I want to do some financial planning around how much I can earn as a yoga teacher. can anyone help?

How much does a yoga teacher get paid for a class?

When I do meditation, By sitting, resting my back, I usually think…………………….. 99…….98…….97…….96……..95.… Thoughtless Moments. THUD…….Suddenly I feel as if I have dropped into some depth. then I don't know what happens. I am in semi conscious Thoughtless state. Little Aware, sometimes no Awareness. some times Head droops. I regain awareness after 30 Minutes, HIGHLY REFRESHED. Am I into Yoga Nidra? or Am I just Blissfully Sleeping? Pl. Help…

Sounds like you're falling asleep. There is a misnomer about meditation. The purpose isn't to relax you. It's to put a healthy balance between brain and emotions.

If you relax to that extream it's not meditation.

Yoga Nidra means deep sleep at midnight that we are not aware of it because, your ego gets lost. you say " Thoughtless Moments", it is not, because you wont be there in thoughtless consciousness.

You are having a nap.

This is not the "Yoga Nidra" you are performing. you first learn how to perform then tell about your experience.

Yoga Nidra is just a technique(Tantra}, that allows one to become aware of the experience of the sahaja or our natural state…
Let me explain…there are 3 states…the sleeping, dreaming and the waking …in the 24 hr cycle…
of these…the sleep state is not accessible to our consciousness, but only as a feeling of restfulness when we wake up…the dream state is a little more accessible…we can see whats on the screen and have a memory of it, but cannot interact or interface with our body or mind…the waking state is the only one available where we can interact/interface, but is of a fleeting or temporary nature in a way that it ends up as day/night, and the cycle loops as we go to sleep…this leads us to leaving unfinished business at the end of the day…the creation of karma…

now, the Gurus have said that in the Waking state…there are 3 states…Moda, Pramoda and Pramana…
for eg. I am walking in the street…i see a delicious mango…in desire it…this desiring or the recurring in the mind is called Moda…i go buy the mango and possess it…this feeling of possessiveness is called Pramoda…
i go home and enjoy eating the mango and get satisfied…this feeling of satisfaction…of the culmination of the desire…is called Pramana…or the same state i was in before i saw the mango…the sahaja or the natural state…

All Yogas are designed to lead us to the state of Pramana…or the state before the mind enters…the natural state, while our education, in fact the world tells us to dream other peoples dreams and run behind our dreams…
the Waking state is exactly that…being Awake…without dreams or sleep…and Yoga teaches us first to be conscious and then tune in to that Waking Reality…
one more thing…pleasure is of the body…joy is of the heart…happiness is of the mind…and Bliss is of the self…if you can recognize the blissful state…which is constant and without dreams…and with yoga, be in it…content in the now…then you are said to be in the dreamless, sleepless waking state…

blessings for your spiritual sucess…
Om Namo Narayan

Doubt about Yoga Nidra….Am I in Yoga Nidra or Just Blissfully Sleeping?

"Magic Realism," mixed media works by contemporary artist Brenda Drake, inspired by the works of South American writers, is on display through March 31. Gallery hours are Mondays through Fridays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. Katie's Coffee House, 760 Walker Road, great Falls. Visit artistbrendadrake.com.

Greater Reston Newcomers and Neighbors Club discusses "Scams and Frauds" with Juanita Balenger, director of TRIAD and Community Outreach for Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli (R), at 10 a.m. Admission is free; refreshments served. St. John Neumann Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston. call Membership Chair at 703-909-9021.

Fine Art Photography Exhibit, presenting work from finalists in the 2011 Fine Art Photography Competition, runs through March 27. Gallery hours are Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Post Gallery, ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St. Call 703-956-6590. 

"think Spring!", an all-member show of original art, is on display through March 26. Gallery hours are Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vienna Art Society Gallery, 513 Maple Ave. W., Vienna. call 703-319-3971 or visit ViennaArtsSociety.org.

"Ebb Tide," a show of abstract seascapes by Diane Shiely Frykman based on the tidal pools of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, runs through April 3. Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Studio 4, Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Visit workhousearts.org.

"two approaches," featuring work by artists Songmi Park and Norma Pfaff, runs through April 3. Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Building W-05, Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton. Visit workhousearts.org.

"Beyond Form: Expressing Art," an all-media show exploring the color, energy and simplicity inherent in abstract artwork, runs through March 27. Gallery hours are Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m., Fridays from noon to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Admission is free. Del Ray Artisans, Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria. call 703-838-4827 or visit TheDelRayArtisans.org.

The Running of the Leprechauns to benefit Reston Interfaith, part of an Inaugural St. Patrick's Day Party that features live music and bagpipers, sets off on a 75-yard race at 3 p.m. Fee of $10 gets a T-shirt and a complimentary ticket for food or beverage. Clyde's of Reston, 11905 Market St., Reston Town Center. call 703-787-6601.

St. Patty's Day Fundraiser benefiting Relay for Life of Reston, featuring door prizes, food specials and a live band, starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $5. M&S Grill, 11901 Democracy Drive, Reston. call 703-787-7766, e-mail Janet.Jenkins@saabgroup.com or visit restonrelay.org.

Bingo, sponsored by Springfield VFW Post 7327, offers multiple games, multiple jackpots, Lucky seven and Pull Tabs every Thursday and Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is free; cost per game varies. Greater Springfield Volunteer fire co. Event Hall, 7011 Backlick Road. E-mail .

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 227 welcomes military historian Doug Sterner, who talks about "Stolen Valor," when people pretend to be decorated military veterans, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Neighbor's Restaurant, 262D Cedar Lane, Cedar Lane Shopping Center, Vienna. call 703-255-0353 or visit vva227.org.

The Antioch Chancel Choir welcomes singers to its rehearsals every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. The choir presents special music Sundays at 11 a.m. Antioch Christian Church, 1860 Beulah Road, Vienna. Call John Holley at 703-255-2761 or Terry Wigglesworth at 703-319-8742.

5th Annual Home and Garden show highlights design trends from leading local manufacturers and service providers from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. show continues through March 27, Mondays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Fair Oaks Mall – Grand Court, 11750 fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax. call 703-359-8302 or visit ShopFairOaksMall.com.

Meatless Meals of pirohi, haluski, and homemade vegetarian soups and desserts are served every Friday during Lent, with takeout from 4 to 7 p.m. and dine-in from 5 to 7 p.m. Meal items priced separately. Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church, 3410 Woodburn Road, Annandale. call 703-573-0777 or visit epiphanyofourlord.org.

Family Skate Night is every Friday through March 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Admission is $1; bring your own roller skates or in-line skates (no scooters) and safety equipment.  Parents must stay with their children and are welcome to participate. Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. call 703-255-6360 or visit viennava.gov.

Cuarteto Latinoamericano, an award-winning string ensemble from Mexico, performs at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna. call 703-938-2404 or visit wolftrap.org.

Danú performs authentic Irish tunes, pieces written by contemporary Irish songwriters and original songs composed by the band's members, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $22 to $44; half price for youth through grade 12 when accompanied by an adult. Center for the Arts, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. call 888-945-2468 or visit cfa.gmu.edu.

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," a Tony Award-winning musical directed by Blakeman Brophy and choreographed by Mark Hidalgo with musical direction by Elisa Rosman, is presented by the Reston Community Players at 8 p.m. Performances are also scheduled for March 19, 25 and 26 at 8 p.m., and March 20 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 to $21. CenterStage Theater, Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road. call 703-476-4500 or visit rcp-tix.com or restonplayers.org.

Friday Night Rock 'n' Skate features a DJ and music from 8 to 10 p.m. and games and prizes until 11 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and ages 11 and under; skate rental is $4. Ice Skating Pavilion, Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St. call 703-709-6300, e-mail skating@restontowncenter.com or visit restontowncenter.com.

"Rockin' into Spring," a community dance to the music of The Fabulous Hubcaps, boogies from 8 to 11 p.m. Admission is $20 ($10 for McLean residents in advance). Refreshments, appetizers and cash wine bar available. Register online at mcleancenter.org, Activity no. 1998.311. Community Hall, McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave. call 703-790-0123 (TTY 711).

Kids Trout Fishing Derby teaches ages 2 to 15 and an adult how to bait, cast, hook, clean and cook the catch of the day, from 7 a.m. to noon. Fee is $5 for Herndon residents, $7 for nonresidents. Ages 16 and up must have a valid Virginia State Fishing License. Sugarland run Trail, behind the Herndon Police Station, 397 Herndon Parkway. Visit herndon-va.gov.

Urban Small Space Gardening features Kathy Jentz, editor/publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine, who talks about creative ways to maximize small spaces, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $18; register at fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp/education.htm. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. call 703-642-5173 or visit greenspring.org.

Amateur Photography Contest and Exhibit takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Exhibit continues Sunday from noon to 3:30 p.m. Entries accepted Thursday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. and Friday from noon to 3:45 p.m. Entry fee is $10 per person; entries limited to four photos per person and two per category. Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. call 703-255-6360 or visit viennava.gov.

Saturday Morning Cartoon Skate welcomes skaters to share the ice with Scooby-Doo, Tweety Bird, The Cat in the Hat and more from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and ages 11 and under; skate rental is $4. Ice Skating Pavilion, Reston Town Center, 11900 Market St. call 703-709-6300, e-mail skating@restontowncenter.com or visit restontowncenter.com.

Historic Vienna inc. hosts antiques appraisers Josephine Thrasher and Jim Johnson from noon to 4 p.m. Cost is $8.50 per item (maximum two items) for Historic Vienna inc. members, $12 for nonmembers; reservations required. Freeman Store & Museum, 131 Church St. N.E., Vienna. call 703-938-5187 or visit historicviennainc.org.

"An Afternoon with Julia Child" features award-winning actress Mary Ann Jung, who performs as the witty Queen of Cuisine from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for program only, $32 for program and tea. Green Spring Historic House, Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. To register, call 703-941-7987. Visit greenspring.org.

Audubon Quartet explores Beethoven's string quartets with scholar David Levy at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for Reston residents, $30 for nonresidents. CenterStage, Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road. call 703-476-4500 or visit restoncommunitycenter.com.

McLean Symphony's Spring Family Concert, conducted by Dingwall Fleary, spotlights glass harp soloist Jamie Turner and works by local youth composers at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for seniors and youth, $5 for ages 11 and under. Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave. call 703-790-9223 or visit McLean-symphony.org.

"Lighthouses in two Dimensions," an exhibit showcasing watercolors by Alex Wisniewski of Oakton and woodturning and woodburning by Bob Horowitz of Falls Church, opens with a reception from 3 to 6 p.m. show runs through April 4; gallery is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. The Artists' Undertaking Gallery, 309 Mill St., Occoquan. call 703-494-0584 or visit theartistsundertaking .com.

"Ticket to Art!", the Vienna Arts Society's fifth annual fundraiser, offers ticket-holders the chance to select an original artwork valued at $125 or more in a raffle from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $125; wine and light refreshments served. Vienna Art Center, 115 Pleasant St. N.W., Vienna.  Call 703-319-3971 or visit ViennaArtsSociety.org.

"Taste of the Town" Annual Casino Night, hosted by the ViennaTysons Regional Chamber of Commerce, offers samples from the area's finest restaurants and bistros, a cash bar, silent auction and casino games from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $75 in advance, $85 at the door. Westwood Country Club, 800 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Visit vtrcc.org.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Matti Raekallio, directed by Christopher Zimmerman, perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 5, "Emperor," at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $25 and up; ages 6 to 18 are $5. Center for the Arts Concert Hall, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax. Visit fairfaxsymphony.org.

Half-day wellness retreat, including musical chi gong, mindful yoga, breathing exercises, body awareness, nutritional food, take-home routines and more, is from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $50 for Vienna residents, $62.50 for nonresidents. Dress in layers; bring a yoga mat, eye cover and bath towel. Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. call 703-255-6360 or visit viennava.gov.

Camp Grow! Open House previews spring break and summer camp programs from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna. call 703-255-3631 or visit nvrpa.org/park/meadowlark_botanical_gardens.

"Bare Bones/Ruth Trevarrow," a show of powerful shapes and lines that dares viewers to see lush beauty in bones, features an artist's talk with Smithsonian scientists from 4 to 6 p.m. show runs through April 10; gallery hours are Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St., Alexandria. Visit nvfaa.org.

The Woodbridge Flute Choir under the direction of Debbie Gilbert presents its annual Concerto Scholarship Concert featuring scholarship winner Haina Li at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students. Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 6304 Lee Chapel Road, Burke. Visit woodbridgeflutechoir.org.

Western Fairfax County Woman's Club honors Women's History Month with a presentation on the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial, planned for Occoquan Regional Park in Lorton, at 7 p.m. Admission is free; guests welcome. Greenbriar Community Center, 4615 Stringfellow Road. call Jackie at 703-378-8551 or e-mail westernfairfaxcountywc@gmail.com.

Reston Photographic Society hosts local photographer and publisher Chuck Veatch, who presents the winning images of Nature's best Photography Magazine's Windland Smith Rice International Photography Contest, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Reston Community Center at Lake Anne, 1609 Washington Plaza. call Ellis Rosenberg at 703-855-4008 or e-mail .

Wakefield Chorale invites singers to join the group, with rehearsals every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. no audition required. North Springfield Elementary School cafeteria, 7602 Heming Court, Springfield. call 703-451-7917.

Kathy Mattea performs her top 10 Country hits, folk tunes and roots-driven songs at 8 p.m. A second performance is Wednesday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35. The Barns at Wolf Trap, 1635 Trap Road, Vienna. call 703-938-2404 or visit wolftrap.org.

"Meet Me at the Movies" invites ages 55 and older to a screening of "you Again" at 10 a.m.; doors open at 9:15 a.m. Admission is free; refreshments and door prizes offered before the movie. Reston Town Center Theater, Market St. call 703-435-6577 or visit reston.org.

Weekly Book Sales offer fiction and nonfiction in 40-plus categories , plus videos, CDs, cassettes and vinyl records through Nov. 30 from 3 to 8 p.m. Admission is free; most books $1 to $3. Benefits museum's educational programs. The Claude Moore Colonial Farm, 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean. call 703-442-7557 or visit 1771.org/directions.htm.

Kick-off Meeting to plan this year's Paint Herndon Celebration and Art Competition is at 7:30 p.m. ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St. call 703-956-6590 or visit artspaceherndon.org.

Lunasa, billed as "the hottest Irish acoustic group on the planet," performs traditional Celtic music at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 for Reston residents, $30 for nonresidents. CenterStage, Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road. call 703-476-4500 or visit restoncommunitycenter.com.

<a href="http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/cms/story.php?id=3180tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/cms/story.php?id=3180Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:32:59 GMT 00:00″>Entertainment calendar

Pictured: Diva Scents gift bags giveaways! Enter quick (photo: M. Hall)It’s time for a little reader appreciation here at The Recessionista! I love all my blog readers, Twitter followers and Facebook fans.  Muah!  Whenever I can, I try to giveaway as much of the swag or gifts that come my way, and pass along the goodies.  Today, I have a very special giveaway.  a new company Diva Scents gifted me with two of their fabulous gift packs for Divas (that’s all of us) who travel.  So what are Diva Scents? They are ingenious little travel packs that allow you to take a little luxury with your wherever you go, whether it’s the gym, a hotel room or a long trip. each packet contains scents, anti-bacterial helps, to help travelers upgrade their environment   The Diva Travel Kit (retail: $19.99 US) contains Lavender Linen spray, a natural antiseptic/antibacterial spray,  potpourri, eye mask and ear plugs.  The Diva Yoga Kit  (retail: $14.99 US) contains mat freshener made of lavender, eucalyptus, distilled water, a flowered sachet of French Lavender plus anti-bacterial wipes.  I am giving away one of each kit.

Diva Scents is the brainchild of founder Dianne Barrow, a frequent traveler and self proclaimed diva.  “Sometimes I’ve found myself in really nice hotels and sometimes I’ve found myself in places I hope to never return”, says Dianne. ” regardless of the level of the hotel, I realize that millions of people had already slept, eaten and done “whatever” there. So I thought and thought and thought some more (OK I’m blonde!)) and finally came up with little somethings that would make each night of each stay a little better.”   I love the idea.  Let’s face it, some of us may try to save a little money on our hotel stays now and then, so it’s a good idea to bring along your own travel candles, scents or Diva Travel Kit to make your trip cheap and also chic.

Here’s what you need to do to enter to win my Divas!  Simply leave a comment here, and tell me if you have trip coming up or if you do Yoga and would like a Diva Scent pack. to enter, simply leave your email address in your comment like so:  DIVA at yahoo dot com, so I can get in touch with you  if you win.   Comments will be accepted until Saturday, March 19th at midnight PST.  May the best Divas win!

The Recessionista’s Reader Appreciation: Diva Scents Giveaway

The Recessionista™ Blog, frugal fashion trends

Feb 23, 2011 5:19pm The self-drive African safari

Photos and text by Bonny Makarewicz

While many prefer to fly between African countries, our group decided a self-drive safari would not only be more affordable but flexible for four self-confessed control freaks

First stop -Kruger National Park. Established in 1898 it is one of the Africa’s largest parks and one of seven game parks we will visit over a five-week self-drive tour through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

If you are not a morning person, you may want to rehash the African safari, especially if you want to see or photograph wildlife.

We leave the gates daily at 6 a.m. ready for lions, and more and oh my Kruger doesn’t disappoint! In our first two days we bag the big five – on digital cameras that is. That’s, a phrase coined by white hunters to refer to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot. it includes the African Elephant, Rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, lion and the leopard.

We encounter our first leopard sighting shortly after diverting around a 15-foot crocodile sunning on the road near Sabi Camp.

In the African safari world a leopard or predator sighting is akin to a 40 cm powder day in Whistler. Like skiers nudging their ski tips ever closer in the lift line, jeeps and trucks jostle for position, protecting every inch of real estate to provide clients with the best and closest vantage point.

For the self-driver who is deprived of radios, elevated open air safari vehicles and history one must rely on good eye-sight for spotting, a driver/friend that doesn’t mind being instructed by several back seat drivers and other self-drivers who often stop you to reveal predator sightings.

From Kruger we drive 1,000 km to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park bordering South Africa, Botswana and Namibia in the Kalahari Desert. Famous for its black-maned lions and the small mammal the meerkat, made famous by Animal Planet’s Meerkat Manor, our three-day stay brings a close viewing of large male lion, our only Cheetah sighting and a night stay at the Kalahari tent camp where laughing Hyenas serenade us to sleep.

Entering Namibia we head for the famous sand dunes of Sossusvlei, however, our dreams of cobalt skies contrasted with red earth are dashed as high winds and milky skies greet us instead. Despite the winds we hike the dunes, test our trusty Tucson through the ’4×4 only’ sand roads and marvel at the ghostly expanse of Deadvlei, a large area of dried white clay punctuated by the skeletons of ancient Camelthorn trees.

At around the 5,000 kilometre mark the air conditioning disappears on the Tucson. To simulate travelling through Etosha National Park without A/C just imagine holding a blowdryer up to your face for several hours. Heat aside; Etosha became one of my favorite spots for its abundance of wildlife and great accommodation.

In camp Okaukuejo, the main attraction is a permanent waterhole, which is floodlit at night. we often strolled down after dinner with a glass of wine to watch wildlife line up for their turn at the watering hole.

At one point we almost pulled the pin on the Botswana portion of our trip thanks to affordability issues. Botswana is known for its highly priced exclusive lodges. But then we found the Thamalakane River Lodge about 19kilometres from Maun. This affordable luxury lodge offered us a base from which to stage day trips to the famous Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve.

In Maun we traded our trusty Tucson for a 4×4 Toyota Land Cruiser, as the roads in the Moremi and our final game park, the Chobe National Park, are 4×4 only. after three tire punctures we ignore the 4×4 owner’s request not to lower the tire pressure and make the nine-hour rough drive through the park to Chobe.

Situated in the far North East corner of Botswana, the area is easy to get to via Victoria Falls and cheaper than the rest of Botswana.

If you love elephants, Chobe is for you. an estimated 100,000 elephants roam the 10,566 square kilometer park.

We fell in love with the affordable Chobe Safari Lodge, $30 sundowner boat cruises and a pride of lions we were fortunate to view on our own on our last day.

It was a perfect end to five weeks – the four of us and three magnificent lions mere metres from the truck-sort of like having Blackcomb Mountain all to oneself.

If you go: