It feels like the first day of fall today and WOW it feels so good. Love is in the air with every drop of rain that falls and blesses us with life, hope, faith and peace. Yoga is in the air and it is the time to deepen your practice. There are over 35 Yoga teachers that are currently offering yoga classes on the sunshine coast so you have every opportunity to be inspired. There is a website that I have put together so that you can check out all the yoga that is happening on the coast. I will do my best to keep it updated but I would recommend you call the centre or instructor before attending the class. Here is the link to our abundant growing Yoga Community of Classes:
Sunshine Coast Yoga
Ocean and I were so sweetly blessed to be in the presence of the 5 monks who made an absolutely beautiful sand mandala that took over 40 hours and then disasembled it to celebrate the impermanence of physical creation. A mandala is painstakingly made by placing grains of coloured sand in intricate traditional patterns. This one was the mandala of Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. One of its purposes is to confer blessings and healing to those who view it and to the whole world.
The Monks were so gentle and kind with Ocean. They gave him special jade mala bracelet and an Om Mani Padme Hum Peace Prayer Flag. The Monks were so filled with joy and innocence. It was such an honour to have the experience. The monks are from Gaden Jangste monastery in a Tibetan refugee area in southern India. They will be doing a cross-Canada tour this summer and fall to raise money for their monastery.
The monks began with a ceremony of chants, prayers and music to consecrate the site where the mandala was built. They did prayers and chants each morning before beginning work on the mandala. When it was completed there is another ceremony in which the sand is swept up into a pile to celebrate the impermanence of physical creations. Some of the sand was given to the people present at the ceremony and the rest was ceremonially taken to a nearby river where its blessings are dispersed to the ocean and to all the world.
A Thanksgiving reminder that there are no yoga classes on Saturday October 10th and Tuesday October 13th.
A Omly reminder to all Yoga Teachers on the Sunshine Coast: 2nd Sunshine Yoga Teacher's Gathering is October 18th 4-8pm. Shining Sage Catering the event. Sliding scale $10-$15 Hope to see you there. For more information please e-mail me. info@omsweetom.ca
Om Sweet Om Happenings:
Thursday October 1st 2009
5:30pm-6:45pm
Myoga Studio
#4 747 North rd Gibsons, BC
Majestic Mbira Meditation/Svasana Live in class:
with Special Musical Guest Gwen Gingerich
Mbira:
The sound of the mbira has been likened to that of a waterfall. It's gentle and soothing sounds can mimic rippling streams and cascading water falls. This ancient instrument, originating from Zimbabwae, has been used socially and spiritiaully as a conduit to ancestral spirits, for thousands of years. The traditional songs of repetitive interlocking melodies induce a trance like state and bring greater receptivity to spiritual messangers.
The physical instrument is composed of a sound board with metal keys stroked by the thumbs and forefinger. When placed inside a deze, gourd shell, the sound resonates and serves to amplify the delicate sound. The music is mesmerizing for both the player and listener and can establish a microcosm of serenity!
I am heading off to Vancouver the Thanksgiving weekend to do a 5 day Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Immersion. I am excited to immerse myself in the ancient teaching of Yoga and Yoking with Union. If anyone is interested in Anusara yoga here is a link: Anusara Yoga
Trish Hinders is teaching Anusara Yoga in Roberts Creek. I highly recommend you attend a class. It is delicious!
There is still space to drop in or register in the Healing women's spiral. Bachan Kaur and I are co-teaching this class. For those of you who did not know she is married to my brother so that officially makes us Sister's but we are soul sister's through and through and we are so inspired to be co-creating this journey for healing and integration. Check out Bachan's website as she is an inspiring up and coming artist and musician. You will LOVE her Music and art. here is a link to her web site:
Bachan Kaur's Website
Other Sacred Happenings on the coast in October:
Full Moon Meditations for Everyone at Yoga By The Sea:
October 3 2009 7:00–9:00pmby donation (partial proceeds to non-profit)
In these times, the most powerful way to transform consciousness is through the group mind.
Let us come together to share our highest selves for personal and transpersonal healing, love, celebration and evolution!
The evening includes a half hour meditation (different each month) and other group activities / relaxation working in relationship with the dominant energy of the monthly moon. Yogi Tea will be served, bring a cup!
Circle Dance Led by Sarah L'Estrange at Yoga By The Sea:
Fridays, October 30 7:00–9:00pmCircle Dance originated in 1976 at Findhorn, the intentional/spiritual community in Northern Scotland, where Bernhard Wosien, a German ballet teacher with an interest in folk dancing introduced it. The dances include traditional folk dances from Greece, Eastern Europe and worldwide, and contemporary dances with themes around peace, unity, justice, ecology, personal and planetary healing, rites of passage and the changing seasons of the year. New dances have been choreographed for the Celtic Festivals eg: Equinoxes and Solstices.
Dances range from lively and joyful to quiet and meditative. We start with an attunement and dance around a centrepiece with candlelight and flowers. This style of dance focuses on an awareness of the movement, the theme of the dance, and one's own experience of it. There is time for reflection between dances and for sharing and connection. The steps are taught and reviewed each session so beginners are welcome; no previous dance experience necessary.
Kirtan — Sacred Music Bachan, Rama, Liilamaya & Jagat at Yoga By The Sea
$10 Suggested donation
Join us and experience a community gathering of chant and sacred songs that will uplift your spirit!
Always with Sacred Love, Blessings, Prayer and Gratitude
Sharon
www.omsweetom.ca
If you want to reach a state of bliss, then go beyond your ego and the internal dialogue. Make a decision to relinquish the need to control, the need to be approved, and the need to judge. Those are the three things the ego is doing all the time. It's very important to be aware of them every time they come up.
Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss. Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real.
Depak Chopra
