To order the complete CD of the sample music
playing on this website,
email us at:
mantrameditationmusic @gmail.com
(916)-944-8505
The Search for Peace - December 2009
Dearest Friends,
All of us here at Lotus Garden are wishing that peace, happiness, and health are in abundance for you and your families this holiday season.
We hope this New Year will be one that is fulfilling in all areas of personal and spiritual growth for you. On behalf of all Lotus Garden Staff, I want to thank each of you for your support throughout this past year.
Your choosing Lotus Garden for your yoga practice and recommending our studio to your friends and family helps us have the necessary financial support to be able to continue in our efforts to share all of the great benefits of a Yoga and Meditation lifestyle to others throughout the community.
We sincerely thank you for your donations, enthusiasm, and support. We've enjoyed getting to know each of you on a more personal level at our retreats and workshops. And we look forward to having many more exciting events for you this upcoming year.
Common in each of us, especially during this holiday season, is the desire for peace: peace between our neighbors, our friends, family members, and co-workers. Peace between nations. However, real peace cannot be made through negotiations or peace treaties alone. Real peace must be cultivated from within...
How does one go about cultivating and finding this inner peace?
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "We must become the change we most want for the world."
We learn from Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-gītā that "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-gītā 2:66)
A person who is not disturbed by the incessant flow of desires –that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but is always still – can alone achieve peace, and not the man who strives to satisfy such desires. (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gītā 2:70)
To be truly happy, Jesus Christ taught that we must love the Lord with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it: Love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matthew 22:36-40)
And Lord Krishna taught “Of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. (Bhagavad-gītā 2:70)
When we take these teachings to heart, it is easy to see where we must look to find that inner peace for which we are all searching.
True inner peace is a condition where one's heart and mind find rest in the love of the Supreme. In this condition, we develop true love and respect for others enabling us to become peaceful individually and as a society. Thus, we may act with grace and kindness in an authentic way, touching others with the quality of who we are.
So, if we find ourselves anxious this holiday season; shopping for gifts, maxing out our credit cards wondering what to buy our loved ones, or wondering if we’ll all even get along... we should try to remember the true meaning and message of the season.
This is a time to celebrate the life of Lord Jesus and learn from His example -- one of the great spiritual Masters, who taught us how to truly love.
Gems of Wisdom
Those who live on the level of spirit have the spiritual outlook, and that is life and peace.
~ Lord Jesus, Romans 8:5-6
Until mankind can extend the circle of his compassion to include all living things, he will never, himself, know peace.
~ Albert Schweitzer
When a man finds no peace within himself, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.
~ Maximus Supremes
Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.
~ Mahatma Gandhi
It is no longer good enough to cry peace; we must act peace, live peace and live in peace.
~ Shenandoah proverb
Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. Where there is patience and humility, there is neither anger nor vexation. Where there is poverty and joy, there is neither greed nor avarice. Where there is peace and meditation, there is neither anxiety nor doubt.
~ St. Francis of Assisi
Omega-3 fatty acids- Essential for Women's Health
What are Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids?
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids (EFA's) that the body needs for proper functioning.
EFA's are found in the membranes of every cell in our bodies. At the molecular level, EFA's protect and keep our cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, GI and immune systems functioning optimally.
They help insulate nerve cells and produce molecular messengers involved in immunity and the central nervous system. The human body is unable to produce EFA's on it's own so we must get them from our diets.
Studies have shown Omega-3's to be linked with the prevention and treatment of many health problems, including heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, arthritis, depression, ADHD, asthma, and some types of cancer.
Omega 3's are especially beneficial for women, from menstrual cramps to menopausal symptoms and breast cancer, omega-3's can help women of all ages.
A Balance of Omega-3's and Omega- 6's are Best
For optimum health and longevity, researchers agree that the optimal ratio of omega-6's to omega-3's is between 2:1 and 4:1. Unfortunately, the typical American diet of omega-6's to omega-3's is between 10:1 and 30:1!
The imbalance of EFA's is partly the result of diets filled with animal fats, lacking seeds and nuts. This imbalance may also be an overreliance on packaged, fast and fried foods high in hydrogenated oils or trans fats.
The food industry creates hydrogenated trans fats by increasing extra hydrogen atoms into their molecular configuration, to create prolonged shelf-life of all sorts of processed foods: cookies, crackers, breads, spreads, sauces, fried and snack foods.
Trans fats have been shown to raise LDL levels (bad cholesterol) and increase the risk of heart disease.
How to Get Balanced
Since the human body does not produce EFA's on it's own, we have to get them from other sources.
Here are some suggestions to help you get balanced:
1. Transition to a healthier diet.
Try to avoid packaged, fried foods high in trans fats. Set time aside each week to plan your menu for the week. Use simple recipes rich in brightly colored vegetables. Stock up on brightly colored fresh fruits and nuts for easy and quick snacks. Refrigerate nuts and oils.
2. Supplement with high quality Omega 3's daily.
A great way to get the right balance of omega-3's, 6's, and 9's is to supplement with Udo's Oil Omega 3.6.9. blend which can be found at most health food stores and online.
3. Take a high-quality multivitamin-mineral complex supplement.
Getting enough nutrients by eating perfectly planned, healthy meals throughout the year is almost impossible so it's important to replenish the body with nutrients using a multi-vitamin mineral complex supplement.
Omega-3 sources:
Flaxseed
Hempseed oil
Walnuts
Canola oil
Pumpkin seeds
Marine microalgae
Omega-6 sources:
Borage oil
Evening primrose oil (EPO)
Sunflower oil
Safflower oil
Corn oil
Canola oil
Soybean
Increasing your intake of Omega 3's is a simple and significant step on the path toward a healthier lifestyle.
Because walnuts are a great source of Omega 3 fats, we're including these delicious and healthy, walnut-filled recipes for you to try!
Candied Walnut, Radicchio, and Snap Bean Salad
A mouthwatering salad with unique ingredients that are colorful, tasty, and extra healthy. If you don't have walnut oil, simply substitute a high quality olive oil. In the winter, use pecans instead of walnuts. And if fresh green beans are unavailable, use frozen green beans, instead.
Serves 8
Ingredients:
3/4 c. walnuts 1/4 c. (packed) dark brown sugar 2 t. plus 1/4 c. walnut oil 3 1/2 Tbs. red wine vinegar, divided Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 garlic clove, pressed 1 head of Bibb lettuce, coarsely torn 1/2 lg head of radicchio, thickly sliced 2 c. fresh green beans, trimmed
Directions:
1. To make candied walnuts, combine walnuts, sugar, 2 teaspoons oil, and 1 tablespoon vinegar in medium-sized nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until syrup coats nuts thickly, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Transfer nuts to piece of foil. Separate nuts and freeze on foil for 5 minutes (if you need them quickly) or cool them completely at room temperature.
3. Whisk remaining 1/4 cup oil, 2 1/2 tablespoons vinegar, and garlic in a large bowl. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Add Bibb lettuce, radicchio, green beans, and nuts and toss to coat.
Divide among 8 salad plates and serve immediately to keep the lettuce and walnuts crisp.
Recipe courtesy of Personal Chef Michele Thompson, MS
Walnut Quinoa Salad
This is one of those versatile dishes that can be enjoyed any time of day. Enjoy a bowl for breakfast as a change-up from your usual oatmeal, have it for lunch in place of a sandwich, and serve it as a side-dish for your dinner entrée.
Ingredients:
1 c. quinoa 2 c. vegetable broth 2 Tbs. sesame oil (or walnut oil) 1-1/2 Tbs. apple cider vinegar Zest of 1 orange, minced 2 oranges, peeled, diced 1/2 c. dried cherries 3 green onions, thinly sliced (green and white parts) 1 stalk celery, finely sliced 1 c. roughly chopped walnuts 2 Tbs. ground flax seeds 1/2 c. crumbled feta (optional)
Directions:
1. Toast quinoa in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until the grains begin to pop. Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar and orange zest. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer quinoa to the bowl and toss to coat. Add remaining ingredients and toss to combine. Adjust seasonings to your liking and serve.
Gift Certificates
Give the Gift of Yoga...
Call, email, or stop by to purchase a gift certificate for Yoga or Tai Chi from Lotus Garden Meditation left. Available in any denomination: $10 for each class or $89 for a 10-class pass.
For other unique gift ideas, stop by Blooming Lotus Gift store, next door to the yoga studio. Open before and after every Yoga or Tai Chi class!
Events
Remember to sign up for our Feng Shui workshop!
Feng Shui for 2010 - Year of the Metal Tiger!
Click the logo for more detailed information
Saturday January 16, 2010 2:30 to 4:30pm at Lotus Garden Meditation left
To register please e-mail
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or call 916-944-8505.
$20 fee.
Events
Join us each Friday 7-8:30 pm
for Bhagavad-gita Class.
(Books are available for purchase.)
In line with tradition, all of our meditation classes are free of charge.
Check the current schedule on our website.
Schedule Changes
Beginning January 7th, we welcome Harsha Gandhi, who will regularly teach a Level I/II Hatha Yoga class from 10:45 am to 12:15 pm on Thursday mornings.
This class will be ideal for students who have been practicing yoga and want to take their practice to the next level.
Reminder: Monday 5pm class is canceled until further notice.
Yoga Asana
Forward Fold
(Uttanasana in Sanskrit)
Level: Easy
Benefits: Calming, reduces nervous tension, improves digestion, stretches back and legs, stimulates liver and kidneys.
Cautions: Back injuries (do the pose with knees bent.) High Blood Pressure (don't lower your head below your waist.)
Instructions:
1. Stand in Mountain Pose, inhale and lengthen the entire body.
2. Bend your knees a little and as you exhale bend forward from the hips (not the waist). Keep lengthening through the front of your body and bring your fingers towards the floor.
3. Draw your abdomen towards your thighs, broaden and lift your sitting bones.
4. Slowly straighten your legs if you feel ready for a stronger back stretch.
5. Hold for 5 or more breaths feeling the muscles releasing with each breath.
Modifications:
If the backs of your legs are tight, keep hands on waist and lower your torso half way down or place your hands against a wall for support.
Variations:
Padangusthasana- take hold of the big toes with the fingers as you fold forward.
Padahastasana- lift toes and place your hands - palms up - under feet.
Sequence: Inhale and flatten your back as you lift your body away from your legs (fig.1) exhale as you lower your body down towards your legs again. (fig.2)
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 left for first time students, includes Yoga asanas and Tai Chi.
Dearest Friends, 
We learn from Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-gītā that "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-gītā 2:66) 
the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not. 
For optimum health and longevity, researchers agree that the optimal ratio of omega-6's to omega-3's is between 2:1 and 4:1. Unfortunately, the typical American diet of omega-6's to omega-3's is between 10:1 and 30:1! 
How to Get Balanced
