These beautiful journals, imported from India, are made from leather that is hand-cut and crafted using traditional methods by many artisans…leather cutters, paper-makers, binders and decorative artists. The exquisite, natural white paper is made from 100% recycled cotton. As real leather can have flaws like discolouration and wrinkles…every piece is unique. All of the stones used are semi-precious, such as Jasper, Labradorite, Tiger Eye, and Lapus Lazuli. Rebinding kits are available, so you can remove used pages, and re-use the cover.

Available styles, as shown above, are Tooled Design with Stone, Plain with Stone, and Tooled Design without Stone

One of these journals makes a distinctive gift that will will be treasured by its lucky recipient.  Or, go ahead…get one for yourself!

5″ x 9″, 210 pages (approx), $48.00

Light up your life with the warm, soft glow of these hand-made paper lanterns! With whimsical to elegant graphics ranging from antique to retro to contemporary, there is something here for everyone….for any (or every) room in any home.  Super sweet and super stylish!

Also available are power cord kits…just insert a lightbulb, drop it into the shade and plug it in. Instant atmosphere in less time than it took you to read this email!

Shades are 35 cm (13 3/4″) in diameter, $11.95
Cord kits are 4.6m (15′) with inline switch and two hooks for hanging: $16.50.

Along the River During the Qingming Festival is a panoramic painting by Chinese artist Zhang Zeduan (1085–1145). Capturing the daily life of his time, it shows all levels of society from rich to poor, as well as different economic activities in rural areas and in the city. The countryside and the densely populated city are the two main sections in the picture, with the river meandering through the entire length. The 5-metre long painting is known for its accurate images of a variety natural elements and architecture, boats and bridges, market place and stores, people and scenery…including 814 humans, 28 boats, 60 animals, 30 buildings, 20 vehicles and 170 trees!

This Chinese cultural treasure is available as a series of seven, 950-piece jigsaw puzzles, each showing a separate section of the painting. The puzzle pictured above shows a bridge crossing the river where a great commotion is happening. A boat approaches at an awkward angle with its mast not completely lowered, threatening to crash into the bridge. The crowds on the bridge and along the riverside are shouting and gesturing toward the boat. The narrow strip above shows the entire painting.

With fine lines and sepia colouring, these challenging puzzles are a great gift that will delight serious jigsaw puzzle fans. Or, if it’s for yourself, gather family or friends around the table…you may need help with these!

Each year the people of China go through roughly 45 billion pairs of throwaway chopsticks; that averages out to nearly 130 million pairs every day. Add the export market’s additional 18 billion pairs annually, and that requires roughly 16 million to 25 million felled trees each year. Deforestation is one of China’s gravest environmental problems, leading to soil erosion, famine, flooding, carbon dioxide release, desertification and species extinction. In June, 2010, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued this statement: “Companies making disposable chopsticks will face local government restrictions aimed at decreasing the use of the throwaway utensil…”

But there are objections to the demise of the disposable chopstick: the wooden chopsticks industry employs 100,000 people in China’s forested regions, and restaurants object to the higher costs required to sterilize reusable utensils. Disinfection of wooden chopsticks is never a part of the manufacturing or packaging process, and the porosity of wood helps harbor manufacturing chemicals such as sulfur and hydrogen peroxide. Reusable chopsticks are usually made from melamine resin and there is concern that melamine and formaldehyde will to migrate into the food, but studies investigating melamine migration into warm foods have found no violation of regulated limits. Food-grade stainless steel chopsticks are an option, but are not always “tooth-friendly”.

If you like to eat Asian, consider getting your own personal chopsticks. Our Japanese chopsticks in matching carrying cases (with whimsical dragonflies, cranes, and floral motifs) travel easily in your purse or backpack. At home or when dining out, create an impression with this simply elegant accessory!

Like many other Cape Breton kids, Sean Drohan often vacationed with his family at the Smokey Valley Campground & Park. The meandering streams,waterfalls and calm pools invited exploration, and explore he did—he now has over twenty years experience working as a wilderness guide throughout the Cape Breton highlands. And he knows Smokey Valley like the back of his hand.

In the late 70s,  Tibetan meditation master Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche was visiting Cape Breton, and when passing Smokey Valley, commented that its name should be “Kalapa”, as the valley itself contained a potent energy that would contribute to the worldwide development of spiritual teachings. A few decades later the property was purchased by Shambhala; its name was changed to Kalapa Valley, and it has become the geographic and energetic centre of Shambhala Centres worldwide. It is now used mainly for retreats by senior Shambhala teachers, but is still used for family campground vacations as well. And Sean, now a yoga and meditation practitioner is a guide  for backcountry hikes there.

The physical aspect of yoga has its benefits, but it is primarily a preparation for meditation, the deepest aspects of which are a large part of Asthanga yoga. As it was originally practiced, yoga was a mindfulness practice from which a greater awareness of the true nature of mind could arise. Through meditation, one might learn to see things as they really are, and eventually become more helpful to others. Feeling he was missing this component of his practice, Sean went to a local Shambhala Centre for meditation instruction, as he had heard that they “did it right.” He says that neither climbing a 400 foot wall of ice nor ocean kayaking in 15 foot waves is as dynamic as sitting on a cushion doing meditation practice.

A back country tour of Kalapa Valley takes about four hours. The effort required is “moderate”, but if you are up for something more challenging, Sean can deliver on that, too. “A connection with the wilderness,” he says, “can bring one fully and powerfully to the present moment, when subtle energies that are beyond the intellect can be felt; the mountain tops point to open space, a visual reminder of the underlying openness of our normally busy minds.”  When he takes city-dwellers on a hike in Kalapa Valley, they sometimes experience a sense of timelessness; this can be awe-inspiring, and at the same time can feel very natural, or familiar, like coming home.

Sean manages to keep fairly “unbusy”, teaching yoga in Halifax workplaces, yoga studios and in private classes. He is currently in production for season three of the path of yoga, his syndicated TV show, produced by Eastlink television. And his book, “The Kalapa Valley Guide Book: Kalapa Jong Lamyik” that will point to the physical, spiritual and subtle energies of Kalapa Valley, should be out in 2012.

His best advice to yogins and yoginis? Make your primary practice with a teacher. You can learn a lot from books, but a teacher can help with the variations in body types with regard to posture, alignment and so on, helping you get the most benefit from your practice.

Best advice on what to bring on a wilderness hike? Chocolate covered almonds. No reason…he just likes them.

You can contact Sean at: seanmdrohan@hotmail.com

For information on yoga equipment that we carry at Drala, drop in to our store, or give us a call on our toll-free line above. We stock most Manduka products: Black Mat Pro, ProLite, Eko, EkoLite and Folding Travel Mats; carry bags, eQua towels, cork blocks, straps and water bottles. Enrich your practice with our yoga books and CDs, om jewellry and shoulder bags!

Cast iron tea pots were created in ancient China and later adopted by the Japanese. Inpurities are removed from the cast iron during the production process, and a black enamel is applied inside to help prevent the formation of rust. Practical as well as decorative, they symbolize the everlasting strength and unity of the world.

These pots may be used as tea kettles to boil water, or as teapots to brew tea. Most come with a stainless mesh infuser for brewing loose tea, which should be removed if using the pot to boil water. It is also important that the pot not be allowed to boil dry as this can damage the enamel lining.

After each use make sure the pot is clean and dry. Water should not be kept in the pot overnight as chemicals and minerals in the water can damage the lining.

If rust forms, though, the pot can still be used. Clean the rusted area with a soft brush or fine steel wool, and boil used teabags or tea leaves. The tannic acid from the tea will react naturally with the iron producing a black seal covering the rusted area. Rust from the pot is non-toxic, so it will be safe to use.

At Drala we carry a great selection of affordable Chinese cast iron tea pots in a variety of colours, patterns and sizes. As stock is always changing, drop into see what’s in store, phone us at the toll-free number above, or email us!

To see our selection of Japanese teas, click here.

Put your cast iron tea pot on display to evoke moods of ancient China; enjoy your tea, while contemplating the true meaning of life!

Brought to Japan in the eighth century by Buddhist monks, who used the mystical aromas in their religious ceremonies, “Koh,” as incense is called in Japanese, passed into the realm of the aristocracy centuries later as a source of amusement and enlightenment. Now, incense has become acceptable and desirable as a new dimension in gracious living.

Here is a thoughtful list of ten virtues of incense that were believed to have been written by an anonymous Zen monk of the sixth century:

1. Incense brings communication and the transcendent.
2. It purifies mind and body.
3. It removes uncleanliness.
4. It brings alertness.
5. It is a companion to solitude.
6. In the midst of activity, it brings a moment of peace.
7. When there is plenty, one never tires of it.
8. When there is little, still one is satisfied.
9. Age does not change its efficacy.
10. Used every day, it does no harm.

At Drala we have the largest selection of Japanese incense in eastern Canada (maybe all of Canada!)

For more details, click here.

Environmentally Friendly

Beeswax is a biodegradable, natural product. Beeswax candles are virtually smokeless and dripless when used properly, and burn slower than other waxes, making them economical as well. These ones use all cotton, metal-free wicks.

Natural Ionizers

Just like lightening, beeswax produces negative ions when burned. These attach to postive ions such as dust, pollen, mould, odour and other toxins, and in this process clean the air.

Non-Allergenic

Nothing is added to these beeswax candles, so there is nothing to cause adverse reactions. Beeswax is the best choice for asthma and allergy sufferers.

Aroma Therapy

The natural fragrance of a burning beeswax candle will allow relaxation and balance enter your hectic life. Light one today and enjoy the tranquility.

Available in:
Column, 5 1/2” ($19.95)
Column 4 1/2” ($17.95)
Column 3 1/2” ($14.95)
Votive ($4.95)
Tealight ($1.50)