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YOGAWAVES
A Balispirit Newsletter
August 2004
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Swami Brahmananda
Namaste.
Welcome to the Balispirit newsletter. This month's newsletter "Yogawaves"
focuses entirely on the essence and practice of yoga. It also provides
information about all the ongoing classes and events at Balispirit Yoga Studio
and partners. There is definitely a lot going on at the Studio during the
summer months, so put your feet up, relax, and take some time to enjoy our
summer newsletter. If you need any additional information, please feel free to
contact the studio directly
or
email us.
Om Shanti!
JAS & Meg
In India, most spiritual journeys over the centuries were taken solely by men
with few exceptions. Today with Yoga and Meditation transforming the lives of
millions of men and women all over the world, we can be safe to assume Swami
Brahmananda would easily extend his statement to all of the men and the women
currently practicing yoga, beginning their spiritual journey from exactly where
they are.
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And so HERE we are...
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August is a wonderful time to be in Bali. There seems to be an infectious
spirit of excitement which sweeps through all of us... The beaches are full of
surfers and sun worshippers, restaurants are brimming with guests and the
streets are full of shoppers looking for bargains and vendors selling
everything from "morning price" watches and sun glasses to unique &
beautiful wood carvings and Batik sarongs. The Balinese are getting ready for
Galungan (11 August) and Kuningan (21 August) two major Balinese holidays that
thank the gods and the spirits for making Bali what she is today.
After reading our newsletter, if you have further questions, please feel free
to email to askme@balispirit.com.
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This Month in YOGAWAVES
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 WELCOME
TO BALISPIRIT
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Did you know that...
Balispirit runs the only fully equipped yoga studio in Ubud that is entirely
dedicated to the practice of YOGA, Meditation and Healing Arts?
This summer, Balispirit Yoga has lots to be excited about! Our studio is
growing physically... we have added a changing and shower room to our
facilities. We are also growing energetically and spiritually with more
students attending classes everyday.
Classes at Balispirit Yoga Studio are held on a daily basis with from around the world, some
of whom do retreats and workshops in Bali. We at Balispirit strive to offer the
BEST classes, workshops and information on all that is YOGA.
At balispirit, we have a solid morning yoga schedule, afternoon yoga classes,
beginner yoga classes and, White Crane Silat for Adults and Children in the
afternoons as well as workshops at on weekends and on some weekday afternoons.
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Prices:
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Classes cost Rp 50 000 for walk-ins.
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are also available for longer term students.
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Yoga Theory classes are 65,000 for walk-ins or Rp 450,000 for the entire
series.
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Weekend workshops are anywhere from Rp 150,000 to 200,000 per class.
Please check for more details.
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Straps, bolsters & blocks are available for free use.
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Private instruction in our studio, or in your home or hotel room, is also
available — call 08123843900 or
email for information on how to schedule a private class.
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In addition to having yoga classes and workshops, Balispirit sells Bali
yoga props such as: yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga bolsters, yoga
straps, yoga books, yoga clothing and soothing lavender eye pillows...
everything you need to practice at home or in a classroom setting .
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The newest addition to our yoga shop is the colorful, fun and entirely wearable
clothing line. All yoga products can be found on the
second floor of our sister building .
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SPECIAL SUMMER CLASSES, WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
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We are very happy to offer a line-up of wonderful new classes in the summer
months. Here is a look at some of the highlights:
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Vinyasa Flow Classes every Monday through Saturday morning from
9-10:30am
Open (All Level) Vinyasa Flow Classes every Sunday morning from 9-10:30,
every Tuesday & Thursday 4-5:30
Classical Hatha Vinyasa every Wednesday and Friday 11-12:30pm
Beginner Level Hatha Class every Sunday afternon from 4-5:30pm
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And, for those more interested in the THEORY OF YOGA, an 8 session theory
class will be offered through the month of August every Tuesday and Thursday
morning from 10:30-12noon. These Yoga Theory classes are geared to
intermediate level students interested in theory and meditation as well as for
teachers who wish to brush up on their theory.
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Classes, from 10:30-12noon, are broken down as follows:
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Tuesday 3rd August
History
of Yoga — Intro to Patanjali
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Thursday 5th August
Patanjali
and the 8 Limbed Astanga System
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Tuesday 10th August
Yamas,
Nyamas and the Ethical Yogi
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Thursday 12th August
Understanding
the Chakras
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Tuesday 17th August
Ida,
Pingala, Sushumna — the Nadi System
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Thursday 19th August
Locks and Bandhas
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Tuesday 24th August
Introduction
to Kundalini Yoga and Meditation
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Thursday 26th August
Introduction
to Ayurveda-Knowing and Understanding Your Dosha
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Classes are Rp 65 000 per session, or Rp 450 000 for the entire series. This
price includes hot tea and all descriptive hand-outs.
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We are very happy to offer
a
weekend yoga workshop with Ateeka from September
4th to 5th at Balispirit Yoga Studio. To join Ateeka's Bali Yoga
Holiday or one of her weekend yoga workshops. Here is a look at
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To learn more about our upcoming Balispirit Weekend Yoga Workshops and our
daily class schedule see and see the retreats page for more info on
international
and trainings happening in Bali
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FEATURED POSE
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Vanda Scaravelli
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Virabhadrasana I
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Virabhadrasana II
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Virabhadrasana I & II. The Sanskrit name for this pose was derived
from and named after a sage. However, this powerful standing position has
become to be known as Warrior Pose. In Warrior, we brave through the
complexities and difficulties of the position, to finally surrender both breath
and body into position. Through this practice, the typically masculine theme of
warrior turns into something at once both strong & solid and equally
graceful & humble. for an article on how to get the most out of
Virabhadrasana I & II.
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From "Sadhana Guidelines"
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YOGA THEORY - THE YAMAS and NIYAMAS AHIMSA
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Have you ever considered, really considered, the reasons why you practice yoga?
Is it for a lithe body? To assist in kicking a bad habit? Or maybe to calm the
mind? These are all good reasons, of course, and reasons why many of us do
practice yoga. However, the ESSENCE of yoga goes much, much deeper than
physical poses, seated meditative positions or a calm mind. Yoga is a way of
life.
The word "asana", in its earliest sense, means "seat" or seated position. Asana
was meant to assist the practitioner for long seated positions of meditation,
mantra (chanting) and purification rituals. Today, we see all sorts of "asanas"
in magazines, on videos and of course in our classes. Promises of strong,
healthy bodies with elongated muscles and a much calmer mind are what attract
to "asana" practice as we know it today.
But WHY? Why do we twist and turn and bend and stretch and — elongate
— our bodies into poses that make most non-practitioners ask "Why would
ANYONE want to do that?" Likewise, why did the yogis of India sit for hours on
end, sometimes days or longer, in uncomfortable positions, often times under
uncomfortable circumstances?
A look at the Yamas and Nyamas will help us answer this question.
But first, WHAT are Yamas and Nyamas and why are they important to "me", a
modern day yogi, trying to juggle practice with a job, family, social time,
etc? Yama means "restraint or abstinence" and Nyama means "observances" and
they are the first 2 Observances" in Patanjali's Astanga or "8 Limbed" Yoga
Method. (Yoga is thousands of years old and Patanjali did NOT create Yoga but
he was the first person ever to write a "manual" on Yoga, the still available
and very important "Yoga Sutras".) These restraints and observances are just as
important for the yoga practitioner today as to the early practitioners of
India. In this newsletter we will start with one if the most important Yamas
(restraints) called "Ahimsa" or non-harming.
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| Ahimsa or Non-harming |
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Related directly to practice on the mat, Ahimsa means not to bring harm to
yourself in practice. Some teachers will only teach Ahimsa in this context as
it relates to physical practice. However, much more important is how we apply
it to our daily life and dealings with other humans, animals and the world
around us.
To practice Ahimsa means to refrain from bringing harm to others in action,
word, thought or deed. This extends to animals (a vegetarian diet is
recommended for all serious practitioners of yoga) and the world around us
(bringing the least harm to Mother Earth in all our actions). In refraining
from bringing the least amount of harm to others we bring the least amount of
harm to ourselves (the law of cause and effect known as Karma).
Serious practitioners of yoga and meditation are taught to accept the theory
that even a mere thought can send out powerful manifestations, both positive
and negative depending on the thought and the intent of the thought. And this
is where we start: with our thought process. If it is true that each thought we
have creates our reality and affects those around us and our environment, why
do we bother with even one negative thought? Why not fill our waking moments
with thoughts that create positive environments for ourself and for others?
Once we get our thoughts in check, it is now much easier to have control over
the words and actions we send out into the physical world. Simply put, we
strive to never say anything intentionally negative about another being or
intend to bring physical harm to another person, animal or Mother Earth
herself.
Living Ahimsa can, in fact, be a seriously tall order.
Think of how many times in one day you think something negative about yourself
or others or say something about another person that can be harmful, even in
gossip or in "fun". Being aware of your thoughts and keeping you words, deeds
and actions in check will surely bring the least amount of harm to the world
around you and, essentially, to yourself.
Namaste,
JAS & Meg
Balispirit
© 2004-2006 –
Balispirit.com
– All Rights Reserved
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