What does our company name, Raw Shakti, mean?
Raw
refers to pure or unaltered and shakti is the Sanskrit word for
life-force, power, or energy. Sanskrit is an ancient language that
many of the yoga texts were originally written in. We
translate Raw Shakti into English as raw or pure energy. We
all have an abundance of pure energy inside of us. Raw Shakti Yoga
works through the modality of yoga to connect us with our inner purity
and energy by taking off the layers that often cover our essence. By
revealing our pure energetic nature, we will realize our creative
potential. The purifying practice of yoga helps to purify the body and
mind by getting rid of the junk or impurity. We are left with energy
and purity to live our life. To have energy is to have radiance and
vitality. To live from this place of raw shakti is to live from a place
where we have an abundance of energy to help ourselves live healthy
and, therefore, to help the world in whatever ways we are called to do
so. Anything that manifests does so through shakti. What we create is from our own pure or Raw Shakti. | |
On the Path
 S/He who lives in harmony with him/her self lives in harmony with the universe.
- Marcus Aurelius
Our
Web site has evolved slowly but surely to meet the needs of people
wanting a healthy and culture-based vacation. Our inspiration is to
reflect on how our vision for health and peace on earth connects with
Samoan culture - the paradise island that leads to nurturing our inner
paradise.
The indigenous religion of Samoa, as shared with
me by His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese, the current Samoan Head of
State, is based on four harmonies. These harmonies were the
foundation for the indigenous religion of Samoa. They are: Harmony with
the Self, Harmony with Others, Harmony with the Earth and Harmony with
the Cosmos. Our Raw Shakti global yoga retreats are now based on
cultivating these four harmonies.
As I traveled
around the USA sharing yoga in April, the core Raw Shakti teachers came
together to form the word "YOGA" with our postures for the picture
above. We had a grand time in my uncle's back yard next to a blooming
magnolia tree. To live in harmony with the modern world, going out in
nature to connect with the four harmonies is perhaps the easiest
way to find balance and peace within. Even sitting outside for a few
minutes can change our whole view of life. In other words, by
experiencing harmony we learn to live with more joy. And according to
the science of yoga, joy or bliss is the way humans are meant to feel
at their essence.
The greatest lesson I have
learned over the last four years living in Samoa is to be
patient. So many times I have wanted to get something done and it
can literally take what seems like forever to accomplish. People appear
so relaxed here, quite the opposite of a more ambitious and hurried
culture like America. The truth is there are blessings and
challenges in both ways of living, so to find harmony within the
situation is to find harmony with yourself and others. Through
cultivating patience and enjoying the process of things instead of
waiting for the result, we find harmony with the cosmos by accepting
what is. Everything happens in its perfect time as long as we put in
the dedicated effort! To release attachment about when the desired
outcome will occur is a great practice.
For global and personal harmony,
Taialofa
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Free Yoga DVD
We continue to spread
the news about Raw Shakti yoga trips. To increase the number of
subscribers to our newsletter we ask your help to spread the news.
All Raw Shakti
E-newsletter subscribers as of June 2008 are eligible for a free
copy of Taialofa's Yoga in New England DVD. If only ONE
person that you know signs up for the Raw Shakti e-newsletter and
writes "Free Yoga DVD promotion - your name" in the notes box on the
signup page, we will notify you by e-mail of your eligibility for a
free DVD. Then, reply to us with a shipping address. A free copy
of Taialofa's Yoga in New England DVD will be sent to you. If you
do not get a notice an you think you are eligible, please send us a
quick note. This offer is good while supplies last. Please allow 6
weeks for the shipment of your DVD. Thank you for helping spread the
news about our Raw Shakti Yoga Adventures.
For the flow,
The Adventure Team at Raw Shakti | |
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Testimonial
"Thank you
for a truly magical yoga retreat. As a complete beginner to both yoga
and mediation, I was looking forward to opening my mind to a new
experience and certainly wasn't disappointed. Taialofa, learning yoga
and meditation with you was incredible. I felt a sense of calm and
inner peace I've not experienced before and came away from the retreat
feeling energized and positive. I'm now a total yoga and meditation
convert and will be incorporating my learnings from the retreat into my
daily routine. I look forward to seeing you again someday." Best wishes, Cathryn Tucker, UK
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| Upcoming Retreats
Join
Raw Shakti for a yoga experience of a lifetime. From sunrise
meditation on the beach to full moon yoga tratak (fixed gazing)
experiences to weaving a traditional basket, our retreats are filled
with many experiences, two daily yoga classes, and plenty of
well-deserved down time. Scheduled activities include waterfall
swimming, making organic cocoa from start to finish, snorkeling,
outrigger canoeing, and an opportunity to learn about cooking in a
Samoan ground oven! You won't believe what else we have in store for
you!
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Sita, a Peace Corps Volunteer, Takes a Yoga Journey in Samoa
 I
took Kevin and Taialofa's yoga classes in Apia when my long commute and
teaching schedule allowed, but I knew I was missing something and
wanted to explore it further. I was introduced to the Raw Shakti Web
site and learned about the adventure travel and retreats.
I knew it was something I had to do and made a promise I would
treat myself before leaving Samoa. I recently participated in the 3-day
Namua Island Yoga Retreat, which just happened to be in my front yard,
literally! I have been blessed to live for two years on the most
beautiful side of the island, so it was appropriate for me to
venture out through the crystal-clear aqua waters one last time to
fulfill my dream. read more... |
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What Can Happen in 24 hours
It is Saturday, June 14, at 10:30PM.
Vedantin, my dear friend and yoga comrade, asks me if I still want
to drive to San Ramon,California to see Amma, the hugging saint.
Without hesitation I nod yes. "I would like to see
Amma, we are so close, and are headed that way anyway tomorrow."
We finish packing the car with my two bags for my return flight
to New Hampshire, and with Vedantin's bags for his 6-month journey to
Peru, where he will be studying Shamanism in the Andes Mountains.
We are both at the start of our own journeys.
We arrive at Amma's ashram a few minutes before midnight read more... |
What's New
Yoga Journal Boston Conference
One of our Raw Shakti
trip leaders, Bryan Russell, went to the Yoga Journal conference and
gave out our post cards that highlight our global retreats spreading
the word about what we offer. He enjoyed taking classes with some
of the great Yogis of our time, including Richard Freeman, David
Swenson, Gary Kraftsow, Duncan Wong, and others. He met many wonderful
fellow yogins and enjoyed the energy of the 1,500-participant
conference.
Ecotourism in Samoa
The
United States Peace Corps held an Eco-tourism conference in Samoa. The
particpants included stakeholders from the governments, non-profit
associations, businesses, and villagers who want to start ecotourism
projects. As Raw Shakti is an eco-tour company, we were honored to be
asked to present at the conference. We were asked to talk
about what it is like to lead eco-tours in Samoa. The
International Ecotourism Society defines it as responsible travel to
natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains or even
improves the well-being and welfare of local people. We at Raw Shakti
take pride in working with local communities to improve well-being.
Here is Kevin, getting close to nature, doing yoga in a tree. Another
type of eco-tourism!
Raw Shakti was featured in the spotlight section of LAYoga agazine's Green April issue. To read the article please click here.
On the Road
We are on top of Mt Mitchell in North Carolina, the tallest mountain on the East Coast of the USA!
Samoan Tourism Authority Website
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Classes
Health Attack Gym in Motootua Samoa:
- Tuesdays from 6:15 - 7:15 PM, 10 tala (US$4), Taialofa
- Thursdays from 6:15 - 7:15 PM, 10 tala (US$4), Kevin
Zodiac Restaurant in Vailima, Samoa:
- Wednesdays, 10:00 - 11:00AM, 25 tala/class, pre-registration required, Taialofa
Coconut's Beach Resort in South Coast of Upolu, Samoa:
- Thursday from 10:30-11:30AM, 35 tala (US$14.00)
If you have a group and would like to set up a weekly class, please call 7796400. |
****No classes during Yoga Retreat dates listed above*****
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| Vasisthasana
 Four Raw Shakti teachers are enjoying the spring sunshine in North Carolina, USA. They are in
Vasisthasana pose.
This pose is unique in that you are bearing weight on
your arm while it is externally rotated. To come into this pose
start in a plank position. From here drop the right knee to the
floor and place your left foot on the floor. Open up
your body to the left. Reach the left arm into the sky and extend
through the spine. From here if you feel strong enough, straighten
the right leg as well. and stack the left foot onto the right. This
will bring you into this magnificent pose. Here you need to stabilize
through the abdominal and the thoracic region. Breathe in this pose for
a few breaths. Allow yourself to feel the full body
strength. Release and repeat on the other side for balance.
This is a beautiful and powerful pose that
symbolizes strength and perseverance. For anyone out there trying
to start a project or business of any sort you may know what it means
to truly persevere! Try this posture and enjoy building your
strength.
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White Beans and Kale
Serves 4, Vegan
This recipe highlights the delicious dark leafy greens of the spring and summer. Enjoy!
1-˝ cups white beans (canellini or navy)
8 cups kale, spinach or chard coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
2-4 TBSP olive oil
4 TBSP grated Fresh Romano cheese (optional)
4 cups cooked pasta (optional)
Heat
olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and
sauté for several minutes, then lower heat and let cook for 15 - 20
minutes or until onions are soft and fragrant. Add garlic and
greens and cook until both are soft. A few tablespoons of water
may be added to ensure that the greens are steamed. Add beans and
heat through. Add freshly ground salt and pepper to
taste. Serve over pasta and toss with additional extra virgin
olive oil, if desired. Sprinkle with grated Romano cheese for
additional flavor.
by Hana Massecar
 Hana
is assisting Kevin on top of Mt. Cardigan, where he is enjoying a view
of Mt. Washington from his handstand. Hana has been practicing Iyengar
yoga since 2000. She is currently taking an Iyengar yoga
teacher-training course.
She lives beside a picturesque lake in New Hampshire with her partner,
Erik (Taialofa's brother), and their 2 cats. She is an avid cyclist,
food lover, and overall outdoor enthusiast. Her inspired cooking has
been gracing tabletops and satisfying the hunger of many yogis for
years. |
| Jessica "Sita" Ackerman
Jessica
(whose Samoan name is Sita) is 27 years old. She was a competitive
long-distance runner and gymnast for 10 years. Since college she has
been living a life of one adventure after another. She has worked
several remote field research jobs in Alaska with marine mammals and
fisheries for 4 years before joining the Peace Corps in Samoa. She is a
scuba dive master, rock climbing instructor, and initiative
activities/leadership/self-discovery facilitator. Sita enjoys traveling
around the world that has brought her to the Caribbean, 45 of the US
states, Mexico, Canada, Pacific Islands, Costa Rica, Australia, New
Zealand, Thailand, and Cambodia. After her Peace Corps service,
she plans to return home to Minnesota for a special
mother-daughter retreat, spend quality time with family and friends,
and participate in a 30-day Alaska Outdoor Educator course in
mountaineering and sea kayaking. She dreams of traveling to Nepal
for some climbing in the Himalayas and hopefully to Patagonia in
the spring. She has a vision to combine her marine biology degree with
her love of travel and adventure. She is an adventurous outdoor
extraordinaire and an inspiration to many, You really can
accomplish your wildest dreams!
Bryan Russell
 Bryan
is currently on his first pilgrimage to India to see the headwaters of
the Ganges River and other sacred sites. He has been working for Raw
Shakti since 2004, leading retreats, organizing marketing campaigns,
and designing the Web site. He has guided retreats to China,
Tibet, Alaska, California, Canada, Peru, Samoa, and Texas. He completed
his 200-hour yoga teacher training at the Sivananda Ashram in
Val-Morin, Canada, in 2005. In 2007, he received his 500-hour
certification through the SchoolYoga Institute. He is now a teacher for
the SchoolYoga Institute and leads Yoga Teacher Trainings world wide.
Bryan is a top yoga adventure guide who brings strength and compassion
to his teaching style. He is passionate about the great outdoors and
also about sharing the benefits of yoga for the corporate world. When
he is home he teaches yoga classes in the Keene, New Hampshire, area.
Bryan also runs a corporate yoga business - bringing yoga classes to
employees at businesses. Check out his new website www.bloomingmountain.com to learn more.
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Contact Info
Taialofa
Director of Raw Shakti
PO Box 684
Apia, Samoa
Samoa phone: ++(685) 7796400
USA phone: 1-888-YOGA-123
yoga@rawshakti.com
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