Dear Yogis,

In spite of “damp” conditions we had a lovely time at The Victoria yesterday for our Yoga Luncheon.  Thank you to those who came.

BEARS AND MORE

Apart from bears and dolls in my studio in various stages of “mend”,  I have been given quite an important commission – a Clerical Stole.  It might seem easy but it isn’t.  There is lining, main fabric, embroidered decoration to be decided on, and of course the symbolism of each, and needed in double quick time (of course it is needed in an impossible time frame – always the way).  However, it stretches me in every direction and I am looking forward to it.

This project is like a blank canvas and any artist will know how we walk around a canvas until we plunge in.  A “painful” time until we begin, and then everything else in our lives takes a back seat.  Thank goodness for Tuesday Cup day.  I will have a whole day of sewing.

LET’S PAINT!!!

One of our students who has taken up painting in a very BIG way quite recently has sent a photograph of how her painting has taken over the kitchen in her house.  Luckily the house is in various stages of renovation (depending on the room), and she has found the kitchen to be perfect for her large canvasses – I would have chosen her lounge room, but perhaps pale wood floors are not ideal.

Recently she gave me a T-shirt with one of her images on the front, I cut it out and put it on a denim jacket – perfect.

If you would like to paint (or draw) Join us on Sundays and bring a project or start one (drawing or sewing, or learn to knit or crochet – your choice).

YOGA CLASSES

Yoga makes everything else possible.  To do big canvas you have to be able to relax and breathe, and yoga helps in this.  I can see on canvasses how the brush strokes change and relax as the student learns to relax and allow the painting to speak for itself.  You might think you are just exercising, but no, you are preparing for your life, and in particular your artistic life.  Yoga is  LIFESTYLE not just asana.

India has a “Ministry of Yoga” The ISM&H was renamed as the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy or Department of AYUSH. The department was made into an official ministry by the Narendra Modi, Government of India in 2014..  It is not a department concerned with asana but it is a ministry which concerns itself with lifestyle and wellness.

Even the tiny country BHUTAN has such a ministry – as a whole,  this country is more concerned with the wellness of its people and less concerned with the country’s GNP.   The National Health Promotion Strategic Plan (NHPSP) for Bhutan is a first of its kind in the history of health system of Bhutan. The strategic plan document seeks to provide policy makers, health promoters, educators and other stakeholders with a broad strategic framework for development and strengthening of health promotion within the health sector and sectors across government, private and civil society organisations over the period 2015-2023. Google it – it is worth your time.

You may not have a country, but you do have a family and you do have a community.  Why not bring your family in line with these ideals.  Imagine what would happen if we as leaders of families and communities concerned ourselves with wellness in all aspects of our lives, and not just with acquisition of material wealth.  Bhutan has led the way, let’s follow.

STUDIO YOGA CLASS TIMES (yogabeautiful.com.au)
Fees FROM 3rd October (new term) $220 per term. (The Term – 3rd October until the week starting the 12th December).

Monday –  1pm class,  2.15 class as usual. ZOOM FREE Teacher Training 6.30pm 
Don’t forget the free lunch at the Uniting Church in Forest St next to the Police Station. 12.30 Mondays.
Tuesday 9.30 and 1.30 Jahne Teaching at Windarring  NOT HAPPENING ON CUP DAY
Wednesday 1pm Hatha and 2.15 teacher training as usual
THURSDAY – Goodbye free day!! 12 noon our YOGA LUNCH at the Victoria Hotel in Woodend, all welcome.  Please let me know if you are coming – the next our last for the year 24th November.  I think we are on a large table near the meeting room – not in the meeting room this time.  
Friday  2.15 Hatha yoga as usual.

SUNDAY ART CLASS.  2.30 TO 4.30 you missed three, one class to go ($85 for the four or $25 each).  You are welcome as always. Last weekend we explored materials and brushes – What to use where and when.  We will be moving forward with our projects this Sunday.

See you at the Studio.

NAMASTE – JAHNE

Dear Yogis,

Reminder – Yoga Lunch, 12noon Tomorrow (Thursday) at The Victoria Hotel in Woodend. All welcome.

THE QUICKENING?

I know you are all feeling the quickening, one week slipping into the next with such speed it is hard to realise where the time has gone.  I have appointments which happen every week, it seems one finishes and then the other begins in almost no time.  I can see the clock, I know the days have passed, but it is not the same – AGREED?

I have been teaching, doing massages for people who have had troubles with “getting things done”, and have been preparing the Bach Flower Remedies whilst the flowers are available.  This especially true of The Star of Bethlehem which is especially beloved of snails and can disappear overnight.

I have decanted the Walnut tincture which has been more than one year in the making.  It is VERY effective.

The Hawthorn trees are bursting into life, and some of them are even flowering – much earlier than usual.  Not just flowering they are luxuriant with flowers.  This is the time to go out and gather for your stock of tea for the coming months.  If you suffer with circulatory problems or blood pressure difficulties Hawthorn is the herb for you.

If you want to get your certification in Bach Flower remedies, please do so now, I am about to revisit it, and I will put up the price which after all, was only INTRODUCTORY.  I might make a combo of Bach Flower and Compassionate Companions Course, as they both fit together so beautifully.

STUDIO YOGA CLASS TIMES (yogabeautiful.com.au)
Fees FROM 3rd October (new term) $220 per term. (The Term – 3rd October until the week starting the 12th December).

Monday –  1pm class,  2.15 class as usual. ZOOM FREE Teacher Training 6.30pm 
Don’t forget the free lunch at the Uniting Church in Forest St next to the Police Station. 12.30 Mondays.
Tuesday 9.30 and 1.30 Teaching at Windarring
Wednesday 1pm Hatha and 2.15 teacher training as usual
THURSDAY – Goodbye free day!! 12 noon our YOGA LUNCH at the Victoria Hotel in Woodend, all welcome.  Please let me know if you are coming.  I think we are on a large table near the meeting room – not in the meeting room this time.followed by 1.30 Windarring.
Friday  2.15 Hatha yoga as usual.

SUNDAY BOTANICAL ART CLASS.  2.30 TO 4.30 you missed three, one to go $85 for the four or $25 each.  You are welcome as always. Last weekend we explored materials and brushes – What to use where and when.  We will be moving forward with our projects this Sunday.

I look forward to seeing you – or your dolls – on the mat – or at Yoga Lunch.

NAMASTE. JAHNE

Dear Yogis,

Sorry you were not at our SUNDAY ART CLASS (next week is our last of four, and then we may have to swap to Saturdays as my Sundays are pretty full until Christmas) – great fun… everyone has to be peeled away from their artwork sometime after the end of class, and I am told they go home and complete what they started with me, or start new work.  Proof that they are inspired by the work they did in class.

AND, Sorry you were not with us on Saturday for our “5Mile Forage”.

Now is the time to contemplate (and make) root coffees and herbals.  The ground is wet and it is easier to pull the roots out of the ground, which is important when harvesting dandelion and salsify..  grab onto the herb with both hands and gently pull, rocking the root from side to side gently to allow the air to penetrate around the root.  Speak to the herb spirit and just relax and the root will pull up perfectly.

DANDELION ROOT BITTERS

• Dried Dandelion Pieces – 1/2 cup
• Orange Zest (no pith or flesh please) 4-5 ribbons
• Ginger – 1 inch piece sliced
• Vodka – 750 ml

DANDELION ROOT COFFEE + collect the root, wash then process it BEFORE you dry it.  When dried  make into even smaller pieces in a mortar and pestle.

• Roasted grated and pulverised Dandelion Root – 2 Tbsp
• Roasted Chicory Root  –  1 tsp –  can roast it yourself in the same method as dandelion root.
• Cinnamon Chips – 1 tsp
• 2 cups water

• Place all ingredients in a small pot and bring to a boil.
• Boil for 5-10 minutes, then strain out the root pieces with a fine mesh sieve.
• Serve the dandelion and chicory root “coffee” in a mug. Add cream and/or sweetener to taste if desired. Enjoy!

SALSIFY

When we went out foraging we did manage to find a few salsify plants.
Nutritional Value:  Salsify contains potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin C, some B vitamins, iron, and copper.

Salsify is best cooked (I have never eaten raw!).  The roots of the ones around here are not long, and it can be fiddly work, but worth it.   You can try boiling, roasting, sautéing, steaming, frying, and baking. Before cooking, the skin should be peeled and to preserve the color of the white flesh, the root can be submerged in water with lemon juice or vinegar.

Salsify are most often steamed, pureed, and added to soups or stews as a thickener or served as a puree with chicken or other meat dishes. They are also commonly sautéed with butter to create a rich and creamy side dish.

Salsify is extremely versatile and can be sliced and made into a gluten-free pasta, grated and roasted into cakes, coated in egg-flour batter and fried, or sliced into coins for gratins. Young Salsify can also be eaten raw, sliced thinly in salads or chopped fiely to add texture to a dish. Salsify greens are also edible and are sautéed and consumed like a vegetable, although I have never found them to be particularly palatable..

Salsify pairs well with meat such as deer, beef, poultry, and fish, garlic, onion, celery, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, white wine, lemon, and butter. Salsify will keep up to one week when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

STUDIO YOGA CLASS TIMES (yogabeautiful.com.au)
Fees FROM 3rd October (new term) $220 per term. (The Term – 3rd October until the week starting the 12th December).

Monday –  1pm class,  2.15 class as usual. ZOOM FREE Teacher Training 6.30pm 
Don’t forget the free lunch at the Uniting Church in Forest St next to the Police Station. 12.30 Mondays.
Tuesday 9.30 and 1.30 Teaching at Windarring
Wednesday 1pm Hatha and 2.15 teacher training as usual
THURSDAY – Goodbye free day!! 1.30 Windarring.
Friday  2.15 Hatha yoga as usual.

SUNDAY BOTANICAL ART CLASS.  2.30 TO 4.30 you missed three, one to go.  You are welcome as always. This weekend we explored materials and brushes – What to use where and when.

I look forward to seeing you – or your dolls – on the mat.

NAMASTE. JAHNE