October 2009

Jaya Yoga Center
1626 8th Ave.
Brooklyn NY 11215
718-788-8788
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October Focus of the Month

Service / Standing Balance

Having taken a good look within and reflected on the nature of phenomena by gazing into the eye of impermanence, we find a kind of even ground to stand upon. We are yet more engaged in the world with our deeper understanding of the conditions we are subject to. Now what do we do? We know that what we reach out and place our hands on in the world is simply not going to last, but we still are in the world, so now the question might be, how can we use these hands? How can we be of benefit? Of service? Or better yet, how are we being of service to our family, community, the earth...? I have a friend who literally does a good deed every day — helps a woman with a stroller up from the subway, picks up garbage on the street, little things. These little acts of service — done with the focus on someone or something other than oneself — contribute to the welfare of others. Or maybe you take a cue from some of the classes and special offerings at the studio this month and get involved in some work — just the good work to be done without personal inflation as a result. Acting in this way can perhaps reshape your perspective and transform your life.

Service can bring better balance to your life — so can balancing on one foot. How do we find our balance? How can we tell if we are in balance? Utthita hasta padangusthasana (hand-to-big-toe pose), urdhva prasarita eka padasana (standing split), garudasana (eagle) — there are lots of poses to chose from. Come to class to see what kinds of sequences your teachers come up with.

BENEFIT CLASS: Yoga for a Cause
Taught by Dara Silverman and Carly Sacks
Saturday, October 3, 2-3:30 pm
Yoga for a Cause is an all-levels vinyasa class. All donations actively support bringing yoga to low-income communities. The donations from this class will go toward purchasing blocks for Ping Family Residence, a homeless shelter in Harlem. Carly and Dara are teaching a group of women at the residence's prenatal classes. They do not charge for their services. Suggested donation is $5 and up. If you can't attend this class but would like to make a donation, you can do so at the front desk.

BIOS:

Carly Sachs has been practicing yoga since she was 12. She recently completed her 200-hour Yoga Certification at the Kripalu Institute. She is a writer by day and a bartender by night. For more information on her writing and yoga, please visit her website: www.thewhyandlater.com
Dara Silverman has been practicing yoga for 10 years. In other parts of her life, she works for social justice, most recently as the Executive Director at Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ).

Kirtan
Friday, October 9, 23; November 6, 13, 8-9:30 pm
with Nina Rao
Come and be lead through beautiful Sanskrit chants to uplift the spirit. Offered by donation. Please join us for these special evenings of music and devotion.

BIO:

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 the track "Nina Chalisa" on Krishna Das' CD "Flow of Grace — Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa."

FREE INTRODUCTION TO Yoga Class
with Carla Stangenberg
Monday, October 12, 4:45-5:50 pm
Please bring your self and a friend to Jaya Yoga Center for a free introduction to asana (posture) practice, meditation and even a little philosophy. We are equip with all the props you will need during your class, free to borrow. Everyone is welcome!! No reservations needed just show up!!

BEGINNERS ONLY! FALL BEGINNERS' SERIES
Sundays, October 18-November 22, 2-3:15 pm
This class is tailored to 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. At the end of your six classes, you will be ready to join any of our basic level classes.
If you miss one class, you can attend a make-up class on Thursdays at 7:45 pm.
$90 for the series; $20 to drop in. Sign up now by contacting namaste@jayayogacenter.com. This is the first series we have done since early summer. The next beginners' series won't begin until late November.

ADVANCE YOUR PRACTICE CLASS
with Carla Stangenberg
Saturday October 24, 5:45-8:15 pm
This time around we will focus on bandhas (in particular, uddiyana and hasta), core abdominal muscles, and arm balances. The 2 1/2-hour class format gives us plenty of time to put together the pieces that will make your arm balances more dependably sturdy from the ground up.
$25. Please contact namaste@jayayogacenter.com as pre-registration is required.

All You Need Is Love Yoga
with Kenzie Pause
Friday November 20, 8 pm
The music of The Beatles has spanned decades and generations. The beautiful practice of yoga has spanned over 5,000 years, evolving into many forms and styles over time. While The Beatles may be young in comparison, combining the two seemed like a natural addition to my yoga practice. I created All You Need Is Love to put two of my favorite things together: yoga and The Beatles. The class takes you on a physical, mental and sometimes even emotional journey through energizing asanas (poses) to revitalizing pranayama (breathing exercises) to a soothing yoga nidra (deep relaxation) complete with the music of one of the greatest bands ever. $15 (class cards can not be used for this event). Sign up now!!

All We Are Saying Is Give Peace A Chance.—John Lennon

SCHEDULE ADDITIONS AND CHANGES

Change
New Teacher
Leslie Kraus
Leslie will be teaching the Saturday 8:30 am Basic class beginning October 3 and the Wednesday 7:45 pm Open and Restorative class starting October 14. Read Leslie's Bio.

Addition
Men's Class
Taught by Michael Gates
Sunday evenings, from 7:45 - 9:10 pm
Class will take place every other week; next classes are October 4 and 18.

Addition
Deep Rest
first class with Danika Hendrickson
Beginning Sunday, October 11, from 7:45 - 9:10 pm
Class will take place every other week
Restorative, a.k.a. 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 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 you may let go of your body's hardened and habitual daily reactions (samskaras). This is a great class if you wish to reduce stress in your daily life.
$15 to drop in or use your class card.
Please note: This class will meet every other week. October 11, 25, November 8, 22...

Addition
New Thursday Basics Class at 4:30 pm
with Michael Gates

DROP INTO KIDS CLASSES

Little Lotuses
with Lauren Maples
Mondays, September 14 - December 21
11:30 am - 12:15 pm
(crawling to 3 years)
This class 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 nine children. $25 to drop in.
(There will be no class on October 12, Columbus Day.)

Down Dog for Kids
with Lauren Maples
Wednesdays, September 16 - December 2
3:30 - 4:15 pm
(ages 4 to 8)
Down Dog classes introduce children to the practice of yoga. Yoga poses and principles are explored in a variety of fun ways. Nature, anatomy, and imagination are all key aspects of the class. Children are encouraged to explore the way their bodies move through creative projects, partner work, story time, and songs. Chanting, breathing exercises, and simple meditation practices relax and calm the mind. Each class finishes with relaxation — something the little yogis come to look forward to! No prior yoga experience required! Drop in for $25.

SPECIAL OFFERING: Community Acupuncture at Jaya
Thursdays, beginning October 7, from 12 - 3 pm

We are offering a special service this month: community acupuncture on a sliding scale.

Acupuncture is a many-thousand-year-old healing modality of natural medicine. Originating in China, acupuncture utilizes our own internal energies of body, mind, and spirit. Acupuncture is used in two distinct ways: The first is preventative, as it enables us to remain our natural healthy and vibrant selves. Treatments provide balance, harmony, and realignment, allowing us to adapt to external and internal stresses. Acupuncture is also a powerful medicine that aids us in remedying a wide range of ailments, from physical to psychic pain, digestive upsets, gynecological issues, headaches, and more.

Balancing the body, mind, and spirit is important at times of transition. Weather and seasonal fluctuations, regular travel, and environmental stress can all tax our sense of balance. Acupuncture is a safe, natural, drug-free way to maintain and achieve greater levels of health and wellness.

A typical session involves a health history and wellness assessment. Specific acupuncture points are recommended to achieve the most fluidity and flow of internal energetics or Qi (chee). Sterile hair-fine single-use needles are gently inserted and retained as you lie comfortably and rest. Ten to 30 minutes later, the needles are removed and you experience sensations of realignment with yourself.

Our community wellness practice runs on a sliding scale of $20 - $40; you determine what an appropriate amount is for you. We appreciate your understanding of a sliding scale and offering what you can to keep our doors open and maintain the highest level of professional services. If you would like an appointment, please call 718-788-8788; we are taking appointments at half-hour intervals.

BIO:

Leah Sasha Schwartz, L.Ac., is a NY State licensed acupuncturist who practices Classical Chinese Medicine in the tradition of her teacher, Jeffrey C. Yuen, 88th generation master teacher of the Jade Purity Sect. In her practice, she focuses on women's wellness, natural care of children with essential oils, and general holistic treatments. She lives and loves in Brooklyn, attends Jaya Yoga, and has one amazing kitten, Cat Stevens.

Women's Cancer Survivor Class
Wednesdays, 11:15 am - 12:25 pm
Taught by Stacey Sperling and special guests
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. The class is by donation of $5 to $15. Please note: There will be no class on October 7; the class will resume the following week.

EVENTS

Book Club Reading / Meeting
We are (supposed to be) reading Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. We are planning to meet Sunday, October 18, at 2 pm in Prospect Park — the following week if it is raining. To help us get a sense of this next meeting, please email carla@jayayogacenter.com if you are actually reading the book and this date works for you. (If we hear from five readers we will go ahead with it; otherwise we will start again.) If it is best for us to come up with an alternative book and date, please let us know!

Jaya Yoga Retreat in Guatemala
April 10 - 17, 2010
with Sarah Selig and Carla Stangenberg
We hope you will join us for this yoga retreat celebrating the 10th anniversary of Jaya Yoga Center. Lake Atatila is 4,500 feet above sea level, a perfect place for reflection on your personal practice and the connection of all of us together in the wonderful Jaya community. Everyone is welcome — even those who do not currently practice at Jaya. We will have two daily yoga classes including asana, pranayama, meditation, and deep rest (not necessarily in that order). Each day there will be "open studio" where Carla and Sarah will be available for your practice questions. The beautiful setting, three meals each day, a sauna, and an excursion round out this experience.

Here is a little list of extracurricular activities while you are practicing with us in Guatemala: swimming (in the lake or a solar-heated pool), massage, hot tub, sauna, Spanish lessons, kayaking, hiking, climbing a volcano, horseback riding, bird watching... this list goes on!

This is an amazing opportunity to get a deeper understanding of your practice and how it fits into your life as a whole.

Prices: $1,375 (single), $1,165 (double), triple optional. Prices do not include transportation. A $150 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. Please contact namaste@jayayogacenter.com to reserve. The earlier you make your reservation, the lower the airfare will be (we will let you know which flights we are coming in on so we can arrange transport to Villa Sumaya together if you like).

A WORD ABOUT MAT STORAGE
If you are lucky enough to be borrowing a place for your mat to be stored, please be mindful of a couple of guidelines. Mat storage is for people with current class cards. Please put your name on your mat (there are Sharpies at the front desk), so that in the event that your mat is misplaced, we will know who it belongs to. (These things happen — you might put it in the wrong cubby or someone might use it by accident.) If you are no longer in need of the spot, please let us know at the front desk. If you would like a place to store your mat, please let us know that you would like to be put on the waiting list. Please respect these guidelines.