Turn up the Volume of Love

Image Source:  NDTV

Its been 50 years since The Beatles made their world famous trip to an ashram in Rishikesh, India.

Here are two short-but-sweet videos from UPLIFT TV highlighting the power of Love and the influence The Beatles had on Yoga in the west.

All You Need is Love

The Beatles and Mantra with Miten

Summer Yoga and Meditation Summary

Big thanks to all of you who attended my classes this summer at Yoga Within!

Here are a few links to past posts I mentioned in case you'd like to delve a little deeper.

In June: We practiced a Tibetan meditation of Taking and Giving known as Tong-Len which includes asanas and breathing to offer the six perfections or Paramitas for the benefit of others. (Ahem.. and ourselves!)

In July: We practiced a "loving-kindness" meditation and worked with the mantra Soham, I Am That.

And last Sunday: We practiced Sun Salutations, or Surya Namaskar.  I chanted the mantras as well as their translations and the affirmation poem my Mom and I composed a few years ago.  You can find it all here: Surya Namaskar - Salutation to the Sun.

I also introduced you to japa, or repetitive chanting of mantras using a mala, or string of 108 beads.  Curious about that sacred number?  Check out Kali's Kitchen's Post Number 108!

Yoga and Meditation, August 16, 2015

Origami Buddha: oneloveorigami

Yoga and Meditation at Yoga Within

Sunday August 16 from 10 am - 11:30 am

Move easily into stillness with postures that relieve stress and tension.

Rejuvenate and calm your mind with simple, powerful breathing.

Experience the synergy and support of meditating in a group.

Explore and fortify your own personal practice.

Start the week with keen insight and a fresh perspective.

All are welcome!

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

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



Care2 Reaches 25 Million Members

Image Source: oneloveorigami.blogspot.ca

Today I became a member of Care2.com and helped them reach 25 million members!

Care2 is "the largest online community for healthy and green living, human rights and animal welfare."

Its free to join, and as a member you earn Butterfly Rewards for commenting on articles, starting and signing petitions, sending free e-cards and more. 

Butterfly Rewards can be redeemed to make a difference in the world by protecting the rainforest, providing food, water, and education for children, protecting wild, shelter and farm animals, and even helping farmers grow food crops and organic cotton!

Here are just a few links to recent articles you yogis and yoginis may find interesting:

The New and Improved Vegetarian and Vegan Food Pyramid

Gender Discrimination and Child Mortality in India

Ayurveda: Oil Pulling Heals Gums and Whitens Teeth Naturally

4 Ways Mindfulness Transforms Your Life

Thanks to Care2 for offering one more way to "Be the change you wish to see in the world." 

Raja Yoga Summer Camp 2013 Begins!

The sun is shining, flowers are blooming and we are going out on the town!

Watch for upcoming outings, fieldtrips and gatherings that bring the philosophy of yoga to life!

Wednesdays from 7pm- 8:30/9pm plus special evening and weekend events.

Various locations in Edmonton and Area.  Cost/Donation varies according to the event.

Do you want to receive Evite invitations to Raja Yoga Summer Camp, 2013 events?  Do you know someone who does? 

Let me know!  Email: tarawoltjen@yahoo.ca

First event:
House Concert! Satsang and Kirtan with Sparrow, 7-9pm, Wednesday May 22, 2013.

Oprah Likes Kirtan Too!

Oprah Winfrey in Edmonton, Image Source: Edmonton Journal

So, Edmonton is buzzing from Oprah's appearance here last night!  Whether you were in attendance or not, her presence was palpable and somehow, we all felt part of it. 

In Oprah's own words,

“Why are you here?... You’re here because you’ve been called. Even with our sadness and victories and trials. Everything matters. It does not matter how you got here. It doesn’t matter if you were ignored, welcomed. If you are here sitting in a seat in Edmonton, if you are breathing, you’ve been called..."

It's no secret that Oprah is a fan of modern mystics like Deepak Chopra, Ram Dass and Eckhart Tolle, and that she has an appreciation for yoga, meditation and a variety of spiritual practices and music. 

But did you know she's also a Kirtan fan?  Seriously! 

Oprah's friends even arranged for Snatam Kaur to play at her 58th Birthday Celebration! 

Check out the album below and I'm convinced you'll understand why.  Click here to listen to Snatam Kaur on YouTube.

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

Intermediate Hatha Yoga Starts This Week


Please join me at Yoga for Today for the Spring/Summer Session starting May 7th, 2012:

NEW! Intermediate Hatha Yoga on Wednesday Evenings from 7 - 8:30 pm 

Intermediate Hatha Yoga on Sunday Mornings from 9 - 10:30 am

Put some SPRING IN YOUR STEP with asana, pranayama, mudras and more!

New Session of Yoga and Meditation Starts Today!

It's time to start a new Yoga and Meditation Session at Yoga Within! 

Please join me for a moving meditation journey through the Chakras featuring a special asana series from Geshe Michael Roach known as The Yoga of Lady Niguma and a sampling of seated meditations including:

• Gentle Gazing Meditation, Tratak
• Meditation and the Voice, Chanting the Bija Mantras
• Meditation on the Breath
• Meditation and Visualization
• Mudras for Meditation
• and more!

See you there!  Namaste!