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Samahita Retreat - Newsletter June 2011

Dear friends,

I am told there are a few landmarks in life.Strong ones for me are the birth of my children, (luckily I was present), the meeting of my wife, the meeting of my teacher and graduation from university. I am told turning the big 4-0 is also one. Well, this I just did but luckily am told not looking a day over 30 (which really means 29, thank you!!) What all this brings up is that the quality and intensity of experiences and their on-going subsequent effect in our life is the real impact. The big number we turned is more a ripening, ultimately cultivated by what we are doing or have done with these years so far.One thing we cannot get back is time.This has always been strongly present in my mind and encouraged me to not waste it. This is why practice and time with family are always precious. To make the most of what we get and what we do. This was one of the main reasons why we started Retreat, back when I turned the real 3-0! The aim is to share learning in an environment that can help students internalize so they can make the most of their time for themselves. So it’s amazing for me to see that here I am, still teaching, and that the place has grown with a great mix of teachers and strength in program offering. Not wasting time does not mean being busy but rather using time wisely, which really means using our mental process wisely. This means creating a balance between company and activity, from spending time with others, to being intimate to being alone, from being busy with the mundane, leisure time to true personal time.

I hope our upcoming programs over the summer encourage you to use time wisely. I am teaching a few continuing education programs in advancing asana and in pranayama.Guest teachers Jessica and David bring their specialties of ayurveda and anatomy respectively. They both have very informative articles, linked below, as well as one from me, that I think will be a good use of time to read. Please read on to see more about all upcoming programs.

Private groups? If you are a yoga teacher with your own group or a corporate leader looking for your team to have some healthy and decompressing time then please go to the links below to look into working with us here with your own group.

More on time and my recent Himalaya pilgrimage in the next newsletter. For now it’s all about time keeping for me.

All my best,

Om
Paul

Yoga and Health Articles

There's a thread that runs through all these values and practices (of yoga and life) that could be summed up in one word-integrity.
Asteya - Earn It, Respect It - by Paul Dallaghan

Did you know that whatever you put on your skin ends up inside your body? Statistics show that anywhere between 60 -100% of any substance applied to your skin will actually end up in your bloodstream. Shocked? Read on ...
Chemicals in your Closet - by Claudia Jones, Wellness Director, Samahita Retreat

In this article guest teacher and Anatomy for Yoga DVD author David Keil explores the connection between breath and bandhas. David returns to Samahita Retreat from July 30th to August 13th 2011 to teach his highly respected Yoga Anatomy series.
How Breathing Leads to Bandhas - by David Keil

This summer Jessica will be joining us to present, Evolving with Ayurveda: Radiant Health’, from July 16th-30th. Students will have the opportunity to explore the fields of Ayurveda and nutrition alongside Meditation, Pranayama and Asana with Paul. Here Jessica discusses the links between Western and Ayurvedic Medicine.
Every bite counts: Convergence between Innovators in Western medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine - by Jessica Blanchard

People Share their Experiences

I came to Samahita Retreat to cleanse and strengthen my body, which I feel I have achieved in a greatly shorter time than I ever could have on my own. Combining yoga with detoxing has worked very well for me, as I am improving both my body and mind on a variety of levels. I feel I have achieved a new start for my body, health and lifestyle and I am confident in making healthy choices in the future with ease. Thank you kindly.
- Chantel, Australia (September 2010)

I chose the 7 day detox program whilst studying on the Teacher Training course. I am very pleased I did. It complemented the teachings and the staff went above and beyond to ensure everything slotted into place. The program was educational and cleansing for body and mind. A big thank you for all your kindness & support.
- Zoe, UK (Nov 2010)

Upcoming Programs at Samahita Retreat

August 14 - 27, 2011
Continuing Education Asana Training Course Second Series Asana and Sankhya Philosophy
with Paul Dallaghan and Prof. Nagaraja Rao
This course is an excellent opportunity to further your growth with asana practice and teaching while learning more in the realm of philosophy. Starting with the latter and more complex poses of the primary series we will continue into the poses of the second series. We will explore the grounding apana thread of the primary asanas and the first few of the intermediate. Then the thread of prana begins with the back opening postures and on as we explore these asanas as laid out in the intermediate series of ashtanga vinyasa.
The asanas will be explored from an understanding of how they are to be practiced, the vinyasas of each followed by tips on how to adjust and teach them. The philosophy section will cover the classic text Sankhya Karika, the primary work available detailing the Sankhya philosophy. Sankhya serves as the base for Yoga philosophy so a clearer understanding of it opens up levels of understanding within yoga. Professor Nagaraja Rao is very familiar with the text and one of the top Sanskrit experts from India. With his knowledge, joy and enthusiasm he will guide us all through this work.

This course qualifies for 100 hours continuing-education credit toward Yoga Alliance 500- and Centered Yoga 1100-hour training certification.

August 28 - September 17, 2011
Continuing Education Pranayama Training Course Pranayama and the Energetic Body with Paul Dallaghan
This course is inspired and blessed by Tiwariji, Paul's direct teacher and one of the few living knowledgeable authorities on Pranayama and its place in the field of yoga today. It is a living tradition. Paul has learnt the full practice in a special one-to-one capacity over the past ten-plus years with Tiwariji. This course is designed to help you practice more effectively, understand Pranayama to a deeper degree based on the information given and the depth of practice being done in a purpose-built dedicated environment. Based on this you can improve as a practitioner and teacher. This course does not claim to develop Pranayama teachers but rather to stimulate and increase the base and understanding of practice.

It is open to all past practitioners of Pranayama with us, whether you have been diligent in keeping it up or found it hard and dropped it. Now is the time to immerse back into it.

This is not a beginner's level program.
This course qualifies for 120 hours continuing-education credit toward Yoga Alliance 500- and Centered Yoga 1100-hour training certification.

September 17 - 24, 2011
Clean Living & Yoga Practice - An Education in Lifestyle Choices With Claudia Jones
The Clean Living & Yoga Practice retreat educates you in how to clean up your lifestyle through the foods you eat, the products you use and the lifestyle choices you make. During this week we will explore the impact of our choices not just on ourselves but on those around us, the society we live in and of course on the environment.

We will explore the food choices we make and the body care products we use and their impact on our health while considering healthier alternatives.
To live yoga is to make appropriate choices that do not harm ourselves or others; through the week we will consider the Yamas and Niyamas, the foundations of Yoga practice and how we can apply these principles to our day to day lives to improve not only our own well being but that of the entire planet.
Mornings will incorporate yoga asana, pranayama and meditation practices.
Afternoons will offer educational talks on yoga, healthy diet and lifestyle, discussion, Q&A sessions as well as restorative yoga practices.

This course is open to all levels of students.

September 24 - October 1, 2011
Foundation of Yoga and Ayurveda: Basic Understanding and Application
With Dimple Duangthip Arora and Elonne Stockton
Our senior resident teacher Elonne Stockton teams up with author and holistic health adviser Dimple Arora in a unique yoga and Ayurveda retreat to support your personal development. Elonne will help students develop and/or deepen their self-practice of yoga asana and breathwork - pranayama.

Ayurveda, the Science of Life, is a recorded science of health and medicine, originated in India about 5,000 years ago, with 70% of its literature devoted to prevention and natural cures. It is a science and hence universal. It can be applied by anyone, anywhere in the world.

At the heart of Ayurveda is the premise that each of us is Unique. We have to identify our unique nature ("prakruti"), and then strive to live in harmony with it Ayurveda offers us an elemental understanding of the human body and mind, and how it is co-related with the external environment which is essentially made of the same elements as us. The food, air and water we take in from the external to nourish the internal are the links that connect us to Nature. Hence, it is essential to understand exactly what your body needs from Nature to stay in health and balance. And in case of imbalance or disease, what can we do to provide relief, at least as a first-aid measure.

At the Retreat, you will discover your innate constitution or metabolic type, which is essentially an expression of your underlying bioenergies. This elemental understanding of yourself will enable you to care for yourself holistically, encompassing the three dimensions of body, mind and energy.

This course is open to all levels of students.

October 1 - 14, 2011
Special Continuing Education Training: Philosophy and Pranayama
Pranayama and the Upanishad Shvetashvatara with Sri O. P. Tiwari and Paul Dallaghan
This course will touch a new level of study and practice, and will be an intensive internalizing period. The primary focus will be Pranayama practice with in-depth pulse reading of each student, varying as necessary. Mantra recitation will also be practiced. Some evenings will include tratak practice.

Daily asana practice will be overseen by Paul and assistants. We will cater for all practices in a self-practice room, those in classical ashtanga and other approaches.

All questions on practice and philosophy are welcome. Satsang with Tiwariji will be in line with traditional on-going and deeper study with the teacher- practices and discussion, awareness on the use of personal energy, with particular attention to food taken. Tiwariji will only teach for a few more years and this is a prime opportunity to invest your time and energy wisely.

Bring your group to SYT
Samahita Retreat is a full service retreat center providing a complete supportive environment for focused learning and continued education in yoga, spiritual and health interests. During certain times of the year our center is available for private group programs by request.
For more info please see:
http://www.yoga-thailand.com/private-yoga-teacher.html

Specialized Group Seminars
Samahita Retreat offers a sanctuary for small private corporate/ executive retreats such as leadership training, team building, and creative brainstorming seminars. While we have programs going on throughout the year, at certain times of the year we can customize a private group event with our resident teachers and health staff to work with your specific group and goals. For more info please see:
http://www.yoga-thailand.com/private-corporate-retreats.html

Upcoming workshops around the world with Paul

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@yoga-thailand.com
Skype id: yogathailand1 or yogathailand2
Tel. + 66 77 920 090 to 091
Samahita Retreat 55/20-24 Moo 4 Namuang, Koh Samui, Surathani, Thailand 84140

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