A Few announcements . . .March 30   2011

Dear Yogis and Friends

I have just a few announcements to share. The most important one being the letter which follows from               Dr. Masaru Emoto asking each of us to send our prayers collectively tomorrow to the waters at the nuclear plants in Japan, at 12 noon. I believe this is a powerful way for us to make a difference.

Anita Kalnay, our very popular masseuse, returns April 9, 10. 11 and 12 to offer her massage services at Island Yoga Vista. Anita is developing a strong clientele here, my students love her services, I highly recommend that if you are in need of nurturing and relaxation you will find yourself in competent hands here. Please call me to book an appointment soon!

Friday nights at 7pm,  we will be chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra here 108 times and all are welcome. In the Satyananda tradition of Yoga that is the Yoga my Guru Swami Niranjan teaches, we chant the Gayatri Mantra daily 11x, the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra daily 11x and the Durga Mantra 3x. This brings us to a very positive vibration daily. These mantras are taught in class here, but even i f you are new to chanting you are welcome to come and experience the effects of the healing mantra each Friday night.

There is now a FACEBOOK page for Island Yoga Vista where I can post events and relevant information so please check if you use facebook and have a look. I think if you press LIKE you will receive my notices but as a business page I will not have access to your page. It is more private than an individual page. I appreciate all the comments and hope there will be discussion as people become aware of the resource. If you scroll down a little on the facebook page you can listen to satsangs with Swamii Niranjan.

Thank you for your time. I t seems we are all busy and time moving so quickly it is good to remember to take time to meditate and especially to take time for our friends and family.

Warm Regards,

Sandra Sagarmurti Shotton

islandyogavista@gmail.com

The full letter from Dr Masaru Emoto…

To All People Around the World,

Please send your prayers of love and to water at the nuclear plants in Fukushima, Japan!

By the massive earthquakes of Magnitude 9 and surreal massive tsunamis, more than 10,000 people are still missing…even now… It has been 16 days already since the disaster happened. What makes it worse is that water at the reactors of Fukushima Nuclear Plants started to leak, and it’s contaminating the ocean, air and water molecule of surrounding areas.

Human wisdom has not been able to do much to solve the problem, but we are only trying to cool down the anger of radioactive materials in the reactors by discharging water to them.

Is there really nothing else to do?

I think there is. During over twenty year research of hado measuring and water crystal photographic technology, I have been witnessing that water can turn positive when it receives pure vibration of human prayer no matter how far away it is.

Energy formula of Albert Einstein, E=MC2 really means that Energy = number of people and the square of people’s consciousness.

Now is the time to understand the true meaning. Let us all join the prayer ceremony as fellow citizens of the planet earth. I would like to ask all people, not just in Japan, but all around the world to please help us to find a way out the crisis of this planet!!

The prayer procedure is as follows.

Day and Time:

March 31st, 2011 (Thursday)

12:00 noon in each time zone

Please say the following phrase:

“The water of Fukushima Nuclear Plant,

we are sorry to make you suffer.

Please forgive us. We thank you, and we love you.”

Please say it aloud or in your mind. Repeat it three times as you put your hands together in a prayer position. Please offer your sincere prayer.

Thank you very much from my heart.

With love and gratitude,

Masaru Emoto

Messenger of Water

http://emotopeaceproject.blogspot.com/

Patanjali Yoga Sutras 2.11 – Meditation dispels the kleshas

Interpretive Translation by Joseph Le Page

When the kleshas are active they are dispelled through meditation

Commentary by Joseph Le Page – Meditation dispels the kleshas

 Meditation is…

Awareness of consciousness as the ground of being, awakened through the cultivation of clear seeing.

Life lived in real time, a moment-to-moment awareness of all that occurs in the body and mind.

Discerning clearly between the seer and the seen, between the knower and the field of knowing.

Witnessing the belief that you are limited and small, while knowing that you are the total, the whole.

Opening to feelings while knowing they’re only waves on the surface of the ocean of your true being.

Seeing life clearly for the very first time as the klesha’s colored glasses are lifted from your eyes.

Stepping back to witness your impulse to react when survival drives advise you to freeze, flee or attack.

Living a life of true free choice because the kleshas no longer speak through your voice.

Mastering time by seeing that all regrets and finish lines are only movements in the mind.

Equanimity, like the depths of the sea; resting in centered stillness as life’s storms arise and recede.

The embrace of Grace as you awake that draws you close and guides your way throughout the day.

A Deep listening to the voice of intuition that clearly reveals your life purpose and mission.

Embracing creation from the firefly’s light to the stars at night as strands in one seamless web of life.

Entering the sacred garden of your heart to embrace the Divine lover from whom you’ve never been apart.

An open space where innate freedom awakes as the spell of the kleshas gradually abates.

A life of natural simplicity as endless needs recede through the awakening of intrinsic wholeness of being.

A way of welcoming challenges that arise as spiritual practice for the purification of the mind

Being in nature with no separation left between the pulse of the earth and the flow of your breath.

Sensing suffering completely cease as the core beliefs that sustain it are finally released.

Appreciation of life’s myriad shapes and sounds while never loosing sight of their one sacred background.

A tranquil lake of absolute rest where body, mind and senses are renewed and refreshed.

A river of bliss that carries you home to dissolve into the infinite ocean of your soul.

Awakening wonder in each moment of life as an offering to the one sacred source of delight.

Breathing in synchrony with the one divine breath in absolute oneness beyond time, space and death.

AYURVEDIC FOOD – LATE WINTER & EARLY SPRING SEASON

SHISHIR RITU (LATE WINTER)

The cold is still more severe in Shishir than in Hemant (early winter) and accumulation

of Kapha starts during this period.

Though it is the starting season of Adankal, still the body-strength is good and other

doshas are in balanced condition (samyavastha). The agni is still optimum, but one

should take cognizance of severe cold in the atmosphere.

Most dietary advices remain the same as that for Hemant Ritu, the only change in the

selection should be about the potency of food items. Instead of cold potency, the food

products of hot potency (heat generating) should be selected, to counteract the

excessive cold. These include stuffed brinjals (bharta), rice with moong dal and

chapatti’s stuffed with jaggery and sesame seeds. The bhakris made of bajra with large

amounts of butter or ghee are ideal at this time. Jaggery and sesame (Tila) are

unctuous (snigdha) and hot (ushna) in attributes. The non-vegetarians should enjoy and

relish with mutton, eggs and meat. In general, diet should be heavy (guru), unctuous

and hot in attributes.

Hot water bath is preferred and drinking water should also be hot. One should protect

with warm clothing, room-heaters and should practice heavy exercises.

VASANTA RITU (SPRING)

Uttarayana already sets in with Shishir, and in Vasanta, the day becomes longer than

night. Obviously, gradually the strong sun-shine begins to liquefy the accumulated

kapha which then starts its work of vitiating the digestive power of its host. The

atmosphere becomes full of fragrance, with the blossoming of various flowers.

Heavy foods like eggs, chicken, sweetmeats and milk, bananas & dry fruits now should

be avoided. To avoid kapha, instead of rice, wheat should be consumed more. The

grains aggravate kapha and cause blockades in the channels (srotasas),

hence bitter, pungent and astringent tastes should be added, to curb the effect of

kapha. Incorporation of ginger, black pepper, cinnamon, garlic, asafoetida, chilly and

mustard in daily diet will be beneficial to stoke agni and alleviate kapha. Oils should be

preferred over ghee. Buttermilk and milk will be better than curds. Intake of honey is

advisable. Therapeutic fasting is recommended in this season. Boiled and then cooled

water should be used for drinking. Optimum amount of mild wines (Drakshasava) are

beneficial. In general, moderate amount of diet, avoiding sleep during the day and

practicing moderate exercise is recommended.

Asthma, influenza, sinusitis, cough and cold like kapha disorders are commonly sought

during this season. At the onset of Vasant ritu, prophylactic emesis (vaman), one of the

procedures of panchakarma is advocated to get rid of kapha, Nasal administration

Nasya of Vacha taila is recommended to keep the sinuses clean.

Shiatsu Workshops off to Shining Start

Yesterday we had out first ever Shiatsu training here and the day was beautiful!  The sun poured in from the East as we took turns melting into relaxation on the wooden floor padded with a few blankets. This was my first experience of Shiatsu and I found it to be very similar to the Marma Therapy that I include with my Abhyangam Massages. The biggest difference being that this Shiatsu style of massage is done on the floor and the receiver is fully clothed, whereas the way I have learned Marma Therapy it is given as part of an oil massage and the client is on the massage table.

There are so may different methods and schools of manipulative therapy that are effective treatments of applied stimulation to the human body. In Japan, Shiatsu is considered a medical treatment. Like any such therapy it’s effectiveness depends on the skill of the practitioner along with the method.. We are fortunate here to have a masterful practitioner to train us and I should add that these trainings are not at this point to train professionals but are a sharing of some of the basics so that anyone can help to keep their friends and family healthy.

Our teacher Thommas Michaud, believes that incorporating regular Shiatsu treatments along with a balanced diet will keep us healthy.  It is food that nourishes life and is fundamental to good health, add Shaitsu and we help to balance the nervous system and keep the energy in the body functioning optimally.  According to the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare “Shiatsu therapy is a form of manipulation administered by the thumbs, fingers, and palms, without the use of any instrument, mechanical or otherwise, to apply pressure to the human skin, correct malfunctioning, promote and maintain health, and treat specific diseases.”

While it would take many years to become an Accupunturist or Shiatsu Therapist and work with the energy points and meridians (or pathways of energy in the body), the fundamentals of Shiatsu can be learned in a few days and used in a safe and effective manner. The next Level One day long class will be offered here on Saturday April 16 and I highly recommend the experience!

Sandra Sagarmurti Shotton

Fear of Death

Subject: Daily Yoga Scripture Study

Patanjali Yoga Sutras 2.9 – Life’s Teacher

Interpretive Translation by Joseph Le Page

Fear of death, because it is part of the natural instinct to survive, is deeply rooted even in the wise

Commentary by Joseph Le Page – Life’s Teacher

Let death show you it’s never the end; only a bend in a river, already flowing before time began, a never ending story, told again and again, until life’s lessons we fully understand.

Let death teach you to be grateful; offer thanks and praise, from watercolor dawn’s wake til sleep’s soft embrace, remembering the gift of grace that lights each new Day.

Let death show you how to live like the bee; sipping the nectar of life while barely touching the flowers on which you feed, and sowing fragrant blossoms while sharing the honey of life so sweet.

Let death teach you to see the mystery; to look out on the stary sky, and see your own face reflected in those infinite shining eyes, and learn from a falling star the secrets of life, death and time.

Let death offer lessons in simpicity; learn to live lightly and enjoy the ride, for the heavy cargo you carry will only burden your stride, and at journeys end will all be set aside.

Let death teach you to forgive, for in that healing, knots are unbound and room is found in which to fully live, and in that freedom, to receive and share life’s gift.

Let death show you how to use your time; each moment we follow the call of freedom, we are fully alive, and each time we mistake limitation as our fate, in that blindness, a small part of us dies.

Let death teach you not to grieve; life is an arrow shot from the dark that enters the light for a brief moment of being, then returns to the mystery to continue its journey to freedom.

Let death teach you to accept; life is not a game of failure or success, only learning listen to the inner wisdom that knows everything is perfect just as it is.

Let death guide you to your source; all creatures are golden vessels forged by the life force, they come and go, but not the gold, the Divine source from which all unfolds, the essence of your soul.

Let death teach you how to best use your life; yes, we are programmed with the instinct to survive, but it’s not just to outrun death’s stride, but to use our precious time to awaken to the true Self inside.

And let death teach you how to die; to close your eyes and go inside, to unite with the very heart of life, the Self that was never born and never dies, and there abide in the one life of the Divine.

Integrative Yoga Therapy is a Pioneer in the Field of Yoga Therapy,

contact Joseph at www.iytyogatherapy.com

Your Invitation

On a beach on Cortes Island ,sometime early September an idea was born to create a place of pampering and healing.  A special place where my friend Anita and I could combine our skills and knowledge in an offering that would be nurturing and supportive for everyone invovled.  Inspired by the warm beach, the radiant sunlight and the clear cold water at our feet , this idea sprang to life and flowed like water between us.  The idea still carries the magic of that place and moment in time.  The energy was so clear and true we both knew we were onto something important.  It was more than an intention devised logically, it clearly was an inspired 4 days that led us all over the island, picking up rocks and shells, designing the interior of our little wellness spa in all its details.

So, we are calling this Ayurvedic Massage Treatment room the ‘Cortes Room’ and it will officially open on February 12th. Like most renovations there have been months of hard work, many dolloars spent, and a few surprises that we simply could not have anticipated, but still,  from idea to opening we are at almost exactly 6 months. I  anticipate the next few weeks before that date will be filled with finishing details and the excitement of beginning the next stage of our Cortes beach dream.

The next stage of this dream involves you. This is the first invitation to the public to come and see our little oasis of healing that looks out over the ocean, just below the yoga studio.  The OPEN HOUSE is from 1-4 on Saturday Feb 12th and we will have the doors to the ‘Cortes Room’ open as well as ongoing demonstrations in the studio, including Tai Chi & Chi Kung. as well as Shiatsu   Anita will be leading a heart centred meditation using a fragrant blend of natural essences.

Please join us for the opening of the Cortes Room, meet the new staff  and celebrate Island Yoga Vista’s 14 years in business this February.  Island Yoga Vista was the first Yoga Studio in Nanaimo and has continued to grow and expand in a very gentle and solid way. This is a ’boutique’ style holistic center that offers Yoga, Ayurvedic Treatments, Art and Music . We think of it as an urban ashram for yoga and the arts, a community within a community.  Personal attention and loving service is at the heart of the studio and treatment room, as your wellbeing is the center of our work.  Please join us, bring your friends and family and allow us to share our creation with you and invite you to pamper and heal yourself.

Namaste   Sandra Sagarmurti Shotton

Daily Yoga Scripture Study

Patanjali Yoga Sutras 2.7 – 2.8 Likes and Dislikes

Interpretive Translation by Joseph Le Page

Attachment and aversion are conditioned patterns of belief and behavior created and sustained by identification with memories of past pleasure and pain.

Commentary by Joseph Le Page – Likes and Dislikes

Likes and dislikes arise the first time we laugh or cry, in the mirror of mother’s eyes, as if pleasure and pain lie in the world outside, until we find they are born and die within the confines of the mind.

Though a limited way of seeing, they are the ego’s main reason for being: “getting what I want is what I believe in”, proving just how easily that which binds us can be mistaken for freedom.

And they promise to give our lives meaning and direction, but when we look clsely at the path we’re following, it leads only to the ego’s own reflection.

Likes and dislikes even hide in the guise of the great national “I” for which we fight and die, and shed real blood for what, in the end, are passing thoughts in a confused collective mind.

And they do give flavor to life, but only as the added spice, never as a substitute for the taste of truth; nourishment we find only when we recognize the essential Self inside.

Yes, Likes and dislikes have their place in evolution’s plan for success, but there’s a fine line between striving for what’s best and chasing the mirage of “got to have it all” that only fuels stress.

And this roller coaster never stops, happiness on the way up, fear on the ride down, until we tire of the carnaval show and see that all the rides just go round and round.

For likes and dislikes are the story line of our lives, endless drama of love and strife; searching for what’s wrong or right, while our real life resides in the silence between the lines.

And they are sustained by identification with memories of pleasure and pain, and only remain until we renounce past loss and gain to claim the treasure of this very day.

But as we strive to release this pair, they seem like walls of solid stone, built from every victory and defeat we’ve ever known, until their illusionist trick is unmasked by the clear seeing soul.

And in the end, their promises to keep us safe and give us what we need are just dim echoes of the voice of wholeness, calling out from within our being, and wholeness wants nothing, not even to be free.

Integrative Yoga Therapy is a Pioneer in the Field of Yoga Therapy,

contact Joseph at www.iytyogatherapy.com

. . .  well let me say a few things and we will talk more about this later . . . .

Basically iit is a natural system of health care based on Vedic Science.

Alll  Ayurvedic knowledge is based on the philosophy of Samkya . The sanscrit word

samkya means sat: truth and khya: to know. To know the truth about creation. Ayurveda

is also a sanscrit word and its meaning is Ayu: life or daily living and Veda:knowing,

meaning ,the knowing about daily living or more commonly called the Science of Life.

Today this information is more relevant and accessible than ever as our western

science proves what the rishis or seers of yoga saw clearly thousands of years ago

through intensive meditation practices. This understanding of creation applies to our

daily living and as such is not just a system of knowledge like an intellectual pursuit but

rather a very practical presentation and understanding of manʼs relationship to nature

and the cosmos. A veritable ʻhow toʼ manual on living in harmony with the natural world

and with each other.

These rishis realized how cosmic energy was the source of all

manifestation. This healing system has been practiced in India for over 5000 years. It

teaches us that we are a universe within a universe, that man is a microcosm of the

universe around him, indivisible from the whole.    Ayurveda has described in detail the

capacity for each indivdual to heal themselves.

Five Elements?

The concept of five elements is at the heart of the Ayurvedic understanding. The rishis

or seers perceived that the cosmic energy manifested in everything through these five

elements; space, air, fire, water and earth.    The story goes something like this, first was

this unmanifested state of consciousness that produced the sound Om, the vibrations

from this sound created the most ethereal element,  space,  and as it began to move it

became air,  which is either in action.   This movement created friction which generated

heat and it was from this heat that intense light was formed which became fire.   From

here certain elements dissolved and liquified becoming water,  then solidified to become

earth.  That’s the short version of the story.  So in this order Ether manifested into the

other four elements.  It is these five elements that exist in all of matter and are the basis

for the theories in Ayurveda.

So how is this relevant to me?

This vast yet simple resource of self care guidelines and remedies can help anyone stay

healthy and feel good by understanding the needs of his or her own body and mind.

Ayurvedic treatments include skin care, diet recommendations, herbal remedies,

massage and yoga, meditation and lifestyle guidlines (routines) that are customized to

suit each persons unique needs.

Typically Ayurveda is part of everyday life in many Indian households and they may not

even know it, for example, many people drink water that is stored in copper vessels

because Ayurveda recognizes that copper detoxifies the body, assists digestion and

boosts the immune system.  Also in the kitchen, herbal remedies form a natural part of

the Indian diet using common items like tumeric and ginger both to cook with, for beauty

treatments and to heal minor ailments.  It is very simple to incorporate these healing

herbs and routines into ones daily life.

How does it work ?

Ayurveda teaches us that our health is the result of a powerful energy within us, often

called prana , chi or in Ayurveda, called ʼ Ojasʼ. The more Ojas we have, the better we

look and feel.   Ojas means “that which invigorates” and it is this force that makes us feel

happy and alive.   Signs of Ojas are shining eyes, a glowing complexion, a clear mind

and feelings of bliss and happiness.

Ojas is present in every aspect of life, connecting people to each other and to all living

things. When this force is low we feel tired and worn out becoming susceptible to

illness both emotionally and physically.

Maximizing Ojas is the main goal of Ayurveda and living in balance is the key to

achieving that goal. To attain balance, Ayurveda teaches us that we are each unique

in the foods and activities we like, how we react to stress and in every other way.

Therefore, for each of us balance will be different.    Determining your preferences and

general makeup is the start and then learning what to do or not to do to achieve balance

based on that knowledge is the next step.

Where did this information originate from?

This holistic medical system was a vision of the Vedic Rishis, the oldest physicians,

theologians and physicists of all time.  These Rishis understood the spiritual anatomy of

the universe and how it related to the human anatomy.   This knowledge is called the

Vedas and dates back over 5000 years making it the oldest known holistic healthcare

system and medical model. Its principles are rooted in our living in harmony with nature

to fully integrate mind, body and spirit.  By staying aware of the rhythms of the natural

world and living in harmony with the cyclical, daily, seasonal, lunar and solar changes

we connect to the potential for self-healing and blissful peace. When we fully realize

that we are one with this whole then we reach our optimal potential of health.

Where do I start?

Using food, massage, herbs, sound vibrations, yoga practices and breath awareness,

we connect with the healing power within us and become empowered through positive

changes in our lives.

In our modern times this process is often guided by an Ayurvedic Practitioner or if we

are fortunate to know one an Ayurvedic Medical Doctor called a Vaidya. These people

are trained to assess your constitution and provide seasonally appropriate dietary and

wellness guidelines which are uniquely suited to your constitution and lifestyle. Herbal

formulas are often prescribed as well as massage and other purifications practices.

Island Yoga Vista is fortunate to have a Vaidya visiting from India who is available

for you to begin this journey. Dr. Rajesh Kotecha has a thriving clinic in Jaipur and also

finds time to travel internationally speaking and offering individual consultations.

Sandra Shotton has studied with Dr. Kotecha both in India and in Canada and is

Certified to support your journey to wellness.

Anita Kalnay is a master masseuse and blender of the perfect herbal mixes for your

constitution.

Together we are a team inspired to support you in your wellness and healing.

Call today for an appointment  250- 754-0939