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shaktigardens is a venue in Johannesburg South Africa with events and therapies to honour and encourage the Goddess in all women.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Refreshing!

Some folks find it refreshing to spend a day in the country, some say an ice filled glass and juice is refreshing on a hot day. But did you know your computor occasionally needs "refreshing" as well.

Sometimes webmasters undertake changes and updates on a website, and for some reason these changes dont appear on your screen, and you sit there looking at the old layout and content. A simple fix to this problem, click the "Refresh" button top left of your screen (looks like a white page with 2 green arrows and is placed nect to white icon with a red "X"). Do this and you will quickly see the new additions to the site (this one included). Or, if a website does not "open" properly or appears faulty, usually the refresh button helps get things back in order.

Hope you enjoy the new poetry that was recently posted to this site.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Naturists and Healing

It is good to see that at some Naturist resorts, they are now introducing massage as an option for their clientelle. There is nothing nicer than receiving a true healing massage outside, being one with nature, next to a river or even a pool. Obviously being in a naturist environment (some would rather call them nudist resorts) you will receive your healing in the nude, even the healer will be nude, yet there is nothing sexual about this, it is perfectly natural. Imagine doing a nude yoga workshop, breathwork or even energy workshops and visualizations done as nature intended, without the trappings of "civilization".

We have decided that our pool area needs to be revamped, we are now seeking a stunning water feature/statue to compliment the wooden deck I will be constructing next to the pool, as well as putting in additional (frost hardy) plants. In future you will have the option to receive your healing in the garden studio (looking across garden on to pool area) or receive healing next to the pool at the wooden deck - there will be a basic roof to protect you from too much sun! The Shaktigardens will also become a venue on certain weekends for nudists/naturists to meet, socialise and receive healing. Should there be 2 or more people coming through for healing at the same time (maybe a group of friends), then, while one receives treatment the others can relax poolside. This will become an additional option that will be offered along with our other projects.

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Exploring Sensual Boundaries - Tantric Ecstacy

At Shaktigardens we will be offering a workshop - Tantric Ecstacy - where 3 couples can meet to explore their sensual and sexual boundaries.

In this workshop we will take you through various stages of preparation - before anything else, you will have to have basic instruction on massage techniques, I always believe in "Safety First" - with this in mind I will show you some basic massage strokes and methods, as well as being aware of how much pressure should be used, and what to look out for during massage. This has to be a pleasurable and not a painful experience.

Firstly, Breathwork - this is so important to a healthy lifestyle - too many people only take in shallow breaths, never filling their lungs, never taking in enough oxygen to feed their bodies. They only breathe to survive! In this workshop you will be made more aware of the importance of breath, to focus on technique and to oxyginate your body, this in turn will help energize you to help you perform better!

Secondly, Moving Energies - this goes hand in hand with breathwork. You will be taught how to move energies through your body to stimulate and awaken your sexuality, you can also exchange energies with your beloved, thereby energizing them. Breathwork and focussing on energies when done right can do amazing things for you and your loved one. Imagine this, while massaging your loved one, you begin a process of energizing your body with deep focussed breathing, then you transfer your attention to your loved one transferring that energy into their body, awakening dormant sexuality.

Thirdly, Touch Awareness - in this part of the workshop you will learn to explore your body without setting goals, surrendering into the ecstasy of receiving a loving, caring and sexually awakening massage from your loved one and others. You will be able to release stress, and feel more alive in your body as we assist you in staying in the moment, focussing on your sexual energies. We begin by having you sit in the Yab-yum position with your loved one, then, exchanging simple body strokes, exploring each other you begin a process of awakening the body to touch. From here the couples begin their first inter-action with others. The women will stand in a circle, back to back, eyes closed, allowing their loved one to touch, stroke and explore, their loved one will then move to the next woman in the group and do the same. The women will then sense the different styles of touch by the men. Remember that most women are aroused by touch and words, while men are aroused by visual stimulation, this is why this excercise is practised, the women receive attention and touch by the males, while the males are stimulated by the sight and beauty of the female form.

Lastly - Awakening the Erotic Body - this is the highlight of the evening. This is where the art of sensual touch and massage is practised. One woman will get to experience being pampered and massaged by the three males in the group, after which one male will receive the same from the three females, and so on till all have experienced this wonderful loving journey into sexual wholeness as you are surrounded by others with the same dreams and desires as yourself, wanting to experience the bliss of fully expressing who you are as a sexual and spiritual being at the same time. At Shaktigardens we create a safe and beautiful environment that allows you to fully relax and surrender into a deep physical and spiritual healing, releasing of limited restrictive beliefs and fears. Ask yourself "What is normal?", "What are the norms of society?" What is normal for one might be restrictive or discriminatory to another. We cannot impose our will upon others! You will be released from old fears, delving into a new release and awakening of physical and spiritual enjoyment. Learning to awaken and channel your own tantric energies fully and joyfully. We want you to balance your bodily energy field (or aura) through tantric methods and practices. In this process, and with permission, in the course of this journey, the women will experience Yoni massage and the males Lingam massage. Your body and sexuality will be honoured and admired in a respectful manner. Orgasm is not the goal of the vening, but part of the journey into ecstacy. Some might wish to receive pleasure without orgasm and that is perfectly good. Just surrender into bliss, just be in the moment, and release those old fears and restrictive emotions. This is a union of souls in ecstacy, filling their whole body (and assisting others with the same)with tantric energy, connecting to the divine. Feeling their divinity and rejoicing within their own unique body. Tantra teaches that the secret to better lovemaking is simply to be in the moment and focus on what feels good to you. Through this practice you create a deeper and more loving connection to your partner. To see your partner enjoy your loving touch should be ecstacy in itself and give you great pleasure.

Be Blessed
Don

Goddess Conference 2008

INTERNATIONAL GODDESS CONFERENCE 2008

Harvest Moon Festival – Great Mother of the Earth
This first ever event in South Africa will take place during the Full Moon Autumn Equinox

Weekend of Friday 21 to Sunday 23 March 2008 (Easter public holidays)
www.goddesstemple.co.za

The Conference is a celebration open to all Goddess loving women and men, poets, artists, dancers and those committed to the expression of Her beauty and wisdom through Sacred Imagination, Art, Myth and feminine spirituality. You are invited to join us in a pilgrimage to Artemis, a beautiful sacred farm, nestled in the Franschhoek valley. The Harvest Moon Festival offers you the opportunity to enter Her Temple and to participate in ceremony, song, ritual, ecstatic dance, talks, hikes to sacred shrines and workshops by international facilitators and priestesses!

As one of the fringe events, Dean Liprini will lead delegates on a hike to the sacred Fertility Stones of Little Lion’s Head, where we will participate in an Autumn Equinox Sunrise Ceremony. Sheri Parks, PhD, University of Maryland, will present a workshop on Fierce Angels: the Divine dark Feminine in Daily Life; KoKo Newport, Priestess of Avalon, Glastonbury, will participate in ceremonies and offer a workshop in how to make your own ceremonial girdle; Rachel McCann, poet of works dedicated to Goddess and editor of Brigid’s Runes, will offer a poetry writing workshop, Shakti Malan is presenting Shakti, the Goddess in all Her sexual power and many others. Special discounted group accommodation has been booked for delegates. Cost of conference only R1000,00 for three days of participation. Optional extra workshops. Goddess eaterie created by local Chef, Robert Rittel, offering al fresco dining. Picnic meals available to be enjoyed on the lands.

Participate in the ancient ritual of making wheat dollies, share in a full moon labyrinth walk guided and facilitated by Helen Schuck, participate in a sacred temple drama and a night of ecstatic dance, and more!


For full information, details and bookings

Please go to :
www.goddesstemple.co.za

Or Email Hettienne at :
hettienne@goddesstemple.co.za

Or Phone :
082 803 8821

Book soon. Limited space available in workshops!





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Exploring your creative and artistic nature

Wednesday evenings are now set aside for those who wish to explore their creative and artistic nature. These art workshops are intended for those who wish to sketch or paint live models.

The room has plenty of space for artists to sit comfortable, lighting is good and the model has a platform on which to pose. Models will be everyday normal people, from petite to Rubenesque, posing nude and semi-nude

Feel free to bring your own easels, boards will be provided.

If you are interested in these workshops please contact Alec for full details :

Alec - 072 630 1105

physical address :

17 Anreith Street
Franklin Roosevelt Park

Yoga classes now available on Saturdays

Well the venue for the yoga and art classes got finished on time - new curtains hung, carpet cleaned etc

Saturday saw the start of the yoga classes under the watchful eye of Manique. If you wish to join this class on Saturday mornings please call Manique on 083 258 7489

Shakti Gardens is the new venue for Mani-Daydream Yoga Classes

Please look at her website - www.mani-daydream.co.za

The venue is the residential address of Don Dreaming Eagle, who is the maker and creator of ShaktiGardens - www.shaktigardens.com

At this venue we have a large indoor room for classes with the opportunity on occasion (weather premitting to enjoy a quiet garden exercise of asana's, breathing and meditation).

What do you need to bring?

I would ask you to please bring along a towel, mat, sock and a small blanket (just to cover yourself) as your kit for a class. There will be a few mats spare at the class to aid those who who might not have. You can get your most inexpensive matts from Dischem at around R60.

Also note that Yoga should always be practised on an empty stomach, so do leave breakfast for after the class

The address is...
17 Anreith Str
Franklin Roosevelt Park

Quarterly fees R550 per person
Monthly fees R200 per person
Per class fee R60 per person

Finally, if you can confirm your attendance that would be great, either via email or contact me telephonically...

Please feel free, to pass this on to anyone whom you feel may be interested...

Namaste
Manique
Cell : 083 258 7489
e-mail : maniquei@gmail.com
website : www.mani-daydream.co.za