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November 2008
| Focus of the Month for November The Hips / The Four Limitless Qualities In November our physical focus is on the hips while the Buddhist concept of The Four Limitless Qualities offers the basis for our philosophical exploration. Building on our work for the past two months we continue our anatomical journey up the body as our physical focus this months is the hips. What came up for you in that moment? The mere mention of the word in relation to your own body and practice might be loaded. Maybe even an ingrained hidden pattern (samskara). You might feel restricted in working with your hips. Jaya teacher Christine Findlay offers this; “I think we all have some limitation in one or more areas of the hip. Limitation is usually a good way to learn about yourself/your physical body.” Over the month we will learn about the ball and socket joint, range of motion, how restrictions in this joint can often effect the lower back and knee joint. Working with poses such gomukasana, janusirsanana, for the more advanced classes padmasana, eka pada galavasana (flying crow). Please bring your questions and requests to class. To accompany the hips and all the limitations that may surface we offer the “Four Limitless Qualities” (also referred to as the Four Immeasurables) they are love (metta), compassion (kaurna), joy (mudita) and equanimity (upekkha), the words in parenthesis are in the Pali language. You can find them in chapter 6 of Pema Chodron’s Places that Scare You – which is the book the Jaya Book Club is reading this month - and of course your teachers will offer their take on the significance of the Four Limitless Qualities in relation to the yoga practice. May all sentient beings have happiness and its causes, May all sentient beings be free of suffering and its causes May all sentient beings never be separated from bliss without suffering, May all sentient beings be in equanimity, free of bias, attachment and anger. Beginners Only 6- Week Beginner Series Taught by Carla Stangenberg Sunday October 26 - November 23 From 2 - 3:15 pm This class is tailored for the newcomer to yoga. You will be eased into the practice by the skillful attention of your teacher. You will learn basic body awareness exercises, basic asanas (yoga poses) that stretch, lengthen and strengthen your body and a handful of techniques to help reduce stress in your daily life. Wear comfortable cloths. All the props you need during your classes are provided by the studio. At the end of your six classes you will be ready to join any of our basic level classes $15 to drop in (please feel free to attend even if you have missed the first two classes. Next Beginner Series Starts Sunday December 7th - January 11th from 2-3:15 pm $85 Sign Up Now!! Email for Beginner Series. BACK ON THE SCHEDULE DEEP REST Every Other Sunday 7:45 pm November 9th & 23rd, December 7th & 21st Restorative Yoga, aka Deep Relaxation, focuses on how the yin (receptive) qualities of the poses can be tapped to induce deeper states of rest and relaxation. This class has one sole aim: deep mindful rest. You will be exposed to a combination of restorative yoga poses and be guided to hold these poses for an extended period of time (using props to provide physical support). Breath observation and guided meditation exercises are also included. Taken as a whole, these techniques are used to usher your mind, body, and spirit into a state of deep internal awareness where we may let go of our hardened and habitual daily reactions in the body (samskaras). This is a great class is you wish to reduce stress in your daily life. Next Round of Kids Classes Bija Yoga's Down Dog for Kids Starts Monday November 17th - January 19th 3:30 - 4:15 pm & 4:30 - 5:15 pm for ages 4-7 yrs 8-week series Down Dog for Kids classes introduce children to the practice of yoga. Yoga poses and principles are explored in a variety of fun ways. Nature, basic anatomy and imagination are all key aspects of the class. Children are encouraged to explore the way their bodies move through creative projects, collaboration, storytime and songs. Chanting, breathing exercises and simple meditation practices relax and calm the mind. Each classes finishes with relaxation - something the little yogis come to look forward to! No prior yoga experience required. $120 for the series Pre-registration and pre-payment are required, please contact 718-788-8788 or email. Also offering Little Lotuses Starts Monday November 17th - January 19th 11:45 - 12:30 pm 8-week series for ages crawling - 3 yrs with Lauren Maples 8-week series This class is our "mommy" and me yoga class. Children from crawling to 3 years can practice yoga along with their parent or guardian, limited to 9 children. $120 for the series Pre-registration and pre-payment are required, please contact 718-788-8788 or email. PLEASE NOTE: both kids classes skip December 22 & 29. Also note class size limited to 9 children. FREE Introduction to YOGA CLASSES Monday November 23 from 4:45 - 5:50 pm Monday December 1 from 4:45 - 5:50 pm Please bring yourself and a friend to Jaya Yoga for a free introduction to asana practice, meditation, and a little philosophy. Everyone is welcome. If you have any questions email us or ask at the front desk. Day After Thanksgiving Special Class Hot & Sweet with Alison Dorfman Friday November 28th from 10:45 - 12:15 This class combines 3/4 open level hatha practice in the vinyasa style with 1/4 restorative asana practice. A great class to get you moving and help you relax all at the same time, never mind shopping, practice yoga instead. This is an open all levels class. Jaya Yoga Book Club Next Reading & Meeting Friday December 5th at 7:30 pm (after Christine's 6 pm Intermediate Class) We are reading Places that Scare You, by Pema Chodron. You will be able to find this book very easily at your local bookstore. "Our personal attempts to live humanely in this world are never wasted. Choosing to cultivate love rather than anger just might be what it takes to save the planet from extinction." (Chapter 7 page 41, Places that Scare You.) Please Join Us!! CHANT AND BE HAPPY! Weekly Short Chants with Nina Rao Every Tuesday at 11:10 am Please join Nina and her harmonium for 1/2 hour of chanting after the 9:30 am open level class after the 1/2 hour open meditation session (this is like a weekly mini retreat for yourself). We are thrilled to have Nina back!!! This 1/2 hour chanting session is a weekly offering, beginning on the 9th. Please bring yourself, your family, your friends. BY DONATION PLEASE NOTE: No chanting on election day November 4th. CHANT AND BE HAPPY! KIRTAN with Nina and Ambika Friday December 19 at 8:30 - 10:30 pm Ambika and Nina have been singing kirtan together for many years. They combine traditional Indian chants with both contemporary and traditional melodies, in a call-and-response format. They will be accompanied by Arjun Bruggeman on tabla (who plays regularly with Krishna Das) and Sundar Dar on Indian bansuri flute. $15 at the door. Nina Rao first learned traditional chants from her grandfather while on holiday in a village in south India when she was nine. The chants quietly stayed with her until she rediscovered chanting with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. Most recently she recorded a track 'Nina Chalisa' on Krishna Das CD "Flow of Grace - Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa". Ambika Cooper first began chanting with Krishna Das on Monday nights at Jivamukti, some twelve years ago, and she’s been chanting ever since - on Krishna Das’ recordings, in temples and ashrams in India, at her wedding (the ceremony was held at the first Laughing Lotus), in her living room, with her kids, and on many a weekend night with her pals. A Big Thank You To SHYAMDAS For coming to Jaya and sharing his music, light and life with us. It was a real exciting evening overflowing with good energy for all. So good in fact he said he wants to come back and do it again!!! Another big thank you to Nina Rao for really being the catalyst to make the event happen. Thank you for your practice, patience and good humor -Jaya News Department |
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