Raja Yoga Summer Camp: Japanese Taiko Drumming

Booming Tree: Japanese Taiko Drumming

Namaste Raja Yogis and Yoginis!

Tomorrow is Canada's Birth-Day, so I assume you all have loads of activities and celebrations already in the works.

Let's get together next week for a special event at the University of Alberta's Japanese Garden.

July 9 - Taiko Drumming Date Night

6 pm till dusk.

Take a mini taiko drumming workshop led by Booming Tree Taiko.

Sign up for the workshop in advance, or just come to watch. 

Purchase your admission ticket online here or call 780-987-3054 ext. 2227

Feel free to come early and wander the gardens, have a treat at the Patio Cafe, enjoy the butterfly house or some quiet outdoor meditation.

How to get there.

Coincidentally, Booming Tree is also performing at Strathcona County's Canada Day Festivities near the new REMAX Spray Park.  Looks like they will be there at noon and from 6:30 - 10 pm.

Hope to see you at one of these events (or maybe both!).

Happy Canada Day!

Om Bolo Canada Ki - Jai!!! 

The Benefits of Group Meditation

Windsor Castle

"Group meditation is a castle that protects the new spiritual aspirants as well as the veteran meditators.  

Meditating together increases the degree of Self-Realization of each member of the group by the law of invisible vibratory exchange of group magnetism."  

- Paramahansa Yogananda

Click here for more quotes from Yogananda on the Benefits of Group Meditation.

Yoga and Meditation at Yoga Within

Saleem stopping to smell the roses and mint.

Looking for ways to refresh your body and mind this summer?

Please join me for Yoga and Meditation Sunday, June 28 from 10-11:30 am.

Also Sunday July 19, and August 16, 2015.

$20 per class or all three for $50

Register at: Yoga Within

All The World's a Stage...

Coriolanus, by Soma Orlai Petrich,1869

Free for some outdoor live theatre this evening?

Join Raja Yoga Summer Camp tonight at 8 pm in Hawrelak Park for a "Pay-What-You-Will" preview of the Freewill Shakespeare Festival's presentation of Coriolanus!

So... what does a Shakespearean tragedy have to do with yoga?

Umm... haha... good question...

Maybe not much at first glance, but with themes of power and pride, class and character, virtue and action, pride and privilege, past vs. progress and friends vs. enemies, this play brings to my mind the Bhagavad Gita, and practically begs discussion on the Yamas and Niyamas!

Besides, it's going to be a beautiful, warm summer night, perfect for Shakespeare in the park.  Hope to see you there!

P.S. The famous (and very yogic!) quote in this post's title is not from Coriolanus.  But it is from As You Like It, this year's Freewill Shakespeare Festival comedy!

Dosas for Dinner Tonight?

Image Source

Did you know that dosas are considered one of the 50 tastiest foods in the world?

Join Raja Yoga Summer Camp tonight around 6:30 pm at Savoy's South Indian Kitchen.

Feel like doing some cultural exploration?  Come early for a little window shopping!

Happy 60th Birthday Swami Swaroopananda!

Swami Swaroopananda

Right now in the Bahamas, some extraordinary people are gathered to celebrate Swami Swaroopananda's 60th birthday.

Thank you Swamiji for all your wise teachings and kind mentor-ship.  I wish you all the very best on this auspicious occasion and for many, many, many years to come!

Happy Birthday!

Looks like you're in good company, Swamiji.

Best wishes to my dear friends Katharine and Brian who are also celebrating their 60th Birthdays this year!

And check out this list of celebrities turning 60 in 2015.  Some of my favorites:  Billy Idol, Eddie Van Halen, Bruce Willis, Bill Nye, and Yo-Yo Ma!

Thank you all for your stellar contributions to your fields and the world.

Om Trayambakam x 108!

Raja Yoga Summer Camp: 124 Grand Market

124 Street Grand Market

Yogis, Yoginis and Friends, you're invited:

Thursday June 4, 2015

4-8 pm (I'll be there around 5:30)

108 Avenue and 124th Street

Organic produce, fabulous food trucks, artisans, musicians and more!