Hello friend

Lately, I have been thinking a great deal about courtesy, consideration and compassion towards others.

Why is it that so many of us gravitate to lands such as Bali, Thailand or India where the people are so warm, welcoming, and 'gracious'?

I think that 'graciousness' is a truly special word.

What is your favourite word?  Does this word define you or how you would like to be?

Just pause for a little while to ponder this......you never know where this 'moment' may take you!

Annemaree

Issue 09

Contents

Journey to India

To be happy...

Learn to Meditate

Eyes are the windows

Retreat to Thailand

Mindfulness Meditation

The Essence of Yoga

ONLY 2 MORE SPACES AVAILABLE!

LAND OF A THOUSAND SMILES TOUR 2009

A creative journey

Where: Kerala, Southern India

When: 10- 24 January, 2009

Appreciate what India refers to as ‘God’s own Country’.

Stay in stylish and distinctive 'heritage' hotels, a houseboat and 5-star deluxe resorts whilst experiencing the majesty and warmth that emanates from this richly designed tapestry known as Kerala. Witness the thousand smiles that radiate from its wonderful people, the Keralites.

Deep relaxation, meditation, yoga and a series of Ayurvedic massages are included.

The final bookings are now being taken. A preliminary itinerary, booking form and the booking conditions will be forwarded to you upon registration.

For more information: click here

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.

If you want to be happy, practice compassion".

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama

Become a part of what you’re doing in the present moment; performing at your peak, stretching time, living more fully and getting more out of life.

Next available dates & locations:

Sunday, 5 October 2008 (5.00pm – 6.30pm)
The Yoga Studio
18 Wilson Street
South Yarra

Sunday, 2 November 2008 (5.00pm – 6.30pm)
Wind & Water
917 High Street
Armadale

These four week courses run for four consecutive Sundays (public holidays excluded) and are for those who prefer to learn in a group setting.
Learn non-religious, simple and practical strategies to calm the mind and soothe the body.

The meditation methods taught by Cool Calm & Collected range from a one-minute practice to many minutes which can be accomplished sitting on a chair, walking or standing; at any time of the day and in any place. Corporate and one-on-one meditation courses are also available.

view: meditation
email: info@coolcalmandcollected.com.au
or call Annemaree on 0412 616 787

You may have heard the expression that 'the eyes are the windows to the soul'. 

When I saw this photo I couldn't help but reflect on that expression over and over again.

I don't know who took this photo but my understanding is that it was taken at a celebration for the Dalai Lama's 72nd birthday. 

I honour the person who did take this photo and thought you may enjoy it too.

Kamalaya - 'Lotus Realm' an enduring symbol of the unfolding of the human spirit.

I have just returned from the beautiful Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand. 

I cannot call it a resort as it is something well beyond that.  It is indeed an experience....a truly special experience.

Kamalaya is an authentic 'yogic' wellness sanctuary designed in an elegant, sophisticated manner without pretension but with the essence and energy of a truly sacred space.

There will be much more information to come.  However, why don't you diarize 4-10 July 2009 and expect to be there? 

Just some of the things you can expect:

Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, floating lanterns, nurturing hands, smiles, exquisite cuisine, holistic treatments, steam cavern, plunge pools, ponds and barking frogs, massage after massage, soft breezes, warmth, sheer beauty, and everything created in the manner of 'Like Water for Chocolate".

more details....

Cultivate Mindfulness...enrich your life!

There are many great teachers amongst us and of course we are all teachers and we are all students.  However, I am often asked who are the most influential for me when it comes to meditation.  I have to say that I enjoy reading and listening to Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn. 

Who is he?  Kabat-Zinn is Professor of Medicine Emeritus and founding director of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

He teaches mindfulness meditation as a technique to help people cope with stress, anxiety, pain and illness.

What is Mindfulness Meditation? 

Well in Kabat-Zin's words: Mindfulness Meditation is about learning to experience life fully as it unfolds—moment by moment. One popular misconception about meditation is that it is a way to make your mind blank so you can escape from what you are feeling. However...understand that meditation is an invitation to wake up, experience the fullness of your life, and transform your relationship with your problems, your fears, and any pain and stress in your life so that they don’t wind up controlling you and eroding the quality of your life and your creativity.

You may be interested to learn a little more ...click here.    

If you do check in.....listen to the audio on Thinking and The Breath.  You may find them especially interesting.

This is Part 2 in the series.  It gives a brief outline of the history of yoga and how it is relevant to the 21st century.

As many of us know, yoga in the 21st century in Australia has been stripped back to the posture practice (which many mistakenly define as exercise) and is often about 'image'.  Some students are not even slightly aware of its essence nor its potential.

Yoga is an individual practice and the learning is experiential in so many forms. However, there are many guidelines when embarking upon this road and a lifetime of knowledge to be accumulated, explored and embraced.

Each time you tap into 'In the Moment', you will be able to deepen your understanding and learn about yoga and its many dimensions. We will explore its history, relevance in the 21st century, body-mind connection, purpose, philosophy, psychology, physiology; diet and more.

Each article takes between 3-5 minutes to read. In that time you may learn something that totally changes or validates your perspective on what essentially is a phenomenal approach to 'wellness'.

Remember:

Yoga is a way of life....not just an episode within it.

For Part 2 in the series, click here.

Afterthought:

In the time it has taken you to read this you have possibly taken a deep breath, reflected, imagined and slowed down just a little.

So now stand up and stretch; walk around for a minute or two and drink a glass of water.

Hopefully this small break will have restored your energy.