 Samantha
Shakti Matthews: Master Energy Therapist, CYT,
CMT, BA Religion & Women's Spirituality
"Yoga has been a part of my life since I was 12
years old. Twenty years later I am still
enthusiastically on the path. Over a decade ago a
prophetic dream led me to northern India where I was
introduced to Parmarth Niketan
www.parmarth.com and Pujya Swami Chidanand
Saraswati Muniji. Parmarth Niketan means abode of
those who are of service to humanity and this is the
foundation of my practice and teachings. My passion
for community connection led me to the teachings of
Anusara Yoga
www.anusara.com. And Acro-Yoga
www.acroyoga.org. Both schools empower
practitioners to deeply connect, play and
communicate. These are the virtues that are
essential for this time in history."
"I co-founded the
Shakti Yoga Shala at Big Basin Vineyards
www.bigbasinvineyards.com where we host teacher
trainings, retreats and energy therapy workshops.
The Shakti Yoga Shala gives a portion of its income
and conducts fundraisers for the Divine Shakti
Foundation
www.divineshaktifoundation.org, which is a
subsidiary of Parmarth Niketan. The main function of
this foundation is to build a girl's orphanage in
Rishikesh, India."
"The practice of Hatha Yoga has led me to many
incredible masters and trainings in the schools of
Iyengar, Ashtanga Vinyasa and the Bihar School.
These trainings all prepared me to become dedicated
student of Anusara Yoga. I have been pursuing my
certification for four years and I have achieved the
designation of Inspired from the schools' founder
John Friend. I received teacher training with John
Friend as well as his students Desiree Rumbaugh,
Elena Brower and Sianna Sherman."
I
offer my gratitude to the great teachers that have
bestowed their wisdom upon me and have forever
expanded my yoga:
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"To my fellow swimmers:
There is a river flowing now very fast. It is
so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They
will
try to hold onto the shore. They are being torn apart and will
suffer
greatly. Know that the river as its destination. We must let go
of the
shore, push off into the river, keep our heads above water. At
this
time in our history, we are to take nothing personally, least of
all
ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and
journey
come to a halt. The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather
yourselves.
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary. All
that
we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We
are
the ones we have been waiting for." -- The Hopi Elders
Images
©2002
Andrea Kelley.
Site design ©2002
Andrea Kelley
& ©2005
JC Nolan
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Om is said to be the root
word of Amen. Om, like Amen means the Divine which manifests
as all that is. OM is the word as in; "in the beginning was
the word" which means primal sound from which all other
names and forms arise and to which we all return.
Repetition of OM or AUM
dissolves the mind in it's divine source. If you chant OM
several times out loud it purifies the atmosphere.
Chant 7 OM's in succession.
Make each breath last as long as possible. Take a deep breath in
and start the exhalation with Ahhhhhhhhh then Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
then Mmmmmmmmmmm. Then take another deep breath in and do the
same thing again for seven repetitions. Then sit for a moment of
silence.
Use OM as a mantra for
meditation. Repeat OM silently to yourself. When the mind
wanders bring it gently back to OM again.
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