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Raw Shakti e-Newsletter Issue 8 September 2006

FEATURE ARTICLES - Yoga with Robert Louis Stevenson -Reconnecting with Samoa after 30 years -Canoeing in Canada WHAT'S NEW WITH RAW SHAKTI -Yoga Alliance Yoga Matters Newsletter -International Day of Peace -Yoga Pilot Program CALENDAR - Move your mind, mover your body in Samoa - China, California, Canada, Peru EXPANDING THEPRACTICE -Highlighted Asana -Hana's Cooking Corner  RAWSHAKTI CONTRIBUTORS -Kevin Petrini -Bryan Russell

I often see many of us toning ourselves down. Perhaps so that we don't overwhelm others? Do you ever worry that if you give too much love that people will feel uncomfortable or as if they will have to give it back to you in return and so you hold your self and your love back?  If you give too much will they will feel they have to reciprocate? In other words do you ever feel like you are constantly or even just sometimes toning yourself down to seem less amazing or loving? It often seems more socially acceptable in the modern world to be complaining or to feel unhappy that to express feeling of radiance or joy. According to the science of yoga it is our nature to serve, love, and give!  Give yourself permissions to love and give as you would wish to.  If you have love to give, give it! The world and each of us need to receive more, so if  you give more you will recieve more. That is the law of karma. If you are in a relationship and you feel you want to love that person more...go for it...and then let the chips fall where they may! If you have to move on if the love is not met with joy and reciprocation, that is life...and you can move on to find another place to give your amazing gift of love. Give and love without attachment of the results.  Let yourself love. Often we hold back for fear that others will think us to be "too much". We must love. It is our nature to love, serve and give. What we give we will recieve back only sometimes it comes back to us in unexpected ways. Serve, love, give, meditate, realize.  -Sivananda Love is the essence of all religions.   -Kripalu. For all the love, Taialofa

Yoga with Robert Louis Stevenson

The great nineteenth century writer, Robert Louis Stevenson spent the last five years of his life in Samoa. During those last five years he wrote over 10 books and numerous prayers and poetry. Just behind his home is the summit of Mt. Vaea. This was a very special place for Robert.

During his time in Samoa he befriended the many Samoans and was well loved by them. This was abundantly clear when upon his death, Samoans lined the "Trail of Loving Hearts" which leads to the top of Mt.Vaea. It is said that his casket was passed from hand to hand all the way to the top.

During our last day of the recent Samoa yoga retreat, and after 2 weeks of exploring four islands and the beauty of Samoa, we reached the top of Mt. Vaea, Robert Louis Stevenson's resting place. It was here where we each made up a yoga pose and took the above picture of our group. Our journey was our own "trail of loving hearts" and we are blessed that we all had a chance to do yoga next to the resting place of the great writer Robert Louis Stevenson.

by Kevin Petrini

Canoeing in Canada

I am always amazed at the simplicity of living in the outdoors, and how this lets me go deeper inside myself. In the wilderness, the number of worries goes from a seemingly endless number, to just a few.  Your choices are easier and more relevant.  You decide what you would like to eat for breakfast, and you cook it.  What would you like to wear?  The same as yesterday, for that is all you have.  You only need to look up to see what the weather will do.  You know you are healthy.  You are outside.  You are ready for the world, a 'simple world'.

During the Canada Canoe trip in August, I had the pleasure of experiencing the serenity of the wilderness with four other group members as we canoed down the Noire River near Ottawa. Each morning we would awake to some herbal tea as we began our meditation before yoga practice.  Meditation has been something I have struggled with.  My mind is usually racing around planning and seeing what I will do when my meditation is over.  It was different in the wilderness though.  I was calm. My thoughts were few.  During one meditation on the riverbank, I experienced not want to leave the meditation, a peace and calmness was everywhere.  I was telling Vedantin, another of the leaders on the trip, about this afterwards, and he said, "You experience not wanting to come out of meditation, that is great", as if to say that this was one way to recognize you are in deep meditation.  It was a new experience for me, and one that I have had only in the wilderness.

Now my challenge is to bring some of that 'simple world' mentality into my daily life; letting go of the superficial stresses and cares I create for myself in the 'real world'.  It is a practice. 

by Bryan Russell

Reconnecting with Samoa after 30 years

This past July, Josephine and JC, Taialofa's parents came back to Samoa for a visit. While they were here they reconnected with their Samoan host family from 30 years ago! It was neat to see people come out and greet them and share with laughter and tears about the old days. There was of course many changes but they said the beauty and the radiant smiles of the people were still the same.

Josephine made many connections between the Samoan culture and Yoga. She noted that Samoa is a culture of mats. A finely woven mat is a form of customary local currency and is still very important at cultural events. The sleeping mat is still widely used each evening. it is common to see people unrolling their sleeping mats and setting up their mosquito nets for a good nights sleep in the open fales(houses). The sitting mat is for everyday and ceremonial use. Also these mats are perfect for yoga. They are organic of course and from local materials that you can find in the backyard. Taialofa also notes that Samoans generally have amazingly open hips! Many people here are great at lotus pose! Also, in Yoga we encourage our toes to spread out. Without people wearing constricting shoes people are able to have happy and healthy feet. JC notes that the Samoans have a generosity of spirit that people practicing yoga can learn a lot from. 

So with 30 years past, we see that some things change, some stay the same. The friends we make along the journey of life remain dear to us no matter how much time passes.

by Taialofa and Kevin Petrini

Yoga Alliance Yoga Matters Newsletter

Here is what Yoga Alliance said about us...

"More, More, More!
We just recently received submissions from Taialofa Petrini in Samoa where she and her husband, Kevin, both RYTs, teach and lead yoga retreats for people from all over the world. What a great place for a Yoga Day USA celebration (see photo of Taialofa's brother Erik Russell and his partner Hana Massecar). Here's hoping we'll have a story from her in 2007!" 

To learn more about Yoga Alliance go to thier website at www.yogaallaince.com

This picture was taken on the July yoga retreat. We were exploring Namua island in Samoa when Erik and Hana (the lady who writes the Hana's Cooking Corner section of this newsletter!) were in an entwined tree pose. It was a beautiful day we all swam in the clear ocean and then enjoyed some yoga on the rocks!

International Day of Peace

September 21st every year is the the International day of Peace. We celebrated this year by walking for Peace starting at 7am along the Apia Harbor through Apia City with many people. The most touching moment was perhaps the children who carried with them hand made signs sharing about thier dream of world peace. During the ceremony at the government building the Deputy Head of State spoke about how "Peace is freedom and freedom is Peace".

Yoga Pilot Program

 We are excited to be working with Samoa's Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. We are teaching two classes per week on Mondays and Fridays after work for these two Ministries employees. We are excited to be serving the public works here in Samoa through the modality of yoga. They are showing their firm commitment to making Samoa a healthier place.

Yoga Day USA: New Hampshire, USA

January 27th, 2007

We will have yoga and kirtan (bhakti yoga). More details in the next newsletter!  Save the date! We hope to see you there! 

Move Your Body, Move Your Mind: Samoa

May 8 - 22, 2007

A Life Coaching and Yoga Retreat. To Awaken your Spirit and Balance your Life... (more)

Wilderness Yoga Retreat: Sierra Mountains, California, USA

June and July, 2007

Join us for a journey inward as we venture out into the wilderness of the Sierra Mountains. Enjoy this fully guided backpacking trip... (more)

Sacred Mountain Yoga Retreats: China

July 15 - August 11, 2007

Buddhists regard the mountains as being the 'Gateway to the Gods'... (more)

200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification: China

July 15 - August 11, 2007

This month long TTCC is theoretical and experiential based... (more)

Canoeing and Yoga with Bryan Russell: Canada

Summer/Fall 2007

There is no better way to access true wilderness than in a canoe...(more)

A magical Yoga Journey to Machu Picchu: Peru

Fall 2007

Peru is a magical place, a powerful place, a wonderful place for yoga...(more)

Highlighted Asana: The Peaceful Warrior

This is a photo of Amber in warrior asana in Samoa! You can see her cultivated grace and strenghth as she stands on the rocks surrounded by the sea. To move into this asana bring one foot forward and the other foot back. Bend your front knee until it is at a right angle over the ankle. Rise tall through your spine and reach your arms out to the side reaching electric through the tips of your fingers so as to engage the full body. Gaze forward and enjoy the power of your breath rising up from the root of your belly with each inhale. Enjoy a few breaths here and then switch sides for balance. You too are at your nature a peaceful warrior!

Hana's Cooking Corner: Layered Vegetable Bake

Here in New England where I live, it’s cooling down enough to start using the oven again. This meal doesn’t take long to prepare and assemble so you can put it in the oven and still have a half hour to enjoy the fleeting light of summer evenings.

Layered Vegetable Bake

Serves 4 Vegetarian

6-8 small red skinned potatoes, sliced about ¼ inch thick

1 leek sliced ¼” thick

1 medium tomato sliced ¼” thick

1 small zucchini or summer squash sliced ¼” thick

1 green pepper diced

1 tbsp small capers packed in salt

2 tbsp nutritional yeast

¼ c shredded mozzarella cheese

Freshly ground sea salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp olive oil

Coat 9” pie pan with olive oil. Cover bottom with single layer of potato slices topped by peppers then a layer of zucchini topped by the nutritional yeast and some salt and pepper. Layer the tomatoes on top followed by the leek slices and capers. Top with remaining potato slices, salt and pepper. Sprinkle a couple teaspoons of water on top, cover with aluminum foil and place in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Top with mozzarella cheese and place back in the oven for another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Kevin Petrini 

Kevin is a dedicated yoga practitioner, tour leader and Co-director of Raw Shakti Yoga. He loves journeying with people into the heart of Samoa and sharing the native culture and beauty while on retreats. He is found in the early morning hours working his way through Iyengar's book Light on Yoga and Valmiki's Yoga Vasishtha. These are the anchors of his yoga practice. He is excited to start meditating under the banyan trees on the land where Raw Shakti's home and yoga spa will be built in Samoa.

Bryan Russell

Bryan Russell recently led the yoga and canoe canada retreat. He loves to hike Mount Monadnock in NH, USA and share the beauty of New England with many who come his way for retreats. He is an active outdoors lover and enjoys his daily practice of yoga. Bryan works behind the scenes for Raw Shakti on many projects such as web design and also he has a new website www.keeneonyoga.com  focusing on yoga in his hometown of Keene.  His passion is being amidst nature and exploring mindfully the beauty of the natural world. To be on a retreat with Bryan is to experiece a bit of his relaxed peace. Bryan radiates strength and gentle kindness towards all life.

Please feel welcome and invited to FORWARD this newsletter to all whom you think might enjoy this journey toward health and peace! We kindly appreciate your sending this newsletter to others! Thank you so much for reading!

Raw Shakti is a Yoga Enterprise Dedicated to Promoting Health and Peace on Earth.

Raw Shakti - P.O. Box 684 - Western Samoa

Phone: 011 685 779 6400

Email: yoga@rawshakti.com
Web site: www.rawshakti.com