Ananda Kennard

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December 31, 2015 by Ananda Kennard

New Years Intentions

New Years Intentions

Life is a party – convivo ergo sum – I party therefore I am.

Too often we set goals and intentions for the New Year without reflecting on what is being asked of us in this moment of time, without truly inviting the goal. We then just focus on the action in pursuit of its fruit, without looking at the field of action, the place in which we live and breathe. This setting is the place where we must reveal our hearts true desire. The Greek verb keleuein, to call, means to get something on the road, to get it under way. Heidegger explains, “this old word ‘to call’ means not so much a command, as a letting-reach… the same word in Sanskrit means something like ‘to invite’. We must first invite the intention by providing a good place for it to party.

Focusing on moving and improving forgets the place from which we invite this intention. Light assumes space.

Acknowledging that particular space in which we seek to become through our intention, helps things turn out the way in which we intended.  This space is what needs attention, since it is what holds the intention.  This means setting boundaries or limits, which are not limitations per se, but the borders in which this intention is revealed. Limits set us free by providing a space for being, where the intention can enter and over-flow with all that seeks to dance within.
In providing a space for beings to enter, we open ourselves to life’s calling. Preparing the ground for the invitation, to let life in.  That is the basis from which life comes forth in its fullness, from whence the intention is revealed. Again, as Heidegger put it, Plato did not bring about Ideas, “the thinker only responded to what addressed itself to him.” The in-tent is a shelter for Being, where life can address itself to us, and we can respond. When we dwell in this heart space, we are in the setting of the intention, and must respond to its calling, what is called for.

January 8, 2015 by Ananda Kennard

Living through the Heart

Living through the Heart

This is an excerpt from a comparative study of James Hillman’s The Soul’s Code and the Bhagavad Gita, by James Kennard.

The symbolic heart, the anāhata chakra, holds our life’s seminal image. This is the true place of yoga in the Gita, which conjuncts above and below, will and action, being and becoming. We are thrown into life, and become conscious in the middle, a field of action: “kshetra (field), from the verbal root kshad, which means ‘attack’ ‘confront’… the place where paradoxical experiences meet (samaagama)” (Brooks, 2008, p.30). The heart space holds opposing forces, and is prone to “attack” when we cannot ourselves confront such deeply pressing conflicts. Krishna opens us to a greater meaning offered through the hearts longing, through dharma or duty, as it is the “focal point of all experience” (Brooks, 2008, p.30).

What was above is now below: the ground that fell away from our beneath feet is momentarily held by the winged wisdom of the daimon. The Self appears in form of Krishna.  Something new emerges in this focal point, where the wisdom of the heart is revealed. Jung describes this psychic center of our experience:

In the anāhata you behold the purusa, a small figure that is the divine self … People lose themselves completely in there emotions and deplete themselves, and are finally burned to bits … a new thing comes up, the possibility of lifting himself above the emotional happenings and beholding them. He discovers the purusa in his heart, the thumbing “smaller than the small, greater than the great.” In the center of anāhata there is again Siva in the form of the linga, and a small flame means the first germlike appearance of the self. (Jung, 1996, p.39)

The racket of our emotions can drown out the sound of the calling.  Fanned without the proper outlet, or channeled into the wrong place, it becomes uncontrolled. Our desires ruin the life we have up to this point made for ourselves. Krishna says as much:

But if you refuse the call

To a righteous war, and shrink from

What duty and honor dictate,

You will bring ruin down on your head.

These revelations take place in the midst of life, dramatically rendered through a breakdown amidst a war. This is a humbling experience, forming an essential part of our individuation process, whereby we learn to pay heed to our life’s duty, dharma, or calling.  If we do not face the demons inside, they will visit us from the outside, what we call “fate.” We must enter the battlefield of our own desires, as well as the one’s chosen for us by fate.  The Katha Upanishad agrees, “what is within us is without. What is without is also within.” (p. 21). Arjuna’s entry into the field is also an encounter with his “lot” in life, “that space which is your portion in the overall order of things” (Hillman, 1996, p.45).  His fate suddenly dawns on him, and he becomes a basket case, “the word case itself …from the Latin, caere, to fall. Your case is simply the fate that befalls you” (Hillman, 1996, p.280). Having fallen, Arjuna is now in a position to receive instructions from Krishna. He is beginning to realize that his life isn’t entirely his own, but instead belongs to the daimon, soul, or Self.

It is not our appearance that defines our image, but rather our souls image that defines the manner in which we appear. This reversal of perspective is made through a sacrifice of the ego’s position, which is now oriented toward the Self.  When we fall, something must change so that we might be able to continue on our way again. The change required here belongs to the way we are consciously involved in our actions. Krishna continues: “You have a right to your action, but never to the fruits… Action is far inferior to the yoga of insight … the wise man let’s go of all results … and is focused done action alone. Yoga is skill in actions” (2.47-50).

Arjuna picks up his bow and arrow, returning to his life’s purpose. This is his tool or device, a power in which he can realize the self-image. The bow and arrow is akin to the mind’s power of penetrating insight (Jnana), which connects the hearts longing (Iccha), with its fulfillment in action (Kriya). We must focus our intellect, aiming it through the image in the heart. In this way, we connect what is within us, to our fate outside.  Gradually, and over the course of time, we come to know what we must do, and the manner in which we must do it.  The word style comes from the Latin “stilus,” a device for crafting characters: “the very word character originally meant a marking instrument that cuts indelible lines and leaves traces” (Hillman, 1996, p.260). Our character leaves a mark in the world, just as we are also imprinted by our experiences in it. This world is a place to reveal our character and forge the soul’s image. The world is a vale for soul making.

In summary, The Gita teach us that life’s battles are to be devoted, as an offering:

The whole world becomes a slave

To its own activity Arjuna;

If you want to truly be free,

perform all actions as worship. (3.9)

By worship you will nourish the gods

And the gods will nourish you in turn;

By nourishing one another

You assure the well-being of all. (3.11)

We are often pulled into distractions, or senseless activity’s. The purpose is to harvest meaning from our actions in the world, and in so doing we are yoking and expanding consciousness with it.  The collection of experiences we call a life is offered back into the fire of reflection, the light of consciousness.  Holding steady in the difficult moments, we can craft our experiences into something meaningful, unique to our soul’s style. This is a process of fermenting the experiences to make a sweet nectar, nourishing to our spirit, the soul’s well being.

We are safe from harm when we devote life to its calling. Being true to this experience is an end in itself.  The happy life (Ancient Greek: Eudaimonia), “life that is good for the daimon” (Hillman, 1996, p.260) is something nourishing for all.

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December 9, 2014 by Ananda Kennard

Merry Christmas – Light Up the Chakra Tree

Merry Christmas – Light Up the Chakra Tree

For many, especially children, the joy of the festive season revolves around the Christmas Tree. On top of this symbol is a star, or guiding spirit, who orients the communal celebrations. Whilst not all people celebrate Christmas, this holiday spirit is part of our popular culture. There is so much divine play, Lila, moving in us through the festive season, that we cannot help but see this brilliance all around. Reveling in this presence, the ritual of concealing and revealing presents, embodies the movement of Shiva, who dances the creation of the world.

This image has roots in the Jewish Cabalistic tradition with the Sephiroth, also known as the tree of life. The Tree of Life is the divine subtle body structure that supports all of life, as if from above. It is often depicted as the cosmic body of Adam Cadamon, who like Shiva (or Purusha) from the Hindu tradition, unfolds down through the Tattvas, as different aspects of reality. The lighting up of the Christmas tree thus reenacts the illumination of these different aspects of a divine essence in a joyful celebration. In yoga, this subtle body structure is known through the chakras, and our practice is also a ritual dance, lighting it up.

The Vedas depict this as a Bodhi Tree, with its roots in the starry firmament. Our entire existence is supported by this presence, which is immanent, growing down into the world.

To all who came to Preshana this year for practice, and everyone who made it in spirit, we thank you, and wish to see you in the new year! 

Holiday Blessings To All,

Ananda, Jim & the Preshana Team

January 26, 2014 by Ananda Kennard

Article with Ananda

Article with Ananda

 

Words by Ali Fleming
Photography by Vassi Dyulgerova

Yoga is one of those practices we return to every couple of months or so in a bid to lengthen our limbs, increase our flexibility and of course, calm our busy minds. Upon meeting Ananda Trettin – a devout yogi – we felt that familiar urge resurface, but with added enthusiasm. Our Adho Mukha Svanasana (or for the uninitiated, our downward-facing dog pose ) took shape instinctively. We’d agree that Ananda’s own understanding of why she undertakes the practice, also guides others toward her studios, “It has helped me emotionally find stability, physically find strength and spiritually rediscover and establish faith”.

For Ananda, yoga isn’t a once a week endeavour. It is a lifestyle and one she has embraced wholeheartedly, “I have my dogs and a hubby, and they all do yoga too, so it gives us the opportunity to play together with a shared interest.  Mostly our puppies just do down/up dog, but still it’s a fairly consistent practice…”. It has also seen Ananda open the doors of her successful Preshana Hatha yoga studios, one in Sydney’s east and the other in the inner-west. Ananda explains her business and lifestyle go hand in hand, with yoga a prominent aspect of her everyday, “I was fortunate enough to recently go to the Galapagos on a yoga retreat with my husband, which was a wonderful experience on many levels. So my life outside of Preshana is still intimately connected to yoga practice”.

While Ananda’s poise and grace may have you believe this former-model is dripping in confidence, she explains it is only in recent years she has ‘come into her own’, so to speak. Her time spent modeling, through her teens and twenties, was a period she describes as being, “traumatic, confusing and confronting”. While her creative surroundings were an inspiration in and of themselves, “I loved being a part of such a creative powerful industry. Having the gift of working with leading design houses and photographers gave me wonderful insights into the world of artistic and philosophical creation”, she acknowledges pain connected to the modeling industry was “simply because I was growing up” and that, “For better or worse my way of learning seems to be the school of hard knocks”.

In discovering what she did and didn’t like about a very consuming industry, Ananda sought comfort in the practice of yoga, “I had hit rock bottom – probably even dropped below rock bottom to a place where I had followed this belief and way of living that was based on the idea that I was not good enough… I knew that if I continued to move in that direction that life would cease to be. One day, I had an epiphany and I realized that the way that I would be able to shift my life and turn things around would be through the practice of yoga – by pouring myself deeply into its teachings”.

Ananda’s first studio opened in Glebe – a shop front with her home at the back. Beginning as something of a co-op structure – “The studio started as a donation-based studio… It started with some new teachers who all wanted a space to teach and share”, Preshana has continued evolving into a successful small business venture. When the need for more room presented itself, Ananda found the light-filled space of her Oxford Street, Darlinghurst premises, “After five years of being open and having experienced moderate success, I felt a tremendous yearning to expand the space with a location that would be accessible to people in the eastern suburbs in Sydney. Stepping into the larger space, I had no idea what was going to be asked of me, or the degree I would need to grow in every way in order to develop that space. Darlinghurst has now been open for almost two years and within those two years I have absolutely been pushed to my full capacity”.

Every aspect of the Darlinghurst studio resounds Ananda’s personal values of strength and respect: the openness of the space, Ananda’s staff and fellow teachers, as well as the woman behind it all. Within the world of Preshana, one feels completely at home and in good hands, “People can come to Preshana with confidence that they will receive knowledgeable instruction and that they will receive more personalized attention to alignment in the poses… Growing a strong and vibrant community is important to me, and I would love to see our student body expand as our culture becomes stronger and more stable on these roots”.

December 14, 2013 by Ananda Kennard

An Invitation To Listen Within By Ananda and Jim

An Invitation To Listen Within By Ananda and Jim

Let us begin with a story, to invoke and hold space for our attendant, Lord Ganesha, paraphrasing here:

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati lived with their two children – Ganesha and Kartikeya. Kartikeya was a beautiful boy with strong limbs, whereas Ganesha had the head of an elephant and was pot-bellied with short stubby legs.  Kartikeya’s vehicle was the swift peacock and Ganesha’s vehicle was a mouse.

A mischievous sage, Narada, came to see Shiva and Parvati.  Sage Narada, with a mischievous twinkle, brought out a mango. He presented the mango to Shiva, ‘Lord, this mango is a very special mango. It is sweeter than the nectar of the Gods and whoever eats this mango would become wise and learned.’ Shiva was about to cut the mango and give half of it to Parvati, when Narada stopped him. ‘My Lord! He said, ‘the mango has to be eaten by one person only. If it is cut or shared, it would lose its value.’ Shiva frowned and immediately handed over the mango for Parvati to eat. He smiled, ‘Enjoy the fruit, my dear!’Parvati hesitated as she too was unwilling to eat something which her husband would not eat.

At that time Ganesha and Kartikeya came inside their home to find their parents talking seriously with Sage Narada. ‘What is happening? What is in your hands, Sage Narada? Kartikeya came up from behind and asked Narada, eying the mango.  Narada said ”Oh this…”.  Ganesha looked at the mango, licked his lips, why his parents had rejected such a delicious gift. The aroma wafted even more strongly as Kartikeya said, ‘Mother I will take it, it smells so delicious… and I like mangoes too…’ Ganesha interrupted, ‘I saw it first, I want it…I like eating.. it is mine….’ Ganesha yelled as he tried snatching the mango from Narada’s hand, only to be stopped by his brother.

Narada safely moved to the side, his mission accomplished, he watched.  Both Shiva and Parvati realized that Narada had created a rift between the two brothers. Shiva angrily shouted at Narada, ‘You came here to start this fight! I hope you are satisfied now…’ Shiva angrily shook his head.

Parvati knew it was time she intervened, as Shiva, Ganesha and Kartikeya were all angry. Shiva stopped advancing towards Narada and looked at Parvati. Both Ganesha and Kartikeya stopped their bickering and looked at their mother expectantly.  ‘We will organize a competition, whoever wins the competition, gets the mango, ok?’ Parvati said with a quiet smile. Both the brothers nodded realizing that this was the only solution. Now Narada asked: ‘Mother, shall I suggest the competition?

Parvati nodded. Then Narada said, ‘Whoever goes around the world three times and returns first would win the mango.’  Kartikeya smiled. There was no way Ganesha could win this competition. Kartikeya was sure he was going to get the mango. Without saying another word, Kartikeya ran to his peacock and starting his flight around the world.

Ganesha was perturbed. He knew that he his mouse couldn’t match the speed of the Kartikeya’s peacock. He was wondering what to do, when an idea struck him.  Meanwhile Kartikeya after circling the world three times came home to claim the mango. Much to his amazement, he saw the mango in his brother’s hands.  Kartikeya could not believe that Ganesha had circled the world faster than him and had claimed the mango! Bewildered he turned to his mother, ‘How did Ganesha complete the race first?’

It was Sage Narada who replied, ‘Ganesha said that Shiva and Parvati were his parents were his whole world. He had asked Shiva and Parvati to stand together and circled them three times, taking the mango.’  Kartikeya looked long at his brother who had the mango in his hands. He knew that his brother had beaten him fair. Kartikeya smiled. Ganesha smiled back and offered the mango to Kartikeya!

We all follow the path of either Ganesha or Kartikeya in our lives. Some of us gather knowledge by traveling the world – like Kartikeya, whereas some of us gather knowledge by staying at the same place and observing people– like Ganesha.*

Now we want to share our perspective, to save any confusion.  So there is no question as to the year that was, we want to talk about it.  There have been plenty of moments that have given us pause for thought, and none of that seems out of line with the given experiences of a human culture at large.  There are also some dynamics, like those offered by Narada, unique to the yoga world. These are the cultural complexes, which we are intimately bound up in.  Since we expanded our business 2 years ago, we instantly had the falling apart (or blowing up) of Anusara, and with it our original business plan.  Since that time, we tried to recollect ourselves as best we could.  Inevitably, the complex phenomena in the yoga world that shook Anusara apart completely, ended up on our doorstep.  At times, it has felt like the terrorizing space shrapnel that revisits us every 1hr and 30mins (if you’ve seen the movie, Gravity), which is about every year in our world.  It is as if we have been racing to escape this.

Our biggest challenge over the last two years has been in terms of reorienting and grounding the culture of our business. Since that time, our community of students and teachers have been cycled through to varying degrees.  One of our longest serving teachers recently resigned, and we are grateful for her growth, while sad to see her leave. This is a positive outcome after being with us from the beginning of her career as a yoga teacher.  The reason we were given for her resignation was that our culture was “too much of a revolving door”.  Framed in that way, the aspect of the revolving door was taken to be negative, and gives the impression that there should be reason for the door to remain closed.  Yet who really wants the door to be closed? Having “no exit” is an existential nightmare, and in reality, there is no such thing.  If the door were to be closed we could never escape life, and we would be stuck in one place, or phase, psychologically speaking.  Alternatively, this could lead to a facing of ones demons, which if handled intelligently, will lead to a removal of any such obstacle.  This brings us to our primary host for this Christmas – Ganapati – the indestructible mover and shaker.

If we take the image of the revolving door, and turn it on its side, we have the symbol of the rota or wheel. This is an archetypal image, a form with universal significance.  It has functioned as container for the experience of an ultimate reality, on which the whole phenomenal world rests. In the eastern spiritual tradition, this is the work of mandala symbolism.  These images describe the basic structure of our existence, in its fullness. They do not make meaning like our signs, through exclusions, but instead draw contents in.  They might look static, but as we know the action of wheel is made to turn. In our culture, we get about in our wheels, and this is literally our primary mode of transport. As we see in the metaphor, it also functions on a symbolic level.

The spokes on the wheel describe the innate order, created through the spontaneous divisions manifested out of the basic movement of life, Prana.  Sacred geometry sees the living essence in the shape of things, that is, in how they “turn out”. We can’t be blamed if it was not as we expected, because we have something to learn from the basis of that unfolding. Strangely, the psyche is also an intervention into that natural process.  What we can see happening in these artworks, relates precisely to what Ananda said in last night’s class: “the observation is the transformation.”  To be part of that work of transforming our situation, we must look to see what patterns are occurring in our embodied existence. When you see these things staring back at you, from wherever they may be, that is the pivotal moment that changes the course of life.  This is precisely what we set out to do freely for ourselves, when we create the world from the space of observation.  Of course, that work is never finished because this principle, the wheel of life, understands that the unfolding is a process of concealment and revelation. With our embodied awareness, we can begin to know that these two facts of consciousness are actually two sides of the same coin, two aspects of the one reality.

We have chosen to keep our doors open and to enable movement, whilst we stay in the same place, observing life as it circles around.   The past is receding, and the future expanding, holding us to our centre.  We are proud to be a container in which teachers and students develop their capacities.  We have all shared our love for, and knowledge of yoga.  The momentum gathers, as 2014 will offer more expansive knowledge and love for the practice, as we work on our capacity to hold more, together.  We are really excited to have the door wide open for new programming and faces next year. Stay tuned for our New Year newsletter, for a complete description of events, classes and schedule. We look forward to having you visit, practice, learn and love yoga at Preshana.

 

*Full story retrievable at http://hindumythologyforgennext.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/ganesha-wins-mango.html

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Testimonials

My first class with Ananda completely changed my view on yoga and sparked a sense of curiosity that I had not had before. She has an acute awareness and understanding of the body and movement, which she so clearing articulates. She explores movement and alignment seamlessly and effortlessly. He…
Heidi Ancich
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I have attended many of Ananda’s classes over the last few years, and I love to be her student whenever I can. Being a teacher myself I am discerning when it comes to attending a yoga class and Ananda is my favourite teacher in Sydney. She is one of those rare person who you know is meant to be a yo…
Dominique Marill
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Ananda is intuitive and her classes uncannily sensitive to the current mood. She has challenged me to work toward my individual capabilities. Perhaps more importantly, Ananda has presented yoga in a way philosophically that can be taken out of the yoga class and into everyday life. Yoga has been a…
Christine Price
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After practicing all different types of yoga for over 15 years you know when you’ve come across a special teacher. Ananda is one of those rare teachers with the ability to teach with ease, humour and technical precision all at the same time. She can sense what each student needs at so it feels like …
Jared
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Ananda has awaken my practice. Her presence in the yoga room draws attention to a person’s body, mind and soul. She teaches with passion in her heart. Her classes are never easy but her tough love for students pays off. Her constructive and detailed instructions brought me out of my comfort zone and…
June Chard
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Ananda is among the best of teachers. And the best of teachers constantly learn, grow, shift and expand. I have witnessed and experienced this in her classes. Her passion for the craft is infectious. While guiding and prompting and encouraging with rigour, the element of play is ever present…
Tracy Mann
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I began practicing yoga as a beginner with Ananda five years ago. At the time I experienced frequent, severe migraines, back and neck pain and wrist pain which all resolved themselves within several months of attending Ananda’s classes. I have taken Ananda’s classes as a beginner, during pregnancy a…
Student
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I have had the pleasure of working with Ananda since early 2014. Preshana was the first studio to bring international teachers to Australia, and through Ananda and Preshana I have participated in teacher trainings and workshops put on by the studio, including in a 200hr training with Naoh Mazé and …
Rachel Falconer
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Ananda is a special teacher and unlike any other that I have had the privilege to study under. Her passion for yoga is evident in everything that she does and she walks a path of truth and understanding. Her classes are taught with a clear and thorough understanding of the body so that her students …
Cassy teacher
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I am writing this as a personal reference for Ananda Trettin. Ananda has been my yoga teacher for over 5 years, during which time she has guided me through a truly unique physical and spiritual yoga journey. I had been practicing for many years, various styles of yoga, before joining Ananda’s cl…
Karen McLeod
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Recent Blog posts

  • New Years Intentions December 31, 2015
  • Living through the Heart January 8, 2015
  • Merry Christmas – Light Up the Chakra Tree December 9, 2014
  • Article with Ananda January 26, 2014
  • An Invitation To Listen Within By Ananda and Jim December 14, 2013

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