To order the CD of the sample music on our site:
mantrameditationmusic @gmail.com
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(916)-944-8505
Spring Clearing - May/June 2009
Dear Friends,
I hope this month's newsletter finds you healthy and happy! Thank you all for the nice notes of appreciation and the kind comments you have been sending us. Myself and all of the volunteers and teachers here at the Center are working towards providing the community a little "yoga oasis" in the city which is easily accessible during your week.
It's not always easy to find balance and tranquility in this often unpredictable, crazy, and chaotic world. Through our classes and programs we hope to provide you tools to improve the quality of your life, assisting you in your personal journey to achieving mind-body wellness, spiritual satisfaction and wisdom.
We try to give a personal touch to all of our programs as our way of encouraging people to develop friendships and enjoy good company while engaging in activities that promote a healthy, happy, yoga lifestyle.
So thank you to all of our volunteer staff, students, friends, and teachers for bringing such warm and enjoyable energy to Lotus Garden.
Namaste,
Uddhava
Dear Friends,
Although the spring season has ended, many people still suffer from sinus problems due to pollution, pollen, dust and other irritants. I'd like to share with you a simple and effective way to clear nasal allergies and sinus symptoms through the practice of nasal cleansing known as "Neti."
Neti is commonly recommended by alternative health care practitioners to promote health and wellness. It first originated in India and has been used by practitioners of Ayurveda and Yoga for thousands of years. A nasal irrigation process, neti reduces symptoms related to colds, flus, sinus infections, sinus dryness and allergies, clearing the nasal passageways for easy breathing.
To practice neti, use a ceramic or plastic pot that looks like a cross between a teapot and Aladdin's magic lamp.
The simplest neti technique uses a gentle stream of lukewarm salt water flowing through the nose to wash away pollens, mucus, viruses and bacteria.
How to do Neti
1. Fill the neti pot with lukewarm water.
2. Add 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt or table salt (without added iodine) to the water. Stir with spoon to dissolve thoroughly.
3. Lean your head forward over the basin, bending your neck down slightly with your eyes looking downwards.
4. Gently place the spout of the neti pot inside your right nostril, forming a seal to avoid any outer leakage.
5. Open your mouth slightly. Breathe continuously through your open mouth during this sinus cleansing procedure. This allows a necessary air passageway so that the water will not drain from behind your nose into your mouth.
6. Tilt your head sideways, so that your right nostril is directly above your left nostril. Tip the neti pot, allowing the water solution to pour into your right nostril. Within a few seconds the water will naturally drain from your left nostril into the sink.
7. After the neti pot is empty, remove the spout from your right nostril, and exhale through both nostrils. Gently blow your nose with a tissue.
8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 for your left nostril.
Practice neti daily as a basic health maintenance regimen for preventative care.
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered
Forgive them Anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives
Be kind Anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends, and true enemies
Succeed Anyway.
What you spend years building, someone can destroy overnight,
Build Anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous,
Be happy Anyway.
The good you do, people will often forget tomorrow,
Do good Anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough
Give the world the best you've got Anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them Anyway.
~ Mother Theresa
Recipe of The Month
Perfect Bran Muffins
Delicious and Nutritious
These muffins bake up perfectly even if you substitute the ingredients. Very few recipes work this well when baking. I love to substitute the apples with frozen strawberries or blueberries. Today, I omitted the raisins and used 2 apples and a banana instead. I put half the batter in a muffin pan, layered it with a half teaspoon of jam and topped the jam with the rest of the batter. Perfect!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups of wheat bran
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Mix ingredients together.
In a separate bowl, mix:
1 banana, mashed
1 apple, peeled & cubed or grated
1/2 cup raisins
1/3 cup grapeseed oil (or favorite oil)
1/2 cup organic raw sugar
1 cup milk or soymilk
Combine wet ingredients with dry ingredients and stir for 1 minute.
Lightly oil muffin pans and fill 3/4 full with batter.
Bake for 22 minutes.
Enjoy!
Carol
Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Selfless Service
Yoga asanas are a wonderful way to maintain health and vitality. However, yoga asanas are not the only way to practice yoga. For those who wish to deepen your yoga practice, "Karma Yoga," the practice of selfless service is recommended...
A wealthy man suffering from diabetes and heart disease practiced yoga asanas and breathing exercises regularly for several months without improvement. When his teacher asked him whether he engaged in service, he felt slightly indignant, telling her how much he donated to charity. She asked him to try going to a hospital and sitting with the sickest child there for one hour. After grumbling about how busy he was, he did as she asked.
After sitting for a time with a young boy who was very ill, the child reached out to hold the man's hand. As the man took the boy's hand in his, the experience was unforgettable. Instead of sitting with him for just an hour, he stayed the entire afternoon. In fact, the man was so touched by the experience, he continued to make weekly visits to the hospital to sit with the sick child. He found after a few months, that he was able to lower his insulin dose and had no more angina attacks. Thus, experiencing love and concern for the boy, his focus on himself was redirected into a desire to help someone else and his life was forever changed...
While karma yoga benefits the recipient of our generosity, we benefit just as much or more. The man's exposure to the child's serious illness helped him to realize the power of focusing on someone else and reaching out to that person with compassion and love. When we try to help others without a desire for benefit for ourselves, we ultimately end up feeling better. By reaching out to others we become whole ourselves.
"There was never a person who did anything who did not receive more than he gave."
~Henry Ward Beecher
Community Outreach
The mission of Lotus Garden Meditation Center is to contribute to the welfare of all by teaching the principles of and propagating the practice of the ancient science of Yoga-Meditation at little or no cost to the public.
We provide a variety of quality programs through events offered at our own facilities, and in partnership with public and private venues, such as schools, community centers, hospitals, prisons, cancer centers, drug rehabilitation centers, crisis centers, as well as through partnership programs offered at the facilities of other nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses.
We are a non-profit organization committed to helping people live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives through our community outreach programs.
Children of the New Earth Conference
Dawn Baran, our Little Lotus Yoga teacher, provided a fun-filled yoga and meditation relaxation class for children with autism and ADD at the Children of the New Earth Conference, on May 29th. Parents, educators and mental health professionals gathered together to support children with Indigo, Crystal, ADD and Autism. The yoga and meditation had a calming effect on the children with ADD and increased their ability to focus and follow Dawn's directions. The children thoroughly enjoyed imitating animals in yoga poses while stretching their imaginations.
Step Into Fitness Faire at The Capitol
On May 21st, Lotus Garden Meditation Center, along with 50 other vendors, participated in the Step Into Fitness Faire at The Capitol. The 6th annual fair was hosted by the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness, whose mission is to create and promote programs and policies which decrease the obesity rates in California's schools and workplaces. The fair included a walk around the capitol and vendors supporting health and fitness. Lotus Garden volunteers shared the gift of soothing, yoga sound meditation with fair participants while helping to increase awareness of Yoga and Meditation for health and well-being.
Morey School Multicultural Fair
Lotus Garden Meditation Center also participated in the Multicultural Fair at Morey Elementary School alongside various non-profit agency's serving women and children such as WEAVE, Cover the Kids, and Birth & Beyond.
Community Outreach Referrals
Lotus Garden Meditation Center welcomes referrals for community outreach venues. If you know of any agencies (non-profit or for profit), businesses, schools, hospitals, or support groups that would appreciate the gift of Yoga-Meditation Relaxation please let us know. All our outreach programs are offered freely to the public. Below is a description of one of our community outreach workshops.
Yoga-Meditation Relaxation
"Unwind, relax, and enjoy a peaceful day of yoga sound meditation and guided relaxation."
Amidst our busy and often chaotic lives, rarely do we take the time to replenish ourselves. Experience a peaceful meditative journey that will leave you feeling renewed and refreshed. This Yoga-Meditation Relaxation presentation stems from an ancient art designed to relax the body, soothe the spirit, and free the mind from the anxiety and demands of everyday life.
You will learn two deep relaxation techniques, followed by a peaceful guided meditation. These ancient yoga techniques are deeply restorative. The effects will make you feel wonderful. Benefits lead to increased health and well-being and help relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. You will find these relaxation practices simple to learn, effective, and enjoyable to practice. Learn how to make this calming time in your own daily life.
If you would like to refer us a community outreach venue, simply call (916) 944-8505 or e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and provide us with the contact information and we will make the arrangements.
Tax Deductible Donations
We appreciate donations, however small or large. Donations are used towards continuing our community outreach programs and furthering our mission to contribute to the welfare of all by promoting healthy yoga lifestyles.
Please send donations to:
Lotus Garden Meditation Center 7225 Lincoln Ave. Carmichael, CA 95608. Shortly after your donation is received, you will be sent a tax deductible donation receipt.
For questions or for more information about our community outreach programs, call
Every month or so, in addition to our yoga and meditation classes, we offer specialized workshops to the public on a variety of topics, such as vegetarian cooking, reflexology, and other topics of interest.
Below are highlights from some of our recent workshop offerings at the Center. Visit our website for more information and be sure to join our mail list to receive announcements on upcoming workshops.
Reflexology Workshop
On Saturday, May 30th, Lotus Garden Meditation Center hosted a Reflexology workshop led by Julio Soares, acupuncturist and CMT. Julio demonstrated the most effective way to massage the hands and feet, pointing out important reflexology points along the way. Participants observed and had the opportunity to practice these techniques with a partner. A soft blanket and eye pillow, paired with soothing music and Julio's special hand and foot lotion, transformed the yoga studio into an oasis for relaxation.
Vegetarian Cooking Class
Our always popular vegetarian cooking class, hosted on Saturday, June 20th, was as entertaining as it was informative. The cooking class featured a delightful summer lunch prepared by Carol Lent and Shyma Sands. The menu included Eggless Spinach and Cheese Quiche, Wilted Spinach Salad with Warm Feta Dressing and a delicious Lemon Poppy Seed Bundt Cake. Carol shared the secret of how to keep pre-baked pie crusts from shrinking as the crowd watched and learned how to make eggless quiche from scratch! All attendees received a sample meal after the class and enjoyed their lunch picnic style outside the Meditation Center. The eggless quiche was really "to die for, with a must-try for yourself to believe" recipe.
Cooking Class Testimonials
"Shyma and Carol's vegetarian cooking class was wonderful.They are very knowledgable and the dishes were exciting and flavorful. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes!" ~Carol M.
"I have enjoyed every minute I've spent at Lotus Garden. The cooking classes are wonderful. I can't say enough good things about Lotus Garden." ~Susan M.
"Great entertainment, lovely ladies and nice recipes." ~Kathy C.
"The food was delicious. The ladies were wonderful. Great cooks!" ~Anne H.
"It was a wonderful and entertaining cooking class. My daughter and two granddaughters are vegan and I thought about them as I listened and learned." ~Joan V.
"Yummy food! And Entertaining too!" ~Cathy C.
Teacher of The Month
Robert Nakashima
Robert teaches the rare Guang Ping Yang style of Tai Chi, a traditional form known for its deep root and refined blending of energies. He is a former tournament grand champion in form and weapons and currently serves as co-director of WarriorHeart, a non-profit organization that teaches meditation and Tai Chi to those with chronic illness. A lifelong martial artist, Robert also holds a second degree black belt in Okinawan Karate.
The graceful and flowing movements of this Chinese art are designed for health, relaxation, fitness, and power. T'ai Chi is practiced by millions in the Orient daily. It improves vitality, helps release the effects of tension and stress, and develops effective self-defense. T'ai Chi is a truly meditative form of exercise that canbe practiced throughout one's entire life.
Join Xenia (pictured here) for her level I/II Vinyasa Flow yoga class Sunday mornings, 9-10:30am at Lotus Garden.
Benefits
Strengthens the legs, abs, inner thighs and improves the flexibility of the spine. Helps reduce fatigue, low back pain and a scattered mind.
Instructions
1. From Warrior II, turn the front palm up and lift into lateral flexion.
2. Taking your back hand to your back leg for support, rest it lightly above or below the knee.
3. Keep hips squared to the side wall and maintain your Warrior II leg position.
4. Stack your forward wrist over your front shoulder.
Gem of Wisdom
"One who is not in transcendental consciousness can have neither a controlled mind nor steady intelligence, without which there is no possibility of peace. And how can there be any happiness without peace?"
~Bhagavad-gita, Chapter 2, Text 66
New Student Special!
14 Days for $14
(pay $14 at your first class then come to as many classes as you like within the following 14 day period)
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.
These muffins bake up perfectly even if you substitute the ingredients. Very few recipes work this well when baking. I love to substitute the apples with frozen strawberries or blueberries. Today, I omitted the raisins and used 2 apples and a banana instead. I put half the batter in a muffin pan, layered it with a half teaspoon of jam and topped the jam with the rest of the batter. Perfect! 
out to hold the man's hand. As the man took the boy's hand in his, the experience was unforgettable. Instead of sitting with him for just an hour, he stayed the entire afternoon. In fact, the man was so touched by the experience, he continued to make weekly visits to the hospital to sit with the sick child. He found after a few months, that he was able to lower his insulin dose and had no more angina attacks. Thus, experiencing love and concern for the boy, his focus on himself was redirected into a desire to help someone else and his life was forever changed...
The mission of Lotus Garden Meditation Center is to contribute to the welfare of all by teaching the principles of and propagating the practice of the ancient science of Yoga-Meditation at little or no cost to the public. 
Lotus Garden Meditation Center hosted a Reflexology workshop led by Julio Soares, acupuncturist and CMT. Julio demonstrated the most effective way to massage the hands and feet, pointing out important reflexology points along the way. Participants observed and had the opportunity to practice these techniques with a partner. A soft blanket and eye pillow, paired with soothing music and Julio's special hand and foot lotion, transformed the yoga studio into an oasis for relaxation.
