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Upcoming Events Yoga Teacher Training AustraliaYes, you can still register to join us for our Nov/Dec Yoga Teacher Training program. We look forward to a fantastic month of exploring, practicing, and learning to teach Yoga in a beautiful setting in the Blue Mountains. Course: Yoga Teacher Training and Personal Development Retreat Registered: Yoga Alliance 200-hour Date: Nov 18-Dec 16/07 Location: Kanimbla Clifftop Retreat, Blackheath, Blue Mountains, Sydney Australia Cost: $3825 includes meals, accommodation, all course content, manual, exam and certificate. Facilitators: Heather Agnew (director) ERYT and Master PFT. Christopher Lipscomb (retreat coordinator). Details: www.yogatrinity.com/ytt Contact: write to heather@yogatrinity.com or call Chris at 0437 710 582
Programs 2008:We are still working on the details of our 2008 schedule, but you can look forward to the following programs: January 2008: Advanced Yoga Teacher Training - Canberra ACT Level II (120 hours) includes Ayurveda, Trinity Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Adjusting and Assisting, Partner Yoga, and more... February/March 2008: Yoga Teacher Training - Blue Mountains, NSW Australia Level I (200 hours) 30 day Residential Retreat July/August 2008 Yoga Teacher Training - Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada Level I (200 hours) 30 day Intensive (Residential Option Available) September/October 2008 Yoga Teacher Training - Tottenham, Ontario, Canada Balance Yoga Studio Non-Residential 200-hour program. November/December 2008 Yoga Teacher Training - Blue Mountains, NSW Australia Level I (200 hours) 30 day Residential Retreat Thanksgiving PrayerIn Canada we will be enjoying Thanksgiving this weekend, a time to express our gratitude for the abundance of our harvest, and for the family and friends that share our table during this holiday, and share our lives throughout the year. Every family has their own ways of expressing their thanks for the abundance in their lives at mealtimes, at our Yoga Teacher Training programs, this is how we express it: Meal Time Prayer I extend my deepest gratitude and acknowledgement to Spirit, to the Father Sun, to the Great Mother Earth, and to all that have contributed to this meal. Our sincere thanks to all beings who participated in growing, harvesting, and preparing this meal. May these foods nourish me body, mind and spirit, and may we together feed all who are hungry. Thoughts On... ThanksWe must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives. ~Dan Zadra Somebody saw something in you once-and that is why you're where you are today. Thank them! ~Don Ward Thank you for believing in me before I believed in myself. ~Kobi Yamada Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. ~ Melody Beattie |
Fitness Australia has recently awarded the
Trinity Yoga Teacher Training program with recognition as a Recognized
Program. Now Fitness Instructors registered with Fitness Australia
can earn 15 CEC's when they complete our program. For more
information visit
October 2007 – Issue 52
You are receiving this newsletter because you requested more information on Trinity~Yoga Pilates and Massage. Should you ever wish to discontinue receiving the Messenger, please send an email to heather@yogatrinity.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject box and we will honour your request immediately. Keeping up with HeatherHello Friends, This week in the countryside just north of Toronto we are in the midst of the harvest, and as crops come off the fields we are inundated with the sights and smells of the harvest. With the red and gold leaves swirling off the trees in the breeze, you can stroll down country roads to spot the pumpkins laid bare in their fields, hear the rustling of dried corn stalks whispering together, and smell the freshly tilled earth in the air. Autumn in such a rich and beautiful time of year. But, during this time of year we are also confronted with the occasional farm vehicle on the road, which does tend to test our patience. Zipping along in our cars we come over a small rise and...Oh Agony! A tractor! And we can often convince ourselves that nothing more tragic could have happened in our day. And not a passing lane in sight. This will definitely add at least 2 minutes to today's commute, unacceptable! Yes, we want to live in the country and eat locally grown food, and yes we like the wide open spaces around us, and smelling the smells and seeing the sights of the country. But...could we just not be bothered with slowing down for tractors laden with crops? This has led me to reflect on my own lack of patience, and that of my community around me. A friend often shares her own mantra for patience, "God, grant me patience, and do it quickly." With the hectic schedules that many of us are managing today, patience can be in short supply. A few extra minutes on the road, or in a line-up at the grocery store, or a file upload that seems to be taking too long...these things can really test our patience and create a state of chronic physical and mental tension in our everyday lives, a major contributor to heart disease, depression, migraine headaches and chronic pain. So, how can we cultivate patience in our lives? Well, I'm still working on it myself. But, I suspect that it has something to do with being "present". Being "present" means being here, now, in this moment. As opposed to what you might ask? As opposed to being in any of the other moments that you are thinking of simultaneously. Yesterdays meeting, last week's fight with your Mom, the lunch date you have in five minutes, the party this weekend, the holiday you will take next season....these thoughts keep you from being present, and can increase the anxiety that a few moments of waiting for a call or pausing at a red light can produce. So, how to become more present? Well, in a nutshell, remember to be here, now. Use your senses to become aware of the moment that you are in, hear the sounds, smell the smells, feel the sensations against your skin. In Yoga, we practice feeling the experience of being in the body right now. And, perhaps even more beneficially, exploring the qualities of the breath in this moment. This can be a difficult assignment while you are in the midst of your chaotic day. But, a few moments of "practicing" being present every day can influence your entire life. So, perhaps you can think of this during the month of October. Taking a few moments on your Yoga mat, in your car, at your desk, or in bed before you go to sleep at night to observe the sensations and experiences in the body, mind, and breath - right now. How do I remember to practice this, by asking myself, "what's happening now?" A post-it on the dashboard, the mirror, the desktop or the fridge can help to keep this powerful exercise front and centre in your mind, and I assure you that a little more "presence" will inevitably lead to a great deal more patience. I will close this month's column with another quick word of wisdom from my patient friend... There is a beautiful gift of immense power and potential in this very moment. That is why it is called "the present" Namaste, Heather Astrological Anatomy - How Do the Stars Influence Your Body?Within the art and science of Astrology there
are many systems of study and differing theories on the effects
of the stars on our energetic patterns and physical experience in
life. In fact, there are many who feel
that there is no effect at all…and that the words “science” and
“astrology” are not compatible.
Who is right? Who
knows. But, astrology
has been studied and practiced for centuries and many people find
it a helpful way to understand themselves, their patterns, and their
predispositions. With
that in mind, I’ve put together a brief piece on Astrological Anatomy. Many astrological systems theorize that each
sign has an area or areas of the body that are of particular importance,
in astrological language an area is “ruled” by a sign. These areas can be our greatest
strength or our greatest weakness.
Each sign will have opportunities to enhance their experience
in the physical through building strength, support, flexibility
and health in their specific areas.
Of course, the health of the whole system is essential from
my perspective, but you may find this theory interesting, and perhaps
you will find this concept resonates with you and your body. I have included a few lifestyle
and Yoga tips that you may find helpful for your sign. Enjoy! Aries; The Ram: March 21 - April
19 Aries is said to rule the head and brain.
Engaging in mentally stimulating games and puzzles strengthens
this area. Prone to headaches and mental fatigues
or over stimulations, guided relaxation will relax the restless
Aries mind, reducing mental chatter and encourage creativity and
lateral thinking.
Restorative poses like Viparita Karani – Legs up the Wall
can help “depressurize” an overstimulated Aries. Taurus; The Bull: April 20 - May
20 Taurus rules the face, neck and thyroid.
Regular facial treatments, self or professional massage and
stretching can soothe tension in the face and neck.
Postures like Simhasana – Lion can release tensions in the
face, and Sarvangasana – Shoulderstand is an especially beneficial
pose for stimulating the thyroid gland which, among other essential
roles, is largely responsible for our metabolism. Gemini; The Twins; May 21-June 20 Gemini rules the throat, shoulders and arms,
the lungs and thymus gland.
Working with the shoulders, arms and throat to enhance strength,
support and flexibility is essential, poses like Dolphin, Plank,
and Vasithasana – Side Arm Balancing can build strength and support
in the arms and shoulder girdle.
As well, guided relaxation/visualization can soothe the dualities
of the Gemini personality. Cancer: The Crab: June 21 to July 22 Cancer rules the breasts, chest, breastbone
and upper gastric system. Cancer also has an influence on the womb. Healthy eating habits and regular
exercise help to relieve digestive issues that can erupt, and Yoga
postures that open and release the chest like Matsyasana – The Fish
can help. Creative visualization and artistic pursuits that help
Cancerans tap their creativity can be beneficial. Leo; The Lion: July 23 to August 22 Leo rules the solar plexus, front and back
of heart and some say the stomach as well. With the Leo’s natural exuberance
for all experiences in life, it can be helpful for the Leo to avoid
excesses, especially in food and drink. Finding a balanced lifestyle including
work/rest balance, diet, and healthy exercise regime are important.
As well, finding constructive ways to express emotions, and
practicing deep breathing techniques that cool and nourish the body
can be helpful. Virgo; The Virgin: August 23 to September 22 Virgo is said to rule the stomach, intestines
and nervous system. Reducing
irritants in the diet like caffeine, sugar, and spicy foods, and
reducing stressors in your everyday lifestyle is important.
As well, soothing exercises like found in Restorative and
Kripalu Yoga traditions that can calm and restore the nervous system
and balance the Virgo tendency towards anxiety. Libra: The Scales: September 23
- October 22 Libra rules the back and kidneys, and some
systems include the adrenal glands.
Always seeking balance, Libras may find that a balance of
work and play, activity and rest, and time with others/time alone
is essential for good health.
Pilates and Yoga for back health is important, and with the
Libran sweet-tooth, avoiding excesses of sugar will reduce many
health issues. Librans might find balancing poses
like Vrksasana-The Tree beneficial. Scorpio; The Scorpion: October 23 - November 21 Scorpio rules the lower belly, low back, as
well as the genitals and reproductive organs. With a tendency towards pressure
and tension headaches, reproductive issues, and low back pain, Scorpios
do well with postures that reduce mental pressures, and increase
core strength as well as lower abdominal relaxation and massage. Postures like Sethu-Bandhasana-the
Bridge, and Ustrasana-the Camel can be particularly helpful. Sagittarius; The Archer: November 22 to December 21 Sagittarius is said to be the ruler of the
thighs, sacro-iliac region, and muscular system. With a tendency towards indulgence
in food and activity, the Sag is well advised to maintain consistency
in habits, and find a balanced diet and exercise regime – not too
much, not too little. Yoga
postures that build and maintain a healthy musculature, while supporting
the sacro-iliac are beneficial.
Virabhadrasana – The Warrior and Dhyana Virasana-Meditating
Hero’s Pose are both beneficial for the philosophical Archer. Capricorn; The Goat: December 22 to January 19 Capricorn rules the knees, the skeletal system
and the skin. Maintaining
healthy joints is of primary importance, so exercises that build
a healthy body from the bones up is a good idea. Weight bearing activities like walking
and jogging are helpful, and stretches that maintain healthy joints
and promote great posture are essential. The ambitious Capricorn might like
to add a few desk stretches to their day at the office, this will
reduce stress, improve brain power, and enhance posture. Aquarius; The Water Bearer: January 20
to February 18 Aquarius rules the ankles and calves and circulatory
system. Inversion
postures like Sarvangasana-The Shoulderstand and Viparita Karani-Legs
Up the Wall are ideal for Aquarians. Maintaining a good fluid intake
is obvious for the Water Bearer, and regular movement to stimulate
and cleanse the body are important.
Perhaps swimming? Pisces; The Fish: February 19 to March 20 Pisces
rules the feet and the lymphatic system. In my experience, ill-fitting footwear
can be the ruin of a Piscean! So, choose your footwear carefully
my Fishy friends, and experiment with planting your feet in places
other then the ground (in the air, on a wall, on a bumpy reflexology
mat?). Inversions can stimulate the lymphatic
system, and restorative poses can soothe the Pisceans emotional
nature. Bits From Australia: 108 Challenge October 10 www.yogaaid.comJoin Yoga studios around Australia in performing 108 Sun Salutations for fun, for a challenge, and most importantly for a great charity Yoga Expo - October 14 www.yogaexpo.com.auAttend classes and workshops, shop for great Yoga gear, and meet up with like-minded Yogins at Sydney's Yoga Expo. Bites From Canada: Pick Your Own www.pickyourown.org Southern Ontarians are enjoying a beautiful Autumn, and the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables right off the farm are ideal for your table today, and for your pantry or freezer throughout the winter. If you want to stock up for our season of hibernation, there are many farms where you can buy in bulk to can, freeze, pickle or preserve. Check out www.pickyourown.org for a farm near you. Recipes - Vegan Chocolate Pudding Adapted from the "Clueless Vegetarian" this recipe is a delicious (although very sweet) alternative to a dairy-based pudding. Enjoy!
Over medium-low heat, stir together the
sugar, cocoa powder and cornstarch.
Add just enough soymilk to make a thick paste, and then add
the rest of soymilk, stirring until the mixture thickens and begins
to bubble. Reduce the
heat to low and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, then remove from
heat and stir in the soy butter and vanilla.
Pour into bowl of serving dishes and cover the surface with
plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming on top and refrigerate. Chill thoroughly before serving. Makes 6-8 servings. |
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