Blog Student News Trainees/Teacher News

Dear Yogis,

ZOOM THIS WEEK:  
Monday 6.30pm FREE TEACHER TRAINING.  (“Forgiveness” pt.II)
Tuesday 7.30:  The Rumi Class
Saturday 2pm: Art and Tarot.
Sunday 10am: The Glorious Gita.
STUDIO THIS WEEK:
Monday 1pm – Hatha.  Wednesday 5.30pm – Restorative.

It has been a beautiful day in Woodend, and I spent that afternoon in the garden after our “Glorious Gita Class” .  How can you bear to miss it???        “For attractive lips speak words of kindness.  For lovely eyes seek out the good in people.. for poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone”.

I am recovering from what I diagnose as a rather unfortunate bout of sinusitis caused by too enthusiastically flinging around the garden some FABULOUS chook poo mulch.

It was strong, and I realised about half an hour into the job that perhaps on such a windy day,  a mask would be a good idea.  Too late actually.  The harm had been done.  Thank goodness for neti, Vitamin C, and for the new enthusiasm of Herbal Smoke.

Last nite I had a blend of Damiana, Mullein, Hops (hardly any hops in the mix – mine are strong), and some mint all spritzed with water and honey.  Lovely, relaxing and I had a good nites sleep lying down (sinus problems are usually best addressed by sleeping sitting up!).  When I told Sunday morning’s class about the blend I chose I only had to say “Damiana” and they all fell about laughing.  It was a lovely, mellow mix I must say.

Whilst I am not just taking the herbs via smoke, I am also reading and researching and discovered that smoke has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda as a therapy.  It is a very serious practice, and one has to pay attention to the administration of the herbs in order to get the desired effect.  It is not just a matter of blissing out.  I guess it is a bit like CBD.  With CBD, you are working with the endocannabinoid system.  It is  not “instant” as is  marijuana, but it is therapeutic – a therapy, whilst Cannabis Indicus (marijuana)  just swamps all sensation, and when the high is over nothing has changed.

This is an excerpt from my book on Smoking I am working on at the moment.

HERBS:  TIMES OF ADMINISTRATION.   I guess you may not have thought about taking an herbal cigarette or pipe as a part of your therapy,  however,  Ayurveda recognises that the times of taking your herbs in whichever way you take them (especially smoking them – but it also applies to oils, tinctures, as moxa and other herbal therapies), are important in strengthening their effects.

A good simple rule to follow in this is…

Herbs taken about half an hour before meals tend to work on the colon and the lower part of the body, on apana-vayu, the air or vata governing eliminatory functions.

Herbs taken with a meal tend to work on the stomach and small intestine, on the middle part of the body and samana-vayu, the air governing the digestive functions.

Herbs taken after meals tend to work on the lungs, on the upper part of the body and on prana-vayu the air governing respiratory function.  Herbs that target the lungs, heart or brain should always be taken after meals. (This is an excerpt  from “SMOKIN’ – The Yoga of Smoke”  by me,  J.Hope-Williams)

(Keep in mind that when you are smoking cigarettes in a haphazard way through the day – because of their chemical and nicotine content – you are effecting NEGATIVELY the same systems that you could be working on POSITIVELY with herbs).  

In my  book, which is about a month away from being finished I think, you will find a very detailed work on Smoking and Smoking herbs.  This will encompass which herbs to use for what effect or therapy.  I am finding it most interesting, and it is very freeing.

I have always been terribly opposed to smoking, and now realised how little I knew about its therapeutic effects, and I had not heard at all about the Ayurvedic use of smoking herbs.  I have been like the government.  They have banned CBD, not because it doesn’t work, not because people don’t want it, but because they don’t understand that they are holding back a great gift to humanity.  That was me – it is not me now.

I have always had respect for herbs, and I am discovering this greater aspect called SMOKING that people everywhere could use everyday.  It could enhance their body mind and spirit, instead of using the tobacco which is killing them.. and emptying out their bank account at the same time.

Imagine how much you could save if you could identify the smoking herbs you already have in your garden or from foraging.
Imagine how much you could save on doctors bills from using herbs that were therapeutic and not harmful….
Imagine if you didn’t get consistent coughs and colds from weakening your system by smoking tobacco.
Imagine how it would feel to be really relaxed after smoking relaxing herbs – not smoking a chemically saturated “cancer stick!

Imagine how it would feel to be independent even in this!

If you or your beloved, or family are smokers – then this could be you.  It is simple.  Smoking the right herbs at the right time (according to Ayurveda) can even enhance your yoga and meditation.  

I will see you on the mat.

NAMASTE – JAHNE

 

 

 

Dear Yogis,

Things are changing is big ways.  You are all getting back to studio yoga (or no yoga), and the zoom classes are gradually closing down apart from the Monday Teacher Training, Tuesday Rumi Study and Sunday Gita.  And even they are contracting.  The next Teacher Training in the Studio is Sunday the 2nd May at 2pm, and the next after that the 6th June – always has been the first Sunday in each month.

 

SMOKIN’

At the moment I am writing a booklet on SMOKING HERBS (called “SMOKIN’).  This is extraordinary for me – I have always been pathologically opposed to smoking in every form, however, in order to be of service, it is falling to me to introduce you to alternatives to nicotine and there are many and most grow in your garden.  That is the lovely part – knowing what you are growing and understanding why we were given these plants.  Even hemp was given by Shiva to benefit mankind, that is why it will grown just anywhere, and give multiple yearly harvests.  But we in Australia are not allowed to know about this herb.  Sorry about that, but there are relaxing alternatives.  Damiana, Marijuanilla and Hops for instance.

After seeing what is happening in my community, those people who have received bad news, who have gone through trauma, and who should be looking for healthy alternatives to handling grief, turn to nicotine.  This may feel like it helps, but down deep you know it doesn’t.  Yes you may like to believe you are relaxing but your body is being flooded with harmful chemicals with every breath.   The pictures on the packs must give you a clue. They are truly shocking.  The nicotine is still in the cigarettes together with sugar and other addictive chemicals, but you are being shown the terrible effects of that addiction.  Does this make sense? CHANGE UP.

There are alternatives to store bought.  I have learned that although you may have herbs growing that can help, you have to know how to harvest and dry them and then how to mix them.  It is not just a matter of cutting them up and putting them in a pipe.  It would be easy if it were.  I am not an expert, not an herbalist, but I am learning more about this group of herbs..

It is also important that you know the action of the various herbs.  How they can help apart from just giving you something to do with your hands!   Once you have got these simple how-to’s organised, you can have a lovely smoking experience that will make you feel better, and more relaxed with no long term nasty chemical effects. I am my own experiment.

When the book (SMOKIN’) is finished, I will selling it together with a bag of basic herbs so you can add signature herbs of your choice to get the effect that you want easily.  I will also be giving directions for you to make your own pipe – once again not as easy as you might think.  The position of the stem, the entry of the air into the bowl, the size of the bowl and the ability of the clay or wood that you choose to stand up to heat,  all need to be taken into account – or you could buy something beautiful on line (or one of mine).

I am now making them in terra-cotta clay, and have road tested a clay made out of common kitchen ingredients which seems to be fine. I decoupaged this one and added a crystal.  I  also store my herbs with crystals to add another positive vibration..

What started out to be a small book, is going to be very exhaustive, and will help you on many levels.  How to make pipes – what herbs to grow and harvest – how to harvest – the effect of herbs – ancient rites – spells.  Whatever information  I can bring that I believe will help you.

Smokers among you who are encouraged to go down this route – I do encourage you to do your own research.  However, this booklet will give you the pointers for your own foray into this ancient field.  People throughout the ages have smoked herbs for many reasons, physical, spiritual and mystical.   Only we added addictive chemicals, but you can choose if you are going to buy into this.  It will take time to learn, to change,  but it is worth it.  I will keep you informed of my progress through these newsletters.

Down the track I will have studio or zoom classes.  It is a big subject.

NAMASTE JAHNE

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Yogis,

A short REMINDER OF CHANGES.  Everyday I speak to yogis from all over the country both teachers and students, and I have to report that everyone is experiencing strange times as we come out of covid – and anticipate we may at any time experience another lock-down.  In Melbourne CBD it is manic, felt mostly at night.  It feels like people are doing everything they didn’t/couldn’t do during lockdown.  This means there is little time left over for yummy things like yoga.  They have forgotten the comfort of “the mat”.

Whilst these changes may be upsetting to you, they may only be temporary – I don’t know.  As soon as you all relax, and get back to your yoga we can take up the classes again.  In the meanwhile we will get on with life as best we can.  “Nothing can happen except it is the will of Allah, trust this” – the Qur’an.  

FRIDAY: After a year of Covid inspired Tarot/Pendulum classes these are suspended until the situation changes.
SATURDAY:  These 2pm classes are as usual and THIS SATURDAY IS THE USUAL STUDIO CLASS. Woodend.
SUNDAY: The Gita is as usual at 10am.
MONDAY: 6.30pm FREE ZOOM Teacher Training.  This week still working on “Forgiveness”.
TUESDAY: 7.30 The Fabulous ZOOM RUMI CLASS.

A DEPARTMENT STORE LIFE

I found an old photo of the BLUE LADY which stood outside the studio for 25 years.  2 years ago she crumbled to bits in the cold.  The DEPARTMENT STORE image is in my head, it is not necessarily the building.

My Mother said it, other advisors have said it, and a Covid Business Coach said it last year “You won’t be super successful until you can focus on just one thing!”  I have had years to think about this.  I don’t agree, in fact I think that in these uncertain times having a “Portfolio Life” is the only way to “succeed”.  When one thing is not working another thing will be.  Those people who concentrate on one thing are not in a good position – when covid conditions knock that “one thing” there is nothing to take up the slack.  Even Bill Gates doesn’t concentrate on one thing.

When I was in the shower the other day it came to me – I have a “Department Store Life”.  I move between floors.  On the ground floor is yoga – that is what you see when you walk in, but there is more.  On the second floor is art, the third floor craft, the fourth floor housekeeping and administration.

Now, when I am planning the day I begin with the thought, “WHAT FLOOR ARE WE GOING TO BE  WORKING ON TODAY?”  It doesn’t mean I can’t move between floors during the day, but it does mean I can be aware I am actually moving between floors, and bring together those things that are on separate floors. I don’t have yoga things on the fourth floor.   I can choose without losing my power base.  I don’t have to feel “less than” because I don’t think like other people.  I don’t need to work like anyone else, I only need to work like me.

Like Myer, I can be successful no matter what floor I am working on.  Myer Stores expect to be successful on all floors but probably not all at the same time.  When the ground floor is working, then maybe the second floor is being renovated.  The analogy goes on and for me it is very successful.   For instance, this morning I will be working on the fourth floor, and then moving to the first floor for most of the day….Try it, it works for me.  It also makes for easier planning – no running up and down between floors all day.

You can know who you are, where you are.

I WILL SEE YOU ON THE MAT (OR ZOOM)
NAMASTE.  JAHNE