GOOD MORNING PRECIOUS ONES
Honouring the Universe – The philosophy of The Australasian Yoga Institute….
We know that we are here for a reason, there’s something that we have to do. We feel too that that there is something good that is going to come out of our drive to move with the creative process. We have a vision which lights us up. Some people have a personal mission that brings with it a passion. You are here at the start of your creative process. Don’t be afraid.
This “thing” that we feel that we have to do comes to us. We don’t just have to go out and meet it, it comes to us at the same time. We have opened the door and it is coming to meet us. If we face that with courage, then we are on our path on our way to what we have to do in our life – whatever that may be.
Have you found as I have that life goes better if you have the courage to be yourself. The obvious, and it is obvious, is often forgotten or passed by. As in all yoga teaching we get down to the foundations…the three things that appear to me are at the heart of the creative process.
1. I KNOW WHO I AM: It is impossible not to know who you are. You can lose track of knowing where you are going, but you can never lose track of knowing who you are.
2. I KNOW WHERE I AM GOING: Well I don’t know precisely, but I do know that if I am true to who I am, that leads to where I am going, which actually unfolds in front of me. It is hard sometimes not to get distracted, but if I just do what is in front of me, then I can know where I am going.
3. I KNOW HOW TO GET THERE: Certainly I do. By just doing what turns up in front of me. It’s not very complicated. I just have to take the next step. Not the step that is tomorrows step, not the step that is next weeks step, but the step that is right in front of me, just like The Buddha said.
It is easy to write it down, and when I do it properly it is easy to do. But I do (like you) take wrong turns, I do get distracted, I do fall on my face – sometimes over and over – but that is part of the journey, part of the path. But there is always the right thing, right in front of us, and I know if we take that right thing, then we will reach our destination.
INTENTION and the "30-30 CHALLENGE"
I am reading, reading, reading with a pen in hand to keep up with you all. If you are just reading (no notes, not studying), well, you can do that any time. Make this a time to study something in depth. If you want to know more, please contact me at yogafirst@netcon.net.au
THE ELECTIVE
To those of you doing the Teacher Training. Here is the low-down on the elective.
1. It cannot be something you have got a certificate for in the past. Some students have tried to squeeze this through – it may work if you haven't written on your initial application that you already have "…….." certificates! Remember The Yamas – be honest.
2. It is not just an essay. There has to be 30 hours of work, and I have to be able to see that this has been carried out honestly.
3. You are training to be a professional and it should show. Your elective should have a goal, progress report, time sheet (how long you have taken, when and where) case histories, and a bibliography.
Keep these points in mind. Work out early on what you want to do, your topic, then start collecting data so that when you are ready to go you already have a head start. It is not easy – it wasn't meant to be.
"Look at these worlds spinning out of nothingness. That is within your power".(Rumi)
THE STICK FIGURES
The video with the stick figures is number 55 Debbie tells me. So, log on, go to no. 55 and try them out. The idea with the stick figures is to be able to draw things QICKLY, like a shorthand. You will probably need a model (even the dog or cat) just so you can draw almost any pose FAST. It is the fast that counts, also the readability when you refer back. Try, try and try again. They are not stick figures if each line is gone over many times…. This will slow you down.
THE SUTRAS, AND RESEARCH
This isn't the sort of course where you just have to look up a page, write it out, and say that you have done the work. If you are having trouble with the sutras, first get a copy of "the essential sutras" it is free at www.holybooks.com and then read, and then interpret. You can do cross referencing. Remember that when Patanjali wrote the sutras yoga was very different to what it is today. Yoga actually meant sitting/meditating, not asana.
You are a TRAINEE YOGA TEACHER. Answer every question as if a student has asked you the question. In such a situation you will need to know the complex answer in your head, but you will have to know enough about it so that you can give a simple, but referenced, answer to your student right then and there. "Yes", or "no", or a few words probably won't do for them – AND IT WON'T DO FOR ME! Lets get serious.
I am thinking of having a stamp made "MORE WORDS PLEASE!"
"HELP US AT YARN-BOMBING"
We have been on holidays and won't be starting back until the 3rd of May. You can join us if you would like to knit or crochet (or learn). Every Friday at 2pm at the library in Woodend. We are on target to do our usual fantastic knit display in Woodend in June.
HOW ABOUT AFFILIATING NOW?
Some of our senior graduates with Yoga Schools of their own are taking the plunge. Why be a yoga teacher, when you can be a teacher of yoga teachers? Those girls in far flung Australian outposts of Yoga First (or even International Outposts), please consider becoming an AFFILIATE. That means you will be me where you are. You can be a teacher training centre, and you could be one by next week if you meet our criteria which is not onerous. If you have done our course, we know you and are happy to have you become a teacher training centre. Think about it. Then Do it.
"People don't grow old. When they stop growing, they become old". (Anon)
HOLIDAY YOGA CLASSES
STUDIO WITH JAHNE: Monday and Friday ONLY – no TUESDAYS - at 6.30.
Saturday 12.30 - Restorative Yoga - "The Strawberries and Cream" of yoga.
WOODEND COMMUNITY CENTRE: Wed. 12.30 and Saturday at 10. $5 pp per class, bring a mat. Families, babies, toddlers and children welcome at the Wednesday and Saturday class.
INNISFREE: Yoga/Yoga Nidra: Mondays 2.30 to 5.30, Yoga/Philosophy: Wed. 2.30 to 5.30, Yoga: Sat. 2.30 to 4pm Bookings required.
++++++ATTENTION/ATTENTION!!!!
CANDLELIGHT SINGING BOWL MEDITATION/RELAXATION NOW ONCE A MONTH
No date set yet – however, please register your interest yogafirst@netcon.net.au
WEEKLY TEACHER TRAINING MORNINGS. EVERY Tuesday AT 9am
ATTENTION TRAINEE YOGA TEACHERS: Please please please, if I send something back to you and ask you to do it again, IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU HAVE FAILED. There could be many reasons, and I will let you know on your assessment what they are. They are what I say they are, and they are nothing whatsoever to do with failure. No-one gets everything first go. I certainly don't. Do the page again in the way I have asked, and send it in. If you get it back again, do it again. No judgment . Just do it until you know it is right.
THE SHOP and ETSY
ETSY – A market place site and we are putting all our little goodies up there. Very exciting. Please have a browse if you never have been before. If you want to buy from us on ETSY, please go to www.myyogabooks.etsy.com
You can also look on our shop site – we have new products happening all the time. Www.yogabeautiful.com.au. If you have tried before but it was too slow, try again, we have made it much, much, faster.
I am not just saying this because I wrote it…. I do believe that EVERY YOGA TEACHER AND STUDENT SHOULD HAVE each OF THESE. I have written them in easy to understand words, and tried them out on non-yogis before going to print. .……available on ETSY as a PDF for $7.99 www.MyYogaBooks.etsy.com
HOW-TO BOOKLET…..If you are "fence sitting", deciding whether to be a yoga teacher, to move from the "introduction course" to the full professional certification, then you would do well to read " HOW TO BECOME A YOGA TEACHER BY HOME STUDY" $2.99 and it is available by emailing deb or me and we can make sure you get a copy.
If you are an Affiliate and have some students you would like to enrol in your teacher training course, then this may be a good investment. This book has just been made Available on iBooks too.
THE CHAKRAS - A COLOURING-IN BOOK and a REFERENCE BOOKLET -
The chakra colouring-in charts are on easy, and ready for you to start on yours today. You can go to Etsy or just contact us on our email and we will take it from there. The cost is $43.50 and we will post it anywhere in Australia free postage. Or go to www.myyogabooks.etsy.com and you can paypal it.
I have just submitted a booklet on the Chakras with small reproductions of the Big Posters to colour in. This booklet will help you understand the CHAKRAS, and to accompany the CHAKRA CHARTS, and will put it on Etsy when I am finished.
I was doing a book for childen, but I sat down and a whole other book just flowed out of me. AGELESS BODY*AGELESS MIND (a lifestyle and Goal achievement guide). I will be putting it up on Etsy soon $7.99. You may have noticed I have been having trouble with getting the photos the right way up. Haven't solved that.
I move with the infinite in nature's power. I hold the fire of the soul. I hold the life and healing". (Rig Veda)
REGISTRATION/INSURANCE www.yogabeautiful.com.au
We are giving you total choice now, although it may be a bit more expensive…..
REGISTRATION AND INSURANCE HAVE BEEN UNCOUPLED. YOU CAN BUY THEM SEPARATELY. DEARER, BUT IT SEEMS THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT.
YOUR TEACHER TRAINING YEAR (or so):
If you are a trainee Yoga Teacher who has been working on the course for more than a year please understand that your course fee only gives you FREE classes with me for your first training year – the first 12 months only.
Imagine if what would happen to our Institute if you took three years to finish your course and you could still come to classes free for the entire course. It wouldn't be fair. We do our fee calculation based on 12 months of free yoga classes. As you know if you are making your living running yoga classes, they are not free to the studio owner. We have to pay all the costs associated with running a class whether you pay a class fee or not. Your training fees cover you for a year, after that we ask you to pay $10 per class. Still way under the usual out there in real life.
"If you were to destroy in mankind the belief in immortality, not only love but every living force maintaining the life of the world would at once be dried up". (Dostoevsky)
VIDEOS: THEY ARE NOT OPTIONAL – THEY ARE NECESSARY! Only $275 per annum.
Please look down the list of the videos before you try to do stick drawings, or organise your journal. I have shown you what I recommend.. All you have to do is download.
If you are a trainee YOU SHOULD HAVE THE VIDEOS, they are really not optional. Apart from the information they contain, every time you log on you get a point that counts towards your CONTACT HOURS. It lessens the classes you actually need to do with a teacher.
If you are a teacher, the videos are a vital addition to your own growth. The cost is small in comparison with the time you would have to take to get these learnings.
If you just like yoga and want to join in: These are in 15 minute grabs, are all indexed, and you can do what you feel like doing right now. Worth the annual fee of $275 (equals just 10 classes at a good studio)
THE RECIPES – "LIVE-ON-$2-A-DAY"
I am thinking very hard, and planning for my $2 a day, and the latest book I have just finished came out of those thought. I have put together a LIFESTYLE Guide, which includes a 42 a day challenger for three days every season, just to clean the body and get back on track. If you wan to do the $2 a day challenge, hop over to www.twodollarchallenge.blogspot.com and see if you are brave enough to start.
NUT MILK BAGS
We bought double the usual amount of nut milk bags this time, and guess what, we are down to the last box. Fear not. More are on the way. As part of the $2 challenge I am going to make sprouts in the bag. This will give me a very high protein meal, be easy and certainly VERY CHEAPLY.
To buy the bag, log on to the shop at www.yogabeautiful.com.au or for recipes…..www.yoganoozle.blogspot.com
THE GARDEN:
I have been inspired by the garden and I have determined to make a BUDDHA WALK so you can come here, walk, look at the herbs, meditate. Just another encouragement for you to visit us.
NATURE CURE – open wound.
I have had a nuisance wound on my leg for a number of years – a varicosity that started to bleed. Lately it got a bit problematic and I decided to get it checked out by my friendly MD. As it had been getting better and worse, up and down, for a long time (my clothes and my job didn't give it time to heal) he said it probably was OK, but "whipping it off" would probably be a good idea. Before checking in for "the knife" I thought I would give it one more go. Heal it myself and be serious about it this time. So I used a chilli paste applied very carefully to the wound with a cotton bud (to encourage blood flow), and put on a waterproof bandage. At night I smoothed on an ointment made from tallow and calendula, and applied a thin slice of fresh aloe vera. I put on a pad to keep it in place. After three applications the wound is closing, and things look decidedly on the mend. I have learned a lot too. In future I will be very serious when I am dealing with a cut or abrasion, and get it healed quickly. There will be no short cuts.
THE BLOGS and the bees!
The bees have slowed down, but they seem to be happy, and the feeding is working. The stores of honey are not diminishing. As long as they are contented and all ready to go in the spring.
If you are interested in old folk lore, like bees or would consider a "quest", then this book is for you. The book "THE SHAMANIC WAY OF THE BEE" has arrived. If you would like to reserve a copy email me yogafirst@netcon.net.au I am not sure of the cost. About $15 I would expect plus postage.
YIN YOGA DVD with Paul Grilley
If you haven't got one, do it now. This DVD is so popular because it is the best. This DVD will form the backbone of your yoga references and is something you really need. As I have told you before when I bought mine it cost $100 or so. I thought that was a good investment. I think half that is a steal! And that is what we are selling this for. Www.yogabeautiful.com.au
We have also ordered " ANATOMY/PHYSIOLOGY and Yoga" and "MEDITATION AND THE CHAKRAS" DVD's both from Paul Grilley. So please, if you want a copy, please register your interest. I am not sure of the cost, but will let you know prior to sending anything out.
JAHNE'S MENTORING SESSIONS ….
Because Jahne has been teaching yoga teachers for more than 40 years, and running a business the Buddhist way for much longer than that (and successfully) she is often asked for advice. Asking course questions is free. This does not mean IDLE Yoga questions "just because you want to know" – She could spend her whole day answering those and getting no-where, in spite of the fact you may think your life will end if they are not answered.
…….but, if you wish to have Jahne help you with relationships, career, or just getting personally "unstuck" then that is coaching/mentoring and does come with a cost. Her charge per half hour for mentoring is $75 and $65 for student teachers. It is amazing how much you can shift in half an hour when you strip away the unnecessary chatter. It's the Buddhist way.
PLEASE NOTE: If you come to the Studio and you have travelled to "pick her brain" so to speak, please understand that her time is valuable and it is not free. You may be on a holiday, but she is not. Make sure that you have a list of questions you NEED answered, and have booked time. Such "counselling only" chat will cost $65 per half hour as usual. We have not changed the rates in years.
If you want to speed up your course by doing your exam one-to-one at the studio, or catching up on contact hours, Jahne is often asked to do this and is pleased to do it for you. Call Deb on a Tuesday or Wednesday and organise a time spot. Once again - It is not free. If you did 40 contact hours or more in a class it would cost a lot. We can get that much covered in an afternoon, so a $325 (average) cost with Jahne is a great saving of both time and money.
If you want to talk to Jahne about questions you have re. your CURRENT course or your next step. That is part of the student-teacher contract and is free.
Remember the Studio is also her home (not a hotel or BnB). We always respect the mat and the Studio Space wherever we go, doubly so when your teacher lives there.
DONATE YOUR CAR:
That's right. If you have a spare car, donate it to KIDS UNDER COVER and 100% of the proceeds will help prevent youth homelessness. Www.donateyourcar.org.au
++++++ATTENTION/ATTENTION!!!!
CANDLELIGHT SINGING BOWL MEDITATION/RELAXATION NOW ONCE A MONTH
Wednesday APRIL 9th AT 7PM at the Studio in Woodend. Please join in. Give me a call if you can join us yogafirst@netcon.net.au (I may change this date, but I will give you heaps of warning).
JAHNES ITINERARY
FOR GENTLE YOGA AND SINGING BOWL MEDITATION SESSIONS
The dates and times may change – but I have an intention)
ALBURY – end of march or beginning of April: Melbourne. Shepparton. And all ports later on. I know I will be in Adelaide in October.
REGARDING DEBBIE – If you want to speak to Debbie about any aspect of the courses – she has done them, please remember that she only comes in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. She is available on Ph: 0354 273 518. I am always here, and available preferably on email or text because I teach. Don't hesitate to email me and I will answer your email or text as soon as I can..
Log on to our Web site www.yogabeautiful.com.au,
and tune in to our videos daily.
ENJOY – Love and Blessings,
Namaste Jahne
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