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may/june 2017yogajournal.com.auEarth School of Ayurveda founded by
Maya Tiwari (Mother Maya) has also
worked hard to bring to life simple
Ayurvedic wellness practices and
nutrition education to an underprivileged
community. The Misson which has been
established for nearly 20 years identified
early on the importance of collaboration.
“We realised when we started the
Mother Om Mission (MOM) that we
would need to educate and train
respected members of the community
we were working with [in the principals
of Ayurveda] to deliver and maintain the
work,” Maya says. “There is no point in
coming in as an outsider and delivering
suggestions and instructions, even if they
are positive. We need to work with the
existing community members and
elders, exchanging support with one
another.”
This sentiment is echoed deeply in
the ethos of the Bulwalwanga Ran
Festival, where a melting pot of cultures
from all over the globe come together to
be close to the land and to not only
celebrate diversity, but to deeply honour
and respect each other’s lineages and
ancestry. From biodynamic farming,
with it’s roots in Rudolph Steiner’sGermany of the 1920s, to Aboriginal
wisdom of Australia that is thousands
of years old and the ancient Vedic
teachings of yoga, Ayurveda and fire
ritual, the festival honours the common
interests of so many Indigenous cultures
which is that of working with the land,
the animals and our health to find
harmony.
Shaun says, “In the end, it’s all about
the art of living a life well lived, a life
that feels complete and whole.”
For us as practitioners and students
of yoga, the idea of moving towards that
which is “complete and whole” is very
familiar.Steps towards healing the past
The wounds inflicted upon Aboriginal
culture in the last 230 years have been
enormous and it is easy to feel that
healing is impossible or that change
cannot happen. But from small acts
of change, profound change can be
nurtured. The following suggestions
could be a beginning:- Have a representation of Aboriginal
culture in schools that is historically
honest and culturally sensitive.
INNER STRENGTH
Education delivered in the right way
can break down prejudice. An HSC
syllabus does exist in Aboriginal Studies,
but at the moment it is optional.- Review our national anthem.
Aboriginal people were neither new
to these lands or free when it was
written and perhaps an anthem
that reflects reconciliation would be
more appropriate moving forward. - Change the date of Australia Day.
Invasion should not be celebrated.
Bulwalwanga Ran Festival is held in Milton
Showgrounds, Milton NSW. The festival
includes a full program of guest speakers,
in-depth workshops, kids’ tent, nutritious
Ayurvedic food and Bush Tucker, festival
shop, dancing and fire ritual. Camping
opportunities on the festival site are
available. http://www.bulwalwangaran.com.auKatie Manitsas is director of Everyday
Sadhana Yoga and Ayurveda in Sydney’s
Redfern which is home to a large urban
Aboriginal Community. She offers
advanced yoga teacher training programs
as well as a yoga and Ayurveda training
which honours Australian Indigenous
wisdom. Details can be found at
http://www.EverydaySadhana.com.au