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May 2020

Mata Shakti Ashram Posted on by

Beautiful spring greetings to all, as we have continued to “shelter in place” here in North Carolina. I will continue to keep you all updated as things change, but for now, all counseling appointments and private yoga sessions continue to be by phone or Skype and group yoga classes and HSP groups are on “pause”. Please take these days of “pause” and use them well, reflecting, prioritizing, and thinking about what you want your future to be. Try to resist the impulse to stay busy “on line”. Below under Sacred Words, are some great thoughts from Judith Orloff on fasting from technology. Instead, look to Nature, the great healer. The month of May offers us so much beauty to soothe our souls at this time. See you at a distance outside!

 

Sacred Words ~ this month’s wisdom quote

Especially right now, we can be inundated by information overload from the internet, voice mail, social media, texts, and the news. Many sensitive people can experience “techno-despair”. Notice how you feel after exposure to technology. If you feel depressed, anxious, numb, or overwhelmed, get some relief by limiting your contact with the cyber world. Of course there are many benefits to technology, but it can often be an energy drain, especially for empaths.
To center yourself in the present moment, get in the habit of taking regular technology fasts. Don’t check your email for a while. Eat a delicious lunch instead. Shut down your computer and other gadgets early in the evening. Here’s an intention to set:

“I will notice if I have symptoms of techno-despair. To counter this, I will take regular breaks from technology to clear my mind and nourish my soul.” by Judith Orloff
Website to check for class schedules, etc.,  https://matashaktiashram.org
FengShui/sacred space consultations: https://sacrednest.com
For psychotherapy services: https://sacredlistener.com

Service Opportunity
Mata Shakti Ashram welcomes your support! How can you help?
Time and Talent: help with yard and garden maintenance, upkeep of classroom and workshop/training spaces, vegetarian raw food prep, help with social media and technology. Talk to your friends and personal community about Mata Shakti Ashram, for we are truly “grass roots”!Finance/Funds: Donations of money to assist Mata Shakti Ashram pay the overhead cost for the current space, pay guest teachers, and provide some scholarships to those in need. Let us know how much you are willing to pledge monthly or yearly over the next year to 5 years, as we prepare the non-profit status. Every donation will receive a class pass to share with a friend to acquaint them with the ashram.

Thanks to Janna Arbogast, Brian Cooper, Catherine, Kevin Millar, Lisa Brown, Sahej Anand Kaur, Jennifer Pittman, Lindy Hoeft, Joni Liebel, Michelle Hill, Sat Inder Kaur and Karta Purkh Singh of Kansas City’s Param Tirath Ashram, Elke/Keval McCalla, Ranpreet Kaur, Shirin Negmodjanova, Connie Boston, Mary Radulescu, Barbara Lynn Freed, Updesh Kaur, Florence, Wasalisa Davison, Harbhajan Khalsa, Param Terath Kaur and Ashley Jackson, who have already given their support!

Stay tuned for an open house, and contact HarDarshan for more information: 919-257-7814 or hardarshan@matashaktiashram.org

 

 

April 2020

Mata Shakti Ashram Posted on by
How much the world has changed in this past month!
I’ve been thinking about the Sikh scriptures recently, and how periodically throughout, the word “Pause” is used. It’s deliberately placed to make sure that the reader takes a moment to stop and reflect on what was just read, before plunging forward. It seems that the world as a whole is being told to “Pause” at this time.
I hope that we can all use this challenge as a chance to practice being present in each moment. Spring is such a beautiful time to take a pause. Since you can’t visit the ashram at this time, I’m placing some photos below. I miss seeing all of you, and I know the space also misses each of you! I’m including a photo of the ashram’s newest resident, Rajah! He has been a blessing at this time, and he also misses the students and counseling clients that he was getting used to greeting.See below for a special meditation for “future viruses”, and a recipe for an immune boosting tonic. Just a reminder that while I’m not seeing counseling clients in person right now, you can schedule a phone or Skype session with me. The HSP group has been cancelled but if this goes on much longer, I may have to get some schooling in Zoom, so we can meet! I’ll keep you posted!
Looking forward to the time when we can gather in person again! If you’d like to arrange a private Skype class, just let me know. As many of you know, I’m not very tech savvy. I’m open to doing some group classes via technology, but will need some help figuring that out. I will keep you updated about in person and/or virtual classes.
In the meantime:Here’s a little gift for you – a meditation that was given in 1986 to “burn viruses of the future”!
It is required to cover your head in some way during the meditation, so you don’t get a headache.
Instructions:
1. Sit in easy pose (cross-legged) or in a chair. Sit straight and close your eyes.
2. Bend the left elbow, relaxed a the left side of the body, forearm perpendicular to the ground. Place the hand at shoulder level in Surya Mudra (ring finger and thumb tips touch). Palm faces forward.
3. Close the right nostril with the right index finger, curl the rest of the fingers into the mounds at the base of the fingers and hold them down with the thumb.
4. Powerfully inhale and exhale through the left nostril. Heavy breath of fire. Move the navel with the breath.
5. Breathe rhythmically with the breath, 2 breaths per second. In the original class, the music “Sat Nam Ji, Sat Nam Ji, Wahe Guru…” by Singh Kaur was played.
Continue for 13 minutes.
To end: Inhale deep, hold the breath for 25 seconds and interlace the fingers in front of the face, arms relaxed, palms together and facing the floor. Pull the hands apart without letting go. Use force to create tremendous pressure on the fingers. Exhale. Inhale deep, hold the breath for 15 seconds, and repeat the pulling on the interlaced fingers. Exhale. Repeat one more time and relax.
Be well!Save these dates:
Kundalini Yoga and Meditation Workshops
Oriental, NC at The Yoga Studio

August 23, 2:30 – 5 pm
October 25, 2:30- 5 pm
(topics to be announced)
For more information & to register:
contact Susan: susandkoepp@gmail.com
(252) 249-2220

 

This one is a great affirmation for these times:

“I am ready to have my love and joyfulness burst through.
I am about to bloom in ways beyond
my wildest imagination.
I am strong and smart.
I know how to flow around obstacles.
I know how to keep my center.
I open to Spirit and all the wild,
compassionate forces of the universe
to open my heart,
to make my soul ready for all the blessings ahead.
I am bursting through all the barriers
that have stopped me in the past.
I will let spring awaken my power
and allow my spirit to soar.” ~Judith Orloff

Citrus Ginger Root Tonic

2 navel oranges, rinds cut off
1 lemon, rind cut off
1 lime, rind cut off
1/2 grapefruit, rind cut off
1 inch piece fresh ginger root
1/16 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
1 cup water
3 TB maple syrup

Cut the rind-free fruits into quarters and place in a high speed blender along with the remaining ingredients. Blend on high for 20 – 30 seconds until smooth.  Enjoy in health!

 

March 2020

Mata Shakti Ashram Posted on by

Welcoming Spring!

The spring Equinox is March 19 at 11:50 PM Eastern Time.
This is a time when all the plans made during the cold months can start manifesting and taking fruition.
What plans will you manifest this spring?

Website to check for class schedules, etc.,  https://matashaktiashram.org
FengShui/sacred space consultations: https://sacrednest.com
For psychotherapy services: https://sacredlistener.com
(Next HSP class will be held on March 11)

 

 

Service Opportunity
Mata Shakti Ashram welcomes your support! How can you help?
Time and Talent: help with yard and garden maintenance, upkeep of classroom and workshop/training spaces, vegetarian raw food prep, help with social media and technology. Talk to your friends and personal community about Mata Shakti Ashram, for we are truly “grass roots”!

Finance/Funds: Donations of money to assist Mata Shakti Ashram pay the overhead cost for the current space, pay guest teachers, and provide some scholarships to those in need. Let us know how much you are willing to pledge monthly or yearly over the next year to 5 years, as we prepare the non-profit status. Every donation will receive a class pass to share with a friend to acquaint them with the ashram.

Thanks to Catherine, Kevin Millar, Lisa Brown, Sahej Anand Kaur, Jennifer Pittman, Lindy Hoeft, Joni Liebel, Michelle Hill, Sat Inder Kaur and Karta Purkh Singh of Kansas City’s Param Tirath Ashram, Elke/Keval McCalla, Ranpreet Kaur, Shirin Negmodjanova, Connie Boston, Mary Radulescu, Barbara Lynn Freed, Updesh Kaur, Florence, Wasalisa Davison, Harbhajan Khalsa, Param Terath Kaur and Ashley Jackson, who have already given their support!
Stay tuned for an open house, and contact HarDarshan for more information: 919-257-7814 or hardarshan@matashaktiashram.org