I'm Happy Even When I'm Sobbing

February 8, 2015
I’m happy even when I’m sobbing.

This is what I said in the Ashram kitchen. First, I said, Mataji! You’re drinking water. It makes me very 

happy when you drink water! Swami said, why is it that this makes you happy? Silence. Then, it came, I 

love her and I care for her, so I want her  to be well. Then, I realized, this is a different kind of happiness, 

a superficial happiness, that resides well above that deep happiness which is always there, on a 

subterranean level, even when I’m sobbing. What’s the difference, she asked me. The depth from which 

it comes and the source, I answered. So, Swami directed me, OK, now you have to write a blog! To which 

I, of course, jumped up and down and clapped!!!

The recent loss of my brother, Sergeant Gene Robert Brandes, Jr., has given me depth of being. A 

strength I have never known and a grounding into mySelf; I became of rock.

Of course, waves of grief came, and continue to come, but underlying this grief, is a deep upwelling of 

Eternal Bliss. Happiness and Joy are always there; in here; deep inside. This depth of happiness allows 

me to feel my emotions fully, so they pass more quickly and do not rock me to my core. Thus, I am able 

travel light years in the blink of an eye!  So, although My Bliss may not so readily bubble up while I am 

grieving my brother’s death, it is still there, deep inside, bubbling all the way up right beneath the 

surface, providing me that stable and grounding force to manage my grief, support my family and allow 

them to support me.
 

Art Pieces

October 3, 2013

When I was a child, I loved art. Anything I could create, I was there. I shared this passion with my father, and he and I were great together. Years passed and my connection was lost. While hospitalized, I realized I love to paint and was encouraged to continue to do so as part of my daily life. The result has been an evolution of my creativity to express what is happening for me in my life, outside and inside, in a way that I may share with the world; with you. I enjoy this immensely; it cal...

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Testimonial

August 10, 2013

Embodyment® Yoga Therapy space at BYT.
"Svaroopa® (Yoga) is a wonderful experience. I would recommend it for anyone.  You can feel your spine release. At the end of a session you're walking taller and feeling lighter. I have a difficult time doing certain positions with other forms of yoga, yet through the gentle guidance and use of blankets to hold positions I am able to experience the benefits and "blissfulness" of this form of yoga. It is truly for anyone.
"Everyone should try an Embodyme...

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Great Class !!!

July 26, 2013


Photos used courtesy of Master Yoga Foundation© Master Yoga Foundation 2009. All rights reserved. 

We did a sweet sequence. Once we got to Pawanmuktasana, the student really felt the difference described as "great!" with a huge grin. Then we sat in Sukhasana, so very sweet (sukha) as seated side stretch. The final twist opened the student into and then there was a sinking into final Shavasana. The report after class..."This is great!...No tension in my body and I feel stretched...relaxed."  M...

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I Needed That!!!

July 25, 2013

Photo used courtesy of Master Yoga Foundation
© Master Yoga Foundation 2009. All rights reserved. 

I needed that!!! It  was a pilgrimage to Kavi's class. I was running late, went back into the house after realizing I hadn't the keys, then, there was traffic due to a farm equipment show. Finally, I arrived. As soon as I lied down in Shavasana, I felt better. My back wasn't sore or stiff any more and my neck / shoulder stopped spasming. My mind started to settle and I began Ujjayi pranayama. Kav...
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My Ahimsa Vow

July 8, 2013

About a month ago, Svaroopa® Vidya Ashram announced the "Succession Plan".  "Later this year, Swami Nirmalananda will unveil a program for those who wish to take vows. Her vision is clear: create a vowed order of teaching monks, who choose to live by certain standards and maintain a certain level of practice. This will allow her to take the vowed community deeper, through teachings and practices that require this level of personal commitment. " As quoted from SVA's blog
Having been studying...

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Feeling Great!

July 5, 2013

I am in such a sweet place. In my body, in my mind and so very much more! I've returned from a three day stay at Svaroopa® Vidya Ashram. I made my pilgrimage down early Sunday morning for Swami Sunday at Kashi, then had lunch, a nap, meditation and supper. How very sweet! The next day followed with the ashram's practices and seva (service) at Master Yoga Foundation. What a sweet treat! I was able to be a fly on the wall, well a bit more than that as I was taking photos, during the second to ...
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SATURDAY SVAROOPA® SERIES STARTING!!!

July 3, 2013

Photos used courtesy of Master Yoga Foundation
© Master Yoga Foundation 2009. All rights reserved.

Saturday Svaroopa® Yoga Series
4 weeks / $60 or $20 drop-in
Lift Easton
Pre-Registration required to save your spot
bangoryogatherapy@gmail.com or 862-354-3704
Open up into the weekend, leaving the stresses of the week behind...Do More Yoga!!!

Read more about Svaroopa (R) yoga here:
http://bangoryogatherapy.yolasite.com/svaroopa®-yoga.php

"The precision of Svaroopa® Yoga creates core opening, which op...
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EMBODYMENT ® YOGA THERAPY SUMMER SPECIAL

July 2, 2013

 Photos used courtesy of Master Yoga Foundation
© Master Yoga Foundation 2009. All rights reserved

EMBODYMENT ® YOGA THERAPY is an EXTREMELY POWERFUL One-On-One, Hands on Healing modality working with the Principles of Svaroopa® Yoga. It Releases Your Body's Deepest Tensions, Having a Profound Healing Effect for Your Body and Mind. One Session Provides All the Benefits of EIGHT Yoga Classes!!!


Your session lasts sixty minutes as you lie comfortab...

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YOGA~TALK

June 28, 2013


I have recently completed a phone course with Swami Nirmalananda Saraswati entitled 'Teaching Sutras #1'. I passed the course (yay!) and am specially trained to facilitate Yoga Philosophy Discussion Groups.  My plan is to take the other two "Teaching Sutra" courses next or the following year and I am taking Meditation Teacher Training in February 2012. 
Once I complete MTT 2014, I'll be serving our community as a certified Svaroopa® Yoga meditation teach...
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Meet Sarvataa Christie, CBYT, EYT


Sarvataa Christie Sarvataa Christie is a Certified Svaroopa® Yoga teacher offering Svaroopa® Yoga Classes, Meditation 101 Embodyment® Yoga therapy and Talk Yoga in the Lehigh Valley, PA.

 Content copyright 2011 Bangor Yoga Therapy. All right reserved.  Svaroopa® and Embodyment® are registered service marks of S.T.C., used under license. 

 

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