Hatha and Bhakti Yoga in Brighton, England

I'm originally from the UK, and now after living in beautiful BC for some time, I'm back in England. Brighton is on the South Coast, and is well known for it's penchant for 'alternative' lifestyle choices - lots of yoga, holistic therapies, vegan and vegetarian options, and it has that lovely relaxed seaside feeling. Unfortunately, as I write this, it is pouring rain and about 14 degrees outside. Otherwise I'd be at the beach. Sigh! Oh well, that's jolly old England for you.

Nevertheless, I am having a wonderful time being back here. As part of Bhakti Collective Brighton - our Brighton based group of Bhakti Yoga practitioners - I am teaching a weekly hatha yoga class at Unity Yoga - a beautiful studio and bodywork school run by Sevanti. After the yoga class we blend into my very favourite practice of all - kirtan or devotional singing. If you have never experienced a rocking kirtan, you've got to get yourself to one. It is the most blissful experience ever! In Grand Forks we have a wonderful monthly satsanga
where we used to wind down our session with kirtan. Everyone
chose an instrument and away we went.

Traditionally kirtan is performed in a call and response format, with one person - the kirtaniya - leading and the group following. Dancing and clapping encouraged! It's all about celebrating the divine in joyous song - if you've ever heard gospel you know what I mean. In the Gaudiya Vaisnava lineage of which I am a part, we sing songs for our spiritual masters (Gurus) as well as Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Radha and Krishna and all their associates and pastime places such as Navadvipa and Vrindavana Dhamas. Many of the songs are in Sanskrit and also Bengali, and some in Hindi. I had never sung Bengali songs before visiting West Bengal this winter and staying in the temple there - and they are wonderful. Listen to Srila Prabhupada devotee Acuytananda Swami singing Gay Gora Madhura Sware here

So every week we invite the community to experience devotional arts - hatha yoga brings us to a sattvic (harmonious) platform from which we can engage in the practices of devotion or bhakti yoga of which kirtan is considered the finest limb. We also share vedic wisdom from our spiritual masters and of course enjoy a delicious vegetarian feast that has been offered to the divinity - known as prasadam. So if you are in Brighton this Summer come and join us!



check out these links for more info:
Bhakti Collective Brighton
Unity Yoga Studio
Bhakti Yoga Philosophy and Practice - Gaudiya Vaisnavaism

Bhakti Yoga Journey Pt 1

Namaste! It's been some months since I've posted here - If you're from Grand Forks you probably know that I left last fall to Central America - Nosara, Costa Rica - to help my friend and fellow Yoga teacher Sasha Dae host a 216 hour yoga teacher training. We had a small group training during the month of October (which is full on rainy season there). What better way to spend a rainy month in the tropics than practicing yoga, reading philosophy, making healthy food and enjoying the beautiful scenery? After the training was completed, it was time to rest for a while...November is still quiet in Nosara, the locals take advantage of the rainy season to rest up before tourists start arriving en masse in December for yoga and surf retreats. Wow - once December came it was full on! Sasha and I both offered bodywork treatments to surfers and tourists with great success, taught some private yoga classes, and even had a go at surfing! Ok, i said had a go! I thought that I would do some traveling in Central and South America - but the Divine had other plans for me. In early January we hosted some devotees - also known as Hare Krisnas - or Bhakti Yogis. Now to be honest, I had only ever seen Hare Krsnas on the street, singing away, and had never stopped to find out what they were all about. I had heard of Bhakti Yoga, but didn't really understand what it was. But here I was, in Costa Rica, and they came to me! We spent 10 days doing kirtan in Nosara, and I had the opportunity to learn a bit more about this ancient devotional practice of yoga. 

Previously, in all my yoga training, the focus was on hatha/raja yoga - working with the body and breath, linking up heart and mind, understanding the connections between physical, emotional and mental stress and discovering tools to facilitate well-being. This all linked in with my healing arts training in reflexology, herbal medicine, nutrition, energy healing etc. I felt that I had a really good toolbox to help myself and others live a more peaceful, creative and positive life. 

However, I had always had wondered about having a Guru - a realised teacher - who could guide me in the higher teachings of my culutre and spiritual practice. I had never been able to decipher the Vedas- the ancient scriptures that describe the philosophy of yoga - I tried to read them but just couldn't relate. 

Then I started talking with the devotees that were our guests in Nosara. Wow! They knew so many verses from the Vedas, and could explain them! And the songs - wow, they were amazing. I was inspired to know more...so what's this bhakti yoga all about then, I asked...According to scripture, bhakti is the highest form of trancendental knowledge - beyond Jnana (impersonal knowledge of the divine) beyond the yoga of meditation, beyond karma yoga, or fruitiva activities - is bhakti - the yoga of devotional service to the divine. Bhaktas relish a personal relationship with the divine in the form of Krsna - who is the Supreme Personality of God as described in sastra. It is through devotional service that we become truly happy, and realise our eternal nature. Wow. For years I had been trying to 'meditate' - you know, watch the mind, calm the mind etc etc, to no avail - and not even asking - what is my goal here? What exactly am I trying to realise? Becoming one with the light? and then what happens? I just disappear? That concept didn't really work for me...I knew there had to be something else, something more...In the Sri Isopanishad it is described that the true face of the Supreme is hidden behind his dazzling effulgence (or light):

hiranmayena patrena satyasyapihitam mukham

tat tvam pusann aparvrnu satya dharmaya drstaye

O my Lord, sustainer of all that lives, Your real face is covered by Your dazzling effulgence. Kindly remove that covering and exhibit Yourself to Your pure devotee.

So this impersonal conception of the Divine - this 'light' is covering something even more wonderful - the mystery unfolds! The more I heard, the more I wanted to hear - I felt that this was what I had been waiting for in my spiritual life...and as always, the Supreme mercifully gifts us with our deepest desires.

So, what was the next step? I was ready for adventure, ready to learn and felt open to whatever opportunities arose...well where else would I go to meet real Sadhus (pure devotees) and learn about Bhakti Yoga...INDIA...

to be continued :-)

Yoga Classes Update and Teacher Training in Costa Rica

Greetings all As Fall approaches you may be thinking about getting your yoga practice back on track - or perhaps you'd like to try a class for the first time...

Many of you have practiced with me since I moved to Grand Forks, and I'd like to let you know how grateful I am for the opportunity to share yoga with each of you. This Fall/Winter season I won't be offering classes, as I am off on a bit of an adventure.

I will be assisting my good friend and yoga mentor Sasha Dae with a 216hr Yoga Teacher Training in Nosara, Costa Rica, this October.Can you think of a more lovely place to immerse yourself in Yoga and deepen your practice?

Check out the page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136610203090700 and please pass on to anyone you think may be interested. I will be able to offer a special rate to anyone who registers before September 20th.

If Costa Rica is just too unattainable for you this fall, but you'd still like to take some classes here in GF, then we have lots of options. Long time Yoga instructors Maggie Malloff and Leah Carnahan both teach regular classes at 4th St Studio (the karate dojo) in Grand Forks. Leah also teaches at Christina Lake Living Arts Centre. Check out her website for details: http://leahsyoga.weebly.com/.

Also, we have a new yoga teacher in Grand Forks - although many of you will know she's not new to the community - Alisun Webster is a long time practitioner of yoga who completed her 200hr Teacher Training at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga this summer. She is taking over Sherry Hilliard's regular Sunday and Wednesday evening classes at the Anglican Church starting September 18th. You can email her at alisunwebster@gmail.com or check out her facebook page YOGA in Grand Forks

My best wishes to each of you for a fabulous fall and winter -and maybe I will see some of you on the beach....
love
Anisah

Yoga & Journal Writing Workshops August 14th & 20th

Join Angela Wiens, certified Yoga Instructor, for a morning of yoga, reflection, and guided journal writing.
Angela will be offering 2 Yoga and Journal Writing workshops this August - one at the beautiful Living Arts Centre in Christina Lake, B.C. on Sunday, August 14th from 9am - 12pm, and the second will be held at the Boundary Women's Resource Centre on Market Avenue in Grand Forks, on Saturday, August 20th, from 9am - 12pm.

Workshop Description:
Combine yoga and journal writing to move deeper into your Self, reflect on your true essence, and explore your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies. Attend one or both three-hour workshops to strengthen your intuition while cultivating the power of your own voice. You’ll be invited to experience yoga movements and guided journal writing. Develop the skills to listen to and write from your heart while nurturing your body and spirit.

No yoga or writing experience is required. Please bring a yoga mat (if possible) and a journal (or notebook).

One workshop »» $40 per person | Register with a friend and each pay only $30
Both workshops »» $70 per person | Register with a friend and each pay only $50

Register by phone 250-442-2114 or email sevacentre@gmail.com

About Angela Wiens:
Angela Wiens is a certified hatha yoga teacher (registered with Yoga Alliance) as well as a
technical communication consultant. She is interested in developing a healthy body, a clear
mind, and a joyful spirit. Since 1998, yoga has become her constant and compassionate teacher,
providing a way to live in the present moment with awareness and gratitude. Her path to self-
discovery continues with the guidance of her own intuition and study, and her supporting family
and friends. She is grateful to have studied with Maya Margo Balog, Ken Strachan, Jennifer
Steed, Michael Stone, David Williams, Eddie Modestini, Nicki Doane, Rosemary Antze, Karuna
Erickson, and Swami Veda Bharati.

Visit www.yogainnerspirit.com to learn more about Angela’s yoga and philosophy.
Questions? Contact Angela at angela@yogainnerspirit.com or 780-722-4251

Join Elisabeth Guentert Bay in this outdoor workshop on the Beautiful Granby River

Nature-A Mirror of Your Inner Self

A 7 day workshop, August 20-27 2011

In the Beautiful Landscape of the Granby River

Come and encounter the secrets of the elemental forces of nature. In this week we are leaving our demanding lifestyle temporarily behind to experience both our inner landscape and nature around us. This enables us to discover who we truly are and we gently let go of old patterns that no longer serve us.

A camp in the forest is our home for 7 days. We explore our surroundings and enter into a deep partnership with nature. Nature becomes our sole teacher, who invites us to discover the inherent qualities of earth, rock, water, trees and air as archetypes within us.

Using the unique Halprin Life/Art Process, guided by Elisabeth Guentert Bay we reconnect with our Inner Self. With dance, movement, sound, drawing, creative writings and stillness we reveal what our hearts have experienced and create our personal rituals. A process wonderfully supported by the group.

Elisabeth Guentert Bay is a registered Expressive Arts Therapist BCATR with a MA in Psychology and Healing Arts. She graduated at Tamalpa Institute as a Halprin Life/Art Practitioner and Movement Ritual Teacher.

“It is my intent to combine arts and healing, in other words to awaken each person’s creative energy for her/his own healing.”

For more Information: www.dimutara.com or email e.healingarts@gmail.com

Spring/Summer Yoga Classes 2011

Are you interested in registering for Yoga classes this June & July?

This Summer I'm looking at offering two regular classes, starting the week of June 6th

Wednesday evening class - from 6.30-8pm
and
Tuesday OR Thursday morning class from 7 -8.30am

The theme for this session is lightness

• Creating lightness in our bodies through conscious stress release, and an awareness of how foods and dringk affect our bodies using Ayurvedic principles.


• Bringing a lightness and ease to the mind and body through breath and sound, and the practice of pratipaksha bhavana - whenever there is a negative thought or feeling we practice cultivating the opposite positive thought or feeling.


• Simplify! Yoga reminds us to be and breathe in every moment. When we let go of whatever is bogging us down, we experience incredible joy and openness to the beauty and potential of our lives.

Please email me if you are interested in finding out more or to register for either of these sessions.

Namaste,

Anisah

Nurture by Nettles

Come and join us for the Nurture by Nettles

Workshop

with herbalists Sarah Orlowski and Anisah Madden

Saturday May 14th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

An outdoor experience of culinary delight, medicinal magic,

and sensory surprise

$55.00 for one person or $48.00 for two people registering together

Includes handouts, nettle snacks, most medicinal ingredients, a day to remember and useful skills you won't forget.

Pre-registration required. For more information or to register

email anahata.sky@gmail.com or call (250) 442-2829