We interviewed Saras, the volunteer leader of the free Sahaja Yoga Meditation classes held each week at the Toowoomba City Library (now with new Sunday classes!)
What inspired you to start your personal journey with meditation?
My journey started in 2000 when I started to do meditation classes. I joined these classes to help me manage work and the general stresses of life. When the provider moved on I saw an opportunity to teach this technique, as I wanted to help others to enjoy the benefits of meditation and have a better life.
How would you describe meditation to people who don’t know what it is?
It’s not what most people think it is – sitting around cross-legged chanting and humming. My meditation classes are practiced while sitting on a chair, and I guide people through some specific actions and thought processes to calm the mind. True meditation is stopping your thoughts and being in the silence. Normally your mind will not allow this silence to happen, but this can be learned quite quickly with regular practice of the type of meditation taught through my classes.
What are the benefits of meditation?
There's a large and growing body of research finding people who meditate regularly gain improved attention and concentration, reduced levels of anxiety, and an overall improved sense of wellbeing. And these benefits seem to be felt after a relatively short amount of practice. Just 10 minutes twice a day is all you need to put aside to practice Sahaja Yoga meditation, and within a matter of a few short weeks you’ll start recognising the wonderful changes within yourself that practicing meditation can bring.
Who attends your classes?
Lots of different people attend my classes – young people to retirees, men and women and people from various cultural backgrounds. Some come to improve their health and wellbeing, others seeking to connect with their inner self.
What are the benefits of your classes?
Encouraging people to meditate daily and then coming together once a week for a collective meditation helps in starting and maintaining a regular meditation practice. At classes we also discuss how to overcome any obstacles they might have to their meditation, how to clear off their stress of the day and come back to being in a balanced state. Sometimes we also watch videos and listen to CDs to help us continue to progress our meditation practice.
How do people attend your class?
Here in Toowoomba, we run meditation classes at the Toowoomba City Library on Tuesdays: Intermediate class from 9.30-11am and Beginners class from 11.30am-12.30pm, and
new Beginner classes will start on Sundays, 10am-11am from 7 January 2018. Each year classes run for four terms of 8-10 weeks each, with a break in between. Anyone can join the beginners class at any time and no bookings are required.
For more information about Meditation classes click here
(click on Meditation & Wellbeing)
Keep your healthy New Year resolutions by joining the free online Be Your Best holistic health challenge from 15 January to 9 February! 
Looking for something to do with the kids these school holidays? Come along to a free workshop by a nutritionist to learn about healthy eating and developing cooking skills together with your family at the Toowoomba Library on Wednesday 17 January, 9:30am to 10:30am. 
Have a go at the new Jungle Body Burn Konga class on Mondays 6:30pm at the Highfields Sport & Recreation Park clubhouse, starting 15 January, 
Get together with friends and family and have a go at Cardio Tennis in the park! Arrive anytime between 8am and 12noon on Saturday 28 January at Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba. Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
ains (Henry Stuart Russell Park)
Regional Pool Parties
