October is the month of Light.

The days get longer, the sun is brighter, the colours are radiant. 
The full moon in Aries enables us to see with awareness and move forward with clarity. The compassionate warrior observes with unbiased circumspection and actions to fulfill or remedy the situation. Each individual now finds impetus in appreciating and embodying this attitude.

Diwali is always a call to shine your own light, spotlight your virtues and ideal and encourage others to benefit from seeing the light of enlightenment,  Remember, attend a designated communal show if you are into firework displays.

It is auspicious to donate what you can to good causes: Many stores and gyms have collection points for clothes and shoes; Hospice will gladly take items for resale at their stores; Child Welfare, Police Trauma Units and Santa’s shoe boxes are always ready for assistance.

It is also Mental Health month so counseling and caring is recommended. Speak openly and shed light on psychological issues such as attention deficit disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disturbances. Awareness of these real possibilities removes associated stigma and may prevent disaster.

Watch this space for new collaborations: 
FITBO 25 to 27 October at Northgate Dome.
Holistic Health 
20 to 22 February 2020 Yoga Conference.

All we need is the morning. 
As long as there is sunrise, 
then there is the possibility 
that we can face all of our misfortunes, 
celebrate all our blessings, 
and live all our endeavors as human beings. 
Spirituality is something that has become 
necessary in these troubled times. 
Yet it is inherently superfluous. 
We need it to remind ourselves, 
to bolster ourselves, 
to integrate ourselves, 
to fulfill ourselves.
If we could simply acknowledge 
the mystery of night 
and the glory of morning, 
we would need neither civilization nor spirituality. 
At its simplest, life begins with dawn. 
That is blessing enough. 
All else becomes fullness immeasurable. 
At dawn, kneel down and give thanks 
for this wonderful event. 
We may think mornings are so common 
they are unworthy of veneration, 
but do you realize most places in the cosmos 
do not have mornings?
This daily event is our supreme goodness. 
Greet the dawn.
That is your miracle to witness. 
That is the ultimate beauty. 
That is sacredness. 
That is your gift from heaven. 
That is your omen of prophecy. 
That is knowledge that life is not futile. 
That is enlightenment. 
That is your meaning in life.
That is your directive. 
That is your comfort. 
That is the solemnity of duty. 
That is inspiration for compassion. 
That is the light of the ultimate.”
-Deng Ming-Dao

I was really struck by the line: 
“We may think mornings are so common they are unworthy of veneration, but do you realize most places in the cosmos do not have mornings?”
When was the last time you rose early to watch the sun come up? 
Light & harmony, M
 

Blueprint for Peace: International Day of Peace was on Sept. 21st, we intend to expanded peace building not only mobilize the growing national non-violence movement.
The initiative spotlights priorities in five key peacebuilding sectors of our society: humanizing justice systems; empowering community interventions; teaching peace in our schools; enhancing personal and interpersonal supports; and fostering international peacebuilding initiatives. (Read the full statement and overview below.)
Sign the petition: Endorse the Blueprint and let your elected officials know you want them to support these policy priorities.
Ultimately we should do for the field of peacebuilding what the Green New Deal is doing for climate change advocacy. 
We must drastically expand and implement peacebuilding policies and invest in programs proven to work. Their impact will turn around the real challenges of violence we face. It won’t happen unless we, the people, take charge, making it a priority.  
Read more
 

 YYI Jabula Day: 12^th Oct, 10:00 – 15:00, Jabula Recreation Centre, Sandringham, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Helen Charlesworth, communications@youngyogainstitute.co.za
 
Manifestation Course: 12^th Oct, 11:00 – 13:00, Yoga Connection, Brooklyn, Pretoria, Gauteng, Meghan, 072 609 3655 or mcarthur.meghan@gmail.com
 
Yoga Workshop Series: The Energetics of Yoga: 12^th Oct, 15:30 – 18:30, Durban Yoga Shala, Musgrave, Durban, KZN, Diego Baldi, 079 262 3877 or diego@innerwellnessstudio.com
 
24 Day 200Hr Teacher Training in Nature with Fran Siebrits: 18^th Oct – 10^th Nov, Guinevere Guest Farm, Tulbagh, Western Cape, Fran Siebrits, 076 535 6198 or fran@tuningin.co.za
 
Yoga for Kids Teacher Training Module 1: 18^th – 21^st Oct, Soul Space, Blairgowrie, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Suzie Manson, 083 299 6555 or suzie@yoga4kids.co.za
 
Summer Sound Therapy: 19^th Oct, 15:00 – 17:00, Ishta School of Yoga and Health, Atholl, Gauteng, Nandiva, 082 338 8153 or info@ishtayoga.co.za
 
Therapeutic Yoga Workshop with Dr. Sumit Sharma: 21^st – 22^nd Nov, 08:00 – 12:00, Meraki in Motion, Brackenhurst, Alberton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Anita, 084 512 6112
 
Beginners Yoga Series: 24^th Oct – 21^st Nov, 18:00 – 20:00, Ishta School of Yoga and Health, Atholl, Gauteng, Nandiva, 082 338 8153 or info@ishtayoga.co.za
 
Yoga for Kids Teacher Training Module 1: 25^th – 27^th Oct, 63 Adelaide Tambo Drive, Durban North KZN, Suzie Manson, 083 299 6555 or suzie@yoga4kids.co.za
 
Yoga Workshop Series: Mastering Backbends: 26^th Oct, 15:30 – 18:30, Durban Yoga Shala, Musgrave, Durban, KZN, Diego Baldi, 079 262 3877 or diego@innerwellnessstudio.com
 
 Regular Events:
 
 Discovering Buddhism: every Wednesday 19:00 -20:30, Ishta School of Yoga and Health, Atholl, Gauteng, Nandiva, 082 338 8153 or info@ishtayoga.co.za
 
Upcoming Events:
 
Breathwork and Shamanic Sound Journey: 06^th Nov, 18:30 – 21:00, Indie Yoga, Fourways, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Kerry Weavind,084 800 4444 or info@indieyoga.co.za
 
Yoga Retreat with Yoga Connection: 08^th – 10^th Nov, Sebida Mountain Retreat, Magaliesburg, Gauteng, Meghan, 072 609 3655 or mcarthur.meghan@gmail.com
 
Nia Black Belt Training with Ann Christiansen: 09^th – 15^th Nov, Studio Karios, Dunkeld West, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Kim Hutchuel, 083 657 3377 or kim@niagp.co.za
 
Beginners Tibetan Bowl Workshop: 09^th Nov, 11:00 – 17:30, Ishta School of Yoga and Health, Atholl, Gauteng, Nandiva, 082 338 8153 or info@ishtayoga.co.za
 
Nia 52 Moves Training with Ann Christiansen: 16^th – 17^th Nov, 08:30 – 17:30,Studio Karios, Dunkeld West, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Kim Hutchuel, 083 657 3377 or kim@niagp.co.za
 
Health Promotion and Wellness into Physical Therapist, Psychology and Psychiatry practices:  14^th – 16^th Nov, Cape Town, Western Cape, Olessia Gorkov 083 969 5531or olessia@pilatelicious.co.za
 
Awaken Your Authentic Self: Mindfulness Retreat: 21^st – 24^th Nov, Tulbagh, Western Cape, Joanne Moss, retreats@joannemoss.com
 
Kriya Yoga: Initiation with Shibendu Lahiri: 22^nd-24^th Nov,19:00 – 18:30, Ishta School of Yoga and Health, Atholl, Gauteng, Nandiva, 082 338 8153 or info@ishtayoga.co.za
 
India Retreat with Melanie Castleman: 09^th – 17^th Dec, for further information please contact Melanie 072 245 9238 or mel@melaniecastleman.co.za
 
Yoga Nidra Teacher Training CPT: 01^st Feb – 30^th Jun 2020, for more info please contact Bettina 060 572 5074
or visit our website: https://www.hridayaschoolofyoga.com/  

500hr Integral Yoga Teacher Training 2019 JHB/Sandton : Contact Marina marina@ytf.org.za; 0833003512

500hr Yoga Teacher Training CPT: 02^nd Feb – 25^th Oct 2020 for more info please contact Bettina 060 572 5074
or visit our website: https://www.hridayaschoolofyoga.com/  
 
200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training at Indie Yoga with Lexi Meier and Kerry Weavind: 01^st – 24^th Mar, Indie Yoga Fourways,  Johannesburg, Gauteng, Kerry Weavind,084 800 4444 or info@indieyoga.co.za
 
200hr Yoga Teacher Training CPT: 07^th – 28^th Aug 2020, for more info please contact Bettina 060 572 5074
or visit our website: https://www.hridayaschoolofyoga.com/