Yoga and Origami Workshop

"Under the Rain" by Oriland

A great big thanks to all of you who joined Satwinder and me at Yoga Within on the weekend for Yoga and Origami.

It was peaceful and uplifting spending time with you folding and unfolding the energy and crafting pretty things from paper.

Many of you showed an interest in learning more paper folding so here are a few of my favorite sites for you to browse:

Origami Club is my favorite site for beginners and children.  They have great diagrams and even an animated diagram feature that makes it easier to understand transitions.

You can find the instructions for the cup we folded here and a slightly simpler variation of the lotus with optional leaves here.

Origami Spirit is a beautiful blog for artistic inspiration and soothing instructional videos.  Author Leyla Torres and her sweet kitty Corazon just added this beautiful post about Origami for stress relief and building community.  So Yogic!

Oriland is an absolutely charming Canadian site.  Authors Katrin and Yuri Shumakov have done considerable research on the brain benefits of Origami and their paper flower arrangements like the one pictured above are each more beautiful than the last!

Last but not least, I'm very fond of Paper Kawaii. Chrissy's video tutorials are clear and uncluttered.  Her photography and choices of paper are so creative and inspiring!

There are so many other amazing Origami artists and sites out there, but I'll save them for another workshop and post.

Do you have a favorite Origami site?  Leave your suggestions in the comments below.

Happy folding!

Saturday, December 8: Yoga and Origami

Origami Lotus Candle Holder

I'm excited to be co-teaching at Yoga Within with Kundalini Yogini, Satwinder Sran of Yoga of Self Mastery just in time for Christmas!  It's the first time we've presented Yoga and Origami together and I'm confident that you will enjoy the experience.

We will be folding an easy Cup/treat pocket, the Lotus Candle Holder above and a pretty Jewel Box/ornament.  Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus!  Om Mani Padme Hum!

Please contact Yoga Within to register.

Yoga & Origami with Satwinder Sran & Tara Woltjen

Saturday, December 8 2:00pm - 3:30pm

$20/Adult $10/Child *Children must be accompanied by an adult

Yoga and Origami are peaceful, meditative arts of alignment and transformation.  Both enhance functional fitness at any age and encourage creativity and joy in the process.  In the folding of our bodies or a simple piece of paper, limitless possibilities unfold.

• Relax with soothing live music and sound
• Practice Kundalini Yoga for "Folding and Unfolding the Energy"
• Learn mudras that bring the heart into the hands
• Create your own origami treasures for holiday decorating and gift giving

 You do not need previous experience in Yoga or Origami to attend this family-friendly workshop.  All are welcome.  Supplies are included.  Additional paper and giftable items available for purchase.

Love Love Love

My heart-felt Valentine for YOU!

Happy Valentine's Day, Yogis and Yoginis!

Wishing everyone a day overflowing with love of all descriptions, for the world, for those you care about, and for you, my dear friends and teachers!

Thank you!  I love you!

May the long time sun shine upon you!

All LOVE surround you!

And the pure light within you,
guide your way on!

Snatam Kaur at the Sivananda Ashram, Bahamas

Sensitive as an Eyeball

Image Source Unknown

Sometimes when we hear of disasters in the world or are faced with our own crises closer to home, a feeling of being overwhelmed can paralyze our ability to act.  When tears and fears become our primary reactions, yoga can help.

My dear Teacher Swami Swaroopananda has described it this way:

He says, "The yogi is as sensitive as an eyeball."

Meaning, when you take a piece of cotton and rub it on your arm it feels pleasant.  On your cheek it is also pleasant.  Rub that same piece of cotton on your eyeball and it is irritating at best, likely even painful.

Many practicing yogis and yoginis will relate to this description.  You may find yourself so acutely sensitive to suffering that at times it becomes debilitating. 

If you're feeling too small to make a difference today, your yoga practice itself may offer some encouragement.

Here are a few suggestions:

Watch this video by Pema Chodron called Loving Oneself and Others:

Read this 3HO Tantric Numerology Forecast for May 2015

Chant these mantras by Deva Premal and Miten or listen to the Hanuman Chalisa.

Finally, in life and in your asana practice, focus on what you can do rather than what you can't.

As it says in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 40:

"Nothing is wasted on this yoga path.  Even the slightest effort saves one from the greatest turmoil."

Yogi Bhajan Birthday Celebration 2014

Photo of Yogi Bhajan's Feet

Saturday, August 23

2:00 – 6:00pm at Yoga Within

Come and be uplifted through the experience of video recorded teachings of Yogi Bhajan himself on this 9th annual celebration with Satwinder Sran and friends. (Including me!!) 

Join together with community for yoga, mantra, meditation, singing bowls, live kirtan and a delicious vegetarian dinner!

Suggested Donation: $50, all proceeds go directly to Guru Ram Das Center for Medicine and Humanology.

Contact Satwinder: s_sran@yahoo.com or (780)-457-6639



Summer Solstice with Satwinder Sran

I'm honored to be joining Satwinder Sran this Saturday, June 21 from 2-5pm for a Summer Solstice Celebration Fundraiser for the Guru Ram Das Center for Medicine and Humanology!

Satwinder says, "Join us for a powerful practice that can energize your system and give you renewal. Yogic practice on the summer solstice is said to be very potent and can set your energy for the next six months. Recharge yourself with yoga kriyas and meditations that connect you with your source of infinite energy and Healing".

I've been invited to sing, and share a chant for the earth, sky and heart, the Isht Sodhana Mantra! 

Celebrate the first day of summer, the light within and around us with yoga, meditation, chanting, and more!

Isht Sodhana Mantra: Chant for Presence

Dharti Hai (Earth is)...

Thank you Satwinder, for introducing me to the Isht Sodhana Mantra! 

A salutation to the earth, the ether and the energy of the heart, this mantra is referred to as the Mantra for Being Present.

I've been singing it to my own tune, which I will share at the Solstice, but if you're curious, here's one you can tune into today:   Dharti Hai by Gurunam Singh on YouTube

Yogi Bhajan said:  “My dear ones, you want your prayers to be effective. You want your ultimate destiny to manifest. This kriya can do it. I know there are thousands of kriyas that we do, but it just takes one done well and this is the one for isht sodhana to manifest.”

Akshaya Tritiya: Start Something New Today!

Today is Akshaya Tritiya, a holy day for Hindus and Jains.  It is the third lunar day of the bright half of the month of Vaishakha.

This day is believed to bring good luck and success.  It is an auspicious day to begin new ventures, purchase valuables, make offerings and do charitable works.

It is said to be the day that:

- Adi Shankaracharya recited the Kanaka Dhara Stotr.

-  Veda Vyas and Lord Ganesha began writing the Mahabharata.

- The river Ganga, descended to the earth.

- The Goddess Annapoorna was born.

If you would like to know more about Vedic Astrology (Jyotish) visit the website of my teacher, Krishna Darshan.  

And for more about what this month has in store, check out the 3HO Tantric Numerology reading for May 2014 titled:  Timing is Everything

What new adventure will you begin today? 

Seven Wheels: Free Music Download (4/9-4/22)

Hey, check it out!  MC Yogi has a new album called Mantras, Beats, & Meditations!

For a limited time, White Swan Records is offering a free download of the track "Seven Wheels".  Its a cool hip-hop trip up the spine through the seven chakras. 

Seven Wheels, Free Download

Who would enjoy this track? 

- Those of you in a Yoga Teacher Training course who are learning about the chakras, their related colors, elements, bija mantras and qualities. 

- Yogis and Yoginis who practice chakra-based yoga classes like Kundalini Yoga or my Sunday morning Intermediate Hatha Yoga based on the Yoga of Lady Niguma. 

- Anyone who likes hip hop beats with clever, clean, conscious rhymes!

Read this:

 Letter from MC Yogi: "Mantras, Beats & Meditations started as an simple idea: to make a record for yogis that would serve as a backdrop for the practices of yoga and meditation. At first the album was going to be an instrumental record that was more of a soundscape, but as the tracks started to take form it became clear that the teachings wanted to shine through . So, with a notebook full of lyrics I made a few calls and enlisted the help of three incredibly talented beat scientists.

First I called Jomial, whose Shaolin-influenced production style and bass heavy beats always make my head nod and entice me to rhyme.

Then I reached out to the Maestro and my right hand man, Robin Livingston, whose talents surpass any measuring devices. Robin's cosmic and brilliant mixing and production always bring out the best in me, and when he agreed I knew it was going to be magic.

Last but not least, we called up the Sound Ambassador himself, DJ Drez, whose beats have been knocking in my yoga classes for years. Drez often tours with us and always brings the best vibes.

Then, to deepen the sound, we brought in virtuoso Benjy Wertheimer on sarod, Michael Fecskes on cello and added the beautiful voice of Amanda Giacomini.

Together, we formed a divine alliance, mixing and blending different genres and styles but always pointing back to the golden age of hip hop that we all grew up listening to.

Taking a lot of inspiration from the Buddhist tradition, we also set the intention to lay down mantras that would serve as a daily reminder to connect with that inner space which has the power to satisfy the mind.

With great love we hope you enjoy these mantras beats and meditations."

Peace,
MC Yogi

Here's the link again, get it while its hot!  Only available until April 22!  

White Swan Records, Free Track Download, Seven Wheels by MC Yogi

12/21/12

Winter Solstice

Kundalini Yoga, Gong and Meditation with Satwinder Sran

Kirtan with Tara Woltjen

Friday, December 21 6:00 to 9:00 pm

At Yoga Within: 9014 - 75 Street Edmonton

(780) 450-9642(YOGA)

Come celebrate the time when darkness rules!

This is the time of year the ancients considered the ‘Gateway to God.' The gods of the ancient Babylonians, Egyptians and Greeks were all born at this, the darkest time of the year, to bring light.

In this transition, expand beyond your imaginings to illuminate the Divine Light within!

Embrace this moment in the quiet cycle of life—Winter Solstice—to deepen your intentions.

Ask yourself:
What do I want to leave behind in 2012?
What do I want to bring forward for my Self in 2013?
What do I want to bring forward for the world in 2013?

          Cost $25 before Dec 21^st and $35 at door

Two for One - Tonight Only!

Yogi Amandeep - Dance of Shiva

Yogi Amandeep - Recognize Your Destiny

Yogi Amandeep - Healing with the Five Elements

Weekend with Yogi Amandeep

11.11.11.11.11

Hey - Did you know that this is the first time in something like 800 years that

if you add your birth year plus your age it will equal 111?  Cool!