Some people talk about the ‘whorl’, or the vortex, or the Fibonacci’s ‘golden spiral’, as if it is an enigmatic force. Yet, when I see the whorl (encoded in parsley flowers, or succulent plants, or even in the spiral turn of the shell), I see our cosmic trajectory through the galaxy. I see our earth spinning on its axis, being dragged along in the wake of the sun, as it traverses the plane of the Milky Ways’ helical turn.

We humans are encoded with the whorl through this galactic journey. The cosmic spiral is encoded in our Mothers’ wombs, in our fingerprints, the crowns of our hair, the shape of our ears, in our very umbilicus, because we too are on this spiral journey. These spiral imprints do not only record our  journey, they also pick up our unique space-time co-ordinates. The spiral pull of galaxy imprints in us at the time of conception.

And once we are liberated from our Mothers’ wombs, cut free from the whorl-encoded umbilicus, we became free floating seeds. We become free moving agents blown around by the subtle forces of life. We too seek a place to rest so that we can reproduce ourselves through works of art, music, food, and our own free moving progeny.

So why is it in this freewheeling journey through the vortex that we do not stop to reset our inner compass by admiring the sweet rose, or cat-eyes on the beach? Are we too busy seeking, searching, an earning, to see that the trajectory of the cosmic whorl is subtly shaping our realities?

What kind of answers can the whorl offer us? Every time I see the encoded spiral, I see a familiar compass which reminds me of my cosmic road journey. All natural forms are encoded by the Milky Way’s helical pull. Everything in our local galaxy super cluster is being sucked along into what scientists call the ‘Great Attractor’. It is visible everywhere in nature, but sadly not often in man-made objects.

So when we stop for a moment and appreciate that our day flows East, towards the Sun, we can see that all earthly things are part of that gentle turn, part of the whorl. When we move with the vortex we can relax, take our time and remind ourselves that life is cyclical experience.

Every natural thing is being encoded, be it subtly, by the vibration turn of moon, planets, sun and galaxies. This is what we, in the yogic world, call OM or ‘omkara’ – the perpetual vibration of the cosmic turn as we flow along life’s journey.

Upcycle the truth my friends. Look at the whorl on your fingertips and know the map of your own unique journey. Move with the vortex. Harmonize with the truth of the ever tuning cycle.

Pranayama: Yoga Breathing Workshop 

• Deepen your yoga practice – through correct breathing
• Enhance your life in general – by mastering your breath control
• Activate your Cerebral Cortex – and heighten your awareness
• Reduce stress  – by learning yogic breath techniques

There are many benefits to correct breathing. Join me for a 2 hour breathing session, to either learn correct yoga breathing techniques, or deepen your existing pranayam practice.

All levels welcome

Saturday, August 20th, 1pm-3pm

Mary Watson

Sadhana Yoga Studio, 9 Park!Road!(Next to the Roxy Cinema)

Feel free to bring mats, blankets and/or bolsters

Every day is a new opportunity to explore the deeper meanings of yoga, and to find beauty in the cycle of change. We officially welcome familiar faces and invite new faces. Thanks to the special people who have chose to stand with us on this next evolution of Sadhana Yoga

KID’S YOGA with Janelle Tottenham

New term starts: Friday 5th August 4pm-5pm at Sadhana Yoga, 9 Park Road, Miramar.
Your child will love doing yoga with Janelle! Yoga helps children gain flexibility and physical strength, it helps with their mental focus and emotional balance. Yoga for children also supports their other activities. Breathing and mindfulness exercises in each class will help your child calm their mind, increase self-confidence, and sleep better.
Each one hour class offers children aged 5-10 a combination of yoga postures, breathing exercises, calming and mindfulness techniques, finishing with relaxation. We use music, props, games, visualization, and a sense of fun for each class. Parents are welcome to stay, or may drop in and out during the one hour.

Janelle says: “this Kid’s Yoga class combines my childcare and yoga experiences with creative fun, bringing a comprehensive class for primary school aged children.”

Cost: 8 week term – $96
Pay Janelle directly: kiwibank/ 38-9003-0753316-00
Book and pay today – 8 minumum- 12 child maximum/ class

For more information and to make a booking please contact Janelle directly:
E: tamarikiyoga@yahoo.co.nz
FB: facebook.com/tamarikiyoga
PH: 021 0229 2806
Janelle Tottenham completed an 18 month yoga teaching diploma through IYTA and has a current 1st aid certificate. Janelle is also loves the visual arts and she has an Honours programme in art and creativity. Janelle’s creative approach to life brings creativity to the mindful discipline of yoga. Janelle has also worked in childcare over the last 9 years, so she understands that children need a sense of fun and guidance.

Tonight, sadhakas and yogis around the world have the chance to gaze deeply, and contemplate this special full moon – Guru Purnima. We can drink the cool light of deep resounding truth by gazing at the moon. We can swallow moonlight’s elixir (soma), which tonight is imbued with the love and blessings of teachers, past, present and future.

Even if we can not see the moon in full because clouds obstruct our view, even if we chose to ignore the moon because moon-gazing is not really our thing, even so, the moon is constantly there waiting for us. It never tires of reflecting our hopes and dreams. It never pulls away from our heartfelt desires, or from our awe and fascination. Tonight’s moon, the guru full moon, not only reflects the teachers’ love, it also teaches us to be humble students. We learn to understand the power of reciprocal exchange.

The moon is inseparable to us, just as we are inseparable to wisdom and truth. The moon regulates our cycles, in the same way that yoga regulates us. The moon draws on every body of water around the world: seas, oceans, fields, and humans. In turn, seas, trees, and people draw on shared resources and energy fields. Tides turn with the moon, and we turn with the tides.

May the moonlight fill all of us with clarity of mind and a sense of deep self-realisation. Let’s be reminded that we are all connected and we have an obligation to preserving that connection.

Blessings on the moonlight.

Blessings to our gurus.

Ali x

 MASTERCLASS III – Quan Yin Series – Starts Sunday 10th July @  7.15pm- 8.30pm  

• Starts 10th July (all levels and abilities welcome)
• Where: ASB stadium, Large Matairangi Room (Level 1)
• The venue will change to the Sadhana Yoga Studio on Sunday 31^st July
• Cost:  $200 for 10 weeks or $25 casual
• Pay Sadhana Yoga– 01-0504-0163452-00
• Bring: yoga mat, or towel plus a blanket for relaxation
• Email Ali at sadhanayoganz@gmail.comto book in 

How does the Quan Yin sequences work?

Each of Quan Yin’s hand mudra works to inspire the individual narratives of each yoga posture. This new rendering brings the rich treasury of Quan Yin’s precious objects to the healing power of yoga. Together this practice opens up a powerful new symbolic meaning for Yoga audiences, non-Buddhists, and practicing Buddhists alike. For example, Quan Yin’s mudra ‘the bow’ (dhanur), which traditionally means to aim for an illustrious career or a workplace promotion, becomes the yogic posture the bow (dhanuasana), which helps prevent busy workers from adrenal overload. Each image, meaning, and posture (āsana) is intended to provide practitioners with a deep sense of inner calm. Also, as a moving meditation which captures the subtle essence of Quan-yin, this sequence can have a profound transformative effect.

Join us tonight!

Dear Sadhana Yogis,

Just week ago Valentina told us that she was going abroad all of August and September to attend to personal needs. She understands that she is leaving in a critical time of transition, and has suggested another teacher to take her place. This sudden change of plan will affect the dynamic of the studio moving forward. I will keep you all posted as to the changes ahead.

In the mean time, we wish Valentina the very best in her future. She has done a great job running Sadhana Yoga while Ali been in India, researching for her Masters looking at Spirituality and Consumerism in the NZ Yoga Industry.

All the best Valentina hope you find positive change, growth, discovery, and transformation.