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SATSANG Yoga, Meditation and Thai Massage
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Events
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What is Hatha Yoga? Atha yoga anushasanam. - " So afterward, I am describing (the discipline of) Yoga" ...or: "What I did before, didn't work, (I'm still not happy) so now I'm trying yoga." Pada 1:1 from The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (known as the Father of Yoga - 200BC to 200AD.) translations by Paramhansa Yogananda and Gyandev McCord, Director, Expanding Light Ananda Yoga Center, California. Yoga is a Sanskrit word that literally means "yoke" or union. The practice and philosophy of yoga started in India about 5000 years ago and its goal was to unite and balance our mental/emotional, physical and spiritual selves - the 3 aspects of our being, thereby making ones life happier through this new sense of well-being. Although yoga is not a religion, its teachings are at the heart of all religions, those being our longing and search for what is true, for higher truths, and for answers to who we are, why we are here and what we can do about it. Yoga asana (or divine postures) are meant to be done with steadiness and ease as well as deep concentration to make them a "moving meditation", the practice of meditation being taking our minds from many things, to just one thing and staying in the present moment or being mindful. Through this practice of yoga, we learn more about our bodies, minds and spirits, how they work, how they affect each other and how we can influence them, through postures, breath-work, concentration and the art of "letting go". The results can be a stronger and more supple physique, the internal systems of the body can improve their efficiency through physical stimulation and better breathing, and finally one can become both more alert and better able to relax through this heightened personal awareness. This new level of consciousness enables and empowers the practitioner to "...learn to be more calmly active, and actively calm" (Paramhansa Yogananda) throughout his or her day. "Yoga takes infinite time, and no agenda." Vanda Scaravelli
What is YOGA NIDRA? "How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward." - Spanish proverb Yoga Nidra is based on ancient Tantra Yoga teachings. It is a powerful technique for deep relaxation of the body that also enables one to access, stimulate and balance our ingrained mental patterns. "Nidra" in Sanskrit means sleep. Although it is called yoga "sleep" and the one - hour guided session is done lying down, the goal is to promote conscious relaxation so that we always know exactly where we are and how we got there, unlike regular sleep. It is a powerful experience that leaves one feeling both refreshed and calm. It is a wonderful technique to reduce stress and promote a return to internal balance. What is LAUGHTER ("HASYA") YOGA? Dr. Madan Kataria, a family physician and yoga teacher created laughter yoga in 1995. He has appeared on CBC, CTV, CNN, CBS, ABC, BBC and many other TV and radio shows around the world since it's conception. BBC-London has called Dr. Kataria the "Merry Medicine Man from Mumbai." He is the author of "Laugh for no Reason" and is listed in Who's Who of Asia. Did you know that the average child laughs (at anything and everything) 300 to 400 times a day and the average adult only about 15 times, if that? Did you know that laughter is a cure for depression, aches and pains, stress, suicidal tendencies, even frequent mood swings and loss of sexual drive? You CAN laugh for no reason at all and it will help to improve your health and well-being. Hasya Yoga can show you how to reconnect with your inner child and that often deeply buried playfulness and heart felt joy. Dr. Kataria started this worldwide movement in India in 1995 when he discovered the physical and psychological benefits that his patients enjoyed when he got them organized to laugh regularly with him in the parks and gardens of Mumbai. The said they were happier and more productive and he found that they were healthier. With his wife, Madhuri, also a yoga teacher, he developed laughter yoga: a series of exercises to teach the body to laugh. "As the body goes, so goes the mind". In Laughter Yoga no jokes are told and there is no stand up comedian act! Hasya Yoga is serious business and you will laugh so hard that you will leave refreshed and invigorated. People of all races, religions and ethnicities laugh together. It is a great way to close the gaps and build bridges to promote peace in communities, businesses and the whole world. There are more than 5000 Laughter Yoga Clubs worldwide in such places at Europe and Scandinavia, Asia, Australia, and across North America. WORLD LAUGHTER DAY is the first Sunday in May. Its mission statement is: "World Peace Thru Laughter." In the year 2000, in Denmark a Guinness World Record was set when 10,000 people gathered to celebrate World Laughter Day. Please attend our seasonal, FREE Laughter clubs if you would like to add more laughter, humor and fun to your life.
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What is Thai Yoga Massage? RECEIVE THE BEST OF BOTH MASSAGE AND YOGA IN ONE, DELICIOUS TREATMENT! Comfortably-clothed recipients will receive a full-body treatment performed on a large padded mat on the floor (also available in the comfort of your own home*). Thai Yoga Massage has been described as a beautiful, compassionate, rhythmic dance between practitioner and client. Feel your stress and held-tension melt away as your body is guided into various yoga poses, and moved through it's full range-of-motion while rotating joints, massaging and stretching muscles and freeing blocked energy through palm and thumb massaging of Sen (energy) lines. Each session also incorporates yoga breathing techniques to stimulate, release and blissfully subdue tired, aching, tight muscles, relieve pain, or reward and renew your well-maintained and conditioned body, leaving all, deeply relaxed and feeling rejuvenated. The origin of Thai Yoga Massage date back 2500 years to the time of the Buddha and have been practiced and developed over centuries in the Buddhist Temples of Thailand. It is affectionately known in the west as “Yoga for lazy people”, and unlike any conventional massage you have ever experienced! Testimonial for Thai Yoga Massage: “HI Mary! Wow!!! What a release on so many different levels. The amazing thing is the way the massage goes so naturally through my body. It is like being on a high speed train to the middle of my being. We really connected on a spiritual level. The relationship between practitioner and patient is so intimate. Yet the respect is so deep. I can not deny how your practice has benefited my life. My body,and the more ancient parts of my soul, were poured out to be untangled and loosened. The energy flows within me with greater freedom now. Namaste, E. W.” See schedule page for prices and booking information.
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