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The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Editorial by Cathryn Doornekamp
Namaste. Welcome to thiscombined edition of theSummer (2020) and Autumn(2021) Lotus news-sheet.Visitors to the Lotus YogaCentre will have noticed manychanges within the groundsduring recent months.
Our beloved villa, has movedon to greener pastures, and we are enjoying ourbeautiful new building that has been purpose builtfor classes and therapies.
Eric Doornekamp, the Founding Director of theLotus Yoga Centre, has retired from teaching andas a practitioner of health therapies, massage andback therapy, after forty years of service.
We are pleased to welcome Noi Chaiya on board,who is practising Thai Massage full time fromone of our rooms. We would also like to welcomeJulie Forsey who is offering Somatic Experienc-ing part time from our rooms, and Well BeingTherapist, Clare McMahon.
During the next few months we have a great line-up of events scheduled at the Centre.
Of interest may be Chanting and Meditationclasses with Shikhaa, Gentle Yoga with Adyatma,a Body, Mind and Soul Retreat with CathrynDoornekamp, a Mindfulness, Qigong Retreatwith Rachel Tobin, A Feng Shui Conversation onLiving Spaces with Rosemary Nelson, anIntroduction to Mindfulness 4-week course withRachel Tobin, A Chakras and CrystalsWorkshop with Susan Cameron, or a Discoveryour Natural Bliss Silent Day Retreat with LisaConroy.
Details for these events can be found on pages 7,8, 9 and 10.
Regular Lotus Kirtan sessions and Alive toThrive Unity meetings are held at the Centre allyear round. See page 8 for a list of dates.
This issue of The Lotus news-sheet features anaccount of the Villa Farewell and an Eco VillageUpdate on page 2.
An Interview with Eric Doornekamp revealshow the Lotus Yoga Centre came into being andlists some of the activities and highlights it hasbeen involved in over the years.
The Lotus Yoga Centre and Retreat Incorporated91 Ruapehu Street, Paraparaumu 5032 PH: 021 08295395
Email: lotusyogacentre nz @ gmail.com Website: www.lotusyogacentre.org.nzFacebook: www.facebook.com/lotusyogacentrekapiti
Table of ContentsEditorial by Cathryn Doornekamp...............1 Villa Farewell..............................................2 Lotus Eco Village Update...........................2 Interview with Eric.....................................3The Centre's Healing mantra........................5News from the Centre..................................5Helping Hands.............................................6Personalised Yoga Programmes...................6Discounts for Yoga and Taichi.....................6Membership.................................................6Regular Classes............................................7
Taichi Qigong and Yoga..........................7Upcoming Events and Courses....................7
Chanting and Meditation Classes............7Gentle Yoga.............................................8Alive to Thrive Unity Meetings..............8Lotus Kirtan............................................8Body, Mind and Soul Retreat..................8Mindfulness, Qi Gong Retreat................9Feng Shui Conversation Living Spaces. .9Introduction to Mindfulness....................9Chakra and Crystals Workshop.............10 Discover Your Natural Bliss.................10
Therapies by Appointment........................10Thai Massage........................................10 Well Being Therapy..............................10 Somatic Experiencing..........................11
Books.........................................................11
The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Villa Farewell12 January 2021, marked a momentous occassionin the history of the Lotus Yoga Centre, as a groupof members, friends and eco village residentsgathered together at 8 pm to farewell the villa thathas served the Yoga Centre and wider communityso well over the last thirty-five years.
Ralph Wallace, Chairperson of the Lotus YogaCentre invited those who knew the words to theGayatri Mantra to join in song along with LYCCommittee Members.
Everyone in attendance was given the opportunityto say a few words, sharing memories of the villa.We sung Purea Nei, then moved on to theCommunity space for a cup of tea.
There were mixed feelings later that evening asLotus members, eco village residents and the localneighbourhood lined the street to watch the villadepart on three trucks. It was sad to see her go, butalso heart warming to know that she will berefurbished into a family home, on 15 acres ofpastures in Otaki.
Here Cathryn is pictured in the tree pose, standingon the concrete pad at the top of the steps that leadto the front door of the villa, where the villa restedfor 110 years. In the background is the back halfof the yoga room, on board a truck ready to betransported away.
Lotus Eco Village UpdateProgress on the Eco Village that is being formedaround the Lotus Yoga Centre is in full swing. Atthe time of writing, the first nine houses have beencompleted and occupied, and a further four housesare underway. Clearing of sites, earthworks andpiling for three more houses has begun.
We look forward to sharing our adventure withyou on into the future.
https://www.facebook.com/LotusEcoVillage
www.lotusecovillage.nz
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The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Interview with EricEditor's Note – Eric Doornekamp, the FoundingDirector of the Lotus Yoga Centre, has a longassociation with yoga. He came to yoga at the ageof eight, when drawn to study with an uncle inHolland.
In 1959 Eric migrated to New Zealand where heparticipated in yoga classes with Taffy Hawkins atthe Wellington Hatha Yoga Group during theyears 1960 – 1967.
He then set out for India and while in Pondicherryhe met Dr. Swami Gitananda, who accepted himas his student at Ananda Ashram. Eric stayed forsix months to complete an intensive teachertraining course under his supervision. Aftertravelling the world, Eric returned to NewZealand in 1971.
The following interview with Eric was firstpublished in the September Lotus Newsletter 2012to mark the fortieth celebration of the Lotus YogaCentre 1972 – 2012.
How did the Lotus Yoga Centrecome into being?
Inspired from the teachings I received in theAshram, I took over Taffy Hawkins yoga classesin 1971 when he stepped down. A group ofenthusiastic people then came together to study in-depth yoga at 129 Aro Street, Wellington.
129 Aro Street
The Lotus Yoga Centre was formed and it becamean Incorporated Society in September, 1972. I wasasked to conduct a raja yoga course, from whichmany teachers sprung.
What activities was the Lotus Yoga Centreinvolved in?
Over the years the Lotus Yoga Centre developedinto a live-in community occupying five houses,each with organic gardens. Produce was sold tomembers through a functioning Co-operative. Weran 24 public yoga classes a week in the YMCAand Aro Street. Once a month retreats with guestteachers were held around NZ.
In the 1980's the Lotus Yoga Centre rented roomsin Cuba Mall. Beginners yoga, general yoga,meditation and massage courses were held withwaiting lists up to six months long.
The Amrita Restaurant, one of the first vege-tarian restaurants in Wellington, was established at127 Cuba Mall and proved to be a very popularmeeting place.
The Amrita Cookbook was published featuringrecipes from the restaurant's menu. Furthermore Iwrote and published Relax with Yoga, Be fit withYoga, Yoga Cleansing Techniques, Yoga Therapy,Massage for Relaxation, NZ Walk, Nectar fromThe Lotus and Yoga Humour.
The Centre also published the Sunflower CookBook, Recipes from the Farmyard, VegetarianRecipes from Many Countries, Colourful Vege-tarian Recipes, Practical Vegetarianism and Gemsof Wisdom. I sold the books by visiting healthshops, book shops and yoga organisationsthroughout NZ.
What are some of the historical highlights?
In 1975 the Lotus Yoga Centre sponsored Dr.Swami Gitananda on a two month long tour ofNew Zealand. He was accompanied by his wife,Meenakshi and their 3 year old son, AnandaBalayogi. In total, eight weekend seminars wereheld at different venues with 200 plus people inattendance at each venue. He also gave severallectures during the week.
Interestingly, his son Dr. Ananda returned to NewZealand in 2009 to conduct a three day yogaprogram at the Centre.
The Centre has hosted many other Swamis overthe years. We also had a close affiliation with
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The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Karmayogi (Lou Postlewait) of the Divine LifeSociety in Henderson, Auckland.
In 1987 I undertook a walk from Wellington toAuckland to promote the Lotus Yoga Centre.
What was the motivation behind setting upthe Centre in Paraparaumu in 1985?
Members of the Lotus Yoga Centre were lookingto establish a retreat in the country – a peacefulhaven away from the hustle and bustle of everydaylife to obtain a place of their own.
When I first saw the layout of the property at 91Ruapehu Street, I noticed a bright light on the hilloverlooking the homestead. It was the decidingfactor in buying the land for the Centre in October1985. The location contained a pond and I couldclearly visualise the building of a healing andmeditation sanctuary in the vicinity to blend inwith the elements of nature.
When did this vision come to fruition?
A fund raising campaign spanning 3 years waslaunched for the project in 1996.
In the meantime the site for the Sanctuary waschosen according to the confluence of powerfulley lines. The energies are strongly aligned withKapiti Island and the ranges on the eastern side ofthe Sanctuary site.
An architect was engaged to draw up the plans forthe Sanctuary. Careful consideration was given tothe construction of the octagonal-shaped buildingand the angle of the glass pyramid roof to ensurethat it was conducive to healing energies.
A special service was held on Sunday 21 March,1999 to bless the site. Those present expressedtheir feelings by reading personal testimonies.They threw grains of rice onto a cloth which wasplaced at the site. This symbolic gesturerepresented the gathering of all of humanity.
Soon after Roger Smith, Craftsman builder,engaged in the preparations for laying thefoundations.
It was an exciting journey seeing the Sanctuarytake shape, step by step. What a great moment itwas to stand on the deck and look out over thepond and Kapiti Island.
Members and friends met on 21 December 1999for the grand opening of the Sanctuary.
Highlights included a candle procession andcircumambulation three times clockwise aroundthe Sanctuary.
What do you envisage the plans are for theCentre in the next 10 years?
I would like to see a new Centre built near theSanctuary, so it can be fully utilised by servingmore people on the Kapiti Coast.
In the meantime I want to complete writing up theClassic Yoga Course to encourage the practice ofyoga and spiritual development.
I envisage more teachers and therapists coming onboard as I gradually decline from taking such anactive role in the Centre's activities.
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The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Forty years seem to have gone by very quickly.I wish to acknowledge that the Centre wouldn'thave flourished without the help of all thewonderful friends and committee members I havebeen fortunate to meet in that time.
The Centre's Healing mantra Let LOVE fill our hearts and service
be our aim in life.May our actions become unselfish and fill us with
joy, so that love shall flow freely.
Let LIGHT shine upon all creaturesof the earth and the sun give energy to the
mountains, the oceans and the skies unlimited.May we see the great white spirit all around
so that we become enlightened.
Let PEACE reign in our mindsand thinking show clarity.
May we become stillso that our thoughts are harmonious.
Let POWER be used gently and our creativeforces lead us in the right direction,
towards a common good.May we feel strong so that we are able to
experience life to the fullest extentevery minute of the day.
Let UNION be determined by awarenessand all become one.
May we be united by a universal bond of love,light and understanding,
so that the Divine spirit will manifest freely.
Make us serene accepting wise counsellingfrom our guides.
Protect us from harm and surround uswith happiness.
Allow us to receive the gift ofhealing graciously.
May we be thankful for all the blessingsbestowed upon us.
Heal us in Body, Mind and Spirit.
News from the Centre
Christmas Raffle FundraiserA big thank you is due to those who supportedthe Centre with our Christmas fundraiser.
The raffle was drawn on 20 December 2020,during the festivities following the SummerSolstice Celebration.
Congratulations go to Jo Hinds-Brown (Prize draw1), Francie Durham (Prize draw 2), ValerieCranfield (Prize draw 3), Yvonne Oliver (Prizedraw 4) and Marilyn Wilkinson (Prize draw 5).
We would like to take this opportunity to thankeveryone who contributed items for the Christmasraffle.
In total, the Centre made $650.00 from thisfundraising venture.
We are still raising funds to help cover the cost ofthe blinds that have recently been installed in thenew Yoga Studio.
Donations would be warmly received to supportthis worthwhile venture.
Donations over $5.00 are tax deductible.
Payments can be made directly to the Lotus YogaCentre's bank account:
Westpac, Paraparaumu 03 0732 0237548 00
All contributions will be greatly appreciated.
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Online Classes
We are pleased to report that the online yoga andtaichi qigong classes that we introduced last yearduring Level 4 Covid-19 Lockdown are stillpopular, so we will continue to offer these classesas long as there is interest.
We would like to take this opportunity to extendour thanks to Ananda Doornekamp for his experttechnical skills and help with setting up the onlineclasses.
For a current schedule of online classes pleasecontact Cathryn [email protected]
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The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Helping Hands
Cathryn and Eric Doornekamp would like toacknowledge the many 'helping hands' that go onbehind the scenes at the Centre in the nature ofkarma yoga.
Anthony Britton for continuing to provide experthelp with computer matters and Valerie Andrewsfor her editing skills.
Clare McMahon, Ani McManaway, JeanMarending, Claire Williams, Geoff Knighton andRalph Wallace for helping to clear out the villa,cleaning of the villa and moving items from thevilla to the new Centre.
Ani McManaway for helping in the kitchen withBody, Mind and Soul Retreats.
Please accept our apologies if we've omitted yourname from the list of acknowledgements.Your help was appreciated and did not gounnoticed at the time.
Personalised Yoga Programmes
Yoga teacher, Cathryn Doornekamp is available totailor-make personalised yoga programmes andtaichi qigong programmes for home practice.
The cost for a one-on-one consultation is $45.00
For more information or to make a booking, pleasephone Cathryn on 021 08295395 or email
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Discounts for Yoga and TaichiRegular class attendees may like to consider
becoming a Member of the Centre to receive a $10saving on the ten-session yoga or taichi card.
A ten session yoga or taichi card is $75.00 to
Full Members ($85.00 for Non-Members)
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MembershipNow is an ideal time to become a member of the
Lotus Yoga Centre.
Full Membership for the financial year:
1 April 2021 – 31 March 2022 is $40.00
Members of the Lotus Yoga Centreare entitled to:
The Lotus Newsletter Quarterly(contains articles on yoga and health)
Reduced fees on yoga and taichi qigongten-session cards
10% discount on books and supplements
A discount on the Classic Yoga Course fees
To apply for Membershipor for more information please contact
Cathryn Doornekamp at the Centre.
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The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Regular Classes
Upcoming Events and Courses
Chanting and Meditation Classes
Facilitated by Shikhaa
Thursdays 11 March – 27 May7.30 – 8.30 pm
Shikhaa is offering 12 weekly classes to learn andchant traditional Sanskrit Stotrums (Vedic hymns).
The 1 hour class will be divided into 2 parts: 30minutes chanting and 30 minutes meditation.
Shikhaa is a living example of what she teaches. For thirty-five years, Shikhaa has lived in India,immersed in a yogic lifestyle of meditation and
Satsang (Self knowledge).
Join Shikhaa to meditate and integrate healthythinking in order to live a conscious
and loving life.
“Meditation is natural and allows the revelation ofyour ever-free Self to be revealed and directly hear
your inherent wisdom and joy.” —Shikhaa
Drop-in $15 per session$120 for 12 weeks
To register or for more information visithttps://wisdomofmeditation.com/ or write to
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Taichi Qigong and Yoga
Taichi Qigong: Friday 11.30 am.
Beginners Yoga: 10.00 am Tuesday andand Friday. 7.30 pm Monday.
General Yoga: 10.00 am Monday andThursday. 6.00 pm Thursday.
Early Bird Yoga: 7.00 am Saturday
All classes are 1 hour in length.
No experience is necessary for the TaichiQigong and Beginners Yoga classes.
The General Yoga classes are suited tothose who are fairly flexible.
All yoga classes include flexibilities,breathing, stretching, strengthening posesand relaxation.
Everyone is welcome, including casuals.
Price Structure
$13.00 casual, $45.00 for 4 classes,$85.00 for 10 classes
Full Members of The Lotus YogaCentre receive 10 classes for $75.00
Bookings are essential
Classes are held all year round, exceptwhen a class falls on a public holiday.
The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Gentle YogaFacilitated by Adhyatma
Sundays 14 March, 11 April & 9 May10.00 am – 12.00 midday
A special two hour class of gentle movement(Yin style), breath work, yoga nidra
and meditation to calm the nervous system. $25 per session prepaid.
Bookings essential.
To register or for more information please contactAdhyatma [email protected]
or phone 021 0548756
Alive to Thrive Unity Meetings
Ros Goldsbrough, the founder ofAlive to Thrive, a centre to helppeople transform their dreamsinto reality, and Licensed UnityTeacher facilitates regular meet-ings at the Lotus Yoga Centre onSundays.
Everyone is welcome to attend.The schedule of dates for the next few months is:
Sunday 21 March, 18 April, 16 May 2021
11.00 am – 1.00 pm followed by a sharedvegetarian lunch at 1.00 pm.
What to expect: Music, meditation, a shortteaching piece and taichi qigong. What to bring:an open heart, a vegetarian dish to share, a loveoffering (donation), and a friend. For moreinformation phone Ros 021 08181 584 or email:[email protected]
Lotus Kirtan
Facilitated by Wellington Kirtan Collective
Sundays 28 March, 25 April & 30 May4 – 6 pm
Entry by donation All are welcome
For more information please visithttps://www.facebook.com/wellingtonkirtan/
Body, Mind and Soul Retreat
Facilitated by Cathryn DoornekampIYTA trained Yoga Teacher
Venue: The Lotus Yoga Centre91 Ruapehu Street, Paraparaumu
Sunday 28 March & Sunday 23 May
9.45 am - 3.00 pm
Treat yourself to a day of Yoga,Breathing, Relaxation andMeditation to nourish the
Body, Mind and Soul.
Suitable for all levels of experience
What to bring:
A vegetarian dish for a shared lunch,a blanket, cushion and yoga mat.
Cost: $50.00 prepaid
Early Bird $40.00 paid in full by14 March 2021 or 9 May 2021
To register your interest or for moreinformation please phone Cathryn
Doornekamp on 021 08295395 or email
lotusyogacentre nz @ gmail.com
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The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Mindfulness, Qi Gong RetreatA 1-day mindfulness, Qi Gong and Breath forRelaxing the Nervous System retreat led by
Rachel Tobin
Friday 2 April 202110.00 am – 4.30 pm
Replenish your energy & vitality!
Relax your mind & body!
Treat yourself to a day-long retreat, to explore theexperience of being present and open to a stillplace of moving and being.
During the day you will be guided in mindfulnessmeditation practices, breath work to relax themind, oxygenate the body and calm anxiety, a qigong sequence to relax the nervous system (with avideo link so that you can practise at home), tips tobuild mindfulnes into everyday life and practicesto help sleep. There will be time to sit and walk atbreaks, or to rest, and to write.
Cost $105 ( includes coffee and teas, snacks, plusall tuition. Please bring vegetarian lunch to share)
Rachel Tobin is the directorof the art of mindfulness.She is a trained teacher whohas been exploring med-itation and movement forover 25 years. She leadsmindfulness classes, retreatsand workshops for adults
and children, and works individually with clientsas a mentor and coach for mindfulness andwellbeing.
www.theartofmindfulness.co.nz/retreats/
Mobile: 021 473 012
Feng Shui Conversation Living Spaces
Saturday 10 April, 10 am – 12 pm
Entry by koha donation
The wonderful art of Feng Shui is so relevant tohow we live today, and its value is so overlookedbecause it is not tangible. This talk is to explainhow to tap into this dynamic and harness theenergy of a place and use this flow to enrich yourLife, your Living Spaces and your Health.
Bring your questions and learn how to be moreaware of what’s around you.
Presenter Rosemary Nelson
Equate aligned environment
www.equate.net.nz
Everyone is welcome to attend
Introduction to Mindfulness
4-week course facilitated by Rachel Tobin
14 April – 5 May
(Wednesdays) 7.30 – 8.30 pm
Specifically designed for people with busyschedules, Introduction to Mindfulness is a simpleand easy way to learn mindfulness meditation or
to develop a more regular practice.
The fee of $145 includes all tuition, weeklyemails with links and information, a printed
guidebook, a Mindfulness app and downloadableguided mindfulness meditations.
For more information or to book:
https://mindfulnessworks.co.nz/an-introduction-to-mindfulness-meditation-4-
week-course-porirua-and-kapiti/
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The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Chakra and Crystals WorkshopFacilitated by Susan Cameron
Capricorn Spirit
Saturday 17 April
10.30 am – 4.30 pm
Come and have some fun learning. In this hands-on workshop you will have an opportunity to workwith crystals in relation to the chakras.
We will have a shared vegetarian lunch, so pleasebring a plate (vegetarian only).
Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat ifyou have one.
Cost $120
To register or for more information please text
or phone Susan 0212317890
Discover Your Natural Bliss
Silent Day RetreatA silent retreat day to embrace stillness and
understand nature’s elements to create bliss inyour own magical tranquil sanctuary.
Sunday 2 May 202110.00 am – 4.00 pm
Cost $75 per person
For more information or bookings email
Therapies by Appointment
Thai Massage
Qualified therapist Noi Chaiya
Phone 022 023 1215
Well Being Therapy
Clare McMahon
Qualified Medical Doctor for 36 years
Clare decided to change direction in May 2020, inorder to provide a more holistic approach to WellBeing. She has worked extensively in thefollowing fields:
General Practice, Palliative Care, Sexual Abuse,Family Violence, Musculoskeletal Medicine, Careof the elderly, Chronic Pain Management andAddiction.
What would a consultation with Clare look like?
Imagine you are in a room with someone you feelcomfortable with. Knowing she will not judgeyou, and will maintain strict confidentiality wehave an hour. Clare will map out a path andconsider many options. She may be able to treatyou on the spot, and if you wish, you can make afollow up appointment.
Phone 020 41581860
email: [email protected]
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The Lotus News-sheet Autumn 2021
Somatic Experiencing
Julie Forsey
As a retired medical doctor with a longstandinginterest in yoga, meditation, dance and bio-energytherapy, I bring a wide range of skills andexperience to help you, and can teach you many‘take home’ practices to use in your everyday life.
I am pleased to now be offering SomaticExperiencing appointments at the Lotus YogaCentre.
SE is a form of help for people who have hadtraumatic experience or are dealing with a lot ofstress, and can also help people who are feeling ‘shut down’ and not fully present in their ownlives. It was developed by Peter Levine who wasinspired by how well wild animals recover fromstressful events. SE uses our natural physiology torelease tension held in the nervous system andbody, allowing people to renegotiate and recover,rather than re-living or re-enacting trauma.
SE sessions are usually done sitting on a chair orcouch. There is less talking than in a counselingappointment, and more attention with bodysensations, gentle movement and any images oremotions that arise during the session. I will teachyou ways to track, or follow, these experienceswith your awareness, which helps them to releaseand come to a place of rebalance.
Appointments are 1 hour and cost $120, with
discounts for those on low income.
To book an appointment,or set up a free 20 minute Zoom call,
please text me on 0275 999 290and I will call you.
I look forward to meeting you.
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BooksThe following books published by the
Centre are available for purchase:
Relax with YogaEric Doornekamp - $10.00
Yoga HumourEric Doornekamp - $9.00
Be Fit with YogaEric Doornekamp - $2.00 (discounted)
The Great NZ WalkEric Doornekamp - $2.00 (discounted)
Massage for RelaxationEric Doornekamp - $25.00 (discounted)
Recipes from the FarmyardBruce Collins - $10.00
Colourful Vegetarian RecipesAnne Doornekamp - $10.00
Vegetarian Recipes from ManyCountries Anna van der Lip - $10.00
Practical VegetarianismEric Doornekamp - $10.00
Sivananda Cook BookRavi and Kamakshi - $10.00
Sunflower Cook BookVal Parker - $10.00
Full Members receive a 10% discounton books not already discounted.
