, chopped
2 and 1/4 cups milk (soy or cow)
salt and pepper to taste
toasted cashews and parsley sprigs to garnish
1. Saute the celery root, celery and cashews in melted butter until lightly browned.
2. Add water and potato. Cover and cook over medium heat for 25 minutes, or until the veggies are tender.
3. Add the milk to the cook veggies, then pour all into a blender or food processor. Puree. Return the soup to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and return to a warm temperature. Its ready to eat! Garnish with cashews and parsley and enjoy!
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Celery Root and Cashew Soup
serves 6-8
1 Tbls butter or margarine
3 cups chopped celery roote
4 stick of celery
2/3 cup cashews
4.5 cups water
1 potato, chopped
2 and 1/4 cups milk (soy or cow)
salt and pepper to taste
toasted cashews and parsley sprigs to garnish
1. Saute the celery root, celery and cashews in melted butter until lightly browned.
2. Add water and potato. Cover and cook over medium heat for 25 minutes, or until the veggies are tender.
3. Add the milk to the cook veggies, then pour all into a blender or food processor. Puree. Return the soup to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and return to a warm temperature. Its ready to eat! Garnish with cashews and parsley and enjoy!
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Troubled Times
In our troubled times, with stress and anxiety over the financial downturn at an all time high, with political uncertainty, and plummeting investments, more people are turning to Yoga.
Watching the morning news, either at home or on the ride to work, is stressing enough. Then when you or a friends company starts downsizing, its only natural to try to seek solace from the turmoil in a practice that offers balance and peace of mind.
Hamsa Yogashala is such a calming place .. an oasis in a sea of uncertainty. Here, you can come, sit, be still, relax, and learn time proven techniques to soothe and heal the body and mind.
Healing Yoga on Thursday is a weekly class for optimum health and well-being. Designed by Yogini Valarie, Healing Yoga is a weekly wellness program that detoxifies and cleanses the body, helping it return to a state of health and vitality.
Its always darkest before the dawn, and right now, its very dark. The demands of the world are becoming so intense that it is only natural - and self-preserving - to seek an island of inner peace and learning practices that help us with our fear and worry.
Yoga and Meditation are the best body and mind healing practices in the world. Combined, they help us restore balance, release stress and awaken the body's innate healing responce.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Watching the morning news, either at home or on the ride to work, is stressing enough. Then when you or a friends company starts downsizing, its only natural to try to seek solace from the turmoil in a practice that offers balance and peace of mind.
Hamsa Yogashala is such a calming place .. an oasis in a sea of uncertainty. Here, you can come, sit, be still, relax, and learn time proven techniques to soothe and heal the body and mind.
So many people have been hit hard by our current financial crisis,
and are honestly struggling to make the best of what
they have while coping with fear and uncertainty, anger,
frustration and loss. Which is why every class at Hamsa Yogashala teaches relaxation and deep breathing, so that students have an
opportunity to return to healing and calm centeredness.
Healing Yoga on Thursday is a weekly class for optimum health and well-being. Designed by Yogini Valarie, Healing Yoga is a weekly wellness program that detoxifies and cleanses the body, helping it return to a state of health and vitality.
Its always darkest before the dawn, and right now, its very dark. The demands of the world are becoming so intense that it is only natural - and self-preserving - to seek an island of inner peace and learning practices that help us with our fear and worry.
Yoga and Meditation are the best body and mind healing practices in the world. Combined, they help us restore balance, release stress and awaken the body's innate healing responce.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Inexpensive Exercise
Like you needed another excuse not to exercise. The economy is worrisome at best, so most of us have cut back on expenses.
As Georgia's unemployment rate rises, more people are looking for ways to spend less. If weight control was the only issue, the solution seems easy enough: buy less food. But if health is your goal, it’s more complex. Bottom line in the checkbook: Gym memberships are expensive.
Hamsa Yogashala has a solution: FREE Yoga.
Yes .. thats right .. FREE Yoga.
Every Thursday, three times a day.
"I am very passionate when it comes to Yoga. So many who need to exercise for health, or need it for fitness, are going without. And our health and fitness are never something we can afford to cut back on, let alone lose." Says, Yogini Valarie Devi, Hamsa Yogashala's owner and resident Yogini.
As Georgia's unemployment rate rises, more people are looking for ways to spend less. If weight control was the only issue, the solution seems easy enough: buy less food. But if health is your goal, it’s more complex. Bottom line in the checkbook: Gym memberships are expensive.
Hamsa Yogashala has a solution: FREE Yoga.
Yes .. thats right .. FREE Yoga.
Every Thursday, three times a day.
"I am very passionate when it comes to Yoga. So many who need to exercise for health, or need it for fitness, are going without. And our health and fitness are never something we can afford to cut back on, let alone lose." Says, Yogini Valarie Devi, Hamsa Yogashala's owner and resident Yogini.
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