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 energy or Raw Shakti. | |
On the Path
Rhythm. Connecting with the natural rhythms around us help ground us in
our pursuits and life. For most of the world, either summer or winter
is winding down, here in the middle of the South Pacific the seasons
are more sublte and the "always summer" continues. Each place has
its own rhythm. Maybe you are getting back into school routines, or
dealing with some kind of change. All to often it may be loss but
hopefully gain too in various areas of your life. It is the ebb and
flow, the breath inside the asana or posture that defines this
very moment and is a metaphor for life. As in life, sometimes the
rhythm of our breath is jumpy and constricted and sometimes it is
smooth, flowing and feels easy.
Our current rhythm has
us focusing on evolving our tours to be truly eco-conscious and
indigenously based. We are sending out press releases to international
newspapers and getting our 2009 schedule of retreats finalized. We are
learning and growing in leaps and bounds and thankful to be
pursuing a career we believe is helping people become healthier
and have holidays that increase their vitality and quality of
life.
One rhythm that we hope to attune more with is
peace. We are working on making choices for positive change, health and
pursuing dreams fearlessly that are meant to be realized. We are in the
process of finalizing our materials list for the yoga spa retreat we
will build. We are sending out our executive summary to potential
investors for funding, and we are about to make a TV show in Samoa
about lifestyle makeovers to promote and inspire a healthier Samoa. We
had a successful meeting with the Prime Minister about the TV venture.
During the meeting, he mentioned how he believes strongly in healthy
lifestyles and organic foods. Raw Shakti is growing in new directions,
one step at a time.
With whatever projects lie ahead for
you, remember to take it easy with yourself, stay focused and do one
thing at a time. Find your rhythm. Whatever head and heart space you
may be in at the moment know that everything passes and the peace
lies within and available to you through a little bit of meditation or
yoga or quiet time. May health and peace flow toward you.
For the flow,
Taialofa and Kevin
|
Testimonial
Experiencing a yoga retreat with Kevin and Taialofa
will awaken your soul. Oming for the first time and afterwards opening
your eyes is probably an experience one never forgets, like a lot of
"firsts," and living and learning yoga with these positive, radiant
teachers can provide an enlightenment. Not only will you expand
your knowledge and understanding of yoga, no matter what your current
level, you will grow on all levels as you interact personally with
living Polynesian culture. It is impossible to come away from a village
stay in Samoa, without being surrounded by the love of new friends and
family.
Duncan M. Captain S/V Good Karma
| |
|
|
|
 In
January 2008, I turned 60. In India this is a big birthday to
celebrate. They say that if you are fortunate to reach this age, then
you are given a second life. Back in the 1960's, I went to India
for the first time. I even had my first yoga class on
the ship that I sailed on during a "semester at sea". To return to
India had always been on "my list," especially since India is the
birthplace of yoga and I am a yoga teacher. My life took an interesting
twist of presenting me with 4 children, and somehow India never seemed
like a family vacation. With those four children now adults, my
husband, my son Bryan (a yoga teacher currently getting his MBA), and I
set off... read more
|
| Upcoming Retreats
Join
Raw Shakti for a yoga experience of a lifetime. From sunrise
meditation on the beach to a full moon yoga tratak (fixed gazing)
experience 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!
|
What's New
Raw Shakti Yoga Teacher Training
We have been accepted by Yoga Alliance to conduct 200-hour Yoga
Teacher Trainings. Taialofa also has her E-RYT 500 certification, the
highest currently possible through Yoga Alliance. We are excited to
share our Yoga knowledge with you and looking forward to our first
Samoan Yoga Teacher Training in 2009. Click here for more details.
Art Miles Mural Project
We are continuing to donate our time and energy to the Art Miles
Mural Project. Most recently, Darwin Selesele, the Peace Paint
Ambassador for Samoa, brought the mural to Australia. While there, he
had an opportunity to meet the Pope who blessed the canvas. He
also spent time working with the Samoan Communities in Australia
painting another mural. For more infromation about the Art Miles Mural
Project click here. |
| Samoa Classes
We have a new class schedule for
Samoa. This is effective October 13th - December 12th. Call
us if you would like more information about a class. All classes
are priced in Samoan tala.
Mondays
5:15
- 6:30pm, KL Security building, Matauta-uta, $15, Beginner Yoga Class.
A great class to learn about yoga.We will maintain the same sequence 8
weeks at a time, so the poses can be learned thoroughly. Beginner
yoga is different from "gentle" yoga. For example, you might
learn "crow", which is a beginner arm balance posture. Along with
the full poses, you will learn modifications or ways to work with each
pose, so that everyone is working where their body needs to be with
comfort and ease. This space has hardwood floors which makes it an
ideal place for yoga.
7:00 - 8:00 pm, LeSpa, Vaoala, $30,
Gentle Candlelight Yoga, This class is meditative with gentle yet deep
stretching. It is a class designed to help wash away your
stresses, to come into the present moment and to learn how to deeply
relax.
Tuesdays
8:30 - 9:30am, Women's
Yoga Class, $20, This is a class dedicated to Women's yoga. There are
limited spaces. If you are interested please contact us.
6:15
- 7:15 pm, Health Attack Gym, Motoatua, $10, Mixed-Level Raw Shakti
Flow Yoga. For those who want to learn and work with yoga, this is the
best yoga class for you. The class is always fresh with a variety
of practices, postures and teachings to gain strength flexibility and
calmness of mind. Incorporating breath and movement, the class includes
a guided relaxation.
Wednesdays
9:30 -
10:30 am, Zodiac Community Center, Vailima, $25, Active Raw Shakti Flow
Yoga This class is ideal for people who have taken a yoga class before
and want to work deeper for people who have been practicing yoga for a
while and want to sweat. This class will focus on working out the body
using dynamic posture sequences.
11:00 - 12:00 pm, Zodiac
Community Center, Vailima, $25, Beginner Yoga. A great class to learn
about yoga.We will maintain the same sequence 8 weeks at a time, so the
poses can be learned thoroughly. Beginner yoga is different from
"gentle" yoga. For example, you might learn "crow", which is a
beginner arm balance posture. Along with the full poses, you will
learn modifications or ways to work with each pose, so that everyone is
working where their body needs to be with comfort and ease.
3:00
- 3:30 pm, Zodiac Community Center, Vailima, $15, Kids Yoga, This class
is a fun way for children to get active and enjoy creative yoga games.
The yoga will suit children ages six to twelve. Children derive
enormous benefits from yoga. Physically, it enhances their flexibility,
strength, coordination, and body awareness. In addition, their
concentration and sense of calmness improves. Yoga brings that
marvelous inner light to the surface that all children have.
7:00
- 8:00 pm, LeSpa, Vaoala, $20, Meditation class, During this
meditation class there will be two parts. The first will be something
fresh and give you an opportunity to explore different types of
meditation; the second will be the same each week to allow us to go
deeper with our experience. This is a perfect way to calm the busy mind.
Thursdays
8:30
- 9:30 am, Women's Yoga Class, $20, This is a class dedicated to
Women's yoga. There are limited spaces. If you are interested please
contact us.
10:30 - 11:30 am, Coconuts Beach Resort,
Please call 24 hours in advance to book, $35, Mixed levels. This class
has a beautiful space to do yoga in. While doing your poses, look out
to the ocean and hear the waves on the reef.
6:15 -
7:30 pm, Health Attack Gym, Motoatua, $10, Active Yoga. This yoga is
inspired by the Ashtanga sequence. This is an active practice that will
work your body. This class is recommended for active and fit people who
really want a workout and work their edge.
|
| Padangushtasana
 Padangushtasana,
standing forward bend, is made up of two sanskrit words. The first word
is "Pada" which means foot and the second is "angustha" which is big
toe.
Entering the pose begins from a standing position. Place your
feet parallel and hip width apart. Try and spread your toes
and stand tall. From here bend at the waist and grab for your toes.
Wrap your pointer finder and second finger around the toes.
If you can not reach your toes, allow your body to hang forward.
Also, if you have any problems with your lower back then bend
your knees.
Once you have grabbed your toes, extend the arms and
lengthen the spine forward. Also, lift the knee caps which engages your
quadriceps and releases your hamstrings. Engage your abdominal muscles
and let your head and torso drop down, pull your toes
with your arms and extend your elbows out to the side,
as they bend you come down further. Stay here for eight breaths.
Allow the breath to flow freely. Let the energy come up the back
side of your legs and spill over the top of your pelvis and
down your back.
From here, while holding the toes lengthen the spine
forward and then with an exhale place your hands on your
hips. With your next exhale come to a standing
position. Another alternative to coming up is to slowly uncurl
your spine vertebrae by vertebrae starting at your sacrum and working
your way up to your neck. This is a nice meditative way to
return to standing.
This pose has many benefits. The lengthening of the hamstrings
counteracts all the sitting in chairs that we do on a daily basis.
Also the forward bending aspect activates the parasympathetic
nervous system therefore activating the relaxation
response. Also, your head is lower than your heart
so there is an inversion, which increases the blood pressure in
the head.
The counterindications for this pose are lower back pain & issues and high blood pressure.
Enjoy your yoga and try this pose daily and after a few months reap the benefits.
|
|
Hana's Cooking Corner
"Cream" of Broccoli Soup
Serves 4-6, Vegan
This
soup is full of protein and surprises. The protein comes from the beans
and quinoa; the surprise comes from the presence of a creamy texture
without the addition of cream. The soup is hardy and goes well
with greens and whole grain bread. Enjoy!
10 cups water or vegetable stock
1 ½ cups cooked white beans (navy or canellini work well)
½ cup long-grain white or brown rice
1 cup quinoa
1 medium white potato, cubed
3 carrots, sliced
1 tbsp. sea salt
2 cups Broccoli, chopped
¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated (optional)
Combine
water/stock, beans, uncooked rice and quinoa, potato and carrots in a
stock pot or large sauce pan. Bring to a boil and let simmer for
30 minutes until rice and quinoa are fully cooked and the potato pieces
are very soft. Add salt. Remove 2-3 cups of the soup and
place in a food processor or blender. Puree mixture, adding water
if necessary to achieve smooth consistency. Add pureed mixture
back into the soup pot with broccoli. Repeat the blender/food
processor step until desired consistency is reached. Simmer for
another 15 minutes until broccoli is tender. Add salt and pepper
to taste.
To make this into Broccoli Cheddar Soup, grate ½- ¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese into the soup and heat through.
by Hana Massecar
 Hana,
with her partner Erik, is shown here on Namu'a
Island when they were on retreat. 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 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. |
| Josephine Russell
 Josephine
lives and teaches yoga in New Hampshire, USA. She is leading an
adventure to Machu Pichu, Peru in the summer of 2009. She is intrepid
and always up for leading an adventure. She lives yoga and is an
inspiration to many for her love of nature and a life well lived. She
will help her son Bryan with a yoga teacher training course in
Keene, NH, starting February 2009. This picture is of her, her husband,
and son was taken in Northern India where they made their journey to
the headwaters of the Ganges in July.
|
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
|
|
