Awakening Ganesha

November 3, 2005                       Monthly  Newsletter                                             Volume 11  

Namaste, 

On this new moon, we honor beginnings and endings. Congratulations to our recent graduates, who completed their 200-hour teacher training last week. Here’s wishing each of you wonderful beginnings as you return to your daily lives and incorporate what you experienced during your time in Sedona. Our September graduates:

 This month, we introduce new classes and teachers. If you haven’t been to the center in awhile, please join us for a class or for one of this month’s special events. Girish (former percussionist for Krishna Das) will be returning to the center for an evening of soul-stirring chant. One of last year’s graduates, Ileana Stefanescu, returns to Sedona to lead a workshop on the fundamentals of Tantra Yoga. And speaking of returns, we are very excited about welcoming back our graduates during next month’s “homecoming”!

      Chakra Yoga Intensive

     November 11-18th

This is a 7-day workshop with a healing focus of one chakra per day. Each morning begins with a Kundalini practice using music, asanas and other practices to activate the chakra. After breakfast there will be discussion on the nature and psychology of the chakra as prelude to the Chakra Yoga class.There will be an Ayurvedic lunch followed by a hike among Sedona's red rock temples based on the elements of fire, earth,air,water and ether. The afternoon will include a tantric ritual of coloring the symbol of the chakra- a practice to change the genetic encoding of patterns or issues. This intensive, led by Ruth Hartung, is for those who are looking to understand and experience the consciousness and challenges represented by the chakras. Other faculty will include Gary Majchrzak, Kathleen Bryant, and Debra Infante.  A manual of Chakra Yoga Classes with Yantra symbols will be provided for each student. Credit hours toward a 500-hour teaching certificate with International Yoga College are available.   Fee: $700.  See our website or call Sydney for more information.

Chakra Talk

by Lionheart, Temple Cat

Solar Activation of 3rd Center

Often yoga students ask if animals have chakras. Of course we do! While everyone here prepares for the upcoming Chakra Intensive. I, too, have undertaken a personal sadhana exploring the chakras (see photo).

Some scholars say that the chakras or energy centers are located along the midline of an animal’s body and can be seen as a triangle beginning at the root chakra at the base of the tail, to the solar plexus at the barrel of the chest, to the crown chakra. A smaller triangle is formed from the the ears to the nose and throat centers.

Though animal chakra locations, along the spine, are similar to those in the human body, our experiences via the chakras are more fluid, less delineated. For example, we communicate not only from the throat center (purring, meowing, and the occasional peevish growl when disturbed from a pleasant nap) but also from the root chakra at the tail. The most obvious example is a dog’s tail wag. More refined is the feline "Hello," when the tail forms an elegantly curved question mark.

Animals are also more attuned to energy flow because we practice many chakra awakening exercises: rolling in the earth; stretching the third chakra to absorb solar energy; purring meditatively; rubbing the side body or spine along trees, furniture, or even humans; and allowing the paw chakras to lead us to special places where the Earth’s energy is most beneficial.

Many animals are able and willing to assist companion humans in experiencing the chakras more fully. When a pet’s chakras are balanced and attuned to a human companion’s, chakra massage (particularly at the belly and throat centers) can be a mutually enjoyable practice, aligning the energies of animal and human, and helping to open the human’s heart center. I am almost always willing to serve in this capacity.

As a tip for those doing asanas named after animals, such as Lion's pose, Cat Stretch, Downward Facing Dog, Sphinx, Cobra or Locust - next time you practice, feel the energy centers from our perspective. It might deepen your experience of yoga.

Ambaya's Corner....Practical Ayurveda

These are two favorites of mine - something healthy and yummy! Alu Sag is an Indian-style vegetable dish typically made with potato and spinach. This recipe is tridoshic, using sweet potato and chard to create a sattvic affect. Palpasyan is a sweet and nourishing dessert.

                               Alu Sag

10 -12 peeled sweet potatoes

10 leeks caramelized

1 Tbsp curry

1 tsp turmeric

¾ cup   raisins chopped

2-3 cups water

2 bunches chard

Caramelize leeks and puree. Add all ingredients and pressure cook for 20 – 25 min. Add salt to taste and 1 Tbsp Garam masala.

                            Palpasyan  

12 strands  saffron

2 cups whole organic milk

1 cup water

¼ cup sucanat

¼ tsp cardamon

½ cup almost-cooked rice

½ cup raisins

Soak saffron in 3 tsp water for at least 10 minutes.

Boil milk, water, sucanat, saffron (with soaking water) and cardamom for 5 minutes in medium pan. Add almost-cooked rice. Cover and simmer on low heat until liquid is 1/4 reduced.

Namaste,

Ambaya

Vedic Astrology News....

Jupiter, The Divine Guru

The planet Jupiter is the great benefic planet in Vedic astrology. Called guru in Sanskrit, Jupiter is the “spiritual teacher” planet and can give great divine blessings in one’s life. Expansion and protection are key features of Jupiter, and what it touches or aspects can expand and grow.

Jupiter is one of the prime planets that helps to define one’s spiritual path in life. Jupiter represents knowledge, dharma, worship, wisdom, philosophy and one’s spiritual beliefs.  He is an ethical planet, of a sattvic or pure nature, and therefore rules over law, justice, religion, humanitarian endeavors and high moral principles.

Jupiter is also a planet of optimism, joviality, generosity, wealth, education, good fortune, creativity, teachers, husband and children. Jupiter tends to make things easy and fluid in life; however, an overabundance of Jupiterian energy can also indicate the extreme of over-indulgence, or we may become too content or lazy.

Wherever Jupiter is placed in our astrology charts can indicate areas of “good fortune” or give clues to the types of material or spiritual prosperity we may manifest.

Ayurvedically, Jupiter is a kapha planet, and rules the liver, gallbladder, and body weight.

The Hindu deity associated with Jupiter is Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, and first son of Shiva. He is also the deity associated with Vedic astrology. On

September 24th, Jupiter left the sign of Virgo and went into the sign of Libra. Whichever house Libra is in your chart is likely to be energized by Jupiter for about a year.

Debra Infante, Vedic astrologer, is available for personal consultations either in person or by phone. You can contact her at (928) 639-0623 or dinfante@sedona.net.

7 Centers Yoga Arts

Upcoming Yoga Training and Special Workshops

Teacher Training Alumni News

Carmon Maron (April 2004) and Melissa Camacho (June 2004) are on their way to the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to study Ayurveda with Dr. Vasant Lad and his staff.   Both are former Ayurvedic Apprentices who graduated from 7 Centers after assisting Ambaya in the Ayurvedic Kitchen.  Good luck to you both!