To order the complete CD of the sample music
playing on this website,
email us at:
mantrameditationmusic @gmail.com
(916)-944-8505
Did You Know? March/April 2009
Mountain Yoga Retreat
Namaste,
It's time again for our next 3 day mountain yoga retreat. Held in the beautiful mountains outside of Calistoga, this time of year is one of the most beautiful and majestic.
The beauty of nature, the quiet sound of only trees, wind and life will rest any tattered nerves, and chaotic minds.
All that is left after your yoga retreat is tranquility, spiritual insights, new friends, and a great sense of being grounded and in harmony.
I will look forward to having the time to spend 3 days relaxing with you and getting to know all of you on a more personal level. Wishing you all the best.
Om tat Sat,
Uddhava dasi
Did You Know?
Hello Friends,
One of the main goals of sending our newsletter to you is to share with you information for healthy living. This month we are highlighting the importance of drinking water and have included a short article on how crucial water is for our bodies. I hope you find the information in this newsletter helpful.
Here is a nice thought for today:
Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.
Humility is a most strange thing. The moment you think you have acquired it is just the moment you lost it.
~ Bernard Meltzer
Humility: A peacefulness of heart that allows you to stand aside in order to affirm the value of someone else.
~ Gary Chapman
Healthy Tip of The Month
Water
The body is comprised of up to 75% water. Water is vital for the functioning of the body as it comprises 60% of an average person's body weight and 80% of the make up of blood. Without water, the body would not be able to carry out vital functions of carrying nutrients, oxygen and carbon monoxide throughout the body.
Every system of the body requires water to function properly. The brain is comprised of 75% water and is the center for sending and receiving electrical signals throughout the nervous system which conducts the processing of information between muscles and glands, resulting in the ability for critical thinking, the production of energy and optimized athletic performance. Water is also responsible for digestion, temperature control, joint lubrication and hydration.
Every time we blink, breathe, eliminate or move, we lose water. By simply breathing every day, our bodies lose between 2-4 cups of water. Through the process of urination and bowel movements, we lose six cups of water per day.
Dehydration (loss of 10% water per day) and as little as a 2% loss of water per day can cause an array of physiological symptoms including: fatigue, headaches, excessive thirst, dry mouth, light headedness, muscle weakness and dizziness.
To avoid dehydration, it is recommended to drink an average of eight, 8-ounce glasses of chemical-free, room temperature water everyday. With proper hydration, your body will function optimally with increased metabolism functioning, proper assimilation of nutrients and clear critical thinking abilities. Water... just what the body needs.
Recipe of The Month
Tofu Cheesecake
Preparation & Cooking Time: 50 minutes
Serves 8
Crust: 2 cups walnuts 1 cup pecans 1/3 cup maple syrup 3 Tbsp water 1/8 tsp sea salt
Filling: 1 pound firm tofu ½ cup organic cane sugar 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 Tbsp vanilla extract ½ tsp sea salt ¼ cup cornstarch - dissolve in ¼ cup soymilk
Crust: Preheat oven to 350 degree. In a food processor blend all ingredients well. Press into a 9-inch pie plate: press mixture evenly to form crust. Bake 5 minutes: let cool while preparing filling.
Filling: Blend all ingredients in food processor until smooth. Pour the mixture into the crust. Bake until the top of the pie is slightly brown, about 30 minutes. Cool and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled and firm, about two hours. Spread favorite jam on top or decorate with fresh, sliced fruit.
Thanks to all those who participated and worked hard to make our first Vegetarian Cooking Class a resounding success. All the participants thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, learned how to prepare and cook tofu and quinoa and got to taste the final result ... the best part of the class!
The cooking teachers, Carol and Margaret, made a great duo, working together to cook and present the dishes and answer participant questions. The dishes presented were:
Tofu l 'Orange, a delicious tofu with orange sauce
Thai Veggie Stew, a wonderful vegetable combination with lemongrass & coconut milk
Quinoa Pilaf, a simple yet flavorful salad with quinoa and vegetables
Tofu Cheesecake with a nut crust.
If you would like a copy of these recipes or would like to RSVP your place for our next (bi-monthly) Cooking Class, please call or e-mail:
The mission of Lotus Garden Meditation Center is to contribute to the welfare of all by teaching the principles and practice of the ancient science of Yoga, Meditation and a healthy yoga lifestyle. We provide a variety of free quality programs through events offered at our facilities and with public and private venues: schools, hospitals, cancer, crisis, community and drug rehabilitation centers.
We are a non-profit organization commited to helping people live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives through our community outreach programs.
This month, our featured "Teacher of The Month" is Dawn Baran. Dawn is the mother of three beautiful children Nimai, 6, Tulsi, 8 and Rama, 11. Dawn is an expert at balancing the difficult tasks of parenting with love, nurturance and discipline. Dawn is able to teach children the values of trust, responsibility and humility using creative, fun ways based on their interests and strengths.
In addition to homeschooling her children, Dawn finds time to reach out to the community as she volunteers at Wellspring Women's Center twice a month giving the gift of meditation and yoga to women in need. Wellspring Women's Center is a drop-in center for low-income women providing mental health counseling and referrals for social services.
You can join Dawn for yoga in our our Little Lotus Yoga class (yoga for kids and parents) every Saturday from 2:30-3:15 pm for children ages 3 to 6 and 3:30-4:30pm for children ages 7 to 12. If you're looking for a fun, interactive activity to bond with your children while teaching coping skills, self-esteem, focus and self-awareness, Little Lotus Yoga with Dawn is exactly what you've been looking for!
KCRA 3 A-List
Thank You All for Your Nice Comments!
If you would like to write a few words in support of Lotus Garden Meditation Center, you can do so on the KCRA 3 A-List website. Just click this link:
Starting in May, Gena's Monday evening Yoga Asana Class level I/II will begin at 7pm, instead of 6:45pm and will end at 8:30pm.
Yoga Asana of The Month
Downward Facing Dog
(Adho Mukha Svanasana in Sanskrit)
Benefits:
Calms the brain and helps relieve stress and mild depression
Stretches the shoulders, hamstrings, calves, arches, and hands
Strengthens the arms and legs
Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause
Relieves menstrual discomfort when done with head supported
Helps prevent osteoporosis
Relieves headache, insomnia, back pain, and fatigue
Instructions:
1. Come onto the floor on your hands and knees.
2. Set your knees directly below your hips and your hands slightly forward of your shoulders. Spread your palms, index fingers parallel or slightly turned out. Turn your toes under.
3. Exhale and lift your knees away from the floor. At first keep the knees slightly bent and the heels lifted away from the floor. Lengthen your tailbone away from the back of your pelvis and press it lightly toward the pubis.
4. With an exhalation, push your thighs back and stretch your heels toward the floor. Straighten your knees. Firm the outer thighs and roll the upper thighs inward slightly.
Gem of Wisdom
"He who is satisfied with gain which comes of its own accord, who is free from duality and does not envy, who is steady both in success and failure, is never entangled, although performing actions."
~Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 4, Text 22
New Student Special!
14 Days for $14
New student introductory special valid at Lotus Garden Meditation Center for first time students, includes Hatha Yoga, Little Lotus Yoga and Tai Chi.
Bring a friend for yoga at Lotus Garden Meditation Center and your friend takes the class for free. Offer valid for first time students only and includes Hatha Yoga,
Little Lotus Yoga and Tai Chi. Yoga teachers have coupons available upon request.
Water 
The mission of Lotus Garden Meditation Center is to contribute to the welfare of all by teaching the principles and practice of the ancient science of Yoga, Meditation and a healthy yoga lifestyle. We provide a variety of free quality programs through events offered at our facilities and with public and private venues: schools, hospitals, cancer, crisis, community and drug rehabilitation centers. 
