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August 2009
| Focus of the Month for August Retreat / Sarvangasana Next on our summer asana list is sarvangasana – literally "all body posture." This mid-summer cooling pose is an essential one to have in your repertoire of asanas, mainly for its many therapeutic effects. These include but aren't limited to balancing the thyroid, soothing the nervous system, and assisting the workings of the digestive system. And once all of this is working, you can experience for yourself the effects on your emotional life. Lots of fun variations for the basic to advanced practitioner. Iyengar and Ashtanga Vinyasa systems include it, along with sirsasana, as a classic closing posture. As we reverberate in the resonance of the ahhh uuu mmm from last month's focus on the sound of everything, OM, we can begin to observe the space that opens up as a result. Now, what to do? How about not a thing? How about if for this last full month of summer we continue to bask in the sun. For August, we will introduce the concept of retreat as the philosophical focus. What is a retreat? What is the point of retreat? How am I supposed to retreat? I have no time for a retreat! There certainly are formal options for retreat – going away with a group to a remote location to practice more than you normally have time to. (See the website for photos from Jaya's recent trip to Vermont.) Sure, it's great to have time to get away. But what if that's not technically possible? In the yoga sutras of Patanjali, he offers as part of the eight-limbed path Pratyahara – to experience a drawing in of the senses. Okay then, how about you build your own retreat – include a silent walk in Prospect Park, meditation, and a yoga class. Or how about you chose to retreat from something you do excessively, maybe also thinking of it as a detoxification. Maybe you are a media junkie, read to escape, are always aggravated and can not remember why...the list is endless. When we returned from our Vermont excursion, there was the realization that pieces of that pristine experience came back to Brooklyn too. What can you do to get away a little? Classes and Special Events Free Introduction to Yoga Classes August 17, with Michael Gates September 21, with Carla Stangenberg 4:45 – 5:50 pm Please bring yourself and a friend to Jaya Yoga Center for a free introduction to asana (posture) practice, meditation, and even a little philosophy. We are equipped with all the props you will need during your class, which are free for you to borrow. This is a great way to get a sense of what is going on at Jaya if you are new to yoga or to the area. Everyone is welcome! Please feel free to email any questions. All You Need Is LOVE Yoga with the Beatles Taught by Kenzie Pause Friday, August 21 7:45 - 9:00 pm Please join us in welcoming Kenzie Pause and her special class "All You Need Is Love" to Jaya. Come and allow the spirit of the Beatles' music to enhance the yogic experience for you. This evening is sure to energize as the choreography is closely fused to some of your all-time favorites. All levels welcome. $15 or use your class card. Teacher Bio: (Mac)Kenzie Pause, RYT, began her yoga journey 11 years ago. She has found joy in sharing yoga with others in many forms. After graduating from the Hatha Yoga School for Teachers in Orlando, Florida, she received additional training in Thai Yoga Therapy and Sound Therapy. Kenzie's background in music led to a passion to experiment with Nada (sound) yoga. Attending various workshops for Sound Therapy allowed an inspiration to incorporate the power of music and yoga. As the healing sounds of crystal singing bowls made their way into her yoga classes, so did the music of The Beatles. Kenzie is also New York's Yoga Examiner on Examiner.com. ALL SUMMER LONG KIRTAN August 14, 28 8 - 9:30 pm Nina, Devadas, Shyama, and Ambika will lead us through beautiful Sanskrit chants to uplift the spirit. Offered by donation. Please join us for these special evenings of music and devotion. Come!! Kirtan is a great way to take last month's focus of OM and further explore the power of sound. Discover another route into this ever-expanding practice. KIDS YOGA Summer Camp with Lauren Maples August 24 - 28 12:30 - 3 pm Join Jaya and Bija for a week long children's yoga workshop! Each daily session will include an hour of yoga at the studio (including age-appropriate yoga poses, games, breathing techniques, story time, and more) and then an exploration of the natural world in nearby Prospect Park. On rainy days, we will stay inside and do yoga-based art projects (think sand mandalas and life-size yoga portraits). Sign up by the week or the day. For kids ages 4 - 8 years (must be potty-trained and able to separate without transition time). No yoga experience necessary. Register today. Space is limited to 15 participants. $200/week or $45/day save 10% off a sibling registration (Please Note: Parents are responsible for providing a healthy snack to be eaten after yoga. Water will be provided.) Jaya Classes in Jamaica, Vermont at Palden Sakya Dharma Center Taught by Carla Stangenberg Tuesday, August 11 - Saturday, August 15 Please join Carla for five days of classes at Palden Sakya Dharma Center in Jamaica, Vermont (right next to Jamaica State Park). She will offer all levels classes on Tuesday, 7:30 -8:45 pm, and Wednesday - Friday, 7:30 - 8:45 am (Saturday time TBD). Classes will include equal parts asana, pranayama and meditation. For more information, please contact Carla. SEPTEMBER 2009 KIDS YOGA 12-WEEK SERIES Little Lotuses with Lauren Maples Mondays, September 14- December 21 11:30 am - 12:15 pm (crawling – 3 yrs) This is our "mommy and me" yoga class. Children from crawling to 3 years can practice yoga along with their parent or guardian. Class size is limited to 9 children. $240 for the series. $25 to drop provided there is space. Pre-registration and pre-payment required – please contact Jaya. (Please note series skips September 28, Yom Kippur, and October 12, Columbus Day) HELP SPREAD THE WORD NEW CLASS ADDED YOGA FOR MEN Taught by Michael Gates Begins Sunday, September 20, 7:45 - 9:15 pm This all levels class will focus on physiological patterns common among men. Students will also be introduced to techniques for meditation and pranayama and the health benefits of a regular practice. This class will take place every other Sunday at 7:45 pm, beginning September 20. Michael's bio. Om Yoga Women Cancer Survivor Class Taught By Stacey Sperling Every Wednesday 11:15 - 12:45 Class will include gentle movements, healing yoga sequences, restorative postures, breathing exercises, and balancing work appropriate for women during and after cancer treatment. Whether you are new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, you are welcome to come. This class is part of a program started by Tari Prinster, a yoga teacher and cancer survivor, at OM Yoga in Manhattan. Stacey Sperling feels it is an honor to teach this special class. Please email Stacey if you have specific questions regarding this class. The class is by donation of $5-$15. SAVE THE DATES Guatemala Yoga & Meditation Retreat with Sarah (Lewis) Selig and Carla Stangenberg April 10 - 17, 2010 In celebration of our 10-year anniversary, we are going to lead a retreat in Guatemala!!!! Woohoo!! More information soon. Jaya Book Club We are reading Rachel Carson's classic on the environment SILENT SPRING. We have not yet decided on a date (thinking mid-September). Pick it up and start reading in the mean time. In Memory of KATHLEEN LEWIS The Jaya community recently lost Kathleen Lewis, a yogi who had been part of our community since the beginning. We will forever miss her practicing with us. Her loving husband, Larry Lewis, and their daughter Larissa were by her side when, as Larry put it, "she slipped away from us." Her death was untimely. Our time is ultimately short; look at those you love and tell them. Thank you for your practice, patience and good humor -Jaya News Department |
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