Yoga Nidra in the Gardens

What a simply gorgeous day of meditation we had today!

The Evolve Yoga and Wellness Festival provided a full day of delicious asana, pranayama and meditation set amongst the gardens, the sunshine, and magestic beauty of Abbotsford Convent.

I have it on pretty good sources (but it's not official) that there were 1000 tickets sold for the event .. which is brilliant .. and surely reflects the passion of Melbournians (and those who travelled further of course) towards the practices of yoga and meditation, and the chance to spend time with the 'tribe'.

I had planned to spend the entire day in the Peace Room ... attending a selection of half hour meditation workshops with a short break in between to stretch the legs and get some sunshine. There was definitely more interest than there was room however so I missed a couple of workshops .. but the one's I did attend were great (more tomorrow on those) and the bonus was the opportunity to catch up with a few friends, and enjoy some time with a girlfriend in the Bakery listening to some amazing jazz musicians and a lively crowd obviously enjoying a family day and some autumn sun.

One class I was really keen to attend was the Yoga Nidra (guided meditation) session after lunch .. but the crowds were so long (and the room way too small for the interest shown) so that I ended up taking some time to explore some of the courtyards around the convent (this is a photo of one we saw, setting up for a wedding tonight). My girlfriend and I wondered aloud why the organisers hadn't arranged for the Nidra class to be conducted outside .. since we were blessed with such wonderful weather, just the hint of a breeze, and a broad expanse of lush green grass area all to ourselves.

Then before we knew it someone had made an impromptu arrangement .. and Stephan Kahlert from Byron Yoga Centre was called away from his cappaccino to share the delights of Yoga Nidra with the large group who had missed getting into the inside event. How lucky were we!!! We had the sublime experience of meditation outside with nature and air and earth all around us .. the sun warm and relaxing, the grass soft and cool. A wonderful journey inward (with a side trip to a temple high in the snow covered mountains) was the most perfect way to end the day.

You just never know when the magical moments are going to meet you on the path .. and today's impromptu meditation on the grass in the sunshine was one of those very special 'in the moment' events. Thank you Stephan it was lovely to meet you and we all appreciated your wonderful meditation session.

Congratulations Byron Yoga Centre for a wonderful event. I hear it is scheduled again for next year!

Bear Grip for Anger

From an old articleout of Om Magazine a yoga posture call the "Bear Grip" whish is said to help with anger issues .. "helps balance body and mind, help to eliminate anger and maintain a sense of inner calm". I thought this might be another useful addition to your toolbox for life :

* Sit with a straigh spine and begin to breath slowly in and out through your nose.
* Lift your right hand in front of your chest, with your elbow out to the side and your palm facing away from the body
* Bend the tips of your fingers.
* Lift the left hand with the elbow out to the side, bend the tips of the gingers and clasp your hands together.
* As you inhale - keep the fingers clasped and gently pull your arms away from each other creating resistance.
* As you exhale - keep the fingers clasped and stop pulling.
* Repeat 10 times, keeping the elbows lifted and the lower abdominal muscles engaged.

.. when I went in search of a suitable picture to put with this entry .. I found myself at Anmolmehta's site (which I visit often, and would recommend for the loads of information, free stuff, and easy to understand yoga and meditation instruction). Anmol lists the bear grip as a practice under Mudra. Such a small world (hmm .. again).

Welcome Australian Yoga Journal!

I often refer to the importance of 'tribe' .. the community or group that empowers us, that we feel engaged with, that supports and nourishes us. Many years ago I found some of my 'tribe' when my sister introduced me to the best ever magazine (well my fav. magazine) Yoga Journal. Over the five or six years since that first introduction I have eagerly awaited the international delivery, like a friend who lives away, and as soon as possible I take myself somewhere quiet, curl up on the couch or bed, ready myself with a cup of tea .. and indulged myself in a couple of hours of true 'me-time' . I have of course kept (too?) many of these issues (& lent a few which never found their way back!) .. I often pick up an old copy to read again .. find missed articles .. and learn something afresh.

So I was totally thrilled recently to be wandering aimlessly in my local newsagents and to find an Australian edition of Yoga Journal!! I was so surprised .. since I hadnt heard a whisper of its arrival .. but oh what a fantastic surprise.

Similar in 'look' and style to its American big sister ( and I am sure our unique aussie flavour will evolve in time) .. and with a few of the regular writers on board (Sally Kempton, Jason Crandell) .. the Australian version is a fantastic addition to (what I think) is a really dull Australian magazine market. There is plenty to read in this first Premier edition - Dec/Jan 2010 - including 'breathe in, work out' on yogic breathing techniques, 'introduction to kundalini yoga', 'taking it outdoors' (with suggested outdoor yoga operators in main cities of Australia) and 'chasing the waves' which takes us on a 3-day surf and yoga retreat in Broulee (south coast of NSW). There is also the added bonus of now having a directory of local courses, retreats, websites, advertisers and profiles on hand so that we can all feel part of the Aussie YJ Tribe!