GOOD MORNING PRECIOUS ONES
Honouring the Universe – The philosophy of The Australasian Yoga Institute….
A BOOKS JOURNEY OF FORGIVENESS
and the "30-30 CHALLENGE"
No matter what we experience in our lives, few of us will ever live the lives of the South Africans tortured and slaughtered during apartheid. It is hard to imagine the systematic atrocities that were carried out. There were decades (not weeks) of protest and violence, and as Mandela said "…much blood was shed on the march to freedom". It was feared when Mandela was released that the country would erupt in violence and a bloodbath of revenge, but that didn't happen. Miraculously, South Africans chose another path, THE PATH OF FORGIVENESS. They did not know where that choice would lead, but the process as all growth proves was astoundingly painful and profoundly beautiful.
The question I am frequently asked, is "How do we forgive?" In answer to that, and in spite of days when it is hard to get the hurt from our minds, we must all remember that there is nothing that cannot be forgiven, and no-one undeserving of forgiveness. In some way, we are all broken, and forgiveness is the journey that we take to heal those broken parts.
If you like me, have days when you need help in your personal path to forgiveness, I have just purchased THE BOOK OF FORGIVING by Desmond and Mpho TUTU – The fourfold path for healing ourselves and the world . Desmond Tutu invites us in this book to walk a personal path of transformational forgiveness along with him and his daughter Mpho. I recommend that you read it.
I would like you all to consider making this book part of your journey to reconciliation no matter what you have experienced. To that end, I have sent the book to one of our students, and have asked her to read the book, sign it, and pass it along. I would like to see if we can get 108 signatures of readers in the book before it comes back to me. If you would like to be next on the list, please email me… yogafirst@netcon.net.au
If the book turns up in your mail box, read it, and let us know what you think and (unless you ask me not to) I will post your comments in the newsletter and elsewhere. It will also help us to track the book on its goal to 108 readers.
OUR STUPA
The Atisha Buddhist Centre in Bendigo has the largest Stupa in the Southern Hemisphere, however, I have just stepped over the line budget-wise and purchased a rather huge stupa for our BUDDHA WALK. It is a beautiful bell shape copied from the temples in Borobudur – Java's single most visited pilgrimage attraction and a UNESCO world heritage site. I saw the stupa and nearly fainted when they told me the price, but it is beautiful, and Debbie said she felt like going up and hugging it – so obviously, we had to have it so that you could hug it too. When it comes into the garden and is placed, I will take a photograph and post it on the sites so that you can see what we are talking about.
I also purchased a rather large reclining buddha for the front garden.
I think the Buddha Walk is going to be something really special, especially in the spring. Already in the front garden we have a large head of the Buddha in the pathway. On the warmer evenings it was wonderful to see all the snails gathered around the base. It looked like they were worshipping Buddha (and no, I didn't squoosh them!). A sight to behold. We have lots of different frogs in the backyard. It will be interesting to see how the bees and the frogs take to the stupa.
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 SUTRAS, AND RESEARCH
It is great to see that more and more of you are purchasing and reading my little booklets. I am sure that they will help. Nothing will help if you don't focus. AND, I am thinking of having a stamp made "MORE WORDS PLEASE!"
PLEASE NOTE: Patanjali (the Leonardo Da Vinci of his time) was not the author of the sutras. They occurred first in the Mahabaharata and the Upanishads. These are both very long texts (The Mahabaharata alone comprises 100,000 verses), and Patanjali, as I understand it from my studies, took the sutras out of these texts, ordered them and put them in a more accessible form. Imagine having to wade through 100,000 verses of Sanskrit to get to the Sutras yourself?
"MAGNIFICENT YARN-BOMBING"
Thank you for all your help with YARN BOMBING. If you wander down by the library any time soon you will see the trees, the wishing well, the seats and the bollards all wearing their amazing winter woollies. Such Fun!!!! Just because this is finished, doesn't mean we will stop. Our next project is stitching a map of Woodend (dimensions about queen size sheet). I have got the job of drawing it, and I have only just got around to the thinking stage. But it will happen. Then we are going to need people who can so the simplest of small stitches – running stitch (sort of like tacking) - to help us. Is this you? PLEASE.
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)
YOGA CLASSES
A couple of changes…….
1. Monday, and Friday at 6.30.
2. TUESDAYS 6.45 to 7.30 NEW CLASS -
"SINGING BOWL RELAXATION/MEDITATION" to replace the usual yoga class.
3. NO RESTORATIVE THIS Saturday ONLY. NO Saturday CLASSES THIS WEEK, DUE TO ARTS FAIR. Class will resume at the usual time from 14th June.
WOODEND COMMUNITY CENTRE:
Wed. 12.30 only this week, Saturday cancelled due to the Arts Fair
NO Saturday 7TH JUNE – WOODEND ARTS FAIR GETS FIRST DIBS AT THE ROOM.
COST: $5 pp per class, bring a mat. Families, babies, toddlers and children welcome at the Wednesday.class.
INNISFREE AS USUAL – NO CHANGES THIS WEEK: 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.
* The Yoga Nidra (Meditation) classes at Innisfree are wonderful. Please join us. 2.30 to 3.30 Mondays ($10). Bookings are required email: yogafirst@netcon.net.au.
WEEKLY TEACHER TRAINING MORNING – THE NEXT ONE – Tuesday 1st JULY AT 9AM
Guess what – I totally misread my own date, and when my class turned up, I was surprised. I think I would have been surprised even if I had got the date right, as there has been so few here on Tuesdays. BUT, I was prepared, and we had a fantastic class. Thank you to the girls who were here, and thank you for being so gracious when I was obviously caught on the back foot so to speak. I just love you.
Starting from TODAY I am going back to monthly trainings. The Tuesday is a wonderful time, but obviously, not EVERY Tuesday. You have voted with your feet, and I have listened.
YOUR MODULES: Please don't guess about the chakras and the YAMAS, or give me a garbled sentence on each, where I can hardly tell the difference between one chakra, or yama from the next. I have written a small booklet on each of these, and they are available from ETSY www.myyogabooks.etsy.com. If you are stumbling about, please, get the little books and immerse yourself. There is no reason for you not to know these subjects enough to write at least 100 ACCURATE words on each yama and chakra.
The KRIYAS – THIS WEEK'S VIDEO FEATURES THIS TEACHING. Once again, I know what they are, I need to know that YOU KNOW HOW TO TEACH THEM. Not the obscure and difficult. Start with Water Neti, Uddiyana Bhanda with Nauli, Trataka and Kapalbhati. I can tell right away if you have only read them from a book and haven't tried them yourself. Don't copy what you see on Utube, I have been doing this for almost 40 years and I know what I am looking at and hearing….. There are enough easy Kriyas, and 100 words FOR EACH KRIYA is a minimum.
TEACHERS WANTED:
I am looking around for trainee yoga teachers who want to teach on a regular basis as a part of The Australasian Yoga Institute – starting in July. The times have yet to be decided, but if you are interested in joining me, please email me, and let me know what times you will be available. It will be on the basis (in the beginning) of being an intern. You will have to do a bit of record keeping and recording of your classes too. The work will be unusual, challenging and the venue will be gorgeous (not my usual studio). Let me know. Preference will be given to those doing, or interested in doing the new HYT/AR500 Course. Email. yogafirst@netcon.net.au
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 probably have noticed that I am having trouble getting the photos to sit properly on the page. This does not effect the way that you get them – it just happens with the photos.
THE REVELATION TAROT: This is back on our site. As you know I did the drawings, I produce it, and I take the time to do all the packaging. It is totally and "in house – artist project". I love doing it, and when I know you want a pack I have great pride and satisfaction to send you one knowing that we have done it entirely ourselves. I think that this counts don't you? Cards made and sent with love.
THE CHAKRAS - A COLOURING-IN BOOK and a REFERENCE BOOKLET -
CHAKRA CHARTS: The chakra colouring-in charts are on easy, and ready for you to start on yours today. They are a modern, abstract interpretation – my own – on the Chakras. So if you want something for your wall, you might like to get a set of these, and colour them in. 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.
CHAKRA BOOKLET: 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 move with the infinite in nature's power. I hold the fire of the soul. I hold the life and healing". (Rig Veda)
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. WE AIM TO PLEASE.
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)
NUT MILK BAGS
These little bags (together with the Neti Pots) have become our champion sellers. Today I managed to buy a tub of yoghurt past its used-by-date and only $1, which I will make into cream cheese in my nut milk bag. Just a matter of hanging it overnight and letting it drip. In the morning – voila – creamy, creamy, cream cheese!
"THE BUDDHA WALK" Is all go, go go. New Statues, new footpaths etc etc. There is of course already a "bee watching" seat. I always intended that it would be a meditation garden – as well as a "physic" (not psychic) garden. Any suggestions about what you would like to see here will be welcome.
THE BLOGS and the bees (and the wasps)!
The bees are a bit quiet at the present. Nothing much to report jun the winter I think. However, we are preparing for spring. Considering planting for the bees (and for the Buddha). 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/ANATOMY/MEDITATION DVD's – all with Paul Grilley
You don't have to send to America for your Paul Grilley DVD's. We now have all three. These DVD's are so popular because they are the best and will form the backbone of your yoga references. As I have told you before when I bought mine they cost $100 or so each. I thought that this was a good investment. I think half that is a steal! And that is what we are selling this for. Www.yogabeautiful.com.au
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. 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
THE LAST WORD: I have to say again this has been an astounding, and outstanding month. Thank you to my students (and the Universe) for the abundance of abundance that is coming into the studio. It has been amazing, and has allowed us to share all manner of things. SPACE!!! (Which we have been talking to the universe about for some time), wool, apples, lemons, vegetables, technology.……. And we are hugely thankful that you are thinking of us, and noticing how you can contribute. Even small things make a huge difference. Most grateful.
Log on to our Web site www.yogabeautiful.com.au,
and tune in to our videos daily.
ENJOY – Love and Blessings,
Namaste Jahne
This email was sent out by
The Australasian Yoga Institute/Yoga First
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