Video: Kirtan Kriya Meditation

Below is a short video of the meditation that Bonita Shear taught our group at Dr. Rob’s Winter Solstice Retreat in December at  Stella Maris. There is some information and further reading about this meditation below. Enjoy!

The Kirtan Kriya meditation is one of the first meditations that Guruka Singh ever learned and is great for breaking habit patterns, emotional balance and just overall calmness and clarity. Yogi Bhajan used to say that if you had to chose just one meditation, to do this one. Watch the video to see Guruka Singh explain the meditation and how to do it.

Full details on the meditation can be found at this link http://www.mrsikhnet.com/index.php/2006/01/16/kirtan-kriya-meditation/

Dr. Rob’s Winter Solstice Retreat a Huge Hit

This past Saturday, December 19th, 2009, about 50 women and men spent the day with Dr. Rob and Bonita at the lovely Stella Maris Retreat Center. It was a Winter Solstice Day Retreat and a huge hit with all whom attended. We spent time connecting with one another, sharing positive words and thoughts, meditating, stretching and sharing very useful tools on how to live your Best Life. Dr. Rob has been sharing his positive thinking ideas and words around the CNY area for almost 2 years now. Bonita is a Kundalini Yoga Teacher who holds classes at Stella Maris Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm.

Bonita’s list of music will be coming shortly as well as that delicious squash soup recipe. Many thanks to all whom attended for contributing to the energy of the day! Bonita can be reached via e-mail for any questions or further information bonitaim@roadrunner.com.

Keep checking back for details on Dr. Rob’s next positive thinking event around town.

Mindfulness Workshop at CNY Healing Arts with Bonita

Mindfulness Tools for Living a Joyful Life
Saturday, November 7th, 2009, 1:00-3:00pm
CNY Healing Arts Center, 191 Intrepid Lane, Syracuse, NY 13205

Bonita Shear is presenting this Essential Oils and Mindfulness Tools Workshop. The format of this workshop is to give you simple tools to enjoy all that life has to offer. You will learn tools to cope more effectively with both short and long term stress, develop greater energy and ENTHUSIASM for life as well as lasting improvements in your physical and psychological well-being. No cost to attend.  *RSVP to CNY Healing Arts at 315.671.5755

Amazing Jump Rope Performance

Jump Rope Performance by US Naval Academy “Kings Firecrackers.” You have never seen anyone jump rope like this!

Yoga on Wednesdays

I am now 3 weeks into my agreement with myself to attend a regular yoga class. The class that I found closest to my home was only available on Wednesday evenings. Initially I was kind of hoping for something on a Saturday morning. Apparently fate knew better than me.

My normal week is a little hectic (whose isn’t right?) and can sometimes feel like a pressure cooker building and building from Monday through to Saturday. Often times when Thursday arrives I feel somewhat drained and can have trouble concentrating well enough to take care of some of my work.

This is no longer true. As it turns out, attending my new yoga class on Wednesday evenings has made an amazing difference in the flow of my week. When Wednesday evening arrives I can’t get to yoga fast enough. I enter the Wicker Room at Stella Maris and we move the furniture to clear the middle of the room. Bonita, our teacher, and the rest of the students arrive and at 6:30pm we begin. For the next 1 and 1/2 hours we meditate, practice yoga poses, stretch, do various breathing exercises (still working on the “breath of fire” exercise) and then close the class with a beautiful cup of tea and some light conversation. Read more

There are many different styles of yoga

I am a newbie in the yoga world, I’ve only been to less than 5 yoga classes. Nonetheless, I’ve already found there are many different styles of yoga teaching. The key is to find the style that is right for you.

Initially I attended a yoga class that I would say is closer in style to a general fitness class. Meaning, very quick transition from one pose to the next pose. Although I definitely worked up a sweat in that one, it wasn’t really what I was looking for. There in lies the key, what are you looking for in a yoga class?

My second yoga class was at CNY Healing Arts Center with Kim Fischer. Ahh, I found exactly what I was looking for. A combination of a good yoga workout with the additional meditation and calming of the mind that I so needed. That particular evening my mind was numb from the racing thoughts and Kim’s class was like a prescription for calm.

I only had one hurdle, I spent over an hour in travel time to get to and from the class. Now, we all know time is precious and this was a bit of a hurdle for me. So much to do in a day and so little time

I knew I needed a regular yoga class but I also was determined to find one that was closer to home. Last night I hit pay dirt! I found what seems to be the best kept secret in town, a lovely yoga class with Bonita Shear that is held weekly at the Stella Maris Retreat Center in Skaneateles, NY. The class was wonderful and had the 2 main ingredients I so needed: a physical workout as well as meditation for calming my mind.

If you have been searching for that perfect yoga class and are near the Skaneateles area, look no further. Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00pm, Yoga with Bonita Shear at Stella Maris. Come, you won’t regret it If you want further information about the class you can contact Bonita via email at bonitaim@roadrunner.com or by phone at 315.685.6759. Bonita is also a regular contributor here on MindBodySmile.com – click here to visit her author page.

Christine Briel
SkaneatelesTalk.com

World Peace Concert

Snatam Kaur is coming to Auburn Public Theater May 12th for a World Peace Concert!!

I am a Kundalini Yoga teacher for people and children in Skaneateles, NY, I teach at Stella Maris and the Montessori School of the finger lakes. I also provide Essential Oils Workshops at CNY Healing Arts Center in Syracuse, NY. We are so privileged to have Snatam Kaur and her World famous musicians coming to the www.auburnpublictheater.com for a peace concert. Visit her website at www.snatamkaur.com and check her out. I’m sharing this information so people will know of this important concert. You don’t want to miss it.

Blessing’s to you and yours, Bonita!

Bonita J. Shear cfr.
“Lets heal the world one person at a time”
(315-685-6759)

The sun shines on everyone

From the album ‘Feeling Good Today !’ (Songs & Mantras For Children) by Snatam Kaur. Take good care of each other. I have send you nothing but angels.

Bonita Shear CFR
E-mail me
Or call me at 315.685.6759

Happiness is your birthright. Live it!

Footsie Tootsie Party and Essential Oils Workshop

Join us for an afternoon of reflexology. We will be using essential oils to show you how to balance your hormones, calm your nerves, focus, and enhance your health. We will also include some breath work. This workshop is a complementary service of CNY Healing Arts and Dr. Rob Kiltz. It will be presented by Michele Gardner & Bonita Shear CFR.

Date: Saturday, April 11th, 2009
Time: 1:30-4:00PM
Where: CNY Healing Arts Center, Yoga Room, 191 Intrepid Lane, Syracuse, NY

* Please RSVP by calling CNY Healing Arts at 315.671.5755, space is limited

Snatam Kaur Concert and Children’s Yoga Adventure

Snatam Kaur will hold a sacred chant concert on Tuesday, May 12th at 7:30PM and Bonita Shear will provide a Children’s Yoga Adventure earlier from 4-5PM. This event will take place at the Auburn Public Theater and tickets are $30/$35 at the door. Guru Ganesha Singh and Manish Vyas will also participate in the chanting concert.

Children’s Yoga Adventure:
4-5PM, $5 per person

Tickets Online: www.spiritvoyage.com
Tickets in person: Auburn Public Theater Box Office

“Thousands of people are needing to seek refuge. Snatam Kaur brings a peace, a love, a joy, a light to all. The language of the heart is song. She carries us to a realm of love and light. You feel God.” -Gurmukh, World Renowned Yoga Teacher, Author, Owner of Golden Bridge LA