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On the Path
 This
year started with family, friends and moving! If there is anything to
test equanimity it would be moving. We have moved the Raw Shakti office
and home site to another beautiful location. It gave us an opportunity
to do a "spring" cleaning although it is officially "fall" here in the
southern hemisphere. Again we have become aware of the energy and
effort it takes to space clear items no longer used, to clean house and
move forward. Our true home lies within but having a clean and
organized house to live in while creating dreams sure helps to keep
things moving forward with strong clarity. In addition to this move,
our new year's resolution is to take Sundays completely off, so even
with the big move and lots of work in front of us we have stuck to this
rule of enjoying the beach (the picture of Kevin) and waterfalls and
hiking trails each Sunday. What a pleasure to feel refreshed after
being in nature and to feel ready to work again on Monday. If you can,
take a journey into nature near you to clear your mind and have time to
dream about your life and the possibilities. We feel blessed to be
living in Samoa and soon, as we are still in the process of designing,
the Yoga Spa will be built. All one step at a time, we look forward to
serving many toward peace and health on earth!
Blessings for times of rejuvenation amidst our busy lives!
Namaste,
Taialofa
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Connecticut Yoga 
A
good friend from childhood came to visit with us in Connecticut from
Washington, DC, and we enjoyed spending time with her in the cold
January New England outdoors. We took a walk through the frozen forest
along a beautiful stream complete with a waterfall, although of course
unlike Samoa we had no intentions of taking a swim as it was just above
freezing! The path meandered through the tall pine forest up to a
beautiful vista where we did some yoga postures (picture of Taialofa
and Rena).
Upon reflecting on my time in Connecticut and yoga experiences
like these, I thought more about the word Connecticut and realized it
is made up of the words "connect" and "cut". These two terms have
nearly opposite meanings and are connected by the "I". In everyday
language these opposites have come to be known as "yin" and "yang"
which comes from the Chinese Taoist tradition. These are the opposites
in our life that we are working with everyday; even during a peaceful
walk in the woods. The science of yoga has a rich knowledge base and
corresponding lexicon for working with opposites in our body, mind and
spirit to connect with our authentic self. Some of these opposites are
"ida" and "pingala," "ha" and "tha" and "shiva" and "shakti". These
represent the male versus female, sun versus moon and the subtle
energies of the body that when united we connect to our authentic self.
Through practicing yoga, we cultivate the union of these opposites that
result in equanimity and authenticity. Our daily yoga practice supports
the flow toward our own true "I" or self. Walking through the woods
with the tall trees was what we needed in order to relax our minds and
allow the opposites to melt away into our authentic self. This walk
"connected" the "cut" with the "I".
by Kevin Petrini
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Yoga Day USA
 Many
people attended Yoga Day USA in Keene, NH. this year. This was a day
created by the Yoga Alliance as a way to introduce people to yoga and
to give back to those already practicing. It was a day to celebrate all
the styles of yoga and the health benefits. All over the country yoga
studios and yoga centers were hosting Yoga Day USA. For us it was a
wonderful success. The venue at Lady of America had a gorgeous upstairs
room that we filled up with up to 45 people per class. For some of the
teachers it was a new experience to teach to so many. All were excited.
Yoga has grown quickly over the past few years. It used to be a unique
practice and now it is mainstream and reaching all levels, body types
and abilities. In most areas of the country there is a yoga class
nearby for you.
It was inspiring to see so many come out of
the classes that day saying that their health was indeed their wealth
and that they were passionate about yoga and all the ways it helps them
to be healthier and happier.
People gave donations for Yoga for People with Diabetes in Samoa. In
Samoa,there will be classes held for people with diabetes. The yoga
class will will focus on healthy lifestyle choices for managing the
disease. In general a healthy lifestyle in the islands is going back to
their native diet and ways of exercising that worked for thousands of
years keeping the people healthy and fit. It is the case that modern
day living with remote controls and less need for exercise and lots of
fatty junk food available that diabetes numbers have soared in the past
decade. This epidemic that is in many countries can surely be turned
around with the help of yoga and healthy living. To finish the Yoga Day
we sponsored Kailash to lead our chanting. Kailash is a student of
Bhagavan Das and has a PHD in communications. Chanting is his modality.
He told about the history of many yogic sages and we enjoyed bhakti
yoga with his guidance through the yoga of sound.
by Taialofa
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What's New
Raw Shakti's Yoga Adventure Retreats are featured in the book called Body and Soul Escapes. The following is some information about the book by Caroline Sylge.
 The
pressures and stresses of modern life mean many people are beginning to
look for more than just a relaxing holiday - they want to be
rejuvenated from the inside out, but where do they go and what do they
do? With so many experiences on offer across the globe, the real
challenge is finding what's out there and what's right for you. The new
Body and Soul Escapes (Footprint, £19.99, US29.95) is the first book
created to give you the answers. Beautifully produced and packed with
interesting features, it blends inspiration with practical first-hand
experience of over 350 places and holidays across the globe to suit all
temperaments and budgets, from alternative retreats in France to a chic
bikini boot camp in Mexico, from a jungle ayurveda retreat in Sri Lanka
to an artistic retreat in New Zealand.
Aimed at the general traveler looking to de-stress and re-energise, the
book will also appeal to yoga addicts and spa goers looking for holiday
ideas, and to men as much as women.
Body & Soul Escapes is available from all good book shops and online at www.footprintbooks.com from March 2007.
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Weekend Retreats
Yoga Basics at Coconuts Beach Resort: Saturday, April 21st
 Come
for a day of yoga rejuvenation and learn about how yoga is more than
the postures with guides who live the yoga lifestyle. If you are new to
yoga this is a great retreat for you! All levels are welcome.You
will be guided in ways to quiet the busy mind and learn about the eight
limbs of yoga. Includes walking meditation, healthy delights for a yoga
style lunch and yoga postures in the sea to cleanse the body. Sign up
today by calling 7796400. 270 tala
Namu'a Island Retreat: Friday - Sunday, May 25th-27th
Come
for a fabulous weekend retreat! You will explore the island, experience
sunrise meditations and relax with snorkeling and beachcombing. Meet in
Apia at the tourism fale and take a van at 3 PM Friday. We will drop you back off in Apia at the tourism fale at 3 PM
on Sunday. Come for this weekend of yoga and adventure. Learn about
yourself, what your body can do and how to quiet the mind. All levels
welcome and invited. 600 tala
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Extended Retreats
Yoga Retreat in Samoa with KK and Taialofa: July 31st-August 11th
 This
will be a time to enjoy the wonders of Samoa and the power of KK and
Taialofa's energy. Come join this amazing time of rejuvenation and
replenishment. This high-end tour of Samoa will be rejuvenating and
your guides will share with you a journey sure to renew aspects of your
being! Join this incredible journey into your own heart!
Please visit www.mintescapes.com for more information about KK.
Yoga in China: Teacher Training with School Yoga: July 15th-August 11th
 This
month long Teacher Training Course will be theoretical and experience
based. Trainees will be encouraged to live in the yogic life style for
an entire month and beyond. They will experience many paths of yoga,
such as Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bakti Yoga, and Juana Yoga leading to a
complete embodiment of virtues, strength, balance, serenity, peace,
joy, happiness, contentment, and wisdom. This leads to a Yoga Alliance
200-hour certification. Click here for more information.
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Classes
Health Attack in Motoatua: Tuesdays from 6:15-7:15 pm, 10 tala
Coconut's Beach Club: Thursday from 10:00-11:00am, 35 tala
If you have a group (in Samoa!) and would like to set up a weekly class call us at 7796400
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Vasisthasana
 This pose is dedicated to the sage Vasistha who is the author of the seventh Mandala of the Rig Veda
the oldest extant written work and sacred scripture of Hinduism. He is
also one of the main characters in the Yoga-Vasistha which is a
dialouge between the sage Vasistha and his pupil Rama.
To enter
this majestic and graceful pose one needs strength, flexibility,
balance and a good sense of humor. Begin in plank posture often called
push up posture. Stay there for a few breaths, now turn your right foot
so that the lateral (outside) side of the foot is flat along the floor,
then stack the left foot on top of this. Make any adjustments to
straighten the body from ankle to the top of your head. Shift all the
weight to the right arm and lay the left arm along your left side. Take
a full breath and with your next exhale reach down with your left hand
to your left foot and wrap your pointer and middle finger around your
big toe. When you inhale, reach this leg into the sky and breath fully
for as long as you would like to remain here. If you topple over, just
laugh and try again. It is certainly a challenging pose, but wonderful
fun. Now that you have done it, bend the raised knee, release the grip
from the foot and let your left side come back down into plank. Now do
it on the other side for balance.
By Kevin
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Hana's Cooking Corner
Chocolate Orange
Pudding
Serves 4 Vegan
Ingredients:
- 1 12oz package silken tofu
(firm is best)
- 6oz dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 TBSP maple syrup,
- Orange zest from 1/2 a large
orange,
Directions:
Melt
chocolate over a double
boiler or very low heat. Meanwhile,
puree tofu and maple syrup in food processor or blender until smooth.
Add chocolate to tofu mixture and continue
processing until uniform in color. Add
orange zest until combined. Scoop into 4
dessert cups, cover and let set in the refrigerator for 4 hours or
longer. Serve each with a wedge of fresh orange. Smile while you eat!
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Contact Info
Taialofa and Kevin Petrini
Directors
Samoa phone: (685) 7796400
taialofa@rawshakti.com
kevin@rawshakti.com
OR
American phone: 1-888-YOGA-123
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