String of Precious Jewels

by Nagarjuna

I’ll tell you briefly the fine qualities
Of those on the path of compassion:
Giving, and ethics, patience, and effort,
Concentration, wisdom, compassion and such.

Giving is giving away what you have,
And ethics is doing good to others.
Patience is giving up feelings of anger,
And effort is joy that increases all good.

Concentration’s one-pointed, free of bad thoughts,
And wisdom decides what truth really is.
Compassion’s a kind of high intelligence
Mixed deep with a love for all living kind.

Giving brings wealth, a good world comes from ethics;
Patience brings beauty, eminence comes from effort.
Concentration brings peace, and from wisdom comes freedom;
Compassion achieves everything we all wish for.

A person who takes all seven of these
And perfects them together will reach
That place of inconceivable knowledge
No less than the world’s protector.

I first read this short text in “The Diamond Cutter” by Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally.  It was inspiring.  I think I read through it at least three times before continuing with the chapter.  The ancient words are so simple, so clear.  Yet, they seem to challenge eve the best of us still today.

Every single person on this planet is capable of these seven qualities.  What if each of us started our day with reading this proclamation?  What if we sealed in our day with reading this before we fall asleep?  These verses are perfect to begin a meditation with, to set the mood, to calm the mind and heart.

Please, print this and keep it near you.  Let these simple words inspire you and those around you.

Many Blessings,

Mindy Arbuckle

Fun with Arm Balances and Inversions!

You asked and we listened.  Bri will be offering a monthly 2 hour asana practice that will focus on learning and refining arm balances and inversions.  Strengthen your body, build confidence and develop a thrill of flying and a love of being upside down!  This practice has the potential to take you to your physical and emotional boundaries, allow you to explore those boundaries in a safe and controlled environment and, in time, expand your boundaries to the vastness of your imagination.  All yogis are welcomed.  This class is limited to 12 for a more personalized experience.

Join Bri at Maitri Yoga Center on

Sunday, May 20th from 12:30 – 2:30

for this fun yet challenging practice.

This is part of your regular class package or can be purchased for a drop in of just $15.

Check out our facebook page to see pictures from the last class!

Maitri Yoga Center

May Pose of the Month: King Dancer

Natarajasana, Lord of the Dance pose, is an asana that inspires in it’s perfection glory and grace.  You open the heart to divine love, to timelessness and limitlessness.  Though the pose requires an immense amount of work to hold in restful balance, it teaches poise, self-confidence and self-worth.  “I open my heart to the dance of life” (Integrative Yoga Therapy 2005).

Nataraja is Shiva in one of his many guises as the eternal dancer.  Within this posture is creation, preservation and destruction in order to cultivate new growth.  It represents the present moment; that which is.  This dance embodies the release of maya, illusion, from the ego and the physical, tangible world.  “Nataraja’s dance is not just a symbol.  It is taking place within each of us, at the atomic level, this very moment (and all moments).  The Agamas proclaim, ‘The birth of the world, its maintenance, its destruction, the soul’s obscuration and liberation are the five acts of His dance.’” (unknown author)

To truly dance as Shiva, we must experience freedom from the illusions of bondage and embrace and release fear of change.  Change is, as all are aware, the only constant within the universe.  Shiva understands this, as does the law of conservation, that matter can neither be created nor destroyed.  So to cultivate change in your life, you must first destroy that which is not serving you to create that which is new.  This is the fundamental nature of the dance.

To practice Natarajasana, begin in Tadasana (Mountain Pose).  Firmly root the four corners of the right foot into the earth and feel this foundational energy surge up through the leg, lengthening the spine long and connecting the crown to the heavens.  Engage the bandahs (body locks) and begin to draw the left heel towards the sitbones.  Reaching to the inside edge of the foot with the left hand, draw the knee under the hip keeping the knees pulling toward one another. Sweeping the right hand over the head, being to push the left foot into the hand up and away from the body, feeling the natural release of the torso toward the Earth, the extended arm following.  Draw the gaze to a dristi, a focal point, keeping the face soft and the breath deep into the belly.  Open your heart to the dance of life.  Be sure to practice equally on both sides.

Using a strap makes this pose accessible to all.  (As shown in the picture above.)  With an 8 foot strap crate a loop the same size as the remaining tail of the strap.  Hold onto the loop with the palm facing up with the left hand and let the top of the left foot rest inside the loop at the bottom.  Bring the knee in and rotate the left elbow forward and up.  Holding the strap with both hands behind the head, begin to press the left foot up and back.  Let the back arch and stay supportive through the lower abdominal muscles.  With practice the loop will get smaller and smaller until you can practice with holding the foot and the hands behind the head.  Be patient.  This process takes time and be sure to have fun with it!

We’ll be practicing Natarajasana at most of our classes for the month of May, 2012.  Come explore with us.  If you’d like to practice it and it’s not May, just ask.  We love this pose.

“My life is not only full of fun exercise (yoga, CrossFit, pilates, golf and dance), but also trying to give a little back to the community by volunteering at the Arvada Food Bank and Collier Hospice Center at Exempla Lutheran.  I also serve on the board for AWARE – a local all volunteer group that raises money for current forward thinking Alzheimer’s research.  Yoga with Mindy (and now Bri) over the years has been an empowering, fun and positive addition to my life!”

What originally drew you to the practice of yoga?
Having participated in almost every exercise “scheme” since the 70′s, I was ready for an entirely new way of exercising, plus I was getting to the point where I really needed some flexibility and a way to calm down.

How has/did yoga benefit your “career”?
Well, back in the day, working as a paralegal in a high powered law firm and having a family with a busy husband and teenaged son, I needed some peaceful time to keep body and mind in the game.  Now, my new “career” is growing old gracefully, and – what can I say – a flexible spine and strong core equal 60 is the new 50!

What is your favorite aspect of yoga?

Flexibility.  CrossFit (@ CrossFit South Denver) is my latest addition to staying healthy and staying in the game – Although I am almost always the oldest person in the CrossFit class, I am ALWAYS the most flexible during the end of class stretch out!

What would you like to share with someone who is new to yoga or has never tried it?
Yoga has been key in keeping 10 years off my aging with no surgery and no dieting and no health problems! (and no injuries!).

Favorite posture?
Bird of Paradise – such an overall challenge of everything and gives me a true rush when accomplished!
Least favorite?
Crow pose – man that kills by boney elbows and knees!

I know I will NEVER stop doing yoga; i love it!

More about Roseann:
Roseann received her undergraduate B.S. from Indiana University in Education and Art and her graduate degree from the University of Louisville in Counseling.  After college, she went on to teach school briefly in Louisville, KY during busing in the 70′s.  After experiencing a cross burning in the field opposite one of the grade schools where she taught, she transferred to a downtown alternative school (think old hotel turned into grades 1-8) and enjoyed a more forward thinking environment.  A move to Colorado  in the 70′s found teaching positions few and far between and thus began 20+ years as a paralegal in the fields of estates, trusts and tax.  She returned to Memphis for a few years where she says “back to the scary South, but the food was divine!”  She returned to Colorado again in 1982 and has never left!  Her husband is senior optometrist with Kaiser Permanente.  Her son recently graduated from DU with law/MBA degrees and has opened CrossFit South Denver – thus creating Roseann’s new exercise addiction!

We are excited to have yoga teacher, Trula Daugherty join our community here at Maitri Yoga Center.  Trula will be taking over Hatha Foundations on Saturdays at 10:30!  Please join her for one of her classes and offer her your support!

A message from Trula:

As a child I was awestruck by stories of amazing accomplishments performed by people who practiced yoga, meditation, and other unknown, mysterious healing arts.  I heard of individuals who could stop their beating hearts at will, levitate, and heal physical ailments.  As an adult, I’ve worked in the corporate world for over 20 years as a software developer and analyst.  I have come to understand the need for balance, the ability to find peace and perspective in a demanding, stressful, deadline driven environment with seemingly impossible timelines and goals. Although I have devoutly meditated since I was 12, I did not take my first yoga class until 2001.  I felt awkward.  I didn’t know the language, Sanskrit, as the teacher spoke of the poses or asanas.  I spent most of the time watching someone else as I bungled my way through a pose.  However I discovered immediately that I experienced the same feelings of peace and tranquility after each class that meditation has given me over the years.  I felt happy!

In the same year as my initiation to Yoga practice, I also embarked on the study and training to practice and teach Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation, which in turn promotes healing.  Reiki is an ancient method involving energy manipulation of the body.  It treats the whole person; physical, mind, and spirit.  I have always enjoyed sharing things that have helped me with others.  This led me to co-found a group in Summit County that met regularly to discuss and share favorite books and readings on various spiritual topics, to offer guided meditations, chakra classes, and aural information and readings.  I have taught and led meditation sessions at my company for our employees.  Over the years meditation, becoming a Reiki Master, and a registered Yoga instructor, has allowed me to awaken spiritually, mentally, and physically.  The practice of one has led to the other and all are integrated.  Because each is ingrained as core foundations of my life and helped me in so many ways, I want to share the fuller meaning and purpose I have discovered.

Yoga Class Pricing

Our pricing was structured with you in mind – for your budget and convenience. Try one of our Monthly Programs, an easy and cost-effective way to commit to your yoga practice and create positive change in your life.

Membership Programs:

Monthly packages reoccur automatically to keep your yoga practice consistent and guarantee your rate for up to 1 year.  Cancellation is free and just requires 30 days written notice.

Other Class Options:

New to Yoga:

Private Yoga, Energy Healing, and Crystal Chakra Therapy

Now just $50-75 per hour

*It is easy to move between packages to suit your changing needs.

* The ten class pass is valid for 3 months. All classes must be used in 3 months from date of purchase. No exceptions.

*All sales are final. Class/services purchases may not be returned, transferred, or used for retail purchases. Refunds will not be given for partially used class passes.

Learn to practice the Vishnu Mantra of Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya to overcome your karma, find truth, and free you from the cycle of rebirth. This mantra is one of liberation and aids in freeing your spirit from your negative patterns. Practice this mantra with Mindy Arbuckle to learn to bring these vibrations into our life.

Another use for this mantra is to prepare the way for a new soul to enter this world and to enhance their spiritual development. It helps you to bring Sat Chit Ananda (Truth, Consciousness, Bliss) to your life.

Use this mantra as a yoga meditation and chant it 108 times or a full mala worth. It should be practiced every day for 40 days in a row if you are dedicated to developing the spiritual life you want to lead or to bring in a spiritual child into your life.

Share the benefits of yoga with your children at our summer yoga camp!

Kids Yoga Summer Camp: Ages 5-12

Dates: June 11th-15th

Time: 11:00-12:00 Monday-Friday

Cost: $40

Classes will focus on the foundations needed to extend their practice and play with partner poses and more advanced postures later in the week.  The kids will travel the globe throughout this camp in these fun kids classes.

**All classes must be registered and paid for in advance.

Register now by calling us at 303.421.4131.

Our yoga training is coming to an end.  The trainees will be teaching their “final exams” to the public and need students to attend their classes.  Feel free to attend any or all of the following yoga classes for free.

Saturday, May 5^th

• 12:30-1:45 pm, Weight Loss and Toning with Matt
• 2:00-3:15 pm, All Levels Yoga with Lindsey

Saturday, May 19^th

• 10:30-11:45 Foundations Yoga with Susan
• 12:00-1:15 pm, Chakra Yoga with Hentan
• 1:30-2:45 pm, Bliss Yoga with Katherine

Please join Maitri Yoga in celebrating the graduates and their completion of this year’s Basic Yoga Teacher Training.  All classes are free.  Please register in advance online or at the yoga center.

Click here to learn more about this training.  Your next opportunity to join us is January 2013.  Register by December 1, 2012 to save $300 on this program.

Triple flow potential with healing oils from flaxseed, nuts, and fish. this recipe is particularly good for balancing the Second Chakra (Svadhistana or the Sacral Chakra)

Serves 4

1 cup brown rice flour
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
3 eggs
1/4 cup orange juice
2 cups lightly salted roasted macadamia nuts, finely chopped
4 halibut fillets
1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter), melted
2 Tbsp. finely chopped green onion for garnish

Combine flour and flaxseed meal in a shallow bowl or plate. In a separate shallow mixing bowl, beat eggs and orange juice. Put macadamia nuts on a third shallow bowl or plate. Flour both sides of a fillet, dip in the egg bowl, and then completely cover both sides with nuts. Repeat the same procedure for all the fillets. Place the fillets on a heated skillet with melted ghee and fry both sides until fish is cooked, about 10 minutes total. Sprinkle fillet with chopped green onion.  Serve with mango chutney on the side.