Yoga with Susan Zurawski

Meta created this AI picture for me!!!

I don't post as often on this site anymore, but wanted to let you know that I am currently teaching for the city. I have a Tuesday morning Gentle Yoga Class at Chocolate Lake REC and a Wednesday evening Flow Yoga at Youth Worx (soon to be moved to the new BLT REC centre). We are just into our 2nd week and there is room to join in both classes. Hope to see you there!! Namaste, Susan

90th Birthday Message

On the occasion of my 90th birthday, I understand that well-wishers and friends in many places, including Tibetan communities, are gathering for celebrations. I particularly appreciate the fact that many of you are using the occasion to engage in initiatives that highlight the importance of compassion, warm-heartedness, and altruism.

I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don’t normally engage in birthday celebrations. However, since you are organizing events focused on my birthday I wish to share some thoughts.

While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone. Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place.

As for myself, I will continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values, religious harmony, drawing attention to the ancient Indian wisdom which explains the workings of mind and emotions, and Tibetan culture and heritage, which has so much potential to contribute to the world through its emphasis on peace of mind and compassion.

I develop determination and courage in my daily life through the teachings of the Buddha and Indian masters such as Shantideva, whose following aspiration I strive to uphold.

As long as space endures,
As long as sentient being remain,
Until then, may I too remain
To dispel the miseries of the world.

Thank you for using the opportunity of my birthday to cultivate peace of mind and compassion.

Tashi Deleg and with prayers,

Dalai Lama

5 July 2025

Start every morning of your weekend off right! ✨ 🌲

Hatha Yoga explained in a bit more detail ...........
Ha = sun + Tha = moon Yoga = yoking
So Hatha Yoga yokes together the powers of the sun and the moon (the dual state of all pairs of opposites) - through the “forceful” means of disciplining the body. In other words, Hatha Yoga seeks balance in all things. It does this by encouraging balance in the physical body practising asanas designed to cleanse the subtle nerve channels known as NADIS.
The Ida channel is known as the “moon stream” starting from the left side at the bottom of the spine (the muladhar chakra.) It is the cool female energy channel.
The Pingala channels is known as the “sun stream” starting from the right side at the bottom of the spine. It is a hot male energy channel.
These two energy channels criss cross up the spine creating an energy vortex at each crossing know as a chakra. There are seven main chakras along the spine, all representing rising levels of consciousness, however, there are 21 minor chakras and 86 micro chakras in human body. Among the 114 chakras, two of these are actually outside the body. There are a total of 72000 nadis throughout the body. Can you see a nadi channel or a chakra? No. That's why they are referred to as "subtle", and some see them as simply an analogy to visualize how energy travels and manifests in the body and beyond. That's for you to decide for yourself.

So, I’d like to write a bit about OM - where did it come from, what does it mean and how do we do it???

The written form of Om originated somewhere in the 1st to 4th centuries CE, but was very likely used and understood much before that. It originally came out of the ancient Vedic texts of Hinduism, known as the Upanishads, but that does not mean that OM is necessarily a Hindu practice alone.

The word Om is defined as being the primordial sound of creation. It is the original vibration of the universe. From this first vibration, all other vibrations are able to manifest. Because it is a primordial sound, it is considered beyond thought and because it is beyond thought, it really means No-Thing and does not belong to any particular religion or sect.

By chanting Om, we can align our frequency with that of the original universal frequency and it is wonderful tool for meditation. The mind becomes aligned with the breath, which enables a person to get into a one pointed state of consciousness (Dharana leading to Dhyana on the Ashtanga 8 fold path)

Each aspect of the visual form of Om signifies the 4 states of consciousness.
(jāgrat). The large lower curve marks the normal waking state. In this condition, the mind identifies with the physical body and perceives the world through the senses.

(sushupti) The upper curve indicates the unconscious state, or that of deep sleep. This is a state of total unawareness, in which you are in a deep dreamless sleep, and you are withdrawn from both physical and mental activities.

(swapna) The middle curve denotes the dream state. The dream state is in between the deep sleep and waking state, where a person explores the subconscious. Your consciousness is turned inwards, as your fears, hopes, and desires manifest themselves in an imaginary world.

(turiyā) The dot is a symbol of enlightenment. In this state, a person becomes harmonized with the Absolute, recognizing that all of creation is made up of spirit and is united through that commonality. This state is beyond the mundane senses, and can only be achieved by associating with spiritual energy.

Maya - The crescent represents maya, which separates the three curves from the dot. Maya is the illusion that binds an individual soul to the material world.

By chanting Om, one can transcend the three curves of material consciousness, and attain the dot of enlightenment.

Om is actually enunciated as AUM. When we take in a full breath in and start with the “A” sound, the jaw is dropped open and the sounds emits from the back of the throat. Vibration is felt in the lower belly.
Moving forward into the “U” sound the jaw comes a bit closer together as we feel the sound in the upper cleft of the mouth and vibration in the solar plexus and heart area is felt.

The lips come together as we move into the “M” and vibration is moves into the skull.

As an experiment, I suggest finding a comfortable seated position with a tall straight spine, somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed, and try AUMing for 10 to 15 minutes and then just sitting quietly for a few moments after that as you observe how that made you feel. OM

Hello there! I have not posted here for quite sometime now. Sadly, I closed down my teaching practice at Bethany United Church. It was a great run and I LOVE everyone at Bethany, students, staff, parishioners and all!! I decided to accept a position with the city and now work for REC at the Chocolate Lake Centre on Wednesday nights. Hopefully more locations in the fall. The Wednesday night group is interested in learning more about the roots of yoga and how it all began, so I decided to start posting the gist of our weekly discussions again. Good to be back on the PAGE!!! Stayed tuned - about post about OM now.

My dear friend and fellow yoga teacher Myriam Oehri is the United Nations representative of Liechtenstein. Myriam made a proposal to the UN that passed with full support, to make Dec.21st WORLD MEDITATION DAY. Every time zone across the world is invited to meditate at their own 12 noon for world peace.
Please join me and thousands across the world at your own noon time to sit quietly and meditate for peace in our world.
Namaste'
Shanti
Susan

I've got a YOGA CLASS going at Chocolate Lake REC Center starting in January!!!
It will be Wednesday nights from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
To register to have to sign up with
halifax.ca/myrec

Go to Programs and look up YOGA - Adult Fitness-Halifax and then scroll down till you find Chocolate Lake
Start date Jan. 8th 7:30 to p.m. Wednesdays

Recreation Activities Ready to get active? We offer lots of cost-effective ways for you and your family/friends to participate in our programs & use our facilities.